Chapter 1605 - 1657: Fake Creditors
Brothers, support my new book "The Big Star Clings to Me". If the recommendation votes reach four hundred today, or if there’s a reward of 10,000 genesis coins, I will add one more Chapter to my old book, no exceptions.
As soon as Li Yifei spoke, the creditors’ faces changed drastically. They went through so much trouble yesterday, driving for over an hour just to shake off the people following them, but in the end, they couldn’t get rid of them and were still tracked by Li Yifei’s people.
Several people looked upset, and after a moment of silence, the old man awkwardly smiled and said, "Because we had a meal at nighttime, and it was barbecue, so it’s normal to have barbecue listed on the IOU. But I assure you, we weren’t plotting anything, nor was there a need for that."
The woman echoed, "Exactly, Clan leader Li, what scheme can we possibly have? We’re just asking for our debt!"
The others nodded repeatedly and spoke up together.
Li Yifei’s tone was calm, and he did not appear angry, creating an illusion for them that perhaps Li Yifei wasn’t that furious. At this point, they heard Li Yifei say, "So, is it that my men were too reckless instead?"
"No, of course not, uh... it was just a misunderstanding. We couldn’t possibly do anything with an IOU," the old man said.
Li Yifei raised his hand, and a bodyguard behind him handed over a piece of paper. Li Yifei opened it, glanced at it, and read: "Zhao Sansheng, born in 1960, was initially a worker in a textile factory, laid off later, and worked in the south. Stayed in the southeast coastal and Northwest inland, returned to Mile City last year, unemployed, living off gambling, not married, single."
After reading it, Li Yifei chuckled, looked at the old man, and said, "A bachelor, so you’re living carefree!"
When Li Yifei read his name, the old man couldn’t help stepping back, his body trembling, eyes evasive, muttering to Li Yifei, "You’ve got the wrong person. My name is Zhao Sansheng, but not as you said. I’m a businessman with overseas ventures, and I have a company in Zhouwen."
"Is that so?" Li Yifei swept his gaze, and the old man named Zhao Sansheng felt guilty. Just as he was about to explain further, he heard Li Yifei continue reading, "Shen Qianhai, born in 1980, three years ago got resettlement compensation due to ancestral property, gaining over ten million and two houses, stopped farming since, but got addicted to gambling. Started gambling in the countryside, then moved to the city, and his courage grew."
At this point, Li Yifei paused, looked up, and indeed saw a man starting to retreat—it was the one who had an upset stomach yesterday. Li Yifei smiled, continued, "Looks like it’s you. Heh, often walking along the river, how can you keep your shoes dry? Heard you’ve recently gambled quite a debt, lost not just over ten million but also owe two million?"
Shen Qianhai, the man with the stomach issue, quickly shook his head, gesturing with his hands, a bit of fear on his face, said, "Impossible, Clan leader Li, I don’t owe money. I’m always winning in gambling, how could I lose so much?"
Li Yifei only glanced at him and didn’t respond, continuing to read the paper in his hand, "Wu Ganmei, got married to a so-called tycoon from Taiwan ten years ago, bore two children for him, after which the tycoon died, inherited several million and a small factory. The factory sold long ago, the inheritance almost spent, old and unattractive, can’t attract rich folks anymore."
This was the woman who got the money wrong, named Wu Ganmei. Her face turned pale as soon as Li Yifei called her name. When Li Yifei finished speaking, Wu Ganmei was almost in tears, too scared to argue.
Li Yifei continued, "Zhang Gousheng, once a gang member, later the big brother got caught and sentenced to life, the small gang dispersed. Borrowed money to buy a taxi, works during the day, hires someone at night."
Zhang Gousheng gasped, dumbfounded, mouth trembling, unable to speak a word.
Li Yifei sped up and said, "The Frog, a small contractor on construction sites, has over a dozen workers from one village. Took a project last year but hasn’t received payment, still dragging on until now."
"Fang Yuan, head at Jinbihuihuang, monthly income ten to twenty thousand, old and unattractive, unlikely for anyone to support you."
"Xie Ertou, a small company manager, valued at just over a million, owes the bank over fifty thousand."
Li Yifei finished reading the last person’s profile, slapped the paper on the table, braced himself on it with both hands, still wearing a slight smile, looking at these creditors who had changed completely from a few minutes ago.
Li Yifei naturally wasn’t worried about the authenticity of his information. Nowadays in Mile City, there’s almost nothing Li Yifei doesn’t know if he wants to. So just by arranging for a few people to investigate the backgrounds of these individuals, he could clearly understand everything.
Of course, like that Zhao Sansheng, being on the move outside for decades, checking his background would take some effort. But as he is from Mile City, there’s no way not to find out.
