Chapter 18
Debt squeeze
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November 1st
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Operating under the guise of a media mogul, JK often acted as a philanthropist, aiding the poor and the sick. Every year, he would review poverty alleviation lists, providing selfless financial aid to the most impoverished. The old man enthusiastically sent messages to hospitals across the country: if anyone suffered from an incurable illness and lacked the means for treatment, doctors were to notify JK, who would then cover all hospital expenses. His benevolence spread throughout the nation, earning JK the title of a living saint. Now, this saint was waiting to save Luu Ly.
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Luu Ly suffered from cancer and required a bone marrow transplant. Luu Ly's blood type was exceptionally rare globally, and even her parents' and sister's blood types were "rejected." Doctors stated that the probability of finding a suitable blood and bone marrow match from a stranger was only one percent, and Luu Ly had only three months to live.
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JK did not abandon hope. Five days after receiving the test results, confirming that Ngoc and her daughter were indeed his descendants, he immediately contacted major hospitals worldwide, swiftly initiating a search. Regardless of where a suitable bone marrow match was found, and regardless of the cost of the bone marrow transplant, he would reward them with double the amount. He would also globally promote the image of the hospital or institution that found the bone marrow. Individual bone marrow donors would become core employees of the JK Group, enjoying benefits superior to all other members.
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JK was distraught over Luu Ly's condition, while the secret filming of Anh Dao was driving him to the brink of madness. JK heard the car mechanic say there was a dent in the car door. The installed camera was still intact, but part of the sensor remained lodged underneath the car.
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JK surmised that Anh Dao had fixed the camera before taking the car to the shop. The old man sighed in annoyance, mocking himself for being too clever and thus clumsy; if he had just let Anh Dao and Hoang Kim enjoy themselves in the villa, things wouldn't have become so complicated.
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"Indeed, man plans, but heaven decides!"
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JK lamented, then ordered Anh Dao to deliver his and Ngoc's hair samples for genetic testing, and at the same time, he gave her money for Ngoc to repay her debts. Anh Dao was an effective assistant, and JK needed to show absolute trust in her for her to wholeheartedly help him handle important matters. To appease his adopted daughter, JK had to sacrifice his most IT-savvy subordinate, forcing the guy to confess to secretly installing the camera chip in the car under the guise of having a crush on her
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Anh Dao slapped the sacrificed guy's face, forcing him to delete the video, and made JK clean up the mess. The old man ensured the sacrificed guy contracted a "sudden strange illness," rendering him a permanent vegetable.
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This guy had no family and was lecherous, slowly approaching, flirting with, and harassing the group's hot female employees. JK had punished him multiple times, and he superficially changed his attitude but secretly spied on Anh Dao. She inherently detested these despicable, lecherous, perpetually-in-heat goat-like men, so she felt neither bothered nor guilty about implicating him.
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Everything "returned to normal," and Anh Dao took their hair to the National Institute of Biotechnology. The dean enthusiastically welcomed the distinguished guest in the private room and called for tea to be served. Anh Dao placed the hair on the table.
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- I'd like to perform genetic testing on these two hair samples.
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The dean smiled:
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- Today is Tuesday. The results will be available no earlier than Sunday.
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The two discussed for a long time. Anh Dao bid farewell and drove straight to Ngoc's house. She turned on the radio to listen to the news:
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"Around 9 AM this morning, police arrived to investigate Hoang Kim's accident. They are keeping witness information confidential. According to netizens, the mysterious girl accompanying Hoang Kim is from the Sun Kingdom, named Hanna Izumi. Hanna explained that doctors needed family members to encourage Hoang Kim, so she impersonated a relative. Ladies and gentlemen, the two-hour surgery is not yet over..."
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On her way to the Institute of Biotechnology, Anh Dao heard about Hoang Kim's accident. She wasn't surprised about the accident or the identity of the girl who helped Hoang Kim. In fact, if there had been no girl by Hoang Kim's side at that moment, she would have found it unusual. The blonde noted the news that the surgery was not yet complete. The radio then switched to current affairs, and she turned it off, focusing on driving to Ngoc's house.
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When a citizen discovered Nhat Binh's body at the foot of the mountain, he frantically called the police station. The police rushed to the scene and only found Nhat Binh's mouth full of alcohol, so they concluded that he had been drunk and accidentally fell. Ngoc's husband was a notorious alcoholic, so no one suspected foul play. Ngoc received her husband's body from the police, and JK dispatched his subordinates to help set up a funeral home.
