Chen Xiong smiled.
"Good. Our interest rate is 4%. If you borrow 5 million, you'll need to repay 7 million. So, you have to sign a promissory note for 7 million."
"Additionally, you need to provide collateral of equivalent value. Properties, factories, cars—any will do."
Zhang Yi pretended to hesitate before pulling out his property deed.
He had used it for a bank loan and happened to have it with him.
"This house is worth over 5 million. That should be enough as collateral. I also have a Mercedes worth 300,000. If I can't repay, you can take that too."
Chen Xiong, seeing such a straightforward client for the first time, quickly took the property deed to inspect it.
After checking the information, he was even more satisfied.
The current market value of that house was at least 5.5 million!
Adding the car, this deal couldn't possibly lose money.
But Chen Xiong still put on a dissatisfied expression.
"Mr. Zhang, this house is worth at most four or five million. But you want to take 5 million from me, so I'll be at a loss."
Zhang Yi put on an anxious expression. "Mr. Chen, you must help me! I urgently need money."
"If you can transfer the money today, I can settle for 4.5 million!"
Chen Xiong and Hu Minghua exchanged a mocking glance.
Their business thrived on taking advantage of desperate people.
The more desperate, the harder they squeezed!
"No, no, it's still not a good deal."
After some bargaining, they settled on 4 million.
But Zhang Yi insisted the money be transferred to his account that day.
While loan companies were unscrupulous, they were efficient.
That was their one advantage over banks.
After signing the contract, Zhang Yi's account was soon credited with 4 million.
He smirked inwardly.
To Chen Xiong, this money was as good as thrown away.
Well, it did feel like he was insulting himself.
Zhang Yi cheerfully left with the money.
As he left, Chen Xiong and Hu Minghua burst into laughter in the office.
"Haha! That was an easy deal. That fool actually took 4 million and left."
Chen Xiong boasted, "We'll make at least two to three million from this. No worries for this month's performance!"
Hu Minghua leaned on the desk. "Boss, he signed the contract so quickly. Could there be a problem with the house?"
Holding the deed, Chen Xiong grinned. "The deed is genuine. As long as the house is his, he can't escape!"
With the deed and a 7 million promissory note, they would easily claim the house.
Not just that, they had more ways to completely drain Zhang Yi.
Chen Xiong sipped his coffee elegantly. "If all else fails, we can contact foreign organizations to see if any of his organs are worth selling."
"We never do unprofitable deals!"
...
Zhang Yi left the loan company, chuckling.
Glancing back at the building, he wore a faintly mocking smile.
"They're such kind people, giving me free money."
From now on, Zhang Yi would have no dealings with Chen Xiong and Hu Minghua.
In fact, they would likely die in the impending apocalyptic cold wave in a month.
Now, Zhang Yi had about 9 million in funds.
More than enough to execute his plan.
Driving, Zhang Yi headed to Tianhai City's renowned Zhanlong Security Company.
Zhanlong was one of the largest security firms in China, providing services to tycoons and celebrities.
Even government officials sometimes sought their assistance.
Zhang Yi sought them out because, in his previous life, he had heard that Zhanlong built a top-tier safehouse for the richest man in Jiangnan Province.
That real estate mogul lived comfortably during the apocalypse, thanks to Zhanlong's safehouse.
At Zhanlong, Zhang Yi explained his needs to the receptionist.
He was promptly escorted to a lounge by a business department employee.
A receptionist brought him freshly brewed coffee.
Shortly after, a burly man with a buzz cut entered.
Dressed in a black suit, he exuded a menacing presence.
One might worry his clothes would burst at any moment.
But such an appearance instilled a sense of security in clients.
"Hello, sir. I'm Wu Huairen, manager of the business department. What can we do for you?"
Wu Huairen asked, sitting beside Zhang Yi.
Zhang Yi took a sip of coffee. "I need you to build me a safehouse."
"One that can withstand the apocalypse."
Wu Huairen's demeanor turned serious.
To most, such a request would seem laughable.
No one believed in an impending apocalypse.
But to Zhanlong, it was no joke.
The wealthiest and most powerful were also the most afraid of death.
Years ago, foreign tycoons spent billions on doomsday bunkers.
In recent years, many wealthy individuals worldwide followed suit.
Some feared large-scale natural disasters.
Others, with numerous enemies, sought extra security.
Zhanlong's doomsday safehouses emerged to meet this demand.
Hearing Zhang Yi's request, Wu Huairen became courteous.
Such large orders were rare.
"Mr. Zhang, Zhanlong is a world-class security company. We can meet your needs."
Wu Huairen handed Zhang Yi a tablet.
"Our services are customized. You can choose what you need, with corresponding prices listed."
In the digital age, communication was convenient.
Zhang Yi carefully reviewed the services on the tablet.
Professional companies certainly lived up to their name.
With enough money, Zhanlong could fulfill any request.
They even offered to build safehouses 100 meters underground or underwater.
But these projects were too time-consuming. Zhang Yi only had a month.