Niu Chengzhi thought he was doomed. However, after falling from a great height, he landed on a soft mat.
He had been rescued by the arriving firefighters, narrowly escaping death once again.
Yet, he felt no happiness. Why wasn't he allowed to die with all his debts, thus freeing Chang Xiuxiang from his burden?
"Why did you save me? Why?"
Niu Chengzhi looked around at the people with agitated expressions. Where would he find so much money to repay his debts now?
This made him feel that living was worse than dying.
Wei Yumeng and Chang Xiuxiang rushed down from upstairs to check on Niu Chengzhi's condition. Even Brother Wang followed them.
"Chengzhi, how are you? Are you hurt anywhere?" Chang Xiuxiang was so anxious that tears were about to fall. If she hadn't seen the firefighters arriving downstairs earlier, she might have fainted from fear.
Niu Chengzhi shook his head. Perhaps it was because the floor they were on wasn't very high, and the firefighters' air cushion provided sufficient buffering, so he was unharmed.
"It's good that you're alright. If you had died, we wouldn't know who to ask for the money. You've caused enough trouble, isn't it time to pay us back?" Brother Wang, inappropriately, brought up the matter again.
"How can you be so cold-blooded? Chengzhi almost jumped to his death just now. Can't you give us some more time?"
Chang Xiuxiang was truly angry. In these people's eyes, there was nothing but money.
"I don't care about that. I came here to collect debts. A debt is a debt, and repayment is only natural!" Brother Wang said, then looked at Chang Xiuxiang, "Since he was willing to jump for you, it shouldn't be a problem for you to make a sacrifice for him, right?"
"Xiuxiang, don't agree to it." Niu Chengzhi suddenly reacted. "I will find a way to deal with the money. Don't do anything foolish for me."
"Oh, really? Then tell me, after all your fuss, what solution have you come up with?"
Brother Wang provocatively looked at Niu Chengzhi, knowing that Niu Chengzhi was in no position to come up with such a large sum of money.
"I'll pay it for him," Wei Yumeng said.
This was her original intention. Although the suicide attempt had happened in between, it made her believe even more that this help was worthwhile.
Niu Chengzhi now understood Chang Xiuxiang's good nature. If they were given a chance, they might truly be able to live a peaceful life.
Although her help might also create a dependency in Niu Chengzhi, she was willing to take this gamble this time, betting that Niu Chengzhi would provide Chang Xiuxiang with a better life.
"It's just 1.2 million yuan, isn't it?" Wei Yumeng said, taking out a check from her pocket.
At this moment, Niu Chengzhi snatched the check, his eyes filled with apology. "Yumeng, your uncle has already caused you so much trouble. I can't burden you again this time."
After speaking, he returned the check to Wei Yumeng. "Keep it safe yourself. I'll think of something else."
Niu Chengzhi then said to Brother Wang, "Brother Wang, give me a few minutes to discuss this with my wife."
Brother Wang did not refuse, as he believed that even a discussion would yield nothing. They couldn't conjure 1.2 million yuan out of thin air.
"Chengzhi, have you thought of a way?"
"At this point, we don't have many options left. Xiuxiang, perhaps we should get a divorce? That way, the debt won't fall on you. You can take the child and live a carefree life. Let me bear everything alone." Niu Chengzhi said with a sigh.
If there were other choices, he would naturally not want to leave Chang Xiuxiang, but this was for the good of their mother and daughter.
How could Chang Xiuxiang agree to this? "No, can't we think of another way? We haven't given up for so many years, why give up now? Oh, right, we can mortgage our house to them as repayment for the debt."
Although their house wasn't very large, it was worth 1.2 million yuan.
This reminded Niu Chengzhi. The house was the fruit of his hard work when they got married, their new home.
It was filled with memories of their family, both good and bad. He never expected that they would have to sell it now.
Niu Chengzhi thought for a long time before nodding. "Alright, this is the only way now."
After they finished discussing, the two turned to face Brother Wang.
"Brother Wang, we are willing to give you our house as collateral for the debt. Is that okay?" Niu Chengzhi said, finding some photos of their home on his phone.
But Brother Wang looked at them for a long time and just said dismissively, "Your house looks quite old. It might have been worth something a few years ago, but now it's still far from 1.2 million yuan."
Wei Yumeng had visited Chang Xiuxiang's home and naturally knew that Brother Wang was deliberately making things difficult for them.
"Brother Wang, you can't go too far. Be careful that you end up with nothing."
"Miss Wei, I don't think you should be saying that to me. If Niu Chengzhi didn't owe me so much money, I wouldn't have to bother him like this. Don't you agree?"
Brother Wang finished speaking, then looked at the couple again. "How about this? You give me the house as collateral, and then you, Mrs. Chang, spend a night with me, and we'll call it even."
Niu Chengzhi could see now that, in the end, Brother Wang was fixated on Chang Xiuxiang, looking for a way to obtain her.
"I'll take the house," Wei Yumeng stepped forward. "I've been to my aunt's house. Her house is more than enough for 1.2 million yuan. I am willing to buy that house for 1.2 million yuan."
"Yumeng, are you really willing to buy it?" Chang Xiuxiang said with a sigh. "I don't want you to spend so much money because of us."
"How can you say that? This is just a transaction. My aunt and uncle are the sellers, and I'm just an ordinary buyer."
Wei Yumeng said, then took out the check again and wrote the amount of 1.2 million yuan on it.
"Aunt, Uncle, please check if there are any issues."
Chang Xiuxiang and Niu Chengzhi took the check. "No problem, no problem."
They then handed the check to Brother Wang. "Here is 1.2 million yuan. Please accept it."
Brother Wang still looked at Chang Xiuxiang unwillingly. The prey that was almost in his grasp had flown away.
"Fine, fine. Since you've paid the money, our debt is settled."
With that, he left with his subordinates.
Chang Xiuxiang and Niu Chengzhi finally breathed a sigh of relief. At least they had gotten through this ordeal.
However, Wei Yumeng was truly happy. Spending a little money was not a big deal. What was most important was seeing Niu Chengzhi's change.
This time, Niu Chengzhi didn't just accept her help blindly but considered the situation and came up with a solution.
If they continued on this path, she believed that the couple would be able to get their lives back on track.