harleyscars Page 63
Page 63
Chapter 70 Discussing a 100 Million Yuan Deal
The small boat slowly entered the harbor. Nami looked at the magnificent bank building in the distance and suddenly realized something.
"Wait... the three of us look too young."
She tugged at her short orange hair. "Will the bank let us in?"
Robin said thoughtfully, "Indeed, carrying so much treasure of dubious origin could easily lead to banks unilaterally and relentlessly driving down the price."
Guina looked around, then her eyes lit up: "I have an idea."
Half an hour later, a strange man appeared at the bank entrance wearing a floor-length oversized coat, a top hat, and a mask.
Unable to see its true appearance.
This "person" walks unsteadily.
The "eccentric" man strode awkwardly into the bank lobby, the heavy bag of treasure in his hand dragging on the floor with a dull thud. A young employee quickly approached him.
"Sir, what service do you need?"
Three voices responded in a cacophony from the wide collar of the coat: "Exchange...exchange..."
The clerk paused for a moment, but maintained a professional smile: "Please go to counter number three..."
The strange man suddenly raised his hand and waved, "Call your bank manager out here."
Beneath the coat, the person at the bottom is supporting the weight of the two people above, the person in the middle is trying to maintain balance, and the person at the top is controlling the movements.
A hushed voice came from the middle floor: "We need to put on some airs!"
The clerk then saw this strange customer adjust his tie with extremely unnatural movements and say in a voice that rose and fell in pitch, "I...only do business with people who are in charge."
He paused, then added, "And... it's a deal worth a hundred million."
The entire bank lobby fell silent instantly. Several customers who were conducting business turned around in surprise, and the security guard unconsciously tightened his grip on his baton.
The young employee stammered, "Please, please wait a moment..."
Five minutes later, the door to the bank manager's office opened. A middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses strode out, his face beaming with a warm smile.
"Distinguished guests, I am so sorry for not greeting you properly! I am the bank manager..."
His words stopped abruptly.
He found this "distinguished guest" to be extremely strange.
The bank manager wiped his glasses, forcing himself to remain calm: "I heard you want to handle...a large transaction?"
The "strange man" straightened up, and three voices spoke simultaneously: "It's...not convenient to talk here."
So, amidst the curious gazes of the crowd, this "tycoon" who walked as if he were drunk followed the bank manager into the VIP room.
The moment the door closed, a suppressed murmur erupted in the hall.
"One hundred million? How much is that?"
"Isn't that enough to gild my family's ancestral graves?"
"More than that! Enough to buy all the orange stands on the street!"
"I'll make sure that old Wang next door calls me grandpa!"
"What do you think... is hidden under that coat?"
"Maybe he's a super-rich person with some quirks!"
"I'm more curious about why he walks like he's doing a folk dance...like a woman!"
The murmurs were shut out by the heavy VIP room door.
Inside the VIP room, the bank manager looked at the treasures spread out on the table and finally understood why the other party had been so secretive. The origins of these jewels were clearly unusual.
The bank manager picked up a ruby ring and shook his head, feigning criticism: "The cut isn't perfect, and the color is a bit off..."
"Nonsense!" a sharp rebuttal came from inside the jacket. "This is the work of a renowned master from the South China Sea!"
Then, his voice shifted to a deep tone: "At least three million Berries!"
Finally, a gentle yet firm female voice said, "It's not appropriate for you to try to lower the price like this."
The bank manager put down the ring and picked up a pearl necklace: "These pearls are uneven in size, and..."
"That's because they come from different seas!" three voices rang out simultaneously, "That's what makes them unique!"
The two sides argued back and forth, their faces flushed with rage. Every time the bank manager pointed out a flaw, three opposing voices would refute it in turn. The treasures on the table were picked up and put down one by one, but the price remained unacceptable.
After nearly two hours of stalemate, the bank manager suddenly revealed a meaningful smile: "Since we can't agree on a price... how about we try another approach?"
He took a document from the drawer: "The 'Black Bear Tavern' in the west of the city owes us a loan, which is eight years overdue. If any of you can help us collect it..."
He paused deliberately: "I'm willing to pay 20% above market value for these treasures."
Suddenly, silence fell beneath the coat. Three heads whispered in the darkness.
"Debt collection? What do you think?"
"This isn't right, we're just working for the bank for nothing..."
"That's a 20% price difference..."
"By the way, their name is 'Black Bear,' which sounds like they're really good at fighting..."
Finally, the three voices united into one answer: "Deal!"
The bank manager smiled with satisfaction and handed the IOU to the other party. He watched the still unsteady "strange man" leave the VIP room, not really believing that the other party could successfully collect the debt; otherwise, the bank wouldn't still be in debt.
