Chapter 778
Does Chapter 778 have 2000 words?
Qiu Qiaoqiao didn't say much, but simply nodded and stepped forward, standing in front of the slightly dilapidated security door.
She raised her hand, and her slender, fair fingers gently pressed the doorbell.
"Ding-dong-"
The crisp sound of a bell rang out in the quiet hallway, carrying a crispness that seemed out of place with its surroundings.
After a while, a woman's voice came from inside and asked, "Who is it?", her voice carrying a hint of fear and helplessness.
He must have seen Qiu Qiaoqiao outside through the peephole. Just as Chen Xiao thought, no one who saw Qiu Qiaoqiao's beauty would think of her as someone coming to collect a debt.
The door opened, revealing the face of a haggard woman. She was overweight and plain-looking. Perhaps this was why Mr. Qiao abandoned her when his career was taking off.
"Beautiful lady, who are you looking for?"
Qiu Qiaoqiao glanced at Chen Xiao and Zhang Ziqian behind her; they were walking over just now. She smiled slightly and said, "Auntie, we're from a charity foundation. We came to see if there's anything we can do to help you."
what--
Upon hearing that they were there to help her, Qiao Mingming's mother, Zhang Yuan, suddenly became tense. "Help? Are they going to ask me to pay upfront again? I don't have any money."
Chen Xiao frowned. Really? It seems someone is using the guise of a charitable foundation to scam her?
However, it wouldn't be surprising if she got scammed online; there are all sorts of people on the internet.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ziqian stepped forward and said, "Auntie, don't worry. We're not scammers. If you don't believe me, I can transfer some money to you right now."
Zhang Yuan hurriedly said, "Don't turn it, please don't turn it—"
She seemed a little anxious, and when the others didn't understand, she explained, "As soon as you transferred the money to my card, it was automatically deducted!"
The group then realized that she had signed electronic payment agreements when she borrowed money. Even though she was in debt, the money in her card was automatically deducted.
No wonder Zhang Yuan is now destitute. Not only does she have no income, but even if she did have some, she couldn't save any of it.
Zhang Ziqian's words gradually made Zhang Yuan lower her guard, and she invited the group inside.
As soon as Chen Xiao entered the house, she looked it over. The house had been nicely renovated before. It was clear that although President Qiao hadn't given her and her son a lot of money, they were certainly financially secure.
This has resulted in Zhang Yuan not working for so many years. After losing Mr. Qiao as her support, she is no longer able to support herself. Her only son is now in jail, and the family has no source of income.
After inviting the group to sit down on the sofa, Zhang Yuan kept staring at Qiu Qiaoqiao.
Chen Xiao found it strange. Qiu Qiaoqiao was very beautiful, but Zhang Ziqian was just as stunning, and her pure and gentle temperament was even more captivating. So why was Zhang Yuan only staring at Qiu Qiaoqiao?
Just as he was wondering what was going on, Zhang Yuan spoke up. "Beautiful lady, you look vaguely familiar."
Familiar? Chen Xiao looked at Qiu Qiaoqiao, wondering if he was seeing things.
Qiu Qiaoqiao smiled calmly: "Auntie, I've only been in Jiangzhou for less than half a year. I've never met you before."
"Oh, oh!" Zhang Yuan poured tea for the group while glancing at Qiu Qiaoqiao from time to time, as if trying to recall when she had seen her before.
"Auntie, could you tell me about your current situation?" Qiu Qiaoqiao asked after Zhang Yuan sat down.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuan's face showed a sorrowful expression: "I now owe more than 1 million yuan in online loans, and I have to pay back over 100,000 yuan every month. I can't afford it anymore. Moreover, the annual interest rate is close to 40%, I'm afraid I'll never be able to pay it back in my lifetime."
After saying this, Zhang Yuan covered her face with her hands, filled with despair for her current life.
40% annualized return? That's terrifying!
Chen Xiao and the others had never encountered anything like this before, so they found it hard to believe. Zhang Ziqian couldn't help but say, "This is too outrageous! This is even more ruthless than Huang Shiren of the old society!"
Qiu Qiaoqiao hummed in agreement. "No investment these days offers such high returns. In other words, once you borrow this money, unless you suddenly strike it rich, you'll be stuck with it, forced to rob Peter to pay Paul, sinking deeper and deeper!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuan cried and said, "Yes, I never used to borrow money. I didn't know there were pitfalls involved. Only after borrowing did I realize that I could never pay it back."
Zhang Ziqian took a sip of water and said angrily, "What are these loan companies thinking? With such high interest rates, when will the borrowers ever be able to pay it back? Isn't this killing the goose that lays the golden eggs?"
