Chapter 386 - 254: Money, oh, Money, A Drought for Some, a Flood for Others

You Shaoqiang didn't mind his attitude and asked in the same calm tone.

"Hm?"

"Your Unity Association really has deep pockets. So, what's this about now? Are you thinking of financing me a little, too?"

Zhuang Jingfa's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, but his posture remained relaxed as he asked.

He genuinely hadn't known about this.

He knew his big brother had been raising funds from outside sources, stockpiling "ammunition," but he never imagined the amount was this large.

Now...

The man was dead.

'There's no way they expect the Zhuang Family to pay it back, right?'

"You must be joking. What I mean is, the funds Zhuang Yingcheng raised should be in a bank in Switzerland. I don't know which one. Now that he's dead, I can't find the money, and I wonder who can."

"The Zhuang Family's business is your own affair. I have no intention of meddling, nor can I be bothered with the effort. But the person responsible must be held accountable."

"I have two demands. First, once the murderer is found, whoever committed the act will assume this debt."

"Second, if the investigation drags on and you can't find them, the Zhuang Family will foot the bill."

"For the first matter, I'll give you one month."

"For the second, if you can take control within a year, I'll talk to you. If someone else takes over, I'll talk to them."

You Shaoqiang's logic was clear and his reasoning was sound, but his domineering nature was also obvious.

'My money. I have to get it back!'

'The idea that a debt dies with the debtor doesn't apply here!'

At that moment, hearing all this, Zhuang Jingfa's expression gradually soured. He stubbed out his cigarette, sat up on the hospital bed, and fixed his gaze on him.

"Get some rest. Think it over."

"Actually, I'm quite optimistic about you. Wells Fargo is a powerful institution. Or perhaps there's a third option. If you can use their channels to get me back the funds from the anonymous account, I'll owe you a personal favor and give you a 10% cut."

"If you can't get it back, then the murderer pays, or the Zhuang Family foots the bill."

"I've said my piece... I forgot to bring you flowers. My apologies."

With that, You Shaoqiang turned and left with a graceful air.

This was less a negotiation and more an announcement.

Zhuang Jingfa took a deep breath.

"Wait!"

he called out.

You Shaoqiang stopped and looked back. "Go on."

"I'm not the murderer."

"And the Zhuang Family won't be paying."

"As for the overseas account, even if I could track it down, why should I give it to you? It's a good lead, though. If I really get my hands on it, I'll give you a 10% finder's fee."

"If you want to play games, I'll play along."

"Heh heh, how about that, Eldest Young Master You?"

Zhuang Jingfa said with a grin, his tone full of brazen defiance.

For every point You Shaoqiang had made, he gave an adamantly defiant response.

'Who the hell do you think you are, ordering me around?!'

You Shaoqiang glanced at him, shook his head, and smiled. "Alright. Bye-bye."

He turned and left again.

Watching his retreating figure, the smile on Zhuang Jingfa's face slowly faded, and his brows furrowed involuntarily.

'Trouble.'

'Big trouble.'

This wasn't just a squabble born of anger.

It was a real, tangible conflict of interest.

Four billion. The Zhuang Family couldn't afford to pay it, and more importantly, they would never agree to.

As for getting the money back from an overseas bank, that was even more of a pipe dream.

'Who do you think you are?'

'The IRS?'

...

「The next day.」

Lin Chu returned to Peng City.

He didn't go to pay his respects for Zhuang Yingcheng.

The whole situation was still a complete mess. Nothing was settled within the Zhuang Family, nor were things stable externally. The murderer hadn't been caught yet. Under these circumstances, even giving him a peaceful burial would be difficult.

'What's the point of going?'

He would wait for things to stabilize before looking into the various streams of information from over there.

Fortunately, his channels of information were wide open.

On the police side, he had Jackie Chan, who would inform him of any developments.

With the United Youth Association, he had Kang Hao.

And for social and public opinion channels, he had Gao Haitao.

Still, Lin Chu was curious about four things.

First, who was the real murderer?

Second, where exactly was that four billion?

Third, who had thrown that plaster-cast arm at him?

Fourth, who would ultimately end up with the Zhuang Family's equity?

But for now, none of these four questions were worth getting personally involved in.

He was just a bystander whose path had briefly intersected with this incident before diverging once more.

But no matter what... this trip to Xiangjiang had been quite fruitful.

The biggest gain, of course, was the cash profit, leaping from over a billion to ten billion.

There was also the establishment of the security company, and the purchase of a plane and a yacht, now awaiting delivery.

Of course, there were some regrets too.

His attempt to pick up a girl had failed.

But that really wasn't a big deal.

As for other things, his network of contacts and his world experience had grown. You could say he'd seen a bit of the world now, taking the first step... oh, no, the first step to expanding overseas.

Also...

'Yuan Fang is truly someone to be envied!'

'Damn!'

'Do you really have to start raising a good wife from when she's just a little girl?'

'Isn't that just too fucking evil?'

Gao Haitao saw Lin Chu to the border crossing and then prepared to return to Xiangjiang. For a long time to come, Xiangjiang would be his base of operations for managing personnel and developing "strongholds."

After all, the focus of their development was overseas.

"Oh, right, Brother Chu, one more thing. Your driver here... should I arrange one for you? Or...?"

Gao Haitao asked thoughtfully with a smile before leaving.

"Don't worry about it. I'll find someone myself."

Lin Chu glanced at him, waving his hand with a smile. He already had a suitable candidate in mind.

"Alright, I'll leave it to you then."

Gao Haitao waved.

After crossing the border.

Zhang Peng was already waiting on the other side.

He got in the car.

"Brother Chu, where to?"

Zhang Peng, who was driving, asked with a smile.

"How are things on that end? When can it be settled?"

He had already called last night.