Chapter 43: A Man of Good Taste

Following the receptionist into the elevator, Yang Chen noticed that the elevator, much like the office building, was somewhat run-down. Various advertisements were plastered around, showcasing remedies for embarrassing ailments and addresses of alleys and lanes, with descriptions more elaborate than those from reputable advertising agencies.

Yang Chen eagerly looked at the advertisements, nodding continuously, "These ads are good, I like them."

The receptionist, who had maintained her charming smile, stumbled for a moment and awkwardly chuckled, "You have a good eye, sir."

The elevator stopped only after reaching the top floor. Stepping out, Yang Chen was taken aback, feeling a pungent smell in the air...

In the huge office lobby before him, tables and chairs were haphazardly arranged, littered with various papers, newspapers, napkins, and even a few pieces of women's intimate clothing carelessly tossed on the floor. Most computer screens were smeared with dirt, and many were shattered.

The entire lobby seemed as if it hadn't been cleaned in centuries, with dust flying everywhere. Even the ceiling lights were partly broken.

Such a sight seemed more fitting for an abandoned office building, and one that had been maliciously vandalized. Yet, what puzzled Yang Chen was that there was a bustling crowd of "employees" inside.

Groups of oddly dressed men and women, young and middle-aged, were gathered around different makeshift tables, either shouting while rolling dice, playing poker, mahjong, or even solitaire.

Most men were smoking, puffing away clouds of smoke, while women were decked out in full makeup, mingling among the men.

Sensing the stifling stench in the air, Yang Chen finally realized the situation. So, this was a so-called "rogue company" set up by some friends?! No wonder Yulei International had no one coming to collect the debt. Probably, they discovered this afterwards, and no one from the PR department dared to come!

Yang Chen was actually halfway correct. Yulei International did indeed realize later that Huacheng Fashion Co. was not a legitimate company. At that time, because the transaction wasn't significant, they accepted the deposit and delivered the goods.

However, they had previously sent agents to collect the debt, but unfortunately, every person who saw the truth about Huacheng fled in terror. The CEO of Huacheng Fashion even issued a threat, saying that if they dared to come for the debt again, they would be beaten to death and thrown out.

Since the deadline of the contract hadn't arrived yet, Yulei International couldn't file a lawsuit, so they had been passively dragging the matter along.

This time, Mo Qian Ni had clearly intended to "use a knife to kill someone," hoping Yang Chen would recognize the situation and leave the company voluntarily.

Such a scene might be terrifying for the average person, but for Yang Chen, it was more familiar than frightening, and even a bit childish.

The receptionist turned around, eager to see the dumbfounded expression on this "greenhorn's" face, but to her surprise, Yang Chen had an interested look on his face, smiling as he looked around.

"What an idiot, let's see if you can still laugh later!" the receptionist sneered inwardly.

"Sir, our manager's office is over there. Please follow me," the receptionist said with narrowed eyes and a cold smile.

Yang Chen nodded, grinning, "Your office environment is quite nice. You can even smoke in the office. Not bad, not bad." The receptionist's face twitched a few times; she was starting to suspect if the person Yulei International sent was a fool.

Yang Chen's appearance drew the attention of many Huacheng employees present. Several burly men with evil smiles approached, looking at Yang Chen with provocation and disdain. A dark-skinned strong man even reached out and groped the receptionist, asking Yang Chen who he was.

Obviously, the receptionist had a special relationship with this group of people. With a giggly smile and seductive eyes, she replied, "He's from Yulei International, here to collect debts. I'm supposed to take him to see the boss."

"It's Yulei International again?" several men and women burst into laughter. "The guy two months ago claimed to be a black belt in taekwondo, but he was beaten in just a few moves. I wonder what belt this kid is wearing."

The gang of employees mocked, their eyes on Yang Chen full of amusement, as if he were a lamb ready to be slaughtered on the chopping board.

A round-faced girl in a black short-sleeved shirt and a super short denim skirt walked up to Yang Chen, blew smoke in his face, and coquettishly said, "Hey handsome, why chase debts? Come play with me!"

"I like him," the dark-faced man sneered at Yang Chen, "Today we have a fresh little pretty boy delivered to us. Maybe we can try out some new tricks, brothers."

Listening to a bunch of thugs spouting nonsense to intimidate him, Yang Chen couldn't help but find it laughable. He couldn't be bothered to respond to them and just walked towards the manager's office ahead.

"Hey! Kid! Are we talking to the air, or are you deaf?!" The dark-faced man was enraged to see Yang Chen completely ignoring him.

Yang Chen kept walking, ignoring him completely.

The dark-faced man's face turned red with anger. He shoved the receptionist aside and pointed at Yang Chen, shouting, "Kid, if you take another step, I'll kick your balls!"

With that, Yang Chen stopped in his tracks, leisurely turned his head, and glanced at the dark-faced man.

Just a glance, and the dark-faced man suddenly felt like he had fallen into an icy pit, his blood freezing in his veins!

What kind of gaze was that? Devoid of life, devoid of resistance, it exuded an overwhelming sense of oppression, as if suffocating, plunging one into a desolate world from which there was no return...

"I'm here to collect a debt, not to play with you," Yang Chen calmly turned around, casually tossing aside the bag of documents he was carrying. With slow, measured steps, he approached the big man, his voice as flat as still water. "Originally, I didn't care if you didn't pay. I even found it troublesome to go through the procedures to collect. But now that you've said that, I think I'll bring back some money after all. I'm actually quite easygoing. Don't push it too far. Jokes are fine, but you guys... why are your brains so underdeveloped? I'll say it once..."

"I... hate... being threatened..."

Before he finished his sentence, Yang Chen seemed to disappear from where he stood, only to reappear moments later beside the big man. Everyone present only saw the big man, who had been standing a moment ago, now hunched over and slowly collapsing to the ground. He began foaming at the mouth, his eyes rolling back, as he fainted from the pain.

Standing beside the big man, Yang Chen retracted his fist that had struck the man's abdomen, casually looking around with a smirk. "Why are you all just standing there? Your brother got hit. Aren't you going to avenge him?"