When Zhang Zhili heard the name "Yellow Uncle Five," he was stunned. This wasn't someone a mere branch bureau chief like him could handle. But since the words were already spoken, and it seemed that even Tang Dapeng, a big shot in medicinal herb cultivation, or let's be blunt, a farmer, had to cough up not just five hundred thousand, but a million, Zhang Zhili couldn't back out now.
Whether the deal went through or not was no longer his concern. In the end, he could just claim the money was spent. Tang Dapeng's family, who specialized in cultivating medicinal herbs, were essentially farmers, and worst case scenario, he could be considered a landlord. Even if he knew he embezzled the money, he'd have to grit his teeth and admit it. After all, he would need to rely on them a lot in the future.
Zhang Haomin blew his beard and stared, saying, "You've got some nerve, kid. You dare to provoke Yellow Uncle Five's men? If you anger Yellow Uncle Five, even if you don't die, you'll be skinned alive. Fifty thousand won't cut it!"
As soon as these words came out, Tang Dapeng grew nervous. "Haomin, really can't make it happen? Burp! We need to add money, make it two million!"
Zhang Haomin burped again before saying, "Two million?"
Zhang Yuehong exclaimed, "Two million?" She knew her cousin was a wheeler-dealer, but she hadn't expected him to be so audacious.
Chen Wanli chuckled, "Let's forget it then. Two million is not something our family can come up with. I'll handle it myself!"
Seeing the situation, He Shuya's eyes turned red. "Wanli, you still don't get it, do you? If your uncle finds it difficult, can you handle it yourself? If you could handle it, would your father-in-law need to ask your uncle?"
Chen Wanli was annoyed by this cousin of his. If he sincerely wanted help, even asking for money wouldn't be a big deal. But obviously, this couple was all talk and no action!
Could two million really settle things with Huang Shuyue, one of the underground overlords whom even Song Siming would personally visit if he heard about it?
With the conversation at this point, the family's expressions turned sour. Just then, a rapid knocking sounded at the door.
Tang Yanran got up to answer it. At the door stood seven or eight people, with a man in a T-shirt at the forefront, his arms covered in tattoos, looking unsavory. Before Tang Yanran could speak, they pushed their way in.
"Where's Chen Wanli?" the tattooed man asked, his expression arrogant.
"I'm Chen Wanli," Chen Wanli replied with a smirk.
"I'm Zhao Min. Li Tianyang is my friend. He asked me to help him collect a debt. You owe him a hundred million. Got it? If you don't want trouble, pay me one hundred and twenty million!" Zhao Min was a regular at the underground gambling den, and Li Tianyang was a frequent customer there, so they were acquainted. Yesterday, Li Tianyang went there and said someone owed him a million, so Zhao Min volunteered to help him collect it.
Chen Wanli grinned. "Got it. Go back and tell Li Tianyang that last time was for repair fees and car damages. If he's not convinced, I'll make him pay another million. Clear?"
"You damn dare to speak to Brother Zhao like that?" one of Zhao Min's lackeys behind him pointed at Chen Wanli.
Chen Wanli pointed to Zhang Haomin beside him, smiling, "Do you know who this is? You need to ask him if he agrees to pay!"
Zhang Haomin cleared his throat, ready to speak, but Zhao Min slammed his hand on the table before he could. "I'm Yellow Uncle Five's man. It's only right to collect debts from whoever. You know who I am now!"
Zhang Yuehong and Tang Dapeng exchanged glances, their faces turning green. How could they owe someone a million?
Tang Yanran explained the incident briefly: how Li Tianyang tried to extort money from them by staging a car accident but ended up paying them a million instead.
After hearing this, Zhang Haomin looked at Chen Wanli in surprise. That guy was even shadier than him.
Immediately, he thought about how to raise the stakes. A million was too little. At least two million!
With this in mind, he looked at the thugs and said pompously, "You've crossed the line. Breaking into someone's home, is there no law? Old man, stop pushing me around with words! I'm here to collect a debt for Li Tianyang!"
Zhao Min slapped Zhang Haomin on the head. "You're a district bureau chief? You're too bold!"
He Shuya was furious. "My husband is a district bureau chief in Binnan District. You're too outrageous!"
