The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1009: Chapter 61: Criminals, But Bourgeoisie Style_4

Arthur frowned and asked, ”Are you being modest?”

”No.”

Clara shook her head and said, ”What I’ve said was told to me by a former patron. He was a very learned man, much like you; he went to university and worked as a lawyer and a journalist. When I first met him, he was down-and-out, but I could tell he would make it big eventually. I might not be able to discuss history as thoroughly as he could, but I know how to read people. And indeed, he later made it big; however, he never came back here afterward.”

As soon as Clara finished speaking, several girls walked by.

They saw Clara sitting next to Arthur and couldn’t help but tease, ”Clara, haven’t you learned your lesson yet? Are you thinking of helping intellectuals again?”

Clara glared at them, ”None of your business. I earn my own money and can spend it on whoever I want.”

Arthur heard this and waved his hands repeatedly in refusal, ”Miss, my debt is ten thousand francs; you can’t fill that hole.”

Clara heard this and was amused by Arthur’s reaction. She raised her hand and gave him a slap, ”You’ve got quite an imagination, kid. When did I say I was going to spend money on you? If you want me to pay, you should at least spend more money on me today!”

Arthur raised his hand in terror, ”I have no money; I can’t even pay my rent.”

”Then why are you here drinking?”

”I can still afford a few drinks, but only a few. After these drinks, I plan to sleep under the bridge tonight.”

Upon hearing this, Clara rolled her eyes at him. Clearly, this impoverished university student was indeed a pauper.

Seeing her expression, Arthur pressed his hands against his knees, clenched his teeth, and suddenly seemed to make a decision, pushing the drink just served by the bartender to Clara, ”Let me buy you a drink.”

”I don’t need a pauper to buy me a drink.”

”No, I just genuinely want to buy you one. Even if it’s just for what you said earlier, though you were only quoting.”

Looking at Arthur’s earnest expression, Clara chuckled softly before accepting the drink, ”Alright, apparently you aren’t entirely clueless.”

With that, she raised the drink to enjoy.

But as the glass reached her lips, Clara felt uncomfortable all over, as if someone was pricking her mouth with nails. Her eyes darted around, finally locating the source of her discomfort.

The university student was watching her intently, holding his already empty glass. His longing gaze, paired with his slightly bobbing throat, filled Clara with anger.

She gulped down half of the drink and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, ”Look at you, so shabby you could never pass for a scholar. Fine, you can buy me half a drink today.”

With that, she pushed the glass back.

Lastly, she didn’t forget to sneer, ”Little guy, you’ll surely become someone significant in the future. Acting like buying a lady a drink is akin to losing your life, you’re even a notch higher than that fellow in being a beast.”

Holding the drink Clara returned to him, Arthur breathed a sigh of relief and seriously inquired, ”Can I take what you said earlier as a compliment?”

Clara retorted irritably, ”Do you think so?”

”I think talking to you is enjoyable; at least now I don’t have any suicidal thoughts,” Arthur said with a downturn in mood, ”But I still have to solve the issue of ten thousand francs; otherwise, after a few days, I’ll end up in debtor’s prison.”

Arthur paused suddenly and timidly asked, ”Um, Miss Clara, do you have anything I can do? Running errands, driving a wagon, anything where I can be of service, as long as there’s payment, I’m open to considering it.”