When Qiu Mingli saw Xu Ke swiftly transfer 100,000 yuan, he couldn't help but gasp. The change in Xu Ke was just too drastic; he could transfer such a large sum without batting an eye.

"Teacher, make the call," Xu Ke said.

"Oh, right." Only then did Qiu Mingli snap out of his daze. Just as he was about to dial, he froze. "Wait a moment."

He walked over to his desk, took out a piece of paper, and began to write furiously.

Xu Ke was stunned. What is this for?

Qiu Mingli quickly finished writing and turned to hand the paper to Xu Ke.

Xu Ke looked down. It was a promissory note. It even specified the date for monthly interest payments.

Xu Ke gave a wry smile. "There's no need for interest."

After extorting 260,000 from Siao Jia and Li Jun, then paying off his debts and buying medicine, he still had tens of thousands left even after subtracting this 100,000. He had no need to collect monthly interest from Qiu Mingli.

"This is necessary," Qiu Mingli insisted stubbornly.

"Alright then." Seeing his teacher's insistence, Xu Ke had no choice but to reluctantly accept it.

Afterward, Qiu Mingli finally took out his phone. "I'll call them first to let them know we're coming to retrieve the original promissory note. I'll also ask for a receipt while we're there."

"Sure," Xu Ke nodded.

Qiu Mingli's call connected quickly.

"Brother Dong, it's me." Qiu Mingli's tone was somewhat servile. "Is it okay if I come over and settle the full amount today?"

"I feel terrible for holding on to your money for so long, Brother Dong."

Qiu Mingli's phone speaker was loud enough that Xu Ke could clearly hear Brother Dong's voice on the other end.

Brother Dong's tone was flippant. "What's up, Little Qiu? Suddenly struck it rich?"

"No, no." Qiu Mingli shook his head, fabricating a lie on the spot. "My family's property was part of a demolition project, and we received fifty thousand. I had a bit saved up and borrowed some more, so I have enough to pay it all back now."

"Why the rush, Little Qiu? I, Yang Dong, have always been magnanimous. It's fine if you pay me back later," Yang Dong laughed, his voice laced with mockery.

"It's better for me to settle your affairs first, Brother Dong," Qiu Mingli replied.

"Fine, come over in half an hour. I was just about to head back," Yang Dong said. "You're quite lucky today. You might even see our boss. Should I introduce you?" As he spoke, his voice held a trace of amusement.

"No need, no need!" The color drained from Qiu Mingli's face as he hurriedly refused.

"Alright then, contact me when you get here." Seeing how cowardly Qiu Mingli was, Yang Dong, who never intended to make the introduction anyway, chuckled dismissively. Before Qiu Mingli could even agree, Yang Dong hung up.

"Teacher, who are these people?" When Xu Ke saw Qiu Mingli look petrified at the mere mention of "the boss," he grew suspicious. This doesn't seem like an ordinary loan shark operation. It sounds more like an organization.

Qiu Mingli gave a bitter smile. "They're the Dapeng Commerce Society. I borrowed the money from their financial platform."

Xu Ke's brows furrowed slightly.

The Dapeng Commerce Society was considered a first-rate power in Tianhai City, on par with clans like the Li Family. Moreover, the society was unique in the city; it thrived without aligning itself with any of the six great families. This was because other first-rate powers were more or less allied with one of the six great families. The Li Family, for example, stood behind the Ye Family. Without the backing of one of the great families, their survival would certainly be much more difficult.

But the Dapeng Commerce Society needed no such backing.

Rumor had it that the force behind the Dapeng Commerce Society was people from Long Capital. None of the six great families wanted to needlessly offend people from Long Capital, and the Dapeng Commerce Society, in turn, had no interest in encroaching on their territory. As a result, the Dapeng Commerce Society flourished.

As for Yang Dong's offer to introduce Qiu Mingli to the boss of the Dapeng Commerce Society, it was complete nonsense. He was just toying with him.

The Dapeng Commerce Society... Xu Ke thought. This matter probably won't end so easily.

They had lent Qiu Mingli 20,000 yuan, and nearly two years had passed. If a ruthless organization like the Dapeng Commerce Society, known for devouring people whole, was willing to let Qiu Mingli off for just 100,000 yuan, Xu Ke knew it would be too good to be true.

"Let's go." Xu Ke composed himself and turned to Qiu Mingli. "Let's go pay back the money first."

"I can go by myself." But Qiu Mingli refused. He knew Xu Ke was now the man of the hour in Tianhai, and the Dapeng Commerce Society would definitely recognize him. He didn't want to see Xu Ke humiliated.

"It's fine," Xu Ke shook his head. "If you go alone, you might have a hard time even getting out." If he didn't accompany Qiu Mingli, his teacher would likely be in even greater danger.

"This..." Qiu Mingli was filled with dread. "No way... The Dapeng Commerce Society is a major power, after all. They can't be that barbaric, can they?"

"Don't overthink it, Teacher. Let's just go. The archives room can wait; you can just take a day off," Xu Ke said, then pulled Qiu Mingli along with him.

And just like that, Xu Ke led Qiu Mingli out of the archives.

Qiu Mingli's leave of absence was easily approved. When Shan Lan heard Xu Ke was taking Qiu Mingli with him, she was all too eager to see them go. She didn't want to see Xu Ke for the rest of the day.

Thus, Xu Ke and Qiu Mingli hailed a taxi at the university gate and headed straight for the Dapeng Commerce Society.

Unlike most companies located in office buildings, the Dapeng Commerce Society was headquartered in a villa district three kilometers from Tianhai University. It was a complex of sea-view villas with beautiful scenery. Through the villas, one could see a vast, clear blue sky, with clouds drifting lazily by—a sight that should have been comforting.

But neither Xu Ke nor Qiu Mingli was in the mood to appreciate the view.

Looking at the villas, each with several guards in black sunglasses standing at its entrance, Xu Ke remarked, "How extravagant."

"It is," Qiu Mingli agreed, then took out his phone to call Yang Dong.

"Brother Dong, hello, I've arrived."

"Then wait for me at Number One. I'll be there shortly," Yang Dong said nonchalantly.

Number One referred to the villa's address.

"Okay," Qiu Mingli nodded.

Xu Ke pointed to the villa with the most guards—nearly twenty of them. "That's the one."

Seeing that display of force, Qiu Mingli's courage instantly failed him. He remembered what Xu Ke had just said: if you go in, you might have a hard time even getting out.

"Let's go," Xu Ke said as they walked closer.

The guard at the door was a two-meter-tall giant of a man, built like an iron tower. "Who are you?" he asked flatly as they approached.

"Hello, I'm Qiu Mingli. I'm here to repay Brother Dong," Qiu Mingli explained.

"So, it's you." The hulking guard took off his sunglasses, staring at him with a smirk. "You're that Qiu Mingli, the one who was here last year crying and kneeling, begging Brother Dong to stop the interest, right?"

"So, what's the plan this time? Brought a forehead protector? I still remember your spectacular feat of banging your head against the wall. The way you cried and screamed... it was truly pathetic."

The hulking guard burst into laughter.

Xu Ke's expression instantly darkened.

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