Chapter 27 Borrowing Money to Pay Off Debts: Life is Like a Play, It All Depends on Acting Skills!

The next morning, faint light filtered through the gaps in the curtains onto the bedside.

Facing the mirror, Li Ang adjusted his breathing, rubbed his cheeks, and his expression softened from the vicissitudes of life to a high school student's face with a mix of anxiety and determination.

"Time to see Old Wu."

He slung his backpack over his shoulder and walked out of the dim rental room.

...

At Longnan No. 1 High School, the teacher's office building.

Standing outside the door of the Sophomore Martial Skills Group office, through the slightly paint-peeled wooden door, Li Ang clearly heard the familiar scolding voice inside.

"These little brats... what the hell do they know about 'golden ratio'! They actually posted on the forum saying my potion is 'pigment mixed with Sprite'? And that drinking it causes frequent urination? That's slander! It pisses me off!"

Accompanied by the sound of a mouse being slapped, that vibrant voice made Li Ang pause slightly.

In the simulator's memory, the last time he saw Wu Changhe was in that blood-filled dead end alley.

He was held up like a chick by the Masked Man, forcibly parasitized by blood crystals, and turned into a mindless zombie with red eyes.

But now, he was alive. Still cursing vigorously over a few bad reviews.

The impact of this regained Possession made Li Ang's nose sting.

"Knock, knock, knock."

He suppressed his emotions and knocked on the door.

"Come in! It's unlocked!"

Li Ang pushed the door open.

The office was filled with smoke, and Wu Changhe was frowning at his computer screen, holding his iconic goji berry tea.

Seeing Li Ang enter, he raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Oh, if it isn't our 'Great Theorist Li'? What, didn't go to the library today to cram 'Meridian Studies'?"

Li Ang didn't speak. He just stood at the door, staring fixedly at Wu Changhe.

His gaze was too complex. There was relief, gratitude, nostalgia, and a kind of... affection, as if looking at a long-lost relative?

Stared at directly with such eyes, Wu Changhe felt goosebumps all over, a chill running up his spine.

He instinctively hugged his thermos tighter and scooted back with his chair: "Stop, stop, stop! What are you doing, kid? Why are you looking at me like I'm a martyr's portrait? I'm not dead yet!"

"Say what you need to say! Don't pull this cheesy act; I don't buy it!"

Li Ang took a deep breath, blinked back the moisture in his eyes, and quickly switched to 'Oscar mode'.

He turned around, closed the office door behind him, not only locking the latch but also pulling the curtains shut, blocking out the sunlight.

This series of unusual actions made Wu Changhe even more panicked: "Li Ang, what are you doing? I'm telling you, even though you're a student, if you dare... I will fight back!"

"Teacher, I have a matter of life and death that I need your help with."

Li Ang turned around, his expression unprecedentedly serious, his voice hoarse.

"But before that, I want to show you something."

"What is it? So mysterious..." Wu Changhe put down his teacup suspiciously, already secretly mobilizing his Origin Opening Realm energy, ready to suppress this possibly 'Qi Deviated' student at any time.

Li Ang didn't explain.

He just spread his feet slightly and slowly mobilized the Qi and Blood in his body.

Boom!

A low, heavy roar, like a river surging, exploded inside Li Ang.

A powerful aura belonging to the Qi and Blood Seventh Stage instantly surged in the small office.

This Qi and Blood was so vigorous that it didn't seem like a weakling built on pills; instead, it was as condensed as mercury, even faintly exuding a murderous aura from a hundred battles!

"Crack!"

The lid of Wu Changhe's thermos, which he had just picked up, actually fell onto the table and rolled to the floor.

He stood up abruptly, his small eyes wide open, staring at Li Ang as if at a monster, even rubbing his eyes involuntarily.

"Seventh Stage...?!"

"And this quality of Qi and Blood... how is it possible?! Weren't you only at Fourth Stage last week?"

As a Kaiyuan Realm Expert, his eyesight was extremely sharp.

He could tell at a glance that Li Ang's current Foundation was terrifyingly solid.

If he closed his eyes and sensed, he would even think he was facing a direct descendant of a noble family who had grown up soaking in medicinal baths and practicing stance training!

"Li Ang, you... have you been Possessed by some old monster?" Wu Changhe's voice cracked.

Li Ang retracted his aura, revealing a rehearsed smile with three parts bitterness and seven parts determination.

"Teacher Wu, actually... I've been hiding my strength."

"Hiding your strength?" Wu Changhe looked like he was being mocked, "You've been ridiculed at school like that, and you're still hiding it!"

"Yes." Li Ang began his performance, his voice low, "My parents died early, I have no background. I was always afraid of standing out too much, so even when I succeeded, I used a special breath-holding technique to pretend to be at Third Stage. But recently, I encountered an insurmountable difficulty and can't pretend anymore. I have to come to you."

"What difficulty?"

Wu Changhe hadn't fully recovered from the shock, but upon hearing the word 'beg', his eyes lit up instantly.

This was a Qi and Blood Seventh Stage! And his theoretical scores were the best in the grade!

