The narrow corridors of the tenement buildings in Sham Shui Po are filled with a mixture of dampness and cooking fumes.
Gao Qiaohao found the corresponding house number and looked at the face of the middle-aged woman in front of him who was obviously panicked and tired after being asked by him. She should be Lu Ruirong's mother.
It’s no wonder that Lu’s mother was frightened by Gao Qiaohao. After all, she had been uneasy since Lu Ruirong and his daughter went to the financial company.
In order to make herself less frightened, she took out the clothes to wash. Having something to do made her feel more at ease.
But Gao Qiaohao, dressed in an elite suit and tie, suddenly appeared in front of her and almost scared her to death.
"Sir, you...you're looking for our Ah Rong? Are you from TVB?"
Yes! The first time Lu's mother saw Gao Qiaohao, she felt that disaster was coming. She thought Gao Qiaohao was a ruthless person sent by TVB to "collect the penalty for breach of contract."
So, she immediately said tremblingly:
"The money... the money will be there soon! Arong and her father have already gone to the financial company! If you give us a little more time, we will definitely be able to collect the 1.5 million yuan penalty! Please..."
Gao Qiaohao was stunned and immediately realized that the other party had misunderstood his identity.
He quickly adjusted his expression, trying to put on a gentle smile, and said, "Mrs. Lu, you misunderstood. I'm not from TVB. I'm Mr. Kobayashi's assistant, Gao Qiaohao. Mr. Kobayashi sent me to see Ms. Lu."
"Xiao...Xiao Linsheng?"
Mother Lu's eyes suddenly widened, first in disbelief, then with an expression of relief and surprise.
Then, tears rolled down without warning: "Are you... are you here to pick up Arong? Xiao Linsheng hasn't forgotten Arong? That's great... That's great!"
She was so excited that she was incoherent, and then she quickly opened the door and invited Gao Qiaohao in.
The small living room inside was clearly visible, with simple and even somewhat shabby furnishings.
After Gao Qiaohao took a quick glance, he had a more intuitive understanding of the Lu family's financial situation.
Thinking of what Lu's mother had just said, Gao Qiaohao knew that something might have happened in the Lu family that he didn't understand, so he immediately asked in a deep voice, "Mrs. Lu, you just said that Miss Lu and her father went to the finance company? To... borrow money? Why did they want to borrow money?"
"yes!"
Lu's mother hurriedly wiped her tears and said anxiously, "It's all to raise the 1.5 million yuan in liquidated damages! Ah Rong said TVB is pressing her hard and that if she doesn't sign their contract, she'll have to pay compensation. The family has collected 30,000 yuan, plus the 1 million yuan check Xiao Linsheng gave Ah Rong earlier, and there is still a shortfall of 470,000 yuan.
There's no other way, we can only go to that kind of place to borrow money! Mr. Gao Qiao, you should go and stop them! The interest rates at that kind of place are horrifyingly high, and the interest is compounded. If we poor people borrow money, we will never be able to pay it back in our lifetime. We must never borrow money from them!"
Her voice was filled with fear and heartache for her daughter.
Gao Qiaohao was also very surprised when he heard this.
He had never expected Lu Ruirong to be so resolute and decisive. In order not to implicate Xiao Linsheng and to maintain his dignity against TVB, she actually chose to borrow money from a loan shark?
This was in stark contrast to his previous impression of the Miss Hong Kong third runner-up as "smart, pragmatic, and good at utilizing her own advantages."
Gao Qiaohao really didn't expect that Lu Ruirong would be so "loyal and righteous" to his boss.
"Do you know which financial company it is?" Gao Qiaohao asked immediately.
"I know! It's the 'Shunli Da' on Portland Street!" Lu's mother quickly pointed in a direction.
Gao Qiaohao's mind was racing with thoughts.
After the initial shock, his professional acumen immediately allowed him to grasp the huge value behind this matter.
He made a prompt decision and said to Lu's mother, "Mrs. Lu, don't worry, we'll be there right away. But please wait at home for a moment. I may need your help."
As he spoke, he picked up the phone in the grocery store next door and dialed the dedicated line of Repulse Bay Villa.
When the call was connected, he immediately reported the situation at the Lu family, saying, "Boss, there's something wrong with Miss Lu Ruirong. She doesn't want to sign a contract with TVB, and she doesn't want to trouble you with the NT$1.5 million liquidated damages. She has taken her father to the 'Shunli Da' finance company on Portland Street to borrow high-interest loans, intending to pay the bill herself."
My family has collected 30,000 yuan, and with the 1 million yuan you gave me earlier, our goal is to borrow 470,000 yuan to make up the difference. It seems we are a little late..."
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a moment. Lin Huowang held the receiver, his brows slightly furrowed.
The situation described by Gao Qiaohao was a little beyond his expectations.
He originally thought that his relationship with Lu Ruirong and her acceptance of his series of arrangements were just a transaction in which both parties got what they wanted.
His understanding of her only remained at the superficial level of "clear-headed, rational, and knowing how to use opportunities to change her destiny."
This is completely consistent with Lin Huowang's unified perception of beautiful girls from the lower class of Hong Kong Island in this era.
What Lin Huowang had never expected was that this time, when facing the pressure from TVB, she actually chose the most difficult and dangerous path in order to prevent him from getting involved in possible gossip and to respond to his goal of fighting against TVB, and was willing to bear the risk of usury alone.
When Lin Huowang thought of this, his brows furrowed slightly, and he couldn't help but recall his second love affair with Lu Ruirong.
This woman is quite interesting!
Lin Huowang was really surprised by her resolute responsibility and her "loyalty" to him, and his heart was gently moved by this subtle touch.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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