chapter 017 The Stranger

"It's only natural Eric mused, considering the reality that wallets arewere often stolen primarily because of due to one's carelessness.
Eric thought for a moment, thenown negligence. His thoughts were interrupted by the pressing matter at hand. He turned to the diners presentpatrons of the restaurant, his voice ringing out clear and said,
""Is thereconfident, "Would anyone be willing to lend me four thousand US dollars to settle the bill? I willpromise to repay tenfold tomorrow. I can even write an IOU and leave my thumbprint!""
"" as assurance.""Tenfold? That's forty thousand!""
After hearing this!" The figure, many people in echoed through the room, causing a stir among the crowd couldn't help but be tempted. It's. The prospect of such easy money, definitely better was undoubtedly tempting, even more so than the offers made by loan sharks.
""However, skepticism soon clouded their initial interest. One patron sneered, "Look at his appearance, doeshim. Does he seemlook like someone who can producecough up forty thousand dollars? I think he's just a fraud trying to cheat money.""
""swindle us."Another chimed in, "You're right! Just by looking at him, it's clear he definitely can't come up with forty thousand dollars.that kind of money. Everyone, don't fall for this guy's trick.""
...
Although."Despite the allure of Eric's offer was temptingproposition, no one was willing to lend money to a stranger, especially someoneparticularly one dressed so cheaply!
""as modestly as he was. "Kid, stop the tricks. I think you're just trying to scam money. Nobody willhere is going to believe you. I should call the police!""
As," the manager spoke, he reachedinterjected, reaching for his phone.
"""Wait a minute!""
Just then, a!" A melodious voice rang out.
, halting the manager's actions. Eric turned his head and what caught, his eye wasgaze landing on a young girl with a ponytail.
The girl She was wearingdressed in a white coat and jeans, accentuating her slender legs. She had accentuated by her attire. Her long eyelashes, framed lively eyes, and aher small mouth was as charming as a cherry.
A beauty!
This was definitely a radiant, youthful beauty, not only beautiful but also possessing a good temperament!
To be honest, she was like a beauty with a magnetic iron attracting a dollar bill;aura, Eric wasfound himself captivated by her at first sight, to the extent that he tookstealing several more glances.
as she approached.The girl walked straight over and stopped in front of Eric.
""Manager, I'll pay for them. Please swipe the card,"" the girl handed her card to the manager, her voice gentle and delicate.
"" as she addressed the manager, "I'll pay for them. Please swipe the card." She extended her bank card towards him.The manager seemed taken aback, "Miss, do you really want to pay for them? He's obviously a fraud! You're just being deceived by them!"" The manager seemed surprised; he didn't expect someone to come forward and pay for Eric and his companion.
""!""Whether I'm being deceived or not is my business. Your restaurant's only job is to collect money,"" the girl said.
""," she retorted."Well...alright then,""," the manager nodded and tookconceded, taking the bank card to process the payment.
For their restaurant, receiving The restaurant's priority was to receive payment was the most important thing.. If they calledinvolved the police and even caughtif Eric and his companion, nobody would settle were apprehended, the bill would remain unsettled, resulting in a loss for the restaurant.
This scene, however, caused a lotunexpected turn of discussionevents sparked a flurry of discussions among the diners present. Their opinions were similar, they all thought. The consensus was that the girl was too naive to believe in them.
During the timeAs the manager wentleft to swipe the card.
"", the man who had been silent until now expressed his gratitude, "Miss, thank you for believing that we're not frauds and for helping us!"" the guy expressed his gratitude repeatedly.
""!""No need to thank me. Everyone has difficulties,"" the girl smiled politely.
," she replied with a polite smile.Eric, on the other hand, looked at her in surprise. Eric didn't expectHe hadn't expected that someoneanyone would be willing to help, and moreover,let alone such a beautiful girl.
"" "Hello, miss. My name is Eric. If I may ask, why do others think we're frauds, but you're willing to believe in us?"" Eric?" he asked curiously.
