Chapter 124 - 53: Helping Pay Off a Debt, Becoming a Mob Boss (2)
This would allow the two of them to return to their home country, even if it meant working without pay.
Jiang Li had never witnessed such a scene. She immediately grabbed both their arms. "What are you doing? Please, get up."
’They’re about the same age as my parents. This is going to shorten my life!’
Shen Yanzhi had been observing the commotion from his seat. When he saw the owner and his wife fall to their knees before Jiang Li, he tossed his chopsticks aside, abandoning his rice noodles, and strode over.
Stopping beside Jiang Li, Shen Yanzhi asked anxiously, "What’s wrong?"
The three of them had been speaking so quietly that he couldn’t make out a word, so he had no idea what they’d been talking about.
Jiang Li helped the couple to their feet before answering Shen Yanzhi, "It’s nothing. They’re just thanking me for helping them."
The owner gave him a thumbs-up. "Young man, you really married a good wife."
Shen Yanzhi looked completely bewildered, unable to make heads or tails of the situation. He had no idea what had just happened.
’Still, the owner wasn’t wrong. Jiang Li really is a good wife.’
Even though he had no idea what was going on, Shen Yanzhi smiled and agreed with the owner. "She’s always been wonderful."
Jiang Li had always been a woman of action. Since she was now going to help the couple pay off their remaining debt, she wanted to settle it quickly. "Call your debt collector over."
Hearing this, Shen Yanzhi couldn’t help but tug on the corner of Jiang Li’s clothes. He leaned in and whispered, "What debt?"
Jiang Li covered her mouth to whisper back, "I’ll explain in a bit."
Seeing the couple just standing there in a daze, Jiang Li was exasperated. "What are you waiting for? Call him!"
The owner finally snapped out of his stupor. Once he was sure Jiang Li wasn’t joking, he immediately pulled a phone from his apron pocket and made the call to the debt collector.
A few minutes later, a group of burly, broad-shouldered men walked into the shop. Each one wore a tank top, revealing tattooed sleeves, and carried a baseball bat. They did not look like people to mess with.
The few remaining customers who were still eating their rice noodles quickly paid their bills and left upon seeing the spectacle.
’Are you kidding? You only get one life. It’s not worth the risk.’
The man in the lead sat down and asked impatiently, "Hey, old man, what’d you call us for?"
The moment the group entered, the shop owner and his wife couldn’t help but tremble.
After all, every time this group showed up, they would clean the place out.
If they hadn’t been the ones who "invested" in the shop, they probably would have wrecked it on every visit too.
Although Jiang Li was a little intimidated, having Shen Yanzhi by her side gave her some courage. She stepped in front of the owner and his wife, shielding them. "I hear their son owes you money. How much is left?"
When the man got a clear look at Jiang Li’s face, a flash of stunned admiration crossed his eyes.
But when his gaze fell on Shen Yanzhi’s hand wrapped around Jiang Li’s waist, he clicked his tongue in annoyance. "So, what’s this? You planning to pay their debt for them?"
Jiang Li nodded. "That’s the idea."
The man pulled a contract from his back pocket. "Principal plus interest, it comes to 6.29 million."
The owner’s wife looked incredulous. Despite her fear, she tried to reason with him. "But last time you said it was just over three million!"
The man sneered, "Listen, old woman, we’re loan sharks, not a charity. Of course the interest compounds."
Even if he hadn’t known what was going on before, after just a few sentences, Shen Yanzhi now had a good idea.
’The couple’s son owed these men money. Jiang Li wants to take the couple back home with her, so she’s decided to pay off their debt.’
’No wonder the owner was exclaiming over what a good wife I have. She’s willing to drop millions to solve their problems in an instant. Of course he thinks she’s great.’
But he didn’t blame Jiang Li for taking matters into her own hands.
First, Jiang Li was spending her own money. He wouldn’t have any standing to say anything even if she bought someone a car or a house, let alone paid off a debt for them.
Second, Jiang Li was an adult with her own judgment. He would support her unconditionally in anything she wanted to do.
Third, Jiang Li had her own reasons for her actions. As her husband, to maintain a harmonious relationship, his role was simply to follow through, not to question and complain.
With these thoughts in mind, Shen Yanzhi moved to shield Jiang Li behind him, his cold gaze fixed on the men. "You’re acting like this... Aren’t you afraid we’ll call the police?"
The man spread his hands. "Go ahead, call them. We’ll see who the police decide to help."
’He’s right. This isn’t our country.’
Here, human lives were treated like dirt.
Even the police were just puppets for the powerful.
Jiang Li tugged on Shen Yanzhi’s hand. He turned back to meet her gaze and shifted slightly to the side.