Chen Xiao smiled calmly: "Do you think that capital lending is about earning interest from borrowers?"
Upon hearing this, everyone else looked at him and said, "Isn't it all about earning huge amounts of interest?"
Chen Xiao shook his head. "Wrong, interest is only one aspect. What they need more is to make the poor poorer and poorer, generation after generation, so that they can work for capital for generations to come."
The group of people were all taken aback. Indeed! Through these...
Chen Xiao then said to Zhang Yuan, "However, this interest rate is too high and is not supported by law. You don't have to pay it back at all."
Zhang Yuan gave a bitter laugh: "They don't need to go through the law, they can just deduct the money from my card—"
Chen Xiao fell silent. Indeed, they hadn't sued Zhang Yuan. The contract between them stipulated that the money could be deducted directly from her bank card.
Zhang Ziqian asked, "So how do you maintain your daily life?"
If you can't even keep money in your bank account, how will you live?
Zhang Yuan looked down at her toes: "I sold the last of my worthless jewelry for cash."
The reason it's described as "the last bit that's worthless" is because the valuable parts had already been sold before.
Chen Xiao glanced at Zhang Yuan; she was no longer wearing any jewelry on her hands or around her neck.
Qiu Qiaoqiao stood up. "May I take a look around?"
Zhang Yuan nodded, "Please take care—" She assumed this was a charity organization coming to help her and needed to investigate. She was already destitute; she had sold everything of value in her house and wasn't worried about losing anything. Besides, how could a pretty girl like Qiu Qiaoqiao steal?
Qiu Qiaoqiao walked into Zhang Yuan's kitchen, looked around, and opened the refrigerator. It was empty except for a few not-so-good-looking greens; she guessed Zhang Yuan had probably bought them just before they were out of season to save money!
Open the lower drawer of the refrigerator, and you'll find some handmade dumplings.
She came out of the kitchen and said, "Auntie, you only have some dumplings. There's no meat or vegetables at all. This isn't good for your health in the long run."
After saying that, she suddenly realized she was talking nonsense. It wasn't that she had money but couldn't afford to eat; she genuinely didn't have any.
Zhang Yuan turned her head and whispered, "Those dumplings aren't mine either."
What do you mean?
Even though it's in your house, isn't it still yours?
Just as everyone was puzzled, Zhang Yuan continued, "My son Mingming likes the dumplings I make, so I saved these to take to him."
Chen Xiao's heart softened.
He didn't have a good impression of Zhang Yuan before. When her son made a mistake, it was because she hadn't raised him properly. Moreover, instead of admitting her mistake, she protected her child in every way, which led to Qiao Mingming being sentenced to the maximum penalty. Now, looking at her again, Chen Xiao realized that all mothers in the world, whether good or bad, love their children unconditionally!
Mother's love is truly great!
Qiu Qiaoqiao fluttered her long eyelashes as she sat down next to Zhang Ziqian.
Chen Xiao said softly, "From now on, you don't need to be so frugal. Your living expenses will be covered by the charity foundation, and your medical care will also be covered here, okay?"
Zhang Yuan was stunned. What kind of charitable foundation is this, that it's so generous?
They'll be in charge from now on, and they'll even cover the medical expenses?
She initially thought the other person was just offering help and that giving her a few hundred or a thousand yuan would be quite generous. But now it seems they're giving her welfare?
"Thank you, thank you so much! You are all such kind people!"
Chen Xiao waved his hand and pointed at Qiu Qiaoqiao: "If you encounter any special situations later and need help, you can contact her, and she will help you solve them!"
Zhang Yuan glanced at Qiu Qiaoqiao, who had been named, and asked somewhat nervously, "Excuse me, what specific types of funding are you referring to?"
She desperately needs help; she longs to be helped. What will happen to her son if no one helps her?
Qiu Qiaoqiao also looked at Chen Xiao. Although Chen Xiao had given her full authority, she really didn't know how to make that decision.
Chen Xiao laughed, looking at the pitiful woman in front of her. Ultimately, her current predicament was entirely of her own making.
However, she herself was also largely to blame. If she hadn't spoiled her child so much, there wouldn't have been the incident of her driving into an elderly person and then assaulting them. And then, none of the subsequent events would have occurred.
Mr. Qiao wouldn't hold a grudge against her, so he wouldn't kidnap Li Zhi'en, nor would he send anyone to investigate Zhao Xiangjun, thus eliminating any path to her death. If that were the case, Mr. Qiao would still be his large mine owner, and Zhang Yuan would still be a person with no worries about food and clothing.
Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs" in life, and there's no medicine for regret.
