Chapter 80 Growth

The air was silent. Jin Zhao's words lingered for a while before Grandma cleared her throat and began, "Back then..."

"We don't know anything about your father's affairs either."

Grandpa interrupted Grandma even faster, glancing at her at the same time.

Grandma's eyes darted away for a moment, then she didn't say anything more.

Jin Zhao glanced at the two of them, then nodded without pressuring them, saying, "Alright, let's treat it as if we only have this one property. I'll go to court to file a lawsuit this afternoon."

"Is it absolutely necessary to go to court?"

The older generation always felt that going to court was a shameful thing, and Lin Yao was more or less taking advantage of this, so she was fearless.

Jin Zhao smiled and said, "Then what can we do? If we don't go to court and we don't have any money, what can we do when loan sharks come knocking on our door?"

Grandpa didn't say anything more.

Jin Zhao then turned to Jin Wenyi: "Aunt, could we schedule a time to talk to the creditor as soon as possible?"

She explained, "I consulted with law school professors, and they said that even with simplified procedures, it would take at least two or three months to get a result in this kind of civil lawsuit. If the interest continues to snowball during those two or three months, the money from selling the house definitely won't be enough."

“You and I were thinking the same thing,” Jin Wenyi said. “I wanted to talk to them from the beginning, but we didn’t have enough leverage, so they refused to meet with us.”

Jin Wenyi looked at her husband with a troubled expression, and Zhao Xu tacitly revealed, "That's why your aunt contacted you. We can help cover the cost, but we might need a middleman."

Jin Zhao understood Zhao Xu's words.

They wanted Meng Yanxi to act as the middleman.

With the name Meng Yanxi, let alone helping to mediate, settling this debt would be as simple as lifting a finger.

But this matter has nothing to do with Meng Yanxi. She herself owes favors and has to repay them while adhering to her bottom line. Meng Yanxi does not, so he doesn't need to get involved.

Jin Zhao smiled gently: "Then let's contact each other again. Be more gentle in your attitude, don't think of yourself as a victim, keep a calm mindset, and in every contact, first state your position, indicating that we acknowledge this debt and are willing to repay it. Now we just need to discuss a deadline. Actually, think about it, in school, some students clearly do wrong things, but as long as their attitude is sincere, we are always willing to give them another chance, right? What's more, we haven't done anything wrong, we are also victims, even my dad. Put yourself in their shoes, as long as the attitude is sincere enough, I think most people won't go so far as to destroy us, they will still be willing to leave a way out."

With a gentle and soft remark, Zhao Xu understood Jin Zhao's meaning: Meng Yanxi was the bottom line, and she would not let him get involved. Either she and the Jin family would work together to resolve this matter, or the Jin family would resolve it on their own.

He nodded: "Okay."

Since it involved dealing with a gray industry like loan sharking, it was impossible to let a woman handle it. Zhao Xu took the initiative to take on the task: "I'll contact them again."

Jin Wenyi remained silent, looking at Jin Zhao with a somewhat dazed expression.

Seeing her suddenly hit by such a huge injustice, yet without anger, blame, or cursing, but instead calmly sitting down with them and making arrangements in an orderly manner, seemingly gentle but actually with a firm bottom line; seemingly not refuting anyone from beginning to end, but her stance remained steadfast.

For the first time, Jin Wenyi had such a strong feeling that Jin Zhao had truly grown up. She was no longer the sixteen-year-old girl who could be brought to tears by the slightest storm.

Jin Wenyi's feelings were complicated at this moment. She was pleased with her growth, but also felt a little heartache.

Jin Zhao didn't grow up because someone taught her. Without anyone teaching her, she originally knew nothing and knew nothing. When faced with injustice and harm, her first instinct was to feel sadness and shed tears. But she still made it this far. How many hardships did she have to face alone to achieve this level of growth?

Jin Zhao turned to look at her grandparents and continued the previous topic: "I've inquired about that house. The transaction price in the neighborhood back then was around five to six million. If the court can really rule that we can get back the proceeds from the sale of the house, and my uncle can negotiate the repayment period with the creditors in time so that the interest is not too outrageous, I think this money should be enough. At that time, we won't have to bring up any more old matters."

She initially asked bluntly about other inheritances, but now she has taken the initiative to say that she only wants this one set. Her grandparents naturally felt relieved and immediately accepted the plan.

Jin Zhao could actually understand it.

Adults often subconsciously overlook children. The deception we showed to children and adults reflects two completely different mindsets. When dealing with children, we might feel justified and even morally justifiable; but when dealing with adults, such deception, once exposed, causes a collapse of moral compass and brings shame directly to our faces.

Unless someone has completely given up on themselves, everyone has pride, and no one wants to face such shame.

Therefore, she understood; it was just human nature.

Including their eventual agreement. As Lu Xun said, the Chinese temperament is always inclined towards compromise and moderation. For example, if you say, "This room is too dark; we need to open a window here," everyone will certainly object. But if you advocate tearing down the roof, they will compromise and agree to open a window.

*

After separating from the Jin family, lawyer Jin Zhaohe went to court, Zhao Xu and Jin Wenyi went to find the creditors, and the grandparents went to see Jin Wenhui.

With division of labor and cooperation, and professionals doing professional work, the grandparents received the supporting documents from Jin Wenhui that same day.

Whether it was Jin Wenhui who took the initiative to agree or his grandparents who used other methods, after all, no one knows a child better than his parents. They obtained the original house purchase certificate and contract from Jin Wenhui, as well as the subsequent house sale contract and a series of supporting documents, and handed them all over to Jin Zhao.

