Chapter 360: Advance Salary? No Way!

Hearing Teacher Ran's words, Shazhu felt even more depressed.

Teacher Ran continued, "It's really not what Liu Lan said."

"I think Liu Lan is quite responsible at work; don't arbitrarily give her a hard time."

"I have a question now: you say you've worked for so many years—do you really have no savings at all?"

Shazhu let out a light sigh and said:

"Boss, here's the thing: when I was still at the factory, Qin Huairu was already receiving my wages."

Teacher Ran was somewhat surprised: "No way?"

"Why is that?"

"It seems you haven't married her yet."

"Of course, if you don't want to talk about it, you can keep it unsaid."

"I won't force you either."

Shazhu sighed again and said:

"There's nothing really unspeakable."

"I just think their family—orphans and a widowed mother—is very pitiful."

"Qin Huairu is indeed great; not only did she raise several children, but all these years she has also been caring for an elderly mother."

"At first, I felt sorry for them; as you know, I was satisfied myself, and the whole family wasn't hungry."

Teacher Ran interrupted: "Wait, don't you have a younger sister?"

"She was still in school then, right? When I went to Siheyuan to Jiageng's house for a home visit."

Shazhu nodded and said: "Yeah, there was such a sister."

Teacher Ran: "She was still in school then, so you had to support her, right?"

Shazhu: "Not really."

"Back then my father would send money every month."

"Then, I let her take that money alone."

"With that money, she could manage on her own."

Teacher Ran: "Did you split the family back then? Each living separately?"

Shazhu: "Yeah, each lived on their own."

"So the leftovers I brought home from the canteen were almost all given to Qin Huairu's family."

"They were so pitiful."

Teacher Ran: "Then don't you think your sister is also pitiful?"

Shazhu: "Pitiful? She's not pitiful."

"She has the money my father gave."

Teacher Ran smiled lightly and shook her head.

Shazhu continued, "Really."

Teacher Ran: "How much could your father give back then?"

"You, as the older brother, now have the means, yet you don't give any of the leftovers you bring home to your sister; instead you give them all to Qin Huairu's family."

"It seems you really care enough about their family."

Shazhu: "That's only natural; we've been neighbors for so many years."

Teacher Ran: "I think you should be more concerned with your sister."

"You two are blood relatives."

"Take good care of your sister first; once you have the ability, then help others."

Shazhu: "Is that so? But at that time my sister's life was really better than Qin Huairu's family's."

Teacher Ran: "Not necessarily?"

"Qin Huairu's family—not that I'm speaking ill of them—they're all chubby."

"What about your sister? I saw her then; she was very thin, probably because her meals were poor."

Shazhu was momentarily stunned and said, "No, her meals are fine."

Teacher Ran: "Enough, let's stop discussing this."

"You continue speaking."

"Later, when you stopped working at the factory, did you also have Qin Huairu receive the wages?"

"I remember that every payday, the wages were handed to you."

Shazhu: "Well, when I got home, I gave it all to Qin Huairu."

Teacher Ran: "Oh, I see."

"Then why, when you needed money, didn't you ask Qin Huairu for it? Why did you keep borrowing elsewhere?"

Shazhu let out a long sigh and said, "That's why I came to see you today."

"Qin Huairu did business with someone and lost everything."

"She has not a single cent left."

"Even her mother‑in‑law's pension money was lost."

"Now there's no money for food."

Teacher Ran, with an incredulous look, asked, "She used your money for business and spent it all, then had no money for meals, and you lent her twenty thousand yuan?"

"He Yuzhu, you're being way too great, aren't you?"

Shazhu, thinking Teacher Ran was praising him, said proudly with a haughty tone:

It's not that great.

It's just that their family really has it hard.

It's so pitiful; as an old neighbor, how could I not care, right?

I can't get past my conscience.

The 20,000 I borrowed I gave all to her.

But she didn't keep a single cent for herself.

It all went to pay the hospitalization and medical fees for the elderly in our courtyard.

I especially admire her for this; she is just such a kind person.

Teacher Ran laughed: "She's kind enough."

Not only did they use others' money to do business and lose it all, they also used the borrowed money entirely to do good deeds.

No, when Qin Huairu was in charge of this money, did she ask you?

Shazhu hesitated, shook his head, and said:

I also don't want to lie to you.

As for that, she never asked me.

But I support her.

Qin Huairu and the several elderly in our courtyard—that is, our courtyard's Second Elder and Third Elder, namely Teacher Yan—also had their families participate.

They all lost everything.

Unable to withstand this blow, they all collapsed at once; you say I couldn't not help?

Teacher Ran: "You are generous enough."

But helping others has a precondition: you must have the ability yourself.

If you lack ability, what do you use to help?

Shazhu: "So I'm gratified I have taken on a few good disciples."

They are willing to lend me money.

Teacher Ran: "Really?"

I'm afraid it's not like that.

I really want to say, having you as their teacher is their tragedy.

Upon hearing this, Shazhu's face darkened.

Teacher Ran then said: "Your temper is explosive; you often scold or even hit people."

They probably lent you money only because they're afraid of you.

In fact, they probably didn't lend the money willingly.

You are their teacher, plus with your temper, would they dare not lend? Could they not lend?

They also have their own families and lives to live.

You say you borrowed so much money from your disciples; if their partners object, thereby affecting their family happiness, can you bear that responsibility?

Shazhu: "No way, my disciples are all fine."

Teacher Ran: "He Yuzhu, I never expected our worldviews to differ so much."

I also don't know what to say; I wish you good luck.

Shazhu stared, then asked: "What do you mean?"

Teacher Ran: "Forget it, let's not say more."

I can tell you now, you've already advanced two thousand yuan of wages.

This time you can't advance any more.

Shazhu, face full of disbelief, asked: "Why?"

This is an advance, not a loan.

Boss, you, you can't just stand by and not help.

Teacher Ran: "If I advance you this time, that would actually be harming you."

He Yuzhu, think it over carefully.

You're not stupid; you should be able to figure it out.

I hope you can figure it out soon.

Finally, I'll give you one more piece of advice: helping others is fine, but you must consider your own capacity.