As soon as Chen Yang got out of the car, he saw the man sitting dejectedly on the zebra crossing, head bowed, his injuries unknown. Chen Yang rushed to his side and asked anxiously,
"Are you alright? Where are you hurt?"
Seeing no blood on the ground, Chen Yang felt slightly relieved, but he didn't dare to let his guard down. If the man had injured internal organs, it might not be visible on the surface.
Actually, because Chen Yang had instinctively swerved the car, the man had only been grazed by the rearview mirror and had fallen to the ground unexpectedly. He seemed quite frightened, trembling with his head down. Hearing Chen Yang's question, the man looked up and said,
"I...I'm alright...Brother Yang?"
When the man saw Chen Yang's face clearly, he couldn't help but shout with surprise.
Chen Yang was stunned. Looking closely, he realized it was the person in front of him. Memories of his ex flooded his mind, and Chen Yang exclaimed in surprise, "Xiao Yi! It's you!"
The person sitting on the ground was named Song Yi. Through his ex's memories, Chen Yang knew this was his childhood friend. Song Yi was two years younger than Chen Yang, and the two had grown up together. When they were young, Chen Yang's family was very poor, and Song Yi would often secretly take food from home to give to Chen Yang. From elementary school to high school, they were best friends.
However, Chen Yang went to Rongcheng University to study, while Song Yi failed the college entrance exam two years later and stayed in Nanpu County. Their contact gradually decreased, but they would always get together during holidays. Chen Yang never expected to meet Song Yi in Rongcheng, especially under these circumstances. He quickly helped Song Yi up, asking with concern,
"Xiao Yi, were you hurt? How could you be so careless? Crossing the street without even looking at the traffic lights!"
"Hehe, Brother Yang, I'm fine, just a little startled..." Song Yi scratched his head sheepishly, glanced at the Land Rover, and said enviously, "Brother Yang, you drive such a nice car!"
Chen Yang looked Song Yi over. He was filthy, emanating a sour, sweaty smell. His white shirt was now gray, his jeans were ripped in two places, and his hair was a tangled mess, clearly unwashed for days.
Chen Yang was puzzled. How had Song Yi fallen so low? In his memories of his ex, Song Yi's family, while not extremely wealthy, was at least comfortably well-off! However, this was clearly not the place to talk. The earlier accident had already caused a traffic jam, and a crowd of onlookers had gathered. Chen Yang quickly pulled Song Yi towards the Land Rover, saying,
"Let's talk in the car!"
In a Lanzhou noodle restaurant near Hongguang Road, Song Yi wolfed down his second large bowl of beef noodles, then picked up the last piece of green vegetable from the plate and swallowed it whole.
Sitting opposite Song Yi, Chen Yang couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Yi, want another bowl?"
"No, no! I'm full, Brother Yang!" Song Yi wiped his mouth and said with a smile.
"Okay, then tell me now, what happened? Why are you in such a mess?" Chen Yang nodded and asked.
Song Yi sighed and began to tell Chen Yang about his experiences over the past few days.
It turned out that after failing his college entrance exams, Song Yi stayed in his hometown for a year, but had nothing to do. Song Yi was actually quite clever, but he was a bit unrealistic and had unrealistic expectations. He found easy jobs too low-paying, while higher-paying ones were too strenuous and he couldn't stay in them for long. With only a high school diploma, finding an ideal job was incredibly difficult. In one year, Song Yi changed jobs five times, never staying in one for more than two months.
As time went on, Song Yi's parents started to complain. Song Yi, being arrogant, was particularly interested when a long-lost elementary school classmate called him, offering a job opportunity in Rongcheng with a guaranteed monthly salary of 8,000 yuan plus commission, but requiring a 5,000 yuan deposit. Song Yi was immediately tempted. He managed to get 5,000 or 6,000 yuan from his parents and took a bus to Rongcheng alone.
His elementary school classmate personally picked him up at the Rongcheng West Bus Station and treated him to lunch at a nearby restaurant before taking him to the workplace. However, upon arrival, his classmate's attitude changed drastically; it turned out to be a pyramid scheme operation. Once Song Yi was trapped, all his money, phone, and ID were immediately taken. He was forced to attend brainwashing sessions every day, and was watched 24/7, even when he went to the toilet.
Fortunately, although Song Yi had a low level of education, he was very intelligent and had heard about pyramid schemes. Therefore, he wasn't brainwashed by their relentless psychological manipulation. On the surface, he pretended to cooperate, being the most enthusiastic and hysterical in chanting slogans during sessions. Gradually, the people in the pyramid scheme lowered their guard. And so, today, Song Yi found an opportunity to escape from the hideout.
He wasn't familiar with the roads of Rongcheng. As soon as he escaped, he ran frantically in one direction until he was far away from the pyramid scheme hideout, only then did he feel slightly relieved. However, he was penniless, hadn't even taken his ID or phone, had no money for the return trip, and couldn't even call for help. Feeling lost and helpless, he wandered aimlessly through the streets, not paying attention to the traffic lights when crossing the street, and almost got hit by Chen Yang.
After listening to Song Yi's words, Chen Yang asked, half-laughing and half-crying:
"Xiao Yi, no education or work experience required, 8,000 yuan a month plus commission! You actually believe that? Do you think a free lunch will fall from the sky?"
Song Yi said with a wry smile:
"Sigh! Brother Yang, it's just that I was really bored staying at home. I never thought Luo Qian would actually scam me! That kid was so honest and unassuming in elementary school, he was such a quiet person!"
Luo Qian was the elementary school classmate who tricked Song Yi from his hometown to come to Rongcheng. "People change. How many years has it been since you last saw each other? Besides, people brainwashed by pyramid schemes can't be reasoned with!" Chen Yang scoffed, then asked, "So, what are your plans for the future?"
