A Fake Friend

On the other line of the call was Canary who had been turning her body around her chair. She chuckled faintly but had to stifle it down so that Lu Ping didn't hear her chuckle of happiness as the woman begged for her life in anger. With an eased tone and a sigh, Canary sang, "Are you blaming me, Lu Ping? Despite all that I have done to protect and help you? I didn't expect you would do this to me when I have thought of you as my own younger sister." 

Lu Ping blinked and came the cold fear surging in her blood as she realized she had yelled to the only person who might be able to help her out. Biting down her lips, Lu Ping changed her tone into one that was meek and gentler, "I- I know you had helped me so much Canary but you have to know that I am currently being pressured! My life is in danger now and I live on edge fearing of what would happen to me." 

Then you shouldn't have a shopping addiction and a gambling addiction, thought Canary in her head but she didn't voice it out. Instead Canary spoke with worry, "I would like to help you out but you have to understand Lu Ping. You didn't borrow a small amount of money. When my boss found out how lenient I was to you, she was extremely mad and told me that If I can't get the money from you as soon as possible I would be the one losing not only my job but my life!"

Lu Ping's heart sank. She didn't know that Canary's boss was so frightening! To think that Canary, a boss of the loan sharks famous for her power and authority would be threatened by her own boss. That would mean that woman she met in the restaurant was someone more frightening than her imagination! 

"But my boss isn't an unreasonable person," said Canary again, "Did she tell you what she wants from you in exchange? She always gives out deals to help the people borrowing money from her. Sometimes she even abolish their debts if they are very obedient to all her wishes." 

Lu Ping was startled and said in a hurry, "She told me I have to give her a contract that my family had signed.. a land contract."

"Is it more than your debt?" 

Lu Ping clicked her tongue, "No it's less.. the amount is less than the money I have borrowed." 

"Then what else are you thinking? You should hurry and give that contract to her! My boss might be happy if you agree and do it quickly, I'm sure if I talk to her a bit more she would eventually decide to abolish all your loans." 

Lu Ping's heart raced as she felt Canary's voice was akin to an angelic savior. Does this mean… if she did what had been asked by the boss earlier she would not have to pay that ten million dollars debt of hers? 

It was tempting, sweetly tempting. How can Lu Ping who wants to end her loans and save her own life wouldn't see this as a blessing? 

"But…" Lu Ping sighed in fear, "This contract is made with the Jiang Family…" 

"Jiang Family?" Canary turned to her computer and frowned as she saw an email sent by Li ZiChen. She Canary wanted to curse the man for being such a snake who had been keeping an eye on her best friend but she decided not to bother with the mails now and turned back her attention to Lu Ping. "Do you fear that Jiang Family would make a messy problem with your family? But I thought you hated your family Lu Ping as they abandoned you every time you need them, is there any need for hesitation?" 

"No but.." Lu Ping does indeed feel hatred to her own family, thinking that they abaonded her instead of reflecting on her own actions that had caused her family to give up on her. But that wasn't why she couldn't bring herself to steal the contract. If it was between herself and her family, Lu Ping would immediately choose to help herself and get out from danger but this was different. 

"Jiang Family is my parent's friends, however I am close to the daughter of Jiang Family, she is my best friend," said Lu Ping with a squeeze of her fingers. "I can't possibly ruin this chance of her achieving success."

"Success?" 

Lu Ping explained again, "This land contract and this business plan is all made by NianNian. If this fails, everyone will call her a failure." 

"I see so you are worried about your friend. I understand, I treasure my friends dearly as well, so dearly even which I consider you to be one as well," Canary started but she then twisted her lips, "Do you really think that NianNian really feel the same for you?" 

"Huh?" 

Canary could hear the shock and her eyes turned mischievous. If someone had to give her a medal for being a snake she would take it in a heartbeat. She knew the words to press someone's buttons far too well, after all. 

"I know Jiang Family and I know how wealthy they are too. How about telling her that you are in danger and need money? Maybe she could help you pay off your debts, no?" Canary sang, "But seeing that you are now struggling alone without being able to ask for her help, is it because you don't want her to shoulder the burden or is it because she had rejected your help?" 

"No! I haven't asked her… I couldn't ask her." 

"I say, Lu Ping, how about you go and ask her?" Canary taunted, "If you don't want to steal the contract from her, if you want yourself to be safe and sound, and if you really believe she is a good friend, why don't you go ask her for the ten million dollars? Maybe she could pay it for you and you don't have to struggle? After all, friends help one another. Only fake friends wouldn't do such a thing. Do you think she is a true friend? Or a fake one?"