34: Meng Yu untied

"Gu, come help us share some of this."

As Chen Li spoke, he picked up a glistening, fragrant chicken leg and placed it on her tray.

Zhang Yixi caught on immediately and added with a smile, "Wenqian, you two have to help us eat more."

"Otherwise, it would be a pity to waste all this food," he said, giving his girlfriend a meaningful look.

Wu Wenqian understood perfectly and said with feigned annoyance, "You two are really something, ordering so much. How can we finish it all?"

As she accepted the ribs Zhang Yixi handed her, Wu Wenqian's heart was filled with mixed emotions.

She knew better than anyone the difficulties Gu Qingcheng faced—a mother seriously ill in the Hospital and the heavy burden on this frail girl's shoulders.

As her best friend, she helped whenever she could, often finding excuses to treat her to meals, but her ability to help was ultimately limited.

A few days ago, she heard from her boyfriend that Chen Li had come into a lot of money recently, and she immediately had an idea.

She privately asked Zhang Yixi to find a chance to invite Chen Li out, while she specifically brought Gu Qingcheng along.

After finally waiting for a time when everyone was free, she finally orchestrated this seemingly accidental encounter in the Cafeteria.

Watching Gu Qingcheng take small bites of the ribs beside her, Wu Wenqian prayed silently: I hope Chen Li can lend a hand.

She hoped he could help this desperate girl. To pay for her mother's treatment, Gu Qingcheng was already at her wit's end, even reaching the point of considering selling herself.

Gu Qingcheng stared at the chicken leg that had suddenly appeared on her plate, its rich aroma wafting into her nose.

She subconsciously swallowed. She couldn't remember the last time she had eaten meat.

To save for her mother's medical bills, her life consisted only of classes and part-time jobs. She budgeted every penny, wishing she could split every cent in half.

She looked up and met Chen Li's gentle gaze. There was no hint of charity in his eyes, only sincere concern.

Her heart warmed, and she whispered, "Thank you..." Then, she carefully picked up the chicken leg and began to eat it in small bites.

Seeing that she didn't refuse, Chen Li and the others breathed a sigh of relief. Wu Wenqian struck while the iron was hot.

She kept piling braised pork and sweet and sour ribs into her bowl. "Qingcheng, this is delicious, try it... this one is good too..."

Gu Qingcheng ate silently, feeling the long-lost taste of meat melt in her mouth, her eyes stinging slightly.

This unexpected full meal was a rare warmth for her.

Just then, the system panel notifications kept popping up:

[Gu Qingcheng]

[Affection Level: +5]

...[Meng Yu Spending: 271,000 Yuan] (Spent gradually, consolidated here)

[Affection Level: +98]

[System Credit: 23,109,000 Yuan (Limit reached)]

[Withdrawable Balance: 1,942,109,160 Yuan]

[Friendly Reminder: Meng Yu's quota has reached two billion. Automatically unbinding slot.]

...[Zhao Yue Spending: 13,800 Yuan]

[Affection Level: +79]

[System Credit: 1,090,200 Yuan]

[Withdrawable Balance: 1,943,199,360 Yuan]

Looking at the pile of system notifications, Chen Li smiled with satisfaction. Meng Yu's quota was finally finished.

In a great mood, he turned to look at Gu Qingcheng beside him. Seeing she was almost finished eating,

He took the initiative to ask, "Gu, I noticed you don't look very well. Are you facing some difficulties?"

"We're all classmates. If you speak up, maybe we can help."

Zhang Yixi clearly didn't know the specifics, but he nodded along. "Yeah, if there's any trouble, just say it. We'll definitely help if we can."

Facing their concerned inquiries, Gu Qingcheng gently set down her chopsticks and shook her head. "It's nothing, thank you for your kindness."

It wasn't that she didn't want to say anything, but that she didn't dare to.

Not to mention her mother's expensive surgery fees, there was also the follow-up care. It was a bottomless pit.

She had seen too many boys who claimed they wanted to help her but actually had other motives—they were all just attracted to her looks and wanted to take advantage of her.

At this moment, Wu Wenqian couldn't help but interject, "Qingcheng's mother needs surgery, and she has no idea how to pay the medical bills... If you guys can help, please help her." As she spoke, she looked at Chen Li.

Gu Qingcheng glanced at her best friend. Knowing she meant well, she didn't blame her.

It was just that she had long since given up hope on this matter.

Zhang Yixi looked at Chen Li helplessly, knowing that only Chen Li could possibly help her.

"Sure,"

Chen Li replied almost without thinking. "After we finish eating, let's go learn more about the situation."

This answer stunned the three people present. Wu Wenqian was the first to react, her eyes instantly lighting up as she exchanged a look with Zhang Yixi.

The most shocked was Gu Qingcheng. She looked up and, for the first time, seriously appraised this boy she had just met.

Did he know what he was saying? Or rather... did he really have the ability to help her?

Chen Li met her probing gaze with a calm expression.

He didn't consider himself some overly virtuous saint, but since he had encountered this, he would help if he could.

Moreover, he could bind Gu Qingcheng. Even if Gu Qingcheng didn't develop much affection for him in the short term, it wouldn't matter.

As long as he bound her, paying for her mother's medical bills would become a guaranteed profitable investment. It was a win-win for them.

"Are you... are you serious?" Gu Qingcheng's voice trembled slightly, and for the first time, a spark of hope ignited in her beautiful eyes.

"Yeah. Are you done eating? Can you take me to see your mother now?"

Since he had decided to intervene, he had to confirm the situation with his own eyes.

This was his principle for doing things. Whether the matter was large or small, only by seeing it personally and touching it himself could he make the most accurate judgment.

"I'm done!"

Gu Qingcheng responded almost immediately. A flash of embarrassment crossed her face, but more than that was an urgency, like someone grabbing a life-saving straw.

She needed this hope too much. Even if it was as faint as a candle flame in a gale, she was willing to do everything in her power to protect it.

"Then let's go." Chen Li noted her slight panic but said nothing more.

Wu Wenqian smiled at the two of them. "We won't join in the fun. Chen Li, you go ahead and accompany Qingcheng."

Chen Li nodded without unnecessary pleasantries. He and Gu Qingcheng walked one after the other, quickly arriving at the parking lot.

She didn't know much about cars and couldn't name it, but she knew this car definitely wasn't cheap.

The car merged smoothly into the traffic. Inside the sealed cabin, there was only the low hum of the engine for a while.

"Is it convenient to talk about your mother's specific situation?" Chen Li was the first to break the silence.

These words seemed to open a floodgate. She looked out the window, her eyes unfocused, and began to speak in fragments.

Her voice was a bit dry at first, but it became more fluent as she went on.

It was as if these hardships, which had been suppressed in her heart for too long, had finally found an outlet to be poured out.