CHAPTER 999: CHAPTER 1006: BORROWING MONEY

"The God Organization probably still doesn’t know we’ve got their whereabouts, so for now, we’re in the lead." Ling Chen paused, his eyes shifting as he looked at Tang Guolun, "I have an idea, not sure if it’ll work."

"Let’s hear it."

Ling Chen leaned in closer to Tang Guolun’s ear and whispered a few words. After listening, Tang Guolun pondered for a moment, then nodded lightly, "Your idea is pretty good, but I’m still a bit worried. One wrong move and it could be dangerous, even affecting the entire base."

"I know, but fortune favors the bold; to gain more, we have to take some risks."

"Alright then, if you’ve decided, we’ll do as you say," Tang Guolun replied. "Let me arrange things first. I’ll inform you once everything is ready. How does that sound?"

"Good, thank you for your efforts!"

After reaching an agreement with Tang Guolun, Ling Chen left the base. He drove around for a bit, making a few phone calls. After half an hour had passed, Ling Chen set off for his destination.

After driving for over ten minutes, Ling Chen arrived at a billiard hall. He parked the car and looked around, noticing a Mercedes sports car worth millions parked outside. At the door of the hall stood a few young men, smoking and chatting lewdly.

Seeing Ling Chen approach, the young men immediately straightened up and respectfully called out, "Chen!"

Ling Chen nodded and asked, "Where’s Jiang Hao?"

"Hao is inside. Chen, do you want us to go in with you?"

"No need." Ling Chen waved them off and walked directly into the billiard hall. It was quite large, over two hundred square meters, and decently decorated. This hall was Jiang Hao’s business, also used as a base.

Passing through a few doors, Ling Chen descended a staircase into the basement of the hall. The spacious basement had several tables with poker cards and mahjong, lined with long tables by the walls filled with tools, steel rods, and machetes, ready for any unexpected events.

Over ten young people were playing cards, enveloped in a haze of smoke that made the air choke. Seeing Ling Chen enter, they all stood to greet him.

"Chen, Hao is in that room over there. He wants you to go straight in."

"Got it. You guys continue," Ling Chen said, stepping towards a room and pushing the door open.

The room was small but crowded, dominated by a middle-aged woman draped in gold and silver, plump, and sitting on a shabby chair. Her face was pale, sweating profusely, looking nervous.

A few young men stood around her, each holding a weapon, as if ready to act at any moment.

"Chen." Jiang Hao, who was smoking against the wall, tossed his cigarette and walked briskly to Ling Chen, pointing at the middle-aged woman, "Chen, this is the person you mentioned, right?"

"That’s right." Nodding, Ling Chen approached the woman and greeted her, "Hello, Miss Yao, we meet again."

"Ling... what do you want?" Yao Li stammered.

Ling Chen smiled faintly, "Miss Yao, don’t be afraid. I’m a civilized person and won’t hurt you. I invited you here today just to propose a business deal."

"Business? What kind of business?" Yao Li eyed Ling Chen warily, "I warn you, don’t even think about going after my daughter."

"Hmph!" Ling Chen chuckled lightly, "Miss Yao, do you really care about your daughter? Don’t think I don’t know what you did yesterday. Out of respect for your bond, I didn’t tell Shiyun about it. If Shiyun knew, what do you think she would do to you? When a daughter loses all hope in her mother, the only outcome is to cut all ties. From then on, you won’t get a penny from her. If you don’t want this to happen, you’d better listen to my proposal."

Hearing this, Yao Li hesitated and asked, "What do you want to do?"

"You’re short on money, aren’t you? I know it’s hard for you to borrow money now. Even if someone lends you money, it’s a small amount, not enough to cover your expenses. However, while others won’t lend to you, I can. And the interest is like a bank’s, not high-interest loans. You can freely borrow from me."

"Really?" Yao Li looked at Ling Chen half-skeptically, her eyes filled with doubt.

"Miss Yao, honestly, given our relationship, I have no reason to help you. But I feel for Shiyun and don’t want her troubled by you. As her mother, you’re just a hindrance to her future. So, for Shiyun’s sake, I’ll help you this once, just don’t bother her anymore. Is my request too much?"

"She’s my daughter. I can do whatever I want. Why should you intervene?"

"Two million." Ling Chen held up two fingers, "I’ll give you two million. It’s not part of the loan, just compensation."

"That’s too little," Yao Li scoffed, "If I ask my daughter, getting three million wouldn’t be an issue."

"Miss Yao, that might have been true before. But you heard Shiyun yesterday; besides the fixed monthly allowance, you won’t get another dime. And she’s firm this time, showing no mercy." Ling Chen paused and continued, "How about this: I’ll give you five million, and then lend you another five million, totaling ten million. If you need more money later, you can still come to me."

Five million?

Yao Li’s eyes brightened, clearly tempted. After pondering, she asked, "How long do I have to repay the loan?"

"That’s up to you. Pay me back whenever you have the money. However, you must write a promissory note, to avoid any denial later on."

"I can do that." Yao Li nodded, "I accept your terms."

"Great." Ling Chen grinned and turned to Jiang Hao, "Go get the prepared loan contract."

Jiang Hao responded promptly, retrieving two loan contracts from a drawer and handing them to Ling Chen.

"Miss Yao, take a look, and if there are no problems, just sign your name and press your fingerprint. I’ll transfer the ten million into your account later."