<h4>Chapter 261: Chapter 261: Inferiority</h4><h4></h4>


    Xiao Yifei cast a peculiar nce at the rural woman, slightly baffled as to why, if the bag truly contained bedding, she would cherish it so dearly.


    The woman lowered her head, rubbing her grimy hands on her clothes with the help of the rainwater, revealing a bit of their original color. Her voice tinged with mncholy, she said, "Back in my vige, it wouldn’t matter if you knew the person or not; the moment someone cries for help, everyone from young to old lends a hand. Who knew city folk could be so indifferent, not even bothering to help."


    Xiao Yifei cast a quizzical look at the rural woman, unable toprehend the sudden shift to despondence in her mood.


    "We’re poor back home, and my husband has a gambling habit. He lost money gambling the year beforest, and gambled away ournd and our house, leaving us with no ce to live. I didn’t resent him for it. I told him as long as he gave up gambling, I would still live with him. But then he lost against year, and the creditor he owed made me go pay off his debts. If I hadn’t fought back with all I had, I might have lost my honor too,"


    The downpour, or perhaps the recent string of blows she had suffered, made this ordinarily strong rural woman seem forlorn as she spoke with her head lowered, her voice soft.


    "My parents are unwell, and I’ve given up on my husband. All I hope is that he won’t harm me again. There’s no money at home, so I thought I coulde to the city to earn some to help them. But after I got here, I worked for a small restaurant near the college town. The boss only paid me 2,000 yuan a month and he even tried to take advantage of me! I’m naive; I didn’t sign any contract. When I refused to let him touch me, he ended up not paying my sry at all!"


    As Xiao Yifei listened to the rural woman’s continuous murmur, a pang of pain surged through his heart. Looking at the drab, down-to-earth woman who was remarkably strong, Xiao Yifei felt a mix of pity and admiration. Although skeptical about her constant mention of the boss wanting to "eat her tofu," he still pitied and admired her.


    Alone, she remained relentless in her struggle.


    "Let’s go, we’re almost there!"


    Finally, they made their way to the entrance of Jinghang Garden in the rain, each step alternating between deep and shallow.


    "Hmm... benefactor, you live here! It looks so upscale!"


    The rural woman beheld the imposing presence of Jinghang Garden with trepidation. Even though it wasn’t a luxurious viplex, Jiang Mingquan’s choice to buy a house there signified that Jinghang Garden counted as a rather high-end residentialplex. The mere sight of the grand entrance left the resolute rural woman feeling inferior.


    "Yes, let’s go in. We need to clean ourselves up quickly once we’re at my ce,"


    After hearing her story, Xiao Yifei looked at the earthy, strong-willed rural woman. Even though he found her a bit too dark and in-looking, he saw her as trustworthy and hardworking. After sizing up the situation, Xiao Yifei was inclined to lend a hand to this unfortunate woman.


    "It’s just that she’s a bit too old!"


    Xiao Yifei looked at the slightly plump figure of the rural woman, feeling somewhat unsatisfied with the impression that she was in her forties or fifties.


    "Oh!"


    The rural woman followed behind Xiao Yifei, her head bowed in a show of self-consciousness, as they entered theplex.


    Xiao Yifei led the rural woman all the way to the apartment that Jiang Mingquan had gifted him.


    "Come in,"


    When Xiao Yifei opened the door and revealed an entire floor that had been converted and extravagantly furnished, the rural woman was stunned. Although she had always been strong, the sight of Xiao Yifei’s home made her hesitant to step inside.


    "Hmm... benefactor, perhaps you could lend me a towel? I could just clean up at the doorway. Once I’m done with the towel, I’ll make sure it’s clean before returning it to you. I’m dirty, and I don’t want to soil your home."


    The rural woman hung her head in extreme self-consciousness and spoke in a feeble voice.


    "Come in quickly, everyone said you shoulde in, why are you still talking so much!"


    Xiao Yifei frowned and spoke discontentedly to the rural woman.


    Upon hearing Xiao Yifei’s words, the rural woman shuddered, then tiptoed into Xiao Yifei’s house, terrified that the mud on her dirty shoes would sully the spotless floor of Xiao Yifei’s house.


    Ever since she entered Xiao Yifei’s house, the rural woman had kept her head down, looking very insecure.


    Xiao Yifei nced at the rural woman, went to the restroom, brought back a towel for her, and then said, "Put your things aside, hurry up and wipe off your body, don’t catch a cold. Once you have your change of clothes, change quickly, or you’ll stay wet. I’m going to take a shower, don’t worry, I won’t peek!"


    The rural woman, hearing the teasing tone in Xiao Yifei’s voice, lowered her head even further.


    Xiao Yifei hummed a tune as he walked into the bathroom and didn’t bother with the rural woman anymore.


    But when Xiao Yifei came out of the bathroom, towel drying his hair, the sight before him took him by surprise.


    Xiao Yifei always lived alone and although he was not particrly unkempt, being a bachelor meant he did possess certain sloppy habits. Hence, the room was somewhat disordered. And having juste back from the rainy outdoors, it was inevitable that some dirty marks were left on the floor.


    However, when Xiao Yifei emerged, he suddenly felt his house had taken on a refreshed atmosphere; not only was the floor spotlessly clean, but the living room, which had been in disarray, was nowpletely tidy!


    Xiao Yifei had only taken a shower for less than half an hour, and the room had already changed so dramatically, which truly amazed him.


    "This woman from the countryside is so handy!"


    Without a doubt, it was the rural woman who had tidied up. Xiao Yifei didn’t see her in the living room and, with a frown, he noticed some activity in the kitchen. He peered cautiously toward the kitchen.


    Just as he reached the corner, the rural woman suddenly came out of the kitchen, carrying a bowl of steaming noodle soup, her face full of restrained expressions.


    "Um... sir!"


    The rural woman saw Xiao Yifei, paused in slight surprise, and then lowered her head with a self-conscious manner, hurriedly cing the noodle soup on the dining table, and fidgeted with her clothing as she spoke in a timid and fearful voice.


    "Sir, I am really sorry for wandering around your house, but I didn’t go anywhere else, I just went to the kitchen! Seeing that it’s alreadyte in the afternoon, I didn’t know whether you had eaten or not, so I thought I’d make you something, but there was nothing but noodles in the kitchen. So I just made you a simple bowl of noodles."


    Xiao Yifei didn’t speak but tilted his head, looking at the rural woman.


    "Sir! I am so sorry! Please don’t be angry! I know I was wrong! I shouldn’t have wandered around your house. I’ll leave right now! Sir, please don’t be mad!"


    Seeing Xiao Yifei silent, the rural woman thought he was angry, which made her panic to the verge of crying as she hurriedly spoke to Xiao Yifei.