Chapter Forty-Five: Give Me a Reason

The group left the Golden Crown KTV. Jiang Xuan went to a nearby alley to fetch her motorcycle, while the other classmates waited downstairs in groups to hail taxis. Zhao Zejun told Yu Zhe and the class monitor to take the others and go ahead; he would leave with Xia Yubing and Zhu Yuanyuan in the second car.

Just as he was about to wave down a cab, a drunken man suddenly rushed up behind them, blocking their way with outstretched arms, flapping like an old hen.

"Boss Zhao, no need to leave in such a hurry," Ren Jifu said with a sly grin.

Before Zhao Zejun could reply, Xia Yubing’s face turned deathly pale. "What do you want?"

"You know each other?" Zhao Zejun asked.

"I accidentally bumped into him in the corridor earlier," Xia Yubing replied.

Zhao Zejun understood immediately—when Xia Yubing had stormed back to the private room, fuming about running into a scoundrel, it must have been this Ren Jifu.

Seeing Zhao Zejun’s darkening expression, Xia Yubing quickly tugged at her. "It’s nothing, let’s go. Yu Zhe and the others are ahead; don’t keep them waiting."

Ren Jifu stepped in front of Xia Yubing again. "Don’t go yet, little sister. I didn’t realize you were friends with Boss Zhao just now. My words were harsh—don’t take my foul mouth to heart."

Zhao Zejun took half a step forward, positioning himself between Ren Jifu and Xia Yubing, frowning. "What exactly do you want?"

"Boss Zhao, I’ve had rotten luck lately—got a few tens of thousands in gambling debts. We’re all friends here, Boss Zhao, you can’t just stand by and watch me drown, can you?" Ren Jifu chuckled, rubbing his hands. "It’s nothing serious. You’re a rich man—just lend me a bit to tide me over."

"And if I refuse?" Zhao Zejun asked.

Ren Jifu folded his arms, speaking with a cocky air. "Boss Zhao, that’s not fair. I sold you those houses for dirt cheap. You renovated, expanded, and once demolition comes, you’ll make a killing. I’m not jealous of your meat, but you should at least leave me some soup, right? I’m not asking for much—just another fifty thousand. I’ll never bother you again, I swear." As he spoke, he cast a leering glance at the two girls, laughing wickedly.

Zhao Zejun thought for a moment, then patted Ren Jifu on the shoulder. "Don’t block these two girls. If it’s between you and me, let’s talk further."

"That’s more like it. Boss Zhao, I’m a reasonable man. If I hadn’t sold you those houses, you wouldn’t have made a dime. Lend me fifty thousand today, and I’ll give you first dibs on any property leads I get..."

Zhao Zejun shook his head, chuckling as he raised three fingers. "Thirty thousand."

Ren Jifu froze, thinking Zhao Zejun had agreed to lend him thirty thousand.

He hadn’t really expected Zhao Zejun to hand over the money; this was just a stalling tactic. Fifty thousand was an outrageous ask, just testing his luck. The houses were still there—he could always pester Zhao Zejun for money later.

He never expected it to go so smoothly. A few tough words, and the other side seemed genuinely frightened!

Delighted, Ren Jifu's eyes darted slyly, and his tone grew more forceful. "No way. Fifty thousand— not a penny less."

"No, you misunderstand," Zhao Zejun said. "When I say thirty thousand, I mean that’s the price to cripple a man. For thirty thousand, there are plenty of people out there who’d be eager to take you out. I could even save twenty thousand. So why would I give you fifty?"

He waved his hand casually, looking Ren Jifu dead in the eye. "If you can give me one good reason, I’ll give you fifty thousand."

Realizing he’d been played, Ren Jifu tore off all pretense, cursing in a rage. "Cut the crap! I’m not scared of you! You want to play dirty with me? Listen, when I was running the streets, you were still a twinkle in your mother’s eye!"

As if to back up his words, just then a white van screeched to a halt at the curb. The door slid open, and several thuggish-looking men filed out, immediately surrounding Zhao Zejun and the two girls.

A buzz-cut man with a vicious glare swept his eyes over Zhao Zejun, then sneered at Ren Jifu. "Hong sent us to help you. Is it this kid you want dealt with?"

"Perfect timing, boys!" Ren Jifu swaggered now, jabbing his finger at Zhao Zejun’s nose. "Didn’t you want to meet some real street guys? These are my brothers from Yijiang City. Listen up, Zhao—don’t push your luck. Watch yourself, or you’ll end up a cripple in the street."

He let his gaze linger lecherously on the girls’ chests, his voice turning cold and oily. "See these guys? None of them have girlfriends yet. You’d better watch your own. If they get dragged into the woods and someone takes naked photos, don’t blame me."

He then turned to the buzz-cut leader with an ingratiating grin. "If you end up having a good time with this chick and she falls in love with you, you’ll owe me a wedding banquet!"

"Wedding banquet? Hell no. Once we’re tired of them, we’ll put them on the street," the buzz-cut man said with a cold sneer.

"Right, right, Erzi, you always have the best ideas!" Ren Jifu laughed along, then turned to Zhao Zejun. "So, Boss Zhao, are you handing over the cash, or are you going to let your girlfriend get used and then sold off?"

Both girls were trembling with anger. Zhou Yuanyuan pulled out her phone, gritting her teeth. "If you don’t leave, I’m calling the police!"

"You think that’ll help? We haven’t hit anyone, haven’t robbed anyone. Is joking around a crime now?" snorted Erzi.

"You’re extorting us!" Xia Yubing snapped.

Erzi waved it off. "Where’s your evidence? I’m just talking—no law against that. Let me give you a legal lesson: it only becomes a case if I actually do something to you. Understand?"

At that moment, from the edge of the gathering crowd, a lazy voice rang out.

"What’s going on? You all waiting to get struck by lightning?"

The crowd parted. Jiang Xuan walked over, pushing her motorcycle.

Seeing her, Erzi, the ringleader, was taken aback. "Xiao Xuan, what are you doing here?"