Chapter 40 Playing Poor
Chapter 40 Playing Poor
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“Take it to go?” Susan’s voice actually cracked in shock. In her world, the concept of taking leftovers home simply didn’t exist. You don’t finish your food–so what? Take it to go? What, were you that desperate for a few extra bites?
“That’s right. Isn’t it wasteful not to take leftovers? I’m not who I used to be, so of course I have to be more frugal. Besides, being thrifty is one of our traditional virtues. What’s wrong? You sound surprised–do you have something against our cultural values?” Freya raised her voice slightly.
“Prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom, equality, justice, rule of law, patriotism, dedication, integrity, and friendship–I am actively upholding the value of civility and doing my part to promote social good. Is there a problem with that?”
Susan opened her mouth, only to find herself utterly speechless. That usually slick, silver tongue of hers–the one she’d always used to twist conversations in her favor–sputtered and stalled. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right. What you’re doing is good. Nothing wrong at all.”
“Mhm, I think so too. I was far too wasteful in the past–buying all those luxury goods I didn’t even need. Not only did it waste money, but also time and energy. If I’d used that time to do something meaningful, wouldn’t that have been better?” Freya let out a sigh, as if truly full of regret.
“There are still so many people in this world who need help. How could I have been so blind before? I mean, using all that money to support children in poor areas would’ve been a much better use, instead of filling my closet with overpriced bags. Oh right–Susan, you’re such a kind and beautiful person. I bet you’ve helped lots of people in need, haven’t you?”
Susan was indeed great at image management and playing roles–but actually giving her own money to help the poor? Please. That was a fantasy. She thought spending on herself was already not enough–there was no way she was generous enough to give to others.
Still, she smiled sweetly. “Of course. When I have the time, I try to help those in need. My parents always taught me to share and to help others whenever I can.”
Susan assumed Freya wanted to have a heartfelt chat about charity work. But then Freya abruptly changed course:
“Since you’re so generous to complete strangers, and we’ve known each other for so long–and we’re such good friends–now that I’ve fallen on hard times, you wouldn’t mind helping me out too, right?”
“What?” Susan hadn’t in a million years expected that the always–prideful Freya would say something like that.
Freya put on the most pitiful, downtrodden expression she could muster. “You have no idea how hard my life is now. I have to scrape the foil lid off yogurt just to feel like I’ve eaten something. I don’t dare buy clothes or bags. Every day I come home to that cold face of his, and I don’t even dare bring up money. No one else even picks up when I call.”
Seeing the look on Susan’s face start to change, Freya got up and moved to sit beside her, grabbing her hand tightly–leaving no room for escape.
“Susan, you’re the only one who’s still willing to see me. You’re the only one I can ask for help, You’ve always been so generous–dropping twenty or thirty grand like it’s nothing. I’m your old friend. You wouldn’t be stingy with me, would you? You’ll help me, won’t you? I mean, we are such good friends, after all.”
She deliberately emphasized the words good friends, biting down hard on them. Seeing that Susan still hadn’t responded, Freya added one more blow:
“Come to think of it, I haven’t reached out to any of our old guy friends yet…”
