Yuan Su looked up at her, his gaze deep. "Why are you asking?"
"I want to know." Pu Yu raised her head, her eyes a little red. "I've saved some money from my writing over the past two years. It's not much, but-"
"Pu Yu."
Yuan Su cut her off, his voice much lower than before.
"I'll handle my own affairs."
"Can't I even ask?" Pu Yu's voice grew more nasal. "I just want to know how much longer you have to struggle."
Yuan Su watched her reddening eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing.
He put down his chopsticks, his tone softening a little. "It's almost paid off."
"How soon is almost?" Pu Yu pressed. "A year? Two?"
"..."
"Tell me." There was a stubborn edge to Pu Yu's voice. "I just want a rough idea of how long, and how much."
Yuan Su fell silent for a moment.
He looked at the girl before him, so determined to get an answer, at the tears glistening in her eyes, and something deep inside him took a hard hit.
"I can help you."
She mustered her courage, her words coming out urgently. "The money I've earned from writing these past two years, plus the scholarship I just got..."
"Pu Yu."
Yuan Su cut her off again, his voice abruptly turning cold.
"I don't want your money."
"Why not?" Pu Yu didn't understand. "I still owe you ten thousand for Grandma's surgery. Your debt is my debt. Why do you have to draw such a clear line between us? If I helped pay it off, things would be easier for you. You could come back to Nanhua sooner. You could..."
"I said I don't want it."
Yuan Su's tone was harsh, with even a trace of barely perceptible anger.
He looked at Pu