"", curiosity piqued."If you're frauds, then consider me unlucky. But if you're not, then I'm glad I could help,"" the girl," she replied.
"" "If you are not scammers, then I can help someone in need, which I think is worth it,"" the girl said," she added lightly.

Upon hearing Hearing thesethe girl's words from the girl,, a wave of surprise washed over Eric couldn't help but feel a little stunned.. Could sheit be a kind-hearted girl?
At that momentshe was truly as benevolent as she seemed?Just then, the manager returned.
""reappeared. "Miss, theyour transaction washas been successful. Here'sHere is your receipt!"" The manager handed," he announced, presenting the card and receipt to the girl.
Seeing Witnessing this, Eric turned to her and said to the girl, "", "Miss, letallow me to write you an IOU now. Leave. Please provide me with your phone number, and I'llI promise to repay you tenfold tomorrow. I will makewant to assure you understand that I am not a scammer.""
swindler." As he had previously stated, Eric mentioned before, ifwas a man of his word. If someone is willingwas generous enough to lend him money, he would repay them tenfold. Eric will naturally keep his word!
without fail. However, the girl simply shook her head. ""There's no need."That won't be necessary. I helpeddidn't assist you not for the sake of money, but simply to help someone.""
After saying that, the girl walked straightout of the kindness of my heart," she declared. With that, she strode towards the exit.
The sudden departure of the girl left, leaving Eric puzzled.
in a state of bewilderment. Eric thoughthad assumed that the girl was willing tohad offered her help him becausein anticipation of the promised reward. ButYet, it turned outappeared that she wasn't interestedhad no interest in the money at allwhatsoever. She even had no intention of lettingallowing Eric to repay thehis debt. She just left like that?
"" and had simply walked away. "Eric, what...?""...?" Fatty also looked astonished.
"", too, was taken aback. "Fatty, let's go!""!" Eric quickly calledbeckoned Fatty and chased afterthey pursued her.
Outside Once outside the restaurant, Eric caught a glimpsesight of the girl's graceful figure.
""Can you tell me your name?"" Eric shouted loudly towards the girl's back.
Eric wantedelegant silhouette. "May I know your name?" Eric called out, his voice echoing in the quiet street. He yearned to know the girl'sher name so that he could , to repay the debt he owed her.
The girl stoppedpaused, turned around, and said, """Stranger.""
After saying." With that, the girl went directly toshe walked towards a white Audi A4 parked by the roadsidenearby, opened the door, and sat inside.
Shortly afterslid into the driver's seat. Moments later, the car startedroared to life and quickly disappearedswiftly vanished from Eric's sight.
"" "A stranger.""," Eric sighed inmurmured, a daze.
""sense of melancholy seeping into his voice. "Eric, are we just going to let her pay the bill for us?""?" Fatty lookedqueried, looking at Eric.
""Of course, "I wanted to repay her, but she didn't leave us any information,""means to contact her," Eric said helplesslyreplied, shrugging his shoulders.
""Oh, wait! in a helpless gesture. Suddenly, realization dawned on him. "The license plates!""!" Eric suddenly slappedexclaimed, slapping his head.
forehead. The girl had leftdriven away in her car earlier. If Eric knewhe had noted her license plate number, he could definitely findhave found her.
Unfortunately, Eric didn't think Regrettably, he hadn't thought of this earliersooner and didn'tfailed to remember the number. "Fatty, did you happen to catch the license plate number.
""Fatty, do you remember the license plate number?"" Eric looked at?" Eric asked, turning to his friend. "I... I didn't think of that," Fatty.
""I... I didn't think of that,"" Fatty said with confessed, offering a bitterrueful smile.
"" "I owe her a favor for today. I hope we can meet hercross paths again in the future...""," Eric gazed intomused, his gaze fixed on the distance.
Eric certainlyhorizon. He fervently hoped to meetencounter such a kind-hearted girl again. He also wantedMore importantly, he wished to personally repay the favor he owed her.
"