BANG! BANG! BANG!
The violent knocking shook the courtyard gate, making the already dilapidated wooden door seem ready to give way.
"Brother!"
Chen Erya's expression, which had been relaxed by the delicious food, immediately tensed up.
Chen Ping'an gave her a reassuring glance and stood up to open the gate.
Their small courtyard wasn't large; it was only a few steps to the wooden gate. However, Chen Ping'an had just taken a single step when the gate was kicked open with a CRASH.
The wooden bar that held the latch had snapped in two!
As the broken bar hit the ground, a sharp glint flashed in Chen Ping'an's eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
Forcing one's way into a home without the owner's permission—according to Daqian Law, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to strike them down on the spot. It was perfectly legal and justified.
Several figures appeared at the gate, led by a formidable, dark-skinned man whose face was flushed a deep crimson.
The man was extremely tall, a full head taller than Chen Ping'an.
"Chen Family's kid, we were knocking for a long time and you didn't open up. I got a little rough, you don't mind, do you?"
The man watched Chen Ping'an with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, carefully studying his reaction.
Chen Ping'an's face showed no sign of alarm. He was all smiles.
"Not at all, Master Hu. It was my fault for being slow to open the door."
"It's Young Master Xiao Hu! Master Hu is my adoptive father. You can't just throw his name around."
As he spoke, the man strode into the courtyard, his gaze falling upon the dishes on the wooden table.
"Chen Family's kid, you're eating well! The meal my brothers and I had today was nothing compared to this! You really know how to live!"
Young Master Xiao Hu sat down on a wooden stool with an imposing air, startling Chen Erya into standing up and shrinking behind her brother.
"Pork belly, bone soup... Chen Family's kid, you're living quite comfortably!"
"As expected of the Chen family. Your standard of living is on another level."
The few gang lackeys standing behind Young Master Xiao Hu said sarcastically.
Chen Ping'an's expression remained unchanged. He walked to Chen Erya's side, took her hand, and squeezed it firmly.
"Yesterday, I happened to be on assignment with the constabulary when we took down the Quicksand Gang. I was lucky enough to earn a little merit, and it's been a long time since I've had any meat. I thought I'd treat myself today. I never expected a distinguished guest like Young Master Xiao Hu to drop by."
Beside him, Chen Erya was nervous, her whole body tense. Chen Ping'an squeezed her hand a few times, trying his best to calm her.
It was no wonder Chen Erya was nervous. The man before them was no ordinary person. He was a well-known figure in the streets and alleys around Pear Blossom Lane.
Of the Tiger Head Gang, Young Master Xiao Hu!
Master Hu of the Tiger Head Gang's Legitimate Son had died young, so he had adopted several sons. The Young Master Xiao Hu before them was the one Master Hu valued most, the one being groomed as the gang's successor.
Normally, a person of his stature wouldn't just show up at someone's door. But besides being the most favored adopted son of the Tiger Head Gang's master, Young Master Xiao Hu had another identity.
He was Chen Ping'an's creditor!
Some time ago, the silver Father Chen had borrowed to secure him the position of constable had come from none other than Young Master Xiao Hu.
Young Master Xiao Hu said nothing, sitting at the wooden table and watching Chen Ping'an with an amused expression.
Since Young Master Xiao Hu didn't speak, Chen Ping'an didn't either. He simply stood there, smiling and watching quietly.
Sometimes, not panicking is a form of strength. Silence is also a form of strength!
Chen Ping'an knew Young Master Xiao Hu had understood the meaning behind his words.
Even an unofficial constable was still a constable!
"As expected of the Chen Family's kid! You've got some nerve! Just like Old Chen. I didn't come for any other reason today. I just wanted to ask if it's about time to repay the silver you borrowed!"
'So it is,'
Chen Ping'an thought. 'The worst-case scenario has finally happened.'
"Young Master Xiao Hu, back when my father was alive, the agreement was clear. We borrowed ten taels of silver, to be repaid as thirteen taels after one year. There's still almost half a year left. Isn't it... a little early to be asking for repayment!"
Chen Ping'an wore a flattering smile, only letting a hint of embarrassment show at the very end.
Young Master Xiao Hu narrowed his eyes at Chen Ping'an. After a long moment, he finally spoke.
"Chen Family's kid, you know as well as I do that I gave your Old Chen face back then by setting the terms at thirteen taels after a year. You can ask around—you won't find a lower interest rate anywhere! In this day and age, there are people looking for loans everywhere. If the Tiger Head Gang lends money out, forget thirteen taels in a year. Repaying sixteen taels in half a year is not even considered unusual.
