(Sorry, I went to the train station to pick someone up this morning and only got back this afternoon. I spent several hours in transit, and I'm still dizzy from it. I managed to write only one chapter tonight, and will strive for more tomorrow.)

"Brother, you took away my computer, how will I work? Besides, it's not even a high-end brand, it's a second-hand piece, can't get much for it. Just give me a few more months, and I'll figure something out," Manager Liu stopped Li Yan.

Li Yan wasn't really after his lousy computer. Seeing Liu say this, he simply sat on the office desk and stretched out his hand: "I'm not a legal person, they sent you a lawyer's letter, I'm just a rough guy who never goes anywhere for free. You should at least cover my travel expenses, right?"

Damn! Paradise Group is such a big company and sends a person with no class, this is extortion! Boss Liu really wanted to check his credentials, but seeing his rogue demeanor, he thought it better to just get rid of him first.

"Well… I can't come up with two million now, it's not in vain, let me see if I have at least two hundred…" Boss Liu pulled out his wallet, flipping through it in front of Li Yan, then regretfully said: "I'm really broke now, there's only a bit over a hundred here, I rely on others to eat, you wouldn't…"

Li Yan grabbed his wallet, took a good look, and then threw it back at him, "You're a boss, but you've fallen to such a state! Forget it, forget it, it's my bad luck!"

Seeing Li Yan stand up to leave, Boss Liu quickly smiled and sent him off: "Sorry for the trouble, please go back and negotiate with your company's legal department for more time. Once I get things settled, I'll surely treat you to a meal!"

Li Yan waved and left.

He didn't go far. Since this Boss Liu was so cautious, he must have another, real hideout. The middle-aged woman who led him over would surely get a scolding. But that wasn't Li Yan's concern. According to his plan, upon realizing Li Yan found him here, Liu would unlikely linger and would likely leave to avoid harassment.

Where Boss Liu would go was what Li Yan cared about. When he took the wallet, he wasn't looking at the money but memorizing the address on the ID card and driver's license. It was the same address, supposed to be his home. But Li Yan didn't believe he'd hide the money at home.

Indeed, it didn't take long before seeing Boss Liu with Secretary Zhou at the parking lot.

The car was nice, likely bought back in the days when business was good. But having a car so immaculately washed didn't fit with Boss Liu's appearance of destitution. Regardless of the hundred or so in his wallet, being in such a situation, who would have the mood to wash the car?

Li Yan followed them in his car. It wasn't even lunchtime yet, so they weren't heading out to eat, but likely to hide elsewhere. Earlier, he interrupted their affection, so they might be heading somewhere to continue.

The car ahead drove to a residential area, a newly built high-end residential complex. Certainly, it wasn't the address on Liu's documents.

...

Half an hour later, in a three-bedroom apartment.

Boss Liu had recognized Li Yan and was grumbling in a low voice.

The Secretary Zhou was already pale with fright, but since women might scream, Li Yan had already shut her mouth, leaving her to desperately shake her head in terror.

"She has nothing to do with this, she's just a worker who knows nothing!" Boss Liu exclaimed.

"Alright, alright, I know…"

Secretary Zhou struggled hard, shaking her head and nodding, unclear what she was trying to express.

Boss Liu was still rather calm. After a brief shock, he guessed this was a scare tactic from Li Yan! His goal was merely debt collection.

He smiled bitterly, "This brother, old Liu misjudged you. I thought you were a gentleman, yet you're from a debt collection company? I didn't expect Paradise Group would resort to such measures!"

"Like you, reading people's nuances. Since you believe a big company will stick to the law, you think you just need to stall?"

Li Yan said, suddenly thrusting the fruit knife he held towards them!

Secretary Zhou screamed but couldn't make much noise, and Boss Liu jumped in fright. Ultimately, the fruit knife passed between their heads, piercing the sofa, yet it gave them both a huge scare.

"What do you want?" Boss Liu asked in a slightly hoarse voice.

"This house is nice, and the things inside aren't bad either. While you were unconscious, I checked around and coincidentally saw a safe much like the one in your office. It should be your private stash, right? Wondering if it's also empty?" Li Yan pulled out the fruit knife, asking leisurely.

Boss Liu's face wavered. He clearly understood that without money today, this wouldn't end well. But the problem was…this really was his stash, no, should say his big stash! Since he planned to default, he didn't leave much in the company's account, and the office had no cash either, so what to do? Opening accounts in his name could be traced, and he didn't trust using others' identities, so he chose the most primitive, yet satisfying way—stash it in his personal safe!

Now that Li Yan already found out, of course, he'd have him open it on the spot. If opened, could he just take two million?

Although he wasn't particularly wealthy, aside from two properties and a car, all his possessions were here. If they were completely robbed, he wouldn't just be pretending to be destitute; he'd truly go insane!

