Chapter 237: Chapter 237 Who Dares to Disturb the Tai Sui?
Everyone in finance has a particular sensitivity to numbers, and the people in the audience had already started to quietly do the math for Xia Liang.
With an average floor’s annual rent at 100,000 Yuan, after subtracting the common areas and property management fees, the net annual income was over eight million Yuan!
If I can make so much money just lying down, why bother standing?
Seeing the domineering Yao Qing now pleading poverty to him, Xia Liang’s face darkened with frustration.
Of course, Xia Liang didn’t doubt Yao Qing was telling the truth. Finance companies were indeed wealthy, but that money was all client investments. They could only use it for operations, not for personal expenses. The rent of over 100,000 Yuan was certainly a significant burden for this mid-sized firm.
But what does the company’s financial situation have to do with me?
"Sigh... I understand the company’s difficulties, but I have my own troubles too," Xia Liang lamented. He couldn’t help but reflect that no matter how impressive a boss was, they would never dare challenge a landlord, lest they be kicked out in minutes.
Thinking about the times he had been exploited in the past, Xia Liang expressed deep sympathy while simultaneously implying a threat. "The rent is high for a reason. Being able to rent a space here is a testament to the company’s strength. Many other finance companies wish for the opportunity to move in but can’t."
After beating around the bush, Xia Liang completely ignored Yao Qing’s sob story. When it came to money, he hated it most when people tried to play the emotional card.
Yao Qing was filled with frustration. She had hoped to appeal to his sentiment based on his past employment here, but it seemed this guy was ready to burn all his bridges.
"Fine. Leave me your bank account number, and I’ll have the money transferred to your card within three days," Yao Qing said, swiftly slipping back into her professional role. "Mister Xia, you collect so much in rent every year. Have you considered investing in a company? You know our firm’s capabilities best. Are you interested in putting your money with us?"
Xia Liang jotted down his bank card number on a piece of paper and then shook his head.
"It’s precisely because I know the company so well that I won’t invest my money here."
That single sentence nearly choked Yao Qing. Was it really necessary to denigrate the company he once worked for? Fury surged within her, but she kept a smile plastered on her face, not daring to offend Xia Liang in the slightest.
"It was just a small suggestion. If you ever need anything, our company will certainly do everything in our power to serve you."
This was precisely the kind of silent fury Xia Liang wanted from Yao Qing. You think you’re so arrogant? Go ahead, try me again and see what happens! As Xia Liang left the office, his former colleagues outside greeted him warmly once again.
"Brother Xia is leaving, huh? Come back and visit when you’re free."
"Brother Xia, let’s go out for a couple of drinks sometime."
"I know of a great job opening, Brother Xia. Why don’t you give it a try?"
...
These ordinary colleagues had no idea what had transpired in the office and still thought Xia Liang was just a delivery guy. In response to their warm greetings, Xia Liang’s attitude was completely different from before.
"I’ll come visit you all when I have time, and we’ll definitely have those drinks. My delivery job is going quite well, so I don’t need to look for a new one, but thank you."
"If people treat me with sincerity, I will return it in kind." This was his life’s motto.
After meeting up with the property management staff, Xia Liang once again embarked on his journey as a master rent collector.
After collecting rent from over eighty floors, Xia Liang had netted over eight million Yuan. Although it just involved going in and asking for money, the work was genuinely tiring—more exhausting than delivering food.
Xia Liang had already decided that he wouldn’t handle such matters personally in the future. All that talk about getting to know high-level executives in finance companies and observing which firms were worth investing in was complete nonsense. With his capabilities, did he really need to get to know others or invest in them? It should be others begging to get to know him and invest in him, right?
Entering the last company on his list, Xia Liang spoke directly to the receptionist. "I’m here to collect the rent. Please get the person in charge."
The receptionist glanced at Xia Liang, her expression first turning smitten, then stunned. A delivery guy collecting rent?
Although the receptionist was puzzled, she didn’t look down on him, not with the property management staff and security guards standing behind him. She made a call, and soon, a young man walked out of the office with a broad smile.
"Who is here for the rent?"
Xia Liang paused when he saw the man, who looked vaguely familiar. He shook his head, not dwelling on it as the property management staff made the introduction.
"You must be Wen Jie," Xia Liang said. "President Wen, this year’s rent of 80,000 Yuan is due."
Wen Jie’s pupils contracted instantly.
Isn’t this the boyfriend of that beauty I tried to pick up on the street? Damn, he’s actually my landlord!
The world, it had to be said, was truly a small place."Mister Xia, you are Mister Xia, right? Please, come in! I have the rent all ready for you," Wen Jie said, his tone both enthusiastic and respectful. He was terrified that Xia Liang might recognize him, though his fears were misplaced. Xia Liang hadn’t given him a second thought, truly ignoring him.
Wen Jie led Xia Liang and his entourage into his office and opened a safe.
CLICK.
The safe swung open to reveal neat stacks of red, hundred-Yuan banknotes.
"President Xia, the rent is all here. You can have a few of your people count it and take it away." Fearing Xia Liang might think he was trying to make things difficult, he quickly added, "Mister Xia, I don’t mean to give you a hard time. My company was recently hit with a lawsuit, and all our accounts have been frozen, so I could only use cash."
Seeing Wen Jie’s earnest demeanor, Xia Liang nodded. "Alright, that’s enough. I know you’re not lying."
Wen Jie finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Xia Liang scanned the money with his spiritual sense and, after confirming the amount was correct, pointed at the cash.
"Pack it up."
At his command, the property management staff behind him skillfully began stuffing the banknotes into briefcases.
Back in the elevator, Xia Liang waved his hand. "Alright, you can put the money in my car first. I’ll be down in a bit." With that, he took the elevator by himself to the floor where he was planning to open his company.
As it happened, Shi Qiang had just finished supervising the day’s work.
"Brother Xia, you’re here?"
Xia Liang nodded. "Let’s go. Accompany me to the bank, and then we’ll join your Sister-in-law Xi for a meal." He put an arm around Shi Qiang’s shoulder, and the two of them stepped into the elevator.
They took the elevator down to the ground floor, where a property staff member respectfully handed the car keys to Xia Liang.
Xia Liang waved a hand. "You can all go back to work. I’m leaving now."
"Mister Xia, it’s too dangerous for you to carry so much cash," one of the staff members said earnestly. "How about we escort you? Or we could call the security company for more manpower?"
Xia Liang casually waved them off. "How much money is this, really? I’d like to see who’s got the nerve to challenge someone so far out of their league!"
With that, he motioned for Shi Qiang to get into the car. Once they were both inside, the previously puzzled Shi Qiang looked at the two briefcases in the backseat, and his eyes widened in astonishment.