Chapter 182: Bailing Someone Out (Part 1)

Dinner at the Hou family home in Wu Hai County was a quiet affair. Although the three of them often ate together, the atmosphere today felt particularly cold and empty with Hou Xiaoying confined in the study class. Conversation was sparse, and their minds were elsewhere.

Hou Yonggui, maintaining the rapid eating pace of his military days, finished first. He set down his chopsticks and stared blankly at the braised pork, clearly holding something back.

Once Hou Weidong had also finished, his father began to speak with grave seriousness. "Xiao San, you must keep your second sister’s situation in mind. Your eldest brother is a police officer; he only has that fixed salary and can’t help much. Although you’re often seen as not sticking to a proper career, your finances are at least more flexible."

Looking into his father’s hopeful eyes, Hou Weidong nodded firmly. "Dad, Mom, rest assured. I’ve already talked it over with Second Sister. They took out a total loan of 1.2 million yuan. I’ll find a way to get Brother-in-law He Yong out first and keep the factory running. With Brother Lu looking after Second Sister, I don’t think there will be any major issues."

Hou Yonggui had only known that Hou Xiaoying had borrowed several hundred thousand yuan; he had no idea the figure was 1.2 million. The sheer size of the number felt like a boulder pressing on his chest.

"Dad, don’t worry too much. Second Sister’s enterprise is still profitable. As long as production continues normally, we’ll definitely be able to repay the loan by next year."

Despite two salary adjustments, Hou Yonggui still earned only a little over six hundred yuan a month—about seven thousand a year. With bonuses added, his total annual income was just over ten thousand yuan. To save 1.2 million without eating or drinking, it would take him 120 years.

"You two siblings have such big ambitions, always keeping us on edge. I think your eldest brother is better; he handles things steadily, which is how you sail a ship for ten thousand years." Hou Yonggui glanced at the strands of white hair on his wife Liu Yongfen’s head, lectured Hou Weidong briefly, but inwardly thought, I suppose I am getting old and out of touch. The world belongs to these young people now.

After the meal, Hou Weidong said, "I need to return to Shazhou to raise money for Second Sister, so you won’t scold me later."

Liu Yongfen was reluctant to let him go. "Xiao San, it’s rare for you to come home. Stay the night and leave tomorrow."

Hou Yonggui waved his hand. "Why are you being so indecisive? Let Xiao San go handle his business."

Liu Yongfen retorted, "I am an old woman, of course I’m going to be indecisive."

Hou Weidong had rushed back and forth many times and felt a bit guilty. "I’ll stay home tonight and head to Shazhou early tomorrow to handle things."

Hearing this, Liu Yongfen beamed. "I’ll go buy a grass carp and make braised fish." She then instructed her husband, "Old man, take out the master stock and braise the ribs from the fridge."

Hou Yonggui, adhering to his usual philosophy of making resources last, said, "If we braise the ribs, there’s no need to buy fish. I have some matters at the police station, so I’ll step out for a bit."

Liu Yongfen shot him a look. "You’re getting stingier as you get older. Are you coming back for dinner?"

Hou Yonggui put on his police uniform, adjusted his collar neatly, and said, "If there’s good food at home, of course I’ll come back."

Liu Yongfen and Hou Yonggui went out together—one to buy fish, the other to handle business at the police station. Hou Weidong dug out his old shorts, took a shower, and sat in the living room watching television.

The warm atmosphere at home reminded him once again of the indescribable comfort of being the youngest son. Liu Yongfen often said that no matter what kind of person Hou Weidong became, no matter how high his official rank or how much money he earned, he would always be her youngest son.

"Hey, babe, I’m at home in Wu Hai. I came specifically to see Second Sister. She’s been sent to the study class because of her loans."

Xiaojia sounded surprised. "How much did Second Sister borrow?"

"Actually, for a silk factory, it’s a relatively small amount. They borrowed 1.2 million yuan to buy new equipment. They had just finished debugging it and were ready to start normal production when this bad luck struck. If we follow the normal repayment schedule, Second Sister is fully capable of paying it back."

Xiaojia had originally suggested that Hou Weidong help repay the loan, but hearing the figure of 1.2 million, she was startled and swallowed the offer. "Husband, how much money do you actually have? It seems you’ve never explained it clearly to me."

Hou Weidong’s thoughts were complex and somewhat strange. From its inception to its development, the Shangqinglin Quarry had been built entirely by him. He held absolute authority and was accustomed to deciding the fate of Shangqinglin alone. Although Xiaojia was his intimate lover, he did not view her as a business partner. He simply brought money home and rarely discussed business matters with her. Regarding the cooperation with Jinggong Group, since Li Jing was involved—a complication that wasn’t really a problem—he hadn’t even mentioned it to Xiaojia.

"Ah, I’m not entirely sure myself. Let me calculate. In terms of assets, I have an apartment in Xinyue Tower, an apartment at Shazhou College, a pickup truck, the Shangqinglin Goubeiwan Quarry, half the ownership of Yinggang Quarry, and half the ownership of Xingping Quarry."