"Take me inside then!" After pondering, Boss Liu sighed and finally gave in.

"You two get up and move!" Li Yan extended his hand, pulling them slightly and pushing the two people tied together forward.

Helplessly, Boss Liu walked in front while Secretary Zhou, tied to him, hurriedly stepped back to catch up.

Upon entering the master bedroom, facing the safe that had already been found, Boss Liu looked at Li Yan and seriously asked, "I want to know two things. First, are you only taking the 2 million you need to deliver? Second, will you take all my money and then kill to silence witnesses?"

Li Yan glanced at him, "These two questions depend mainly on you. I said I can't make this trip for nothing; I want a little running fee, but you only gave me a hundred yuan and didn't want to give more. If you cooperate, everyone is happy. Why would I need to kill everyone off then?"

He casually mentioned Boss Liu's family address, and sure enough, Boss Liu's face immediately changed.

"Could you please lift this mattress..." Boss Liu motioned with his lips, indicating for Li Yan to move the large mattress in the bedroom.

Li Yan was a bit surprised; was there money hidden under the bed? He didn't need help, pushing the mattress aside on his own.

The scene before them not only surprised Li Yan, but even Secretary Zhou was filled with shock. The surface was covered with stacks of hundred-yuan bills! She had definitely slept here before, but she never imagined that underneath the mattress she slept on so much money was pressed. Otherwise, even if she drained Boss Liu dry, she would find a way to lift the mattress to grab a stash.

"It was wrong of me to give just a hundred yuan before. Here's roughly a million... it's your runner's fee." There were words left unsaid, hoping Li Yan would keep his promise.

Li Yan nodded, "Rest assured, I've seen money before. As long as you don't play tricks, I won't be ruthless. I believe you don't want that outcome either..."

Boss Liu gestured for Li Yan to release him, and Li Yan cut the tape, allowing him to open the safe while tying up Secretary Zhou alone again.

Boss Liu took a moment to open the safe.

Seeing the large safe stuffed to the brim, layer by layer, Li Yan couldn't help but sigh quietly. In this day and age, even assassins and mercenaries transfer money through banks, yet some people are still obsessed with cash! Of course, Boss Liu wasn't just fond of cash; besides the piles of money, there were also gold and other valuable items for preserving wealth. Upon seeing beautiful and valuable jewelry, Secretary Zhou's eyes began to sparkle. These items made her forget her current danger, only praying silently that Li Yan wouldn't take everything...

"Count for yourself then! Pack two million for me; I won't take more from you."

Seeing that Li Yan didn't eye his collection greedily and said what he wanted to hear, Boss Liu was greatly relieved and hastily scrambled to find a bag and start loading the money. While helping Li Yan pack the money, he couldn't help but smile bitterly internally. Clearly, he had been kidnapped and robbed, yet he felt grateful that everything wasn't taken. What kind of logic is this!

But humans are like this; after feeling the risk of losing more, the recovery of some can often feel quite fortunate.

After quite a while, Boss Liu packed two large bags for Li Yan, separating the two million for Paradise Group and the million for his runner's fee.

"Look at this..." He had, of course, relocked the safe. Earlier at the company, he wanted to quickly dismiss Li Yan, the debt collector. Now he genuinely wanted to send this god of plague away as soon as possible.

Li Yan motioned for him to sit on the bed, then walked over with a slightly jesting smile on his face.

Boss Liu shivered internally, remembering what he had said to Li Yan in the office, "Do you now know why I'm losing hair? I've been paying too much. I'm afraid that if this continues and you're here to collect debt today, honestly, you might as well take me along!"

"Boss, do you... want something else?"

Hearing his words, Li Yan was speechless?

Only now did Boss Liu relax, blankly looking at his own hand. Besides the spread fingers, there was nothing special. Strangely, Li Yan also placed a hand over his, with each finger overlaying the corresponding one.

Secretary Zhou was disappointed not to see this scene, baffled by what Li Yan intended to do.

Li Yan's left hand pressed down, and with his right hand, he raised the fruit knife. "Watch closely!"

Chop! Chop! Chop! Chop! Chop!...

The fruit knife slashed between the fingers, from the gap between thumb and index finger, then pulled out and stabbed between the index and middle finger, then continuing between the middle and ring finger... so quickly, in almost an instant, it had stabbed back and forth between the five fingers a dozen times!

Under such conditions, even the slightest miss would chop off not only Li Yan's fingers but also his own. Unable to see the blade clearly, only blades flashing before his eyes, Boss Liu began to think Li Yan was insane. He tried hard to pull his hand back, wanting no part in such a maniacal game, but couldn't budge an inch. For fear a rapid round of chopping would send his five fingers flying, remaining calm for a while, he finally let out a scream! (To be continued. To find out what happens next, please visit www.qidian.com, more chapters to come, support the author, and support legitimate reading!)

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