Chapter 136: Sorry, I’m Just That Confident

Qin Guoshan stared at Chen Yang for two seconds, then sneered, "Chen Yang, you are getting a bit too confident. Do you really think you're something special just because you have Shen Donghua backing you?"

"That's right. I rely on Mr. Shen, and let's see who dares to provoke me," Chen Yang replied with a faint smile.

In truth, he wasn't confident because of Shen Donghua; if anything, Shen Donghua was the one who relied on him for his livelihood. Chen Yang said this simply to stick to his usual strategy: pushing all the attention onto Shen Donghua so he could continue living a low-profile life. He had kept things quiet for so long and had no desire to change that now; staying under the radar was perfectly fine by him.

"Fine, fine. We shall see," Qin Guoshan mocked.

"Sure, Dad. I just hope you don't end up siding with Uncle to deal with me later," Chen Yang chuckled.

Qin Guoshan’s face darkened with anger. "What kind of talk is that?"

Han Qin added, "Your father would never do such a thing."

Chen Yang laughed immediately. "Dad, I’m just joking, providing a little advance warning, that’s all."

"I don't need that kind of warning," Qin Guoshan said, clearly displeased.

"Alright, alright." Chen Yang nodded with a smile. Not wanting to continue the bickering, he used the excuse of needing to go out to buy food and left the hospital room.

The next morning, Qin Muxue went to her office in the building as usual. However, at nine o'clock that morning, she suddenly heard her secretary shouting in the hallway outside: "Sir, you cannot go in! You cannot!"

"Get out of my way," a man said aggressively.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the door to Qin Muxue's office was shoved open by a middle-aged man in a black suit, wearing a flat-top haircut and gold-rimmed glasses. He looked refined, but his actions were crude—a classic example of a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Once inside, the man tapped on Qin Muxue’s desk and demanded, "Qin, you owe my company three million. When are you going to pay it back? Huh? When?"

"Mr. Xie, have you been drinking?" Qin Muxue looked at the man with a grave expression, feeling utterly bewildered. The man, Xie Zhisen, was her business partner. She was confused because, in their previous interactions, Xie had always been gentle and cultured. It was as if he had become a completely different person overnight.

Ignoring her, Xie Zhisen kept tapping the desk. "Cut the nonsense and pay up!"

"Mr. Xie, I don't understand. Our partnership has always been smooth, hasn't it? I will certainly pay you back, but your attitude is truly hurtful," Qin Muxue said, looking deeply saddened.

Xie Zhisen scoffed dismissively, "Who says we have a good relationship? Don't flatter yourself. Stop the chatter and pay the money."

"Fine, three million, right? I will have my finance department transfer it to your company account right now," Qin Muxue said firmly. She knew the company’s liquid assets were at most five million. Paying out three million would put the company under significant financial strain. However, she was not one to be bullied, and if Xie wanted his money, he could have it.

As she reached for her phone to call the finance office, Xie Zhisen suddenly adopted a cold, menacing expression. "Who said three million? What about the interest? With interest, it’s at least four million."

"Interest?" Qin Muxue replied calmly but firmly. "Mr. Xie, when we signed the agreement, you explicitly said there would be no interest, and that I could pay it back whenever I was able."

"Did I? Where is the proof? Where is it?" Xie Zhisen mocked.

Qin Muxue could no longer contain her frustration. She clenched her fists and said, "Mr. Xie, I don't understand why you have suddenly changed like this."

"What’s wrong with me? Debt must be repaid; that is the natural order of things. What's wrong with that?" Xie Zhisen replied with disdain.

Qin Muxue frowned and said quietly, "In any case, if you insist on charging interest, I simply cannot pay it."

"That won't do! Go out and ask around; in this day and age, who lends money without interest? Do you think that’s possible? I’ve lent you three million for a year. Asking for one million in interest is a very low rate for private lending," Xie Zhisen shouted.

Qin Muxue remained silent, her heart heavy. Xie Zhisen then sat directly on her desk, half-closing his eyes. "Qin, if you don't pay up today, I’m not leaving. I’ll sleep right here and make a scene until you break. Let’s see who lasts longer."

Qin Muxue’s expression soured. The commotion in her office had naturally drawn a crowd of employees to the doorway, all watching with grave concern. Among them was the Vice General Manager, Huang Youlong, who served as Chen Yang’s informant. Whenever something happened at the company, he would immediately call Chen Yang. Having been notified about Xie’s unreasonable debt collection, Chen Yang had rushed over.

After half an hour of Xie’s antics, Chen Yang’s angry voice boomed from the doorway: "Who dares to cause trouble in my wife's office? Are you tired of living?"

Chen Yang strode into the office, drawing everyone’s attention. Qin Muxue looked at him in surprise, wondering how he had arrived so quickly. Having learned about the situation from Huang Youlong on his way over, Chen Yang suspected that Xie might be acting under someone else's orders.

As soon as he entered, Chen Yang grabbed Xie Zhisen by the collar. "What? Playing the thug?"

Xie Zhisen arched an eyebrow. "Look at this! He’s going to hit me! Go ahead, hit me! If you touch me, I’ll drop to the floor, go to the hospital, and stay there until you’re ruined. Let's see who lasts longer."

"You want to see who lasts longer? Fine, I’ll give you a chance." Chen Yang slammed his fist into Xie Zhisen’s nose, shattering it instantly. Blood began to pour from the man’s nostrils.

Xie Zhisen let out a shrill scream and tumbled off the desk onto the floor. The onlookers were stunned into silence. Chen Yang grabbed him by the collar again, raising his fist. "Still want to keep going?"

"No, don't hit me! Please! My nose is broken, boo-hoo-hoo," Xie Zhisen wailed.

Chen Yang couldn't help but sneer. "Giving up already? You seemed pretty tough a moment ago."

Holding his nose, Xie Zhisen whined, "As soon as President Qin pays me the three million, I’ll leave immediately."

"You will leave, but not yet. I’m going to ask you a few questions. Answer honestly, and things might go well. If you try to play any tricks, I guarantee you’ll end up with multiple broken bones. Do you understand?" Chen Yang said coldly.

Xie Zhisen nodded repeatedly. "I understand, I understand."

"Who sent you?" Chen Yang asked.

"I didn't... it was... President Qin. President Qin asked me to do him a favor and find a way to harass President Qin Muxue. He promised me a ten-million-dollar project afterward. I was tempted by the project, which is why I came up with this plan," Xie Zhisen confessed, his eyes full of regret.

"President Qin? Qin Guofu?" Chen Yang asked calmly. Everyone knew who he meant, but Chen Yang wanted to be certain.

Xie Zhisen nodded quickly. "Yes, Qin Guofu."

"Muxue, pay him the three million," Chen Yang said, turning to his wife.

Qin Muxue looked conflicted but nodded. "Alright."

She picked up her phone and called the finance department. Shortly after, a notification pinged on Xie Zhisen’s phone. He checked it and saw that the three million had indeed arrived.

"Three seconds. Get out of here," Chen Yang said, releasing his collar.

Xie Zhisen scrambled to his feet, clutching his broken nose, and fled, followed by his four henchmen. Once they were gone, Chen Yang turned to the employees gathered at the door. "The show is over. What are you all looking at? Back to work!"

The employees dispersed quickly. Soon, only Chen Yang and Qin Muxue remained. Chen Yang looked at her with a gentle smile. "Wife, you weren't hurt, were you?"