What is professionalism?
This is!
Neither He Zhen nor He Wenyao could believe their ears.
Extorting loans was the Xingdong Guild's main business, but who would have thought that the tables could turn so drastically—that one day they would be the ones forced to take out a loan?
"If you don't have the cash, I can issue you a loan! What do you say, aren't I reasonable?"
Xu Lang wore an innocent, harmless expression. Anyone who didn't know him might actually have believed this bastard's nonsense.
Even though a million curses were stampeding through He Zhen's mind, on the surface he still had to force a smile and act deeply grateful: "Many thanks to Mr. Xu for your benevolence!"
Three hundred million was practically the Xingdong Guild's net profit for an entire year; it would be a miracle if it didn't break his heart. But to appease the wrath of this formidable dragon crossing the river, He Zhen had no choice but to swallow this bitterness in silence.
The others in the room were lost in their own thoughts.
Lin Xiaofei and Wang Dacong weren't particularly surprised, since they knew a thing or two about Xu Lang's temperament.
For his own people, he would go through fire and water; for his enemies... absolute ruthlessness!
As for Li Sisi, the number of times she had been shocked in the two days since meeting Xu Lang was probably more than all the shocks of the past year combined; she seemed almost numb to it now.
Li Jianwen, on the other hand, aside from shock, felt a surge of excitement. Secretly, he made up his mind that no matter what, he would never let this dragon of a son-in-law slip away.
Naturally, he was quite confident in his own daughter's looks! And just in case—even if Li Sisi alone couldn't tie Xu Lang down, he still had a younger daughter. With the sisters united in heart, Xu Lang would have no way to escape!
Ignoring everyone else's inner thoughts, Xu Lang asked He Zhen and his son, "Which service do you choose to apply for? Bank loan, or a microloan?"
"I choose high-interest usury!"
There was no help for it—the credit ratings of He Zhen and his son were terrible, so a bank loan was out of the question. As for those microloans, they generally required collateral, leaving usury as their only option.
Of course, He Zhen had other secret plans.
He knew practically all the lending forces operating in Hangzhou; he refused to believe that anyone would dare collect a debt from him after this incident!
Xu Lang saw right through it without spelling it out, kindly reminding them instead, "The interest on usury is very high. With a loan of two hundred million, the interest alone will be ten million every month!"
"It doesn't matter, we'll take the usury!"
He Zhen answered decisively.
"Good!"
Xu Lang had Wang Dacong fetch a pen and a sheet of white paper, and quickly drafted a loan agreement.
Borrower: He Zhen and He Wenyao of the Xingdong Guild.
Lender: Xu Lang.
Loan Amount: Two hundred million Xia Country coins flat!
Xu Lang placed the agreement on the table. "You two take a look. If everything is fine, sign your names here and press your thumbprints."
He Wenyao picked up the agreement first and read it carefully, instantly feeling sick to his stomach!
You're the one demanding compensation, and you're also the lender—what an absolute beast!
He Zhen was nearly driven to vomit blood with rage, but with a knife at his throat, he had no choice but to bow his head. No matter how furious he was, he had to bite the bullet, sign the document, and press his print.
Shortly after, Xu Lang received a transfer of one hundred million. He looked at He Zhen and his son, whose expressions were even more miserable than if they had lost both parents: "You may leave now. Remember the repayment date. If you can't come up with the principal, you can pay the interest first."
"Understood, Mr. Xu can rest assured."
He Zhen didn't want to stay here another second, terrified that a moment longer would trigger a cerebral infarction from sheer rage.
The group hurried away.
Immediately afterward, the real estate sales agent in charge of the transaction returned with a radiant smile. "Mr. Xu, the procedures for Ms. Li have all been completed. If there are no issues, please have Ms. Li sign the purchase contract."
"Cancel this apartment!"
Xu Lang's words instantly made the smile freeze on the agent's face.
"Change it to a larger one with better conditions. Money is no object!"
"Right away!"
The agent's face lit up with smiles once again.
Li Sisi suggested, "There's no need to change it, this one is already quite nice!"
"Sisi, let's listen to little Xu. What's wrong with a bigger house?" Li Jianwen chimed in shamelessly.
Sensing Li Sisi's psychological burden, Xu Lang offered comfort: "You saw it yourself just now—they paid another three hundred million in compensation. If you don't try harder to spend it, how will we ever get through all that money?"
"But..."
"No buts!"
Cutting her off, Xu Lang instructed the agent, "Reserve the best villa in your development for me. Money is no object."
"Understood, I'll go take care of it right away!"
The agent nodded vigorously in agreement.
Xu Lang then beckoned to Lin Xiaofei.
"Daoist Priest." Lin Xiaofei stepped forward.
"Don't call me that outside, we're brothers." Xu Lang corrected him.
"Then what should I call you? Little Xu?" Lin Xiaofei teased.
Xu Lang raised his hand in a mock punch, and Lin Xiaofei backed away with a loud laugh. "Then I'll call you Boss!"
"Fine, fine." Changing the subject, Xu Lang said, "I want you to keep an eye on He Zhen. If that father and son try to stir up trouble again, just give me..." He trailed off with a significant glance.
Lin Xiaofei caught his meaning immediately.
Should He Zhen be foolish enough to court death, not even the gods could save him!
"Dacong, how come you came back too, you little punk?" Xu Lang asked next.
Wang Dacong chuckled. "Life without the Daoist Priest is simply too boring. When I heard Xiaofei was coming out to find you, I tagged along."
Xu Lang nodded and admonished him, "You're not a kid anymore, stop fooling around with things that don't matter. Cut down on hanging out with those internet celebrities and influencers!"
"Understood, understood," Wang Dacong said, looking like a dutiful student.
"Oh, right, Xiaofei."
Xu Lang then pointed at Li Jianwen by way of introduction. "Take this uncle to Macau for a while, and make sure he has a thorough good time."
"Does Uncle like stud poker?"
"I've got a bit of interest in it!"
Li Jianwen rubbed his hands together.
Lin Xiaofei readily agreed. "Let's go, then. I guarantee Uncle will be satisfied."
"Well, Sisi, I'm heading out. Remember to take good care of your mom."
This was the first time in recent years that Li Sisi had heard something that sounded like a conscience from her father.
Inside the villa, only Xu Lang and Li Sisi were left.
"See? Uncle has already started to change. It won't be long before he turns over a new leaf!"
"Thank you!"
Even though Li Sisi had a thousand words swirling in her heart, they could only condense into a single expression of gratitude.
Xu Lang waved a hand dismissively. "Friends don't need to thank each other."
"Xu Lang!"
Li Sisi suddenly turned serious. "Why are you treating me so well?"
"Didn't I already say, you and me—"
"She is her, and I am me; in the end, I am not her. You said those exact words yourself!"
Li Sisi forcefully cut him off.
The atmosphere suddenly grew somewhat heavy.
Xu Lang took a deep breath and said, "In short, I harbor no ill intentions toward you."
Seeing that he stubbornly refused to explain, Li Sisi didn't press for answers, but in her heart, she had already concluded that Xu Lang was trying to pursue her...