The Next Day.
Around 11 AM.
The Old City.
Two vans rolled to a stop beneath a dilapidated, soon-to-be-demolished residential building.
The side doors slid open.
Nine shirtless, tattooed men climbed out.
They gathered around their leader, who swept his gaze over them. "Listen up. The order from above is simple: go up, press for the debt, no physical conflict. Harass them, then leave."
"I know some of you have... ideas about the woman inside. But this time, be careful."
"This came from someone big, way above the boss. You can't afford to mess this up!"
His voice held a clear warning.
As an old-timer, he knew best just how serious it was when "someone big" gave an order.
Hearing this, three of the eight other men stiffened, quickly assuring him, "We get it, boss!"
===== =====
If a big shot was involved, what could small fries like them dare to do?
Did they have a death wish?
Seeing their compliance, the leader nodded, satisfied. "Good. Let's go. Finish the job, and the boss said there's a bonus."
A woman who could make "someone big" issue an order...
That meant she'd caught the eye of a powerful man. This method was probably to pressure her into submission.
As expected.
Rich people just threw money at their problems.
Thump, thump, thump.
The group entered the building and stopped before one of the doors.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The leader slammed his hand against the door. "Open up! Time to pay! We gave you three months to get the money together! Still dragging your feet?!"
"Get your ass out here now!"
Their movements were loud, the noise disturbing other residents.
Some night-shift workers grumbled in annoyance.
But the moment they cracked their doors open to yell at the thugs, a steel pipe was pointed their way, and they immediately fell silent.
Better not to get involved.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
The pounding on the door grew even fiercer.
Finally, the door opened.
A voluptuous woman stood in the doorway. A flash of killing intent passed through her eyes but was quickly suppressed.
Wei Yan looked at the nine men, her voice low and tense. "What do you want?"
The leader grinned nastily. "What do we want?"
"Bitch, when are you paying back the money you owe our company? We gave you three months! Still trying to delay?"
"You want me to teach you a lesson?"
Wei Yan's temper flared. "When I took the loan, the agreement was six months to repay! It's only been three! What's with the rush?!"
When she had returned to the country, she hadn't brought her bank cards or cash.
Her sister had left in a hurry without leaving her any money either.
For the past three years, she'd barely scraped by on odd jobs.
==========
Then, her daughter Yin Yin suddenly fell ill, needing surgery money.
Wei Yan had no way to contact anyone abroad for help and had no choice but to borrow locally.
But with her blacklisted credit, the only place that would lend to her was this loan-sharking operation.
She'd borrowed 200,000. With interest piled on interest, she now owed 300,000.
The man snorted dismissively. "Our company's not doing well. We're calling in debts early."
"Enough talk. Pay up now, or don't blame us for getting rough."
"With principal and interest, you now owe our company 400,000!"
His boss had only ordered him to collect 300,000. But since this woman had a big shot's attention, demanding 400,000 and skimming 100,000 for himself and the boys... wasn't that fair?
Of course, he didn't actually expect to get the money.
Where would a poor woman living here get that kind of cash?
Hearing the demand for 400,000, Wei Yan bristled. "Are you insane? I only borrowed 200,000! Now you want 400,000?"
Even loan sharks aren't this vicious!
Bloodsuckers!
Wei Yan's hands clenched unconsciously.
Scenes of violence flashed through her mind.
She really, really wanted to act.
She usually held back, avoiding trouble, trying to keep a low profile. But these people kept pushing her.
She didn't want to hold back anymore!
The man sneered. "You think we lend money without interest? We're not a charity."
One of the underlings chimed in. "Boss, why waste words? Paradise Club is always looking for feisty ones like her. Just take her there to work off the debt."
"Yeah, you might as well go work at Paradise Club to pay us back."
The man's gaze turned lecherous, roaming over Wei Yan's body freely.
Feeling their insolent stares, a muscle twitched near Wei Yan's eye. Her fists clenched tighter.
She wanted... to kill them all!
This was so infuriating!
In all her life, she'd never felt this humiliated.
Just then, a small, sleepy voice came from behind her. "Mama? What's wrong?"
Wei Yan turned to see Yin Yin rubbing her eyes, standing there.
The moment she saw her daughter, Wei Yan's murderous urge faded slightly.
===== =====
No.
She couldn't kill anyone. Yin Yin was still so young.
She couldn't go back abroad now. Where could she even run?
Wei Yan took a deep breath, closing her eyes to steady her emotions.
However, spotting Yin Yin, the leader's eyes lit up. "If you won't go to Paradise Club, that's fine too."
"Sell us your daughter. We'll call the debt even."
Perfect.
A child in the picture made threats even easier.
Women like her couldn't bear the thought of their daughters being taken.
He'd use that.
Whoosh!
Wei Yan's eyes snapped open. The killing intent in them was now palpable, her voice icy. "Say that again."
Holy shit!
The nine thugs were startled by her sudden, fierce aura.
Goosebumps rose on their skin.
What the hell?
How could a woman's gaze be so terrifying?
The leader fought down his unease and pressed on. "Either pay the money, get sent to Paradise Club to work it off, or sell your daughter—and I'll even give you an extra 100,000!"
Wei Yan's hands were clenched so tight her knuckles were white.
She really... wanted to kill them all!
Yet, just as she was about to lose control, Yin Yin walked over and tugged at her clothes with a chubby little hand.
"Mama, what's wrong?"
Feeling the warmth of that small hand, Wei Yan gradually calmed down. She gave the men one last, deep look. "Wait here."
She took Yin Yin's hand and led her back into the living room.
She returned moments later holding a bank card, which she threw at the leader's feet.
"There's 500,000 in there."
"Get out. Now. Wire the extra 100,000 back to my account, or else—" She started to threaten, then remembered—she was supposed to be an ordinary person now.
The leader, however, was startled. Shit, could this be that big shot's card?
He picked up the card, forcing a smile. "See? Was that so hard?"
"We'll be in touch!"
With that, the nine men left.
Wei Yan watched them go, then picked up Yin Yin and returned inside.
Sitting on the sofa, she picked up the business card Lucas had left the night before. After a moment of hesitation, she took out her phone and dialed the number.
Ring... ring... ring...
After three rings, the call connected.
Wei Yan spoke directly. "Where are you? I'm coming to talk now."