Chapter 42: Clearing Xie Bingran’s Debt

Zhang Zhiyong blinked, then let out an “Oh.”

He shot Li Rui a glance and said with a smile,

“I was thinking that kid looked familiar. When you said Xie Bingran, I remembered.”

Xu Chen spoke up: “How much does she owe? Let’s settle the debt.”

Zhang Zhiyong held a cigarette between his lips and sized Xu Chen up.

“Kid, it’s around thirty- to forty-thousand, not three to four hundred.”

Xu Chen remained calm. “Since we’re here, and Officer Chen’s with us, we’ll have the money ready.”

Zhang Zhiyong paused, glanced at Chen Xinlan on the sofa, then laughed.

Still smoking, he moved to the desk and grabbed a ledger from the cabinet, flipping through it.

“Principal and interest combined: thirty-seven thousand four hundred.”

Xu Chen asked, “What’s the principal and what’s the interest?”

Zhang Zhiyong squinted and took a drag of his cigarette.

“Do you take us for fools? You think we’d lie to a bunch of high schoolers?”

Chen Xinlan shot Zhang Zhiyong a look.

“They came with money to repay. They deserve to know.”

Zhang Zhiyong forced a smile, then studied the figures again.

“Xie Bingran borrowed exactly thirty thousand. As of now, the interest is seven thousand four hundred thirty-eight yuan and sixty-four cents.

If she pays today, we’ll waive the leftover thirty-eight cents.”

Xu Chen said nothing.

A thirty-thousand loan had over seven thousand in interest…

Xie Bingran must have been desperate to borrow at such a rate.

Li Rui and Fang Tao looked surprised too. They already knew Bing Ge owed over thirty thousand, but the exact figure still stunned them.

Their families were ordinary; thirty-seven thousand could equal years of income for many rural households.

Chen Xinlan frowned. “That interest rate is sky-high.”

Zhang Zhiyong laughed.

“Officer Chen, you know we operate legally. All our paperwork’s in order. You’ve verified us before.”

Chen Xinlan said no more and turned to Xu Chen.

Her expression carried resignation. Xu Chen understood.

In a small county town in 2006, many loan companies skirted the law. The government hadn’t cracked down yet.

Xu Chen looked at Zhang Zhiyong. “Do you have Xie Bingran’s loan certificate?”

Zhang Zhiyong answered:

“Of course. We’re a legit company. Even if the borrower’s a high schooler, she signs a formal contract.”

He rifled through the cabinet and tossed a contract onto the desk.

Xu Chen walked over and flipped through it.

Zhang Zhiyong added, cigarette dangling:

“Oh right… Xie Bingran was underage when she borrowed. She used her grandmother’s ID, so there are two names on it.”

Chen Xinlan said, “You even lend to minors?”

Zhang Zhiyong grinned again. “We follow regulations. Besides, who hasn’t hit hard times? We’re doing a good deed.”

Chen Xinlan snorted in disdain.

Xu Chen pored over the contract. The thirty-thousand principal and the total amount with interest matched up.

At the end were photocopies of two ID cards and handwritten signatures.

One belonged to Xie Bingran, the other to her grandmother.

Satisfied, Xu Chen pulled four envelopes from his coat—forty thousand in cash.

Three bundles of ten-thousand notes went on the desk—thirty thousand.

He removed some from the last bundle so it totaled seven thousand four hundred and placed it on the desk.

“Count it,” Xu Chen said coldly.

Zhang Zhiyong eyed Xu Chen over his cigarette and chuckled,

“You really brought it…”

Xu Chen gave no expression or reply.

Zhang Zhiyong stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and used his gold-ringed hands to count the stacks,

then pulled out a UV light to check the bills. Finally, he smiled.

“No problem. Thanks, boss. Xie Bingran’s debt is settled today.”

He picked up the loan contract and said,

“Hold on. I’ll stamp it cleared.”

He grabbed a large seal and pressed it onto several spots on the contract.

The stamp read “Account Cleared” and bore the words “Debt Fully Repaid.”

He then signed his name under each seal.

When he finished, he handed the contract to Xu Chen.

Xu Chen took it. “No other collateral or vouchers?”

Zhang Zhiyong smiled low and said,

“Don’t worry, kid. I wouldn’t fool you. You brought a cop; I don’t have the nerve.”

Xu Chen said nothing more and took the contract.

He inspected each “Account Cleared” seal, tore out the last two pages with the ID copies, and put them in his backpack.

Zhang Zhiyong picked up half a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Xu Chen.

Xu Chen waved his hand. “No thanks.”

Zhang Zhiyong smiled.

“You’re young, smart, and brave—you’ve got a bright future.”

He handed Xu Chen a business card.

“If your family ever needs funds, call me. If you have spare money, I can lend it out for you. You’re a talent—if you can’t find work after graduation, come to me.”

Xu Chen glanced at the card and simply smiled without saying anything.

He turned to Officer Chen. “Officer Chen, we’re done.”

Chen Xinlan nodded and stood up from the sofa.

Zhang Zhiyong hurriedly rose, smiling:

“Officer Chen, I’ve been wanting to treat you to a meal—how about today?”

Chen Xinlan’s expression stayed cold. “No need.”

Zhang Zhiyong plastered on a grin and “escorted” Officer Chen out.

Officer Chen added, “I’m watching this debt clearance closely. Don’t let any loose ends pop up later.”

Zhang Zhiyong looked serious.

“Officer Chen, that’s harsh. We’re legit. We want repeat customers—no loose ends, ever!”

…

Amid Zhang Zhiyong’s chuckling, Officer Chen and Xu Chen headed downstairs.

“Thanks, Officer Chen. We really appreciate you being here.” Xu Chen said earnestly.

Chen Xinlan replied, “It’s my duty. Calling me was the right move. If Zhang Zhiyong gives you trouble later, just reach out.”

She glanced at Li Rui.

Li Rui still had a bruise on his cheek. Though young, Officer Chen had plenty of experience and knew Zhang Zhiyong’s men had beaten him.

“Alright, I’m off!” Officer Chen said with a smile.

“Thank you, Officer Chen…”

Xu Chen and the others watched her leave before heading toward the school.

Xu Chen checked his phone. “Hurry up—afternoon classes are about to start!”

He broke into a run.

Li Rui and Fang Tao blinked and hurried to keep up.

As for Xie Bingran, she went off to “figure things out” on her own.

Who knows how she’s doing…