It was precisely because Liu Sandao understood Fang Huiran's family situation and the difficulty of her personal struggles that he decided to help her.
But helping didn't necessarily mean intervening directly. Giving her good fortune fruits or money would only harm her.
As they spoke, Liu Sandao casually took out the "Good Fortune Fruit Manual" and brought it close to Fang Huiran's head. The display showed only ten good fortune fruits remaining.
This greatly surprised Liu Sandao. It turned out that Fu Ruhai's words were not entirely accurate; other people could indeed take good fortune fruits.
This was absolutely terrible news.
Fang Huiran refused Liu Sandao's well-intentioned offer, not even understanding his intentions. She felt he had come to mock her.
Perhaps sensing their misunderstanding, Fu Ruhai, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke:
"Fang Huiran, we mean well. You..."
"What about me? I don't need your good intentions!"
Fang Huiran interrupted him and left indignantly.
As Fu Ruhai was about to say something more, Liu Sandao stopped him and shook his head.
Advising her in this state would be utterly ineffective.
"Her, you, didn't you see her situation?"
"I did. Perhaps it's fate."
Liu Sandao attributed it to destiny, as there was nothing else to attribute it to.
Her good fortune fruits were already scarce, and then taking out so many at once had directly caused her health to deteriorate.
If his guess was correct, her luck would last at most another month.
Because misfortune is a vicious cycle: the worse it gets, the more it requires remedies, and the more good fortune fruits are needed.
That was why he had refused Zhao Xiaoying's request last time.
As they walked and talked, someone suddenly called out:
"Brother Dao, Brother Hai!"
Liu Sandao looked up and saw Meizi Qi walking over from across the road, shouting from a distance.
He realized he hadn't been in touch with Meizi Qi since leaving school.
On one hand, the company matters were rather busy; on the other hand, too many things had happened during this time, leaving him no time to spare.
As soon as Meizi Qi reached them, he asked, "Have you seen Fang Huiran?"
"She just left, by taxi. You're a step too late," Fu Ruhai said.
"Oh, it seems I am indeed late."
"What do you need to talk to her about?"
"Nothing much, just about work matters." Although Meizi Qi said this, his eyes flickered, as if he was hiding something.
Liu Sandao remained silent, only observing Meizi Qi's every move carefully.
"What do you two have to discuss? You're not from the same company. Do you have any business dealings?"
Fu Ruhai teased with a grin.
"Hey, don't talk nonsense. If others hear it, they'll think I'm up to something. Although my love may not have a happy ending, before that, I hope to love wholeheartedly!"
Meizi Qi said earnestly and seriously, afraid of being misunderstood regarding Fang Huiran.
However, Liu Sandao heard a different meaning, possibly related to him and Zhao Xiaoying.
He couldn't help with these relationship issues. He himself wasn't dating and likely wouldn't be, so he didn't know much in this regard.
"Hahaha, I didn't expect you to be such a devoted lover! How about this, since you're here, let's go grab a meal!"
Fu Ruhai said with a laugh.
But Meizi Qi refused. His reason was simple: Fang Huiran had asked to talk to him about Zhao Xiaoying.
Although Liu Sandao knew they were likely about to break up, he couldn't rule out the possibility of reconciliation.
"No, I really have something to do and need to leave. Let's get together another day, and we'll drink ourselves silly then!"
Since Meizi Qi insisted, Liu Sandao and Fu Ruhai couldn't stop him.
Meizi Qi had hoped to run into Fang Huiran at the entrance of Yaotian Building, but he missed her and had to meet her as arranged by phone.
Even though he might break up with Zhao Xiaoying, he decided to give it another shot, partly for their brief love, and partly because he still wanted to do something for Zhao Xiaoying, especially after hearing about her situation.
Of course, he had learned about these circumstances from others. Some said Zhao Xiaoying was borrowing money everywhere, but she hadn't approached him.
He should have been happy that she hadn't asked him for money, but he felt something was not quite right.
Although many days had passed without her contacting him, and his attempts to reach her went unanswered, Meizi Qi still wanted to do what he could.
Therefore, he had proactively contacted Fang Huiran.
Fang Huiran, however, didn't answer his call immediately. She only returned his call after seeing his message.
Fang Huiran arrived at the agreed meeting spot: Guazi Jiang Park.
After graduation, there was nowhere to go back to at school.
Thus, Guazi Jiang Park became the most suitable place to meet.
It was easy to bridge the emotional distance and discuss serious matters.
Meizi Qi knew a specific spot in Guazi Jiang Park; it was where the three of them had taken their first photograph.
Fang Huiran arrived earlier than Meizi Qi, so when he reached the park, she had already been standing by the riverbank for a long time.
"Fang Huiran!" Meizi Qi called out.
Fang Huiran didn't turn around, still looking at the opposite bank of the river.
Meizi Qi jogged over and called out again, "Fang Huiran!"
"You, you can't do anything right. No wonder Xiaoying wants to break up with you!"
Fang Huiran complained.
Although Meizi Qi felt awkward, and at times even resented Fang Huiran,
he had no choice. He could only find out about Zhao Xiaoying's current situation through her. Therefore, he plastered on a smile, daring not to show any hint of resentment.
"Quickly tell me, how has Xiaoying been recently? I heard..."
"Not good! Extremely not good! What you heard is true."
Fang Huiran interrupted him before he could finish.
"I just want to see if there's anything I can do to help. She hasn't been answering my calls or messages lately, and my calls aren't being picked up. I can only ask you for information."
Meizi Qi spoke very sincerely, and it was his true inner thought.
He genuinely liked Zhao Xiaoying. But he wasn't good at dating and didn't know how to please girls, so he always habitually listened to her whenever they were together.
Fang Huiran didn't care what was on his mind and couldn't possibly know about their situation. She said directly, "She needs two million yuan right now. Can you handle that?"
"What? Two million?" The moment Meizi Qi heard the number, his head began to buzz.
This amount, while seeming small in spoken words, was a considerable sum of money.
Based on his current job, it would take at least fifty years of not eating or drinking to earn that much.
"Hahaha, scared? No wonder you two have no future. This is reality. She's not contacting you because she's kind-hearted and doesn't want to drag you down. How do you plan to help her?" Fang Huiran said with a sarcastic smile.
Meizi Qi didn't speak. He turned around and started walking back the way he came.
Fang Huiran's words were harsh, but they were the truth. This was the consequence of being penniless.
"Hey! Say something!"
Fang Huiran shouted as she watched Meizi Qi's retreating back.