Chapter 109: Chapter 108: Debt Collection Company
When the two were troubled, Andrew Hue sent a message to Elliana Lyle.
Andrew: "Boss, that online lending company has already disbanded, but I discovered something at school today: it’s not just Evelyn Dunn who’s being threatened with debt collection at South University, there’s also a guy named Yang Huo."
Seeing this message, Elliana and Luna exchanged a glance and saw Andrew send another message:
"Recently, Yang Huo, who plays basketball with me, has been acting strange since yesterday morning. At first, I just checked on him a bit, but when I saw him again this morning, I found he was completely off. A normally bright and lively kid suddenly became very downcast. Something’s definitely going on."
"He didn’t come to my afternoon class either. Out of concern, I asked his roommates; they told me that Yang Huo has been borrowing money everywhere these past couple of days, seems like he took out an online loan."
Luna thought there might be a clue here. It was very likely that the debt collectors bothering this student Andrew mentioned were from the same agency hassling Evelyn Dunn. With this lead, they could trace the debt collectors.
Before Luna could speak, Elliana was already typing a response to Andrew, "It’s very likely the same debt collection company. Take me to find out more tomorrow."
Andrew: "Sure thing, boss."
...
―――The next day.
South City University.
Early in the morning, Elliana and Luna reached the university. Andrew had already arranged for Yang Huo to meet in his office.
As soon as they entered the office, Luna locked the door. Opposite Andrew’s desk sat a boy who looked somewhat lean and was curiously sizing them up.
Yang Huo had uneven stubble on his chin, slightly greasy hair, and weary eyes surrounded by dark circles.
"Mr. Hue, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now."
Yang Huo stood up, nodded respectfully towards Andrew, and was about to leave when Luna blocked his path.
"Leaving? Sit down, I have questions for you."
"Huh?" Yang Huo was a bit confused. Although he knew Elliana Lyle at the school, he didn’t recognize Luna, so he asked, "Uh... Do we know each other?"
Elliana took the seat Andrew vacated, directly questioning Yang Huo about the debt collection.
Upon hearing they were asking about his debt situation, Yang Huo’s face tensed, and he attempted to leave immediately, but Andrew stopped him.
"What... what do you want?" Yang Huo looked at Andrew incredulously, questioning, "Mr. Hue, what do you mean by this?"
Clearly, Yang Huo was anxious, especially being stopped from leaving, which only heightened his self-defense instincts.
"Don’t be nervous. We can help you. We’re investigating Evelyn Dunn’s case! Looking for the debt collectors! If you help us find them, you might not even have to repay the money because what you owe is a high-interest illegal loan. The violent collection practices they’re using now are seriously illegal! Even if it goes to court, you’d only need to repay the principal. Got it? If not, have your law teacher give you a proper lesson!" Elliana explained.
"Why... why should I trust you?" To be honest, Yang Huo was tempted because... he really couldn’t keep up with the payments.
He had already repaid more than he borrowed, yet they threatened him, even saying they’d go after his grandmother for the money.
"I, Elliana, keep my word. Do you think you can handle this situation yourself? The snowball only gets bigger."
After some persuasion, Yang Huo finally agreed to help them track down the debt collectors and tearfully revealed his reasons for borrowing.
"My grandma was sick at the time, which is why I borrowed the online loan."
Luna frowned, "Where are your parents?"
Hearing Luna’s question, Yang Huo became agitated and gritted his teeth, "No parents. My grandma raised me ever since my parents divorced when I was young. I don’t even know where they are now. It’s just me and my grandma at home. She collected scraps so I could attend university."
Through Yang Huo’s account, Elliana understood more about his situation.
At the age of five, his mother and father divorced and never returned. His grandmother raised him, farming and collecting scraps.
Yang Huo made something of himself. He had always been a good student, got into university through his excellent grades, and started earning scholarships and doing small jobs externally.
However, last November, Yang Huo’s grandmother had a stroke and was hospitalized. The doctor said with treatment she might only live 1-2 more years, without it, maybe not even half a month.
His scholarships and earnings weren’t enough for the treatment, so he borrowed ten thousand from an online lender.
This ten thousand turned into a debt of thirty thousand, then fifty thousand, and now, it’s eighty thousand.
Yang Huo was on the verge of breaking down, covering his face with his hands, his back shaking.
"Don’t worry, we’ll help you, as long as you cooperate with us, understand?"
"Hmm." Yang Huo wiped his eyes vigorously and pulled himself together.
At this moment, Yang Huo pulled out his phone, showing them a number. Luna saw that it wasn’t the same number as the guy she added last time. Yang Huo said, "It wasn’t this number before; I received hundreds of collection calls daily! Now I don’t dare to turn on my phone! This is the new number he used this morning to call me. I blocked him!"
Yang Huo showed his previous debt collection record, with calls from morning till night, dozens every hour.
"If you can help clear my debt, I will do whatever you need!"
"Alright, now call them, say you have the money and want to meet." Luna instructed.
Yang Huo nodded and made the call. When the call connected, Yang Huo began to speak, "Hey, I have the money now, just borrowed some. Where do you want me to meet you?"
"... I’m busy and can’t make it to your school. Go to New City’s South Bridge and find Starry Corporation. Just ask for a guy named Brother Harper."
The receiver suddenly emitted a terrified scream, and then the line went dead!
Hearing this, Yang Huo looked up at Elliana, as if asking what to do next.
Elliana and Luna exchanged glances! Was there really no one regulating this violent debt collection?
They now had to check the earlier address!
Knowing the company’s address, Elliana thought they should bring Galen Collins along, but Luna felt they could handle it without bothering Galen!
They immediately set off for Starry Corporation’s location.
Upon arrival, they discovered the place was a tea market with numerous tea stalls, and Starry Corporation was a tea wholesale company occupying the ground floor of a large building.
Elliana and Luna exchanged a look, their doubts still lingering. They took Andrew and Yang Huo into Starry Corporation. Luna approached one of the workers inside the large tea shop, saying, "We’re looking for Brother Harper to pay off a debt!"
The tea seller cast a knowing glance at them but said nothing, using a hand gesture to guide them along.
The tea vendor led them to the back of the shop, where piles of tea leaves were stored. After passing through a metal door, they traversed several hallways, taking multiple turns until they lost track of their path. Elliana couldn’t remember how they got there.
Finally, they stopped at a corridor, where the tea vendor pointed to the furthest security door and said, "In there."
The tea vendor left without further comment, and Elliana noticed a tattoo of the letter ’v’ on the back of his hand.