Time to Repay the Debt

With a written agreement in black and white, there was no room for the Jinlin Mansion to backtrack or make excuses.Soon, the process of transferring the deposit subscription was completed.The wealthy lady who dealt with Ye Chen turned out to be quite straightforward, much more decisive than her husband.As soon as the transfer was complete, she proactively offered to wire the money to Ye Chen without him even having to ask.Four million yuan was transferred without the slightest hint of hesitation."Mr. Ye, should I accompany you to Zijing Kindergarten next?"Standing outside the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), near the Range Rover, Zhang Jingshan greeted Ye Chen as he emerged from the bank.Zhang hadn't yet made the payments to secure the two Jinlin Mansion apartments. After hearing that Ye Chen was heading to the bank with the wealthy lady for a transaction, he and Li Changfeng had followed him in the Range Rover."No need. Just take me back to Jinlin Mansion. I'll head over with Director Zhou later," Ye Chen replied."Alright, whatever you say!"Back at the Jinlin Mansion sales office, Zhang Jingshan and Li Changfeng went inside to complete the purchase of the two apartments they had placed deposits on.Although selling the deposit subscription could have brought in a considerable profit, the idea of finding buyers and quoting a transfer fee of two million yuan for a mere 100,000-yuan deposit felt too shameless.Outside the busy sales area under the sunshade, Ye Chen dialed Zhou Xiaolan's number."Director Zhou? This is Ye Chen. I'm at the same place where we met before. Are you available to head back to the kindergarten with me?""Sure, wait a moment. I'll be right out!"In less than two minutes, Zhou Xiaolan, looking elegant and poised, walked out."Mr. Ye, would you like to ride with me, or will you drive yourself?" Zhou Xiaolan asked."I don't have a car at the moment," Ye Chen replied, unfazed.Zhou Xiaolan was momentarily stunned.She couldn't make sense of his situation.He could afford to buy property, yet he didn't even own a car?Moreover, Yoyo's mother, who claimed she couldn't afford kindergarten tuition, always rode a small electric scooter when picking up Yoyo.What kind of financial situation was this family in?She didn't dwell on it for long.With a nod, she drove her Honda Fit, taking Ye Chen back to Zijing Kindergarten.A semester's tuition cost 12,000 yuan—a hefty amount for kindergarten.To cover the remaining half semester, it was 6,000 yuan.However, since Yoyo had been absent for over a month, the school offered to waive part of the fee.Ye Chen declined the offer. He didn't care about the small amount.Not only did he pay the remaining 6,000 yuan, but he also covered the next semester's tuition, totaling 18,000 yuan."If you have children, you must take responsibility for them. No matter how big the conflict between husband and wife, don't let it affect your child's education and growth," Zhou Xiaolan advised as she saw Ye Chen out of the kindergarten.Throughout the process, Ye Chen's demeanor felt entirely different from the impression she'd previously had.It was as if the drunk troublemaker at last year's Children's Day performance had become an entirely new person.Perhaps he had just been quarreling with Yoyo's mother and had shown up drunk, still under the influence of alcohol.Zhou Xiaolan rationalized it, inadvertently excusing Ye Chen's past behavior."Yes, you're absolutely right, Director Zhou! I'll reflect on myself," Ye Chen said with a dry laugh."Good. I'll leave it at that. Safe travels, Mr. Ye!" Zhou Xiaolan said."Alright, thanks! Oh, and please let Yoyo's mother know to bring her back to school," Ye Chen added."No problem. I'll call her later!"After parting with Zhou Xiaolan, Ye Chen walked to the main road.As he was about to hail a taxi, his phone rang."Well, well, high-achiever! Have you struck it rich or something?""Hmm?"Recognizing the familiar gruff voice, Ye Chen raised an eyebrow."Don't play dumb with me. My people saw you buying property at Jinlin Mansion! Tsk tsk, those apartments have skyrocketed overnight. Even the lowest opening price today is over 30,000 yuan per square meter. And you're out there buying? You've got deep pockets, huh? How about repaying the money you owe first?"It was Biao, the debt collector who, during a prior visit to Ye Chen's rented apartment, had been held at glass-point and persuaded to extend the repayment deadline by a week."Why the rush? The week isn't up until tomorrow, is it? I'm about to deliver your money now!" Ye Chen replied."That's the spirit! Haha. You know our rules—bring cash," Biao said, his tone shifting to a laugh."Got it!""Need me to send you the location?""No need. I know the address—Anda Finance Company, right?""Perfect. Don't keep us waiting. I'll have tea ready for you, high-achiever!"Ending the call, Ye Chen took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with cold determination.The money he owed, he would repay—every penny, including interest.But this shady lending syndicate? He wouldn't let them off the hook.Paying back debts was fair and just.In his past life, when he couldn't repay the money, he had no complaints about what happened to him.But they should never have threatened Chen Yinuo!So, this score wasn't just to be settled—it was going to be settled for good.Even though he could now prevent that past tragedy, this vengeance was non-negotiable....Back at the Jinlin Mansion sales office, Zhang Jingshan had efficiently completed the full payment for the two apartments.He and Li Changfeng returned to the Range Rover."Old Zhang, do you think Ye Chen might be a hidden gem?"As Zhang Jingshan started the vehicle, Li Changfeng asked abruptly."A hidden gem? What do you mean?" Zhang Jingshan was caught off guard."He'd rather forgo a profit than owe us a favor. And he dared to ask for a 2-million-yuan transfer fee for a 100,000-yuan deposit. Does that sound like a broke gambling addict to you? Also, when that middle-aged man called him greedy, he was completely composed and even seemed to dominate the other party in terms of presence. That man is worth tens of millions at least, yet Ye Chen—a so-called gambling addict—overwhelmed him. Doesn't that strike you as odd?" Li Changfeng said.Zhang Jingshan scratched his head. "I don't want to believe it either, but from what I've heard, he really used to be a bottomless gambling addict. Not just that—he was also a drunkard and a complete coward. But strangely enough, in all my recent interactions with him, I can't see any trace of that gambling, drinking, or cowardly behavior. It's baffling!"After a brief pause, Li Changfeng shook his head. "His past is probably irrelevant now. What matters is his present and future. The fact that he predicted your romantic troubles, foresaw my car accident, and accurately called the Jinlin Mansion property surge says a lot. Not to mention his demeanor at the restaurant and his dominance over that wealthy man earlier. All of this proves he's no ordinary person. Forget his past—we should focus on building ties with him going forward. Jingshan, maybe we should create opportunities to get closer to him!"At that, Zhang Jingshan pressed harder on the gas pedal.His mind spun rapidly as he thought it through."He attributes everything to instinct, right? Let's test him again—to see if his instincts are truly that good!" Zhang Jingshan said."How?" Li Changfeng asked curiously."You'll find out soon enough!" Zhang Jingshan replied with a sly smile, keeping his plan to himself.