Chen Xiong smiled.
"Good. Our interest rate is 4%. If you borrow five million, you'll have to repay seven million. So, I'll need you to sign an IOU for seven million first."
"Also, you'll need to provide collateral of equal value. A house, factory, or car will do."
Zhang Ye pretended to hesitate for a moment. Then, with a look of resolve, he pulled out a property deed from his jacket.
He had just used it for a loan at the bank, so it happened to be with him.
"This apartment is worth over five million. It should be enough collateral, right? I also have a Benz worth three hundred thousand. If I can't repay, you can take that too."
It was rare for Chen Xiong to meet such a decisive client. He quickly took the property deed and examined it.
Once he confirmed the details of Zhang Ye's apartment, he was even more satisfied.
By current market value, that apartment could easily fetch over 5.5 million!
Add the car on top, and there was no way he'd lose money on this deal.
Still, Chen Xiong put on a slightly dissatisfied expression.
"Mr. Zhang, your apartment is worth at most around five million. But you want to borrow five million from me — I'd be taking a loss!"
Zhang Ye acted flustered, saying anxiously, "Boss Chen, please, I really need your help! I'm in urgent need of cash!"
"If you can transfer the money to me today, I'll settle for just 4.5 million!"
Chen Xiong and Hu Minghua exchanged a glance, both eyes filled with amusement.
This was exactly the kind of business they thrived on — preying on desperation.
The more urgent the need, the more they could squeeze.
"No, no, this deal just isn't worth it."
Finally, after some back-and-forth bargaining, they agreed on a loan of 4 million.
But Zhang Ye demanded the money be transferred into his account the same day.
Though the loan company was shady, their efficiency was impressive — arguably their only advantage over banks.
Shortly after the contract was signed, four million appeared in Zhang Ye's account.
He couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
To Chen Xiong, this money was like tossing a meat bun to a dog — it was never coming back.
... Though, that analogy did feel a little self-deprecating.
Zhang Ye left the company grinning from ear to ear.
As soon as he was gone, peals of laughter erupted from Chen Xiong and Hu Minghua's office.
"Hahaha! That was the easiest deal we've ever made! That idiot really just took the four million and walked off!"
Chen Xiong said smugly, "We'll easily make two to three million off this. No worries about this month's performance now!"
Leaning against the desk, Hu Minghua joked, "Boss, he signed the contract so quickly — what if there's something wrong with that apartment?"
Chen Xiong looked at the property deed in his hand and smiled slyly, "It's real. No issue at all. As long as the apartment is his, he can't escape!"
With both the deed and the seven-million IOU in hand, they had more than enough means to seize the property.
And that wasn't all — they had other ways to bleed Zhang Ye dry.
Chen Xiong sipped his coffee with a wicked glint in his eyes.
"If things don't go our way, we'll reach out to a few overseas connections. See if he's got any... valuable parts we can sell."
"We never make losing deals!"
Zhang Ye left the shady loan office in high spirits.
He looked back at the building with a faintly mocking smile.
"Such generous people... just handing me free money to spend."
From this point on, Zhang Ye would have no further dealings with Chen Xiong or Hu Minghua.
In fact, there was a very high chance they wouldn't survive the apocalyptic ice age arriving in just one month.
Now, Zhang Ye had around nine million yuan at his disposal.
More than enough to execute his plan.
After all, with upfront deposits, he could stretch this amount to purchase goods worth tens of millions.
Getting more money wasn't necessary — otherwise, he wouldn't mind milking a few more online loan platforms for their cash.
Driving his car, Zhang Ye arrived at one of Tianhai City's most prestigious companies — Zhanlong Security.
Zhanlong was one of China's largest private security firms, primarily serving ultra-wealthy individuals and celebrities.
At times, even government VIPs would request their services.
Zhang Ye had come here because, in his previous life, he'd heard that Zhanlong once built a billion-dollar doomsday-safehouse for a tycoon's heir in Jiangnan Province.
That real estate family's young master had managed to live quite comfortably during the apocalypse — thanks to Zhanlong's handiwork.
When Zhang Ye arrived, he explained his purpose to the receptionist.
Soon, someone from the sales department brought him to a private lounge.
The receptionist served him freshly ground coffee.
Before long, a burly man with a buzzcut walked in.
He wore a tight black suit that looked like it might burst at the seams, exuding a dangerous, thuggish aura.
Yet there was something oddly reassuring about it — like you'd be safe with this guy around.
"Good day, sir. I'm Wu Huairen, manager of the sales department. What can we help you with today?"
He sat beside Zhang Ye, ready to listen.
Zhang Ye took a sip of coffee and said, "I need you to build me a safehouse."
"A top-tier doomsday bunker — the kind that can survive the end of the world."
Wu Huairen's expression immediately turned serious.
If anyone else had heard that, they might've laughed.
But not Zhanlong.
Because the wealthiest and most powerful people in the world were also the most afraid of death.
Long ago, some foreign billionaires had already started building multi-million-dollar doomsday shelters.
And in recent years, that trend had been catching on among the global elite.
Some did it out of genuine fear of natural disasters.
Others simply had too many enemies — and wanted a sense of security.
Zhanlong's doomsday bunkers had emerged precisely to meet this demand.
So when Wu Huairen heard that Zhang Ye wanted a top-tier shelter, he immediately became more respectful.
Orders like this didn't come by often — maybe a few a year.
"Mr. Zhang, at Zhanlong, we're world-class in private security. Whatever you need, we can make it happen."
Zhang Ye said directly, "I want to transform my apartment on the 24th floor into a safehouse. Can you do that?"
Wu Huairen gave him a curious look. Most clients opted for private villas or underground bunkers.
Very few would choose a high-rise apartment.
Still, if the client had a request, their company would fulfill it.
Wu Huairen smiled confidently. "Of course! Zhanlong is one of the top security firms in the world."
"With our technology, we can absolutely meet that request."
Hearing this, Zhang Ye's plan solidified.
He would turn his home into a fortress.
He had to stay — he wanted to watch the people who betrayed him die with his own eyes.
Wu Huairen handed him a tablet.
"Our services are fully customized. You can select the features you need — with detailed pricing listed."
Ah, the conveniences of the digital age.
Zhang Ye took the tablet and began carefully reviewing the options.
He had to admit — a professional company was just on another level.
As long as you had the money, Zhanlong could fulfill almost any request.
Even building shelters a hundred meters underground or beneath the sea.
But those options were too slow — and Zhang Ye only had one month.