Chapter 29: I Will Repay It.

“Well…”

Manager Wang pondered for a moment. What Lin Wendong said was not without reason.

The villagers’ bank cards had daily withdrawal limits; they had to go to the bank to withdraw money, and today happened to be the weekend, when banks were closed.

From every angle, this excuse didn’t seem like an excuse at all.

But… Manager Wang’s years of experience told him things were never that simple. Yet, at that moment, he couldn’t figure out what was wrong.

Hearing nothing further through the phone, Lin Wendong lowered his voice and asked proactively,

“Manager Wang, would it be a big problem if we pay you one day later?”

“Of course not. If this puts you in a difficult spot, just tell me—I’ll see if I can find another way.”

Find another way?

You said “find,” which means you need a few days at least before giving me a definite answer.

Isn’t that simply passing the buck?

“One day later is naturally no problem,” Wang finally replied after a brief silence.

“That’s good. Rest assured! We aim to establish a long-term cooperative relationship, so we definitely won’t owe you money,” Lin Wendong’s words both reassured Manager Wang and painted a rosy picture.

Only after Lin Wendong’s repeated assurances did Manager Wang finally hang up with some relief.

“Manager, are they ready to repay now?” the secretary asked cautiously from beside him.

Wang glanced at her and shook his head, speaking with an air of profound insight:

“Xiaoshui, you’ve been by my side so long, how is it you haven’t learned anything?”

Pausing, he continued in the tone of a senior reprimanding a junior:

“If someone plans not to repay, they would have blocked our number already. Look at this guy from Tazhai; he answers my calls instantly every time. If they were planning to run off without repaying, they wouldn’t pick up my phone at all!”

The secretary nodded, somewhat understanding: “Indeed, Manager, your insight is unmatched.”

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Tazhai.

Lin Wendong hung up and slipped his phone into his pocket.

He resumed eating the barbecue beside him, completely unfazed by the matter of repayment.

Such things, naturally, could be delayed as long as possible.

If it comes to it, he’ll just reveal the truth later.

The next morning.

Manager Wang called again.

Lin Wendong claimed there were too many villagers, so processing might take some time, but assured repayment would be made that evening.

That evening came.

Lin Wendong said the village was so crowded that the bank closed before all transactions were completed, promising repayment the next day.

On the third day.

This time, Manager Wang thought surely they couldn’t still be blaming the crowd for not finishing.

Lin Wendong responded: “Everything is done, funds have been gathered, and we were just about to repay when the police stopped us, saying large transfers are risky and must wait 24 hours before proceeding.”

Manager Wang: “…?”

His face darkened to a bluish hue, his clenched teeth grinding audibly: “Fine. This is your last day to wait!”

The fourth day.

Manager Wang adjusted his mindset for a long time: ‘What excuse will they use now? Too many people? Large transfer blocked? Our account is at risk?’

“No! This time, whatever excuse they give, I will not let them delay any longer!”

Taking a deep breath, he dialed the phone again. This time, it was different: “Sorry, the user you are trying to reach is currently on another call, please try later…”

But the call did not connect at all!

A gust of wind blew through the office window. Manager Wang stood there, stunned, hair disheveled in the breeze.

His secretary hesitated, then said uncertainly: “From that message, it seems you’ve been blocked.”

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After a long moment, Manager Wang came back to his senses.

“Blocked… From past experience, this means they are running off, refusing to repay.”

His eye twitched uncontrollably. Four whole days had passed since the promised repayment date!

So, all along these four days, he had been toyed with like a fool?

“Tomorrow for sure! Noon for sure! Evening for sure!”

“After so many excuses, now… no excuses at all. It’s clear they won’t pay back!”

For a moment, Manager Wang felt a surge of fury rising within his chest—the flames of his righteous anger!

‘Borrow money and not repay? Tazhai has no integrity at all. And I trusted them so much! Our profits here aren’t even that high, plus we deduct fees for handling, management, and usage.’

“But they still can’t get away without repaying!”

Wang was so angry he felt smoke might pour out from all his orifices!

‘Tazhai is simply taking advantage of us!’

He clenched his teeth and roared, his eyes flashing with cold light. He had made up his mind!

Since Tazhai is ruthless, he would not hold back either.

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After waiting four days, instead of repayment, the news arrived that neither Tazhai nor the thousands in Mang Village had repaid a single penny.

Zhang Youqian was furious, itching to beat Manager Wang right then and there!

“Boss! These two villages are way too arrogant. If you send me with Wang Dalong and the others to their doorstep, I will—absolutely will—make sure they understand the consequences of crossing us!”

Manager Wang gripped his fists tightly, gnashing his teeth.

Zhang Youqian had anticipated the possibility of non-repayment, so he had already instructed Wang Dalong to gather all their brothers.

Now was the time to pay a visit and intimidate them.

“Good! Manager Wang, you take Wang Dalong and the others to Tazhai and show them what happens when they don’t pay up!” Zhang Youqian commanded.

Many dared to borrow and not repay, but in the end, all the money lent was recovered.

In the past, a few men blocking the debtor and intimidating them was enough to make most pay up obediently.

Won’t pay? Fine!

They’d have someone follow your wife on her way to and from work, your child on their way to and from school.

Let’s see if you’re scared or not! Pay or not!

This time, over a hundred people would go en masse to Tazhai for a show of force. Zhang Youqian was confident at least half would be scared into repaying on the spot.

That half was the bare minimum; it might even be two-thirds!

“Then we leave for Tazhai now!” Manager Wang licked his dry lips and smiled coldly. He was determined to make Lin Wendong pay for toying with him these past four days!