Chapter 22 Shen Tao's Test of Human Nature

Watching the miserable state Han Xue was in, Fang Xiaocao felt a secret pleasure and pulled out a bag of sunflower seeds, cracking them open with a "click clack" sound.

Although 130,000 wasn't a small amount, it wasn't much of a concern for Fang Xiaocao now.

Houses worth millions, cars worth hundreds of thousands, Bitcoins valued at two hundred million, and gold worth millions.

Fang Xiaocao was now a wealthy woman herself.

After a fierce internal struggle, her rational mind had triumphed over emotion, and Fang Xiaocao decided to stand by and watch.

This person wasn't worth saving.

The 130,000 would be better donated to those in need rather than used to pay Han Xue's liquor debt.

130,000, not a cent more, not a cent less.

It could provide better education for many children in mountainous areas, warmth for many elderly people, help endangered species, and even save lives.

It seemed that no matter what, everything was more meaningful than using it to pay Han Xue's liquor debt.

Giving it to those in need could save a life, salvage a family, and earn a word of thanks.

Giving it to Han Xue...

Would only result in more manipulative calculations.

Fang Xiaocao understood Han Xue's nature too well.

She would never be grateful; she would only be jealous that you were better off than her and would look for ways to set you back.

"Brother Shen... I don't have any money..."

"Please let me go..."

Han Xue's makeup was smudged from crying, and she knelt on the ground, continually pleading.

Looking at Han Xue, Shen Tao suddenly laughed.

He laughed intriguingly, as if he had thought of something amusing.

"How about this, I have an idea for you,"

Shen Tao said cheerfully.

"What... what?"

"Brother Shen, please tell me..."

Han Xue's eyes lit up, excitedly pressing him for an answer.

"Your bunch of friends haven't left yet."

"Get them to pitch in to settle the tab, and I'll let you go,"

Shen Tao said to Han Xue with a chuckle.

Hearing Shen Tao's words, the light in Han Xue's eyes grew brighter, as though she had grasped a lifesaving straw.

"Among that group of friends, although some aren't rich second generation, their families are quite well off, and they usually wear branded clothes, so it shouldn't be hard to raise the money,"

Han Xue thought to herself, quickly calculating Shen Tao's suggestion, considering it more and more feasible.

"I wasn't the only one drinking the wine, why should I foot the bill?"

Han Xue inwardly roared with resentment.

Thinking about the humiliation she had just endured, she felt she had suffered the disgrace and torment for these people, lost face for them, and they all owed her; therefore, she shouldn't have to pay for the drinks.

"Everyone who drank should pay!"

Han Xue muttered to herself.

Hearing Han Xue's words, Shen Tao's smile brightened.

"If you can't raise the money, no one leaves today, especially you!"

Shen Tao squatted down, pinched Han Xue's face, and said with a smile.

Although Shen Tao was smiling, his eyes were very cold, sending chills all over Han Xue.

"Did you hear me?"

Shen Tao asked with a smile.

"I... I heard you."

Han Xue weakly responded.

"Begin your performance."

Shen Tao rose to his feet with a smile and glanced at the group of friends who had been drinking '82 Lafite with Han Xue.

Upon encountering Shen Tao's gaze, everyone shuddered, silently lowered their heads, and behaved like ostriches.

Following Shen Tao's gaze, Fang Xiaocao then noticed the group being held back by the security.

About six or seven people, both men and women included.

The man dressed like a sprightly young fellow, and the woman was dressed flamboyantly, an aura of the streets assailing the senses.

Among them, there were faces that Fang Xiaocao recognized.

Apart from two men, the rest were classmates.

While Fang Xiaocao was lost in thought, Han Xue rose from the ground and stumbled toward the group.

"Hurry up and call your families, scrape together some money for drinks, and once we've gathered enough, we can leave."

Han Xue glared, excitedly and imperiously instructed.

"Why should we chip in?"

"Exactly, weren't you the one treating us?"

"If you don't have money, why act all high and mighty?"

"I've never seen such a vain woman."

As soon as Han Xue spoke, the group exploded, hurling accusations at her.

Han Xue's face went instantly pale.

"When you bastards were drinking, you didn't say that?"

"Now you're asked to cough up some cash, and you all turn stubborn. You drank my liquor; you'd better pay up."

Enraged, Han Xue pointed at the crowd and shouted.

"You act tough, why should I foot the bill?"

"Exactly, if you don't have money, why pretend to be a rich girl?"

"Always flaunting money, taking us out, enjoying ourselves, hearing praises, you actually thought you were some rich second generation?"

"Don't you have any self-awareness?"

Clearly, Han Xue's so-called friends were not to be trifled with, daring not to mess with Shen Tao but showing their true colors to Han Xue.

Wealth to share, sure, but hardship?

Come on, who are you?

Do we even know each other?

We're barely even acquaintances, seriously.

Han Xue pointed at them, shaking with rage.

"Boss Shen, she ordered the drinks, it's not our business, get the money from her, we don't have any."

"Exactly, Boss Shen, she booked the private room, she placed the orders, it has nothing to do with us."

"If you need to keep someone, keep her. We were just invited guests, since when do guests pay the bills?"

"Exactly, exactly, Boss Shen, stopping us and not letting us go is illegal. If you don't let us go, we're going to call the police."

The crowd became restless, shouting at Shen Tao across Han Xue, pushing her even further out.

Shen Tao watched this scene, his smile tinged with amusement.

As expected, Shen Tao was not surprised at all.

"Well, I, Shen Tao, open for business, welcoming guests from all directions, never indulge in illegal activities."

"Since you want to call the police, I'll help you do it."

"Then have your parents or your tutor come with the money to bail you out. You think you can leave without settling my bill?"

Saying this, Shen Tao took out his phone, actually ready to call the police.

Everyone panicked then.

If this got out to the police station and alerted the school, they would all suffer.

"Boss Shen, you're a magnanimous man, don't bother with us, the drinks weren't ordered by us, please let us go."

"Han Xue, you bitch, what's done by one should be accounted for by one, don't fucking drag us into this."

"Exactly, it's the mess you made, Han Xue, why involve us?"

"Han Xue, just pay up. If you don't have money, go touch up your makeup and hurry back to accompany Boss Shen's guests."

"Exactly, I was your classmate since high school; what kind of person you are, don't I know? You've been with so many, now acting all prim and proper."

"To get a new phone, buy bags, how much did you earn per night out working? Now Boss Shen is being generous, letting you off the bill just for accompanying some drinks, and you still play innocent?"

Seeing Shen Tao getting serious, some began to plead with him, but many more chose to blame Han Xue, with some even exposing her past.

Hearing these words, Fang Xiaocao grinned.

She had indeed heard about this incident.

But at that time, she hadn't seen through Han Xue and always considered it to be a rumor.

Being brought up now by Han Xue's high school classmates, even the usually rumor-averse Fang Xiaocao couldn't tell fact from fiction anymore and somewhat believed it.