There were only two office chairs across the table. Apple Bro and Fan Jia sat down. Brother Li took a drag of his cigarette and said to Apple Bro with a laugh, "You're just too soft-hearted, especially when it comes to girls. You know I don't even look at small projects like this anymore, yet you still brought her here. Is it because she's pretty?"
Apple Bro flushed and quickly waved his hands. "No way, Brother Li, don't tease me. She's my junior, and I genuinely admire her. Can you help her out, please?" He then turned to Fan Jia. "How much do you want to borrow?"
Fan Jia timidly said, "Ten thousand."
Brother Li remarked, "That's quite a sum. He might have told you—I'm willing to help ambitious college students. But you need to have something to offer as collateral. Otherwise, what if my money goes down the drain?"
Fan Jia grew anxious and glanced at Apple Bro, who gave her an encouraging look. Mustering her courage, her voice trembling slightly, she said, "Brother Li, I... I'll work really hard. It's just that my family's situation is tough, and life is difficult right now. I want to start an online store with a classmate, but I need money for inventory. I've already planned out how to run the store—I'm sure I can make money and repay you. I brought my diploma and ID card."
Apple Bro took them and handed them to Brother Li. At that moment, Brother Li added, "I didn't know the Chinese department had such a beautiful graduate. Do you know Xie Ziyi? She's also a client of mine."
Fan Jia forced a smile and replied, "Yes, she's in Class 1, and I'm in Class 2."
Brother Li nodded, placed the two documents in front of him, and, seeming to feel the timing was right, pulled a stack of contracts from a drawer and set them before Fan Jia. "Take a look, and if there are no issues, sign here."
Fan Jia bowed her head, took the contract, and began reading. Brother Li and Apple Bro exchanged a glance. Apple Bro smiled and said, "It's just a standard contract, very straightforward. Since you're a friend, we'll definitely give you the lowest interest rate. Don't worry."
Fan Jia nodded gratefully, glanced briefly at the interest rate and late fee calculation formula, and asked, "So how much interest will I need to pay back?"
Brother Li said to Apple Bro, "Does she not trust me? I have a company meeting to attend soon and I'm very busy. If she can sign, fine; if not, no problem. Take her away and don't waste my time."
Apple Bro hurriedly said, "Not at all, Brother Li, you've helped us so much—how could we not trust you?" He then turned to Fan Jia. "If everything's fine, sign quickly. It's no big deal—you only need to pay a very low interest each week, around a hundred yuan. You can easily manage it."
Fan Jia relaxed slightly, gritted her teeth, and picked up the pen. Just as she was about to flip to the last page to sign, she paused and hesitated, saying, "This handling fee..."
The contract stated that a 20% handling fee was required for the loan.
Apple Bro looked up and asked, "Brother Li, could you... give a discount on this? This clause is for regular clients, but Fan Lingling just graduated, and starting a business takes time."Brother Li smiled and said, "I know what you're going to say. It seems you really care about this junior. Xiao Fan, to be honest with you, about this 20% handling fee: first, my company has operational costs, right? I can't help you only to bankrupt my own company. Second, part of it goes to Apple Bro. He's helping you like this, making this trip—gas money and maintaining relationships all cost money. His intention was to not take his share, meaning he'd be paying out of his own pocket for you. Let me ask you, could you do something like that? You've just entered society—can we treat those who help us this way?
Moreover, Apple, even if you don't want it, I can't agree. Because this is industry practice. Apple, you're still too young. Breaking the rules means you're willing to take a loss yourself. But what will those juniors who borrowed money from you before think if they find out? Would they feel you're playing favorites, and then come cause trouble for you? Have you forgotten so soon about that junior last year who borrowed money but didn't pay it back, spending it all on gaming and fun, and you ended up covering for him and urging him to improve—only for him to beat you up badly?"
Fan Jia, flushed and deeply moved, glanced impulsively at Apple Bro and said, "Brother Li, stop talking. I'll sign right now." She picked up the pen and wrote Fan Lingling's name.
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