Chapter 347: Chapter 210: I Have No Proof, But How Can He Prove He Doesn’t Owe Me Money?
"Screw you and your nonsense!"
Zhang Qiang’s face twisted in rage upon hearing Wang Baoqiang’s words, his features contorted, and his blood boiled, rushing to his head.
"If I wanted to scam you, I wouldn’t even be from Han Village!"
"Would you dare swear on your ancestors’ tablets that you didn’t borrow money from me last New Year?"
"Little Daoist, I gave him one hundred fifty thousand in cash back then, this bastard, this beast!"
Zhang Qiang’s face muscles trembled madly, his breathing quickened, his chest rising and falling with each breath like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
Even the audience in the live stream were momentarily speechless, not knowing whom to support.
"In today’s society, does anyone really lend money without a note?"
"Not sure, maybe in some places with a more honest community spirit, a note would damage the villagers’ relationships."
"One hundred fifty thousand is already a considerable sum for a regular rural family. No matter how honest the community, you wouldn’t just lend it out without leaving a trace, right?"
"In the city, it’s fine. Every transaction is recorded by the bank, but it may not be the same in the village."
"Exactly, I’m from a village, and my parents don’t like putting money in the bank. Plus, the employer pays in cash for the work they do, so it’s all settled in cash."
"..."
Compared to word of mouth, evidence certainly convinces everyone more.
You can’t just claim someone owes you money without any evidence and ask them to pay up.
Otherwise, society would be in chaos.
Ning An waved his hand, signaling Zhang Qiang to calm down, thought for a moment, and asked:
"Setting aside whether he borrowed from you, do you have proof this money exists?"
"Whether it’s a bank transaction record or mobile WeChat or Alipay record, anything goes. Let’s first prove this money actually exists."
Ning An’s approach was straightforward. Since there was no loan note and no way to prove Zhang Qiang lent the money, the first step was to prove the money’s existence.
In rural disputes, Ning An could not be careless, as many involved were elders he knew. He had to mediate cautiously and thoroughly.
Hence, he dissected the situation, trying to find cracks from both sides, bit by bit.
Additionally, this gave Zhang Qiang an opportunity. With no evidence of the loan or witnesses, the first step was to prove the money’s existence so the matter could be addressed further.
If there was no evidence of the loan, no witnesses, and the money’s existence couldn’t be proven, then there was nothing for Ning An to mediate over!
However, under Ning An’s expectant gaze, Zhang Qiang slowly shook his head: "I didn’t store the money in a bank; it’s been kept at home."
Ning An sighed, having somewhat anticipated this.
In the surrounding ten-mile radius, everyone received cash from their employers for work done and stored it at home, hidden in a discreet spot.
Now, with no matching factors, we’re at a total impasse. What’s the point anymore?
The live stream audience laughed in exasperation.
"Come on, brother, it’s not the old days where the loudest is right. We can’t side with you just because you’re poorly dressed!"
"Exactly. If you can’t produce a shred of evidence in your favor, can we assume you’re just scamming them?"
"It’s like that old dilemma when someone falls and you help, only to be blamed by them. The more I see Zhang Qiang now, the more he resembles that dishonest elder."
"If I can claim someone owes me money without any evidence, can I boldly claim that I funded Ma Huateng’s startup and haven’t received dividends, and I should sue him!"
"Hey, kid, you’re just impossible, aren’t you? Of all people, you had to target him? Try scamming, and his South Mountain Pizza Hut will ensure you regret it."
"..."
This dispute seemed clear enough now; internet judges in the stream shifted to banter with the viewers instead.
The stream was bustling with chatter.
On the other hand, Wang Baoqiang, seeing Zhang Qiang fail to provide any evidence, smugly remarked, "For real, without evidence proving you lent me the money or even that the money existed, what do you want?"
"If you’re really so poor that you have to scam me for meals, just say so, and I’ll donate a thousand or so. No problem, right?"
"Why make such a fuss and let the whole village enjoy the joke?"
Then, Wang Baoqiang sneered, pulled out a wallet, counted seven or eight red bills, walked to Zhang Qiang, slapped them across his face, and arrogantly declared:
"Don’t think everyone is like you. Let me tell you, I’m not short on cash."
"Take this money; consider it a charity from me. I won’t hold this against you, but if it happens again, I’ll make sure you end up behind bars!"
Who can tolerate such humiliation?
What man would endure this!
Fury surged within Zhang, and he delivered an uppercut, knocking Wang Baoqiang to the ground.
Without pause, he rained down punches like a storm, mercilessly hammering Wang Baoqiang.
Struggling and roaring, Wang Baoqiang threw caution to the wind, resorting to every dirty trick, or else he risked being beaten to death by the stubborn mule before him!
