Chapter 402

After so many years as a member of society, Zheng Sanshui's bully image was deeply ingrained, and no one had ever dared to reach into his pocket for money.

He felt that Zheng Lao Pi had gotten full of himself, forgetting his own weight.

Given his usual temper, today I must teach Zheng Lao Pi a lesson, make this dog learn to clench his ass and act like a grandson.

But after thinking it over, Zheng Sanshui again dismissed the idea of making him a grandson.

People have sudden fortune or misfortune; matters also have priorities and urgency.

The most important thing right now is to requisition the village's houses and land; we must let Zheng Lao Pi set a good example by signing and stamping the requisition contract.

The Fisher Harbor New City project must be steadily advanced!

First help Zheng Lao Pi repay that hundred-thousand gambling debt, then later, according to the nine-out-thirteen-in lending rule, deduct money from his demolition compensation.

This way we not only avoid loss, but can also make a tidy profit—very worthwhile!

Zheng Sanshui settled on his plan, then on the spot called for someone to deliver a hundred thousand in cash. This scene shocked Chen Xiaoyu, who kept thinking about how to respond next.

Soon after, Zheng Sanshui's men delivered the hundred thousand in cash.

Each bundle is ten thousand, making ten bundles total!

"Sanshui, you really helped me pay off my debt?" Zheng Lao Pi stared at the ten bundles of cash in Zheng Sanshui's hands, excited and somewhat incredulous: "You sure you're not messing with me?"

"Nonsense, if I don't help you, who will?"

Zheng Sanshui couldn't be bothered to give Zheng Lao Pi's excited expression another glance.

Zheng Sanshui thrust the hundred thousand cash toward Chen Xiaoyu: "Pauper, any problem money can solve isn't a problem for me—today I'll let you see something!"

Chen Xiaoyu held back anger and replied with a smile: "So what if you're rich?"

"People like you poor losers always sour grapes when you can't have them—I get that." Chuckling, Zheng Sanshui, like a god toying with mankind, loosened his grip and the ten bundles of cash fell to the ground.

Immediately after.

He again struck an arrogant pose: "Sorry, I don't have the habit of bending over—you pick it up yourself."

"Funny, I don't have that habit either."

At this moment, Chen Xiaoyu could be described as chatting and laughing with ease, utterly without a trace of nervousness.

During the past week, she had been guarding the box of cash Lin Dongfan gave her, responsible for disbursing delay fees to the villagers.

She was no longer the naive girl who had never seen the world.

The hundred thousand on the ground, symbolizing humiliation, she wouldn't even bother to bend over to pick it up, let alone lower her head to glance at it.

Her willpower was very firm!

Today her purpose in coming here wasn't money at all—she wanted to drive Zheng Sanshui away! She wanted Fan Ge to see her ability; even though she's only eighteen, she can still accomplish great things.

She took a big step, stepping on the cash on the ground as she walked forward and sat down at the edge of the table.

It was as relaxed as being back in her own home.

She picked up the kettle, brewing tea while calculating: "Wanting to help Zheng Lao Pi repay his debt is fine, but you must follow the rules and repay me 130,000."

"130,000? Why don't you just go rob someone?!"

Zheng Sanshui's eyes widened, and his previously calm aura collapsed instantly.

This guy has probably forgotten:

This so-called rule is his own lending rule: nine out, thirteen in! The lending period is based on one month; less than a month counts as a full month.

Back then, Chen Xiaoyu's paternal uncle, short on funds when buying a boat, borrowed ten thousand from him; after deducting the upfront interest, he received only nine thousand.

After one year, when repaying, he actually owed him 435,500!

That terrifying debt forced Chen Xiaoyu's uncle to mortgage his house and land.

Moreover, Chen Xiaoyu's father, now deceased, had been saddled with a mysterious gambling debt—also thanks to Zheng Sanshui, whose compounding interest forced Chen Xiaoyu's grandfather to put up his house and land as collateral!

This left the whole family homeless, thereafter drifting on boats just to get by.

"I didn't force you to repay his debt; if you can't, you can get lost."

Chen Xiaoyu calmly sipped her tea, not even glancing at Zheng Sanshui.

Her cold, aloof demeanor was like an invisible sword that *puff* pierced Zheng Sanshui's heart, leaving him so vexed he felt like vomiting blood.

