Chapter Seventy-Three: Evil Meets Its Match

Thanks to "Wolf Soul Dagger" for seven votes of 3,000 words each to update the story—truly generous, thank you!

Although Zhang Wei's actions seemed rather ostentatious, they delivered an overwhelming shock to everyone present. As the saying goes, hearing is believing, but seeing is the truth. No one would have trusted Zhang Wei’s boasts about his ability to repay the debt, but the moment he threw two hundred thousand yuan in cash under the table, it was the most tangible proof he could give.

Liu Guihua took a deep breath and picked up a stack of bills from the table, quickly counting through them. Having started her career as a small business owner, she could tell the authenticity of money with a mere touch.

"They're actually all real bills?" Liu Guihua exclaimed in astonishment. Two hundred thousand yuan was by no means a small sum for her, and she couldn’t fathom how Zhang Wei, a penniless youth only two years out of college, could have gotten his hands on so much cash.

"Aunt, look at the money on the table—is it enough to repay your hundred thousand? Did I, Zhang Wei, make empty promises just now?" Zhang Wei said sternly, his presence imposing and unyielding.

"I haven’t counted it yet. How should I know if it’s enough?" Liu Guihua replied with some embarrassment.

Liu Guihua, familiar with banking transactions, could tell at a glance that the twenty bundles of bills should amount to exactly two hundred thousand yuan. Yet, to give herself an out, she did not acknowledge it directly.

"Zhang Wei, where did you get so much money?" Zhang Jianguo, seeing his son produce such a large sum, was overjoyed but even more surprised.

"Exactly, Wei, where did this money come from?" Li Huilan, after the initial joy of seeing the cash, showed a trace of concern on her face.

"Dad, Mom, I’ve been in Beijing for quite some time now. Isn’t it normal to bring home some money?" Zhang Wei replied with a smile.

"That can’t be said for sure. Some young people these days—just to make money, they'll come up with all sorts of unscrupulous schemes," Liu Guihua said with biting sarcasm.

"Aunt, I’m not like you, nor do I have as many crafty ideas as you," Zhang Wei retorted with a cold smile.

"Sister-in-law, since Zhang Wei is able to repay the debt, just take the money," Zhang Jianguo said, trusting in his son's character, convinced that his son would not have resorted to anything shady. He gestured at the money on the table.

"Exactly, weren’t you here to collect the debt? Take the money and leave, and stop thinking about our house," Zhang Song said, picking up ten bundles of cash from the table, stuffing them into the paper bag, and shoving it into Liu Guihua's arms.

"Fine, I’ll leave! With this hundred thousand, I can buy my own house. Who cares about your shabby place anyway!" Embarrassed, Liu Guihua turned to leave, hugging the paper bag without a single word of courtesy.

"Brother, sister-in-law, sorry for disturbing you again today. I’ll be going now," Zhang Wei’s second uncle said with deep remorse.

"Second, if you’re free, come sit with me for a while. Don’t always stay cooped up at home," Zhang Jianguo said, patting his brother’s shoulder.

Seeing his brother’s submissive demeanor, Zhang Jianguo felt a surge of frustration at his lack of backbone—unable to even manage his own wife, what kind of man was he? Yet, blood is thicker than water, and seeing his brother being browbeaten by Liu Guihua left him uncomfortable as well.

"I know, brother," Zhang Wei’s second uncle managed a bitter smile, then turned to Zhang Wei, saying, "Since you’re back, stay a few days and spend some time with your parents. They’ve been looking forward to your return."

"Don’t worry, uncle, I understand," Zhang Wei nodded. He knew his second uncle wasn’t a bad man, just too afraid of his wife, leaving him with no authority or say at home.

"Zhang Baoguo, are you finished yet? Get moving!" Having lost face before Zhang Wei, Liu Guihua was already in a foul mood. Seeing her husband still speaking politely to others only made her angrier.

With those words, Liu Guihua stormed out through the iron gate. Zhang Baoguo, not daring to linger, was about to follow when he saw Liu Guihua turn back.

"Wife, didn’t you say you were leaving? Why are you back again?" Zhang Baoguo asked, puzzled, nearly bumping into her as she hurried through the door.

