Chapter 538: Only You Can Help Yourself

When Qi Yunzhi was done, she glanced at Shen Nian and Chu Lingxiu, clearly seeking their opinions.

Chu Lingxiu didn’t answer right away, looking to Shen Nian instead. Only after seeing Shen Nian nod did Chu Lingxiu nod as well.

"Chunhua, Yunzhi is right. You can’t let yourself get bullied so easily anymore!"

"Mhm, I understand. I definitely won’t be so foolish again."

Wang Chunhua smiled at the three of them, nodding as she spoke.

"That’s more like it! We’re all roommates here. If you get bullied again, you’re not just embarrassing yourself—you’re embarrassing us! So remember what you said today, and don’t act so foolishly again! If anything happens, tell us!"

"Okay, I understand."

"Hey, since we got this whole thing sorted out today, and all of us from the dorm are here, why don’t we go out for a meal to celebrate?"

’If it weren’t for that business with Cao Yuqing yesterday, I would have definitely suggested a get-together then. Good thing I didn’t!’

"I don’t mind."

"I don’t mind either."

"I..."

"Since no one objects, what are we waiting for? Let’s go! And just so we’re clear, this is my treat. Don’t any of you try to fight me on it!"

Qi Yunzhi saw the look on Wang Chunhua’s face and knew what was holding her back. Wang Chunhua’s family’s financial situation certainly didn’t allow for casual, expensive meals out.

That was why Qi Yunzhi had no intention of letting Wang Chunhua pay. Besides, treating everyone to a meal was no trouble for her at all.

Qi Yunzhi dragged Wang Chunhua straight into a restaurant outside the school and pulled her into a seat at a table. Any words of refusal died on her lips before she had a chance to voice them.

"Why don’t you all go? I think I’ll just..."

Wang Chunhua knew her financial situation couldn’t compare to her roommates’. Even if Shen Nian’s family background wasn’t good, she at least seemed much better off than herself.

Even though Qi Yunzhi had said it was her treat, Wang Chunhua didn’t want to take advantage of their generosity. A place like this... she couldn’t afford to treat them in return, at least not for now.

Since she couldn’t reciprocate, Wang Chunhua was naturally unwilling to accept the favor. Her family might not have much money, but she refused to be someone who freeloaded off others.

"Hey, hey! You’re already here, where do you think you’re going? Besides, this is a dorm get-together. If you’re not here, then it’s not really a get-together at all! You’re not allowed to leave. If you go, you’re just disrespecting me!"

Qi Yunzhi grabbed onto Wang Chunhua as she tried to stand, holding on tight and giving her no chance to leave.

"But..."

"But nothing! What’s the big deal? You can just treat us in return when you have money later!"

"But... I don’t know when I’ll ever be able to do that."

As she said this, Wang Chunhua lowered her head slightly. She had never been inside a restaurant like this before.

"Chunhua, don’t sell yourself short," Shen Nian said, looking at her. "You need to remember, you’re a B University student now. Maybe not right away, but once you graduate, don’t you think you’ll be able to find a good job? We all know about your situation, and we don’t look down on you for it. But you shouldn’t look down on yourself, either. You’re far more outstanding than a lot of people, you know?"

There was something about a person like Wang Chunhua that made them want to help her out. But no matter how much they helped, the most crucial thing was that Wang Chunhua had to be the one to help herself.