Chapter 2: Relatives

Within Luo City's Central Garden.

Before a grand villa's entrance, Chen Shuo and Wang Hui Ling stood. A humble wooden plaque, bearing the words "Central Garden Building 33, Peace and Joy," hung upon the beige courtyard wall.

Wang Hui Ling spoke with an air of subtle malice, her voice laced with insinuation, "In the beginning, when your elder brother's family had just moved, your sister-in-law would invite us over for barbecue every other day, as if her villa and courtyard were the only ones in existence, utterly consumed by vanity!"

"You now possess a villa as well, do you not?" Chen Shuo retorted, a hint of pride in his voice. "Were it not for the astuteness of your husband, could you possibly reside in such a place?"

Wang Hui Ling, her countenance radiating joy, linked her arm through Chen Shuo's. "Behold the measure of your capabilities!"

Chen Shuo pressed his finger to the sensor, and the grand gate swung open, revealing a vast, magnificent living hall with soaring ceilings and a resplendent crystal chandelier. Italian imported sofas of genuine leather adorned the space.

However, upon the most conspicuous element of the living hall, the tea table, rested a black and white portrait of Chen Ji's parents, accompanied by offerings of fresh fruit.

Wang Hui Ling's words carried a foreboding note. "Why place portraits in the living hall? Does Chen Ji comprehend propriety? Does it not feel eerie? Even if he finds no aversion, how uncomfortable for guests to witness this?"

With a resounding thud, Chen Shuo casually tossed the portrait into the refuse bin.

In years past, he had sought to embark upon a grand enterprise with partners, requesting a loan of four million from his elder brother. Yet, his elder brother had insisted he was unsuitable for such ventures, bestowing upon him only twenty million with which to establish a small supermarket, truly treating him as a mere beggar.

Wang Hui Ling settled onto the genuine leather sofa, her hands tracing the material, her eyes fixed upon the hundred-inch LCD television opposite. "How comfortable it must be to watch serial dramas here? Their lives before were truly like those of immortals."

"What need for television?" Chen Shuo's voice was sharp. "Hasten upstairs and locate the house deed. I recall they also acquired a quantity of gold; find that as well."

Upon the corridor wall of the second floor, certificates of honor were affixed: "Three Good Student," "Luo City Go Competition First Prize." All belonged to Chen Ji.

Witnessing this sight, Wang Hui Ling pouted. "Each time we visited, your sister-in-law would inevitably lead us to the second floor for a tour, utterly consumed by vanity. Dispose of them quickly; they are but an annoyance."

Wang Hui Ling moved with haste, snatching the certificates from the wall and casting them to the ground without a moment's hesitation.

Opening the doors to each bedchamber, they found Chen Ji's room filled to the brim with books, predominantly popular science texts concerning military affairs, alongside novels of detection, reasoning, and espionage, and numerous professional popular science volumes.

Upon the desk, an admission notice from the Army Foreign Language College remained.

Chen Shuo and Wang Hui Ling meticulously searched the room, systematically discarding Chen Ji's family's belongings. It seemed only by erasing these vestiges could the house truly become theirs.

In the living hall, Chen Shuo scratched his gradually receding hairline. "Eh, the house deed, where did Chen Ji place the property certificate?"

"Could he have suspected something and concealed the deed elsewhere?"

"Impossible. Old Liu said he still believed we were acting in his best interests."

Wang Hui Ling quickly interjected, "And indeed we were acting in his best interests! After his parents departed, he remained confined to the house every day, surely leading to issues. He was utterly disconnected from society!"

*Ding-dong.*

The sound of the doorbell echoed through the hall.

Chen Shuo started, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "At this late hour, who could it be?"

He proceeded to open the door. Before him stood a middle-aged man clad in a black Tang suit, his skin dark, his short, closely cropped hair exuding vigor. "Where is Chen Ji?"

Chen Shuo's voice held a note of suspicion. "Chen Ji is not at home. What matter do you have? I am his second uncle."

"Second uncle?" The middle-aged man pushed past Chen Shuo and entered. Only then did Chen Shuo perceive another figure following behind him.

This individual was bald and glistening, marked by a scar exceeding ten centimeters, resembling a centipede, extending from the crown of his head to the back.

"Who exactly are you?" Wang Hui Ling retreated in fear. "We will summon the authorities!"

The middle-aged man, as if oblivious to their presence, surveyed his surroundings. "Friends are wont to address me as Brother Robe. I typically engage in lending ventures. The one behind me is my younger brother, Two Knives. Fear not, though Two Knives's scar appears fearsome, he merely suffered a mishap at a construction site previously, stepping into emptiness and falling. His mind is not entirely sound; he is somewhat obstinate."

Brother Robe continued, "We have come because Chen Ji mortgaged this dwelling. He telephoned this afternoon, stating he could not repay the funds, and requested I come to collect the property."

"What?!" Wang Hui Ling's voice was laced with shock. "By what right did he mortgage this dwelling? This house is ours!"

