Chapter 14 #2
I had already dug up everything about him long before this.
I took my men to Xikang, to the place where Chu Qingyun lived with his mother.
The door was shut tight. I saw the cigarette butts scattered by the entrance and knew these people had been waiting here for a while, confirming someone was home before blocking the place.
I could hear loud voices coming from inside.
The tone made me frown. I raised my hand and knocked. "Excuse me, open the door?"
The people inside went silent for a second, then shouted, "Who is it?!"
"I'll give you ten seconds."
They realized I wasn't here to play nice and started discussing whether to open the door.
I lifted my hand. The bodyguard behind me pulled out a power saw and tore into the door, sending huge sparks flying.
A neighbor opened their door and looked over. "What's all the noise in the middle of the night?"
Then they saw our group and silently retreated back inside.
"Sorry, auntie. We disturbed you." I waved my hand. My assistant walked over and handed her ten thousand in cash.
"Oh, it's fine."
After all, they were Chu Qingyun's neighbors. I didn't want them to have a bad impression of me.
Hearing the saw, the people inside finally opened the door themselves.
If they really pissed me off, there would be no good outcome.
I stepped inside.
Chu Qingyun stood by the table and looked at me. That panicked, helpless expression made my heart soften instantly.
He could knead and shape me however he wanted.
He was a good student. How could he have ever seen something like this?
But I was different.
They could tell I had a strong background, but they didn't want to lose face.
"Little brother, debt repayment is only right. We're just here to collect what we're owed. Don't meddle in our business."
When he video-called me earlier, the house was still neat. He must have cleaned it himself.
Now it was a complete mess. Pots, bowls, and plates were smashed across the floor. The sheets and blankets had been trampled underfoot.
I felt anger rising.
"Alright. How much did his father owe you?"
Chu Qingyun looked up at me, clearly surprised I knew.
I gave him a reassuring smile.
The men exchanged glances, swallowed, and finally reported a number. "One million five hundred thousand?"
I let out a light scoff. "Sounds like you're not even sure. But that's fine. One million five hundred thousand it is."
"But how can I be sure you won't come back to harass him after you take the money?"
"Brother, once the debt is paid, we have no reason to come back, right? We understand that much."
Their appetite was smaller than I expected. And here I had prepared three million in cash.
My assistant stepped out from behind the bodyguards and threw two large suitcases in front of them.
"Count it. Then write a receipt saying the debt is cleared."
The group squatted down to count the money. Only Chu Qingyun's eyes remained wet and fixed on me in silence.
I really wanted to tell him to stop looking at me like that. I was getting hard.
But there were too many people around. I held back.
"The count is correct." Their leader stood up and quickly wrote out the receipt.
My assistant took it for me.
They tried to leave, but I stopped them. "Hey."
They turned back, faces tense like they were facing a great enemy. Seeing how many men I brought, they knew this money wasn't easy to take.
The leader protected the suitcases and asked cautiously, "What do you want?"
"Don't be nervous. The money is yours now. But you trashed my friend's place. That makes me a little unhappy."
"I also brought some people. Why don't you all go outside and have a little discussion?"
I gave my assistant a look. The group quickly disappeared from sight, gently closing the door behind them.
Chu Qingyun still stood in the same spot.
I lifted my chin at him. "Come here."
He walked over slowly. I opened my coat and wrapped him inside.
His thin back was completely encircled by just one of my arms.
My fingertips curled around the hair at the back of his head in an instinctive soothing motion. "Little poor thing."
He reached out and hugged my waist tightly. I felt warm tears fall onto my neck and drip straight into my heart.
"Why did you come?" His voice trembled.
I rubbed his back, feeling his heartbeat. I pulled him closer.
As long as I was here, there was nothing to be afraid of.
"I wasn't going to let you face this alone, was I?"
"Thank you." His voice was completely soaked in tears, sounding a little hoarse.
I cupped his face, forehead against forehead, nose against nose. "Thank me for what? I'm your man."
He let out a sudden laugh. That smile made me lean down and kiss him.
Chu Qingyun's taste was always soft and warm.
Our lips and tongues tangled, inseparable.
Suddenly I felt my heart filled to the brim with some kind of emotion.
He actively hooked my tongue. The hands around my waist never loosened.
In a daze, I felt this money was truly well spent. Chu Qingyun and I had finally made up.