"Lately, the gang has been reviewing its accounts strictly. And wouldn't you know it, they found this old debt. They're pushing me to collect it early."
'The loan was nine-out, thirteen-in!'
'They said it was a loan of ten taels, but I only received nine!'
'The gravely injured Old Chen had some face, but all it got us was preferential treatment, not the ridiculously good deal Young Master Xiao Hu was claiming.'
'As for the gang reviewing its accounts... that's obviously a load of crap!'
'With Young Master Xiao Hu's status in the gang, who would dare trouble him over such a small debt? Who would dare rush him to collect it?!'
Chen Ping'an complained inwardly.
However...
'Since Young Master Xiao Hu is bothering to lie to me, it means he's not willing to completely drop the pretense yet.'
'This temporary constable's title of mine must be having some effect.'
"Young Master Xiao Hu, as you know, my Monthly Allowance is only eight mace. I've been a constable for just over half a year, and after daily expenses, I haven't saved much. Before my father died, he spent everything he had left to get me this post. That's why we had to borrow those ten taels of silver from you! Could you possibly grant me a little more time?"
Chen Ping'an spoke humbly, his words polite and conciliatory.
Young Master Xiao Hu remained silent, but a lackey beside him shouted harshly.
"Chen Family's kid, you're eating pork belly and drinking bone soup, and you say you have no money?! Who'd believe that! Hurry up! Pay up today, or don't blame us brothers for being ruthless and showing no mercy!"
The little lackey shouted, his face a mask of viciousness.
Chen Ping'an didn't respond to him. He simply bowed his head slightly, looking at Young Master Xiao Hu with a pleading expression.
Some people bark fiercely but pose no real threat. Their leashes are often held by the ones who don't bark.
SLAM!
Seeing that Chen Ping'an wasn't responding, the lackey grew even more incensed. He slammed his palm on the wooden table, splashing bone soup across its surface and knocking the pork belly out of its bowl.
"I'm talking to you, Chen Family's kid!"
Chen Ping'an remained silent, his expression pleading, but his gaze was firm.
"Liu'Er, that's enough."
Young Master Xiao Hu made a pressing motion with his hand, and the loudly barking lackey immediately shut his mouth.
"Alright, Chen Family's kid, I won't make things difficult for you. Consider today a reminder. I'll give you five more days! In five days, bring me the principal and interest."
"Thank you for your mercy, Young Master Xiao Hu."
Chen Ping'an released Chen Erya's hand, first cupping his fists in a salute, then speaking again in a calm, measured tone.
"Young Master Xiao Hu, my Monthly Allowance is due in ten days. You are a magnanimous person; why not extend the deadline by another five days? After ten days, when my allowance is paid, it will be easier for me to borrow from my colleagues even if I'm still short. At that time, I will definitely repay the principal and interest to you in full!"
Chen Ping'an's voice was firm, showing no hint of uncertainty.
"Ten days!"
Young Master Xiao Hu snorted coldly and shot up from the wooden stool.
Chen Ping'an didn't flinch. He maintained his saluting posture, perfectly still.
"What a kid! Fine, I'll give you ten days! But in ten days, you won't be paying back thirteen taels. It'll be fourteen!"
Hearing Young Master Xiao Hu's words, a timely flicker of panic crossed Chen Ping'an's eyes. Young Master Xiao Hu and his kind had dealt with all sorts of people. They were experts at reading expressions, and he caught that flicker of panic perfectly.
Chen Ping'an glanced at his sister, then back at Young Master Xiao Hu. After a moment's hesitation, he gritted his teeth and agreed.
"Alright, just as Young Master Xiao Hu says. In ten days, I will repay you fourteen taels of silver, principal and interest included!"
"Good, good, good! Excellent! You've got guts! Truly a son of the old Chen family."
Young Master Xiao Hu laughed and clapped.
"Liu'Er, Ah Mao, Feizi, let's go!"
Young Master Xiao Hu called to his men and started walking out of the courtyard. As he passed Chen Ping'an, he laughed and patted him on the shoulder.
"Thank you for the extension, Young Master Xiao Hu. Take care."
Chen Ping'an saw them off with a smile.
Young Master Xiao Hu didn't look back, but the lackey called Liu'Er shot Chen Ping'an a vicious glare.
He watched Young Master Xiao Hu and his men leave, not letting the smile fade from his face until their backs had disappeared into the distance.
'That flicker of panic was intentional. A young man's Heart Nature can be resilient, but being too much of a Demon Fiend is not necessarily a good thing!'
'Whether they paid it any mind or not, he was alone and without support. He had to be extra cautious.'