Chapter 96 Loan hurdles
Xu Yao's heart seemed to be gripped by an invisible giant hand, and the suffocating feeling made it almost impossible for her to breathe.
Is God playing a joke on her?
As soon as we finally see a glimmer of light, a bomb is dropped!
She looked at Xue Han's resolute profile and tried to force a smile, but her voice was still trembling: "Xue Han, how about... let's go to the credit union first. Maybe we can borrow some money to help mom in an emergency."
Xue Han held her hand tightly, and the warmth from his palm made her feel a little more at ease.
"Okay, let's try it. Don't worry, I'm here."
The two of them were silent along the way, and the atmosphere was a bit heavy.
Arriving at the credit union, Xu Yao took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down.
Director Liu behind the counter was wearing reading glasses and slowly flipping through the newspaper. His calm demeanor made Xu Yao feel even more uneasy.
"Hello, Director Liu. I'd like to consult you about loans." Xu Yao tried her best to make her voice sound calm and polite.
Director Liu then raised his head and looked Xu Yao up and down behind his glasses with a hint of contempt in his eyes.
"Loan? What kind of loan do you want at such a young age?"
Xu Yao's heart skipped a beat, but she still patiently explained, "Director Liu, this is what happened. My mother suddenly became seriously ill and needed surgery, and she needed money urgently. I heard that the credit union has a small loan business, so I wanted to come and consult."
Director Liu put down the newspaper, leaned back, and his tone became a little impatient.
"Oh, I see. What do you do? Do you have any collateral?"
Xu Yao quickly said, "I'm running a small shop now. Although it's not big, it's doing well and has a stable income every month. I can provide a business license and tax certificate. As for the mortgage... I don't have it yet."
Director Liu sneered, "No collateral? Who would dare to lend money to someone without collateral these days? The risk is too great!"
"Director Liu, although my shop is not big, it has great development prospects, and I promise to repay the loan on time! I can sign a contract and even find someone to guarantee it." Xu Yao said anxiously, she knew this might be her only hope.
"Guarantee? Who can you ask for a guarantor? Find someone who is well-known and influential, maybe I will consider it." Director Liu's eyes darted back and forth between Xu Yao and Xue Han. That look clearly showed "contempt".
Xue Han finally couldn't help it, and took a step forward, with a hint of anger in his tone: "Director Liu, we are here to apply for a loan sincerely, what do you mean by that? Do we look like liars?"
Director Liu glanced at Xue Han with even more disdain, "Oh, you are quite arrogant. Let me tell you, loans are not a joke, you have to bear risks! How much repayment ability do you have for a small shop like yours? What if you run away due to poor management? Who will bear the responsibility?"
"We won't run away! I will guarantee it with my reputation!" Xu Yao said hurriedly, her voice choked with sobs.
"Reputation? How much is your reputation worth?" Director Liu said mercilessly, with a sarcastic tone.
Xu Yao's face turned red, and she felt a strong sense of humiliation surge in her heart.
She tried hard to suppress her emotions and stay calm.
"Director Liu, can you take a closer look at my information? My small shop really has great potential, and I have a fixed income every month, so I am fully capable of repaying the loan on time."
Director Liu picked up the information Xu Yao handed over, flipped through it casually, and then threw it aside.
"Okay, no need to look at it. From my perspective, your situation doesn't suggest you have much chance of getting a loan. Go back and think of other options."
"Director Liu, you..." Xu Yao wanted to argue again, but was rudely interrupted by Director Liu.
"Okay, okay, stop talking! I still have a lot of things to do and don't have time to waste with you. Get out!" Director Liu waved his hand, signaling them to leave.
Xue Han couldn't stand it any longer. He slammed the table and shouted, "Director Liu, you're going too far! What's your attitude? We came to ask for your help, but you insulted us like this!"
"Why, do you want to hit someone?" Director Liu stared at Xue Han without showing any weakness. "I'm telling you, this is a credit union, not a place for you to run wild! If you don't leave, I'll call the security guards!"
Xu Yao quickly grabbed Xue Han and whispered, "Xue Han, don't be impulsive! Let's go." She knew that there was no point in arguing any further and it would only be a waste of time.
The two walked out of the credit union in silence. The cold wind blowing on their bodies made Xu Yao feel a bone-chilling chill.
She looked up at the gloomy sky, her heart filled with despair.
Is there really no solution?
Did she really want to watch her mother suffer?
