294 Storm in a Teacup (2/2)
He pointed at Xiao Ping maniacally and sneered, ”I'm not lending you the 120 grand anymore. Do whatever you want. Even if the loan sharks chop your hand off, it has nothing to do with me! Trash like you who failed in doing business deserves it. If I were you, I wouldn't even have the face to come back for the New Year!”
”You…”
Xiao Ping was humiliated, and his entire body trembled in rage.
”Xiao Qiudong, what a terrible friend you are.”
”Everyone has their ups and downs. Xiao Ping is one of our own, but you refuse to help him when you can do so. Aren't you afraid of retribution from Seekong?”
”How arrogant. No matter how much money you make, no one in our family will be happy for you.”
The crowd roundly denounced him.
Xiao Qiudong was adamant, and he responded, ”Lending money depends on sentiment; since when is it a duty? As you are all so warm-hearted, I suggest you collect 120 thousand dollars among yourselves and lend it to Xiao Ping!”
His insensitive remark silenced everyone.
Xiao Dizhang sighed, shaking his head and said, ”Qiudong, why have you become like this?”
”I didn't change one bit. I am still me.”
Xiao Qiudong glared at Xiao Ping and scowled, ”When you borrow money, you should have the appearance and attitude of someone who is borrowing money. You need my help, and yet you have the cheek to speak to me in that way. In that case, why should I help you? You are acting so high and mighty even when you have to borrow money from me. By the time when you pay me back, should I have to treat you like a prince or what?”
Xiao Ping was humiliated, and he accepted the shame, but on the inside, he was devastated. Even after returning to his village, he still had to endure being trampled upon by his childhood friend and clansman, and eat humble pie. What he was facing now felt even worse than what he had experienced out there.
”Ping, I'll lend you the money!”
Xiao Luo said, stepping forward. Hearing his faint words made Xiao Ping's eyes widen in surprise. ”Give me your bank account number, and I'll transfer the money to you right now.”
When his grandfather had asked him to help aunt Taoxiu's family, he already made plans, but the chance didn't present itself. Besides, Xiao Ping hadn't approached him but went to Xiao Qiudong for help instead. Since Xiao Qiudong was willing to lend him the money, he couldn't just tell Xiao Ping not to accept the help from Xiao Qiudong. But things were different now, and he was determined to give Xiao Ping a helping hand.
”Luo, you…”
Xiao Ping looked a Xiao Luo, then looked at Ji Siying.
Xiao Ping was conflicted as the last thing he wanted was to burden Xiao Luo. If Xiao Luo's career were like Xiao Qiudong's, he'd undoubtedly have borrowed the money from him, but that wasn't the case. Listening to what Xiao Qiudong had said, Xiao Luo could only have saved 50 thousand dollars per year, at the most. He couldn't bring himself to borrow 120 thousand dollars from Xiao Luo, and he had to be considerate of Ji Siying's feelings. If Xiao Luo was to borrow him Ji Siying's money, won't that make it more difficult for him to face the Ji family?”
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