Chapter Seventy-Five: Picking Up the Child

At this point, Zhang Hua’s face showed a hint of difficulty, his usual arrogant demeanor subdued, stammering for a long while without managing to say what was troubling him.

Qin Feng, impatient by nature, couldn’t stand Zhang Hua’s hesitation. He called out directly, “Minister Zhang, just say what’s on your mind! As long as we can help, we won’t promise to go through fire and water, but we’ll certainly do our best.”

Although Zhang Hua was often annoying, he was fundamentally decent—a rural boy who’d clawed his way up from nothing. Qin Feng and the others didn’t particularly like him, but it would be a stretch to say they truly hated him.

Zhang Hua took a deep breath, his expression bitter, and managed a forced smile. “I owe money to loan sharks.”

“What?” Qin Feng’s eyes widened. “How did you get mixed up with loan sharks?”

Not only Qin Feng, but even Yang Jiekai was taken aback. Zhang Hua could be overbearing, but he retained the cautiousness of a rural upbringing. He wasn’t one to squander money on wild pursuits, and no one would have guessed he’d be connected to loan sharks.

Moreover, Zhang Hua had worked his way up to the position of sales manager, earning an annual salary. By rights, he shouldn’t need to borrow from loan sharks.

Yang Jiekai asked, “Minister Zhang, don’t rush. Tell us slowly.”

With a long sigh, Zhang Hua finally recounted the story from the beginning. It turned out he had a younger sister, originally a student at Anhai University, who had developed kidney failure and required dialysis four times a week just to stay alive.

Though Zhang Hua’s salary was respectable, it was nothing in the face of kidney disease. As his savings dwindled, unwilling to watch his sister die, he hastily borrowed money through an acquaintance—high-interest loans.

Now the debt collectors were knocking at his door, leaving Zhang Hua at a loss.

After hearing this, Yang Jiekai could only shake his head helplessly. “Debts must be repaid. I’m afraid we can’t help with that.”

Zhang Hua gave a bitter smile. “I know. I’m not trying to dodge the debt. I just wanted to ask if you know anyone in the business who could help delay the repayment a bit.”

Yang Jiekai considered the request, promised to see what he could do, then left Zhang Hua’s office and dialed Long Xiaoman.

“Well, look who’s calling—must be something important. Go ahead, what’s up?” Long Xiaoman knew Yang Jiekai wouldn’t call her for nothing.

Yang Jiekai had wanted to exchange a few pleasantries, but seeing that she saw right through him, awkwardly explained the situation and asked if she had any ideas.

Long Xiaoman hesitated for a moment. “Alright, send me the name of the debt collection company. I’ll see what I can do. But don’t get your hopes up—debts are debts, and I can only try.”

“Thanks, I’ll send it right now.”

After hanging up, Yang Jiekai had Zhang Hua tell him the company’s name and sent it to Long Xiaoman.

A little later, Long Xiaoman replied with a simple message: “Handled.”

Yang Jiekai smiled at the troubled Zhang Hua. “It’s settled. You can delay the repayment for a while.”

Zhang Hua’s tightly furrowed brow relaxed at once, and he thanked Yang Jiekai repeatedly.

Leaving Zhang Hua’s office, Qin Feng sighed, “Every family has its own troubles. Maybe we misjudged that ‘fake foreigner’ before.”

Yang Jiekai smiled wryly and, after a moment’s thought, withdrew the last few tens of thousands from his account and instructed Qin Feng to take the money to Zhang Hua after work, along with some fruit for Zhang Hua’s sister.

Qin Feng was puzzled by this. Zhang Hua had never been particularly close to them; what they’d already done was more than enough. Sending money seemed excessive.

Yang Jiekai didn’t explain. He knew that in a few days, his own life might end, and then his money would be worthless. Better to do some good while he could.

At noon, Lin Sha unexpectedly sought out Yang Jiekai, asking him to pick up a child from kindergarten after work, as she had something urgent.

Yang Jiekai didn’t object. After work, he drove to the address Lin Sha had given. The child was a rosy-cheeked little boy, whom Yang Jiekai found instantly endearing.

“Little fellow, what’s your name?” Yang Jiekai reached out and pinched the boy’s plump cheek.

“Hello, Uncle. My name is Diandian.” The boy was quite outgoing. “Why didn’t Aunt Lin Sha pick me up today?”

Yang Jiekai was surprised—Aunt?

“She’s not your mother?” he asked.

