"Worrying" about money 2: The bottom line

"Did you and your father mention money just now?" Xu Jinghao quickly explained, "I didn't eavesdrop on your conversation, I just vaguely heard the words 'money'."

Can you help me?

"You know, all my money comes from your dad. But even though I don't have any money, I have a way to make you rich."

"What method?" Song Zhao asked anxiously.

"I have a nephew who is about your age and I would like to get to know him."

Song Zhao felt he had been tricked, his expression hardened, and he continued walking forward.

“My cousin is rich. My nephew’s sports car costs three to five million. You should get to know his son better. Once you two are dating, asking for money will be a piece of cake,” Xu Jinghao said.

Song Zhao angrily replied, "I don't need it, I won't be a liar."

"I didn't ask you to lie, what if you two really do get together!!!" Xu Jinghao couldn't keep up with her anymore, so she could only raise her voice to talk to her.

Song Zhao ignored her and ran off on her own. Once she was in the car, she felt lost again. What was she going to do about the pressure of 2 million?

Over the next two days, she cashed out all the cards she could. Nanqi had deposited nearly 10,000 yuan in her card, which she also withdrew. All the miscellaneous amounts added up to just over 30,000 yuan. Her father had stopped all those credit cards for her. Moreover, even if she cashed out all the credit cards, it would still be far from enough to reach 2 million yuan.

She went to borrow money, only to find that she knew many wealthy people but had very few friends. Some declined on the phone, and some numbers were no longer reachable. When she went to their homes, they simply avoided her.

Everyone she knew knew she needed money, so they all started avoiding her. On the third day, Wang Suping called her to urge her to pay back the money. She acted arrogantly, saying that she was preparing materials for going abroad and that her family would send her the money once the materials were complete. In the end, she even scolded Wang Suping, saying that she was too impatient. She said that it takes a month to get a salary from work, and there was no need to urge her for money in just a few days.

After hanging up the phone, she was on the verge of a breakdown. She scribbled haphazardly on her phone book, listing all the contacts, until the book broke and she threw it in the trash.

That evening, Wu Hua messaged her, saying he had scraped together another 60,000 yuan and was going to transfer it to her. Wu Hua had sold some valuables from his home, and Nan Yue had also sold her watch. They had also borrowed some money from friends to come up with the 60,000 yuan.

Although Wu Hua didn't tell her these things, Song Zhao knew that Wu Hua had already emptied his pockets, so she said that she would leave the money with Wu Hua first, and that her father would send her the money in a few days, and they would meet again after the money arrived.

Song Zhao recalled that a few days ago, she had confidently said that she could solve the money problem. Now it seemed that it was just naive and overconfident thinking. She thought that persuading the Li family would be the most difficult thing, but she found that it was the easiest thing to do with just words.

She couldn't help but call Xu Jinghao.

"Auntie, I'd like to reconsider what you said the other day."

"Oh, that's great! I'll arrange for you two to meet this week?"

"I want to see you as soon as possible, preferably tomorrow."

"Wow, it's in such a hurry! I'll go ask them about the availability right away and ask them to make sure you can free up some time."

"This is troublesome."

After hanging up the phone, Song Zhao lay on the bed. Her sleep had been worse than usual these past few days. She stared at the ceiling, her mind filled with images of Nan Qi's loneliness and helplessness.

After something like this happened, she must be having trouble eating and sleeping, and might even have nightmares. She's so stubborn, what if she accidentally offends her roommate and gets bullied?

Perhaps I'm not a noble person to begin with. As long as Nanqi comes out innocent, dignity and bottom lines don't matter anymore.

Xu Jinghao was quite efficient; she called shortly after to tell her that the appointment was made and they would meet at a Western restaurant at noon.

Song Zhao woke up very early the next day, so early that she didn't even know if she had fallen asleep. She looked at her face in the mirror and found that apart from being excessively pale, she had no flaws, not even dark circles under her eyes.

Song Zhao rarely wore makeup; at most, she would apply lotion and lipstick when the weather was dry. Most of the cosmetics she bought were either for Aunt Fang or as gifts. Now, she had to deliberately dress herself up, but it was for a stranger.

She applied some blush and lipstick to touch up her color, and then put on a pink hair clip to make herself look less pale.

Xu Jinghao told her that the man was two years older than her, wearing a black overcoat and tie, and there would be a blue gift box next to the dining table.

Song Zhao opened the glass door, and the waiter asked her if she had a reservation. She nodded, read out the table number B12, and the waiter led her upstairs.

She broke out in a sweat, feeling guilty. The place was mostly filled with couples, and each person had a rose-shaped lamp on their table, chatting and laughing intimately.

"Miss, over here."

The waiter gestured for her to go up the steps, but Song Zhao hesitated with each step, her steps becoming heavier and heavier, and the bells on her bracelet jingled.

What am I doing?

If Nanqi finds out, what will she think? How should I explain it to her?

People come here to find love. If he really develops feelings for me, what should I say? Is my only purpose in being with you to borrow 2 million? The money can be paid back, but how can I repay the debt of affection? I love Nanqi and would do anything for her, but why should others bear all this for us?

"I can't do it..." Song Zhao said unconsciously, looking down.

The waiter paused, then asked, "Miss, what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, I have something to do."

Song Zhao ran out aimlessly, like a headless fly.

She didn't know where to go, so she just kept running forward until she couldn't run anymore. She leaned against the railing, panting heavily.

She could abandon her dignity, but not her bottom line. She couldn't deceive someone's feelings, not even for Nanqi's sake.

Song Zhao gripped the railing, bit her arm hard, and cried silently. She didn't know whether to blame herself for having such principles or to hate herself for being so useless.

"You are... that student Song, right?"

Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice reached her ears.