For young students, asking others for help was itself an awkward thing. Before studying abroad, families with overseas connections had all given them instructions, but everyone still adhered to the principle of not using those connections unless absolutely necessary.
Since ancient times, debts of favor had been the hardest to repay. Especially in an era when morality had not yet fallen into decay, such debts were even harder to settle.
It was not that Li Bo'an was deliberately scheming; without the groundwork laid beforehand, many people would likely have backed away.
Most of those present had met after going abroad. They had mainly befriended one another because living in a foreign land meant they needed to huddle together for warmth. As for how deep their friendship was, that was another matter entirely.
Other than a very small number who were truly close, most were merely ordinary friends. As long as it was within their means, everyone was happy to add flowers to brocade by lending a hand.
Asking someone for help seemed simple, but it depended on the matter at hand. At this critical juncture, pulling out the main suspect in the "Russian Embassy case" would come at no ordinary cost.
What one gave was proportional to what one gained. The greater the force others mobilized, the greater the debt of favor incurred. These debts would all have to be repaid someday.
Now that the money had been paid, if anyone wanted to shrink back, they could forget about remaining in this circle. Debts of favor could be repaid slowly, but once one's reputation was ruined, there would be nothing left.
Having reached this point, whether they were sincere or merely putting on an act, they had no choice but to keep acting it out.
"That is only right. Decheng