Danielle was the kind of person who really didn't like getting involved in other people's business. Her heart was also kind of tough.
It couldn't be helped. Anyone who had been pushed around by their parents growing up, with no love or care—just growing up like a weed—would probably turn out this way too.
She pulled her clothes out of Tiexin's grip, not even looking at her. Instead, she turned to Lu Yi.
"What's going on? I'm not going to help a stranger for no reason."
Tiexin and Zachary's situation was different.
Zachary was the first person Danielle met in this world, and there was a kind of bond because of that.
Rain was basically another version of herself—plus, he was the child of this body she was now in.
Other people… they didn't mean anything to her.
The last time she helped Lu Yi, it was simply because she didn't care about the money.
Also, she liked Leng and Fei Yang—they seemed decent. Their team had a simple dynamic, and she wanted them to accept Zachary.
That's why she had helped pay for Lu Yi's fees. But that didn't mean she was going to take care of every problem he threw at her.
Lu Yi froze. He didn't expect Danielle, who usually seemed easygoing, to flat-out refuse him.
"Well, actually, this thing—"
"Hah, let me explain it."
Wei You tossed the water ladle to the ground with a look of disgust and smirked crookedly.
"She owes me money. If she can't pay it back, then taking her to settle the debt is completely fair!"
Lu Yi frowned. "Nonsense. Tiexin isn't short on money."
From their last mission, they earned 100,000. Danielle didn't take any.
Lu Yi's team only kept 30,000 for daily use and gave the rest to Tiexin.
So there was no reason for her to borrow money with high interest.
Wei You gave a cold laugh and pulled up a digital screen in the air.
On it was a loan form—with Tiexin's name clearly written on it.
Lu Yi's frown deepened. "Tiexin, did someone trick you?"
Earlier, they were on the way to the mission hall when they suddenly got a distress call from Tiexin.
They didn't have time to tell Danielle and rushed over.
When they arrived, Tiexin was almost taken away. They didn't even get a chance to ask questions before the fight started.
Now it all started to make some sense…
Tiexin kept her head down, nervously twisting her clothes, saying nothing.
Fei Yang, who was hot-tempered and nearly lost his arm earlier, saw her like this and got angry again.
"She asked you something! Say something!"
Tiexin still stayed silent.
Fei Yang was so angry he reached out to grab her.
But Tiexin suddenly moved and hid behind Zachary.
Danielle frowned and pulled Zachary back to her side.
Tiexin gave her a resentful glare and leaned back toward Zachary.
Danielle—seriously? The girl was glaring at her now?
Danielle had enough. She turned to leave with Zachary.
Fine. Do whatever you want. It had nothing to do with her anyway.
She only came because they were teammates.
If not for that, then there was no reason to even be here.
Leng noticed Tiexin's behavior too and frowned slightly.
She stepped forward and grabbed Danielle's hand. "Danielle, just wait a moment. We'll take care of it soon."
Then she turned to Tiexin with a cold expression. "It's already like this, and you still won't talk?"
"Do you want someone to die before you open your mouth?"
Lu Yi didn't agree. He frowned. "Leng, don't be like that. She's still a kid."
And their captain had just died.
He didn't say it out loud, but both Leng and Fei Yang's expressions softened a bit.
Lu Yi took a deep breath and turned to Wei You, who was standing with his arms crossed, watching the show.
"How much does she owe you? I'll pay it back for her."
"You'll pay? Hah, fine. I won't ask much—38,800 with 80% interest!"
"What? 38,800? Why don't you just rob us?"
Fei Yang shouted in shock and glared angrily at Tie Xin.
"What did you do? Didn't we already give you 70,000? Why borrow even more?"
People nearby started whispering.
Even in a middle-class area where many have money, there are still more who don't.
Almost 40,000 was still a lot of money.
Tie Xin, clearly angry from being yelled at, finally looked up at Leng and the others.
She clenched her fists, full of rage.
"Why do you care? Don't I need money to eat, to buy clothes, or go out?"
"If it weren't for you, my dad wouldn't be dead! That money you gave me—it's what you owe me!"
Wei You dug at his ear. "Hey, hey, hey—I don't care who owes what. So, who's paying me back?"
As soon as he asked, Tie Xin lowered her head again and kept trying to lean closer to Zachary.
Leng took a deep breath. "We can't pay that. You deal with her yourself."
With that, she started to leave with Danielle.
Lu Yi hesitated and looked at Danielle. "Danielle, can you maybe…?"
"No."
Before Danielle could speak, Leng answered for her.
Leng stared at Lu Yi coldly. "Don't forget, we still owe Danielle 300,000."
Lu Yi looked embarrassed. "But Tie Xin…"
"The captain's gone. We don't need to care about her. Let her deal with her own mess."
"If you want to help her, that's your choice. But don't drag Danielle into this. She doesn't owe you anything."
Leng called Lu Yi out directly, then turned to Danielle.
"Danielle, maybe leave first. I'll come find you after I'm done here."
Danielle nodded and was about to turn to leave,
Lu Yi spoke again, unwilling to give up. "Wait, Danielle, can you lend me some more money? I'll pay you back someday."
"What will you use to pay me back?"
Danielle didn't say no right away—just asked calmly.
Lu Yi froze. "Danielle, you've got money, right? I'll repay you little by little. One day I'll return it all."
Danielle smiled.
She grabbed Leng's hand. "It's fine. I'll handle this."
She turned a cold gaze on Lu Yi. "And what if she borrows from a loan shark again? Will you come asking me for money again?"
Lu Yi looked at Tie Xin. "She won't."
"And why not? You're not her."
There was a hint of mockery in Danielle's tone. Lu Yi was trying to borrow money, while Tie Xin stood there acting like it had nothing to do with her.
Danielle didn't believe for a second that Tie Xin would change.
"Come on—have you figured it out yet? If you're not paying, I'm taking someone with me."
Wei You's voice made Tie Xin nervous.
Leng's face was like ice. Tie Xin didn't dare speak, only looked pitifully at Lu Yi.
"Lu Yi, my dad died because of you. You have to help me."
Lu Yi's eyes turned firm. "Danielle, this money is nothing to you. You're rich—just lend it to me. I'll definitely pay you back."
Fei Yang sensed something was wrong, but as the youngest among the three, he didn't know what to say.
Danielle gave a cold laugh. "Me having money is my business. I don't owe you anything."
She hated people trying to guilt her into things.
She turned to Leng. "I'm leaving. Handle this quickly. If not, I'll leave the team. I don't mind."
She could always join another team. It would be a shame about Leng, though.
Danielle really liked her personality. They could've become friends.
"Hey! Why are you so selfish?"
Danielle had only walked a few steps when Tie Xin angrily rushed over and blocked her, raising her hand with a fierce look…