Chapter 73: What a Dream-Chasing Youth

Faced with the attention of the crowd, Luo Song was utterly bewildered. Just a month ago, when he had come here, Luo Chen had been in utter despair, penniless and defeated. How could it be that in just a few days, Luo Chen now had the means to pay off over a million in debt in one lump sum? It made no sense!

Yet, no matter how much he refused to believe it, the facts could not be denied. Luo Chen would never dare to lie about having the money when he didn’t—such a claim would be exposed in an instant. So, however unwilling he was, Luo Song had no choice but to sit down and negotiate properly. In his mind, he kept wondering which wealthy benefactor had appeared, who would so generously give Luo Chen over a million to clear his debts.

A million! Had he known that Luo Chen would manage to connect with such a benefactor, why would he have made enemies of these siblings? If only he had used his status as guardian to curry favor, he might have profited greatly. Instead, he had ended up with nothing and a heap of trouble.

“I have a question,” Luo Chen spoke up. “Didn’t Luo Song say that my parents’ death compensation was used to pay off the debt? According to the terms on the IOU, shouldn’t that mean we’d have at least a year or two before needing to pay anything further?”

Luo Chen certainly knew that the insurance payout had likely been embezzled by Luo Song. But human nature is such that people do not resent scarcity as much as they resent inequality. If these creditors learned that, while they were anxiously waiting for their money, Luo Song had secretly pocketed the funds in their name, they would hardly sit idly by.

And indeed, events unfolded just as Luo Chen had anticipated. Luo Song, being selfish, would never have kindly used the money to pay off debts.

“You’re something, Luo Song! When we asked you before, you said you hadn’t received a cent. What now? Tell us, is everyone’s money with you?”

“Luo Chen is such a good kid. He didn’t even blink when paying us back. I knew a decent person like him wouldn’t drag out a debt. It must have been you who didn’t want to give us our money!”

“That compensation must’ve been at least five or six hundred thousand, right? Did you borrow that much in the first place, Luo Song?”

“Given Luo Qinlin’s status, the compensation must’ve been at least several hundred thousand!”

“Maybe he had a high-value insurance policy. A million wouldn’t be out of the question!”

...

As the speculation grew wilder, Luo Song was nearly driven mad with anger. His younger brother was capable, yes, but there was no high-value insurance policy, certainly not the astronomical sums these people were suggesting.

“I was thinking of everyone’s interests,” Luo Song protested. “As Luo Chen’s guardian, is it wrong for me to safeguard this money until he comes of age? Besides, he never told me to use the money to pay off the debts!”

“If Luo Chen couldn’t pay, wouldn’t I, as his guardian, have to step in? After all, I’m his uncle! Would I really cheat my own nephew?”

Under the barrage of questions, Luo Song hastened to explain himself, not caring whether anyone believed his nonsense—as long as he could save face and have a way out, that was enough for him.

But no one believed Luo Song’s attempts to clear his name. On one side was a clear-eyed youth who paid his debts without hesitation; on the other, a middle-aged man who had accomplished nothing for months. There was no question whom they would side with.

At last, under their relentless pressure, Luo Song reluctantly agreed to use the money to pay off the debts. The combined insurance and compensation from Luo Qinlin and his wife amounted to nearly six hundred thousand, about half the total debt.

Once the extent of Luo Song’s greed was revealed, he was subjected to another round of denouncement. While everyone else was losing money, this old fox was lining his own pockets?

Did he have no shame left?

“Everyone, whether you believe me or not, shouldn’t resolving these debts be our priority?” But Luo Song was, after all, thick-skinned, and accepted the scolding without changing his expression, insisting he had acted for everyone’s benefit, without a hint of selfishness.

The creditors were reluctant to let Luo Song off so easily, but he had a point: the sooner they got their money, the sooner they could rest easy. Otherwise, they’d lose sleep for fear that all their hard-earned savings would vanish.

Ding dong...

Just as they were about to discuss the debts further, the doorbell rang again. The creditors exchanged glances, confirming that everyone who should be present was there, and turned to Luo Chen.

Luo Chen was puzzled as well. Who could be visiting at this hour? Judging from the creditors’ expressions, it was certainly not another debt collector.

Who could it be?

With all eyes on him, Luo Chen stepped forward and opened the door. Upon seeing the visitors, he suddenly remembered that today was the scheduled signing with Han Yinglan, the manager.

His forgetfulness was understandable—so much had happened that it was easy to lose track.

“Hello, Luo Chen, we met before... um, and these people are?” The visitors were, of course, Han Yinglan, who had arranged to come by for the contract signing, and Zhao Hong, the head of the music department. They had hoped to discuss business at home and perhaps meet Luo Chen’s guardian. But as soon as they entered, they were stunned by the scene before them.

A dozen middle-aged men and women crowded the living room, all staring at them as they entered. The sight nearly made Han Yinglan and Zhao Hong turn and flee. What kind of place was this? Was it a trap, set to ensnare them?

“Don’t misunderstand—these people are here for me. They’re just my creditors,” Luo Chen said with a wry smile, glancing back. Anyone would misunderstand, being stared at by such a group. Seeing the two visitors’ alarmed faces, he had no choice but to explain.

“Creditors? This many?” Han Yinglan and Zhao Hong exchanged glances, both seeing the shock in the other’s eyes. This young man had nerves of steel.

With debts up to his ears and creditors at his door, he had still refused Stardust Platform’s platinum contract, insisting on pursuing his own dreams!

A true dream-chaser!

Coming to his senses, Zhao Hong gave Luo Chen a discreet thumbs-up, expressing his admiration. He had always thought his own lack of success was due to bad luck, but now he realized that true greatness was beyond his reach. Just look at that calm composure—fearless!

Noticing Zhao Hong’s gesture and expression, Luo Chen knew he had been misunderstood yet again. There was no way to explain himself now; he could only hope they wouldn’t get the wrong idea.

Otherwise, his image among the higher-ups at Stardust Platform would be ruined.

This is today’s third update as promised! Many thanks to the readers “The Color of the Starry Sky I Have Already Forgotten” and “Wind and Cloud r” for their 100-point rewards—throwing flowers! Lastly, I forgot to post “The Power That Rules the World” last time—here’s the number: 2075941. Please add to your favorites and recommend!