Chapter 32, Part 32: Never let the light fade away when you ask her for money...

Upon hearing her voice, there was a pause on the other end, after which Yu Kui could only hear endless noise.

She asked softly, "Did you encounter any difficulties when you called me?"

Yu Kui couldn't think of any other reason besides this.

She didn't know when it started, but she had stopped hoping Qin You would come back. However, their years of friendship remained, and she couldn't truly ignore his calls.

"Yu Kui, can you lend me some money?" Qin You stood at the entrance of the mobile phone store and said in a very soft voice, "I want to buy something, but I don't have enough money on me."

He was feeling conflicted as he said this, but he had no other choice.

He thought it wouldn't be difficult to buy Tao Jiang a phone, but Tao Jiang wanted the latest high-end model, and he simply didn't have enough money.

But he had already made the promise, and he couldn't let Tao Jiang down, nor could he ask Qin's mother for money. After thinking it over, the only person he could think of was Yu Kui.

She receives a lot of New Year's money every year, which she saves all of. She even said she would buy him a computer when they go to college.

Qin You knew she was rich, and after a brief struggle, he decided to call her.

She wouldn't refuse herself.

He knew very well that Yu Kui valued emotions too much, and that she would solve any problem he encountered, just as she had done countless times before.

Including this time.

Yu Kui was stunned. "You're asking me to borrow money?"

Qin You clenched her fists tightly. "If you don't have it, then forget it."

"What do you want to buy?" Yu Kui didn't mean to humiliate or mock him. "How much money do you need?"

"My phone is broken," Qin Zhou said without hesitation. "I'm still five thousand yuan short of a new phone."

Yu Kui's heart skipped a beat. She remembered Tao Jiang saying that she would go out to buy a new phone this weekend because her phone was broken. How could it be such a coincidence?

What kind of phone requires an extra 5,000 yuan? Qin You has never been one to pursue luxury...

"Do you have one?" Seeing that she didn't speak, Qin You became a little anxious. "If you don't have one, could you..."

"Qin You, are you buying this for yourself?" Yu Kui asked subconsciously.

“Yes,” the boy replied immediately, “I want to get a better phone so I can use it when I go to college.”

“Okay,” Yu Kui said. “I have money. Tell me your bank card number and I’ll transfer the money to you.”

Qin You immediately gave out her bank card number and said in an even lower voice, "Thank you, Yu Kui."

"You're welcome." The moment Yu Kui transferred the money via online banking, she didn't feel relieved about helping her good friend. Instead, it was as if she had lost some kind of filter she had for Qin You.

Was it him humbly asking me for money, or had he become different from the person I remembered?

Yu Kui couldn't explain it clearly, but what she lost was her feelings for Qin You.

I don't know when I read this saying, but when someone you used to like asks you for money, the last bit of light they left in your heart has been extinguished.

When Yu Kui saw it, she scoffed, thinking the author was being too absolute.

At that time, she thought that no matter what Qin You wanted to do in the future, she was willing to spend all her New Year's money on her.

But when she learned that Qin You borrowed money to buy an expensive mobile phone, she felt indescribably sad.

She didn't take the opportunity to say more to Qin You, but silently hung up the phone.

Looking at the azure sky outside the window, Yu Kui vaguely sensed something, but she dared not confirm it easily.

If things were really as she thought, she would have become a laughing stock long ago.

She didn't want to think so badly of people, nor did she want to erase all the beautiful memories of the past.

She stood by the window for a long time until her mother came in to bring fruit. "What's wrong, darling? Are you in a bad mood?"

Yu Kui shook her head. "Mom, I want to eat cola chicken wings for lunch."

“Okay,” Yu’s mother came over and hugged her. “Don’t even mention wanting to eat chicken wings, even if you wanted to eat dragon meat now, Mom would get it for you.”

Yu Kui felt a warmth in her heart, "I would never make such an unreasonable request."

"What else would you like to eat?" Yu's mother pulled her to sit down. "Mom will arrange it for you."

"Braised fish."

“Okay,” Mrs. Yu glanced at the time. “We have chicken wings at home, so we just need to go downstairs and buy a fish.”

"Thank you, Mom." Yu Kui leaned against her back and said listlessly, "Mom, do you think I'm a little slow? I always think too little when I do things."

“Where are you stupid?” Yu’s mother immediately denied, “You’re the top student in the grade, the smartest person in the world. Who would dare to say you’re stupid? I’d be the first to argue with them.”

"That's not what I meant," Yu Kui said, a little embarrassed. "I meant, is it that I'm not very quick-witted when it comes to thinking things through?"

She was silly, whether she was facing Tao Jiang or Qin You.

After a moment of silence, Yu's mother raised her hand to cup her daughter's face, looked into her eyes and said, "You're not stupid, you're just too kind. This kindness will make you shine in the crowd and become someone we can rely on."

"But this kindness can also make you easily hurt, which is what Mom is most worried about. But it's not your fault. If kindness is seen as foolishness by others, then they are blind. You are the best in Mom's heart, and Mom is proud of you."

