The villa’s doorbell rang abruptly.
Zhang Zihao, like a startled lion, sprang up and sat close to Elder Xu.
His intent was clear: if anything went wrong, he’d take Elder Xu hostage immediately.
“Zhiming, go see who it is,” Elder Xu said, puzzled. Who could be visiting at this hour?
Xu Zhiming nodded and opened the door.
Outside stood a young man in a leather jacket, a gold chain around his neck, his hair dyed yellow.
“Who are you?” Xu Zhiming asked.
“I’m Brother Zhang’s driver,” the yellow-haired man said, craning his neck to peer into the living room. Spotting Zhang Zihao on the sofa, he shouted, “Brother Zhang, the traffic police won’t let me park at the gate, what do I do?”
Zhang Zihao cursed, “Damn it, you need to ask me about something so trivial? Have you got no brain?”
The yellow-haired man shrank back in fear and scurried off.
Xu Zhiming closed the villa door.
“Sorry, my subordinate’s incompetence made a fool of us, Mr. Xu,” Zhang Zihao said to Elder Xu.
“No matter,” Elder Xu smiled.
Zhang Zihao returned to his seat.
“Mr. Zhang, care for a drink?” Elder Xu asked politely.
“Whatever you like,” Zhang Zihao replied, surprised by Elder Xu’s congeniality.
“Zhiming, pour Mr. Zhang a glass of red wine,” Elder Xu instructed.
Xu Zhiming opened a bottle of Lafite in front of Zhang Zihao, pouring two glasses—one for Zhang Zihao, one for Elder Xu.
“Please!” Elder Xu gestured invitingly.
Zhang Zihao, cautious, didn’t drink immediately. He smiled and said, “Mr. Xu, after you.”
Knowing Zhang Zihao was wary, Elder Xu smiled, took a sip of his wine.
Only then did Zhang Zihao take a sip, closing his eyes in enjoyment. “As expected of Lafite—rich, smooth, with pronounced fruit notes, elegant and lingering, like a refined and gentle woman.”
Elder Xu was surprised, “Mr. Zhang knows his wine?”
“You may not know, Mr. Xu, but I dabbled in the red wine business in Hong Kong for a few years,” Zhang Zihao said, downing his glass. “Mr. Xu, as Korea’s richest man and a business paragon, I’ve always admired and envied you.”
Elder Xu smiled faintly, “No need for envy. In the business world, everyone has their chance.”
Zhang Zihao said, “Opportunities differ for everyone. I wanted to be a successful businessman, but I grew up poor and had little education.”
Elder Xu replied, “I only finished junior high myself.”
“But you had patience, Mr. Xu, rising from a humble worker to Korea’s richest man,” Zhang Zihao said, sighing. “There’s an old Chinese saying: a man’s life is like a blade of grass in autumn.”
“To us, a human life is less than a tree’s.”
“A tree can live for centuries, even millennia, but a man? Just a few decades. At twenty, you lack vision; at thirty, you lack means; by forty, your mind starts to decline.”
“I don’t have your patience, Mr. Xu, so I just want to scrape by.”
Elder Xu asked, “What kind of life do you want, Mr. Zhang?”
Zhang Zihao replied, “I don’t want to be poor, just stable.”
“Mr. Xu, today, on behalf of my brothers, I’m here to discuss Jin Changxu.”
“My brothers have no grand demands. They’ve suffered all their lives and just want a decent meal.”
As Elder Xu suspected, Zhang Zihao wanted money.
Relieved, Elder Xu said, “If money can solve it, it’s not a problem. Mr. Zhang, name your price.”
Zhang Zihao said, “Since you’re so courteous, Mr. Xu, I won’t be greedy. On behalf of my brothers, I’d like to borrow fifty billion RMB.”
Fifty billion!
Ye Qiu glanced at Zhang Zihao.
And that’s not being greedy?
Utterly insatiable.
Ye Qiu looked at Xu Zhiming, who remained completely calm, unfazed.
So composed?
Well, compared to Li Zhengxi’s demand for ten billion USD, fifty billion was nothing.
Elder Xu didn’t hesitate, agreeing immediately. “Fine, I’ll have the company’s finance team transfer the money to you, Mr. Zhang.”
Zhang Zihao shook his head, “No transfer, I want cash.”
Cash?
Elder Xu frowned, “Fifty billion is no small sum. I’m not sure if the bank can provide that much cash. Let me make a call to check.”
“Go ahead, I hope you can sort it quickly, Mr. Xu,” Zhang Zihao said. “The sooner this is resolved, the sooner Jin Changxu is out of danger.”
Elder Xu gave Xu Zhiming a look.
Xu Zhiming understood, pulling out his phone to call the bank.
After a while, Xu Zhiming said, “Father, the bank says they don’t have that much cash on hand. If we need it, they can prepare it in five days.”
Five days was too long!
Before Zhang Zihao could speak, Elder Xu instructed Xu Zhiming, “Tell the bank they must gather fifty billion RMB within three days.”
“Ten billion on the first day, twenty billion on the second, and twenty billion on the third.”
“Mr. Zhang, I’ll deliver the fifty billion in three days, is that acceptable?”
“Also, I have one million USD at home. You can take it when you leave, Mr. Zhang. I only ask that you tell your brothers not to harm Changxu.”
Zhang Zihao smiled, “Mr. Xu, you’re a straightforward man. I won’t intrude further, goodbye.”
He stood to leave.
“Zhiming, pack the cash at home for Mr. Zhang to take,” Elder Xu ordered.
“Yes!” Xu Zhiming replied, immediately making arrangements.
Elder Xu courteously escorted Zhang Zihao outside.
As they parted, Zhang Zihao shook Elder Xu’s hand, saying, “Mr. Xu, will you resent me for this?”
Elder Xu laughed, “You’re overthinking, Mr. Zhang. I often tell Zhiming to have the strength of a lion and the compassion of a Bodhisattva—to act with a lion’s strength and treat others with a Bodhisattva’s kindness.”
Zhang Zihao looked impressed, “Mr. Xu, truly Korea’s richest man. Your magnanimity is beyond my reach.”
“Mr. Xu, you keep your word, so I’ll keep mine.”
“I promise, once I have the money, my brothers and I won’t trouble you again.”
“Tomorrow, I’ll send a brother to collect the money.”
With that, Zhang Zihao turned to get into his car.
At that moment, a voice rang out, “Zhang Zihao, wait!”