Xue Han hugged Xu Yao's shoulders tightly, trying to give her some warmth.
"Yaoyao, don't be discouraged. Let's think of other ways. Even if we can't borrow the money, I won't let anything happen to your mother."
Xu Yao leaned in Xue Han's arms, unable to hold back her tears any longer.
She choked up and said, "Xue Han, I... I really don't know what to do. I feel so useless that I can't even save my own mother..."
Xue Han wiped away her tears distressedly and comforted her softly: "Silly girl, how can you be useless? You have done well enough. Don't forget, I am here. I will face it with you."
"But..." Xu Yao wanted to say something, but Xue Han gently blocked her lips with his fingers.
"Shh... stop talking. Believe me, everything will be fine." Xue Han looked at Xu Yao affectionately.
Xu Yao looked into Xue Han's eyes, felt the strength and courage he conveyed, and felt a little more at ease.
Maybe she really shouldn't give up.
Maybe there are other ways.
At this moment, Xue Han suddenly frowned, as if he thought of something.
He let go of Xu Yao and his eyes became sharp.
"Yaoyao, I remember now. I have a comrade-in-arms... He seems to work in a bank..."
Xue Han's words came to an abrupt halt, and he suddenly realized that this matter was not that simple.
Will that comrade really help them?
Is it really that easy to get a bank loan?
The cold wind lashed Xu Yao's face, just like the chill that penetrated into her bones.
The feeling of rejection is worse than being slapped in the face.
It wasn't just about the money, it was also about the blatant contempt. The pretentious director Liu looked down on them as if they were dirt stuck on her shoes.
I had almost collected enough money for my mother's surgery, but now... everything is gone.
There was only a huge hole left where there was hope.
Xue Han's calloused but warm hand held her hand tightly.
"Hey," he said, his voice a little hoarse with concern.
His eyes, usually sharp and alert, became gentle just for her.
"Don't give up. There's always a way. We'll figure it out. I promise."
His words were like a life-saving straw, a spark of light in the darkness.
He was her rock, her anchor, the man who could calm her frantic heart.
*He promised*.
As long as Xue Han promised, he would do it even if the sky collapsed and the earth broke.
This unwavering trust in him soothed her fragile nerves.
She snuggled into him, drawing strength from his presence.
"What if..." Her voice trembled, weak and sharp.
"What if we can't do it? What if..." She couldn't even continue.
She couldn't bear the thought of losing her mother who had given everything for her.
He pulled her closer and rested her head under his chin.
He smelled of woodsmoke and something that was just his own and that always calmed her.
"Shh," he whispered, stroking her hair.
"Don't think so. We'll do whatever we can. We can sell everything we have. I…I'd even consider selling my lucky pair of combat boots."
He tried to make it sound lighthearted, like he was joking, but the tremor in his voice gave him away.
Those boots were almost sacred to him.
Hearing him say this and knowing how much he would have to pay, her heart tightened even more.
She stepped back and looked up at him, her eyes full of tears.
"No," she said firmly, the old fighting spirit rekindled in her eyes.
"We're not selling your boots. We'll find another way. We have to."
They walked in silence, with worries weighing on them like a heavy burden.
The bustling market, usually full of life and colour, now seemed dull and its colours blurred.
Even the aroma wafting from the street food stalls could not whet her appetite.
Her stomach knotted in anxiety.
The crisp, pleasant autumn air now felt like cold fingers scratching her skin.
Suddenly, Xue Han stopped abruptly and stared at something across the street.
His brows were furrowed, deep wrinkles carved into his forehead.
"Wait," he muttered, more to himself than to her.
"There is something... I just remembered something..."
He looked like he was thinking hard, his teeth clenched and his eyes narrowed.
Hope flickered faintly and hesitantly in Xu Yao's heart.
Will he have any ideas?
Will there be a solution?
He opened his mouth, about to speak, but closed it again.
The spark of hope in Xu Yao's heart was extinguished.
Whatever he was thinking, it was clear he wasn't sure himself.
This uncertainty is more painful than despair.
Just when the silence was about to become painful, a breathless voice broke the silence.
"Xu Yao! Xue Han! Wait!"
It was Xiao Fang. Her face was flushed and her eyes were filled with anxiety.
She came to a sudden stop in front of them, her chest heaving violently.
"There's a problem in the store... There's a problem in the store..." She gasped, and the words came out like a machine gun.
"You have to...you have to go quickly!"
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