C20 A System That Was Stuck

Everyone around knew just how challenging it was to get concessions from the Drefank Group. Without significant clout, achieving such a feat was simply out of the question.

"Come on, don't be ridiculous. 9.4? Why so miserly? Let's just round it to a 10% discount," Yang Yu said with a chuckle.

At his words, tension immediately gripped the entourage behind Deng Yiming.

"Mr. Deng..." blurted out one of them in a rush. He was the sales director from Rescould Pavilion in Spalding, known for his impeccable manners. His breach of protocol was a clear sign of his distress.

"No worries. If 10% is what you're asking for, then 10% it is. Chairman Yang has made his request; I can't refuse to honor it," Deng Yiming agreed without hesitation. Then, turning to the group behind Yang Yu, he inquired, "Are all these people your friends?"

Looking back, Yang Yu saw a familiar group of seven or eight, including his mother, sister, and the Hua Junliang family, as well as Zhang Chunhe and Xu Jianhua with his son.

Zhang and Xu had initially come to revel in the Yang family's misfortune, convinced that Yang Yu had only secured his place at Rescould Pavilion through connections. Zhang Chunhe was even looking for a chance to discredit him.

Yet, unexpectedly, Yang Yu was acquainted with Deng Yiming and had managed to secure a staggering 10% discount. For properties as expensive as those at Rescould Pavilion, this discount amounted to a saving of over a million yuan.

Buying a property there and flipping it could net a cool million in profit. Zhang Chunhe, who had made five million from a demolition deal, now saw an opportunity to make another million with ease. Why would he pass that up?

"Yes, yes, we all are!" the group exclaimed in chorus.

"The only friends here are Uncle Hua and his family; the rest..." Yang Yu began, ready to dismiss the others in one fell swoop, but his mother, Lyu Huan, tugged at his sleeve urgently.

The rest were acquaintances of Yang Yu's parents and Uncle Hua, people they encountered in their daily lives. It wouldn't do to burn bridges so thoroughly.

After all, they were in the company of Director Zhang, Director Wang, and Hua Junliang's boss, Director Zhang.

The factory and bureau chiefs, who usually carried themselves with an air of superiority, now wore ingratiating smiles.

"Sister Lyu, I've been meaning to greet you, but it was just too crowded earlier. We've been colleagues for so many years. When your family had that trouble, I even organized a fundraiser at the factory!" Director Zhang said eagerly.

Earlier, outside the Rescould Pavilion, Director Zhang was within five meters of Lyu Huan and yet acted as if she were invisible. Now, he behaved as if they were the best of friends.

"Sister-in-law, it's me, Little Wang from Brother Yang's workplace. Remember when Brother Yang had that issue? I was the one who interceded on his behalf. You're aware of that!" Director Wang chimed in, his face oozing sycophancy.

"Junliang, buddy, I'm counting on you. We've always been on good terms, so I need you to pull some strings for me this time!" Bureau Chief Zhang, unable to speak directly to Lyu Huan, sought to indirectly influence her through Hua Junliang.

Yang Yu observed the scene, shaking his head in resignation. These people weren't malicious; they didn't kick him when he was down, but they hadn't extended a helping hand when needed either. Still, they were leaders at his parents' workplaces, and fostering good relations with them could greatly benefit his parents' careers.

"Mr. Deng, could you possibly extend a 10% discount to these three? As for the others, I'm not acquainted with them, so there's no need for you to go out of your way," Yang Yu requested.

A 10% discount amounted to a savings of 200,000 yuan—a significant sum for these three. Though it didn't match the 10% discount Hua Junliang received, it was still substantial, and they were profusely grateful to Yang Yu.

The others, aware of their less favorable standing with the Yang family, accepted the news with disappointment but without dwelling on it.

However, Zhang Chunhe and Xu Jianhua hurriedly approached Lyu Huan. "Huan Huan, we've been best friends since childhood. You know me—I'm blunt and sometimes rub people the wrong way. I was devastated when Manman got hurt; I cried so many times at home. Back then, I couldn't contribute much because we were saving to buy a house. Please, for the sake of our long-standing friendship, could you put in a good word for me? I'm not asking for a full 10% discount, 9% would be enough!"

Lyu Huan, her mother, had a tender heart. Witnessing Zhang Chunhe's tearful plea, she was ready to forgive.

