Chapter 40: Settling the Debt

Xu Chen fell silent, weighing his options.

He still needed to calculate how best to repay the money.

He had to figure out how to explain it to stubborn Bing Ge and avoid any danger or trouble.

After all, the lender was a loan shark—hardly a benevolent sort.

If he was going to help Xie Bingran, he might as well solve it once and for all—no loose ends, no extra headaches.

Seeing Xu Chen’s silence, Li Rui guessed “Brother Chen” had no plan either.

Bing Ge owed over thirty thousand yuan—that wasn’t pocket change.

After a moment’s thought, Xu Chen decided to cut through the mess and get it over with quickly.

Tomorrow was the city sports meet trials. He couldn’t let this derail Bing Ge’s chance to turn things around.

“Find two people to come with me to withdraw the money, then we’ll pay it back at noon.”

Xu Chen paused, then added,

“Li Rui, you and the others wait for me at the school gate.

I’ll go get the bank card.

Also… I need someone else.”

Li Rui hesitated, then drew a deep drag on his cigarette.

“Brother Chen… it’s over thirty thousand, not three thousand or three hundred.”

Xu Chen replied, “I know. The money’s not the problem.

Hurry up—go wait at the school gate.”

Li Rui thought for a moment and asked,

“Brother Chen, do you want to tell Bing Ge first that you’re repaying her?”

Xu Chen shook his head. “I can’t find her right now. Besides, telling her would only complicate things…”

Li Rui fell silent, realizing Xu Chen was right.

If Bing Ge knew in advance, she’d refuse. Better to surprise her and get it done.

Actually, when Li Rui and the others pooled money before, they planned to quietly repay her if they could.

Xu Chen’s decision was based on his understanding of Xie Bingran’s personality…

He started to turn away, then stopped and added,

“Just two of you. Li Rui, bring one more person…”

He didn’t linger and strode toward the classroom.

Zhao Feng hurried over and said to Li Rui,

“What’s going on? Brother Chen’s repaying the debt? That’s over thirty thousand…”

Li Rui blew out a cloud of smoke.

“If Brother Chen says he can do it, he’ll do it.”

He’d seen what Xu Chen did at the department store and trusted him.

It was unbelievable for a high schooler to pull out thirty thousand yuan, but Li Rui believed in Xu Chen.

Zhao Feng watched Xu Chen’s retreating back, blinking his small eyes.

“So righteous… too righteous!”

He thought for a moment, then turned to Li Rui.

“We should bring all our brothers. More people makes it easier.”

Li Rui stubbed out his cigarette.

“No! Let’s do as Brother Chen says—he has a reason.

And I know the loan sharks—bringing more guys won’t help…”

He glanced back and called,

“Fang Tao, you’re with me at noon!”

A crew-cut boy stepped forward and responded in a gruff voice.

That was Fang Tao, the goon who’d spotted Xie Bingran’s accident and led them to the department store last time.

……

Xu Chen hurried back to the classroom.

Most students had gone to lunch; a few were eating homemade meals.

He returned to his seat and pulled out his bank card.

He rifled through his bag and finally found a blue-and-white card in a side pocket.

“Police–Citizen Liaison Card”

“Local Officer: Chen Xinlan”…

Officer Chen Xinlan was the female cop who’d accompanied Xie Bingran during the station inquiry.

Xu Chen had pocketed this card when he left the police station that day.

Although he had an adult mind, he still looked like a high schooler.

Going to meet a loan shark carried danger—especially carrying tens of thousands in cash.

He didn’t know what to expect at their place.

“If you’re in trouble, contact the police” was ingrained in him.

He immediately thought of Officer Chen Xinlan.

She’d personally questioned Xie Bingran and knew her situation.

He’d considered calling his father, Xu Zhiquan—he could be trusted completely.

But his father was in town; it would take time to drive over. Xu Chen also didn’t want to worry him.

He didn’t trust the teachers—neither his homeroom teacher Zhang Liqun nor Xie Bingran’s Huang Aiying.

Leaving the classroom, Xu Chen dialed Chen Xinlan’s number.

She was surprised to receive his call.

He quickly explained the situation.

“Officer Chen, a few of us high schoolers are going to repay the money, and we’re a bit scared.

We don’t know who else to turn to, so I called you.”

Chen Xinlan replied over the phone,

“You did the right thing calling me.

I can guess which lending company you mean.

They’re complicated—legit paperwork but ruthless debt collection. Honestly, there’s little I can do by myself.

When are you going? I can go with you.”

Xu Chen said, “That’s great! We just want to clear the debt and avoid hidden risks.

If you witness it, we’ll have no worries.

I’ll head over at noon after withdrawing the money…”

Chen Xinlan answered, “Tell me which bank and I’ll be there.”

……

Xu Chen left the school gate; Li Rui and Fang Tao were already waiting by the flower beds.

“Brother Chen.”

“Come with me to withdraw the money. Do you know the exact amount?”

“Only that it’s over thirty thousand. We’re not sure exactly how much.”

Xu Chen nodded.

Li Rui and Fang Tao paused, rummaging in their pockets.

Four hands emerged, each holding a handful of colorful bills of different denominations.

Li Rui said,

“This is what our brothers pooled. I counted—it’s just over a thousand, almost two.”

Xu Chen replied, “It’s fine. I’ll handle the money.”

Li Rui protested, “No way, Brother Chen! Our money’s not much—we can’t cover the small change…

But for Bing Ge, we have to chip in!”

Xu Chen took the bills from them and stuffed everything into his pocket.

“That works out perfectly.

If Xie Bingran asks later, say we all chipped in—not who gave what.”

Li Rui froze, then said,

“Brother Chen, that won’t do… We only gave a thousand-something. You covered almost all thirty thousand!”

Xu Chen replied, “Just do as I said…

You know Bing Ge’s nature. I don’t want her feeling indebted to me again.”

Li Rui and Fang Tao fell silent but looked at Xu Chen with solemn, complex expressions.

……