Bang! Bang! Bang!
The violent knocking and the shaking of the courtyard gate made the already dilapidated wooden door seem unable to hold up.
"Brother!"
Chen Er'ya's relaxed expression, which had been due to the delicious food, instantly tensed up.
Chen Ping'an gave her a look, stood up, and went to open the courtyard gate.
Their small courtyard wasn't big; a few steps led to the wooden gate. However, just as Chen Ping'an stood up and took one step, the courtyard gate was kicked open with a loud thud.
The crossbar used to secure the bolt broke into two halves!
As the crossbar fell to the ground, a fierce glint flashed in Chen Ping'an's eyes, but it quickly vanished.
Breaking into a house without the owner's permission, according to the da gan law, it would not be excessive to directly kill them; it would be completely reasonable and lawful.
Several figures appeared in front of the courtyard gate, led by a powerful, burly man with dark skin but an extremely rosy complexion.
The burly man was extremely tall, a full head taller than Chen Ping'an.
"Chen Family Boy, I've been knocking for so long, and you haven't come to open the door. I was a bit reckless, you don't mind, do you!"
The burly man looked at Chen Ping'an with a fake smile, carefully observing his reaction.
There was no change in Chen Ping'an's expression; his Face was full of smiles.
"Tiger Lord, what are you saying? It's my fault for opening the door late."
"Call me Little Tiger Lord! Tiger Lord is my godfather, you can't just call him that casually."
As the burly man spoke, he walked into the courtyard, and his gaze immediately fell upon the dishes on the wooden table.
"Chen Family Boy, your food is quite good! My brothers' meal today isn't as good as yours! You know how to enjoy yourself!"
Little Tiger Lord sat down on the wooden stool with a swagger, scaring Chen Er'ya into standing up and leaning close to her brother.
"Braised pork belly, big bone soup... Chen Family Boy, you certainly live a comfortable life!"
"As expected of the Old Chen family, the standard of living is truly different."
The Gang thugs following Little Tiger Lord said with a sarcastic tone.
Chen Ping'an's expression remained unchanged. He walked to the side, took Chen Er'ya's hand, and squeezed it firmly.
"Yesterday, I just happened to be on an errand with the department and took down the Liusha Gang. I was lucky enough to earn some merit, and I haven't had meat for quite some days. Today, I thought it would be rare to taste some meat. I didn't expect to have such a distinguished guest as Little Tiger Lord arrive just now."
Chen Er'ya, standing nearby, was a bit nervous; her whole body was tense. Chen Ping'an squeezed her hand firmly a few times, trying his best to calm her down.
It was no wonder Chen Er'ya was nervous; the burly man in front of her was no ordinary person. In the streets around Lihua Lane, he was a well-known figure.
Tiger Head Gang, Little Tiger Lord!
Tiger Lord of the Tiger Head Gang, whose legitimate son died young, adopted several foster sons. And the Little Tiger Lord in front of them was the foster son most valued by Tiger Lord of the Tiger Head Gang, groomed as the Gang's successor.
Such a person, logically, would not casually come to their door. However, besides being the most valued foster son of Tiger Lord of the Tiger Head Gang, Little Tiger Lord had another identity.
That was, he was Chen Ping'an's creditor!
Years ago, Chen Father borrowed money from Little Tiger Lord to secure a Yamen Runner position for him.
Little Tiger Lord didn't speak, sitting by the wooden table, looking at Chen Ping'an with amusement.
Little Tiger Lord didn't speak, and Chen Ping'an also didn't speak, just maintaining a smile, quietly watching.
Sometimes, not panicking is a strength, and silence is also a strength!
Chen Ping'an knew that Little Tiger Lord had understood the meaning of his words.
An unregistered Yamen Runner is still a Yamen Runner!
"As expected of the Chen Family Boy! Your courage is quite good! You have some of Old Chen's demeanor. Little Tiger Lord, I didn't come for anything else this time, I just wanted to ask if the money borrowed before should be repaid!"
"Indeed!"
Chen Ping'an secretly thought. The worst-case scenario had, after all, come to pass.
"Little Tiger Lord, when my Father was alive, he agreed with you that he would borrow ten taels of silver and repay thirteen taels after one year. There's still almost half a year left until then. Is repaying now... a bit too early!"
Chen Ping'an spoke with a deferential smile, only showing a hint of awkwardness at the very end.
Little Tiger Lord narrowed his eyes, looking at Chen Ping'an, and after a good while, he finally spoke.
"Chen Family Boy, you also know that back then, I gave your Old Chen Face, and we agreed to lend for one year and repay thirteen taels. Go ask around, you won't find lower interest anywhere! In these times, there are borrowers everywhere. If my Tiger Head Gang lends money casually, let alone thirteen taels in a year, even sixteen taels in half a year is not uncommon at all.