"Oh?" Brother Robe's voice was calm. "The property certificate bears Chen Ji's name. What concern is it of yours?"

"How much did he mortgage it for?" Chen Shuo asked nervously.

"Fifteen million," Brother Robe boldly seated himself upon the sofa. "We conduct our affairs with utmost adherence to rules. As long as a customer repays the principal and interest, we remain at peace. However, gazing upon this dwelling now, there is no need to repay the funds; the house belongs to me."

"No!" Wang Hui Ling's voice was sharp. "Chen Ji is presently a mental patient; the mortgage contract he signed is invalid."

Her words also brought a sudden realization to Chen Shuo. He spoke urgently, "Precisely, Chen Ji is a mental patient. We possess his diagnosis report here!"

Brother Robe's brow furrowed.

He examined the date on the diagnosis report in Chen Shuo's hand, and a humorless laugh escaped him. Chen Ji had designated him to collect the property tonight, yet had hastily produced a diagnosis report. Clearly, he sought to ensnare him. It was understandable to lack the means to repay a debt, but to treat him as a fool was utterly lacking in sense. "So, you were waiting here for me. You have conspired to stage a trap for me, have you not? Kneel."

"What?" Chen Shuo almost thought he had misheard the final two words.

Two Knives interjected, "Brother Robe, where should they kneel?"

"Kneel before me."

Before Chen Shuo and Wang Hui Ling could react, Two Knives seized them, dragging them before Brother Robe. With a single kick to the back of each of their knees, they were abruptly forced to kneel before Brother Robe.

Brother Robe bent down, his eyes fixed on Chen Shuo. "I have weathered years of societal struggles. What have I not witnessed? Do you truly believe you are capable of ensnaring me? Let us break a finger, then we can converse properly."

Two Knives inquired, "Which one should I break?"

"The index finger."

Two Knives further questioned, "Which section should I break?"

Brother Robe scratched his eyebrow with a hint of exasperation. "The second section, I suppose."

Their dialogue was peculiar, as Two Knives executed each instruction with literal precision, doing exactly as Brother Robe directed.

Two Knives's hand, like an iron vise, gripped Chen Shuo's index finger. With a sharp *click*, the second section was precisely broken.

"Ah!" Chen Shuo cried out in agony.

"I will summon the authorities!" Wang Hui Ling shrieked.

Brother Robe commanded, "Two Knives, slap her."

"How hard should I slap?"

Brother Robe let out a cold laugh. "Slap her until she sees her great-grandmother, then stop."

After contemplating for two seconds, Two Knives delivered a resounding slap that left Wang Hui Ling's vision momentarily obscured.

Following the slap, Two Knives observed Wang Hui Ling's expression, then turned to Brother Robe and stated seriously, "She should have seen her."

Brother Robe took the diagnosis report from Chen Shuo's hand. "I am a man of reason in my dealings. Since Chen Ji claims he cannot repay, then the house is mine. By rights, the matter should conclude here. However, I detest being deceived above all else. If you have concocted a scheme to deceive me, you must accept the consequences."

"No! Not right!" Chen Shuo gradually regained his composure. "Not right, not right, not right! This matter is not a scheme we have devised to deceive you. It is Chen Ji who is deceiving you. We have also been deceived!"

"Oh?"

Chen Shuo's forehead dripped with sweat from the pain in his finger. "Chen Ji claimed he could not repay the funds, and thus appointed you to collect the house. But to my knowledge, his parents left him at least thirty million! Therefore, it is impossible for him to lack funds, nor would he need to mortgage this house, and it is even more impossible for him to fail to repay your money!"

These words, conversely, surprised Brother Robe. Chen Ji did not lack funds?

And as Chen Shuo analyzed the situation, his mind gradually cleared. Chen Ji's actions at the Green Mountain Hospital this afternoon were all a pretense, designed to have them return with the diagnosis report to enrage Brother Robe, while Chen Ji himself remained safe and sound within the hospital.

Thus, Chen Ji, instead of choosing reputable banks, had chosen a formidable figure from the underworld to seize the house!

Brother Robe mused, "Chen Ji? I perceived him as quite honest and timid. You are not attempting to deceive me, are you?"

He recalled his impression of Chen Ji. When the contract was signed, Chen Ji had been particularly shy and taciturn.

Could this sort of sheltered student possess the cunning to ensnare everyone?

Chen Shuo, seeing his hesitation, continued to explain. "Do you not see that he also deceived me? To this moment, I was unaware that he had signed a mortgage contract with you. Does this not explain the situation? Furthermore, do you not desire this house? He possesses the funds to repay you at any time. Wait until you have dealt with me, and he will redeem the house, leaving you only with some interest! He is playing with you!"

Brother Robe smiled faintly. "According to your words, I have been utilized by a high school student?"

"He is not a high school student. He was admitted to the Army Foreign Language School through a special recruitment examination."

Brother Robe's eyebrows rose. "This school does not solely teach foreign languages; it produces military attachés stationed abroad… Interesting. Where is Chen Ji now?"

"He is in the Green Mountain Mental Hospital!"