Libin came back. Libin was very depressed. They had dinner at the hotel restaurant. Libin said to Hu Yue: "Can you help me with something?" Hu Yue replied indirectly: "I'm already helping you."
"You won't leave tomorrow, will you? Stay with me for a few more days. I won't forget you. I'll repay you." "What's wrong with you? You're out all day." "I'm collecting debts and waiting for a batch of goods." "Alright! As long as you trust me." "Of course I do. I know you've seen my stuff. You didn't touch it. I trust you even more. You had plenty of time to take my things, but you didn't. You're my true friend." "You shouldn't hide things from me." "I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid you'd worry and not stay with me." "I'm not that kind of person!" "I believe you."
Hu Yue asked: "Did you run into trouble today?" Libin sighed and said: "Yes. Every day I go out to collect debts. I cooperate with a Russian company; they supply me with electrolytic copper. I gave them $100,000 a year ago, and I only saw the samples. Now they haven't sent me even one pound of goods. I'm very disappointed. I've been trying to get my money back. Another client's goods are arriving soon. I'll receive them here, then handle customs procedures and send them back home. I need that money. I've been there countless times. They always make excuses. The other day I went, the manager's secretary told me the manager returned yesterday evening and would see me today about repayment. Today I went again. Clearly, I saw their manager inside, and I heard him speaking, but the secretary said he wasn't back. I couldn't do anything, so I squatted outside and waited all day. Later, I found out that their company has a back door. He ran away early."
Hu Yue: "Is there such a thing? What can we do now?" "My translator gave me an idea. He said the Russian mafia is powerful, but they fear our Harbin mafia. It's said that last year, our people set up a company there. They arrived in the morning and settled everything by nightfall, beating four people of that company to death, including the manager's wife and children. They didn't kill the manager, but they quickly got their money back. Since then, they've been scared of our mafia."
Hu Yue looked at Libin in surprise and said: "Impossible! How could they return home?" Libin said: "I also just heard this story. But I want to try." "What should I do?" Libin took a sip of beer and said: "Tomorrow, we'll go with the translator. You pretend to be part of the mafia. I'll give you a roll of newspapers, put it in your coat, pretending to hold a gun. Scare them a bit. You need to appear calm and cold."
After thinking for a while, Hu Yue agreed. Libin immediately grabbed Hu Yue's hand, tears welling up in his eyes: "You're a real brother. I'm sure of it." After finishing dinner, Libin was still moved by Hu Yue's sincerity, repeatedly expressing his gratitude.
Hu Yue looked at the middle-aged Libin and said: "Don't be so formal. Why did I get involved anyway?"
The next day, Libin, Hu Yue, and the translator took a taxi directly to that company. As soon as they entered the office, Hu Yue stuck his hands in his coat pocket. His hand was gripping the newspaper, his face dark. He stood behind Libin.
Libin loudly told the secretary: "Our headquarters sent someone. Let your manager come out and speak."
The secretary glanced at Hu Yue. Hu Yue maintained a stern face and intentionally moved the newspaper wrapped in his coat, hinting at the female secretary.
The female secretary's hands were shaking, but she pretended to be calm and invited Hu Yue to sit down.
Hu Yue pretended not to understand and loudly asked the translator: "What nonsense is she talking?"
The translator cautiously informed Hu Yue: "She said to sit down."
"Cut the crap. Let their boss come out," Hu Yue said, his face dark, refusing to sit down.
Libin acted arrogantly and asked the female secretary: "Where's your manager?"
The female secretary picked up the phone and spoke for a while. She then told Libin: "We will definitely help you solve this tomorrow. Our boss flew back today and will arrive tonight. Is tomorrow okay?"
"No! It must be today," Hu Yue finished hearing the translator's words. He was so angry his nose twisted. He picked up a cup of water and threw it on the ground. The glass shattered. The female secretary looked at Hu Yue in shock, appearing extremely nervous.
The translator stepped forward to stop Hu Yue and pulled him towards the chair.
Hu Yue muttered dissatisfied words but sat down nonetheless.
The translator relayed a set of pre-prepared intimidating words to the female secretary.
The female secretary repeatedly assured that it would be resolved tomorrow.
Hu Yue thought the timing was right. Standing up, he pointed his finger at the female secretary and said: "Tell your manager, the two of them will come tomorrow. If it isn't resolved, I'll find you the day after. Don't say I didn't warn you. Consequences are on you."
The translator translated these words.
The female secretary was still dazed.
"We're leaving!" Hu Yue roared.
The female secretary was startled.
Hu Yue walked out first.
The translator was the last to leave. He pointed at Hu Yue's back with his finger and made a "tut, tut, tut" sound and motion like firing a gun.
The female secretary stood there, taking a long time to recover, and picked up the phone again.
When Hu Yue and the others reached the street,
they walked for a while, and everyone laughed.
Hu Yue took out the newspaper and chuckled twice before throwing it into the trash can.
The translator said: "We really scared the secretary."
Hu Yue said coldly: "She's quite a beautiful lady. It was hard to do it!"
Libin said worriedly: "Let's see what happens tomorrow."
Hu Yue said: "I think we might meet their manager. As for how they pay you back, you need to figure it out. I suspect they used your money for business. Unless absolutely necessary, they won't give you the money. I guess they'll compensate you with goods. Whatever they give, just take it. The longer it drags on, the worse it gets! If they run away, you'll end up with nothing."
The translator also nodded in agreement with Hu Yue's opinion.
They returned to the hotel.
Libin said: "How can I thank the two younger brothers?"
"Don't mention it," Hu Yue said.
Libin gave the translator $1,000.
The translator left after agreeing to meet at 8 o'clock the next morning outside the company.
After sending off the translator, Libin took out $5,000 and handed it to Hu Yue.
Hu Yue was watching TV. Lying down, he saw the dollars in Libin's hand and sat up.
"Big Brother, what do you mean? Are you humiliating your younger brother?"
"Don't think it's little, it's just a token of appreciation," Libin said sincerely.
"All those dollars on your bed didn't tempt me, and you think this amount can satisfy me? Friends are friends. It's just a small favor. Let's not talk about it anymore. I don't want it. If I wanted, I would have taken all of them from your bed earlier. I had plenty of chances."
The two pushed each other around for a while. Seeing Hu Yue really didn't want the $5,000, Libin had no choice but to put it back.
Hu Yue asked Libin: "Do you have $500,000?" Libin nodded.