The boy replied earnestly, “I don’t have a mother. I live in the orphanage. Aunt Lin Sha brings me to kindergarten.”

Yang Jiekai’s heart warmed. So that was it. Looking at the little boy, he felt a pang—he himself was an orphan.

After taking the boy back to the orphanage, Yang Jiekai’s phone rang again. It was Lin Sha.

“Jiekai, did you pick up Diandian?”

“Yes, I’ve sent him back to the orphanage.”

“Well… are you busy today?” Lin Sha’s voice was hesitant.

“Not really. What’s up?” Yang Jiekai asked.

Lin Sha’s voice grew urgent. “Can you come with me to my hometown?”

“Hometown?” Yang Jiekai was surprised. “Why?”

“Just come. I’m still at the office. Wait for me downstairs at the company, and I’ll explain when we meet.”

When Yang Jiekai arrived downstairs, he saw Lin Sha coming out in high heels, tall and elegant. She explained the situation as soon as they met.

She’d received a call that morning—something had happened at home, and she had to rush back. That was why she needed Yang Jiekai to pick up Diandian.

“But why do you need me to go with you? Your car broke down?” Yang Jiekai asked.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Lin Sha replied, “Not really. I want you to pretend to be my boyfriend.”

“Why?” Yang Jiekai was surprised.

Lin Sha leaned back in her seat, giving a bitter smile. “Every time I go home, my family nags me about my personal life. I don’t want to hear it, so I’m bringing you as a shield. Otherwise, they’ll arrange blind dates for me again.”

“I see, got it!” Yang Jiekai laughed.

For some reason, Lin Sha felt Yang Jiekai was different today, but couldn’t pinpoint what had changed. He seemed oddly serious—not as quick-witted as before.

Lin Sha’s family lived in a rural area near Anhai City, about three hours’ drive away. Her family was already waiting at the village entrance.

“Mom, Dad, let me introduce my boyfriend, Yang Jiekai.”

As soon as she got out, Lin Sha affectionately took Yang Jiekai’s arm. He smiled at her parents. “Hello, Uncle and Aunt.”

Her parents glanced at Yang Jiekai without the expected joy; their expressions were somewhat troubled.

“Mom, what happened at home?” Lin Sha hurriedly asked, realizing she’d been told only that something had happened and to come quickly, but not what it was.

“Let’s go home first. We’ll talk there.”

Lin Sha’s father, a simple farmer, quickly ushered them in.

Once inside, pressed by Lin Sha, her mother hesitantly revealed, “Our home is about to be demolished.”

“What?” Lin Sha’s eyes widened. “Why?”

Her mother sighed, “They say the land is to be developed. A few men came the other day, left five thousand yuan, and told your dad and me to move out.”

“Five thousand!” Lin Sha exploded. “Are they treating us like beggars? Did you call the police?”

Her father sighed, “It’s no use. We called you back urgently to discuss it. If things get too bad, maybe we could stay with you.”

“Dad, that’s beside the point! Why should they demolish our house? Who came to you?”

Her father sighed again, “It’s the Wang brothers from the village. They’re powerful, we can’t fight them.”

Just as Lin Sha was about to speak, Yang Jiekai interjected, “Uncle Lin, when are they coming to demolish the house?”

Her father replied, “They came again this morning, said they’d be back tonight to tear it down.”

Yang Jiekai nodded thoughtfully. Lin Sha asked, “Who are these Wang brothers?”

She answered, “Notorious bullies in the village. They made a fortune off earlier demolitions and act like tyrants around here.”

Yang Jiekai continued, “Is this demolition by government order, or are they acting on their own?”

Her father replied, “It’s not government. The Wang brothers want to build a villa here—planning to demolish several homes.”

Yang Jiekai nodded, “I understand. Uncle, Aunt, don’t worry. Leave this to me.”

Just then, there was a ruckus outside. Lin Sha’s parents shuddered. “The Wang brothers are here!”

“Good!” Lin Sha stood up. “I’ll go reason with them!”

She moved to rush outside, but Yang Jiekai stopped her. “Stay inside with your parents. Leave the outside to me.”

“But—”

Lin Sha tried to protest, but Yang Jiekai cut her off, patting her shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”

Looking into Yang Jiekai’s eyes, Lin Sha felt an unusual sense of reassurance, as if nothing could go wrong so long as he was there.

At that moment, heavy knocking resounded at the door. Yang Jiekai nodded gently to Lin Sha, then strode toward the entrance alone, a cold glint flickering in his eyes.