Following the receptionist into the elevator, Yang Chen noticed that it was as worn-out as the rest of the office building.
The elevator finally stopped at the top floor, and as Yang Chen stepped out, he was taken aback by a foul smell that filled the air...
In front of him, the enormous office lobby was in disarray. Desks and chairs were haphazardly arranged, and all sorts of paper—printer paper, newspapers, tissue paper, even a few discarded intimate items—were strewn across the floor. Most of the computer screens were smudged with dirt, making it difficult to see, and many of them were even shattered.
The entire lobby seemed like it hadn't been cleaned or maintained in centuries. Dust particles filled the air, and even the ceiling lights were half broken.
Such a sight would lead one to believe that the office building had been abandoned and maliciously vandalized. However, what puzzled Yang Chen was the bustling crowd of "employees" inside.
Groups of men and women, of various ages and dressed in peculiar outfits, were gathered around makeshift tables. Some were shouting and rolling dice, others were playing poker or mahjong, and a few were even playing solitaire.
Men were mostly smoking, engulfing the room in smoke, while the women were heavily made-up, parading through the crowd of men, seemingly enjoying the attention or trying to get some advantage from them.
As Yang Chen breathed in the suffocating stench in the air, he finally understood. It seemed like he had stumbled upon a "gangster company" run by his friend! No wonder nobody from Yu Lei International came to collect the debt. They probably discovered this later, and the PR department simply didn't dare to come here!
Yang Chen was actually right about one thing. Yu Lei International had indeed discovered that Huacheng Fashion Company was not a legitimate business, but it was only after the transaction had taken place. At that time, since the deal was not significant, they had accepted the deposit and delivered the goods. However, they had also sent representatives to collect the remaining payment. Unfortunately, every person who discovered the truth about Huacheng Company had fled in fear. The CEO of Huacheng Fashion even issued a statement, threatening to kill anyone who dared to come and collect the debt.
Due to the fact that the deadline stipulated in the contract had not yet arrived, Yu Lei International couldn't file a lawsuit and could only passively wait, dragging the matter along.
Mo Qianni's intention in sending Yang Chen this time was clear. She wanted to "kill two birds with one stone" and tactfully make Yang Chen voluntarily leave the company.
For most people, the scene would indeed be terrifying, but for Yang Chen, it was more familiar than scary, even a bit childish.
As the receptionist turned around, she expected to see a look of shock on this "ignorant" person's face, but instead, she saw Yang Chen wearing an interested expression, looking around with a smile.
What an idiot, let's see if you can still smile later! The receptionist sneered inwardly.
"Sir, our manager's office is over there. Please follow me," the receptionist said with narrowed eyes and a cold smile.
Yang Chen nodded and replied with a playful tone, "Your office environment is quite nice. You even allow smoking in the office. Not bad, not bad."
The receptionist's face twitched, starting to suspect if the person sent by Yu Lei International was a fool.
Yang Chen's appearance attracted the attention of many Huacheng employees present. Several burly men walked over with a smirk, provocatively and disdainfully looking at Yang Chen. A dark-skinned man reached out and groped the receptionist's body, asking Yang Chen who he was.
The receptionist obviously had an "unusual" relationship with this group of people. After being touched by the man on her chest, she giggled coquettishly and answered with a seductive smile, her eyes filled with a playful glimmer, "He's from Yu Lei International, here to collect the debt. He wants me to take him to see the boss."
"It's another person from Yu Lei International?" Several men and women burst into laughter. "Remember that guy two months ago who claimed to be a black belt in Taekwondo? He was done in just a few moves. I wonder which belt this kid is wearing?"
The group of rowdy employees mocked and laughed, their eyes fixed on Yang Chen with immense amusement. They regarded him as a helpless fish on a chopping board, ready to be slaughtered.
A petite girl with a round face, wearing a black short-sleeved shirt and an ultra-short denim skirt, approached Yang Chen. She exhaled a puff of smoke and coquettishly said, "Hey handsome, why bother with debt collection? How about accompanying me, big sister, to try something exciting?"
"You little vixen didn't have enough to eat last night? Do you want us, brothers, to take turns fighting you for hundreds of rounds?" Another short-haired skinny guy burst into laughter.
The girl playfully lifted her ultra-short skirt, seductively swaying her body, with an appearance that seemed to welcome anyone, "Sure, I'll stay right here. Come on, all of you!"
"Not a bad idea," the dark-faced man, who was groping the receptionist's buttocks, sneered as he looked at Yang Chen, "Today, we have a fresh-faced young man delivered right to us. It's a perfect opportunity for everyone to try out some new tricks."
Listening to the nonsense and intimidation from the group of lackeys, Yang Chen couldn't help but find it somewhat ridiculous. He couldn't be bothered with them and simply ignored their comments. Seeing that the receptionist was already moaning in the arms of the dark-faced man, on the verge of melting into a puddle, he casually continued walking towards the manager's office.
"Hey! Kid! Do you think we're just spouting nonsense, or are you deaf!?" The dark-faced man, outraged by Yang Chen's complete disregard, suddenly exploded in anger.
Yang Chen kept walking, completely ignoring him.
Enraged, the dark-faced man pushed the girl away from his embrace, pointed at Yang Chen, and shouted, "Kid, if you take one more step, I'll crush your balls!"
At that moment, Yang Chen paused and slowly turned his head, casting a single glance at the dark-faced man.
Just one glance, and the dark-faced man suddenly felt as if he had fallen into an icy abyss, his entire body freezing in place.
The gaze was devoid of vitality, devoid of any resistance. The overwhelming oppression felt as if it could suffocate a person, plunging them into a desolate and lifeless world from which there was no return...
"I'm here for debt collection, not to play with you guys," Yang Chen calmly turned around, casually tossing aside the bag of documents in his hand. He leisurely approached the big man, his steps light and steady. His voice was as plain as water, "Originally, I didn't care if you didn't pay. I found the process too troublesome to bother with. But after your little speech, I've actually decided to take some money back. I'm a pretty easygoing person, but you guys... why are your minds so narrow? I'll say it only once..."
"I... detest... being threatened..."
As soon as his words fell, Yang Chen seemed to vanish from where he stood. When he reappeared, everyone present could only see the once-standing dark-faced man now hunched over, slowly collapsing to the ground. Foam dribbled from his mouth, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted in agony!
Yang Chen stood beside the man, retracting his fist that had struck the man's abdomen. With an indifferent expression, he glanced around and smirked, "Why are you all just standing there? Your brother got beaten, aren't you going to seek revenge for him?"