Only three of them were present, and they bypassed the restaurants, heading straight for Sister Zhou’s Noodle Shop near the school.

Mi Xue deeply missed the chicken feet there. While many dishes in the fancy restaurants were objectively better, what Mi Xue truly longed for was the past, that innocence of former times.

To reach Sister Zhou’s, they had to cut through the school grounds. Since it was still early, the three strolled slowly through the campus.

With the start of the semester approaching, the school was gradually filling up. Many students had returned ahead of schedule to reunite with friends, eager to enjoy a couple more days of freedom before classes officially began.

Zhang Yang and Mi Xue walked leisurely. He suddenly glanced back, and a figure in the distance instantly darted aside.

In that split second, Zhang Yang had clearly seen the person’s face.

Long Feng also raised his head, glancing toward Zhang Yang.

Someone was following them. Both Zhang Yang and Long Feng had noticed, but the follower was just an ordinary person. Long Feng chose not to mention it to Zhang Yang; if the person trailed them after they left school, Long Feng would simply bring the follower directly to Zhang Yang.

A person without internal energy couldn't possibly track them successfully.

“Zhang Yang, what’s wrong?”

Seeing Zhang Yang stop, Mi Xue asked curiously, completely unaware of the situation.

“Nothing, just saw an acquaintance. Let’s keep going!”

Zhang Yang smiled, shook his head, and pulled Mi Xue’s small hand, continuing forward.

Quite a few people at the school knew Mi Xue, and many whispered amongst themselves upon seeing them. The news that Mi Xue was dating had spread last semester, and these onlookers now had absolute confirmation.

“An acquaintance? Who?”

Mi Xue walked ahead but still looked back over her shoulder, though she saw no one.

“Zhou Yichen!”

Zhang Yang smiled faintly, uttering a name that caused no happiness in Mi Xue; instead, her brow furrowed.

If there was anyone Mi Xue despised most in the entire school, it was unequivocally Zhou Yichen—a person who made her feel utterly disgusted and whom she least wanted to encounter.

“It’s him. Let’s go!”

Mi Xue hooked her arm through Zhang Yang’s. While they might have paused for other acquaintances, Zhou Yichen was out of the question; she didn't even wish to lay eyes on him.

The things one most wished to avoid often materialized.

Zhou Yichen, who had been following them covertly, suddenly rushed toward them, seemingly driven by some madness.

He ran quite fast, catching up to Zhang Yang and the others in a short time, but Long Feng intercepted him before he could get close to Zhang Yang.

Since the man had been skulking around tracking them, Long Feng naturally wouldn't allow him near, unsure of his intentions.

“Z-Zhang Yang!”

Blocked by Long Feng, Zhou Yichen could only call out, glancing around nervously.

This was still the school campus, and many people were nearby. Zhou Yichen had been the former Student Union Chairman, and many recognized him. However, the manner in which he stepped down from the chairmanship was somewhat dubious, and he preferred not to be seen by too many people now. If he hadn't noticed Zhang Yang and had something important to discuss, he wouldn't have rushed over.

Zhang Yang and Mi Xue turned back together. Mi Xue’s brow remained tightly knit, her eyes holding clear revulsion.

“Chairman Zhou, what brings you here?” Zhang Yang asked with a light laugh.

Zhou Yichen hastily waved his hands. “I—I’m not the Chairman anymore. Don’t call me that. Just use my name, please!”

Zhang Yang gave a faint smile. “Very well, Classmate Zhou, what is it you need?”

Zhou Yichen looked around again. “Zhang Yang, can we talk somewhere else?”

“No problem. Just up ahead!”

Zhang Yang pointed forward toward a small grove, a spot usually used as an English Corner where people liked to practice their communication skills. Since school hadn't started, it was mostly deserted.

Once they reached the grove, Zhou Yichen lowered his head and explained the reason for his visit to Zhang Yang.

The fellow had come to borrow money. He was truly desperate now. Brother Long had forced him to write an IOU for five hundred thousand yuan, which he couldn't repay. Afterward, Brother Long had taken nude photos of him, along with other compromising images. Brother Long was doing all this solely to force the repayment of the debt.

He had already given Brother Long all the cash he had or could scrape together, but he still owed over two hundred thousand. Furthermore, his uncle, that Zhou Qianwan, had been arrested for drug trafficking related to an entertainment venue. The evidence was conclusive, and a prison sentence was likely coming down. Many of his uncle's assets had been seized. Even those untouched wouldn't be his; his aunt had long since fled with the liquid assets.

Without his uncle’s backing, Brother Long became merciless, sending people almost daily to demand payment. Finally, he had set a deadline: the entire debt, plus interest, had to be settled within ten days. If not, they would break his arms and post his nude photos all over the school. Having his arms broken would turn him into a disabled person, and the public exposure of the photos would effectively end his chance of ever returning to school. This terrified him even more, leading him to run everywhere borrowing money.

He had even approached many of his uncle’s former business associates. These people had treated him well before, showering him with praise. But once his uncle ran into trouble, they all avoided him. Even when they did meet, they complained about being broke, despite driving BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes everywhere. Even Zhou Yichen found their performance disgusting.

