Cannon Fodder Group Ch.89

Chapter 89 – Borrowing Money

Even though it had only been a short while since they last met, Cui Zhiqiang looked markedly different both in appearance and spirit.

Before, Cui Zhiqiang’s complexion, while not particularly rosy, wasn’t as bad as it is now, with dark circles under his eyes, drooping eyelids, bloodshot eyes, and a face that seemed to have sagged.

In the past, Cui Zhiqiang had been spirited and lively, but now he appeared despondent, often showing signs of anxiety and nervousness, like a startled bird constantly on edge.

As soon as Xu Xiangbei approached, before he could speak, Cui Zhiqiang grabbed his arm and said, “Abei, Abei, do you have any money, can you lend me some?”

Xu Xiangbei’s arm was slightly sore from his grip, and after freeing himself, he asked, “What’s going on with you? Why do you need money? I remember you weren’t short of money.”

Cui Zhiqiang fell silent.

Before that incident happened, he definitely wouldn’t have been short of money.

But now, he had no money at all, and he was in massive debt.

Those people had said that if he didn’t repay soon, they would cut off his limbs, and after that, his life would be forfeit.

Last time, in order to marry Zhang Xiaoyan, he had used those watches, planning to set a trap for Xu Xiangbei and then report him, in order to gain the job position that Zhang Xiaoyan’s parents demanded.

Xu Xiangbei had agreed before, but on that night, he unexpectedly backed out and left.

Unable to do anything else, Cui Zhiqiang had to deal with the watches himself, but he hadn’t expected to run into the police.

Those damn police, if they hadn’t been chasing him, he wouldn’t have thought to hide the watches.

But when he went to retrieve them again, they had mysteriously disappeared.

Cui Zhiqiang couldn’t understand why, on that late, dark night, there would still be people passing by at that time, who knew about his secret hideout and even took away all of his watches.

All of his watches, which he owed a large sum of final payments for, worth several thousand yuan.

He had thought that since Xu Xiangbei didn’t fall for it, he would sell the watches himself and use the money to make up for it. He could have made a lot of money that way, enough to buy a job position even though it would be expensive and not obtained through honest means.

But, he was just that unlucky, and the watches disappeared just like that.

No matter how hard he searched, he couldn’t find a single trace.

What was he going to do about the money he owed?

Those people were ruthless criminals, and if he didn’t pay back, his days wouldn’t be easy.

They definitely wouldn’t let him off the hook.

And as expected, reality unfolded just as he had feared.

He stayed anxiously at home for two days, and on the third day, those people showed up.

And his nightmare began…

In order to force him to repay the money, they not only beat him but also used various methods to humiliate and threaten him.

There was even a time when they held him down and forced his head into the water.

The suffocation, the feeling of near-death, Cui Zhiqiang shuddered just thinking about it now. At that time, he truly felt like he was going to die.

It was precisely because he had experienced the feeling of death that he was so afraid of it.

Those people had told him that if he didn’t repay soon, next time they would cut off his hands, then his legs the time after that, and so on…

The time after that would be his death sentence.

Not only would he die, but his parents, siblings, and family would also be affected afterwards.

But Cui Zhiqiang didn’t have any money.

So he had to borrow money!

The first person he thought of was Zhang Xiaoyan.

One reason was that Zhang Xiaoyan was his girlfriend and she loved him so much, saying she would marry him no matter what, so she would definitely be willing to lend him money.

Another reason was that Zhang Xiaoyan’s parents were from the city, she herself was from the city, and she had her own job with a monthly salary. Whether it was Zhang Xiaoyan or her family, they definitely had money.

So, he borrowed from Zhang Xiaoyan.

He didn’t dare to ask Zhang Xiaoyan for a large sum of money all at once. He didn’t know if Zhang’s family had several thousand yuan, but Zhang Xiaoyan definitely couldn’t come up with it all at once.

He also feared scaring Zhang Xiaoyan, afraid that if she heard such a large amount, she might back out.

So, he asked for just a few hundred, specifically 500.

He would start with 500 yuan first, and then slowly deal with the rest.

At least by repaying some, he could still keep his limbs.

Although Cui Zhiqiang had said 500 yuan, Zhang Xiaoyan was still shocked when she heard the amount. She also mentioned that she didn’t have that much money.

However, Zhang Xiaoyan was truly trapped in the web of true love woven by Cui Zhiqiang. She gave him all of her savings, which amounted to just over 200 yuan.

Zhang Xiaoyan’s monthly salary was only 21 yuan. Part of it went towards household expenses, and her parents had instructed her to save the rest for her dowry in the future.

But now, Zhang Xiaoyan had devoted all her savings to Cui Zhiqiang because she was completely focused on him.

However, it still wasn’t enough.

Cui Zhiqiang continued to ask Zhang Xiaoyan for more, but she had nothing left to give.

“Xiaoyan, since you don’t have any more, uncle and aunt should have some, right? Could you please, please help me borrow some?” Cui Zhiqiang asked tentatively.

“I can’t. My parents definitely won’t agree,” Zhang Xiaoyan replied almost immediately without much thought.

Originally, her parents didn’t approve of her relationship with Zhiqiang. Asking them for money, which she couldn’t repay, would not only be impossible but also jeopardize her relationship with Zhiqiang and any future marriage plans if her parents found out about her giving all her savings to him.

“Xiaoyan, please, please, you have to help me. I really have no other options. If I can’t repay this money soon, you might not see me again,” Cui Zhiqiang pleaded, holding onto Zhang Xiaoyan’s hand, crying and begging earnestly.

In Zhang Xiaoyan’s heart, Cui Zhiqiang had always been the tall, strong person who saved her in times of trouble.

She never expected to see Cui Zhiqiang in such a desperate situation, begging her for help.

Zhang Xiaoyan was stunned for a long time before she reacted.

She had to go. Cui Zhiqiang’s current state shattered her previous image of him being powerful and capable.

The sense of security and love she felt for Cui Zhiqiang due to his strength had diminished somewhat.

But she still loved Cui Zhiqiang in her heart.

She still hoped to continue being with him and to get married.

So, in the end, Zhang Xiaoyan gritted her teeth and said, “Okay, I’ll go and try, but I don’t know if it will work.”

“I understand, I understand. Xiaoyan, I still need another 500 yuan, could you please borrow 500 from uncle and aunt for me? Xiaoyan, thank you. Don’t worry, I promise I’ll treat you well in the future.”

“Xiaoyan, if I ever treat you poorly in the future, I won’t be human. I swear I’ll treat you well, I’ll never leave you in this lifetime.”

Hearing these sincere words and seeing the tears in his eyes, Zhang Xiaoyan, who was initially hesitant, was moved instantly and became more determined.

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