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A few hours later, news spread that JK had appeared at Ngoc's house. The media mogul consoled the mother and two daughters, and countless people attended Nhat Binh's funeral. Curious individuals wanted to see what relationship JK had with Ngoc's family. Some speculated that Ngoc was JK's long-lost relative, while others guessed she was the old man's mistress. A crowd of creditors were absolutely certain that JK had a close relationship with the Ngoc family, perhaps even believing he would repay her debts, so they gathered in large numbers to demand long-overdue payments.
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- Repay your debts quickly!
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- Your debt, your husband's — all of it needs to be paid. Don't you dare try to weasel out of this!"
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- Nhat Binh is dead. But the husband's debts must be paid by the wife and children!
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The family mourned and endured humiliation; the deceased could not rest in peace, and the living could not peacefully bid farewell to their loved one. Ngoc and her daughter were forced to listen to cold taunts:
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- Where's JK? Ask him to help you pay off your debts!
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- Exactly, aren't you his mistress?
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Ngoc and her daughter accepted all indignities; the fate of a debtor was to be humiliated. The creditors trampled on their dignity, digging at their emotional wounds. A group of creditors, who only cared about money, treated Ngoc with utter contempt, even mocking her as JK's mistress. Ngoc roared:
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- All of you, shut up!
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Suong was so enraged that her whole body turned cold. She turned her face like that of a long-dead corpse towards the creditors. Everyone was gripped by fear, breaking out in a cold sweat, and involuntarily recoiled. Some thugs, hired to collect debts and eager to show off, aggressively rolled up their sleeves and lunged at her:
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- You won't repay your debts, and you still dare to be arrogant.
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He finished speaking and slapped Suong's face. She pushed his hand away and kicked him, sending him flying. The whole group was incited and rushed forward. No one should foolishly touch anyone's child; whether parents are fierce or gentle, they will never allow their child to be wronged. Ngoc, suffering pain and humiliation, was mentally unstable, her mind almost on the verge of madness, causing the furious mother to grab a sharp knife from the table, pointing it at the crowd:
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- Who dares to touch my daughter? I'll stab them to death!
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The creditors looked at her disheveled hair, her reddish-purple face, and her deep-red, furious, wide-open eyes, fierce as a tigress. The women recoiled in fear. The men stood their ground, some not daring to move. Those who liked to show off but feared being mocked as cowards hesitated for a few seconds, then yelled at each other:
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- It's just an empty threat. We outnumber them greatly; what is there to fear from that mother and daughter!
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A flash of a stick in the air shattered the face of the first aggressor. Everyone watched in horror as his cheekbone caved in and several molars were broken. Tuyet Lan's face was purplish-black as she held the stick diagonally, in a sword-wielding stance. Everyone failed to recognize the timid girl. She had transformed into another person. Anger and resentment burned away all her tears. No longer timid, no longer sorrowful, only rage ignited a loud shout of hatred:
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- If my mother or sister loses even a single strand of hair, I will beat all of you to death! Get out immediately!
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The creditors trembled all over, fearing the icy killing intent emanating from a girl young enough to be their grandchild. These ruffians, who had long practiced this profession, had never seen debtors as fierce as these tigresses. Especially Tuyet Lan, the weakest girl, who was considered the easiest to bully, yet unexpectedly, she was even more terrifying than the furious mother.
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Anh Dao secretly admired them from afar. The mother and two daughters endured humiliation; grief and injustice oppressed their bodies and minds. Their family was desolate; waves of turmoil engulfed the mother and daughters. Tuyet Lan transformed into a malevolent deity, while her mother and sister seemed on the verge of madness. A household with only women and girls, orphans and widows, still refused to be bullied.
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The tragedy of a shattered family had carved deep marks of guilt into her heart, and their unyielding spirit shamed Anh Dao. The blonde scoffed at herself, believing she was just garbage, like a bunch of people devoid of humanity.
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Her anger had reached its peak. She despised the men who relied on numbers to oppress the weak, and loathed the female creditors who, despite being women themselves, viciously cursed other women, ignored all decency, and demanded repayment even on a day of mourning. Anh Dao erupted in a fit of rage, cursing loudly:
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- You dogs, stop this bullshit right now!
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A harsh curse escaped her lips simultaneously with a shout:
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- You all stop!
