Chapter 1: A Very Niche Unit of Currency

Chapter 1: Such a Niche Currency Unit

September, Long City.

At "Poison" Coffee in the city center, Shen Ci sat in a corner seat by the window, resting her chin on one hand and staring blankly at the sky outside.

The sunlight was just right, and she had returned to an age when she wasn't yet a "poisonous woman."

Just half an hour ago, at the age of 65, she had retired honorably after finishing her final shift. She had only taken a short nap on the bus ride home, but when she opened her eyes again, she had returned to the time when she was 20.

In the prime of her youth, with a curvaceous figure.

Skin firm, self-righteous.

Excellent physical condition, no glasses needed.

And she had a boyfriend.

Everything was so incredible, yet she accepted it quickly and calmly.

As a scientist who had explored the field of space for many years and achieved certain academic accomplishments, the ability to rapidly accept the unknown was her talent.

When she woke up, she was also on the bus. Those distant yet clear memories surfaced; she remembered this day. Li Xiao’s mother had asked to meet her at this café.

Li Xiao was her boyfriend.

The next second, the clear glass reflected the elegant posture of a wealthy lady. Shen Ci sat up straight, fixed her gaze on the woman, and watched her sit down gracefully.

Before Shen Ci could speak, the woman slightly raised her noble head, pulled a check out of her orange, lychee-grained Hermès Kelly bag, and tapped it lightly in front of Shen Ci.

"Here is ten yuan. Leave my son!"

How much?

Shen Ci was stunned, thinking to herself that this line was wrong!

Wasn't it 100,000 last time?

How did it become ten yuan?

Did it really take such a grand effort to write a check for ten yuan?

"I know what a young girl at your age is thinking—hoping to climb the social ladder and take shortcuts. But you need to get this straight: you and my son are from two different worlds. Different social classes cannot be forced together."

As she spoke, Li’s mother stared at Shen Ci’s pretty face for a few seconds, a disdainful snort escaping her nose: "You are indeed quite pretty, but you can only fool boys with simple minds like my son; you can't fool me."

Shen Ci finally recovered from the shock of the "ten yuan," though she had only heard half of what Li’s mother said.

Who is simple?

Your son is simple?

Li Xiao is simple?

Shen Ci couldn't help but sneer. Seeing this, Li’s mother frowned beneath her sunglasses, displeased: "What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing, just thought of something funny."

And the funny person she used to be.

She once thought Li Xiao was simple, too. What kind of bad intentions could a boy have who had been pampered in a wealthy family his whole life, eating the finest food and wearing the finest clothes?

It wasn't until her academic paper, which she had spent two years of hard work writing, was plagiarized and published by him that Shen Ci realized what a huge mistake she had made just because she was a sucker for a handsome face!

The other party became famous overnight because of this paper and successfully entered the most prestigious scientific research institution in the country.

Meanwhile, her appeals and cries for justice were all swallowed by the vast wealth of the Li Group.

Later on, through her own efforts, she finally became a colleague of Li Xiao, and even his direct subordinate.

People with guilty consciences are most prone to paranoia. In Li Xiao’s eyes, she was like a ticking time bomb, the kind that could explode at any moment.

So, during their time working together, Li Xiao used his position to make things difficult for her in every way, eventually using the dirty tactic of having the Li Group’s investment firm pour 200 million into the project to kick her off the team.

That year, she was twenty-nine, unemployed and waiting for work.

But true gold fears no fire; if you are gold, you will shine.

She didn't give up. Using the research experience and results she had gained over the years, she wrote another paper that shook the industry, and shortly after its publication, she joined the "National Space Exploration Research Department."

She worked diligently, never married, and fought hard in the field of space exploration until she retired honorably at 65!

"Auntie, I think you're right. He and I are not the same kind of people."

Shen Ci slowly pushed the ten-yuan check back toward her: "You can keep the ten yuan. Although I'm not rich, I'm not so desperate that I need this ten yuan."

Shen Ci’s reaction was beyond Li’s mother’s expectations. She used her finger to slide her sunglasses down to the tip of her nose, staring at Shen Ci.

Shouldn't she be refusing with tears in her eyes, declaring that she and "Xiao-zai" were in true love and that no one could tear them apart?

Last time, that was exactly what Shen Ci had done.

"Think it's too little? I’ve looked into your situation. For a family like yours, ten yuan isn't a small amount. Or are you playing games with me? Don't try any tricks!" Li’s mother put her sunglasses back on, her tone turning cold.

Shen Ci smiled gently: "Auntie, you're overthinking it. I will break up with Li Xiao. I promise you!"

"I don't agree!"

A roar of suppressed anger suddenly erupted from the side. Li’s mother was startled, but Shen Ci curled her lips without changing her expression.

It was the same timing as last time. Last time, Li Xiao had appeared suddenly, and the two of them had firmly declared that they would be together no matter what, appealing to his mother’s emotions and logic. In the end, she felt sorry for her son and reluctantly agreed to let them continue dating.

Li Xiao rushed over in one stride, sat down next to Shen Ci, put his arm around her shoulder, and said firmly: "Mom, I won't break up with Shen Ci!"

"Xiao-zai! Would Mom hurt you? Mom is doing this for your own good!" Li’s mother said, anxious and angry.

She had almost succeeded, but with her son appearing so suddenly, this girl would likely go back on her word!

However, Shen Ci expressionlessly removed Li Xiao’s hand from her shoulder, stood up under his confused gaze, and looked at him: "Li Xiao, I’ve had enough fun. Let’s end it here."

"Wh... what do you mean?" Li Xiao asked blankly: "What do you mean by 'had enough fun'?"

Shen Ci curled her lips: "Exactly what it sounds like. You—I’ve had enough fun with you."

The expression on Li Xiao’s face shifted from confusion to shock, and finally to anger.

"Shen Ci, this is not the time to be impulsive, and it’s certainly not the time for jokes!" Li Xiao said, his voice tight.

Shen Ci looked at his face. She had to admit that seeing it again, he was still handsome—whether it was the slight frown when he was confused, the wide eyes when he was shocked, or the flushed face when he was angry.

He was good-looking.

But as she watched, a wave of delayed nausea washed over her.

Shen Ci looked away toward Li’s mother: "Auntie, I have a weird quirk. I only like having secret affairs with rich kids. Since you’ve found out, I don't think there's any point anymore."

"Oh, right. I haven't slept with Li Xiao. We got a hotel room once, but he couldn't get it up. I don't know if it was nerves or if he’s just not very capable. I suggest you take him to the hospital when you have time. After all, he’s still young."

"I’ll pay for the coffee."

With that, Shen Ci turned and walked toward the cashier, leaving the ashen-faced Li Xiao and his mother frozen in their seats.

"Hello, checking out for table 5."

"Hello, miss. That will be 7.5 li. I’ll scan you."

Shen Ci squinted in confusion, thinking she might not have heard clearly—was it 75?

"Payment successful: 0.0075 yuan!"

The voice broadcast came from the register. Shen Ci subconsciously glanced at her WeChat payment page: "Payment successful: 0.0075 yuan?"

7.5 li?

The 'li' in yuan, jiao, fen, li?

Shen Ci’s eyes widened, even more shocked than when she realized she had been reborn.

What a niche currency unit!

This is not a "buy-buy-buy" style tycoon novel. It follows the plot, but the satisfaction is absolutely guaranteed! It is a female-lead novel, and also a multi-plot ensemble story. The female lead is the strongest, most beautiful, and smartest! There is no male lead; there are plenty of male supporting characters, but none of them have any official status. Grateful for the encounter. If you don't like it, just click away; please don't use harsh words.

(End of chapter)