After making the arrangements, Xu Yan went to the lobby to pay with his credit card.
There weren't many people getting CT scans in the afternoon, but it still took several hours. By the time my younger brother and I finished our full-body check-up, it was already evening.
Xu Yan took a taxi to send his younger siblings home. Along the way, Xu Ping remained silent, as if he had something to say to Xu Yan in private.
After returning home, the two brothers cooked dinner, let their younger siblings do their homework at home, and then went out together.
The alleys in the old neighborhood are deep and narrow, and the uneven ground is covered with dark puddles formed by rainwater, with a faint stench wafting into the air.
They had lived here for several years, and Xu Ping knew exactly how to avoid all the puddles without having to look down, so he wouldn't step into the black water.
"Brother, let's sell the cards Zhou Yi gave us last time."
"I know you paid for my little brother's full-body checkup with your credit card."
"But you're owing more and more money. If you don't pay off your credit card debt soon, the interest will keep rising and it will affect your travel."
With the internet so readily available these days, banks have started reporting credit information to the credit bureau.
If someone owes money and doesn't pay it back, calling to collect is secondary; the main thing is to lock their personal information online, preventing them from even buying a high-speed rail ticket.
As a member of the Zhou Group, if the company finds out that Xu Yan owes money on his credit card and becomes a defaulter, the consequences could be severe.
Xu Yan looked down at the bumpy road beneath his feet. Even though he had walked it thousands of times, he would still carefully look down at the road.
He polishes his leather shoes until they shine every night before going to bed, maintaining a neat and tidy appearance.
He was so cautious because he knew that the heavy burden of the family rested on his shoulders, and he dared not relax for a moment.
Just like these leather shoes on his feet, they are his only pair. If he accidentally steps into the black water, he won't be able to wear them to the company tomorrow.
The company has very strict requirements regarding image; it would be a huge loss to be singled out because of a pair of shoes!
These shoes, like him, bear the heavy burden of the family, so he can only take good care of them and grit his teeth to persevere day after day.
Returning to reality from his thoughts about the shoes, Xu Yan was still somewhat hesitant.
"That card...cannot be sold!"
Although he didn't know what the card was for, he had a vague feeling that he should keep it.
But the family is barely able to afford food, and the credit card debt is piling up. What's the point of keeping this card?
Xu Yan remained silent for a moment; he was well aware of his family's situation...
Xu Ping's eyes reddened as he continued to persuade him, "Brother, I know you're thinking about the future, but what about the rent? What about tuition and medical expenses?"
"We need to survive before we can think about the future. Let's solve the problems at hand first."
"Okay, let's go to the Black Pearl Restaurant and ask them what their buyback price is. This card was originally for Zhou Yi, so if they take it, it's like returning it to its rightful owner."
"If the buyback price is too low, we won't sell."
Xu Yan didn't say anything more and nodded silently.
The fact that he was willing to come out and talk about this already proves that he really couldn't withstand the pressure from his family anymore; he just needed someone to persuade him.
The two arrived at the Black Pearl Restaurant, and Xu Ping looked at Xu Yan expectantly.
Xu Yan pursed his lips and took out the platinum card from his wallet, handing it to Xu Ping.
As Xu Ping placed the platinum card on the front desk, he nervously asked, "Hello, this is a complimentary platinum card from your restaurant. How much is it worth?"
The receptionist stared wide-eyed at the platinum card in front of her.
It turns out that only three platinum cards have ever been issued in the entire city of Luzhou.
She's been here for a year, and she's finally seen the real thing!
Several seconds later, the receptionist finally realized what was happening.
Are these two here to sell cards?
He looked the two men up and down. They were dressed very plainly and didn't look like the powerful figures they were used to!
How did they get our store's platinum card?
Could it have been stolen?
The receptionist instantly became alert. Her excellent manners prevented her from immediately questioning the reason; instead, she quickly changed her expression and smiled, saying:
"Please wait a moment while I find the manager to set the price."
Xu Yan took in the receptionist's expression, which shifted from shock to suspicion to caution. Without making a sound, he pulled Xu Ping to sit down on the sofa in the waiting area.
Even the sofas in upscale restaurants are exceptionally soft, making you feel completely relaxed as soon as you sit down.
Xu Ping crossed his arms and muttered to himself, as if praying to God that the card could fetch a good price.
Xu Yan's gaze was fixed on the receptionist as she dialed the manager's number, a glint of shrewdness flashing behind her eyes.
It seems there has been a misunderstanding!
However, Zhou Yi gave him the card in person at the restaurant, and the manager was also present, so he wasn't worried that Black Pearl Restaurant would call the police.
Meanwhile, in the private rooms on the third floor of the Black Pearl Restaurant.
Shen Bingyan ate her dinner elegantly. The exquisite food was as tasteless to her as drinking plain water; it was just food to fill her stomach.
The bodyguard walked in with the documents and respectfully asked, "Miss, has your withdrawal notice been processed?"
"If things go well, I can contact the schools in Kyoto, and you can transfer back to Kyoto then."
Shen Bingyan picked up a napkin to wipe her mouth, then took a sip of warm water to rinse it before slowly speaking:
"I didn't go to do it today."
The bodyguard looked up blankly, surprised, and said, "Huh? Miss, didn't you say you wanted to...?"
Upon seeing Shen Bingyan's gaze, the bodyguard suddenly snapped out of his daze and exclaimed in surprise, "You're not going to change your mind again, are you?"
"Did you run into Zhou Yi again today?"
Shen Bingyan's indifferent eyes swept over the bodyguard's surprised face, and she said, "I saw Su Qingjiao today. She said that Zhou Yi asked her to meet him on the top floor of the auditorium at the end of the month."
"She wanted to give me this opportunity so that I could talk to Zhou Yi alone."
The bodyguard's face turned ashen with rage. What did he mean by giving it to their young lady?!
Who is Miss? Does she need a woman like Su Qingjiao to fawn over her?
Zhou Yi is blind and blind; he doesn't even know Su Qingjiao's character!
The bodyguard knew very well that Su Qingjiao's words were all lies, but he was worried that his young lady would lose her composure, so he hurriedly advised her, "Miss, you can't trust someone like Su Qingjiao."
"She's not that kind-hearted; she's definitely trying to embarrass you by asking you to go."
"Besides, since you've already decided to return to Kyoto, you should let go of everything here."
"Miss, the old master is waiting for you to come back."
Shen Bingyan looked at the streetlights outside the window and said indifferently, "Don't worry, I'm not going."
The bodyguard's facial muscles twitched; he was genuinely worried.
As long as the young lady hasn't returned to Kyoto, he can't put his mind at ease.
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