3 Right Hand (1/2)
'What is going on today…'
After Fario spat disdainfully, he couldn't help feeling a bit puzzled. He was waving the contract around, but that kid didn't hurriedly start talking about it or begging for an extension. He was just sitting there, seeming very carefree… and he was looking at him very strangely.
That gaze didn't seem to be one that would be given to a creditor, but more like one that would be used when looking at a ridiculous clown.
Fario wanted to shout a few ruthless threats to cow this kid into a wretch that would fall down and start begging him once again, but for some reason, the words he wanted to say got stuck in his throat. The most frightening thing was that he suddenly felt like he needed to gather himself a bit when he saw this nephew in person again after so long.
”It's not important,” he finally managed to say. ”In any case, either you repay your debt today, or you use the house to repay the debt. Otherwise, I'll hand this contract to Thousand Sails City's Chambers of Commerce Union. Let's see who will dare to do business with your Flashing Gold chamber of commerce after that!”
These words even made the old housekeeper pale in worry.
Fario's threat was truly vicious. The Flashing Gold chamber of commerce was in dire straits, and even its buildings had been seized by others to repay the debts, but the old butler knew that much of this would be temporary. The old Master had built his connections and his reputation over the decades, and those weren't things that would be taken away from one accident at sea. As long as the Flashing Gold chamber of commerce had some time, it could get out of its predicament. And even if it couldn't reach its former glory, it would certainly provide enough for the young master to not have to worry about food and clothing. It might even be possible for him to continue his magic studies, and maybe, one day he could become a true mage...
But they definitely couldn't let him give the contract to the Union. The chamber of commerce would need its reputation in order to survive. If the Union even had to make a decision on this, it would definitely have a negative effect on their reputation as doubts would spread.
The old butler's face turned white and his right hand, which had been pulling at Fario's sleeve, slowly started shivering.
But quite strangely, Lin Yun was still relaxed, as if he hadn't heard Fario's malicious threat. He joked to the old butler, ”I told you that uncle was concerned about us! See, he is already worried that no one will do business with us.”
”Young Master, you are jesting,” the old butler forced out, an unsightly look on his face.
Lin Yun smiled, but didn't say much more. He had some respect for this old butler. For him to remain despite the Flashing Gold chamber of commerce crumbling around them and to do his best to defend Mafa Merlin, he had already gone far beyond his required duties as a butler.
”Good, Kid, don't be a hypocrite and act apathetic. We still have to talk about business!” Even if Fario had thick skin, he couldn't help becoming angry from Lin Yun's sarcastic mockery. ”You already saw the contract, your father took eight thousand gold from me! I'll give you two paths. One is to pay now directly, and the other is to use your house as payment. I still have business to take care of, so don't waste my time.”
”The house is definitely a no,” Lin Yun retorted. ”Your price is too fair! I'm worried you'll suffer a loss.” Back in the day, the house had been purchased for about a hundred thousand gold… so using a debt of eight thousand to purchase it was indeed overly ”fair”.
Fario's expression seemed almost murderous as he ignored Lin Yun's sarcasm and pressed on, ”So, you'll be paying the gold directly?”
”Paying back with gold coins isn't impossible…” Lin Yun began, before trailing off.
”You really want to pay back the gold?” This answer was far beyond Fario's expectations. He was feeling quite stunned and confused because all of Thousand Sails City knew that after the accident at sea, the Flashing Gold chamber of commerce was already in the red. Even this house left by Locke Merlin was completely emptied by the family members of the victims and there was not even a single rat to be seen here. How could they come up with the money?
No way, that would be impossible!
Fario coughed twice, trying to show a calm face. ”That's good, wanting to repay the debt is naturally for the best… The total is eight thousand, go get it.”
”There is no problem with repaying the money. But, Uncle Fario, I just returned a few days ago, so could you give me some time to understand everything? Otherwise, how do I know that someone isn't cheating us of our money? Oh? Sorry, Uncle Fario, I wasn't trying to say that you are a swindler…”
”Are you making fun of me?” Fario's expression became very nasty when he heard that. He gave Lin Yun a vicious glare before yelling in his duck-like voice, ”Jimmy! Jimmy! Damn, get in here, quick!”
Shorty after Fario's yell, a few fiendishly huge men entered. Their leader was a bald man with a long scar on his face and an ominous glint in his eyes.
”Fario!” When he saw that brusque group making their way inside, the old butler's expression worsened, and without a care for his old age, he stood in their way. ”Fario, you are going too far! You were treated well during Master's time, but for just eight thousand gold, you actually hired such people!”