SAG -Chapter 73 Boss Zhang Is Generous

Zhang Ran had originally planned to leave that night, but the old woman repeatedly asked him to stay. In the end, he could only remain for one more day.

During dinner, the village chief walked in.

“Village Chief, you haven’t eaten yet, right? Come eat with us,” the old woman said warmly.

The village chief waved his hand.

“I’ve eaten. You all go ahead.”

Only after they had nearly finished eating did the village chief rub his hands together and say,

“Dayong, there’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”

The old couple seemed to have guessed why the village chief had come.

They opened their mouths as if to say something, but in the end, they only sighed.

He Yong said, “Please go ahead.”

“It’s like this. Over the years, we haven’t been able to help much. I feel rather ashamed.”

The village chief began with this sentence.

He Yong hurriedly replied, “Village Chief, saying that is like slapping me in the face. I know everyone has had it hard. The fact that you were willing to help my family at all is already something I’m deeply grateful for.”

Hearing this, the village chief seemed to relax slightly, though he still looked embarrassed.

“Well… over the years, your father borrowed money from quite a few families in the village. About that money…”

Hearing this, He Yong instinctively looked at his parents.

After seeing them nod, he immediately said, “Village Chief, don’t worry. I won’t short anyone a single cent. I can guarantee that.”

He knew very well that for his elderly parents to raise his daughter and educate her so well all these years must have been extremely difficult.

He had long been mentally prepared for the possibility that they had borrowed money.

In the past, when his parents visited him in prison, he had asked about it, but they never told him anything.

“Dayong, it’s not that I don’t trust you. I believe in your character.”

“And I didn’t come here tonight to demand repayment.”

The village chief hesitated as he spoke.

He Yong didn’t rush him.

The village chief opened his mouth and finally said, “How about this? I brought all the IOUs with me. Could you rewrite them under your own name?”

The moment he said this, He Yong immediately understood what the village chief and the villagers meant.

Without hesitation, he said, “Of course. I’ll rewrite them right now. That’s what I should do.”

Seeing his attitude, the village chief finally breathed a sigh of relief.

To be honest, he felt somewhat awkward about this.

But it had to be done.

Although living standards had improved, nobody’s money came easily.

That was especially true in a remote rural village like theirs.

Every cent carried people’s sweat and labor.

Before, while He Yong had still been in prison, there had been no other choice.

People felt too embarrassed not to lend money, so whoever borrowed simply wrote the IOUs.

But now that He Yong was out, the matter of the IOUs needed to be settled.

To put it plainly, everyone was afraid He Yong might refuse to acknowledge the debts.

Although He Yong had been loyal and righteous in the past, more than ten years had gone by.

Who knew whether he had changed?

More importantly, the old couple was getting on in years.

Even though they looked healthy now, no one could predict what might happen at their age.

To put it bluntly, if something happened to them tomorrow, no one would be surprised.

That was the power of time.

In the past, people often said debts disappeared when the borrower died.

There was also the saying that sons should repay fathers’ debts, but if He Yong refused to acknowledge them, the villagers would have no real way to force him.

That was why they were afraid.

This was the real reason the village chief had come.

If the IOUs were rewritten, everyone would feel much more at ease.

He Yong felt no resentment over this.

On the contrary, he was grateful.

Clearly, everyone had discussed this beforehand.

They hadn’t swarmed over together, nor had they brought it up at noon when there were many people around.

Instead, they had chosen a respected person to come at a late hour.

They were obviously trying to preserve his dignity.

And the fact that everyone had been willing to lend money in the first place had already helped him greatly.

He was not an unreasonable man.

He Qing knew a little about the IOUs, but not much.

Ever since she started middle school, she had spent very little time at home each year.

And even when she asked, her grandparents never told her about these things.

Every time, they said they weren’t short of money and told her to buy more good food and pretty clothes.

Just as He Yong was about to rewrite the IOUs, Zhang Ran suddenly spoke.

“Dayong, call over everyone who lent money.”

He Yong instantly understood what Zhang Ran meant.

“Brother Zhang, there’s no need. Really. I…”

The old couple also quickly said there was no need.

Zhang Ran first reassured them, then looked at He Yong.

“Enough. Don’t be polite with me.”

“Do I look like I’m short of this bit of money?”

“It’s better to settle your family matters now so you can work with peace of mind.”

“Otherwise, you’ll spend all day thinking about these little things at home instead of focusing on work.”

He Yong knew Zhang Ran was comforting him.

He wanted to say something, but Zhang Ran shot him a glare.

He immediately fell silent, somewhat embarrassed.

Zhang Ran turned to the village chief.

“Village Chief, if it’s convenient, please call everyone over.”

“I’ll repay the money for He Yong today.”

“If it’s too late now, tomorrow is fine too.”

The village chief hurriedly replied, “It’s convenient, it’s convenient. People sleep late these days.”

This was money.

Even if someone had already gone to bed, they would come immediately.

Who could still sleep?

It didn’t take long at all before a group of people hurried over, their faces carrying obvious surprise and joy.

They had thought they might have to wait several more years—perhaps even more than a decade—to get the money back.

They hadn’t expected to receive it so quickly.

“Boss Zhang really is generous.”

“What did I say before? Capable people are capable wherever they go.”

“Hey, how much money do you think Boss Zhang has now? It must be quite a lot. Otherwise, how could he casually pay back all this money for Dayong?”

“Who knows? But that’s none of our business.”

“Do you think I should have my son follow Boss Zhang? I feel like working for Boss Zhang would definitely lead somewhere.”

“Heh, forget it. Boss Zhang doesn’t accept just anyone.”

Zhang Ran wasn’t surprised by the number of people.

In the countryside, when people borrowed money—unless it was a large amount—they usually didn’t borrow it all from one household.

Instead, they borrowed a little from each family.

That made it easier to ask, and it also reduced the pressure on each lender.

Among these debts, the largest was only a little over ten thousand yuan.

Some were only a few hundred yuan.

But many had been outstanding for quite a few years.

Looking at the dates on the IOUs, Zhang Ran generally paid extra, treating it as interest.

Of course, he hadn’t brought that much cash with him.

But mobile transfers were convenient now, so there was no need to carry cash around.

Everyone used phone transfers.

The process was very fast.

Although there were many people, within about half an hour, everyone had received their money.

Looking at the new balance on their phones, the villagers were all quite happy.