Li Zhi returned home with his newly bought toys and five brand new one-yuan bills.
He casually put the money on the table, his face full of relief and pride.
Looking at Father Li's puzzled face, he said casually, "I said I would give it to you, so why make such a fuss?"
He really couldn't understand why they would rather work hard on the farm and only earn one or two dollars a month than make money easily like him.
Father Li's eyes flickered between the money and Li Zhi. His voice suddenly grew darker. "Where did you get this money from? What did you do?"
He absolutely did not believe that a child who was only fourteen or fifteen years old could easily get back five dollars by going out.
He knew how difficult it was to make money, so he was full of doubts and vigilance about it.
There was a hint of obvious disgust in Li Zhi's eyes, and he didn't want to explain too much.
While playing with his newly bought toys, he nonchalantly replied, "Just bring the money back, why do you care where it came from? Don't ask, just go buy some food!"
He was not worried that the source of the money would cause trouble. After all, the money was "borrowed" by him and no one asked him to pay it back immediately.
Seeing this, Li's mother hurried out to smooth things over. "Dad, since your son has already returned with the money, don't overthink it. Let's go buy some food first. We didn't eat last night and we're still hungry."
She looked at Li Zhi with heartache, hoping that the matter would end there.
However, Father Li's doubts were not dispelled. He felt even more uneasy when he saw Li Zhi's nonchalant look.
He decided to go to the town himself to find out where Li Zhi went and what he did to get the money back.
He soon found some clues and followed them to the shop opposite the toy store.
As soon as the boss saw Mr. Li, he took the initiative to step forward and ask, "Sir, are you here to borrow money?"
Father Li stood in front of the store, feeling both nervous and expectant.
He naturally knew who the boss in front of him was—a well-known big brother in town, involved in various businesses and with all kinds of means.
Therefore, when he heard the word "borrow money", his body trembled involuntarily, not only because of nervousness, but also because of a glimmer of hope that surged in his heart.
He asked tentatively, "Boss, was there a kid about fourteen or fifteen years old who came to borrow money this morning? His name is Li Zhi?"
The boss recognized Mr. Li's identity at a glance and instantly understood his purpose.
He smiled and nodded, then began to skillfully explain Li Zhi's borrowing of money: "Yes, there's a kid named Li Zhi who borrowed ten yuan from me. Actually, he also came to borrow money yesterday, but only one yuan."
As he spoke, the boss handed Li's father an IOU. "Our loans are very reliable, and you can repay them in installments. Ten yuan a month only requires a monthly payment of one dollar and ten cents. Li Zhi borrowed eleven yuan in total, so for two months, he needs to pay back one dollar and twenty-three cents a month."
Mr. Li was a little surprised after hearing this. This novel way of borrowing money made him feel both novel and excited.
He thought to himself, "If I only have to pay back a little over a dollar a month on these ten dollars, wouldn't it be like I only have to pay back ten dollars a month on a hundred dollars? Then, wouldn't I be able to borrow some money every month to eat something nice, and then use eleven dollars of that to pay back the loan?"
Thinking of this, Father Li's eyes suddenly lit up.
He asked anxiously, "Boss, do you think I can borrow money from you?" At this moment, he seemed to have seen a whole new world.
The boss shook his head firmly at Mr. Li's request for a loan. "No, we have a rule: we can only lend to one person per family." Seeing the disappointment on Mr. Li's face, the boss added, "Of course, if you're really short of money, you can ask your son to borrow."
After hearing this, Father Li nodded and walked out without thinking too much.
He was thinking about how to use the borrowed money to improve his life, but he didn't notice the disgust and disdain on his boss's face.
The boss sighed inwardly, thinking that Miss Li was right, there was nothing good in this family.
Many people who come here to borrow money have seriously ill relatives at home and are in urgent need of money, but there has never been a family like theirs who comes here to borrow money just to buy things or spend money.
The boss recalled the first time he met Ms. Li. She asked him if he wanted to cooperate, and then the two sat down to talk in detail.
He was deeply shocked by Miss Li's plan and was amazed by her wealth and wisdom. Therefore, he was willing to help Miss Li and carry out her plan.
Father Li brought Li Zhi to the town again, and this time he confidently wanted to borrow a hundred yuan.
The boss paused, looked at the father and son, and then slowly said, "This hundred yuan is not a small sum. If you can't pay it back, then I will be at a disadvantage. This money can be lent, but I must have collateral."
Father Li was in a dilemma. Mortgage? Their family was extremely poor, what could they possibly mortgage?
He tentatively asked the boss, "What can you mortgage here?" The boss pursed his lips and replied, "Some land, vehicles, valuable home appliances, etc."
When he heard the word "land", Father Li's eyes immediately lit up, "Land is fine! We have land!"
The boss laughed inwardly, but remained calm on the surface and said, "Since you have the land, that's all. I'll lend you the money today, but you have to pay it back on time next month. If you don't pay it back on time, the penalty interest will be very high."
The boss was not worried at all because all this was part of Miss Li's plan. All she wanted was his land.
"This is an IOU, please sign it!" The boss handed over the IOU and ink.
Father Li asked Li Zhi to press his palm print without thinking.
The two of them happily went to the vegetable market with a hundred yuan to buy some vegetables so that they could improve their diet a little. As they left, the boss showed a sneer at the corner of his mouth.
After the two left, Song Jiao walked out from behind the curtain.
The boss immediately handed her the IOU. "Miss, you are really a prophet!" Song Jiao held the IOU with a slightly raised mouth corner. Who can resist the temptation of money?
Even the person who showed Mr. Li the way was arranged by her long ago.
"Well, when you have time, try to negotiate for the land in Lijia Village. You can make some money from it in the future." Song Jiao instructed.
The boss nodded repeatedly in response, secretly delighted that he could make a lot of money again this time.
At this time, Li's father and Li Zhi were still immersed in the joy of borrowing money and had no idea that they had fallen into a trap carefully designed by others.
Song Jiao restocked the store and then returned to Lijia Village.
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