"How would you like me to help you?" Chen Xiao asked Zhang Yuan with a faint smile on his face.
Zhang Yuan glanced at everyone, hesitated for a moment, and then asked somewhat timidly, "Is there 2000 yuan per month?"
She didn't dare to think too much about it, after all, they said they would continue to help her. With such a long timeframe, it was impossible for them to give her much each month.
2000 yuan is already pretty good; it'll ensure she doesn't starve.
Chen Xiao was stunned. 2000? He had never even dreamed of such a number. He, Chen, had long since stopped considering 2000 yuan as money.
Seeing Chen Xiao's expression, Zhang Yuan immediately misunderstood. "I'm sorry, I was too greedy. How about 1000, 1000?"
Chen Xiao realized what was happening and immediately waved his hand: "Any other requests?"
"Anything else? I wouldn't dare mention that." Zhang Yuan glanced at Chen Xiao's expression and thought to herself, "I mentioned 2000, and you're already unhappy. How could I dare mention anything else? What if we end up with nothing left, not even 1000?"
"No, no. But there's one thing: I can't have any money in my account right now."
Chen Xiao waved his hand: "It's alright, let's go get the cash later, okay?"
"Ah, that's wonderful! It brings extra work to your foundation," Zhang Yuan said with a beaming smile.
After saying that, he got up and refilled Chen Xiaocai's cup, which she had just taken a small sip of: "Let me add some warm water for you."
"Hot?" Chen Xiao's lips twitched; he felt like he couldn't even drink the water anymore.
In fact, for Chen Xiao, the more than 100 million yuan that Zhang Yuan owed to the online lending company could be cleared away in the blink of an eye.
But he wasn't willing to let those bastards get away with it; paying back the money would be aiding and abetting evil. His current help to Zhang Yuan was somewhat driven by a wicked sense of humor. Since Zhang Yuan could continue receiving cash subsidies, she didn't need to bother with those loan companies. Consider that money Zhang Yuan had taken—a Robin Hood moment!
Knock knock knock—
Just as Chen Xiao was pondering his wicked sense of humor, there was another knock on Zhang Yuan's front door.
Instead of ringing the doorbell, choose to knock.
Chen Xiao subconsciously looked at Zhang Yuan and found that she suddenly became nervous, as if she had been electrocuted, and was trembling.
"Don't be afraid~!" Chen Xiao had a premonition that the debt collectors were coming again.
"Just go open the door normally, we're here."
Zhang Yuan then remembered that she had "helpers" with her today. A hint of color returned to her face. Qiu Qiaoqiao, her face cold, stood up as well: "Auntie, I'll go with you!"
Chen Xiao and Zhang Ziqian did not get up again.
This is peacetime, and these debt collectors are all sneaking around; they probably wouldn't dare to be too arrogant. Qiu Qiaoqiao and Zhang Yuan can go together; it's not like they're going to start a brawl. Besides, even if there were a fight, it would be the bodyguards outside, not them.
Zhang Yuan arrived at the door, still somewhat afraid, but Qiu Qiaoqiao standing beside her gave her courage. She stepped forward and opened the front door, immediately seeing several young people standing outside, dressed reasonably well and without tattoos.
"Excuse me, is this Zhang Yuan's house?" the young man leading the group asked.
Just as Zhang Yuan was about to answer, Qiu Qiaoqiao tugged at her, signaling her to be quiet. Confused, Zhang Yuan looked at Qiu Qiaoqiao.
Qiu Qiaoqiao stepped forward and asked the young men, "Who are you, and what do you do?"
The young men were stunned by Qiu Qiaoqiao's beauty; they hadn't expected to see such a stunning woman. They even forgot why they had come there.
It took her a while to realize: "You're Zhang Yuan?"
Qiu Qiaoqiao frowned in disgust: "Who are you? If you're looking for someone, shouldn't you introduce yourself first?"
The young man seemed somewhat surprised and a little guilty under Qiu Qiaoqiao's question. However, he quickly and firmly stated, "We are employees of the [Black Cat Loan Platform]!"
Black cat?
This name is so eerie, it gives off a creepy feeling!
The young man then added, "Are you Zhang Yuan? The money you borrowed from our online platform is overdue."
Qiu Qiaoqiao interrupted him, saying, "How can you prove it? Just because you say so doesn't mean it is."
The young man laughed, clearly having been prepared. He lifted the name tag hanging around his neck and held it up: "Look, this is our name tag. Now, do you believe me?"
Oh--
Qiu Qiaoqiao sneered, "You could easily find an advertising shop outside and get this made for two yuan." (End of Chapter)