Is this about being unable to repay?

Damn it, this is a face issue!

I, Zheng Sanshui, helped Zheng Lao Pi pay off his gambling debt, yet you dare to collect my interest! If this gets out, how will I ever mix in the underworld again?

People who don't know the truth will think I, Zheng Sanshui, can't even handle a petty salted-fish girl!

"Damn your mother!"

When his anger surged to his head, Zheng Sanshui slammed his fist on the tea table, making the tea cups jump, but it didn't intimidate Xiao Yu.

Chen Xiaoyu calmly blew on the tea in her cup.

Zheng Sanshui, unable to bear it any longer, roared: "That hundred thousand on the ground—will you pay it or not? Chen Xiaoyu, I warn you, don't act all high and mighty then refuse!"

"Your mouth reeks, it's making me sick." Chen Xiaoyu furrowed her brows slightly, putting on a look of regret: "Since you won't leave, I'll have to call the bodyguards to see you out."

As soon as she finished speaking.

Liu Wei and Liu Wu, the two brothers, had already walked behind Zheng Sanshui, each grabbing one of his arms with one hand, and directly dragged him outside.

Zheng Sanshui, face flushed red with anger, shouted: "Let go of me! I can walk on my own!"

Although his shout was loud, he didn't dare struggle desperately, having seen the bodyguards' strength; he didn't want to suffer a loss, and his waist injury hadn't healed well.

His subordinates also watched eagerly, but no one dared to step forward and act.

"Get lost!"

After Liu Wei and Liu Wu kicked Zheng Sanshui out the door, they stood like mighty door gods, guarding the entrance—so much so that not even a fly could get in.

Outside the door, Zheng Sanshui shouted harshly: "Chen Xiaoyu! You're helping an outsider oppose me—don't regret it! I've got plenty of ways to deal with you salted-fish folks!"

Chen Xiaoyu sitting inside the house acted as if she hadn't heard, leisurely sipping her tea.

Zheng Lao Pi, who had been holding his tongue, finally spoke up today! I really couldn't tell before, ah, but this little tomboy Xiao Yu, when she puts her mind to it, is quite a character.

After Zheng San Shui and the others left.

Zheng Lao Pi muttered weakly: "Xiao Yu, you wouldn't really want me to repay you 130,000, would you? I can't even repay 100,000—you're not leaving me any way out..."

"Zheng Lao Pi, I'm not saying this to insult you—you're just a scumbag!" Xiao Yu scolded: "Everyone in the village agreed not to sign, but you're the one going back on your word!"

"How can this be my fault?" Zheng Lao Pi argued stubbornly: "If I don't sign, Zheng San Shui will have people push down my house. By then I won't be able to save the house or the money—I'd be ruined!"

"Don't make excuses here—others aren't afraid of Zheng San Shui pushing down their houses, but you are!" Xiao Yu gave him a white-eye glare; seeing Zheng Lao Pi already cowed, head down, unable to argue further.

Today's house defense battle was a success.

That evening Lin Dongfan specially made a trip to the fishing village and brought Xiao Yu a high-end watch with satellite positioning, waterproofing, and compass functions, as a prize to reward her.

These functions are very useful for someone who often goes out to sea.

This was also Xiao Yu's first watch in her life; at first she was reluctant to wear it, afraid of getting dirty. Later Lin Dongfan personally helped her put it on, and she lowered her head shyly, silent, feeling delighted inside.

After dinner.

Xiao Yu pulled Lin Dongfan to the bow to blow the sea breeze; gazing at the sunset over the sea, she looked for a topic: "Brother Fan, why is the sunset so beautiful, ah?"

"I don't know."

Lin Dongfan turned, leaning his back against the rail, not looking at the sunset, smiling as he watched the silly Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu lowered her head to glance at the watch on her wrist.

She suddenly asked again: "Is this watch you gave me very expensive?"

"Talking about money is too vulgar." Lin Dongfan chuckled: "You did well today, staying calm under pressure. This shows I didn't misjudge you—you really have the potential to be a captain."

Xiao Yu lowered her head with a smile, bashfully confessing: "I'm not afraid of Zheng San Shui today mainly because you've got my back. Without you, I'd have been in a panic."