Chapter 20: Jiang Cheng, Haven't You Noticed You've Become Smarter?

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Even after sliding into the Mercedes G-Class, Chen Hu’s mind was a fog of confusion. How did the numbers keep looking worse and worse? Yet he dared not push things too far—if he killed Gu Zhixia’s mother, she wouldn’t want to live either. Selling Gu Zhixia off was out of the question; if she couldn’t bear it and took her own life, not only would the four million be lost, even the two million principal wouldn’t be recoverable. It was truly a no-win situation.

Gu Zhixia’s family had gone bankrupt, selling everything with nothing left, and her mother was diagnosed with stomach cancer. It was like the barefoot felt no fear of those wearing shoes. Death meant nothing to Gu Zhixia. A person who feared not even death—what threat could sway her? Chen Hu had been lending at exorbitant interest rates for years but had never been so frustrated.

In this day and age, debtors were treated like kings.

On the provincial highway of Qingzhou City, one of Chen Hu’s underlings frowned deeply as he looked at him. “Brother Hu, you really agreed to that kid’s terms? Three million? We’re losing too much on this loan!”

Chen Hu gave the underling a harsh tap on the head and grumbled, “Then what do you suggest? If that girl is pushed too hard and kills herself, who’s gonna cover the two million principal? You?”

The underling winced, rubbing his head. “Brother Hu, didn’t that kid say selling Gu Zhixia over five years could earn ten million? It’s not a loss, right?”

“Sell her? Are you out of your mind? First, it’s not like we can just move mainlanders to Australia at will. Even if we did, Gu Zhixia is desperate for death—what can you do?”

“Then we hold her mother hostage. I bet she’ll listen then!”

“You pay for her mother’s treatment and support her till the end. Got it?” Chen Hu’s face twisted with frustration at his ineptitude.

The underling’s face scrunched up like a bitter melon. Scratching the back of his head, he asked, “Then… Brother Hu, what do we do?”

“What do we do? Do exactly what the kid says!”

“What, Brother Hu? You actually trust that kid?”

“Trust my ass!”

After a pause, Chen Hu instructed, “For the next month, let Daozi stay near the hospital, keep an eye on Gu Zhixia and her mother. Don’t let that woman die! At least make it through a month!”

“But Brother Hu, Gu Zhixia already paid for the surgery. She won’t die, right?”

“You don’t know anything. Just have Daozi watch them closely—don’t let anyone so much as touch a hair on her head! Also, don’t go back this month. Keep a close watch on that Jiang Cheng. I want to see how he’s going to make three million in a month! If that kid tries to play me, we’ll kidnap him straight to Lan Kwai Fong in Hong Kong to be the prince!”

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Gu Zhixia can’t be sold off—he’s a man, Jiang Cheng, surely he can’t be sold!

“Yes, Brother Hu!”

...

Elsewhere.

Jiang Cheng sighed deeply after sending off Chen Hu and his entourage, then helped the limp Gu Zhixia to her feet. Qin Xiaoshu watched as the dozen or so vans disappeared from sight, only then realizing his back was soaked with sweat.

“Orange, my goodness! That was terrifying! Like watching gangsters!”

Jiang Cheng smiled wryly. “They’re only loudmouths in Australia and Hong Kong. They’d be dead in the mainland by now.”

Tears welled in Gu Zhixia’s eyes, her voice choked. “Jiang Cheng, thank you. Without you, I really fear for my mother…”

Jiang Cheng patted her shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t worry. They just want money. If it gets too extreme, they won’t get a cent. They’re not stupid.”

Qin Xiaoshu said, “Orange, Chen Hu looks ruthless, yet you totally fooled him!”

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. “Fooled? I just helped him do the math and laid his situation bare. Everything I said was the truth.”

“Most importantly, I told Chen Hu straight: if he kills Zhixia’s mother, Zhixia won’t live. If he dares to sell Zhixia, she definitely won’t live.”

Qin Xiaoshu chuckled. “That means Chen Hu can’t touch Aunt Du or Zhixia; he has to protect their safety. Orange, you’re really impressive.”

Then he scratched his head. “Orange, we can scrape together four million. Wouldn’t it be better to get rid of Chen Hu sooner?”

“Are you stupid? If we pay four million, what’s left for us? Can our company even keep running?”

“Then why say pay three million after a month? If they won’t touch Zhixia and Aunt Du, why not just hand over two million now?”

“Are you stupid? If he’s not going to harm Zhixia and Aunt Du, he won’t leave us alone either. You don’t give him some benefits, how can we get by? He’s a loan shark—money must be paid, and no crossing the line! Give him an extra million. Though it’s not the full four million, at least he feels balanced.”

Qin Xiaoshu was dumbfounded.

“As for paying after a month, first, Aunt Du’s surgery should be done and she’ll be recovering by then. Second, if we hand over the money immediately, Chen Hu will think the three million was too easy to get. How can he feel balanced? He needs to feel like the money was hard-earned.”

Gu Zhixia blinked, watching Jiang Cheng’s strategic mind in action. She realized she had never truly understood him. Was he really the same silly boy she had a crush on in high school? How had he become so formidable?

Her expression shifted as she timidly said, “Jiang Cheng, have you noticed you’re not the same as before?”

“Not the same? How so?” Jiang Cheng scratched his head, puzzled.

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Qin Xiaoshu stroked his chin, then tapped his lips several times.

“Orange, you really have changed! It feels like you’re a different person,” Qin Xiaoshu agreed.

Jiang Cheng blinked at their suspicious looks, surprised. He hadn’t noticed any changes in himself. Except for his eyes that could see the true value of everything, he seemed unchanged.

Suddenly, Gu Zhixia’s eyes lit up as she exclaimed, “I know! Jiang Cheng, you’ve become smarter!”

Jiang Cheng laughed sheepishly. “Really? I’ve always been smart, haven’t I?”

Qin Xiaoshu rolled his eyes. “Come on! You were the dumbest in class back in high school—always last place.”

Jiang Cheng kicked Qin Xiaoshu playfully. “And you were second to last! You think you’re so proud?”

Gu Zhixia covered her mouth, giggling as the two bantered. For a moment, it was like returning to those innocent high school days—so simple, so beautiful, carefree and without worries.

...

“Orange, hurry! Come with me! Sister Murong’s in trouble!”

Their playful moment was suddenly interrupted by a young woman’s urgent voice. They turned to see none other than Shen Sining, the little girl.

She was running, trembling all over, a striking sight. Combined with her pure, comic-like face, Jiang Cheng swallowed hard.

He was stunned. “Sining? What did you say? Murong Xue is in trouble?”

Shen Sining looked at Jiang Cheng with a strange expression. “Orange, how do you know her name is Murong Xue? Have you met before?”

Seemingly remembering something, she ignored everything else and grabbed Jiang Cheng, heading straight for a Bentley parked by the roadside.

“No time! Orange, get in! Come with me!”