Before entering the meeting room, the security guard briefly informed Li Yifei about the backgrounds of these people. Li Yifei understood immediately. Now, propping himself against the table, he swept his gaze across each of them, observing their ever-changing expressions. Not one of them remained calm and composed; not one of them could sit still; not one of them wasn’t filled with terror.
Li Yifei chuckled lightly and said, "So, can any of you tell me how, when you can’t even gather ten million together, you managed to win nearly a billion on the gambling table?"
This last question was like the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Two debt collectors, who were mentally fragile, directly slumped to the ground. The wrinkles on Zhao Sansheng’s face deepened, sweat beading, while the two female debt collectors looked ghastly pale, as if they had lost their retirement savings.
Shen Qianhai dug his fingers into his thigh, forcing himself to calm down. "Li... Clan leader Li, it’s not like that. We... we really won money, really. You must believe us. These IOUs can’t be fake."
The others also clung to this lifeline, staring with wide eyes and pointing to the IOUs. "Clan leader Li, the IOUs can’t be fake. If you don’t recognize your mother-in-law’s handwriting, you can ask someone else to look at it, maybe her daughter..."
"Yes, yes, her daughter would certainly recognize it. We wouldn’t dare deceive Clan leader Li no matter what."
Despite their shouting, Li Yifei remained unresponsive. He tapped his fingers on the table, creating a loud thumping sound. The security guards behind him automatically spread out, one blocking the entrance, while the others stood behind the debt collectors. They, along with a few bodyguards, surrounded them. Some bodyguards stood up as if to confront them, but upon realizing the huge disparity in size and presence, they hesitated and dared not move an inch.
Li Yifei’s demeanor changed instantly, and the seven debt collectors grew increasingly anxious. With guilt plaguing their hearts, their reasoning was weak, and their confidence faltered. Zhao Sansheng hesitated, then said, "How about... we postpone the payment for today and come back to ask for the money when Clan leader Li’s mother-in-law returns."
Fang Yuan said, "That could work too, Clan leader Li. We must apologize for disturbing you today. The money isn’t urgently needed. The Li family wouldn’t be unable to pay such a small amount. Let’s take the IOUs back for now, and once your mother-in-law returns, we’ll ask for the money then."
As he spoke, they slowly moved forward, trying to retrieve the IOUs from in front of Li Yifei.
Li Yifei squinted his eyes, watching them hesitate to approach, his lips curling slightly. He let out a soft chuckle and said, "You sure have some guts. I’m giving you a chance to explain everything. Do it properly, or else this will be the end for you seven!"
Li Yifei spoke calmly, but the seven across from him had no doubt he would follow through with his words.
Fierce-looking security guards stepped forward, pressing in on them, enclosing them into the smallest circle possible.
Their legs weakened, hearts raced, and their faces paled as they all panicked. Zhao Sansheng pinched the flesh of his thigh to keep himself calm and said, "Clan leader Li, we really came for the money. We have no intention of deceiving you. It’s not good for you to suspect us like this."
"Not crying until you see the coffin," Li Yifei remarked with a smile, but his voice grew colder. He gestured slightly, and the security guards moved in immediately. At the same time, a team of security guards entered from outside.
The debt collectors and their bodyguards tried to resist but were no match; all the bodyguards were knocked to the ground. Some were foaming at the mouth, convulsing uncontrollably, while the seven debt collectors were pinned to the ground by the security guards, hands twisted behind them.
Without even glancing back, Li Yifei turned and walked out. The seven appeared dejected and confused. Before they could converse, another brawny man walked in coldly, casting a frosty glance over them and made a few hand gestures, resulting in all seven being roughly restrained.
"I’ll give you two minutes to consider. Speak honestly and avoid any pain; otherwise... you can try resisting," the man boomed, jolting their ears. They wanted to lower their heads, but their restrained bodies made it impossible.
After two minutes with no confessions, the man resorted to measures.
Ten minutes later, they all confessed. A security guard who obtained their admissions found Li Yifei, who was pushing a twin stroller and walking with his young son and daughter in the garden. He whispered a few words in Li Yifei’s ear. Li Yifei chuckled and shook his head, saying, "Let whoever is responsible take them back. Besides, there has to be an explanation for the Li family. If not, then these people shouldn’t return. The Li family can afford this bit of rice."
The security guard nodded and left. Beside him, Xiao Linger and Song Lianyao watched Li Yifei. Both women had been focused on taking care of the children lately, oblivious to Li Xinyue’s mother’s affairs. Otherwise, Song Lianyao would have certainly helped Li Xinyue persuade Li Yifei.
The two women were pleased now. With the other women of the household away, Li Yifei could wholly devote his attention to them. Although they were still together as a trio, moments like these were indeed rare.
With their arms hooked around Li Yifei’s, Li Yifei pushed the stroller. The two children were quiet at this moment, their big eyes wide open, gazing at the roadside scenery.