Yu Kui blinked. "Mom, I keep doubting the decisions I made in the past. I don't know if I'm doing the right thing."

“People are always reflecting on themselves,” Yu’s mother said, patting her head. “Especially someone as smart as you.”

“You only say that because I’m your daughter,” Yu Kui puffed out her cheeks. “You wouldn’t say that to anyone else.”

“Of course,” said Yu’s mother. “You have been my favorite since you were born. No matter how old you get, you will always be my little princess. I hope that the kindness in you will never be extinguished, that you will have principles in doing things, and that you will do what you think is right after loving yourself first, instead of letting others erase the light in you.”

Do you understand?

Yu Kui nodded, her mood gradually improving. "Mom, thank you for always loving me."

Yu's mother chuckled softly, "If you know your mother loves you, don't always be so gloomy. It breaks my heart."

Yu Kui blushed slightly: "...Okay."

The moment Tao Jiang got the phone, she dragged Qin You to take a selfie. "The camera on this phone is amazing! I really love it!"

"I'm glad you like it." Qin You stood behind her, watching her cheerful appearance, and the shame of borrowing money from Yu Kui dissipated considerably.

"Why didn't you tell me you liked this phone before?" If he had known, he would have tried to save up more money.

"I don't know either," Tao Jiang glanced at him. "You won't think I'm wasteful, will you? It's just a cell phone."

“We are still students,” Qin You said, looking down. “I don’t have the ability to earn money yet, and there will be times when I can’t afford things that are too expensive.”

Tao Jiang was taken aback. "You think this phone is expensive?"

Qin You couldn't bring himself to tell Yu Kui about borrowing money from her; it was something he found hard to accept.

Having known Yu Kui for so many years, he had never bowed his head to her before, but this time he acted like a pitiful wretch, asking Yu Kui for money. This severely damaged his self-esteem.

"You're really annoying," Tao Jiang said, rubbing her phone screen. "You promised to do something, but now you're lecturing me."

Qin You explained, "Once I start working, I will provide you with a very comfortable life."

"But all I need right now is a cell phone."

Qin You sighed inwardly, "So, are we still having hot pot?"

"I'm not going," Tao Jiang shook off his hand. "You're so reluctant to buy a phone. If I want to buy other things in the future, won't you be even more dissatisfied with me?"

“That’s not what I meant,” Qin You said, grabbing her hand and compromising. “I just think if you want something, you can tell me the price in advance so I can prepare accordingly.”

“Okay,” Tao Jiang shook his arm, “I’ll reluctantly go to eat hot pot with you since you bought me a phone.”

Qin You secretly breathed a sigh of relief, planning to confess his feelings to her during dinner.

After all the dishes were served, Qin You took out a small bouquet of flowers from his backpack and handed it to Tao Jiang. "Tao Jiang, I... like you. Will you be my girlfriend?"

Tao Jiang was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter at his antics. "So eager, huh?"

“Come with me,” Qin You said stubbornly and earnestly, “I don’t want to wait any longer.”

“Okay,” Tao Jiang accepted the bouquet and, upon discovering that it was her favorite red roses, her smile became more genuine. “You’d better treat me even better from now on, or I’ll break up with you without hesitation.”

Qin You held her hand tightly, "I will only treat you better and better."

Seeing his sincere expression, Tao Jiang's heart stirred slightly. She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek, saying, "Don't speak too soon."

Qin You's face flushed red, and he stared intently at her. "I mean what I say."

After dinner, the two held hands and went to see a movie, not returning home until dark.

Yu Kui stood by the window, watching Qin You come in through the front door, open the door, and run downstairs.

"Qin You, you're back." She looked at the boy with light footsteps. "Where's your new phone? Can I see it?"

Qin You's smile froze, and his gaze slowly fell on Yu Kui. He hadn't expected her to come looking for him.

"Where's your phone?" Yu Kui asked again. "Can I see it?"

Upon hearing this, Qin You's good mood vanished.

"I haven't bought a phone yet." His expression was somewhat grim. "I'll pay you back the money I borrowed as soon as possible."

"Really?" Yu Kui looked into his eyes, but his gaze was evasive, clearly indicating that he was lying.

“I thought you had already bought it,” she said softly. “I’ve never used such an expensive phone in my life.”

"Thank you for lending me the money." Qin You couldn't tell her that the money was spent on Tao Jiang. He was afraid that Yu Kui would tell his mother, and the consequences would be something he couldn't bear.

“It’s okay,” Yu Kui looked away, “I’m not in a hurry.”

After saying this, the two remained silent. Their relationship did not improve because of the "borrowing money"; instead, they seemed even more estranged.

"Then I'll go up first."

"good."

Yu Kui turned around, her suspicions growing stronger.

But she didn't press for details; she was afraid of the answer Qin You might give.

That's it, whatever. He didn't know why he would look down and call her.

Regardless of where he spent the money.

She needs to learn to let go.