March in Beihai was thick with humidity—the kind of dampness you could wring out of the air like a wet rag. Along the secondhand car lots of Guangdong Road, the palm fronds hung limp and heavy. The street stalls hadn't started their dinner rush yet; only a few car washers were lazily spraying down tires in the afternoon heat.
Ah Kun leaned against a weathered white Toyota Prado, a half-burnt cigarette dangling from his lips. He squinted at Ah Cai, who was circling the vehicle like a moth around a flame.
"Told you, Cai-zai. This 3.5L V6 is the only rig that fits your stature," Ah Kun said, flicking ash onto the pavement. He slapped the heavy steel of the hood. "You go back to the docks to buy seafood in this? The boat captains won't dare lowball you. Perception is reality, brother. This car does the negotiating for you."
Ah Cai ran his hand over the paint, his eyes gleaming with hunger, but his voice wavered. "Kun-ge, I love it. But Ah Hai told me my credit score is trash. He said no bank would touch me."
"Ah Hai is a coward who looks down on his own brothers!" Ah Kun barked, throwing an arm around Ah Cai's shoulders. He lowered his voice. "The banks won't take you because his connections are shallow. Come on. I'll take you to Henan Road to see Brother De. He's tight with the big bosses—he specializes in 'impossible' cases. But listen, because it's a tough file, the fees are a tiny bit higher. Can you handle that?"
"If he can get me the keys, I'll pay whatever!" Ah Cai spat, gritting his teeth. "I pull in ten grand a month at the docks. What am I scared of?"
"That's the spirit!"
Half an hour later, in a dimly lit office on Henan Road under a sign that read Hengli Consulting, Brother De was reclining in his chair, sipping dark tea.
"Brother De, this is my brother Ah Cai. He wants to swallow that Prado," Ah Kun said, immediately offering a high-end cigarette.
De flipped through Ah Cai's credit report and let out a cold snort. "Cai-zai, your credit is as black as coal. Over three hundred late payments? You treat the bank like an ATM? In all of Beihai, nobody but me would even look at you."
Ah Cai nodded frantically. "That's why I'm here. I've got fifty thousand in cash. The Prado is three hundred thousand. I need a loan for the remaining two-fifty."
De tapped rapidly on a calculator. The screen flashed a cold, sharp number.
"I can do it. Five-year term. But since your profile is radioactive, the interest rate is at the ceiling: 9.8% monthly. You in?"
"9.8%..." Ah Cai felt a sharp pang in his chest as he did the math.
"Cai-zai!" Ah Kun jumped in, stoking the fire. "Think about it! You drive a Prado for only fifty grand down! You roll through the South Pearl Market and everyone calls you 'Boss.' Is that respect worth a little interest? In five years, the car is yours."
"Fine! I'll sign!" The heat of pride rushed to Ah Cai's head. He reached for the pen.
"Wait," Ah Cai paused, squinting at the fine print. "De-ge, what's this 'Lease-to-Own' clause? The car isn't in my name?"
De leaned back, exhaling a perfect ring of smoke. "Brother, with your credit, do you think a bank would allow your name on a title? This is 'flexible' financing. The car stays in the company's name. You pay the 'rent' every month, and the moment the five years are up, we transfer the title to you. This is how everyone in Beihai does it. Ask Kun."
"Exactly, it's standard practice," Ah Kun chimed in. "Sign now, and you'll be sipping dessert drinks at the harbor in your new ride by sunset."
Ah Cai didn't hesitate further. He scribbled his name.
"Good. You're a man of action," De said, his face suddenly turning stone-cold as he tucked the contract away. "One last word of advice. Beihai is a small town. This car has three GPS trackers hidden in it. You pay on time, every time. If you're one day late, my boys will 'recover' the vehicle. When that happens, don't tell me I didn't warn you."
"Don't worry, De-ge! My word is my bond!"
As Ah Cai walked out, head held high, Ah Kun turned back with a sly grin and held out his hand.
De pulled a roll of bills from his drawer and slapped five hundred-yuan notes into his palm. "Nice work, Kun. That was a fat 'Crab' you hooked. Here's your finder's fee. Go get some tea."
Ah Kun snapped the cash against his thumb. "Thanks, De-ge. There's plenty more 'Suckers' in this town who want to look like big shots. I'll bring you the next one soon."