Even if he were to actually come back, he wouldn't lose out; the market price is ultimately up to him.
In the bank lobby, everyone watched as the "weirdo" walked out the door in an even stranger manner, and they couldn't help but wonder whether the "one hundred million deal" had actually been finalized.
Just then, no one noticed a dark figure silently sneaking into the VIP room.
The bank manager was happily counting the treasures, calculating how much profit he could make from this deal. Suddenly, a cold, long knife was gently placed against his neck.
"I wonder... how much is my pride worth?"
The bank manager looked up abruptly and found a man in black standing in front of the table, a cold blade already pressed against his Adam's apple.
Cold sweat instantly soaked the back of his shirt. "Good sir, spare my life! Tell me your request, and I'll do whatever it takes!"
"I hope you can give me this face," Liu Jiu's voice was eerily calm. "This batch of treasure will be purchased at the highest price on the legitimate market, and the remaining 20% will be paid as a reward for debt collection."
The bank manager then realized that the "strange person" had a powerful protector behind him.
"Of course..." he answered, trembling, "Everything was done as you said..."
Liu Jiu sheathed his sword, glanced at the treasures from different pirate crews on the table, and shook his head slightly.
These three girls are still too young.
They actually believed that the bank would honestly keep its verbal promises.
If he hadn't appeared in time, they probably wouldn't have even gotten the original price by the time they came back to collect the debt.
"Remember," Liu Jiu glanced at the bank manager one last time, "if you dare to play any tricks, you'll lose your life!"
After he disappeared from the VIP room, the bank manager slumped into his chair, panting heavily. He frantically pressed the call button: "Prepare the highest-value acquisition contract immediately!"
Chapter 71: On the return journey at sea, an unexpected encounter with the Buggy Pirates.
After the strange man left the bank, he "disintegrated" in an alley, and three figures emerged from his oversized coat, finally able to catch their breath.
Nami pouted and frowned.
"Are we really going to help the bank collect debts? That bank manager doesn't look like a good person."
Kuina stretched her numb shoulders: "But a 20% price difference is tempting, or maybe I could fight the debtor. Hopefully, Black Bear has some strength!"
Robin carefully read the IOU, then suddenly gave a mysterious smile: "Perhaps... we don't have to play by the rules."
She pointed to the amount on the IOU: "Black Bear... eight years overdue... principal plus interest totaling eight million Berries. If we can 'raise' this money from the debtor..."
Nami immediately understood: "Pretend to have successfully collected the debt?"
"To be precise, it's about convincing the bank we've succeeded," Robin said softly. "Anyway, the bank manager only cares about whether we can recover the debt."
Kuina raised an eyebrow: "You mean...steal?"
Robin smiled slyly: "How can money taken from a debtor be called theft?"
The three of them secretly observed the area near the "Black Bear Tavern" in the west of the city.
This tavern was extremely popular, with many luxurious carriages parked outside and customers who came in and out dressed in fine clothes.
"Looks like this black bear boss isn't short of money at all," Nami squinted. "He's just deliberately trying to renege on his debt."
After closing time that night, they quietly sneaked into the bar.
Robin used his abilities to discover a hidden safe in the basement.
Without further ado, the three went to the basement.
Kuina easily pried open the lock, revealing tens of millions of pesos in cash neatly stacked inside.
"Perfect..." Nami's eyes lit up, and she quickly counted out eight million Berries and put them in a bag. "This is what you call taking from the people and using it for the people."
The next morning, the three of them, disguised as "weirdos" again, walked into the bank. When the bank manager saw that they had actually returned with eight million Berries, he was so shocked that his glasses fell to the ground.
"This...this is impossible..." he stammered, "Black Bear actually paid back the money?"
Three mixed voices came from under the coat: "Now...it's time to fulfill your promise."
The bank manager, recalling the knife-wielding man in black from the previous night, broke out in a cold sweat. He quickly signaled to his staff, "Quick! Calculate it at the highest market price, plus another 20%!"
Half an hour later, the "weirdo" staggered out of the bank carrying two heavy suitcases. The suitcases contained more than 200 million Berries, and the brand-new banknotes smelled of fresh ink.
Once out of the bank's sight, the three immediately disappeared into an alley and "disassembled".
Nami eagerly opened the box, and seeing the overflowing banknotes, she squealed with delight, "Finally... all in cash!"
Kuina rubbed her aching arms: "Next time, let's try a different position for this kind of disguise."
Robin suddenly thought of something and chuckled, "That Black Bear boss probably still doesn't know that eight million is missing from his safe. I wonder if he'll tear his men to pieces when he finds out!"