Chapter 114: Forced Recovery

Chapter 114: Chapter 114: Forced Recovery

"President Li, we are from Hualong Company, and this is my business card." A man in his thirties handed Li Sijie a business card.

Li Sijie took the card and glanced at it, then hurriedly said, "Oh, it’s Manager Li Youliang, hello, hello, please have a seat."

Li Youliang waved his hand and said, "President Li, let’s not stand on ceremony, I’m here to discuss the matter of vacating the premises with you."

"Vacating? Vacate what premises?" Li Sijie looked at Li Youliang, puzzled.

Li Youliang, with a stern face, said, "President Li, you haven’t forgotten, have you? Our company leased this property to you, and now the lease is up. You haven’t come to renew the lease, so naturally, we have to take the property back."

Li Sijie suddenly exclaimed and then quickly apologized, "I’m so sorry, I’ve been so frazzled with personal matters recently that I forgot. I’ll sign the contract with you right away, and the rent, I’ll pay it immediately."

Li Youliang shook his head and replied, "I’m sorry, President Li, but we can’t sign the contract with you anymore."

"Why?" Li Sijie instantly widened her eyes, her expression turning somewhat ugly.

Li Youliang, expressionless, said, "No reason, it’s our company’s property, and we can rent it to whoever we want."

Li Sijie frowned and said, "Manager Li, that’s not right. Our original contract clearly stated that I have the right of first refusal."

Li Youliang’s mouth twisted into a smirk as he said, "Sure, and there’s also a clause that you have to match the bid, right? Someone now wants to rent this building for three million a year. If you can match that price, we can continue leasing it to you."

"What? Three million?" Li Sijie cried out, then immediately said angrily, "That’s absolutely impossible. You’re asking for the moon here. I know very well what the rent is in this area, it’s only increased by twenty percent over the past three years. I used to pay eight hundred thousand a year, and now a million would be extraordinary."

Li Youliang said sternly, "That’s the price you have in mind. Right now, someone is offering three million. If you can’t match that, we’ll have no choice but to take the building back."

Li Sijie was furious, saying, "That’s malicious price gouging, I absolutely can’t agree to it."

"You can say whatever you want, but I can only give you a week’s time. Either come up with three million and continue using the building, or if you can’t come up with the money, then you better start moving out quickly."

"You... you lot are... this is simply outrageous!" Li Sijie’s lips trembled with anger.

"President Li, we’re already being very polite. I think you also know the style of our Hualong Company. It’s best if you make your decision soon. If we come back after a week, it won’t be with the same attitude."

Miao Xuanxuan and Song Xiaodong, listening at the door, heard all this. Miao Xuanxuan, furious, pushed the door open and walked in, shouting, "Is this how you do business? Are you robbing us?"

Li Youliang glanced at Miao Xuanxuan and said, "At Hualong Company, even if we are robbing you, no one dares to criticize us."

This only further infuriated Miao Xuanxuan, who glared and roared, "Then we just won’t move out – what are you going to do about it?"

"What will we do?" Li Youliang laughed, and it was a loud laugh, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world, and said, "Alright, just try it. When the time comes, you’ll be responsible for your own losses."

"You are simply unreasonable! Hmph, you think we’ll move? No chance!"

"Let’s wait and see then, President Li. Take care of yourself!" With that, Li Youliang, along with the other two men, walked straight out.

"What nonsense. We just won’t move, what can you do about it!" Miao Xuanxuan said, teeth clenched in anger.

Li Sijie sat down in her chair, head hung low, hands pressed to her forehead, looking very distressed.

Song Xiaodong asked, "What exactly does Hualong Company do?"

Li Sijie lifted her head, sighed, and said, "Hualong Company isn’t a legitimate company. Their business mainly involves security and escort services. To put it bluntly, it’s a company that started off with underworld connections. This building was one they got for a low price. When no one was using it, I rented it, and at the time, the rent was reasonable."

Miao Xuanxuan immediately chimed in, "They must have seen that our club is doing well and now they want to extort us. President Li, let me tell you, we shouldn’t be afraid of them. Let’s go find a lawyer and sue them right away."

Li Sijie gave a wry smile and shook her head, "These people don’t care about the law at all. They will come to the club and cause trouble every other day. Who would dare to come to our club then?"

"So what do we do?" Miao Xuanxuan suddenly felt at a loss.

Li Sijie shook her head and said, "Now, we have to see if anyone can get in touch with their person in charge, and then plead with them. This three million is just too high. I don’t make that much profit in a year. And if we move out, all the interior decorations and the members accustomed to coming here will be a great loss. Sigh! "

Miao Xuanxuan patted his chest and said, "President Li, don’t worry. I happen to know a powerful friend. I’ll talk to him later and see if he can help."

Song Xiaodong realized who Miao Xuanxuan was referring to—it must be her father, Miao Qingyuan.

Given Miao Qingyuan’s status, a word from him might persuade the other party to show consideration.

"Really? Xuanxuan, do you really know such a person?" Li Sijie suddenly became excited.

Miao Xuanxuan grinned and said, "I’ll ask for you later, but I don’t think there will be a big problem."

Li Sijie eagerly said, "Good, good, then please ask as soon as possible. Oh, and the real person in charge of Hualong Company is named Chen Zixu, it’s best to find him."

"Chen Zixu?" Song Xiaodong thought the name sounded familiar.

Li Sijie nodded repeatedly, "Yes, that’s right, Chen Zixu. Song Xiaodong, do you know this person too?"

Song Xiaodong suddenly remembered who the person was and couldn’t help but laugh, leaving Li Sijie and Miao Xuanxuan puzzled as they watched him, not understanding why he suddenly burst into laughter.

Song Xiaodong rubbed his nose and said, "Alright, Xuanxuan, there’s no need to find anyone. I’ll handle this matter."

"You’ll handle it?" Li Sijie stared at Song Xiaodong, shaking her head, "Song Xiaodong, Chen Zixu and Hualong Company aren’t just any ordinary people. You might be able to fight, but they are not the kind of people you can afford to provoke. If you get into big trouble over the company, I won’t be able to bear it. No, no, you mustn’t get involved in this mess."