If nurtured properly, he would be a sure candidate for a prestigious school, maybe even the city's top scorer! If such a Genius came from his class... then next year's professional title evaluation, and the recent declining potion sales...

The thrill of 'picking up a bargain' made Wu Changhe instantly dismiss his previous doubts. Geniuses, after all, have their secrets.

"Sit! Sit down!"

Wu Changhe's attitude did a complete 180-degree turn. He enthusiastically righted the fallen chair and even personally poured Li Ang a glass of water. "What difficulty? Tell me! As long as it doesn't violate principles, I won't hesitate!"

Li Ang lowered his head, holding the water glass tightly with both hands, his knuckles white, his voice trembling slightly:

"Teacher, my only relative, my grandmother... is seriously ill..."

Li Ang recounted the same story as in the simulation.

Li Ang looked up, his eyes red, full of helplessness and despair, the struggle of someone pushed to the brink by money but unwilling to give up on family.

"I... I really have no other choice. I don't want to lose her. Teacher, please lend me this money. I will repay it even if I have to work like a dog for you!"

Wu Changhe listened, silent for two seconds.

One million two hundred thousand?

To him, was that even a problem?

As a Kaiyuan Realm Expert, just the federal annual allowance started at seven figures, not to mention his 'Golden Qi and Blood Potion' which, despite being criticized by students for its taste, sold very well among parents eager for their children to succeed.

This amount of money was at most the cost of Materials for buying two high-level exotic beast bones on the black market, or a month's net profit from potions.

He quickly calculated in his mind:

With just one million two hundred thousand—the cost of a few boxes of potions—he could earn the gratitude of a peerless Genius at the Qi and Blood Seventh Stage with perfect theoretical scores?

And maybe even the future gratitude of a Martial Grandmaster?

This wasn't borrowing money; it was a 'venture capital' with huge returns! If the bald old man from the next class found out about this, he'd probably slap his thigh in regret!

"I thought it was something earth-shattering!"

Wu Changhe slammed the table, full of bravado: "One million two hundred thousand, right? Your teacher's got it!"

Li Ang looked up abruptly, tears welling in his eyes: "Teacher... I will repay this money! Even if I have to hunt exotic beasts in the wilderness, even if I..."

"Repay what!" Wu Changhe waved his hand dismissively, "Saving lives is what matters! Besides, talking about money between teacher and student hurts feelings! Just remember me when you make it big."

Even as he said this, a sly glint flashed in his shrewd little eyes.

He rubbed his hands together, revealing his trademark 'shrewd merchant' smile, leaning forward slightly: "But... Li Ang, you know, my 'Golden Qi and Blood Potion' sales have been a bit..."

Li Ang understood.

He immediately stood up, his tone sincere and resolute:

"Don't worry, Teacher! The reason I've improved so fast, besides hard training, is entirely because I've been secretly taking your 'Golden Potion' these past few years! Your potion is the beacon of hope in the martial arts world! It's the blessing for civilian Martial Artists!"

"From now on, at the school's monthly arena competitions, and even the city league in senior year, I will wear battle suits printed with the 'Golden Potion' logo! I will announce loudly on the podium: I owe my success today entirely to Teacher Wu's potion!"

"Hahaha! You get it! You really get it!"

Wu Changhe was grinning from ear to ear, his wrinkles spreading, "I knew my formula was fine! Even a theory master like you approves, so it must be right! Kid, with your Comprehension Ability, even if you didn't practice martial arts, you'd make a great salesman!"

"Alright! For that, this one million two hundred thousand is your teacher's 'exclusive endorsement fee'! No need to repay!"

Wu Changhe immediately took out his phone, without any hesitation, and directly transferred one million two hundred thousand to Li Ang.

"Ding!"

Looking at the SMS notification on his phone, this cold number finally wasn't negative.

Li Ang's heart finally settled.

"Then, Teacher, I'll head to the hospital now..." Li Ang stood up, ready to leave.

"Go on, go on. Take good care of the elderly. Don't skimp on money. If it's not enough, tell me." Wu Changhe waved his hand, watching Li Ang's retreating back with increasing satisfaction. "This kid knows how to repay kindness. This investment is a sure win!"

Walking out of the office building.

The September sun was still scorching, stinging the eyes.

Li Ang stood under the tree shade, looking at his phone balance.

He calmly dialed the number he had long memorized—the repayment hotline of the Black Gold Chamber of Commerce.

"Hello, I'm Li Ang. I want to repay that Martial Arts Champion Loan now."

The other end seemed stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting this poor student, who was about to be dismantled, to come up with the money. The voice was somewhat surprised: "One million two hundred thousand, including principal and interest. Not a cent less."

"Send me the account number. I'll transfer it now."

Li Ang's voice was very cold.

Hanging up, transferring the money, keeping the receipt.

After doing all this, he let out a long sigh of relief.

The Sword of Damocles that had been hanging over his head for three days was finally gone.

But he didn't feel relieved; instead, he felt a deeper sense of urgency.

"The money is repaid."

"But this is just the beginning."

Now, he needed to find a safe place to receive that 'package' from the future.

Li Ang pulled down his cap brim, turned, and merged into the bustling crowd.