Chapter 12 The Kind-Hearted Debt Collector

In an instant, the entire floor where Zhuang Zhou stood was overrun by all kinds of venomous insects. The dozen or so men were already terrified out of their wits, cowering together like bullied daughters-in-law. Even the so-called Erbing was shouting that this was impossible!

Zhuang Zhou’s brow furrowed as he spoke coldly, “Come on, where’s all that bravado from a moment ago?”

“Boss, immortal, we give up! We’re leaving right now!” One of the men couldn’t take it anymore, his voice trembling.

Zhuang Zhou ignored the coward and fixed his gaze on Erbing.

Erbing looked about ready to faint from fear, muttering incessantly, “This just doesn’t make sense.”

Still, there was someone clever among them. Liu Qiang immediately understood the meaning behind Zhuang Zhou’s look. He smacked Erbing on the forehead—a gesture still fresh in his memory—shouting, “Stop shaking, Erbing! You’re our leader, step up and speak for us! Can’t you see he’s waiting for you to say something?”

The smack brought Erbing back to his senses. Crying, he pleaded, “Immortal boss, we were wrong. Please, have mercy and let us go. We won’t dare come back, ever!”

Zhuang Zhou ignored their pleas. With a sharp whistle, the poisonous insects scattered. He then handed a piece of paper to Erbing, his tone calm, “You’re right—debts must be repaid. I will absolutely pay back what I owe you.”

“No, no need, really, immortal boss. That little bit of money doesn’t matter,” Erbing stammered, thoroughly frightened. He had never seen so many venomous insects. From this day on, he was sure that everyone there now had two new fears: trypophobia and a terror of poisonous bugs.

Zhuang Zhou’s voice grew cold. “Am I someone who doesn’t pay his debts? Tomorrow morning, go to Blue Tooth Internet Café and find a woman named Rose. Thirty-three thousand. That’s the money I owe you. And from today forward, if any of you ever step in here again, you’ll face more than just insects. Understand?”

“Immortal boss, really, you don’t have to pay!” Erbing was nearly in tears. Taking that money felt like holding a hot coal—maybe it would even cost him his life.

Impatient, Zhuang Zhou replied, “You must take it! If you dare refuse, I’ll have these insects finish you off!”

“Understood, understood! We’ll take it—all of it! Just the thirty thousand principal, we wouldn’t dare ask for interest!”

Erbing thought this so-called immortal boss must be crazy. He always thought he was shameless, but clearly this guy was worse. He himself had already given up on getting the money, but the immortal boss insisted on paying, and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Normally, refusing money was foolish, but with this man’s money, he didn’t dare take a single cent.

“Now get lost!” Zhuang Zhou snapped, glaring at the group with disgust.

“Yes, yes, we’re leaving right now! Thank you for sparing our lives!” They nodded frantically, then fled downstairs like routed soldiers.

Zhuang Zhou watched them scurry away, let out a cold snort, and then opened his door and stepped inside.

Looking at his modest home, Zhuang Zhou sighed helplessly. Poverty stifles ambition. His urgent task now was to earn money and give his parents a better life. The previous Zhuang Zhou had been an unfilial son for over twenty years; this time, he had to make it right and honor his parents.

Just then, he heard sounds at the door.

Zhuang Zhou thought the debt collectors had returned. Anger rose on his face as he strode to the door, ready to teach them a harsh lesson. Did these reckless fools really think the Poison Immortal was a pushover? If they dared return, this time he wouldn’t just scare them—he’d make them pay with their lives.

But the moment the door opened, Zhuang Zhou’s anger vanished completely.

It wasn’t the cowards outside—it was his mother.

Seeing her son at the door, Wang Shujuan looked surprised, then her face softened into a loving smile. “Zhouzi, you’re home?”

“Yes, I’m back.” Zhuang Zhou replied.

“Zhouzi, just now I saw a group of people coming down from our floor. You didn’t let them in, did you?” she asked worriedly.

“No, why?” he answered.

Such is the greatness of parental love—bearing every burden themselves. Zhuang Zhou realized he had been kept in the dark all this time. He cursed his former self for not cherishing such good parents and for causing them endless sorrow.