These days, the Gang has been checking things strictly, and well, they found this old account. They're urging me to get it back early."
At that time, they borrowed nine out of ten, repaying thirteen!
They said they borrowed ten taels, but they only received nine taels!
The severely injured Old Chen did have Face, but that only meant he received preferential treatment, far from the exaggeration Little Tiger Lord spoke of.
As for the 'Gang checking things strictly,' that sounded like a complete lie!
What was Little Tiger Lord's status in the Gang? Who would dare to bother him about such a small account and urge him to repay it!
Chen Ping'an inwardly complained.
However...
Since Little Tiger Lord was making up excuses to deceive him, it meant he still didn't want to completely fall out.
His temporary official status had some effect after all.
"Little Tiger Lord, you also know. My monthly salary is only eight qian. The days I've been on duty, at most, are only half a year. Including daily expenses, I haven't saved much. Before my Father died, for the sake of my official status, he didn't have any savings left. That's why he borrowed these ten taels from you, isn't it! Could you perhaps grant me a bit more time?"
Chen Ping'an's attitude was humble, speaking courteously.
Little Tiger Lord didn't speak. A thug beside him shouted sternly.
"Chen Family Boy, you're eating braised pork belly and drinking big bone soup, and you say you have no money!? Who would believe that! Hurry! Pay the money today, or don't blame us brothers for being ruthless and showing no mercy!"
The small thug yelled, looking fierce and menacing.
Chen Ping'an didn't reply, he just bent slightly, looking at Little Tiger Lord with a sincere expression.
Some people yell fiercely, but in reality, they pose no threat! The lifelines of these people are often in the hands of those who don't make a sound.
Bang!
Seeing that Chen Ping'an didn't reply, the little thug's indignation grew even stronger. He slapped the wooden table, causing the big bone soup to splash onto the table and the braised pork belly to be shaken out of the bowl.
"I'm talking to you, Chen Family Boy!"
Chen Ping'an remained silent, his expression sincere, but his gaze firm.
"Liu'er, that's enough."
Little Tiger Lord pressed his hand down, and the loud thug immediately shut his mouth.
"Alright, Chen Family Boy, I won't make things difficult for you. Consider this a reminder today. I'll give you five more days! After five days, repay both the principal and interest together."
"Thank you, Little Tiger Lord, for your kindness."
Chen Ping'an released Chen Er'ya's hand, first bowed respectfully, and then spoke slowly.
"Little Tiger Lord, in ten days it will be the day I receive my monthly salary. You are a magnanimous person, why not grant me five more days? After ten days, once my monthly salary is issued, even if I haven't prepared enough, it will be easier to borrow from colleagues. At that time, I will definitely repay both the principal and interest to Little Tiger Lord!"
Chen Ping'an's tone was firm, showing no signs of guilt.
"Ten days!"
Little Tiger Lord snorted coldly and immediately stood up from the wooden stool.
Chen Ping'an didn't flinch, maintaining his bowing posture, unmoving.
"What a Chen Family Boy! Good, I'll give you ten days! However, after ten days, you won't be repaying thirteen taels, but fourteen taels!"
Upon hearing Little Tiger Lord's words, a trace of panic appropriately flashed in Chen Ping'an's eyes. People like Little Tiger Lord, who deal with all sorts of characters, are most adept at reading expressions. This hint of panic was perfectly caught in his eye.
Chen Ping'an glanced at his sister, then at Little Tiger Lord, hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and agreed.
"Alright, as Little Tiger Lord says, in ten days, I will repay you both the principal and interest, fourteen taels of silver!"
"Good, good, good, excellent! You have guts! As expected of the Old Chen family's offspring."
Little Tiger Lord smiled and clapped his hands.
"Liu'er, A'mao, Fei Zi, let's go!"
Little Tiger Lord called out to a few people and walked towards the courtyard exit. As he neared Chen Ping'an, he smiled and patted his shoulder.
"Thank you, Little Tiger Lord, for the extension. Little Tiger Lord, take care."
Chen Ping'an saw them off with a smile.
Little Tiger Lord didn't look back, but the thug called Liu'er glared fiercely at Chen Ping'an.
He watched Little Tiger Lord and the others leave until their figures disappeared into the distance. Only then did the smile on Chen Ping'an's Face vanish.
That trace of panic was intentional on his part. A young man's Heart-Nature can be resilient, but being too much of a Prodigy is not necessarily a good thing!
A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind! He had no one to rely on, so he naturally had to be more cautious.