Looking at those documents, Jin Zhao would be lying if he said he wasn't moved.

She was too young then, and even after all these years, she hadn't thought about that house. It was only after repeated heartbreaks that she vaguely began to suspect it. But it was just a guess; the more she thought about it, the more certain she became, but she had no evidence. And now, the evidence was in her hands.

It was easier than she had imagined, but not as enjoyable as she had hoped.

She handed it over to a lawyer.

Zhao Xu finally managed to meet with the creditors.

In order to secure the most favorable amount, Jin Zhao went to the meeting with Zhao Xu and his wife Jin Wenyi on the day of the meeting.

The other person was a middle-aged man who was overweight. His facial features were still vaguely visible and fairly regular, but he was a bit bald. His name was Feng Chao.

In the coffee shop, Feng Chao, with a black belt around his large belly and his legs crossed, bluntly said, "I didn't go to school much. I dropped out of junior high school and started out making my own way in the world. I quite enjoy dealing with you cultured people. Cultured people are well-read and care a lot about their reputation. Teacher Xiao Jin is indeed a university professor; she's far ahead in this regard."

At this point, Feng Chao put down his crossed legs, leaned forward, and asked Jin Zhao, "Teacher Jin, I'm actually quite surprised that you can handle this matter. If I were you, I would be considered a person with a conscience if I didn't kick him while he's down and take the opportunity to stomp on him. You actually stepped in to help him deal with it."

Zhao Xu immediately interrupted, "Mr. Feng is joking."

“I’m not joking,” Feng Chao pointed at Jin Zhao. “To be honest, the most pitiful person in this whole thing is Teacher Jin. She hasn’t gained any benefits over the years, but when trouble comes, she’s the first one they come to. Of course, in our line of work, I’ve seen this kind of thing many times. There are many families that favor sons over daughters, who don’t think of their daughters when it comes to benefits, but drag their daughters down when trouble comes, and it can get really ugly. I’ve never seen anyone as dignified and amiable as Teacher Jin before. I’ve even seen fathers and daughters and mothers and daughters attacking each other, and they even took pictures. Do you want to see them?”

As Feng Chao spoke, he actually took out his phone to share the message.

Zhao Xu hurriedly said, "No need, no need, Boss Feng."

“Yeah, it’s bloody and disgusting.” Feng Chao put away his phone and crossed his legs again. “Let’s get back to the point. Considering how miserable Teacher Xiao Jin is, I agree that we can agree on a certain amount and stop rolling over. But I don’t agree to the number you’re talking about.”

Zhao Xu politely refilled the other person's tea and asked with a smile, "How much would you like?"

Feng Chao held up a number: "Eight million."

Zhao Xu and Jin Wenyi's expressions changed slightly.

In this way, the fixed amount doesn't actually offer any advantage.

Feng Chao: "If you don't agree, we can stick to the agreement and you can pay me back after you finish the lawsuit and get your money back. But let me remind you, a lawsuit can take a long or short time, and it won't just be eight million by then."

Zhao Xu and Jin Wenyi exchanged a glance.

Jin Zhao decisively replied, "Okay, eight million it is. But there's something I need Mr. Feng's help with."

"You're actually negotiating with me?"

Jin Zhao: "It's not a condition, but it's also to help you get your debt back as soon as possible."

"you say."

“We’ve consulted on this case, and we’re certain we’ll win in court. But once the court rules, it’s hard to say when the other party will repay the money. If it drags on for a year or two, it will be a loss for us, and for you too. What I’m trying to say is that once the court rules, I’ll immediately transfer the debt to you, and you can directly pursue Lin Yao to recover it.”

Feng Chao was taken aback, then laughed: "Teacher Xiao Jin, you've got a pretty good plan. You're the ones who owe me money, yet you're ordering me around. Are you worried they won't pay back the money, so you're using me to your advantage?"

Feng Chao thought about it for a moment. Since it was his area of ​​expertise, it didn't matter who he asked for the debt, so he simply nodded and said, "Okay, I agree. It's eight million. You can come to me whenever you get the judgment and I'll help you collect the money."

After finishing his sentence, Feng Chao slapped his thigh and left the coffee shop with a cheerful air.

Back in the car, Feng Chao immediately made a phone call, which was answered quickly.

"I said yes."

He was alone in the car, and it was on speakerphone. The other person had a female voice that sounded somewhat cold.

"Thanks."

"No need to thank me, we've known each other for a long time." Feng Chao smiled. "I'm just curious, why is Wu, the famous star who never gets up early without a profit, suddenly so willing to help others? You're the kind of person who would even try to get something back from someone who just drinks your water."

There was a moment of silence on the other end: "She had already given me benefits ten years ago."

Feng Chao: "Ten years ago? You owe her a favor?"

The other party ignored him and casually reminded him, "Remember what you promised me? The eight million was just something I told the Jin family. When the money comes back, you'll have to return the extra amount to her."

Feng Chao changed his posture: "Wait, Wu Nian, when did you become so kind? Did the sun rise in the west? This is not like you. Last year you were ruthless and crushed your brother to death in the mud. Now you suddenly do this, I'm even more curious about who this person is."

“Just a good person.” Wu Nian paused, then softly asked, “But shouldn’t good people be rewarded?”

-----------------------

Author's Note: As I've mentioned before, Jin Zhao and Wu Nian's storyline revolves around girls helping each other.

Actually, the name Feng Chao appeared before, in Chapter 7, do you guys remember? [shy]