Chapter 40: We're Leaving Now, Leaving Now!
The moment the car door opened, the cold wind, laden with snowflakes, poured in, dissipating most of the sweet warmth inside the vehicle.
The group of people huddled around the iron drum for warmth were startled by the sudden appearance of the behemoth.
Under the direct glare of the powerful searchlights, they squinted. Some even picked up nearby wooden sticks and cardboard signs, warily staring at this monster that looked like an armored vehicle.
"Who is it? Where did this car come from?"
"How did this car drive in here? Don't the traffic police care?"
Amidst the noisy discussions, Jiang Chen was the first to jump out of the car. He wore a black windbreaker and a pair of hiking boots stained with mud and snow, landing silently.
He ignored the prying eyes, instead turning around and extending his hand into the car with great gentlemanly poise.
Su Qingge took a deep breath and placed her hand in Jiang Chen's palm.
When the figure wearing a professional suit, draped in a man's overcoat, and stepping in high heels appeared under the lights, the crowd instantly erupted.
"It's Su Qingge! That woman is back!"
"Fuck! I knew she'd definitely come back to get her things!"
"Stop her! Don't let her run away!"
Several people who had been cowering by the fire rushed forward as if they had been injected with adrenaline.
The leader was a bald man with a fleshy face, waving a banner pole that had been frozen stiff.
"President Su! We've been waiting for you for days!" The bald man rushed to the bottom of the steps and spat. "You don't answer call, you don't reply to . What's the matter? Did you hook up with some sugar daddy and drive such a nice car back to show off?"
Su Qingge stood on the steps, looking down at these people.
Her hands trembled slightly inside her sleeves, but her face still maintained its usual cold indifference.
"Wang Daqiang," Su Qingge called out the bald man's name. "Your payment isn't due for another three months. It's written clearly in the contract. What are you making a scene for now?"
"Don't use the contract to pressure me!" The bald Wang Daqiang thrust the pole into the ground. "Who doesn't know your company's capital chain is broken? Wait three months for you? By then, who knows where you'll have run off to! If you don't settle that ten million today, don't even think about entering this building, and we won't leave either!"
"Right! Pay up!"
"You must give us an explanation today!"
The people behind him joined in the clamor, and the scene briefly spiraled out of control.
Chen Man and Lin Wan also got out of the car.
Chen Man looked at the group of menacing men, frowned, and pulled a bottle of pepper spray from her bag, clutching it in her hand.
Lin Wan, somewhat frightened, hid behind Jiang Chen, grabbing the hem of his clothes.
"Are these your creditors?" Jiang Chen glanced at the group, his tone as flat as if he were asking for directions.
"Yes." Su Qingge bit her lip. "This is only a part of them. The biggest creditors are the banks, and... a few venture capital firms."
"How much does all of this add up to?"
"Aside from the five million you helped me repay, there's twenty-five million in urgent debt." Su Qingge's voice was very low. "If it's not resolved tonight, the bank will start asset liquidation procedures first thing tomorrow morning."
"Wang Daqiang, right?" Jiang Chen took a step forward, shielding Su Qingge.
He was half a head taller than the bald man. Although young, the composure emanating from his bones made the aggressive bald man hesitate for a moment.
"Who are you? Some pretty boy?" Wang Daqiang sized up Jiang Chen. His gaze lingered on the giant RV behind him for a few seconds, a flash of greed and wariness appearing in his eyes. "Is this car yours? Brother, this is between us and President Su. If you don't want to get mixed up in this mess, then get lost."
"Watch your mouth." Jiang Chen pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and slowly drew one out. He didn't light it, just twirled it between his fingertips. "I am her... investor."
"Investor?" Wang Daqiang sneered. "You? Are you even old enough? An investor? Do you know how much she owes? It's over twenty million! Do you have that kind of money?"
Jiang Chen smiled.
He didn't waste words. He directly took out his phone and opened the offshore banking app he carried with him.
After showing the amount on the screen to the few people in front of him, he began to operate it, entering Su Qingge's account information.
Jiang Chen's fingers danced quickly across the screen.
The cold wind blew, making his fingers turn slightly red, but his movements didn't falter for a second.
Twenty-five million.
Input, confirm, fingerprint verification.
A few seconds later, the phone in Su Qingge's hand vibrated.
It was the notification sound unique to large fund arrivals—crisp and pleasant, sounding exceptionally clear in this noisy, snowy night.
Su Qingge looked down at the long string of zeros on the screen.
"The money has arrived." Jiang Chen put away his phone and looked at the dumbfounded Wang Daqiang. "Now, take your people and get lost."
Wang Daqiang was stunned.
The group of people behind him were also stunned.
Although they hadn't seen the transfer record, they could tell what had happened by looking at Su Qingge's expression.
Twenty-five million? Transferred just like that? Without even blinking?
"This... this..." Wang Daqiang stammered for a long time, his previous arrogance vanishing instantly. He looked at Jiang Chen, a smile that looked worse than crying plastered on his face. "Um... sir, since President Su has the money, then our payment..."
"Follow the contract," Jiang Chen said coldly. "The money will be paid when it's due. If you dare to come here to cause trouble even a minute early, I'll use this money to hire lawyers and sue you until you're bankrupt. If you don't believe me, you can try."
Wang Daqiang shrunk his neck.
Looking at the expensive heavy-duty truck RV and then at Jiang Chen's fearless demeanor, he lost his nerve.
"Alright! Alright! You're the boss! We're leaving now, leaving now!"
With a wave of his hand, Wang Daqiang led his group of subordinates away like a receding tide. They didn't even have time to pack up their few ragged tents, fearing that if they moved too slowly, this god of wealth would take notice of them.
The square instantly became quiet.