Shen Tong felt completely at ease and showed no sign of gratitude. "Now we're even! You helped me out, and I won't ask for the two thousand pounds in compensation. Isn't that a good deal? Most importantly, you even called me Tongtong just now, which was so cringy. You took full advantage of me!"
Liang Xiaoyuan was on the verge of another breakdown. "I did that to help you with your act! I made such a big sacrifice, and you say I took advantage of you! You called me Xiaoyuan just now too!"
"Alright, alright! Thank you!" Seeing that Liang Xiaoyuan was about to collapse, Shen Tong decided to soothe him.
Liang Xiaoyuan was still unhappy. "I don't need such a fake thank you! It's like you're brushing off a beggar."
Shen Tong suddenly became serious. "Liang Xiaoyuan, that 'thank you' I just said was sincere. Thank you for helping me! And I also want to apologize… I shouldn't have thought of extorting you just because you're rich, and I embarrassed you in front of everyone."
Liang Xiaoyuan was taken aback by Shen Tong's words and didn't know how to respond. Luckily, they arrived at Shen Tong's place, avoiding further awkwardness.
"Liang Xiaoyuan, thank you for today! Be careful on your way back! Goodbye!" Shen Tong got out of the car, ready to go home.
"Wait a minute! I have something for you!" Liang Xiaoyuan called out to Shen Tong, got out of the car, and took out a card from his pocket. "The password is written on the back of this card, and it has exactly two thousand pounds in it. Take it."
Shen Tong pushed the card back. "I won't take this money! I, Shen Tong, keep my word. I promised not to ask for compensation, and I mean it!"
"Then I'll take it back," Liang Xiaoyuan said nonchalantly, putting the card back in his pocket.
"Wait!" Shen Tong felt a pang of regret as she watched him put the card away. "Can't you let me at least look at it for a bit?"
Liang Xiaoyuan smiled and took the card out again. "I know you really need the money right now, so stop with the polite talk and just take it. Otherwise, you might regret it!"
He then pretended to put the card back.
Shen Tong quickly grabbed the card from his hand. "Don't say I forced you to give it to me!"
Seeing Shen Tong's slightly cute expression, Liang Xiaoyuan felt a strange warmth and happiness. He smiled. "Since we've settled the compensation issue, can our relationship improve now?"
"Yeah! Before you paid me the compensation, we were enemies. Now that you've paid me, our relationship has evolved from enemies to strangers!" Shen Tong said with an innocent smile.
Liang Xiaoyuan was shocked by her words. "Are you kidding me? Is that how you manage your relationships?"
"I'm not done yet!" Shen Tong interrupted the still-fuming Liang Xiaoyuan. "But since you not only paid the compensation but also helped me, we can advance further from strangers. Now we're good friends!"
"Does it make you happy to calculate everything so precisely?" Liang Xiaoyuan said, annoyed.
Shen Tong nodded. "I've been living meticulously for years! I can't afford to be careless, especially when it comes to money!"
"Now that you have two thousand pounds, you have more than enough to buy a ticket back to China. You don't need to work those part-time jobs anymore. Don't you feel much more relaxed?" Liang Xiaoyuan asked.
"Why would I stop those part-time jobs? My plan is to go back in two months, and since I've found these jobs, I might as well earn as much as I can!" Shen Tong immediately dismissed Liang Xiaoyuan's idea.
Liang Xiaoyuan shook his head in exasperation. "Why are you so greedy? You have enough money, so why waste time that could be spent going home for a bit more cash?"
"You rich people will never understand how we poor people think! If we spent money carelessly every time we made some, we would have starved to death by now!" Shen Tong's eyes conveyed her deep disdain for Liang Xiaoyuan's ideas.
"Alright! I don't understand what it means to strive. Keep working hard then! We'll see each other if fate allows!" Liang Xiaoyuan turned to leave.
"Wait a minute!" Shen Tong walked up to Liang Xiaoyuan. "Let me use your phone!"
Liang Xiaoyuan handed his phone to Shen Tong, not understanding why he kept obeying her.
"What are you doing?" Liang Xiaoyuan asked as he watched Shen Tong using his phone.
"This is my phone number!" Shen Tong saved her number in his phone and handed it back to him. "I, Shen Tong, hate owing people anything! You helped me today, so if you ever need my help and it's within my power, I'll definitely help you!"
Liang Xiaoyuan looked at his phone and said, "I can't think of anything I'd need your help with!"
Shen Tong, with the demeanor of someone experienced, said, "Nothing in this world is constant. Who knows, you might need my help someday!"
"Alright! Since friends should exchange phone numbers, I'll wait for the day I need your help!" Liang Xiaoyuan said, then walked towards his Porsche and drove away from Shen Tong's school.
On the way, without Shen Tong's chatter, the time felt quiet and calm. Liang Xiaoyuan's initially turbulent mind also settled down. Shen Tong really was a unique girl.
As soon as the car entered the parking lot, Liang Xiaoyuan's phone rang.
"Hello, Sang Yan?" Unconsciously, Liang Xiaoyuan's voice became lighter.
A soft female voice came from the phone. "Xiaoyuan, do you have time for lunch tomorrow?"
"What's up? Of course, I have time." Liang Xiaoyuan replied.
"We're going back to China soon. I want to personally cook for your partners and some friends. Since you're free, that's perfect."
"Your hands are meant for playing the piano. There's no need to trouble yourself. We can just go to a restaurant." Unconsciously, Liang Xiaoyuan's tone was filled with concern.
"Xiaoyuan, it's really nothing. These three years in the UK, I've been so grateful for your care. And now, even as we return to China, you're still looking out for me. It's just a meal. You won't refuse, will you?"
"Sang Yan, when did we become so formal?" There was a hint of disappointment in Liang Xiaoyuan's eyes, although Sang Yan couldn't see it.
"What?"
"Nothing. See you tomorrow." Liang Xiaoyuan hung up the phone, the softness still lingering in his eyes.