Besides these former partners, he had sought help from many classmates, even Fan Sizhe. But few people were actually in a position to lend him money. He was in despair, even considering skipping town to evade Brother Long and his cronies. Unfortunately, yesterday, Brother Long's men found him and warned him not to try any tricks, stating they had people watching him constantly; he had nowhere to run.

Now completely cornered, he was trying to borrow money at the school when he abruptly spotted Zhang Yang and Mi Xue, prompting him to follow immediately. He remembered Zhang Yang was wealthy, driving a Mercedes, and likely had significant funds. He had no choice but to try this last-ditch effort to seek Zhang Yang’s help.

“Why didn’t you call the police?”

As soon as Zhou Yichen finished speaking, Mi Xue interjected. Having said it, Mi Xue immediately turned her head away, unwilling to look at him. This Zhou Yichen was not only a scoundrel but also a coward, too scared to even utter a word when threatened. How could she have once thought he was someone important? Now, just standing next to him felt humiliating.

“I—I dare not report it. They have other evidence against me. If I call the police, I’ll go to jail too!”

Zhou Yichen instantly bowed his head, not daring to look up. This supposed evidence naturally referred to the time he conspired with Brother Long’s group to deal with Zhang Yang. Brother Long had recorded their phone conversation back then and later made him sign a confession. If Zhou Yichen reported it, the whole affair would be exposed, and he would face prison time as well. For someone like Zhou Yichen, jail felt worse than death.

“A legal illiterate,” Zhang Yang sighed inwardly. Zhou Yichen was overly frightened by Brother Long’s threats. A person like him, holding leverage in Brother Long’s hands, deserved to be manipulated—it was the consequence of ever trying to set Zhang Yang up in the first place.

“How much do you need?”

Zhang Yang asked quietly. Mi Xue looked up at him in astonishment. Zhang Yang’s words clearly indicated he intended to lend Zhou Yichen the money; otherwise, he wouldn’t be speaking to him this way.

“T-Twenty-five thousand is enough!”

Zhou Yichen quickly raised his head, looking at Zhang Yang with desperate hope. Zhang Yang was his last resort; if he hadn't been utterly desperate, he wouldn't have come to Zhang Yang for a loan.

Zhang Yang said no more, directly pulling out his checkbook and writing a cash check for twenty-five thousand. Zhou Yichen recognized the checkbook; his uncle had one, kept carefully guarded. Seeing Zhang Yang pull his out so casually and write a check filled him with a fresh wave of envy and jealousy. These things should have belonged to him. However, at this moment, he only dared to think it; he needed Zhang Yang to save him.

Seeing Zhang Yang finish writing the check, Zhou Yichen immediately reached out his hand, but Zhang Yang raised his hand slightly, shaking his head gently.

“Wait a moment!”

Zhou Yichen paused, staring fixedly at Zhang Yang.

“I heard Director Xu has one position open for continuing study this semester. Is that true?”

“Yes, my maternal uncle handles that. Zhang Yang, are you thinking...?”

Zhou Yichen’s heart leaped violently. Director Xu was his maternal uncle, the school's Dean of Academic Affairs. This semester, he had secured a spot for Zhou Yichen to remain at the university. Since he wasn't a medical student, he could graduate after the fourth year and potentially stay on as a faculty member. Because of the stains on his record, a career in the established system was impossible; settling into a stable university position was much more appealing—a guaranteed livelihood, after all. Especially after his uncle’s downfall, he viewed everything more lightly, just wanting to secure this job and live a quiet life. Zhang Yang’s question now instinctively made him feel that something was amiss.

“Xiao Bin told me he wants to stay at the university!”

Zhang Yang smiled faintly. Zhou Yichen stared blankly at Zhang Yang for a moment before his eyes hardened with sudden anger. Remaining at the university was his last lifeline. Zhang Yang’s meaning was clear: he could borrow the money, but he had to give up this opportunity and pass it to Xiao Bin, the current Student Union Chairman.

“Zhang Yang, my uncle’s allocation isn’t my final say!”

Zhou Yichen was furious inside but dared not show it directly, choosing to speak evasively, as he still needed the money from Zhang Yang to survive.

“Mi Xue, let’s go!”

Zhang Yang suddenly took Mi Xue’s hand and started walking away. Zhou Yichen snapped out of his shock and quickly chased after them, only to be blocked by Long Feng once more.

“Zhang Yang, Zhang Yang, I promise! I will make my uncle give that spot to Xiao Bin!”

Zhou Yichen was helpless; he believed the thugs working for Brother Long were ruthless enough to carry out their threats.

Only then did Zhang Yang stop and turn back to face him, saying softly, “Remember your words. If you fail to deliver, you cannot handle the consequences. Also, write an IOU. After one year, you must repay me with both principal and interest!”

Zhou Yichen looked at Zhang Yang in shock. Zhang Yang ignored his reaction and simply handed him paper and a pen, instructing him to write the IOU.