Zhao Min laughed. "If he's a chief, then I'm the director of the security bureau! Everyone knows how to brag. If I didn't need the money Li Tianyang owes me, I wouldn't be here bothering with you!"
"This nonsense. If you don't pay up, I'll make trouble for all of you today!" With that, Zhao Min pulled out a dagger and waved it menacingly.
His gang, all red-eyed gamblers, weren't afraid at all, especially since they didn't understand the weight of a district bureau chief's authority!
To intimidate them, Zhao Min deliberately slapped Zhang Haomin a few more times.
Zhang Zhili watched his cousin-in-law getting beaten, finding it somewhat amusing. This Zhao guy was quite something. He was practically helping him save face. Later, he could give Zhao Min a few less punches.
Seeing Zhang Haomin and his wife being beaten, Tang Yanran couldn't sit still. She said urgently, "We can pay the money back..."
Before she could finish, Zhang Zhili interrupted, "Let's discuss this outside. It's our business, no need to involve others, right?"
As soon as he said this, Tang Dapeng grew anxious. Going out with these lawless guys wouldn't end well.
Tang Yanran subconsciously grabbed Zhang Zhili's arm.
Zhao Min sneered, "You want to go out? That would be embarrassing for me."
Zhang Zhili narrowed his eyes, a hint of impatience flashing across his face. He shook off Tang Yanran's hand, stood up, and kicked Zhao Min toward the door. With one swift motion, he kicked him out, followed by his lackeys.
The door was closed, leaving Tang Dapeng red-eyed, about to rush out, but Zhang Haomin held him back. "Those thugs are not holding back. Going out now would be sending yourself to death!"
Tang Yanran urged, "Quick, call the police!"
Tang Dapeng looked at Zhang Haomin, his eyes fixed. "The police are right here! Hurry and call someone to resolve this. Also, deal with Yellow Uncle Five's matter!"
"I'll agree to one million!"
Zhang Yuehong opened her mouth, then nodded in agreement at last.
Zhang Haomin, looking disheveled, heard the mention of money and his eyes lit up.
Just now, he got beaten up, but now, it was time to fleece the fat sheep.
"Brother-in-law, don't think poorly of me, but you've seen these guys. Even the face of a chief isn't worth a million. I'm useless at negotiation. I'll have to ask a higher-up for help. It needs two million!"
"Two million it is. Two million," Tang Dapeng gritted his teeth.
Zhang Yuehong cursed Chen Wanli for being a troublemaker, but ultimately didn't object verbally.
"Brother-in-law, don't worry. With money, we can make ghosts turn the millstones. With this money, I promise to find a big shot to resolve this for us."
Zhang Haomin didn't expect Tang Dapeng to agree. While having Tang Dapeng transfer the money, he picked up his phone, pretending to call someone.
Outside, Zhang Zhili had no intention of reasoning with these hooligans. He quickly took them all down, dragging them like dead dogs into the elevator and down to an empty corner of the building.
Beaten and bruised, Zhao Min was both shocked and angry. "I'm... with Yellow Uncle Five. Do you know who Yellow Uncle Five is?"
"You dare to touch Yellow Uncle Five's men, he'll skin you alive!"
Zhang Zhili laughed. "You wouldn't dare say such things in front of Yellow Uncle Five, would you?"
Zhao Min sneered, his bravado showing. "Yellow Uncle Five might not say it, but he could make you defecate! You've got guts! You've touched Yellow Uncle Five's men, and now he'll strip you of your skin!"
He couldn't swallow this humiliation. Still wanting the money, he decided to call the casino manager, even if it meant splitting the hundred million in half. Pointing at Zhang Zhili, he said, "Your arrogance will be your downfall. Just wait for me to call my men!"
After muttering into the phone for a while, Zhao Min returned even more arrogant.
Zhang Zhili couldn't be bothered to look at Zhang Haomin's expression anymore, standing at the doorway to see what kind of trouble this rascal could stir up.
Zhao Min and his gang waited menacingly for Zhang Zhili. Thankfully, they were at a corner of the building, and unless people deliberately came close, they wouldn't be noticed. Otherwise, they would have scared off the passersby with their menacing presence.
Five black Mercedes-Benzes arrived in succession, with more than a dozen thugs getting out first, followed by the unmistakable figure of Huang Shuyue.