Li Youyou was thirsty for more beer, so she snatched Gu Qingqing's bottle away from her and, in its place, exchanged it with a glass of grape juice. "Aren't you worried that Zhang Fuxing will give you trouble because you came out to play?"
Rolling her eyes, she shook her hands lightheartedly. "It's just dancing – it's fine as long as I don't bring it home. This heart of mine is still very pure. On top of that, Zhang Fuxing and I have been together for many years already. I trust him completely, and he too trusts me one hundred percent."
Li Youyou had been dating Zhang Fuxing since university. At that time, the government had not yet purchased their property, and they were dirt poor. Even after the purchase, however, she never had told Zhang Fuxing about wealth her family received overnight.
Still, even after so many years, Zhang Fuxing had never coveted her family's poverty; their relationship was as sturdy as a rock. They also planned to get married soon.
She winked at her friend. "Your situation is different! If I were you, for every ten women that Leng Sicheng dates, I would do the same to him tenfold! Now is the best time to do things you always wanted to do. Why don't I find two fine young men for you to pass the time with?"
Alarmed, Gu Qingqing shook her head profusely. What Leng Sicheng did behind her back was his own problem. She would never degrade herself just because her husband was cheating on her. As long as she was still capable, she would have to fight for whatever she wanted. It was imperative that she would not let Leng Sicheng control her life and look down on her anymore.
Li Youyou asked, "Then why did you ask me out tonight?"
Gu Qingqing pondered on the question, chewing on her lower lip. She did not even know where to begin. This was the first time she had ever asked anyone apart from Leng Sicheng for money. Although Leng Sicheng was her best friend, it was still embarrassing. To make matters worse, the club was so noisy that they were practically yelling at each other. She would have to shout to ask Li Youyou to lend her some money. This would, of course, be heard by everyone else around.
It took a long time before she finally found the courage to speak up. She drew close to her friend and blurted out, "Actually, the reason I asked you out tonight is…"
Just as she was about to pose the question, her phone rang. It was her mother. Quickly, she rejected the call. Immediately after she did that, a message popped onto her screen. It was from her mother.
"Where is the money? Hurry!"
Gu Qingqing stared blankly at the screen as if taken over by an invisible force. She knew that her mother favored her brother over her simply because he was a guy. Even though she had known this all the while, those cold, indifferent words still cut like knives.
When was there ever an exception? Everything good had always been given to her brother first, whereas she was left with all the hard and dirty work. Since she married Leng Sicheng, her mother seemed to have finally shown her some concern. That, however, only happened when she needed money or when she was afraid that Leng Sicheng would kick Gu Qingqing out the door. Then it would all come to an end, leaving her mother unable to live this idle, wealthy life again.
Sometimes, Gu Qingqing wondered if she was really her mother's daughter in the first place. Why else would a mother be so biased?
"What is it?" Li Youyou looked puzzled. Even in the dark club, she could see how pale Gu Qingqing's face had become.
Gu Qingqing shook her head and then grabbed her friend's arm. "Let's talk outside."
It was much quieter in the corridor. Only then did Gu Qingqing find the courage to ask, "Youyou, can you lend me some money?"
Li Youyou blinked. "What's your situation?"
Gu Qingqing bit her lower lip. Bitterness welled up in her eyes. "My brother is in trouble, and I really need the money urgently. 10,000 yuan. I'll pay you back next month."