The guy, decked out in designer brands and looking pale and clean-cut, stood next to Julie Chu, sizing up Hank Chu from head to toe with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Look at you, all dressed up in a suit and tie? What, are you trying to turn your life around, or just puffing up your face to look rich?"
Ryan Wu sneered at Hank Chu, reaching out to tug at Hank's tie. "Wow, didn't expect it—this whole outfit's designer stuff. Guess you're not as simple as you look, huh?"
"You can afford fancy clothes and play the big shot, but did it ever cross your mind to pay back what you owe? Does owing people money feel good or something? Or are you just born to be a deadbeat?"
Ryan Wu kept going, and his crew behind him all burst out laughing.
"You borrowed money?"
Hearing Ryan Wu's words, Julie Chu's expression changed slightly. She kept her eyes fixed on Hank Chu's face.
"You didn't know?"
Ryan Wu pretended to be shocked. "Julie, let me tell you—this guy borrowed nearly fifty thousand yuan out there. The money he used to buy you that phone? All borrowed!"
"As for the rest, who knows what he spent it on—probably just blowing it all on booze and parties, right?"
Ryan Wu spoke.
His words triggered a round of laughter from the group behind him.
“Puffing up your face to look rich, buying clothes but not paying your debts—guys like this are destined for nothing.” A girl looked at Hank Chu with undisguised disdain.
Even though Hank Chu was tall and handsome, in the face of absolute poverty, a good-looking face and decent build still seemed pretty insignificant.
Besides, this was a moment for picking sides.
Over here, Ryan Wu—Young Master Wu—had long set his sights on Julie Chu.
He’d already promised them: if he could win Julie Chu, then their whole dorm would have jobs lined up after graduation.
He’d have NewAir Airlines send someone to sign them up directly, no interview needed.
That kind of offer was tempting enough.
So now, the other five girls in Julie Chu’s dorm spent all day whispering bad things about Hank Chu in her ear, while never forgetting to hype up Ryan Wu’s virtues.
The goal was to win over Julie Chu, to make her choose Ryan Wu.
They all knew Julie Chu had a thing for Hank Chu, but the specifics were a mystery.
“Did you really borrow that much money?”
Julie Chu looked at Hank Chu, her tone suddenly turning stern: “Answer me.”
“Well... it’s not that much. I’ll pay it off soon.”
Hank Chu felt uneasy under her gaze.
Then he saw Julie Chu’s eyes redden, and she sniffled, looking like she might burst into tears any second.
“Don’t cry, come on, why are you crying? I’m the one who owes money—it’s got nothing to do with you.”
Hank Chu jumped—he couldn’t handle seeing people cry.
Will Han offered a tissue, and Hank Chu hurriedly took it, trying to help wipe Julie Chu’s tears. But Ryan Wu waved his big hand and smacked the tissue right out of Hank’s hand.
“Quit pretending to be the good guy—get lost! Didn’t you see you made Julie cry?” Ryan Wu looked at Hank Chu with contempt, then turned to wipe Julie Chu’s tears himself.
But Julie Chu turned aside, dodging him completely.
That move made Ryan Wu furious and awkward.
Luckily, a girl who’d been watching came over to Julie Chu’s other side, took her arm, and turned to Hank Chu with a look of pure disdain: “Look at you—why’d you come find Julie? You just made her cry!”
If I were you, living like this, I’d rather just die!
The girl glared fiercely at Hank Chu.
Hank Chu just stood there, at a loss.
But just then, Julie Chu shook off the girl’s hand, sniffled, and pulled out a bank card from her pocket, handing it to Hank Chu: “The money you gave me before—just treat it as me borrowing from you.”
You borrowed money at interest, so the interest is mine, too. There’s two thousand yuan on this card. I’ll pay you back the rest by working.
Julie Chu looked utterly determined.
As soon as she said this, everyone—guys and girls alike—froze in place.
“Julie, what are you doing? Why are you giving this guy money?”
Ryan Wu’s expression changed.
He borrowed money, and gave it all to me. I took that money home.
Julie Chu took a deep breath.
Actually, Hank Chu didn’t spend much on himself.
Aside from buying Julie Chu gifts, almost all his money went to her.
That statement left everyone around them stunned.
“It’s fine, just keep the money I gave you. I’ll pay the debt myself—it’s got nothing to do with you.”
Hank Chu kept shaking his head, refusing.
“You said you had extra money, that’s why you gave it to me. But now it’s clear that wasn’t true. I can’t let you carry unnecessary pressure because of me. I know how awful it feels to owe someone money.”
Julie Chu shook her head and forcefully stuffed the bank card into Hank Chu’s hand: “I’ll pay you back the rest as soon as I can.”
That made the whole scene turn awkward.
Hank Chu stood there holding the bank card, and the words he’d meant to say suddenly stuck in his throat.
He’d come here to confess, but now it felt more like he was here to collect a debt.
“Is there something you wanted to tell me?”
Julie Chu, standing in front of Hank Chu, saw him fall silent and asked first.
“Oh, I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday.”
Hank Chu hesitated before finally speaking.
No sooner had he spoken than Will Han couldn’t help blurting out: “Hank Chu came to confess today—why not just be his girlfriend?”
Will Han hadn’t dared speak up until now, but with two beauties watching the livestream on his phone and Evan Lin backing him up, plus Julie Chu’s earlier words making her seem less snobbish than he’d thought, he finally found the courage.
Julie Chu was startled, then turned to look at Hank Chu.
Hank Chu gave an awkward smile and scratched his head—he couldn’t quite describe how he felt in this situation.
Evan Lin watched from the side, and from the conversation so far, Julie Chu seemed like a decent girl.
“A broke kid like you actually dared to chase after Julie Chu? You must be crazy!”
Ryan Wu, who’d been holding back for ages, finally exploded.
He stepped forward, planting himself between Hank Chu and Julie Chu, glaring at Hank Chu: “I suggest you get lost—get out of my sight.”
“Besides, whatever Julie Chu owes you, I’ll pay it for her!”
Why go through all this hardship for a bit of money? How could you possibly give her happiness?