"Boss, I must remind you, you are in Hong Kong, not Britain. In Britain, owing loan sharks isn't a big issue; if you go bankrupt, you're basically fine. But in China, owing loan sharks is terrifying. In Chinese terms, you can owe any money except gambling debts and usury."
His subordinate quickly reminded Aivier.
"That's interesting. Tell me, why is that?"
Aivier showed a dismissive expression.
"Boss, let me put it this way: China has two worlds, the legal world and the underworld. Gambling and usury both belong to the underworld. In the past, the underworld in China was vast, and many people were ruined by it. Although China is developing rapidly now, with progress in all aspects, China's development doesn't mean the underworld has disappeared; it's just that its scale has shrunk."
The subordinate explained patiently.
"So what?"
Aivier remained dismissive.
"Boss, you are not Chinese, so you might not understand. I am Chinese with a British green card, and I know about matters in China. Let me put it this way, China has a sound legal system. Your situation could be resolved through legal means, meaning you'd lose money, but your life would be absolutely fine. However, in your case, they won't let you go through the legal channels; they will handle it using underworld methods. This is the strangest part about Chinese people. In terms of obeying the law, Chinese people could be number one in the world. But in terms of resolving problems with brutality, Chinese people could also be number one. To maintain order in the underworld, their brutality is appalling. For example, stuffing loaches into the mouths of living people..."
The subordinate explained carefully.
"It's just owing money; they wouldn't be that brutal, would they?"
Aivier was trembling with fear at his subordinate's words.
He never imagined that the gentle Chinese people also had a brutal side.
"They are a hundred times more brutal than you can imagine. That's the nature of Chinese people; when they are kind, they can be like saints, but when they are ruthless, they can slaughter the whole world."
"But the problem is, I don't have any money. No matter how brutal they are, it won't help."
Aivier said fearfully.
"Boss, loan sharks don't care if you have money or not; they only care that they must get their money back on their visit and never leave empty-handed."
Just as Aivier was about to respond to his subordinate, there was a loud crash, and a group of fierce-looking Chinese men barged in.
Aivier's legs went weak with fear.
Good heavens, how did the loan sharks arrive so quickly?
"Boss Aivier, we agreed on a three-day turnaround, and now it's the fourth day. Give us an explanation."
The leader of the loan shark collectors said sternly.
"Gentlemen, I am truly sorry, but I was defrauded by a scam syndicate, and I am now bankrupt..."
"Stop right there. I don't want to hear that. You were defrauded by a scam syndicate, that's your problem, not mine. I'm here today to get my money."
The leader of the loan shark collectors said with a murderous glare.
"Brother, please, have mercy. I really have no money. If I had even a penny, I would have paid you..."
Aivier pleaded.
Without further ado, the leader of the loan shark collectors drove a knife through Aivier's palm.
"I'll ask you one more time, do you have money?"
The leader of the loan shark collectors asked with cold eyes.
"Even if you beat me to death, I still have no money. Didn't I just say? I was defrauded by a scam syndicate..."
Aivier replied, enduring the intense pain.
"Oh, you're a tough one, not afraid of death. This is interesting. Since you're not afraid of death, I'll try something else. I wonder if you can bear to see this sharp knife plunged into your daughter's palm..."
With that, the leader of the loan shark collectors signaled his subordinates to bring out Aivier's daughter.
"Don't do anything rash. I am a British citizen. If you abuse and brutalize a British citizen like this, and the Hong Kong authorities find out, you will face terrible consequences."
Aivier tried to scare them.
"Aivier, Aivier, you are truly naive, not pretending to be naive. British citizens do have a special status in China, but that's for Chinese people who have no backbone; they will fawn over your special status. Chinese people like us, who live by their wits on the edge of a knife, do we care if you're British? Haha, you're overthinking it."
Upon hearing the loan shark leader's words, Aivier instantly understood what his subordinate had said earlier.
Chinese people are a very peculiar group.
China has the most timid people in the world, and at the same time, it has people who fear nothing, just like these loan sharks demanding payment.
"As long as you don't harm my family, I will agree to all your demands."
Aivier immediately conceded.
"That's more like it. In China, it's been this way for thousands of years; you cannot owe gambling debts or usury. Let's do this: you will now transfer all your assets in Britain to us, and then your family of three can scram back to Britain."
The leader of the loan shark collectors stated directly.
"Brother, even if I wanted to transfer my assets in Britain to you now, I can't. This is Hong Kong, not Britain, so how can I transfer them?"
Aivier looked troubled.
"That's easy. Our company has a branch in Britain; we can do a remote video operation."
The leader of the loan shark collectors said calmly.
"Britain is so far from Hong Kong, and you have a branch there?"
Aivier asked with confusion.
"Aivier, this is the result of your usual arrogance, always thinking Britain is number one in the world. Let me tell you, the era when British people were number one in the world is long past. In today's society, it's not just people who speak English who are spread across the globe. Chinese speakers are also spread across the globe. The Chinese control half of the global underworld. So, when you return to Britain, don't look down on Chinese people with contempt anymore. You might accidentally lose your life to a Chinese person. Also, I must tell you, Chinese people not only control half of the underworld but also hold a significant position in high-end technology."
The leader of the loan shark collectors said with pride.
Even though they were loan sharks, not exactly good people, they still took pride in China's honor.
This sense of Chinese honor, it's present in Chinese people, overseas Chinese, good people, and bad people...
Aivier was completely convinced.
Back in Britain, as a pauper, Aivier took almost a month to finally understand one thing.
The core reason for his life's dramatic ups and downs, from a wealthy businessman to a pauper, was that he had underestimated Chen Feng, this young Chinese man.
And then Chen Feng, using China's advanced financial scam tactics, had brought about his downfall.
If he had known this would be the outcome, he would never have offended Chen Feng, even if it meant death.
That was a story for another time, and Chen Feng didn't care.
Aivier, bankrupt and sent back to Britain, had at least done his part to bring honor to the Chinese people.
Next, it was time to do something proper: have Wang Ziwei help him infiltrate the "China Dragon-Tiger Society."
The China Dragon-Tiger Society was a small group formed by a number of major Chinese businessmen. When they gathered for meetings, they were undoubtedly brewing significant changes in the Chinese business world.
Whether it was Mingshan City or Wuzhou District, they needed such an opportunity for development.
"Chen Feng, are you sure you want to enter the China Dragon-Tiger Society circle?"
Wang Ziwei asked with a meaningful look.
"Teacher Wang, you are the young lady of the Wang family from the capital, so you understand better than I do what kind of organization the Dragon-Tiger Society is. Mingshan City and Wuzhou District in Jiangcheng City need an opportunity for development. The Dragon-Tiger Society suddenly gathering in Hong Kong these days must signify a major business move. I want Mingshan City and Wuzhou District to benefit from this."
Chen Feng stated his intentions truthfully.
"The people in the Dragon-Tiger Society are very cautious. With your position as the head of the Development and Reform Bureau in Wuzhou District, they certainly won't let you in. How about this: I'll find a way to get you in as a waiter to gather information?"
Wang Ziwei probed.