Negotiation

As soon as she saw me come back, Sister Yang hurriedly said, “A Feng, these men are here causing trouble again. Should we call the police?” In truth, she wanted to use the threat of the police to scare the debt collectors and make them back off.

Bald Leopard let out a cold laugh. “When you owe money, you pay it back. That’s only right and proper. Don’t try to scare people with the police. This is an economic dispute; it’s not the police’s business.”

I said, “If it’s an economic dispute, then you can sue in court. Why are you coming to someone else’s factory to stir up trouble? It’s wrong to interfere with their production like this.”

Seeing me walk over, Bald Leopard instinctively backed away a few steps. After all, everyone fears death; the last time he was knocked out in one blow, it must have left a shadow in his mind. He said, “Don’t do anything rash. If you kill someone, you’ll be shot.” Clearly, he was afraid I might come over and hit him.

I said, “If you kill someone, you’ll be shot. But coming here to make trouble at the factory is illegal too. If you want to cause trouble, I’m willing to hit back.” Bald Leopard said, “We’re not here to fight you today. We’re only here to collect a debt.”

Sister Yang interjected, “Your interest is far too high. At that rate, I’ll never pay it back. Even if you take it to court, the court won’t support your usury.”

Bald Leopard said, “Shut your mouth, you little bitch. Cut the crap. If you want this settled, come with me to see our boss. Otherwise, you’d better watch your daughter.”

I knew they were loan sharks. Companies like that usually danced on the edge of the law. Though what they did might be illegal, their real aim was to make money; they did not dare commit true crimes. The harsh threats were meant to increase the pressure and scare the other side into submission, to get the money back quickly. Of course, that was not absolute. After all, more than a million was no small sum. If they were pushed too far, they might well resort to criminal acts.

Sister Yang looked at me uneasily; it was plain she was frightened too. I said, “All right. Where is your boss? We’re willing to see him.”

Sister Yang understood that meant negotiations, but if we did not bring a neutral middleman as guarantor, going over there would leave us badly outnumbered.

I said, “It’s fine. Since they’ve invited us, of course we should go and talk.” Bald Leopard said, “Kid, you’ve got guts. Since you’re willing to see our boss, we’ll wait for you outside.” With that, he and his three men jumped into their car.

Going onto someone else’s turf to negotiate with empty hands simply would not do. Although they might not dare take your life, if they beat you up, you would only have to swallow your bad luck.

I went back to my room and took a fruit knife, just in case I needed to defend myself. I also took a briefcase. It could hold documents, and when necessary, it could serve as a weapon too.

Sister Yang then called a business friend. From her description, the man was named Uncle Kun, someone with a certain standing in society; he had also served as guarantor when she first took out the loan.

One more person meant one more ounce of courage, and I naturally had no objection. But when Sister Yang called Uncle Kun, he was out on business and would not be back for another hour. Even so, he told her over the phone that he would come over then to act as an intermediary, and hoped the matter could be settled as quickly as possible.

Just after I got my driver’s license, Sister Yang made me drive. Clearly, she was nervous and worried something might go wrong if she drove.

I did not refuse. After all, my hands were a little itchy for it too. Bald Leopard and the others led the way in front, and I followed behind them in the car.

About half an hour later, we reached a six-story building. In front of it was a small courtyard that could hold several dozen cars. Hanging over the gate was a sign reading “Golden Radiance Finance Company.”

Sister Yang had been here before and said, “A Feng, this is the company. I signed the loan agreement on the third floor.”

I parked the car and opened the door. Bald Leopard and a few underlings were already gathered around our vehicle. With a dark look, Bald Leopard said, “After you.”

Sister Yang was frightened and dared not get out, so I said, “Then stay in the car and wait for me. I’ll go see their boss.” She nodded, returned to the driver’s seat, and closed the door, clearly thinking that if danger arose, she could start the car and flee.

Bald Leopard led the way, I followed behind him, and behind me were two of Bald Leopard’s men. Two more thugs stayed outside to keep watch over Sister Yang.

I did not take the elevator. It was too cramped inside; if a fight broke out in there, with three of them packed together, I would have no chance to escape at all. The stairs were different. One of them was above me now, and although two men followed behind, if I truly wanted to run, being on higher ground meant the two behind me might not be able to stop me.

Bald Leopard sneered. “Kid, didn’t you have plenty of nerve? Why don’t you dare take the elevator?” I said flatly, “I don’t want to squeeze into an elevator with a mad dog. That rotten stench is disgusting.”

Bald Leopard flew into a rage. “Kid, you’re asking for death.” I said, “Baldie, stop acting tough in front of me. I’ve seen plenty of tougher men than you. At your level, you’re not even worth a second look.”

Bald Leopard wanted to strike, but in the end he held back. He did not know how ruthless I would be if I made a move. If I fought without regard for the consequences, he might be in danger of losing his life.

We reached the third-floor office. The sign on the door read “General Manager’s Office.” Bald Leopard knocked and said, “Brother Niu, the slut from the factory is here.”

From inside came an impatient voice. “Let them in.”

Bald Leopard pushed the door open. Inside, in the boss’s chair, sat a middle-aged man with a crew cut. He must have been the boss Bald Leopard called Brother Niu, and in my mind I nicknamed him Crew Cut Niu.

When Crew Cut Niu saw that it was me who had come in, he could not help staring. “Why is it you? Where’s that woman?” Bald Leopard said, “Brother Niu, that woman was scared and didn’t dare come in.” I said, “You must be Boss Niu. If it’s about Sister Yang’s loan, you can talk to me.”

Crew Cut Niu spat, flicking the cigarette butt straight at my face, and cursed, “What the hell are you supposed to be?”

Seeing the cigarette butt fly toward my nose, I quickly swung the briefcase in my hand and knocked it aside.

I had not expected the cigarette butt to strike Bald Leopard’s neck instead. Caught off guard, he yelped as it dropped inside his clothes and burned him so badly he jumped up cursing, “Ow... damn it, you bastard, you’re asking to die!” He fumbled wildly with both hands, in a panic, and finally pulled the cigarette butt out from his chest, then flung it at me and shouted, “You bastard, you dare set me up!”

I hastily shifted my body aside, and the cigarette butt brushed past my neck before landing squarely on the cheek of the coquettish woman.

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Chapter 87: Negotiation, free to read.