Chapter 417: Chapter 417: The "Ferocious" Buzz Cut Man
"We are not trying to give this girl trouble, it’s her father we’re after, he owes us money," the man with a buzz cut said truthfully, "But the girl you know is a fool, she’s protecting him, what are we supposed to do? We’re being civilized here, we haven’t used force, we just hope she’ll move aside willingly."
"It’s her father who owes money, why are you looking for her?" Xu Ancheng asked.
"She took over her father’s job, if we don’t go after her, who else?" the man with a buzz cut answered truthfully.
"That makes sense," Xu Ancheng said matter-of-factly.
Zhang Yaen, who had been protecting the girl in the blue overalls, turned around in disbelief, "Manling, why didn’t you tell me your dad’s job was given to you?"
"I-I-I didn’t have a chance to say it, I was scared by them," Wang Manling looked weakly at Zhang Yaen, "Besides, Yaen, you know my salary goes to my mom’s medical treatment, I don’t have any money left."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yaen stopped talking; she had heard about Wang Manling’s family situation too, "What about your older brother, second brother, and older sister?"
Wang Manling slightly lowered her head, making her gaze hard to see, "They’re married with their own families to take care of. Plus, since I took over my dad’s job, they’re dissatisfied. Dad owes money and said to ask me, but Mom needs medication every month. What’s my salary worth?"
"That’s your family’s business, what does it have to do with us? You owe us money, and repaying debt is natural. We’ve been lenient enough not to make trouble at the factory, or you’d lose your job," the man with a buzz cut said with a snort.
"If I lose my job, you definitely won’t get your money back," Wang Manling muttered softly, but the man with the buzz cut didn’t hear her.
"Blocking you like this won’t get it back either," Xu Ancheng said, "Can you tell me how much they owe you? What was the purpose of the loan? What’s your relationship with them, why did you lend out money?"
"I have no relationship with them, and the money wasn’t lent by me. They’re city thugs, living off collecting interest," Wang Manling peeked from behind Zhang Yaen.
"Your dad borrowed money back then to give his wife, your mom, a surgery, how’s that not related to you," the man with the buzz cut had disdain for Wang Manling, and raised his voice, "Moreover, your dad handed his job to you, making it even more your business."
"And what’s wrong with living off interest? Is it illegal? The deal was voluntary, we had good intentions to help some people out in emergencies."
The man with the buzz cut laughed coldly at Wang Manling, "As for why we’re blocking you, asking for repayment, it’s because we’ve done our investigation. You talk big about your salary going to your mom’s medicine, but from what we’ve found, you spend only three bucks a month. The rest isn’t spent on clothes and lipsticks for yourself, then some cosmetics, are you treating yourself to fancy meals, secretly eating out at national restaurants?"
"I’ve seen many people like you, say the words nicely, but in reality, you’re just looking out for yourself," the man with a buzz cut got agitated, directly pointing at Wang Manling.
"We’ve also looked into the situation with your two brothers and sister. Your two brothers have jobs, but they’re married with children, yet each family gives five bucks a month to parents because their jobs were bought."
"Your sister..." the man with a buzz cut pointed at Wang Manling, his finger trembling, "I’ve never seen such a wicked-hearted sibling like you. Your sister considered your youth and chose to go to the countryside at marriageable age, which should have been your quota."
"She ended up marrying locally, but her husband was diligent, joined the transport team, and last year brought his wife and child to the city, even specifically chose to return to Dongji City."
"A married daughter returning home never comes empty-handed, doesn’t hold grudges about your job being given, yet you shamelessly want us to ask your sister for money, just look at you..."
"You spend only three bucks a month, your sister spends even more just on supplements for your mom than that sum, yet you dodge responsibility, saying you have no money, have you no shame, how thick is your skin, quickly pay up."
The man with the buzz cut didn’t want to waste more words with Wang Manling.
Zhang Yaen had already stepped aside, seeing these people didn’t mean physical harm, but started to think more deeply, "Manling, that’s not how you explained it to me."
Wang Manling’s face appeared pale, genuinely shocked that these debt collectors investigated privately.
"I know your intentions clearly, flirting with the factory chief’s son right before us, even a blind man could see it, what, planning to tidy yourself up to snag a rich man or have you already set aside dowry for yourself."
Wang Manling’s expression worsened.
Xu Ancheng was already holding Baozi and watching the spectacle, a playful smile at the corners of his mouth.
Zhang Yaen couldn’t interject from the side, seeing Wang Manling’s complexion, understanding she wasn’t wronged, and lost interest in speaking for her, never expected she was such a person.
"Let me tell you, principal plus interest is a hundred and eight bucks. If you don’t repay us by tomorrow, we’ll go to your factory and put up posters, exposing all your good deeds for everyone to know."
The man with a buzz cut let out a harsh remark and left with his group, but paused when passing by Xu Ancheng because Xu Ancheng reached out to stop him.
"What’s up, you’re meddling?" the man with a buzz cut looked at Xu Ancheng discontentedly, but after meeting Baozi’s curious eyes in Xu Ancheng’s arms, he restrained his feigned fierce look, awkwardly coughed, "Is there, is there something?"
"I’ve got some business I’d like to discuss with you, unrelated to anyone else," Xu Ancheng spoke with a smile.
The man with a buzz cut blinked in confusion, "Talk, talk business with me?"
"You’re their leader, right? I’ll talk with you unless there’s someone above you," Xu Ancheng asked softly.
"Of course not, I’m the chief over here, people call me Dao," the man with a buzz cut introduced himself.
"I’m Xu Ancheng," Xu Ancheng smiled as he introduced himself, "Tomorrow at noon, twelve o’clock, Dongji City National Restaurant, I’ll treat Dao and your men to lunch."
Dao’s face was full of puzzled expressions, thoroughly examining Xu Ancheng, seemingly assessing the person and the matter he mentioned, "We brothers don’t deal in business, what’s your real intention with us?"
"Discuss it tomorrow, it’s not convenient today," Xu Ancheng said, "Rest assured, it’s surely something good for you all, whether or not you come is up to you. If I don’t see you tomorrow, let’s consider the matter unspoken."
Dao agreed as Xu Ancheng had spoken to this extent, yet, "Tomorrow’s meal, we brothers aren’t paying, right?"
"No need," Xu Ancheng replied with a smile.
"Then it’s settled, if we eat a lot tomorrow, you better not complain," Dao wrapped it up and was about to leave, but thoughtfully rummaged through his pocket, pulled out a one-dollar bill, and handed it to Baozi, "A meeting gift."