Song Yi said with a long face:
"I don't know, Brother Yang. If I hadn't met you today, I'd be homeless! But I'm too ashamed to go back! If I went back to my hometown, my parents would nag me endlessly!"
Chen Yang glanced at his watch, frowned, and said:
"I have some things to take care of this afternoon. You come with me for now! After I'm done, I'll find you a place to settle down before we make any plans!"
"Okay! Brother Yang!" Song Yi had always obeyed Chen Yang since childhood, and now that he was in trouble, he agreed without hesitation.
Chen Yang took out his wallet, paid for the noodles, and drove with Song Yi to the alley entrance. He parked the car next to Abiao's billiards hall and led Song Yi straight to Aunt Zhou's house.
Along the way, Song Yi curiously observed the narrow alleyways, the stinking ditches, and the public toilets. He thought to himself, "How can the provincial capital have such a dilapidated place? It's not even as good as Nanpu County. I wonder what Brother Yang is doing here?"
Chen Yang had just knocked on the door when Aunt Zhou quickly opened it and peeked out, clearly waiting for him in the yard.
Upon seeing Chen Yang, Aunt Zhou immediately opened the door warmly, beaming, and said,
"Little Fang... Mr. Fang is here! Please come in!"
Aunt Zhou's attitude was warm but tinged with a hint of respect. She had quickly heard about what happened at the alley entrance that day—that Yue Lei had been arrested by the police, and that even the deputy director of the police station, who was usually very close to Yue Lei, had been taken away. Aunt Zhou immediately thought of Chen Yang, because that day Chen Yang had specifically inquired about Yue Lei's usual haunts, and she herself had personally told him the location of Abiao's billiard hall.
After inquiring carefully, Aunt Zhou learned that Yue Lei had been taken down by a young man driving a luxury car. The neighbors had described the young man's appearance and attire vividly, and Aunt Zhou immediately recognized him as Chen Yang.
She also heard that Yue Lei had several fingers broken and, even if he wasn't executed, would likely face a sentence of ten or twenty years. This made her both respect and fear Chen Yang even more. When they first met, Chen Yang had seemed kind and approachable, like a sunny young man. She couldn't believe he had so easily taken down a ruthless man like Yue Lei. Aunt Zhou secretly rejoiced that she hadn't said anything harsh that day, only truthfully recounting the threats she had received.
Chen Yang and Song Yi entered the courtyard, where Aunt Zhou's uncle was already waiting. Aunt Zhou warmly poured them tea. After taking the teacup, Chen Yang said,
"Auntie, I came today to sign the official transfer contract. I'm going to complete the transfer procedures tomorrow."
After saying that, Chen Yang put the teacup aside, took the contract out of his bag, and handed it to Aunt Zhou, saying,
"Take a look at the contract first, is there any problem?"
Aunt Zhou couldn't understand this at all. She waved her hands repeatedly, saying,
"No need to look! As long as the money is correct."
"That won't do, Auntie. This involves a transaction worth hundreds of thousands. How about this, let me explain the terms of the contract to you!" Seeing Aunt Zhou's attitude, Chen Yang knew she was a little wary of him, so he said kindly.
Song Yi, listening from the side, was completely confused. When did Brother Yang become so rich? Driving a Land Rover and negotiating transactions worth hundreds of thousands?
Chen Yang explained the contract to Aunt Zhou clause by clause, trying to explain the obscure legal terms in simple and easy-to-understand language. Aunt Zhou listened attentively, nodding frequently. Chen Yang spoke for over half an hour before finally finishing, saying,
"Auntie, there's one clause in the additional terms that I need to explain: within one week of completing the transfer of ownership, you must vacate the house and hand it over to me. It's not that I'm in a rush, but I mainly want to get the house back as soon as possible to renovate it and bring my parents to live with us."
Aunt Zhou readily agreed,
"No problem, that's only right. You've already paid, we can't just keep occupying the house!" "Don't worry, I already talked to a relative a few days ago about staying there temporarily. Once we finish the transfer, I'll definitely vacate the house for you!"
Chen Yang said with a smile.
"That's great! If there are no problems... let's sign!"
So, Chen Yang, Aunt Zhou, and Uncle Zhou signed at the buyer's and seller's signature sections respectively. Chen Yang then took out the inkpad he had prepared beforehand and guided Aunt Zhou and Uncle Zhou to place their fingerprints on the signatures and some handwritten numbers. Finally, the three of them placed their fingerprints across the seam of the contract, and the contract was considered signed. Chen Yang gave each of Aunt Zhou and Uncle Zhou a copy of the three-copy contract, then put the last copy in his bag, saying:
"Auntie! This official contract is now signed. I plan to complete the transfer of ownership tomorrow. Are you both free tomorrow morning? There are a few procedures that require both the buyer and seller to be present during the transfer! We should also go to the bank to set up escrow for the remaining purchase price, so we can both feel at ease!"
Aunt Zhou was overjoyed to have sold the house for a satisfactory price. She smiled and said:
"Okay, okay! We're both free, Mr. Fang. Just tell me a time!"
"Well, let's meet at the real estate transaction center at 8:30 tomorrow morning! Remember to bring your ID cards, household registration books, property ownership certificates, and land use certificates." Chen Yang nodded, then added after a moment's thought, "There are also bank counters in the transaction center lobby; you can do the escrow there too!"
"Okay! We'll be there on time tomorrow!" Aunt Zhou and Uncle Zhou both nodded. "Alright, Auntie, I'll take my leave now!"
Having accomplished his mission, Chen Yang left Aunt Zhou's house with Song Yi.