"Miss, the bank rejected our new loan application, and the other loan I previously applied for has also been blocked. It seems we're being targeted!"
"What's their reason? The amount we're asking for isn't even large. Given our current assets, securing a loan of one or two hundred million shouldn't be an issue, right?"
"The bank claims our debt ratio is too high."
"Debt ratio? We've never publicly disclosed our financial status. How would they know our current debt ratio? Besides, our company's debt ratio isn't even high to begin with."
"That may be true, but..."
"This isn't the time to dwell on that. Yang Xin, immediately arrange for the branch managers of Bright Pearl City's two banks to come here for a discussion. Tell them if they refuse, they can forget about any future cooperation with us.
Also, cancel all our employees' salary cards with those banks and switch to other banks. I refuse to believe we can't find other partners besides those two."
"Yes, Miss! I'll handle it right away."
After Yang Xin left, Yu Mo called to discuss the bridge loan. He showed some conscience, saying that if the Wanlong Group was truly short on funds, he would repay the money no matter what.
"No need. Keep the money for now. No one can block my funds."
"Then, Sister Yutong, if you need anything, just give the order."
"..."
After hanging up, Yu Mo felt uneasy.
He never imagined anyone would dare to block Liu Yutong's funds—weren't they afraid of ending up at the bottom of a river?
The thought of drowning made him shudder, recalling what happened that night.
It was ruthless—just like that, someone was thrown into the river.
Lately, he'd also noticed police patrolling that stretch of water on speedboats.
Honestly, he had almost forgotten about the incident, but ever since the police appeared, he'd been having nightmares every night.
It wasn’t fear of anything else—just the dread of hearing a sudden knock and a voice saying, "Open up, community welfare delivery."
Even though he wasn’t the one who did it, he was definitely involved. He couldn’t let anything happen to Liu Yutong. Even if it meant losing everything, he had to protect her—otherwise, he wouldn’t escape unscathed either.
That was why, upon hearing about Wanlong Group's financial troubles, he immediately called to pledge his support.
While Liu Yutong waited for the bank managers from Lijin District to arrive, Yun Cheng delivered another bombshell.
"Miss, Chief Qi sent word—they’ve recovered Deng Liang’s body."
"Give me the details."
"Chief Qi didn’t share much, only that the body wasn’t found at the docks."
"My guess is it got caught in a cargo ship’s propeller or something, dragging it elsewhere. With all the ship traffic at the docks, it’s not surprising..." Yun Cheng offered his analysis.
Liu Yutong still wasn’t sure who had killed Deng Liang.
In her past life, nothing this extreme had happened at this point.
If Yu Mo hadn’t mentioned it, she would’ve assumed Deng Liang had fled to avoid punishment.
Then there was the ledger—should she hand it over or not?
She still doubted Qi Wei’s ability to take down the people implicated in it.
Unless...
In the end, she decided to wait and see.
Dealing with those named in the ledger, especially the ones pulling the strings, wouldn’t be easy.
For now, the priority was solving the funding issue.
After about ten minutes, the two bank managers from Lijin District arrived.
They were Liu Jun from ICBC and Jia Yang from Bank of Communications.
Liu Yutong didn’t bother with small talk, cutting straight to the point.
"Gentlemen, my company’s valuation is at least three to four billion. Even without considering that, our existing assets alone should easily secure a loan of a hundred million. Or have you already decided to cut ties with the Wanlong Group?"
Her tone was calm, yet it carried an undeniable pressure.
If this were any ordinary company, they’d only regret losing a major client.
But this was the Wanlong Group—everyone in the university district and Lijin District knew its reputation.
Truthfully, they were stuck.
They couldn’t afford to offend Liu Yutong, but the other side was just as dangerous.
Liu Jun and Jia Yang stammered, struggling to explain.
Then, Yun Cheng slipped brass knuckles onto his right hand and suddenly punched a nearby training dummy.
With a loud bang, the dummy’s head caved in, its stuffing exploding outward.
Liu Jun and Jia Yang paled, instinctively wiping nonexistent sweat from their brows.
Holy hell, is this guy human?
That dummy looked sturdy, yet one punch obliterated its head.
If that hit them...
Yun Cheng smiled apologetically. "Sorry for interrupting. Just felt like stretching my fists a bit."
Liu Jun and Jia Yang waved their hands frantically. "No, no, not at all!"
Liu Yutong smiled faintly. "Gentlemen, I don’t like beating around the bush. The fact that you’re here means there’s still room for negotiation. But if you think the Wanlong Group is an easy target... I’m happy to discuss this another way."
Liu Jun finally cracked, his face twisting in distress. "Miss Liu, it’s not that I won’t approve the loan—I’m being forced! The loan Manager Yang applied for was already approved, but... someone diverted the funds."
Jia Yang quickly added, "Same with our bank. The funds were approved but intercepted."
"We’re not trying to oppose you—we’re just... trapped in the middle!"
Liu Yutong tilted her chin up slightly, her gaze icy. "Who took my loan?"
Liu Jun and Jia Yang exchanged glances, then looked at the young man standing beside Liu Yutong, his cold stare piercing them.
"It was... the risk control department. They not only pulled your company’s records but also showed us reports claiming your debt ratio far exceeds the warning threshold..."
"I’m in the same boat as Manager Liu—it’s all because of risk control."
Liu Yutong scoffed. "You expect me to believe those rumors? If outsiders buy it, fine—but you, of all people?"
"I’m deeply disappointed in your banks’ actions. Starting today, the Wanlong Group will cease all business with your institutions. You may leave."
She saw no point in further questions—she already had enough.
Besides, she had a good idea who was behind this.
"Miss Liu, we truly regret this. We’ll do our best to—"
Liu Yutong cut them off directly: "That won't be necessary. Please leave."
"Yun Cheng, see them out."
With an impassive expression, Yun Cheng stepped to the door and gestured for them to leave.
The two bank managers wanted to plead their case further, but the sight of the cold glint from the brass knuckles on Yun Cheng's fingers made them think better of it. In the end, they slunk out of the office in defeat.
