Zhao Yuanyuan was so desperate to save face. After years of scraping by, she finally had enough for a down payment on a home, only to be plunged overnight back into a life where she couldn't count on making it through the day.
Before she was reborn:
Teacher: "Yuanyuan, there's a grant for students in need. You should apply."
Zhao Yuanyuan: "I'm doing fine, Teacher. Let someone else have it." In truth, she could afford only one steamed bun for a meal.
Teacher: "Yuanyuan, Company XX is hiring. I think you'd be a good fit, so I recommended you. Are you interested?"
Zhao Yuanyuan: "I'm planning to take the civil service exam." In truth, she failed the exam.
Client: "I know a great guy. How about I introduce you?"
Zhao Yuanyuan: "No need, I have a boyfriend." In truth, she'd been single her whole life!
After she was reborn:
Zhao Yuanyuan: "Teacher, are there any grants I can apply for? I'm nearly starving!"
"Teacher, do you know of any jobs you could recommend?"
Zhao Yuanyuan no longer turned down people's kindness for the sake of so-called pride. She rode the tide of the times to build her fortune, and helped others along the way.
