"Another 5,000 yuan?"
"That's 10,000 yuan in total!"
"Isn't that price gouging, blatant bullying?"
"Keep your voice down, we can't afford to mess with people like that!"
...
The steel plant workers watching the commotion whispered amongst themselves. Some shook their heads in lament, others expressed surprise, but most looked at Wang Yu with pity.
This young man clearly didn't understand the harsh realities of the world. Now that these bloodsuckers had set their sights on him, he was sure to be stripped bare.
"Another 5,000? What kind of trash are you?"
Before Wang Yu could speak, Brother Hu had already started shouting. He remembered trying to extort Wang Yu himself once, only to get beaten by his own uncle. Who did this guy think he was, trying to extort their young factory director?
Fortunately, Brother Hu was sharp. He'd sensed something was wrong beforehand and brought his crew. This way, he wouldn't be caught alone and bullied like in the dance hall yesterday... No, that was a strategic withdrawal.
He then sneered at the bald, burly man, "I think I've seen you before. Boss of the Nine Dragons One Phoenix on Changhe Street? Are you trying to bully my Brother Hu?"
"Tiger's Balm?" The bald, burly man was taken aback. He likely recognized Brother Hu or his reputation.
This guy was like a tiger's balm patch, clinging on and refusing to let go. It wasn't worth causing trouble over such a small matter.
The bald, burly man considered the pros and cons, muttering about his bad luck. He gave Brother Hu a wary glance.
"Since Brother Hu is intervening, let's just drop this. I'll give Brother Hu some face. I won't ask for the gambling debt."
Seeing the bald, burly man back down, Brother Hu puffed up with pride. He imitated Wang Yu's usual detached demeanor and nodded.
"Alright, if that's the case, then so be it."
With that, his expression changed instantly. He adopted a servile posture and scurried over to Wang Yu.
"Young factory director, how do you think I handled it?"
The onlookers, who had just seen Brother Hu acting so arrogant, now saw him as a fawning lackey. They were utterly bewildered.
Who was this unassuming young man? Not only could he casually produce large sums of cash, but he could also make troublesome characters like Brother Hu submit so completely.
"Hmph. Lucky for you. The gambling debt is dropped." The bald, burly man glanced at Liu Lu and signaled his men, "Let's go."
"Wait!"
However, Wang Yu suddenly called out to stop them. Hearing Wang Yu's words, Brother Hu and his crew quickly and shrewdly surrounded him.
Even if they didn't know what their young factory director was up to, cheering him on was the right move.
"What? With Brother Hu's face, the gambling debt is cleared. What more do you want?"
The bald, burly man's expression flickered slightly.
"No need to worry, I'm not here to trouble you." Wang Yu smiled friendly at him, then turned to Liu Lu. "How much do you owe them in total?"
"Around two hundred, close to three hundred," Liu Lu said softly. "My husband owed two hundred before the divorce, and then nearly another hundred after."
Well, that was indeed a substantial amount, especially for the steel plant which was currently in a deadlock.
"Hmm, let's round it up to 300 then." Wang Yu nodded, pulled five crisp hundred-yuan bills from the stack, and handed them directly to the bald, burly man.
"The gambling debt owed by her husband is 300 yuan. I'll pay it all for you. As for the extra 200, please accept it for some tea and cigarettes. We might need your help in the future, so let's be friends."
Wang Yu's actions completely stunned everyone present.
"You... this..." The bald, burly man clearly hadn't expected this.
"What 'this'? Just take it, Young Factory Director is giving it to you!" Brother Hu yelled at him impatiently.
It was indeed the familiar approach and tactics. This was exactly how the young factory director had subdued him and gained his loyalty... no, made friends with him.
Honestly, the taste of these "Great Unity" bills (a nickname for old-version hundred-yuan notes) was quite delightful.
"You... Fine, I'll be your friend. If you need anything in the future, look for me, Zhu Lao Jiu, on Changhe Street."
The bald, burly man hesitated for a moment, then took the money from Wang Yu and left without another word.
Watching them leave, everyone present breathed a sigh of relief.
"You actually paid my debt for me? I don't even know how to thank you." Liu Lu looked at Wang Yu with disbelief.
She couldn't imagine him helping a stranger he'd only met once so readily.
"Consider it a deposit for our business transaction," Wang Yu said with a dismissive smile. "As long as the steel plant can fulfill my order, that will be the greatest reward for me."
"No problem, we can discuss the specifics."
Liu Lu immediately regained her previous sharp and capable demeanor, calling out loudly to the surrounding workers.
It was clear she commanded considerable respect among them. As she shouted, all the workers gathered around.
"These are some of the key technical personnel of our steel plant. Each of them is a master craftsman and an experienced production hand. Feel free to tell us any requirements you have."
In the empty factory hall, Liu Lu, accompanied by a few workers, stood before Wang Yu and gave him a confident smile.
"That's right, as long as you can name it, we can fulfill it!"
An old master craftsman smiled proudly, looking at Wang Yu with great admiration. After all, this was a benefactor who had arrived in their time of need.
"Don't be too sure, my requirements are very strict. If the steel plant can complete them, I won't be stingy with the related fees." Wang Yu smiled slightly and took out a stack of letter paper he had prepared from his pocket, handing it over.
"Haha, I've been working with steel my whole life. What kind of strict order requirements haven't I seen?" The old master craftsman chuckled, casually taking the letter paper from Wang Yu and glancing at it.
"I see. It requires forged alloys. Hmm, this demands very high standards in forging and smelting techniques. Most people truly couldn't accomplish this."
The old master craftsman held the paper filled with parameter specifications in one hand, stroking his gray beard with the other, a look of smugness on his face.
"However, if it's our factory... then... then... then..."
The formerly composed old master craftsman's face suddenly turned crimson, as if he had choked on something, unable to speak for a long time.
"What's wrong, Old Chen?" Another master craftsman beside him jokingly took the letter paper. "Don't tell me you're stumped? Let me see... Holy crap!"
The other master craftsman was also completely stunned, even letting out a curse.
"Everyone, what's wrong with you?"
Liu Lu, full of curiosity, took the letter paper. Her expression instantly turned incredibly strange.
"Mr. Wang, are you sure you've got this right? These requirements... they're simply impossible!"