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The one who shouted was a young girl, with a well-proportioned figure, over 1.7 meters tall, and smooth, dark hair whose curled ends softly framed her round face like a full moon. Her long brows resembled willow leaves, and her sparkling eyes shone brighter than moonlight. A mole would intermittently appear and vanish on her thick, voluptuous, heart-shaped lips that curved slightly upwards. Her admirable pure beauty, however, lacked a touch of innocence due to that intense charm. Her rosy skin, while accentuating its fairness, also exuded an aura of sensuality.
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Dressed in mourning clothes that did not cling to her figure, yet her peaks still rose to a majestic height, proudly erect as if challenging the sky. Men ravenously scrutinized her body, a surging tide of sensuality. Their lustful gazes swept over the graceful curve of her hips and still unsatisfied slid down to her long, supermodel-like legs.
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Everyone split into two factions, one turning towards Anh Dao and the other towards the young girl. Ngoc and her daughters sorrowfully recognized the woman as Thanh Loan - she was Suong and Lan's teacher, and behind her were Lan's classmates. The two sisters, tearful, ran to embrace their teacher. Loan and the group of students gently comforted them.
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The men stiffened and gaped, watching the two great beauties appear simultaneously. The blonde beauty was a celebrity and also JK's adopted daughter. The girl in mourning clothes was also "well-known across the nation". That ruthless, lustful bunch forgot about collecting debts; each of them stared with perverted gazes at every sensitive spot on the two girls' bodies. Anh Dao had encountered countless individuals more despicable than these guys, so she didn't mind. Loan frowned in displeasure, her lovely face instantly turning serious as she sharply responded:
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- Her family is suffering the torment of bereavement, yet you all still come to collect debts! Are you all even human?!
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The women waved their hands dismissively, neck veins bulging, eyes rolling back, shouting:
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- What do you know? That mother and daughters owe me ten million this year and haven't paid it back yet. Now that I have the chance, I will definitely collect the debt!
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A plump woman shouted impatiently:
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- You think being a police relative makes you formidable? You evil star who brought death to your husband! Don't provoke us; this has nothing to do with you. Don't meddle!
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Thanh Loan's blood boiled when the plump woman dug up what she had buried deep in the grave of the past. The exemplary teacher desperately suppressed the grievance and almost frantic impulse that tore at her heart, wishing she could rush in immediately and tear apart the person who touched her pain. She glared at the plump woman holding up the debt slip:
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- Today she must pay her debts! Two years of debt, principal and interest all exceeding thirty million! Damn it, poor people just keep giving birth, indulging in pleasure, and then piling up debts for themselves!
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Every offensive word infuriated Ngoc and her daughters. The girls rushed forward, wanting to devour the creditors alive. The plump woman no longer dared to speak loudly and quickly hid behind the crowd.
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- What do you mother and daughters intend to do? Are you planning to kill me? Damn it, you were so sweet when you borrowed money from me. Now, you turn your face faster than flipping a book!
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Anh Dao and Loan intervened to stop Ngoc and her daughters. Anh Dao looked around for Zero; he was standing in the crowd, holding a large bag of funeral supplies. The bodyguard wanted to intervene, but Anh Dao subtly gestured for him to stay put for now. Zero then quietly observed the situation. The creditors demanded repayment. Loan demanded that all debt slips be presented:
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- Anyone without a debt slip will be considered as never having lent money!
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Ngoc and her daughters snapped back to reality. Ngoc suddenly recalled owing just over ten people, yet more than thirty collectors were here. The distraught girls didn't notice the imposters. Initially, those people were just there to watch the show. The mother and daughters, nearly driven mad by the overwhelming pressure of the crowd, became disoriented and failed to tell the real creditors from the imposters.
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Consequently, these people's curiosity turned into greed, and they began to demand money, urging Ngoc and her daughters to pay their debts, thinking they might be able to seize the opportunity to make a huge profit.
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Loan reminded them that they must present debt slips, and those who were impersonating quietly slipped away. The creditors who had lost their loan receipts kept cursing, their neck veins bulging as they continued to pressure them for payment. Those who feared outright default panicked:
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- I left my debt slip at home; I'll bring it tomorrow. All of you, bear witness for me.
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Others clamored and cursed:
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- What dog-damned debt slip? She borrowed twenty million, she must remember my face. Don't talk so much, just pay up!
