Chapter 26: Interest

“I must ask Uncle Pan to return it.”

Chen Pingan’s smile remained unchanged. Ignoring Old Pan’s suggestion, he stood firm in his position.

“Ping'an, didn't Uncle Pan already say? You brought this up too suddenly; I haven't had any mental preparation. Go back first and come again tomorrow or the day after. We can discuss how to handle this matter then.”

Old Pan spoke in a coaxing, persuasive manner.

The implication of his words was that the request for repayment was too abrupt, leaving him completely unprepared. It made it seem as though Chen Pingan was the one in the wrong for bringing up emotions like this.

One had to realize that this debt had been outstanding for nearly a year. Any normal household would have proactively brought this matter up without needing to be prompted. Even if a family was indeed tight on cash, they should have explained the situation and negotiated a repayment schedule in advance. That would be better for both parties, as it would establish a clear timeline.

Old Pan was a cunning old fox; he set the rhythm. He even turned the tables, making it seem as though Chen Pingan’s sudden demand was a source of trouble for him, when in reality, it was Old Pan himself who had failed to proactively mention the repayment.

An ordinary youth hearing this would likely feel embarrassed, thinking their abruptness had caused the other party such distress. Once that thought took root, they would have fallen right into Old Pan's trap.

“Uncle Pan, this debt hasn't been outstanding for just a day or two. What kind of 'mental preparation' does Uncle Pan need? Why don't you tell me so I can listen?”

You have your rhythm, but I have my principles.

Upon hearing this, the smile on Old Pan’s face vanished completely.

“Ping'an, you aren't married yet, nor do you have any outside debts. You aren't exactly short on money, so why are you in such a rush to get paid! We are neighbors after all; is there a need to be like this? It's not like we aren't going to pay you! Didn't Uncle Pan say he needs to think about it? Besides, you're a fine young man, yet you spend all day thinking about this little bit of money. Aren't you ashamed to say it out loud!”

Auntie Pan chimed in from the side, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

What a masterful way to shift the conflict and seize the initiative! They truly were a matched couple!

It was one thing for them not to mention the debt, but to bring it up now made them look ridiculous.

Back then, Old Chen had preferred to take a high-interest loan from the Tiger Head Gang rather than repay the money owed to Old Pan’s family.

And Chen Pingan had raised fourteen taels on his own to clear the debt with the Tiger Head Gang. Now, he was being blamed for his own righteousness.

*Thinking about this little bit of money all day long!?*

*Who exactly is the one thinking about this little bit of money!?*

Repaying a debt is a matter of natural justice!

Even if one took a step back, Chen Pingan did not need their permission to collect his money. Even if their family had no money, they should have found a way to raise it to pay him back first.

In any context, he was in the right.

For half a tael of silver over nearly a year, he hadn't charged a single cent of interest.

Yet, in their mouths, he was the one who was being inconsiderate of his neighbors and obsessed with money.

“Uncle Pan, Auntie Pan, whether I am short on this money or not has nothing to do with whether you repay it or not. I only came here to discuss this quietly out of respect for our neighborly ties. If this matter were to spread, I wonder who would be the one feeling ashamed and losing face!?”

Chen Pingan did not lose his temper, nor did he show any agitation. He spoke in a measured, slow manner.

“You!”

Chen Pingan spoke slowly, but his words choked Auntie Pan instantly.

Seeing that Chen Pingan had laid everything out so plainly, Old Pan’s expression also turned cold. “Ping'an, no one said we wouldn't pay. Is there a need for you to speak like that!?”

“Since that is the case, then I ask Uncle Pan to return it.”

“Go back first, and I'll pay you in a few days!” Old Pan said coldly.

If Old Pan had spoken this way from the very beginning, Chen Pingan might have actually followed his suggestion and given them a few days' grace. But now... he was likely overestimating things.

“I ask Uncle Pan to return it now!”

Chen Pingan’s attitude was resolute, his voice heavy and commanding.

The Pan family was utterly stunned. They never expected that a youth not yet of age would react this way in such a situation.

“Chen Pingan, don't go too far!” Auntie Pan began to throw accusations, her voice becoming shrill and piercing like a hysterical old woman. “I said we'll pay you in a few days, is there a need to press us so hard! You're trying to make it impossible for the Pan family to survive!”

Faced with Auntie Pan’s outburst, Chen Pingan remained calm. He said slowly, “Uncle Pan, being neighbors is about maintaining dignity. If you do not return my money today, then you might as well discard that dignity altogether.”

*Bang!*

Uncle Pan slammed his hand on the table and stood up, fuming with rage.

“Chen Pingan, you know we are neighbors, and I am your elder in any case. Do you have no respect for your Uncle Pan when you speak like that?”

To be honest, Old Pan’s furious expression and sudden outburst were quite intimidating.

“You little brat, how dare you speak to us like that! Even if the Heavens themselves came down today, we still wouldn't have the money!”

Auntie Pan went into a frenzy, employing the typical tactics of a brawling woman.

However, all of this was meaningless to Chen Pingan.

“In that case, I will see you at the Zhenfu Division!”

With that, Chen Pingan turned to walk out.

Seeing this, Old Pan’s momentum suddenly faltered.

The Zhenfu Division!?

He thought Chen Pingan would at most go to the Village Head. How did it involve the Zhenfu Division!?

Every alley in Nanquan Lane had a Village Head responsible for mediating civil matters. If they went to the Village Head, the family could use their numbers to act like rogues and muddy the waters. At worst, they would just have to pay back the half-tael.

But going to the Zhenfu Division...

This...

Old Pan finally realized the problem.

The youth before him was no ordinary boy. He was a constable serving in the Nanquan Lane Zhenfu Division!

When he was being polite, he could respect neighborly ties and call them "Uncle Pan." But when he was being impolite, he had plenty of means to make things difficult.

Old Chen was dead, and Chen Pingan had been acting so easygoing that he had forgotten the boy worked for the government.

Damn it!

“Wait!”

Old Pan could no longer sit still and tried to call him back.

However, Chen Pingan’s footsteps did not falter; he ignored him entirely.

“Ping'an, wait, wait! The money, I'll pay it right now!”

With that, Old Pan rushed into the inner room.

“Old Pan!” Auntie Pan tried to stop him, but he pushed her aside. The woman was so caught up in her emotions that she hadn't even processed what was happening.

Hearing this, Chen Pingan stopped.

The sound of rummaging through chests and drawers came from the inner room. A moment later, Old Pan emerged carrying a black cloth bag.

“Ping'an, don't be angry. The silver is all in here, take a look,” Old Pan said, forcing a smile.

Chen Pingan took the bag. It contained both large and small coins. He counted the amount, then slowly raised his head to look at Old Pan.

“The money... isn't quite right, is it?”

“Huh? How could it be wrong? I counted it! There are five hundred small coins in the bag, which is exactly half a tael,” Old Pan said, hurrying forward.

Chen Pingan looked at Old Pan quietly. “There are indeed five hundred small coins in here. The loan was for half a tael. According to the standard market interest rate, after nearly a year, the repayment should be five hundred and fifty small coins. There is a deficit of fifty small coins here.”