“It’s nothing. At the building entrance I saw some people who looked like debt collectors. They didn’t frighten you, did they?” Wang Shujuan asked, her face clouded with worry.

Zhuang Zhou shook his head. “No, they seemed very polite. They just asked if you were home. I said you weren’t, and they left courteously.”

“Oh, that’s good,” she replied, still puzzled. She and her husband had only taken out high-interest loans as a last resort—her son had been in an accident and they needed money for his treatment. Though neighbors had warned them that those loan sharks were ruthless—posting public notices, blocking door locks, splashing paint, tossing dead rats, pouring dog’s blood, dumping excrement, sending funeral wreaths, playing funeral music over loudspeakers, and even publicly mourning the living—they had no other choice.

A penny short can defeat even a hero. In the end, they gritted their teeth and borrowed the money.

The collectors had come before, but never with such a good attitude. Today, as Wang Shujuan approached the building, the familiar group didn’t even let her speak before dropping to their knees, crying and apologizing, begging for forgiveness! The bald man with the gold chain even clung to her pant leg, earnestly pleading for understanding, insisting he hadn’t finished elementary school and was bad at math, and that only three thousand in interest was due, but the principal and interest had already been paid by someone else. He begged her to forgive his disgraceful behavior.

Their sincerity and remorse were overwhelming, so much so it could move the gods.

Such kindness! Wang Shujuan thought to herself—they really were the most good-hearted debt collectors she’d ever met.

After hearing his mother’s story, Zhuang Zhou couldn’t help laughing, saying, “Yes, they are indeed the kindest debt collectors. If they were nominated for this year’s ‘Touching China’ awards, I’d vote for them with all my heart.”

Still uneasy, Wang Shujuan wondered about the kind person who had paid their debt. If she could find out who it was, she would certainly repay the money.

“Mom, I’m hungry. What’s for dinner tonight?”

At this, Wang Shujuan remembered and smiled, “Oh, we’ll have dumplings tonight. Wait for your father—he’s been busy at the factory this week. Son, have a drink with your dad later. He works so hard, working during the day and doing odd jobs at the supermarket at night.”

Zhuang Zhou wished he could slap his former self. He’d truly been a scoundrel.

“Mom, tell Dad not to work so hard. I’ll find a way to earn money. Soon, you both will live in comfort,” Zhuang Zhou said seriously.

“Good, good. Son, it’s enough that you have this heart. All you need to do now is study hard. Your father and I are counting on you to become a great doctor and bring honor to our family.”

“Don’t worry, Mom. I will.” Tears welled in Wang Shujuan’s eyes. Her son had come back to life, and become so much more mature and filial. Remembering the grief of almost losing him, tears flowed uncontrollably. “Zhouzi, my child, you’ve finally grown up. I’m so happy!”

Though Wang Shuqin wept, her heart brimmed with joy. Her son’s life had not only been spared, but he had become thoughtful and dutiful—her greatest happiness.

Over the next two days, Zhuang Zhou adjusted further to his revived body and began to lay out his plans. First, Old Master Ye’s illness was urgent. With the Ghost Nine Needles, half the battle was already won. Second was the matter of the Academy—both matters were crucial for expanding his network and vision. And then there was Jiang Pingan, a hidden danger that needed to be eliminated as soon as possible.

On the fourth day, Zhuang Zhou returned to the hospital to check on the old man. His condition remained stable and manageable.

As Zhuang Zhou left the ward, Ye Song entered with a dark expression. “I’ve gathered everything you asked for,” she said. “When will you start treating my grandfather? If I find out you’re a fraud, I’ll make your life a living hell.”

Zhuang Zhou disliked Ye Song’s threatening tone—so arrogant and rude. Even if he cured her grandfather, she would take it for granted, never expressing gratitude. In fact, she thought his methods were unorthodox and unreliable.

Ye Song’s distrust of traditional medicine was projected onto Zhuang Zhou himself. Yet, for all her skepticism, she knew he was her only hope. It didn’t matter if the cat was black or white—so long as it caught mice, it was a good cat. Right now, Zhuang Zhou was her poison cat.

“Officer Ye, you come from a prominent family. How can you be so impolite?” Zhuang Zhou retorted, grabbing a peeled apple from the table and eating it with a sneer.