But Yang Yu knew better. They were the proverbial wolf saved by Mr. Dong Guo, the snake in the farmer's hand—helping them would not earn their true gratitude.

"Mr. Deng, Rescould Pavilion is great in all respects except one—the security is too lax. These two have been harassing us for so long, and yet no one has stepped in!" Yang Yu stated with an icy demeanor.

Deng Yiming, upon hearing this, immediately turned to An Tairan, the sales director of Rescould Pavilion, "Where's your security?"

"Get two people over here to escort these two guests out!" An Tairan promptly summoned the security guards.

This development threw Zhang Chunhe and her husband into a state of panic.

Being ejected meant they would certainly miss out on buying a house.

And if they waited for the next sale, the house prices would surge by another 400,000 yuan.

To them, missing out on a 400,000 yuan profit was as bad as a 400,000 yuan loss. Heartless though they might be, they were extremely money-conscious; losing money was worse than death to them.

"No, no, no, please don't kick us out!" Zhang Chunhe cried out desperately.

"We won't cause any more trouble. Please, don't send us away—we're here to buy a house too!" Xu Jianhua pleaded as he struggled.

"Okay, Yu, let's not bother with them as long as they don't disrupt us," Lyu Huan said gently, her soft heart leading her to forgive Zhang Chunhe once more.

Yet Zhang Chunhe was defiant. "So what if you have some connections? You think you're so impressive. Even with a 10% discount, you couldn't afford it!"

Yang Yu shook his head in resignation. "I assure you, within half an hour, you'll be kneeling before me, begging."

"Really? I hope it won't be you kneeling to me!" With that, Zhang Chunhe cast a wary glance at the security guards and hurried away.

"Remember the name Zhang Chunhe," Yang Yu told Lee Ruoshui.

Since they were intent on buying a house, Zhang Chunhe and his wife would surely need a loan. When that time came, Yang Yu would have the means to handle them.

Yang Yu's most pressing issue at the moment was his inability to access the System Devastator mode.

"Uncle Hua, I bet you're short on cash for that house purchase, right? Let me lend you some, just..." Yang Yu's thoughts immediately turned to Hua Junliang. True friends show their colors in hard times. When the Yang family faced dire straits, Hua Junliang had been there with timely support. Now that Yang Yu had risen to a position of influence, he felt compelled to return the kindness.

Yet, Hua Junliang resisted any form of repayment.

"Yu, it's not possible. The cost of houses here is astronomical, way beyond what I can afford!" Hua Junliang rejected the offer outright. To someone from a working-class background, ten million was an unfathomable sum.

It brought to mind the Yang family's plight just the day before, nearly brought to ruin over a few hundred thousand.

"Uncle Hua, don't worry about money anymore. I've got it covered!" Yang Yu earnestly tried to convince him, but Hua Junliang remained steadfast in his refusal.

However, sisters Hua Yuyan and Hua Yushi approached Yang Yu.

"Yu, can you truly lend us ten million?" Hua Yuyan inquired, skepticism lacing her voice.

"Absolutely. See over there? That's Tianhua Credit, my company," Yang Yu whispered, his senses invigorated by the delicate scent emanating from Hua Yuyan.

"Yu, I'll take a loan of ten million in my name, with interest rates as per bank loans. I won't have you at a disadvantage," Hua Yuyan proposed.

"Yuyan, we're practically family now, why the formality?" Yang Yu's face broke into a mischievous grin, his tone dripping with charm.

"Family? Act your age, please!" Hua Yuyan snapped, giving Yang Yu a sharp pinch at his waist.

Without further ado, Yang Yu transferred ten million yuan to Hua Yuyan. The formalities of the loan agreement were left to the staff at Uixei Group.

Despite his desire to gift the money to Hua Yuyan, the Super Rich System's rules dictated that gifts didn't count as expenditures, leaving Yang Yu with no choice but to frame it as a loan.

Despite Hua Junliang's repeated refusals, his two daughters were adamant, leaving him with no choice but to relent.

Having loaned Hua Junliang ten million, Yang Yu was also ready to purchase a house for twenty million. This left him thirty million short of completing the Super Rich System's daily mission.

"Where can I find someone who's ready to buy a house but short on cash?" Yang Yu mused. Suddenly, his gaze swept the surroundings and realization dawned on him. "Damn, isn't the sales department at Rescould Pavilion full of people eager to buy homes but lacking the funds?"