Chapter 140: The Big Shot

"Brother Chun, Ma San came looking for me again today."

Fu Chun nodded and asked, "Is this about the money you owed him?"

"Yes."

"Did you pay him back?"

Xu Fei nodded. "I did. I gave him the principal, but now he wants to charge me interest."

"Those guys, that’s how they swindle people. How much is the interest?"

Xu Fei held up one hand.

"Five thousand?" Fu Chun asked, his brow furrowing.

Xu Fei shook his head. "Fifty thousand."

"What?!" Fu Chun cursed in anger. "That bastard, he actually dared to ask for that much?"

"Brother Chun, I'm currently scraping the money together, but this time, I need you to act as a witness. I think only with your presence can this matter finally be put to rest."

Fu Chun nodded. "Fine. That scoundrel is just exploiting legal loopholes. In his case, it’s morally reprehensible, but legally, there’s not much one can do."

Xu Fei nodded. He knew that Ma San saw right through that fact.

"So, how is your fundraising going?"

Xu Fei glanced outside. "I was looking for Brother San and the others, but I couldn't find them at home. I’ve been searching for them all day."

"Alright, go get the money. When you go to see Ma San, just call me."

Having made the arrangements with Fu Chun, Xu Fei walked out of the police station.

"What’s the situation?" Chen Da asked as he looked at Xu Fei.

"It’s fine. Let’s go to Old Li’s restaurant and clear the bad luck away for Brother San."

They took Zhang Mingyang to Old Li’s restaurant. Xu Fei ordered a few side dishes and grabbed two bottles of Donghai Aged Liquor.

"Cheers!" Xu Fei poured a drink for all four of them. "I have something I need to discuss with you guys today."

"Old Four, you have something on your mind?" Wang Yiming looked at Xu Fei and asked, "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"I was looking for Brother San, wasn't I? Now that we've found him, let me tell you about it." As Xu Fei spoke, he raised his glass and downed it in one go.

Chen Da and Wang Yiming exchanged glances and followed suit. Zhang Mingyang, however, didn't touch his glass.

"Old Four, did Ma San come looking for you?"

Xu Fei was stunned. "Brother San, how did you know?"

"I keep track of your affairs." Zhang Mingyang then raised his glass and finished his drink. "Tell me, did Ma San give you a hard time again?"

Xu Fei nodded. "He came by this morning. I gave him the principal I owed, but he actually demanded interest."

"Interest?"

Chen Da looked at Wang Yiming. "Interest can be high or low. How is he calculating it?"

Xu Fei looked at Chen Da. "He’s asking for fifty thousand."

"That bastard, he really dares to ask for that much!"

"Why doesn't he just go out and rob someone?" Wang Yiming and Chen Da exclaimed, looking at Xu Fei. "What are you thinking, Old Four?"

Xu Fei placed the money he had brought from home on the table. "This is fifteen thousand. I want to pool the money together."

Chen Da furrowed his brow. "I have... a little over seven thousand on me. Your sister-in-law doesn't know about this money." As he spoke, Chen Da pulled a small bag from his waist and took out a bankbook.

"Well, well, Big Brother, you’ve hidden this money quite well," Wang Yiming said with a laugh as he took the bankbook. "Tell me, Big Brother, do you not even take off your underwear when you go to sleep at night?"

Chen Da chuckled. "As long as I don't do it in front of her, she doesn't know."

Wang Yiming nodded and handed the bankbook to Xu Fei. "As for me, I have nine thousand. This is all my private stash. The four of us must keep our mouths shut about this; no one can say a word!"

Wang Yiming stood up.

"Second Brother, what are you doing?"

"I'm going to get the money."

"You don't have it on you?"

Wang Yiming smiled and glanced at Chen Da. "Big Brother, I don't have your level of cunning. I keep all my money at the office."

"Fine, fine, go ahead," Chen Da said, waving his hand with a smile. Wang Yiming turned and left the restaurant.

"That’s eighteen thousand now. Plus your fifteen thousand, that makes thirty-four thousand," Chen Da said, looking at Zhang Mingyang. "Old Three, you have all our remaining liquid capital for business. You should know how much we have. Bring it out; Old Four’s matter is the priority right now."

Zhang Mingyang nodded. "I have sixteen thousand available." He looked at Xu Fei. "Old Four, have you thought about what happens if you pay him and that bastard comes back to cause more trouble?"

"I've considered that. That’s why I asked Brother Chun to be my witness. Ma San wouldn't dare to welch on the deal in front of him, would he?"

"That’s a plan," Zhang Mingyang said, standing up. "Alright, I'm going home to get the money."

Xu Fei stood up as well. "I’m going to find Brother Chun. Let’s meet back at Old Li’s."

Chen Da looked at the food and drink on the table. "What a waste."

Xu Fei pulled him along. "Let’s go, Big Brother. Once this is all over, I’ll treat you to a proper meal."

The two of them laughed as they walked out of the restaurant and went their separate ways. About an hour later, Xu Fei and Chen Da returned to the restaurant. Fu Chun had come along with them.

"Here," Zhang Mingyang said, handing his and Wang Yiming's shares to Xu Fei.

Xu Fei stuffed the money into the bag he had brought. Fifty thousand yuan, all in bundles of ten-yuan notes, slowly filled the bag.

"Let’s go. We’re heading to the dance hall to find Ma San."

Xu Fei led the group out of the restaurant and headed straight for the dance hall. When they arrived, several of Ma San’s lackeys were hanging around the open space in front of the hall. One of them recognized Xu Fei.

"Damn, you’re still not dead?" They had clearly heard about Xu Fei confronting Ma San that morning.

"I’m looking for Ma San," Xu Fei shouted at the young thugs.

"What are you yelling for? Looking for Brother San, huh? Follow me." One of the young punks turned and walked toward the dance hall. Xu Fei and the other four followed.

Inside, under dim lights, over a dozen couples were dancing, swaying, and flirting on the dance floor. They followed the thug past the dance floor and soon reached a row of small rooms at the back. It was hard to tell what was inside, but from these rooms, one could hear occasional lewd laughter and moans.

Xu Fei glanced at Fu Chun beside him. Fu Chun’s expression was grim. After all, this was his jurisdiction. As a precinct chief, having this happen right under his nose was understandably frustrating. However, Ma San had deep connections; it was rumored that a high-ranking official was tied to him. Fu Chun had long known about the situation in the dance hall, but the reason he hadn't moved against Ma San was because of this powerful figure.

"Brother San, Xu Fei is here," the thug said after knocking on one of the doors.

"Damn it, so what if he’s here? I’m busy! Tell him to wait!" Ma San yelled impatiently from inside.

"Ma San, come out!" Xu Fei shouted directly at the door.

There was the sound of someone putting on trousers inside, and then the door opened.

"Xu Fei, you goddamn..." Ma San, who had intended to curse, saw Fu Chun standing next to Xu Fei and his expression softened slightly. "Oh, isn't this Brother Chun? What wind blew you here?"