"Sister-in-law, it’s already noon. Why not stay for lunch before you go?" Li Huilan suggested kindly, seeing Liu Guihua return.

"Forget the meal. I’ve come back for another reason," Liu Guihua replied, raising her chin.

"We’re all family here. If you have something to say, just say it," Zhang Jianguo said politely, not knowing her intentions but willing to show respect for his brother's sake.

"When you borrowed my money, you agreed to a monthly interest of two percent. It’s been exactly a month now—shouldn’t you pay me the interest as well?" Liu Guihua clutched the paper bag tightly, her tone aggressive.

Her words instantly made the atmosphere awkward again. Although the original agreement was to repay by the end of the year, Liu Guihua had come to collect the debt in less than a month, and even threatened to take the house if they couldn’t pay—behavior that was already over the line.

Now, even after receiving the principal, she insisted on interest. While it is fair for borrowed money to accrue interest, given the two families were close relatives, it seemed rather heartless.

"Wife, we’re all family; there’s no need to be so particular. Let’s just forget about the interest," Zhang Baoguo tried to persuade her.

"Forget it? Why should I? It’s my money—why shouldn’t I ask for it?" Liu Guihua retorted, unyielding.

"Sister-in-law is right. Even between brothers, accounts should be clear. We’ll pay the interest," Zhang Jianguo sighed, unwilling to argue further or make things hard for his brother. "Zhang Wei, give your aunt another two thousand yuan."

"Aunt, here’s the two thousand in interest. Please keep it safe—don’t let yourself get robbed on the way," Zhang Wei said, pulling out twenty bills from the stack and handing them to her with a mocking tone.

"You needn’t worry about that. In Baicheng, there’s no one born yet who dares rob me, Liu Guihua," she declared, snatching the money with her chin held high, full of self-importance.

"Is that so? Let’s hope it stays that way," Zhang Wei replied, a subtle gleam flickering in his eyes. He opened his mouth as if to say more, but in the end, held his tongue.

With that, Liu Guihua pulled her husband out of Zhang Wei’s home, and from the stairwell came the sound of her scolding him. Though the words were indistinct, it was clear she was venting her anger on her husband.

"If I had known things would end up like this, I would have insisted Baoguo not marry her back then. Maybe things wouldn’t be such a mess now," Zhang Jianguo sighed with some regret.

"Yes, but honestly, Baoguo is the most to be pitied," Li Huilan said with empathy.

"It’s just that Second Uncle is too spineless. When I get married, I’ll never let my wife boss me around like that. I’ll keep her in line—no way I’ll end up henpecked," Zhang Song said, a hint of disdain in his voice.

"Don’t speak so soon. Who knows what you’ll be like once you’re married?" Zhang Jianguo reprimanded.

Meanwhile, downstairs from Zhang Wei’s apartment, two men sat astride motorcycles, helmets on, staring intently at the stairwell. The one riding pillion whispered, "I saw those two who withdrew the cash go into this building. I wonder if they’ve come out yet."

"I don’t think we have much of a shot this time. Even if they come out, they might not have the money with them. If nothing happens soon, we should just leave," the driver replied.

"Guess you’re right. They’re both young, cautious men—even if they do come out, it won’t be easy," the passenger sighed.

"Hmph, wasn’t it you who said they were a big catch and wanted to go for a major score? Now you’re getting cold feet," the driver shot back.

"Wait, look! Someone’s coming out of the stairwell," the passenger said.

"So what if they are? It’s just a middle-aged couple, not those two young men who took out the cash," the driver said indifferently.

"Don’t be so sure. See that paper bag the woman’s holding? That’s the kind the bank uses to pack cash. Those two young men were carrying the same kind of bag," the passenger said, eyes lighting up.

"You mean that middle-aged woman who just came out is carrying a bag full of money?" the driver exclaimed in surprise.

"I’d say there’s an eighty percent chance," the passenger replied.

"Damn, eighty percent is good enough for me. They’re just a middle-aged couple. Let’s do it!" The driver lowered his visor, gritting his teeth in determination.