Chapter 35: Safe and Sound

Lao Tan's phone connected quickly; he looked at Wu An and said into the receiver, "Wu An has come to repay the money."

"You returned the IOU."

"Right, you haven't taken action yet, have you?"

"Upon hearing this."

"Wu An's gaze changed."

"Although Lao Tan didn't say it outright, he wasn't stupid and immediately guessed that Lao Tan had sent his men to his house to collect the debt."

"Thinking of this, a flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes."

"But it quickly subsided."

"Now is not the time to turn hostile."

"He didn't dare think, if it weren't for him coming today to repay the debt, his home would be thrown into chaos by those debt collectors."

"Lao Tan heard his subordinate's reply and smiled: 'It's good that no action has been taken yet.'"

"'Fine, if some misunderstanding arose, clarify the misunderstanding.'"

"'Then I'll hang up.'"

"Lao Tan put down the phone and said, 'My subordinate will deliver the IOU directly to your family.'"

"'Now take your hand off my money.'"

"Wu An didn't move and asked, 'Why did you send people to my house to collect the debt before the repayment date?'"

"'Did I run away, or what?'"

"'I need an explanation!'"

"Lao Tan narrowed his eyes and said, 'Do I need to give you an explanation for what I do?'"

"'You're nothing.'"

"'Get lost quickly!'"

"After saying that, the several burly men sitting on the nearby sofa all lifted their heads and looked over."

"Wu An instead pulled out a chair, sat opposite Lao Tan, and said, 'They say that in the jianghu, rules are the most important.'"

"'I don't know if it's true or false.'"

"'Boss Tan, are these rules important or not?'"

"Lao Tan laughed, not knowing if he was angry or what, raised his hand and pointed at Wu An, saying, 'You want an explanation, right?'"

"'Fine, then I'll give you one.'"

"The reason Wu An didn't leave is that this matter cannot be left as is; having been reborn, his greatest wish is for his family to live well, yet because of him they have encountered trouble again."

"He cannot accept it."

"He must get to the bottom of it and have Lao Tan give an account."

"Hearing Lao Tan say that, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed Lao Tan was a man who observed rules, which made it strange—since Lao Tan abides by the rules, why would he send men ahead to collect the debt?"

"……"

"Lao Wu hung up the phone."

"Everyone was dumbfounded."

"They've already forcibly torn down the door on this side, and you tell me to hand over the IOU politely?"

"He could give it, but the problem is whether they dare to accept it."

"He shouted to stop the subordinate walking toward the courtyard."

"The subordinate looked back at him; he coughed twice, now is not the time to explain, quickly helped up Lao Meng who had just been shoved to the ground, and said with a beaming smile, 'Sorry.'"

"'I was a bit agitated just now.'"

"'Didn't hurt from the fall, did you?'"

"Lao Meng still thought this guy was going to attack, but didn't expect him to suddenly speak in a pleasant tone; the contrast was too great, and he couldn't react in time."

"Lao Wu continued, 'I know there are people inside; could you please ask them to come out?'"

"Lao Meng's face darkened: 'Impossible!'"

"'I'm not like some people who would show you the way.'"

"'I advise you to leave quickly, otherwise if you call the police, you won't get anything good.'"

"Lao Wu quickly waved his hands and said, 'Don't misunderstand.'"

"'I'm not here to violently collect debt.'"

"'But to return the IOU.'"

"Lao Meng turned his head to glance at the two large iron doors that had been forcibly torn down, gave a cold snort; although he didn't speak, it clearly said, 'You're kidding.'"

"On the road outside the courtyard, many villagers stood watching the spectacle, all pointing and gossiping."

"Chen Gui crossed his arms and still spoke sarcastically: 'What ability is Lao Meng showing off?'"

"'Exactly, the affairs of the Lao Wu family have nothing to do with him.'"

"'It's like a dog catching mice, meddling in others' business.'"

"'Wu Erzi owes money; it's only natural for people to come collect the debt—this can't be stopped at all.'"

"'Exactly, even if Wu Yingwei returned, he could only pay out money to settle the debt.'"

"Some people also joined in gossiping."

"Many people remained silent, watching quietly; many villagers weren't just there for the spectacle—if something really happened, they wouldn't stand by and do nothing."

"Lao Wu said, 'Actually there's a misunderstanding; someone called my boss and reported that Wu An deliberately owed money and didn't repay, so my boss sent me here.'"

"'Who knew Wu An had just gone to repay the debt?'"

"'Just now my boss called me; don't believe me, look.'"

While speaking, he took out his mobile phone to show Lao Meng.

Lao Meng took a close look; indeed, it was the person marked as boss calling, and earlier when he ran into Wu An, Wu An also said he came to repay the debt.

This really is a misunderstanding?

He wondered uncertainly: "Are you sure you came to repay the IOU?"

Old Five quickly nodded.

Lao Meng: "Then give me the IOU, I'll go inside to get it."

Old Five immediately pulled out the IOU.

Lao Meng took the IOU, looked at the writing—it was very neat, indeed Wu An's handwriting; this kid, before he went bad, was still a good child, his writing was very pretty.

It was confirmed to be a handwritten IOU by Wu An.

He let out a sigh of relief, walked over to the main hall, knocked on the door and said: "Yueqin, open the door."

"It's me."

"It's a misunderstanding; A An went to town to repay the debt, and these people are here to return the IOU."

Mei Yueqin opened the door, uncertain and doubtful.

She saw the IOU.

Mei Yueqin quickly wiped away the still-wet tear stains on her face and said: "This... this IOU, why is there such a commotion?"

Lao Meng snorted coldly: "It's probably because someone is secretly messing around."

Old Five hurried over and, with a pleasant expression, shouted: "Sister, sorry, it's all a misunderstanding."

Lao Meng pointed at the big iron door and said: "You've torn the door down."

"I'll put it back right away." Old Five turned his head, looked at his subordinates, and shouted: "What are you standing around for?"

"Install the door!"

Several sturdy men dared not delay, immediately pitching in.

This door was originally lifted down by force; taking it off was easy, but to reinstall it you have to align the hinge slots, and they just won't cooperate—several attempts have failed.

Watching, Old Five grew anxious and went over to help.

The villagers who were watching the spectacle looked on, puzzled.

What the heck is this?

What should come next isn't a violent debt-collection act, so why are they putting the door back up?

They took the door down, yet they're also responsible for putting it back up.

You still dare to complain... what a load of bull.

Chen Gui asked: "Old Five, bro, you don't want money anymore?"

"Get lost, get lost, get lost, none of your business!" Old Five, frustrated because he couldn't get the door up, sweating profusely, shouted impatiently: "Step back, you're blocking the light!"

Chen Gui, having been scolded, quickly stepped aside.

……

On the road.

Two figures were sprinting.

They bumped into each other right at the alley entrance—no one else, it was Wu Yingwei and Wu Ping.

"Dad."

"A Ping."

The two greeted each other at the same time; seeing each other's anxious faces, it was naturally clear they were both there for the same reason—only Mei Yueqin was at home.

When they made the call, they both heard Mei Yueqin's sobbing tone.

The two were frantic with worry!

They wished they had wings to fly back home instantly.

Seeing bricks piled at someone's doorway, Wu Yingwei casually picked up two, and Wu Ping followed suit, also grabbing a brick.

The two dared not delay, sprinting to the gate, only to see Old Five and his crew sweating profusely as they installed the door, Lao Meng smoking while directing, and Mei Yueqin with red-rimmed eyes standing to the side watching.