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Loan was gentle, exemplary, and also the strictest in the school. She cared for all her students and was very loving towards Suong and Lan. Their family was poorer than anyone else's, yet the sisters were obedient and never made mistakes. Every year, the school awarded them as good children and excellent students, praising their academic achievements. Both the elder and younger sisters enjoyed fame in national martial arts competitions. When a student's family fell into hardship, the teacher could not ignore it.
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Lan and her sister cherished Loan. Now they admired and revered their teacher, who was handling the difficulties. Out of over thirty creditors, Loan's single sentence instantly ruled out twenty opportunists and seven who had lost their loan receipts. Anh Dao and Ngoc admired this intelligent and quick-witted young girl. Ngoc's family was being bullied, and the blonde woman protected the victims:
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- You demand money but leave your debt slip at home, how absurd. - She sneered - I think this old woman lost her debt slip, yet still tries to demand money. Are you trying to take the money and then run away?
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The female creditors were exposed right where it stung — their faces twisted with rage, eyes ready to burst. Anh Dao changed her target, attacking the man who had lent twenty million:
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- If the loan receipt is lost, you'll just demand billions, does she have to pay you too? You're just a bunch of giant babies in adult clothing!
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Headache from the difficulty of collecting debts, he also ran into two sharp-tongued women whose boneless tongues were more eloquent than defense lawyers, leaving him no room to retort. He rolled his eyes and cursed:
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- Damn it, will these whores pay me?!
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Women hated being cursed as whores the most. Thanh Loan's face darkened; her mouth twitched as she fought the urge to lash out in rage. But to set an example for her students, the teacher had to suppress her fury and shouted:
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- If you all ruffians make any more trouble, I'll call the police!
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Ngoc and her daughters, along with Anh Dao, turned beet red. Lan and her sister pounced on the group of creditors like wild beasts. Zero did not need to act yet. One wrong move could make it worse. Anh Dao grabbed the man who dared to curse her – from the past to now, all who had offended her had knelt at her feet. She slightly parted her lips and sneered:
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- If your parents won't teach you, I'll teach you!
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The guy struggled but couldn't escape, his neck gripped by her vice-like hand. He widened his eyes and cursed loudly:
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- Damn it, you bastard, let go of me now, whore...
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Her fiendish face burned with fury; enraged, she punched his stomach, denting it inward, screamed in rage, and slapped his face, breaking one side of his jaw.
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The fury subsided. Ngoc and her daughters stared blankly at the chaotic scene. Their loved one's body was still waiting to be buried, yet his wife and children had desecrated the funeral by clashing with the crowd. Ashamed of the living, remorseful towards the dead, they felt guilt and cursed themselves. The intense pain of shame and humiliation was pouring onto the unfortunate woman, forcing her to scream and cry:
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- Stop causing trouble! Nhat Binh is waiting for us in hell!
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The sound of the wind sweeping across the cliff echoed in everyone's ears, whistling like ghostly cries and demonic wails. One may err against the living, but absolutely must not sin against the dead. Morality lay beneath the crotches of those who wore money like a crown. They believed morality was a meaningless dogma. But that very dogma, which they considered not worth half a penny, was now terrifying them to death.
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The creditors trembled all over, clasped their hands together, knelt before the coffin, and continuously bowed, mumbling prayers for forgiveness from the deceased. After showing their respect to the dead, they turned back to Ngoc and her daughters to claim money. Loan was determined to maintain her stance:
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- Only those with a debt slip may claim money; if there is none, it is considered never lent. Go back, don't force me to call the police!
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Those who had lost their debt slips trembled in fright. If they kept arguing here and Loan called the police, they would certainly be in deep trouble. Even if the debtors owed a lot of money, getting entangled with the law for this amount was not worth the trouble. The whole group angrily kicked away something in their path and dragged each other away.
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The remaining four individuals held debt receipts, totaling nearly sixty million – a huge sum for Ngoc and her daughters, requiring them to sell their house to clear the debt. The mother and daughter only owned one house as their sole property, and using it to pay off the debt would leave them homeless. Having no choice, Ngoc had to beg the creditors to allow them to repay the debt later:
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- Please give us time to sell the house and repay the debt!
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Anh Dao wanted to mention JK's promise to pay off all of Ngoc's debts, but as they were in a crowded place, she could not say it. Ngoc and her daughters were collapsing in despair when a brave male student came to their rescue:
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- I'll pay them!
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