126: Chapter 126 What the hell is this surprise?
These people were all old hands in the martial world, each a major figure, yet none of them understood what was wrong with Boss Jiang, or why he was so wary of this young man, so their attitudes were somewhat aggressive.
"Young people nowadays, after earning a little money, have no idea how high the sky is or how thick the earth is."
"Exactly, people need self-awareness."
Just as everyone was chattering, Jiang Tao happened to walk up to Chen Hao's side and was about to pour him some wine when Chen Hao slammed his hand over the glass and questioned him without giving any face whatsoever.
"So, the reason you asked me here today is to set up a Hongmen Banquet?"
Chen Hao's gaze was fixed on Jiang Tao, sharp and radiating a powerful aura that made Jiang Tao instinctively shiver.
"A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding."
Jiang Tao suppressed the fear in his heart and sat down next to Chen Hao.
"Let me explain to everyone, Brother Chen Hao's girlfriend borrowed money from our campus loan service, and some misunderstandings arose. I asked everyone here today to clarify this misunderstanding."
The shareholders were very puzzled and said patiently,
"What misunderstanding could there be? It’s only right to repay debts with money. Since the money was borrowed, just pay it back."
Before Jiang Tao could say anything, Chen Hao, with a stern face and arms crossed, spoke up.
"I've paid back the money I owed you. What else do you want?"
Jiang Tao trembled again. He was genuinely afraid that this reckless fellow would resort to violence at any moment and have his subordinates act against his family. He quickly explained.
"Listen to me finish. You must have all heard about what happened yesterday."
Jiang Tao began to muddy the waters.
"Jiang Dazhi from the debt collection department sent three employees to negotiate the repayment process. They saw that Brother Chen's girlfriend was pretty and got some wicked ideas. As a result, those three employees were beaten."
After speaking, he faced Chen Hao again and told the truth.
"These three people were his trusted confidants, his underling, his nephew, and his brother-in-law."
"I gathered everyone here today to give Brother Chen an explanation. When a company gets big, all sorts of people show up, and I can’t control everything."
Jiang Tao was good at shifting blame. The campus loan business was indeed his, but he wasn't the one who caused trouble. If you want revenge, don't look for me, look for them, and see if you, Chen Hao, have the guts to do it.
As soon as these words were spoken, the room fell silent, and confused gazes turned toward Jiang Tao.
"Brother Tao, what you said isn't right. Just because you say my brother-in-law was wrong, does that automatically make it his fault? Where is the evidence?"
Another person interjected with a sneer.
"According to you, they had wicked intentions, right? None of us saw it then. Why don't you reenact it here on the spot so we can observe?"
Chen Hao's face turned extremely grim as he stared intently at the person who made the suggestion.
Another person spoke with ill intent.
"Empty words are not proof. On the contrary, my brother-in-law was seriously injured. I need an explanation."
Jiang Tao achieved his goal of muddying the waters, only then pouring a glass of white liquor for Chen Hao.
"Brother Chen, you see, I truly can't make the final decision on this matter. You can't blame all the fault on me alone."
This statement was practically saying: the wronged party has a clear culprit. If you want revenge, find them, not me.
Chen Hao wasn't foolish; he had long seen through Jiang Tao's intentions. Since Jiang Tao wanted to muddy the waters, he would force him to take responsibility against his will.
"Boss, you can't say that. I am a very principled person."
"The money my girlfriend owed you—300,000 principal plus 150,000 interest—I already paid you back last night. Adding the compensation you demanded for the injuries of the three men, which totals 300,000, I compensated you 750,000. I gave you that money last night."
He stared intensely at Jiang Tao.
"Since you accepted the money, you must bear the corresponding responsibility, right?"
"I gave you everything you asked for, but what about what I want? You just give me this explanation?"
Chen Hao was telling Jiang Tao that as the leader, he had the responsibility to bear all consequences.
Jiang Tao wiped a bead of cold sweat and raised his glass.
"I arranged this banquet to give you an explanation. What you want, I cannot give you; after all, they are not my people, and I cannot make the decision."
After speaking, he tilted his head back and downed the wine in his glass.
Only then did Chen Hao realize he had underestimated Jiang Tao's smoothness.
"You all talk!"
Just as Jiang Tao was about to stand up and move to another seat, Chen Hao grabbed him.
"Don't go. Since you are the legal representative, if you don't give me a satisfactory answer, you aren't leaving here today!"
Jiang Tao froze.
Why was he being held responsible now?
The other shareholders at the table saw this and started slamming the table and glaring.
"Who the hell do you think you are?"
"Kid, am I giving you too much face?"
"Showing off in front of your elders like us, are you trying to find out how to write the word 'death'?"
Chen Hao maintained his hold on Jiang Tao, staring at him intently.
At the same time, with his other hand, he secretly picked up a chopstick and, without warning, stabbed it down onto the table.
"Thud!"
After the table vibrated, the entire room fell silent. Everyone stared blankly as the chopstick pierced straight through the solid wood table.
Everyone was dumbfounded.
It was important to remember that Chen Hao was no ordinary person now; his personal stats were terrifyingly strong.
"Constitution 25; Martial Prowess 25; Comprehension 20"
"Cultivation Method: Heart-Clearing Art First Level"
Cultivating Innate Qi was equivalent to internal martial arts in ancient times. Piercing a table was just a basic maneuver.
The entire room was stunned. Having such ability meant Chen Hao possessed extraordinary means; he was at least a martial artist, not someone ordinary.
"Speak! Shout! Why is everyone silent now?"
After Chen Hao shouted arrogantly, he looked back at Jiang Tao.
"I told you to sit down. Try walking away if you dare!"
Chen Hao picked up another chopstick, and Jiang Tao, terrified, immediately sat back down next to Chen Hao.
"I'm not leaving. I'm not going anywhere."
After Jiang Tao was reseated, everyone exchanged glances and re-evaluated Chen Hao.
Before, they saw him as just an ordinary person. Judging by his clothes, they thought he was just an office worker. They never expected him to possess such skill.
"Brother Tao, you haven't introduced him yet. Where does this Brother Chen work?"
Jiang Tao was sweating profusely. It wasn't surprising he was timid; when he met Chen Hao last night, he thought Chen Hao relied on extraordinary means to keep a group of criminals working for him, never imagining Chen Hao himself was so capable.
Seeing Chen Hao display his skill just now, he felt as if he were sitting next to a fierce tiger—sitting on pins and needles, feeling prickles on his back, and having a lump in his throat.
"Uh, actually, I don't know either."
Jiang Tao wiped a cold sweat and replied softly.
Chen Hao said abruptly,
"Stop asking. The business I'm in is different from yours. I deal in big business; your dealings are beneath my notice."
Chen Hao picked up the white liquor Jiang Tao had poured for him and downed it in one gulp.
In reality, Chen Hao also needed courage. This was the first time he had used force to confront a group of old schemers, and he absolutely could not show weakness.
Setting down the glass, Chen Hao used the alcohol's boldness to question,
"Boss Jiang, it seems the surprise I gave you yesterday didn't make you understand the way the world works. Do you want to die that badly?"
This question made everyone present extremely curious. A surprise was attached? What the heck was his surprise?