135: track

Chen Li did not delay. He tapped the screen of his phone and dialed Luo Yan's number.

The call was quickly connected, and Luo Yan’s usual respectful voice came through: “President Chen, good afternoon. Do you have any instructions?”

Chen Li leaned back on the sofa, gazing out the window, his tone calm but direct: “President Luo, is it convenient to talk right now?”

“It is convenient, of course it is, President Chen. Please speak.”

“Do you know about the ‘Gaoshan Group’ in GaoCheng County?”

On the other end of the line, Luo Yan paused slightly, then cautiously confirmed: “Are you referring to the ‘Gaoshan Group’ owned by the Li Chang family in GaoCheng County, which mainly deals in real estate?”

“Yes, that’s the one.”

“President Chen, what information do you need about this group? Or is there something else you require assistance with?” Luo Yan keenly grasped the underlying meaning in Chen Li’s words.

Chen Li didn't beat around the bush and stated his intention directly: “I want to know the details of their company’s Loan dealings with the Bank. Simply put, I want to ‘move’ against it. You understand what I mean.”

Luo Yan immediately understood on the other end of the phone: “Understood, President Chen.”

He paused briefly, seemingly organizing the information, then lowered his voice slightly and said: “Coincidentally—”

“Their group applied for a fifty million Loan from our Bank a while ago, but when the application reached me, I did not approve it because the risk was too high.”

He continued to reveal key information: “Li Chang subsequently approached several other Banks, but most of them did not approve the Loan either.

However, I recently heard rumors that the China Construction Bank seems inclined to grant them a Loan.

As far as I know, this funding is crucial for their current situation. I believe you understand the implication of what I’m saying.”

“I understand.”

Chen Li’s eyes flickered: “Do you know the president of the CCB? Could you arrange a meeting for me?”

“Yes, I know President Fu Mingyuan well; we are in the same circle. I will contact him for you right away. Please wait a moment.”

After hanging up the phone, Chen Li fell into contemplation.

Judging from the information Luo Yan revealed, this Loan is very important to Li Chang's ‘Gaoshan Group’.

Although Luo Yan couldn't explicitly state the client's specific financial data, he had provided a sufficiently clear direction through this subtle method.

Luo Yan certainly couldn't tell Chen Li directly that by merely cutting off this crucial Loan...

...the ‘Gaoshan Group’ would quickly face major trouble—inability to pay construction fees leading to work stoppage, and subsequently, failure to recover funds from property sales.

Once the capital chain completely breaks, this seemingly massive enterprise will collapse rapidly, like a row of dominoes.

About half an hour later, Luo Yan called back: “President Chen, I have successfully made the contact for you.

I explained your situation to President Fu Mingyuan, and he said he would be very happy to meet you. When would it be convenient for you to go?”

“Thank you, President Luo,” Chen Li immediately stood up, not wanting to delay for a moment.

“I will leave now. Please inform President Fu that I will arrive at his location in approximately four hours.”

“Alright, I will inform him right away. I wish you all the best.”

After greeting Liu Nansheng, he left the house... “Young Master Li, we’ve taken this job, but our price is not cheap—five hundred thousand.”

The speaker was a man wearing glasses, whose face was even somewhat fair and clean.

He spoke calmly and deliberately, his voice barely fluctuating.

However, it was this emotionless tone, coupled with the placid eyes behind his glasses, that gave people a chilling feeling deep in their bones.

Everyone who knew him understood the ruthless methods hidden beneath his civilized appearance.

His nickname is ‘White-Faced Butcher’; he specializes in severing tendons in hands and feet, acting cruelly and leaving no room for mercy.

“Fine, five hundred thousand it is.”

Li Weishan gritted his teeth, “Help me cripple that kid. But I heard his legs are quite formidable, so don't underestimate him.”

“Heh, isn't he just a student? Learning a bit of Karate or Taekwondo—does that count as kung fu?”

A burly strongman next to him interjected scornfully, “I’ve crippled eight if not ten people who relied on such flashy moves.”

“Just don’t be careless.” Li Weishan glossed over the topic, unwilling to reveal Chen Li’s true strength.

“Young Master Li doesn’t need to worry about that.”

The White-Faced Butcher pushed up his glasses and gave a chilling smile, “How do you intend to pay?”

“I’ll pay a fifty thousand deposit first, and settle the remaining balance after the job is done.”

Li Weishan had been spending money like water recently, and his finances were indeed tight.

He planned to ask his parents for money after dealing with Chen Li—then, obtaining Liu Nansheng would make all the effort worthwhile.

The group before him were true desperadoes, vicious in their actions.

Even a special forces soldier like Lu Jun would likely struggle to escape unscathed if facing them simultaneously.

Although the price was a bit high, with them taking action, Chen Li was definitely doomed.

“Acceptable.”

The White-Faced Butcher still wore that unsettling smile, “But Young Master Li, I must make one thing clear—”

“If the remaining balance isn't paid afterward, the consequences... you know them.”

Li Weishan looked at his smile that hid a dagger, and involuntarily shivered, feeling a cold, stinging pain in his own tendons and veins.

“R-rest assured... that won't happen.” He suppressed his inner fear and stammered out a guarantee... In the afternoon, an inconspicuous white van was quietly parked outside the Residential Complex where Chen Li lived.

Smoke billowed inside the van; it was the same group that had made the deal with Li Weishan last night.

The men silently watched the exit of the Residential Complex, like lurking beasts waiting for prey to appear.

“Boss, look at that car!”

A sharp-eyed henchman suddenly lowered his voice, pointing to a white Audi driving out of the Residential Complex.

The men quickly checked the license plate against the photos they had prepared—confirming it was Chen Li.

The White-Faced Butcher calmly uttered three words, “Follow it,” his eyes cold as ice.

The van silently started, merged into traffic, and followed closely like a shadow.

As Chen Li drove onto the highway ramp.

“Boss, judging by this direction, that kid is heading toward the city.”

Inside the van, the henchman driving stared at the black sedan not far ahead and reported to the White-Faced Butcher in the passenger seat.

The White-Faced Butcher pushed up his glasses: “Maintain distance and keep following. Now is not the time to act. Wait for an opportunity...”

In fact, Chen Li noticed the white van shortly after leaving the Residential Complex.

Having gone through various troubles before, he was now extremely alert to any abnormalities around him.

The vehicle neither overtook nor changed lanes, consistently maintaining a fixed distance behind him. This deliberate tailing raised his suspicion.

It wasn't until he drove onto the highway and confirmed via the rearview mirror that the van had also taken the same direction, that Chen Li became certain—he was being targeted again.

“Truly relentless.” He gripped the steering wheel, his eyes turning cold.

This persistent, parasitic tracking ignited a cold fury in his heart.

For someone like Li Weishan, who won't stop until he achieves his goal, the only way to completely solve the problem is to uproot his backing, the ‘Gaoshan Group’.

If the problem isn't solved fundamentally, neither he nor the people around him will ever have peace.

The speed gradually increased, and the two cars merged into the highway traffic, one following the other.