Chapter 6: Building a Top-Tier Safe House

Chen Xiong's face broke into a smile.

"That's good to hear. Our interest rate is 40 percent. You borrow 5 million, you have to pay back 7 million. So, you need to write me an IOU for 7 million first."

"Besides, you must have something of value to put up as collateral. Houses, factories, cars—anything's acceptable."

Zhang Yi pretended to hesitate for a moment and then, clenching his teeth, pulled out his property deed.

He had it on hand as it was meant for a bank loan.

"This house of mine is worth over 5 million. If I mortgage it to you, that should be fine, right? I also have a Mercedes worth 300 thousand. If I can't pay it back in time, you can take that too."

Chen Xiong was impressed by such a straightforward client and eagerly took the property deed to inspect.

Seeing the information about Zhang Yi's house, his satisfaction grew—based on the current market value, the house could sell for at least 5.5 million!

With the addition of a car, this deal couldn't possibly be a loss for him.

Still, Chen Xiong feigned dissatisfaction.

"Mr. Zhang, your house is worth at most 4 to 5 million. But to take 5 million from me, I'd be at a loss!"

Zhang Yi's face showed shock and with emotion he said, "Boss Chen, you really must help me! I urgently need the money right now."

"If you can transfer the money to me today, I'll be happy with just 4.5 million!"

Chen Xiong and Hu Minghua exchanged knowing glances, their eyes twinkling with mockery.

They thrived on profiting from others' desperation.

The more urgently someone needed money, the more they would squeeze out of them.

"No, no, this deal just doesn't make sense."

Eventually, after some back and forth, they agreed on 4 million.

However, Zhang Yi insisted that the money needed to be transferred to his account that very day.

The loan company might have been unscrupulous, but their efficiency was real high.

Perhaps that was their only advantage over banks.

After signing the contract, Zhang Yi's account was quickly credited with 4 million in cash.

He chuckled to himself, knowing all too well that Chen Xiong would never see that money again.

Er... it sort of felt like he was mocking himself.

Zhang Yi walked away cheerily with the money.

After he left, laughter erupted from Chen Xiong and Hu Minghua in the office.

"Hahaha! That was perhaps the easiest business we've ever done. That dumb kid, really took 4 million and just left."

Chen Xiong boasted with pride, "With this single deal, we'll make at least 2 to 3 million. We don't have to worry about our performance this month!"

Hu Minghua, leaning against the table, laughed, "Boss, he signed the contract so readily. Could there be something wrong with the house?"

Chen Xiong, holding the property deed with a gleeful smile, said, "The property deed is authentic; there's no issue. As long as we have the deed, he can't escape."

With the property deed and the IOU for 7 million in their hands, they would naturally find a way to take ownership of the house.

And that's not all—they had even more ways to squeeze Zhang Yi dry completely.

Chen Xiong squinted his eyes and elegantly sipped his coffee.

"If push comes to shove, we can reach out to a few overseas organizations, see if any valuable 'parts' on his person can be sold."

"We never make a losing deal!"

...

Zhang Yi left the loan company in high spirits.

He glanced back at the office building, a faint sneer curling the corner of his lips.

"They all play the good guys! Just giving away money for me to spend."

From this day forward, Zhang Yi and Chen Xiong, as well as Hu Minghua, would have no more intersections in their lives.

Rather, it was highly likely that they would meet their demise in the catastrophic cold wave that would strike in a month's time.

Zhang Yi now had around 9 million in funds—ample for carrying out his own plans.

Driving his car, Zhang Yi arrived at Tianhai City's renowned Zhanlong Security Company.

Zhanlong was one of the biggest security companies in the country, specializing in providing personal security services to the wealthy and celebrities.

Sometimes, even high-ranking officials would seek their help for personal security on their travels.

Zhang Yi sought them out because in his previous life, he had heard about Zhanlong creating a top-tier safe house for the wealthiest man in Jiangnan Province.

It was said that the real estate tycoon was able to live comfortably during the apocalypse, thanks in no small part to the safe house built by Zhanlong.

Upon arriving at Zhanlong's company, Zhang Yi explained his intentions to the receptionist.

He was promptly escorted by a member of the Business Department to a waiting room.

The receptionist served Zhang Yi freshly ground coffee.

Soon after, a bulky, muscular man with a buzz cut entered the room.

Clad in a black suit, he looked every bit the heavy-set enforcer, causing one to worry whether the seams of his clothing could withstand his frame.

Nevertheless, there was no denying that the sight of him would fill any client with a sense of security.

"Good day, sir. My name is Wu Huai'en, the manager of the Business Department. What services require our attention?" Wu Huai'en asked, sitting next to Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi took a sip of his coffee and responded, "I need you to build a safe house for me."

"The kind that can withstand the apocalypse—the highest level of security."

Wu Huai'en's expression turned serious upon hearing this.

If anyone else overheard such a conversation, they would no doubt find it laughable.

No one believed in the so-called apocalypse.

But to Zhanlong Security Company, such talk was far from a joke.

The richest and most powerful individuals in the world are often the ones most fearful of death.

Decades ago, some foreigners, billionaires, were already spending over a billion dollars to construct doomsday bunkers.

Over the years, numerous tycoons around the world had begun to emulate this trend.

Some might genuinely fear massive natural disasters, while others, plagued by too many enemies in their daily lives, sought to bolster their security.

Zhanlong Security Company's apocalyptic safe houses were naturally born out of this market demand.

Hearing Zhang Yi's request for a doomsday-level safe house, Wu Huai'en became exceedingly courteous.

Such a big order was rare for them, even on an annual basis.

"Mr. Zhang, Zhanlong is a world-class security company. We can certainly fulfill your request," Wu Huai'en assured him, as he handed over a tablet.

"Our company's services are all customized for private clients. You can select the necessary services needed from this tablet, and the prices are listed alongside."

Communication in the era of digital information was incredibly efficient.

Zhang Yi took the tablet from Wu Huai'en and started meticulously sifting through the services.

There was no denying the professionalism of professional companies.

With the right price, Zhanlong Security could meet almost any request, including the construction of a safe house one hundred meters underground or beneath the sea.

However, these projects would take too long for Zhang Yi—he only had one month.