Chapter 076: Cashing Out to Repay Debts

This story is entirely fictional.

Finally, he was able to swipe the card. The cashier entered the requested amount, and as the transaction showed success, the man let out a long breath. He took the thirteen thousand handed to him by the cashier, stepped outside, and passed it to one of the henchmen waiting by the door. The henchman glanced at the cash, his face immediately hardening. “You owe sixty thousand! Brother, you said you'd pay it all back today. We've already given you more than ten days’ extension. How come it’s only this much? How am I supposed to report to the boss?”

“I really have no way out. My bank card seems to have some issue. I tried to swipe several times and failed, I don’t know why. Please, help me out, give me a few more days. As soon as my card works again, I’ll bring you the money right away. Would that be alright?” The man spoke humbly.

“Three days at most. If not, we’ll come to your workplace; and if that doesn’t work, we’ll go to your home and ask your family for the money.”

“Do you have to be so ruthless? I’ve never owed you for more than ten days. I’m just having some trouble now and you’re forcing me into a corner. I have a job, I wouldn’t run away for such a small sum. Rest assured, I won’t owe you a single cent,” the man said, showing some irritation.

Seeing the debtor speak with a bit more backbone, the henchman dropped the matter, simply emphasizing, “That’s best. We don’t want to sour our relationship either. I’m just working for the boss, following orders, so forgive any offense. But let’s be clear; paying debts is only right, whether in the underworld or above it!” He spoke with conviction.

“Next! What are you standing there for? Hurry up and swipe your card, we’re pressed for time,” called the cashier to Zhaoming, who stood outside.

Caught up in the spectacle, Zhaoming forgot it was his turn. He glanced at the cashier and hurriedly said, “Sorry.”

“No problem, just hurry up. After we finish swiping cards for you all, we still have to go collect debts elsewhere,” the cashier said boisterously. “We need to move fast, otherwise our cashing-out operation could be discovered and punished.” With that, the cashier cast a wary glance outside.

Zhaoming also looked out cautiously, afraid to run into someone he knew or a colleague.

This was the first time Zhaoming had used his credit card to cash out at this leather goods store since receiving it from the bank.

He had received credit cards from eight banks, and without exception, cashed out each one successfully at this store. Each card had a limit between ten thousand and thirty thousand; due to the limits, he dared not swipe too much—he withdrew ten thousand from each card. The total amount cashed out from the eight cards was eighty thousand yuan. For every ten thousand swiped, the person in charge only gave him nine thousand; the cashier kept a thousand as a handling fee. Thus, he only received seventy-two thousand in cash. It wasn’t enough to pay off all the losses from his bets on Flower Crown’s website. He wanted to reserve ten thousand to cover the minimum repayment on his credit cards, thinking that if the shortfall wasn’t too great, Flower Crown would agree to let him owe twenty thousand.

He held the card receipts, feeling heavy-hearted. Carefully placing them and the cash in his work bag, he called the henchman.

In the lobby of Duhao Company, people in need of funds consulted loan officers at the counter.

This small loan company had only recently been established, and business was booming in Dahe. The mayor of Dahe had visited Duhao several times, and news reports about the company’s efforts to help struggling businesses had appeared in the Dahe Daily.

Duhao’s founder, Lyu Jiahui, was a well-known entrepreneur in Dahe, and had appeared on television programs. His philanthropic endeavors were widely recognized; the cafeteria at Hexi Technical College was part of his Hope Project. A photo of the mayor of Dahe with him hung in the company’s honor room.

The henchman was busy handling loan business in the lobby when he saw Zhaoming’s call coming in, knowing Zhaoming was ready to repay. “I’ve got the money ready. Where should I give it to you?” Zhaoming’s voice was loud over the phone, competing with the street noise.

The henchman managed his own tasks while checking the repayment list for any omissions. “Just wait at your workplace. I’ll call you when I send someone nearby.” As he spoke, he kept flipping through the list, moistening his fingers to turn the pages.

Lyu Jiahui put down his phone, just as he saw Leng Junfeng enter the lobby.

He quickly set aside his work and greeted Leng Junfeng with a smile.

