Reborn as the Villain's Wife, I Shine in 80s-Chapter 573 - 557 Surprises, Farewells

With a complicated look in her eyes, Zhao Chun said, "I think this girl Jin Zhi has too many tricks up her sleeve."

"If possible, you should find an opportunity to fire her and hire someone else instead."

Tian Sangsang looked at him intently and asked, "What did she do to you?"

So Zhao Chun recounted what had just happened in the countryside. He was trying to do a good deed, but why was the person he helped someone so manipulative? He never realized it before.

After listening carefully, Tian Sangsang raised her eyebrows. "So she spread the word that you’re her boyfriend without your consent? Could it be that she has feelings for you?"

"Even if she has feelings, she can’t just say whatever she wants."

Zhao Chun turned his head away, pursing his lips. "Does an honest person talk like she does?"

Tian Sangsang thought back to the incident where Jin Zhi misappropriated money, and now this event. She couldn’t bring herself to keep her anymore. She had intended to give her one more chance, but in the end, Jin Zhi disappointed her again.

"So the 600-plus yuan I lent her earlier, plus this time’s sewing machine money, are all gone?"

Zhao Chun was almost spitting blood, his eyes widening in shock: "600-plus yuan earlier?"

Tian Sangsang nodded. "Yes. Her brother needed money for his dowry, and she took over 600 yuan from me to make up the difference—without asking for my consent."

Zhao Chun took a deep breath. "Tian Sangsang, you have too big a heart. You kept someone like that around this long!"

"The New Year is already over!" 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"The issue happened after the New Year." Tian Sangsang sighed helplessly. "Everyone makes mistakes. I just wanted to give her a chance. Employees are hard to hire, and to be fair, during my pregnancy and while giving birth, she managed the store pretty well—apart from the last time she misappropriated the money."

Zhao Chun: "And this time?"

Tian Sangsang: "There’s only one chance."

Zhao Chun let out a breath of relief but was still full of regret. "It was all because I opened my big mouth and introduced her to you. If she doesn’t want to repay the money, I’ll cover it for her."

"Who told you to play the hero saving the damsel in distress?" Tian Sangsang’s eyes curved into a smile. "If I remember correctly, your wallet’s currently emptier than your face, isn’t it?"

Zhao Chun’s face flushed, and he coughed awkwardly, tightening his fists. "I’ll earn money."

Tian Sangsang merely smiled and said nothing.

"Oh, right." After a while, she picked up a letter from beside her and gestured with her lips. "Someone came by earlier looking for you and asked me to pass this letter to you."

Faced with Zhao Chun’s puzzled expression, she added, "It’s someone from the Beijing Film Factory."

Zhao Chun trembled all over and took the letter to start reading.

As he read, his furrowed brow relaxed, and his whole demeanor lit up.

"I’ve got a project!" he murmured to himself.

Tian Sangsang: "..."

Zhao Chun suddenly looked up, his excitement bursting forth like he was injected with adrenaline: "Sangsang, I’ve got a project!"

Tian Sangsang glanced at him. "Your current expression really does look full of drama."

"No," Zhao Chun held up the letter with trembling hands, his eyes gleaming, "I mean it! It’s real! They’ve given me a script—asked me to direct! A script called ’Backlight’!"

"But could this be a scam?"

"They’ve never given me a script before. What if it’s a terrible one?"

Tian Sangsang remained calm. "Where’s the script?"

Zhao Chun glanced down: "They said I need to go back to the production studio to take a look."

"Then hurry up, don’t just sit there." Tian Sangsang gave his foot a nudge. "Go check it out! Don’t you want to be a director?"

With a swoosh, Zhao Chun stood up. "Alright. I’ll head out now. I’ll be back early to cook dinner."

Tian Sangsang smiled and waved. "Go on."

A gentle breeze wafted in.

"Mom," Meng Shuyan blinked his eyes. "You’re smiling."

"Mom smiles every day." With a light mood, Tian Sangsang pinched his soft little face.

Meng Shuyan’s face turned pink. Though he was five years old and already considered the older brother, he said shyly, "You’re smiling differently today."

Really?

**

When Zhao Chun returned from the film factory, he was a bit silent. After dinner, he hesitated to speak.

Tian Sangsang took the initiative to ask: "Did you get the script?"

Zhao Chun nodded. "Yes, I checked it out. The content is pretty good." The script was solid, and the attitude of the leaders at the factory toward him was also favorable. He wasn’t fool enough to believe their sudden kindness was without reason.

But for now, he couldn’t figure out the reason.

Still, no matter what, it was a good thing. Having a job meant having income.

But...

"Congratulations," Tian Sangsang made a fist gesture.

Zhao Chun glanced at her. "But, I have to go shoot in another province."

Tian Sangsang remained calm and said softly, "Good luck."

"Oh." Zhao Chun responded blankly. "Then Tang Yuan’er and Yanyan..."

"I’ll take care of them."

"And Jin Zhi..."

"I’ll hire someone new."

"Stop stressing so much." Tian Sangsang tugged at her lips. "Take good care of yourself, like you’d take care of Little Tangyuan. Got it?"

Awkwardly, Zhao Chun scratched his head. "Got it."

He understood—though it was difficult to leave. But if he couldn’t even take care of himself, how could he take care of others? If he couldn’t support himself financially, how could he support raising children?

Early the next morning, Zhao Chun left. He didn’t have much luggage. He needed to go to the film factory first for planning before joining the crew for departure. After an emotional farewell, Tian Sangsang handed him a bag and reminded him, "Train rides can be exhausting. Eat this if you get hungry on the way."

"Thanks."

Zhao Chun received it solemnly and lowered his head, intending to rummage through the contents. "What is it? Smells so good."

Tian Sangsang slapped away his hand. "If you look now, the surprise will be ruined. Life is about creating surprises at the right time."

Zhao Chun suppressed his excitement and glanced at her, his eyes sparkling. "Then I’ll save it for the train. Oh, make sure to change Tang Yuan’s diaper at regular intervals. Did you get the timing down yet?"

Tian Sangsang blinked. "Three hours?"

Zhao Chun shook his head.

Tian Sangsang: "Two hours?"

Zhao Chun: ... Maybe I shouldn’t leave after all.

Meng Shuyan chimed in from where he stood at their feet, speaking firmly, "It’s two and a half hours."

"Wow, Yanyan has such a good memory." Zhao Chun stroked his head full of little curls.

Meng Shuyan squinted with pleasure, rubbing his head against Zhao Chun’s warm hand, and cheerfully said, "Chun Zisu, I’ll take good care of Mom and my little brother. You must come back soon!"

Zhao Chun: "I will."

Tian Sangsang: "..."

**

After Zhao Chun left, Tian Sangsang took her sons to Yipin Xiang Ju. Since Meng Shuyan wasn’t attending class, he didn’t go to the cultural palace. When they arrived at Yipin Xiang Ju, Jin Zhi was also just arriving.

"Boss." Jin Zhi lowered her head and called out.

Her eyes were red and swollen, and Tian Sangsang reminded herself not to feel sympathy, thinking about finding an excuse to fire her. Then she reconsidered—it was almost the end of the month anyway; she’d bring it up then. She just hoped Jin Zhi would behave these next few days.

Tian Sangsang replied indifferently, and Jin Zhi took out the keys to open the store.

Jin Zhi’s movements were lifeless and dispirited. Unable to hold back, she weakly approached Tian Sangsang and said, "Boss, will Mr. Zhao come by today? I need to talk to him."

Tian Sangsang replied, "He’s already left. He’s going to another province."