Chapter 551: Chapter 551

"US$2,000 is already my bottom line. My wife was seriously injured and hasn't woken up yet," Chen Shaowen said. "You can go see for yourself if you don't believe it. The doctor said if she doesn't wake up, she's gone.

This is a human life we're talking about. If you're not willing to pay, we'll see if my wife's son, after finding out, will smash your house into pieces."

Upon hearing that it was the matchmaker's son, Madam Liu immediately shuddered with fear. That kid was nothing but trouble. Who knows if US$2,000 might turn into US$3,000 if that kid gets involved.

"Wait a minute, US$2,000 isn't a small amount. Let me try to gather it," said Madam Liu with a grim face.

Despite her frail health, the matchmaker would still go for such a young spouse. Served her right.

Chen Shaowen sneered, "I'm giving you three days. If you haven't gathered the money by then, then it's off to the police station."

After saying this, he turned and signaled to his brothers to leave.

Madam Liu watched Chen Shaowen leave and heaved a deep sigh of relief. Soon after, she couldn't help but start cursing, "I tell you, that old scoundrel is definitely blackmailing us."

"Mom, what should we do? It's US$2,000," Liu Laoda asked anxiously, looking at his own mother.

US$2,000 isn't a small amount, their family didn't even have US$1,000.

How could they possibly gather so much money in a short time?

"Eldest Son, take out however much you and your wife have to lend for now.

You heard him; if we don't come up with the money, he'll call the police and have our entire family arrested.

Jiadan, you've been working these years and have been handling your own money. Take out whatever you have, and let's all try to gather enough," Madam Liu said.

She and her husband had saved a few hundred yuan over the years, and the children had been working for many years too; surely they must've saved something. Maybe together, it might total to over US$1,000.

Upon hearing he had to contribute money, Liu Laoda's face turned unsightly, "Mom, I only have a little over US$100.

My wife and I don't earn much, and with daily expenses and social obligations, it all takes money. Not to mention, my wife and I also have two kids to support, and that also requires money."

Madam Liu wasn't expecting her son to have so little, her face immediately fell.

When Liu Jidan heard that her elder brother had only US$100, she also chimed in, "Mom, my brother and sister-in-law together only have US$100.

I started working many years after them, how much could I have? I only have slightly over US$100."

Madam Liu, her face dark with anger, looked at her children and angrily said, "Fine, you all must be hoarding money wanting to go to jail, huh?

If you don't have money, that's fine too. It wasn't just me involved in this matter; we can all go to jail together."

"Mom, that's not fair! You were the one who started the fight, and by saying this, are you suggesting that we shouldn't have helped you and just watched you get beaten?

If that's how you're going to talk, then from now on, my wife and I won't care about you anymore," Liu Laoda furiously said.

Madam Liu almost passed out from anger, glaring furiously at her son, "You ungrateful son, was it easy for me to raise you all?

And now to speak to me over a bit of money!"

Liu Laoda turned to his mother, "Otherwise, let's ask the higher-ups for help. Isn't the house being developed?

Maybe they can give us a house and US$2,000."

"Mom, I think this plan could work," Liu Jidan said, nodding in agreement.

Madam Liu had no other options now, knowing that she would have had to pay the matchmaker so much money, she said she wouldn't have taken action.

She nodded her head and had no choice but to look for the leaders above.

This matter was handled by Xu Shengshun. Director Gu had been transferred to the urban district a few days ago and a new director had taken his place. Before leaving, Director Gu wanted to promote Xu Shengshun, so he could make a good impression in front of the new director, and left him with the task of developing construction in Yu County.

The new director had just arrived and was not familiar with the area, making it even harder to find cooperating merchants to invest in this development.

Xu Shengshun directly sought out Xu Ying, and now the leadership was closely following the completion of the task on their end.

The funding was secured, but some people living in these large houses were unwilling to move.

"Granny Liu," Xu Shengshun had just hung up from Xu Ying's call and dashed over. By now, the work involving the people in the large house was nearly complete.

It was only these two or three households left in the compound, among which Madam Liu was the most rewarding.

Seeing Xu Shengshun, Madam Liu's face showed excitement, telling him to go borrow money from Xu Ying as she would not, sure that the girl harbored bad intentions and would definitely use the loan as a means to force her to accompany them.

That girl had connections with Director Gu's family, certainly running errands for Director Gu.

But he insisted on not pleasing that girl, giving this chance to make merit to the young man.

"Mr. Xu, you've come to do ideological work again, I've laid it out today, just giving us one house definitely won't work, you must give us compensation.

I don't ask for much, just 2,000 yuan, if you think that's feasible, then I'll agree to move."

Xu Shengshun felt troubled upon hearing this, "Granny, we're moving to a new building.

Moreover, your family has many members so you'll receive more rooms, at least three bedrooms, which is much better than you all squeezing together now.

2,000 yuan is really too much, if it's 1,500 I might still be able to apply with the leaders."

Hearing this, Madam Liu's eyes flickered rapidly.

1,500 yuan would also work as she still had money. Later, she could get 100 yuan from her son and 100 yuan from her daughter, and that would make up the amount.

But Madam Liu still wanted to ask for more, "1,800 yuan."

Xu Shengshun immediately shook his head, "At most 1,500, any more than that really isn't possible."

Madam Liu ultimately had no recourse but to agree.

Xu Shengshun took out the contract for Madam Liu to sign, "This 1,500 is to be kept confidential. If you talk about it, we'll have to recover the money," he said, threatening her.

Madam Liu was immediately startled by his words and quickly shook her head to assure him, "Don't worry, I definitely won't speak of it."

Madam Liu, thinking only of the money, hadn't carefully read the contract, which was not a confidentiality agreement but merely a consent form for this development.

Initially, those above had planned to compensate these people based on the size of the rooms, as after all, this place was in the city center, and they might live further away once they moved.

To ensure no one was at a loss, they decided to provide subsidies in addition to accommodations.

After the contract was signed, Xu Shengshun directly gave Madam Liu 1,500 yuan.

Madam Liu took the money and immediately asked her son and daughter for a hundred each, and took three hundred herself, putting the money together; she immediately went looking for Chen Shaowen.

Chen Shaowen had already received the news and was waiting at the portal. Seeing Madam Liu approach, he was overjoyed.