In the past, before Dai Yunjiao arrived in Dahe, Leng Junfeng was the undisputed authority here. But since Dai Yunjiao’s arrival, Leng Junfeng’s good days seemed over. Not only did he lose favor with Gao Yating, but even his reimbursement privileges were restricted. Some business expenses now required Gao Yating’s own signature. Yet Dai Yunjiao’s authority remained uncurtailed, which greatly frustrated Leng Junfeng.

Those lackeys used to spend lavishly, and with a stroke of his pen, Leng Junfeng would have their expenses reimbursed by finance. But now, every expenditure had to be carefully controlled; this made him deeply dissatisfied. So, he decided to take matters into his own hands, leading his close associates to start their own operation.

Though he called it starting anew, he was secretly transferring some big players from Flower Crown to Broadcast. This way, he could return to his carefree, extravagant lifestyle.

Lyu Jiahui walked up to greet him, calling out loudly, “My respected Mr. Leng, what brings you here today?”

Leng Junfeng was calm, like a seasoned veteran of the streets. He looked around and said to Jiahui, “So many customers—business is really good.”

“Just so-so, just so-so, trying to make a living. Sorry to make you laugh!” Jiahui bowed and smiled.

“When business is good, you forget about me? In the past, how did I look after you?” Leng Junfeng asked.

“You took great care of me, like a second father. I’ll never forget your kindness. But I sense you have something to say—just be direct, I’m not one for subtlety,” Jiahui replied straightforwardly.

“Alright. Last time, when we conspired against Dai Yunjiao, I was trying to help you. I thought, once Dai Yunjiao was out of the way, you’d have no rival and more chances to pursue that girl. Her father is Officer Xiao, and you know my relationship with Officer Xiao. If I spoke to him, everything would go as you wished.”

“Please, Mr. Leng, don’t. I really don’t want to talk about it anymore. The girl is about to become my god-niece. Just think, how could I be romantically involved with my god-niece? So let’s leave it at that.” Jiahui told him the girl was his god-niece, but couldn’t say she was actually his real niece—a secret his elder brother had warned him never to reveal.

“Is that so? How come I didn’t know? Are you sure you’re not mistaken, Jiahui?” Leng Junfeng pressed.

“How could such a thing be false? If you don’t believe me, just ask Officer Xiao yourself!” Jiahui watched Leng Junfeng closely.

Leng Junfeng picked up his phone and called Xiao Jin...

~~~~~~

Ghost Dread had been sent out of Dahe by Gao Yating and spent less than half a year drifting in Hainan. Used to a life of indulgence, he couldn’t adapt to hardship. One day, he returned to Dahe.

Back in Dahe, penniless, he quickly spent the living expenses he got from his master, Black Tiger. Too embarrassed to ask for more, when he discovered Spiral Leg had killed someone, he saw it as a golden opportunity—to extort Spiral Leg for some money.

Ghost Dread arranged a meeting with Spiral Leg, who only realized it was his own former enforcer upon seeing him.

“You’ve got guts, kid. I wondered who it was—daring to blackmail me. Ha! Amusing,” Spiral Leg warned him.

“We’re both martial artists, no need for jokes. Let’s keep it simple. I’m desperate. After Gao Yating kicked me out of Duhao, I had nowhere to go. That day, I caught you in action and filmed a video... You know, I’m barefoot and not afraid of those with shoes. Be straightforward—two million. You give me the money, and I’ll delete the video right away,” Ghost Dread brandished his phone, showing the video to Spiral Leg.

“Not afraid I’ll kill you too, kid?” Spiral Leg asked.

“Do you dare? Besides, if I dare to extort you, I must be prepared. Don’t say you—with three or five like you, you might not be able to handle me. And if anything happens to me, you’ll be finished, understand?”

“Well, since it’s come to this, two million is fine. The money’s here, take it all. Two million for my peace of mind—worth it!” Spiral Leg tossed the suitcase of cash to Ghost Dread.

Ghost Dread caught the money bag. “Thanks.” He turned to leave.

Just as Ghost Dread turned, Spiral Leg called from behind, “Wait, hold on!” (To be continued)