"Who owns the other half? Why haven’t you told me?"

"I thought I told you. Last time, I remember mentioning that I and Mr. Li from Shadaosi each own half. I handle the operations, and Mr. Li handles Shadaosi, especially the financial side."

Hearing that the partner was Li Jing, Xiaojia immediately became displeased. "You definitely didn’t tell me. What does hiding it from me mean?"

"Heaven and earth as my witness, I told you about the Xingping Village Quarry at least five times. How could you not remember? It must be that when I came back, you were only thinking about making love and didn’t listen to a word I said."

"Pah! You’re the one who thinks about that all day. Let me tell you, stay away from Li Jing. My first impression of her was very bad. A woman’s intuition is the most accurate."

"You women want men to be capable outside, but you also want to tie them up with ropes. That’s not fair."

Hou Weidong made several more jokes before coaxing Xiaojia’s mood back to normal.

She asked again, "In just over three years, you’ve earned all this, husband. That’s quite impressive. There’s 370,000 yuan in cash in the passbook you gave me. How much cash do you have on hand? Confess honestly."

"About a hundred thousand."

"So our assets and cash add up to around two million, and it’s growing in a healthy cycle. My eye for choosing a husband is pretty good."

After praising herself, Xiaojia joked, "Sister Zhao told me that men are all big-hearted radishes. You have to implement the 'Three Clears' policy with men: clear out their money, occupy all their time, and squeeze out all their… well, you know. I’m failing at all of these right now, so you need to be cooperative."

Hou Weidong chuckled. "Don’t be shy, I’ll say it for you: clear out the money, occupy the time, and squeeze out the sperm. Don’t listen to those old women. If we really implemented the 'Three Clears' policy, men would become walking corpses."

Hou Weidong intentionally or unintentionally concealed his largest cooperation project with Li Jing. On one hand, if Xiaojia knew he had a bigger project with Li Jing, she would likely nag about it endlessly. On the other hand, a man’s career is independent, and he did not want Xiaojia to interfere too much.

"Xiaojia, talk to one of the older sisters in your office. See if you can use connections to get a loan from the Administration for Industry and Commerce to solve Second Sister’s urgent need for coal."

"Our family has over 400,000 yuan in cash. Isn’t that enough?"

"Shangqinglin’s production also needs working capital. If we use all our family cash to pay off debts, we’ll be helpless when Goubeiwan urgently needs money. It’s best to use loans if possible. If that really doesn’t work, I’ll have to find Mr. Li and see if Shadaosi can pay me the due payment for the crushed stone."

Xiaojia thought for a moment before saying, "Things are quite chaotic in Shazhou City recently. Several cadres from the Construction Commission have been sent to study classes, and all commercial bank loans have been suspended. It might be difficult. I’ll have to ask around to be sure."

After a while, Xiaojia called back.

"Husband, after the rectification of the foundations, banks have tightened credit, and loan business has basically stopped. The colleague’s acquaintance is just a salesperson; he can’t help. We’ll have to find another way." Xiaojia hesitated, then said, "Even if we put all our money in, it won’t solve the problem. Husband, what do you think we should do?"

Hou Weidong said, "We should try not to touch our own money. Let’s rely mainly on commercial loans. Running a business requires following market rules. I’ll find another way."

After hanging up, Hou Weidong called Li Jing. A melody played on the other end of the line. "Wait a moment, I’ll come out to talk." The music faded, and Li Jing’s voice became clearer. "Weidong, why are you calling me proactively today? The sun must be rising from the west."

"I have something I’d like to ask for your help with. Where are you?"

Li Jing hummed. "Weidong, I thought you’d call to greet me on Dragon Boat Festival." Hou Weidong laughed. "I’ve been overwhelmed with the foundation issues. I’ll make it up to you later."

"I’m drinking tea with friends in Lingxi. It’s all for the sake of Jinggong Group. As the chairman, I have to be responsible to the shareholders." Li Jing made a few more jokes before getting to the point. "You rarely ask for favors. What’s the difficulty?"

"It’s big if you look at it one way, small if you look at it another."

Hou Weidong explained Second Sister Hou Xiaoying’s situation. "I wonder if Shadaosi can pay me the goods payment, or if you can help arrange a bank loan of five or six hundred thousand. You have many connections; please think of a way."

"This would be easy under normal circumstances, but these are special times. Shadaosi’s finances are under strict control, making it very difficult to release funds. The banks have also issued requirements to temporarily suspend loan quotas."

Hearing Hou Weidong’s disappointed sigh, Li Jing laughed. "Weidong’s business is my business. Although it’s difficult, I can get it done with some effort. I’ll go find the general manager and say that if the payment isn’t made, Shangqinglin Quarry will join in stopping supplies. I’ll quietly release a bit of payment to you, the ringleader."

"However, I have one request. I’ve invited a few friends for dinner tonight. Come over and help me drink."