A BMW stopped outside the Wu Family mansion, and a middle-aged man in a suit got out of the car, accompanied by a secretary.

As they approached the mansion's entrance, the Wu Family's butler came out to greet them respectfully, saying, "Mr. Chen, you're here."

This middle-aged man, named Chen, was a major supplier to Wu Corporation and had collaborated with the Wu Family for many years. He often visited the Wu Family as a guest and was an old acquaintance.

Old Chen asked, "Is Elder Wu home?"

The butler replied, "He is, but the master is currently meeting with another guest. Mr. Chen, please come in. I will inform the master of your arrival."

Old Chen responded with an "oh," slightly puzzled about whom Wu Changping might be meeting. By rights, at this time, Wu Changping should be overwhelmed, like a lamb to slaughter.

Old Chen came with a task today; he was here to deliver Wu Changping a final ultimatum and point him toward a way out.

In the Wu Family's living room, Old Chen sat down casually. He looked around, feeling as if he were a leader visiting a subordinate's home, carrying a sense of superiority.

The Wu Family was failing. Once upon a time, they were glorious, but now their sunset had passed.

Before long, Elder Wu came out and instructed the butler beside him, "Serve the tea!"

As he spoke, Elder Wu greeted Old Chen with a smile and said, "Old Chen, why did you come in person? You could have just called me if there was anything."

Seeing Elder Wu, Old Chen, according to etiquette, should have stood up to greet him. But he didn't even budge.

"There are some things better discussed in person, Elder Wu. Please, take a seat first," Old Chen gestured to the sofa opposite him.

Elder Wu observed this and felt a pang of discomfort. In the past, Old Chen would never have taken such an attitude. Despite his inferiority in rank, Old Chen had always treated him respectfully. Even in recent years, as the Wu Family had struggled, Old Chen had maintained at least the basic politeness.

But Elder Wu didn't fuss over it and sat down opposite Old Chen, saying, "What brings you here, Old Chen?"

Old Chen said, "What I'm going to say should be clear to Elder Wu; I won't beat around the bush. It's about what I mentioned over the phone yesterday. Today is the final deadline. Is the payment for the goods ready, Elder Wu?"

Elder Wu smiled awkwardly, "Old Chen, can't you be flexible? Deliver the goods first, and once my payments come through, I assure you, you'll get the money first. You know my character; I wouldn't deceive you."

Old Chen chuckled, "I made it clear to Elder Wu yesterday. I have my difficulties too. My company has dozens of people waiting for their meals; I can't have this payment delayed."

Elder Wu sighed, "Old Chen, we've worked together for years. It's been at least five years, hasn't it? Do you remember, five years ago, when your company was just starting out, you couldn't find anyone to assist you, with no orders and your company close to shutting down? Do you recall, during that typhoon day, with torrential rain and fierce winds, you came to introduce your products to me because you were worried I'd accuse you of being late, so you braved the harsh weather just to be on time? I was moved by your spirit and decided to collaborate with your company, placing the first order and essentially saving your company. I'm not saying that without my assistance back then, you wouldn't have reached where you are today, but I did help, didn't I? Now it's my turn to face hardship, and I'm asking you for leniency, for old times' sake."

Elder Wu felt a tinge of sadness. He assumed Old Chen was someone who repaid kindness. Back then, he had given Old Chen's company the chance to survive, and Old Chen had always respected him in return, visiting with gifts during festivals, making the two families seem like relatives.

Each time Old Chen met Elder Wu, he was very polite, standing to greet him, bowing as if before his own elder.

But today, Old Chen met him sitting casually, like a superior summoning a subordinate.

This was a true demonstration of the world's cold indifference in the face of changing fortunes. Elder Wu, who had lived in wealth all his life, now that his family had declined, gained a taste of it from Old Chen.

Old Chen's face twitched slightly, chuckling, "Elder Wu, is this emotional blackmail? It's true you helped me back then, but fair is fair; you can't use that to demand anything from me now, can you?"

Elder Wu responded, "Is it emotional blackmail? You might say it is, indeed. I am exerting some emotional pressure, but it isn't unreasonable. Old Chen, if, as you claim, your company's meal depends on my payment, and you're in such dire straits, I wouldn't make things hard for you. But honestly, you and I both know that's not the truth. With your company's strength today, giving me credit should be no issue. That's why I'm asking for your leniency, for the sake of the help I gave you in the past. I'm not asking for a free favor; just credit. I still intend to pay you."

It was a bit awkward for Elder Wu to lay things out plainly.

Old Chen coughed twice, chuckling, "Elder Wu, what you're saying isn't entirely true. Only I know my company's difficulties. In sum, credit is impossible. It's not that I don't want to help you; I just can't. Even emotional blackmail won't work on me."

Elder Wu fell silent. Asking for help was indeed too challenging, and even using emotional blackmail, the other party still refused.

Seeing Elder Wu's reaction, Old Chen chuckled, "Elder Wu, it's not that I don't want to help you. If you want me to grit my teeth and give you credit, it's not entirely impossible. I could hold out for a bit, let my people go hungry for now. Who says you didn't help me before? Let's call it a repayment. But I need assurance. What if you can't pay me back? I can go hungry for a while, but I can't starve to death, right?"

Elder Wu quickly said, "I promise, once I get paid, you'll receive the money first thing. Don't you trust me? The Wu Family is a notable family in Jiangnan, and my family can't just run away."

Old Chen said, "That's all well and good, but based on my understanding of your Wu Corporation, I'm not entirely confident. After all, you could face bankruptcy at any moment, with so many creditors chasing you for payment. How can I trust that? Put yourself in my shoes; would you dare?"

Elder Wu claimed, "I could pledge my life as Wu Changping, my Wu Clan's reputation, as a guarantee I will keep my word!"

Old Chen replied, "Ah, Elder Wu, don't use such insubstantial things as guarantees. Let me put it this way: I've seen debt dodgers before; I'm familiar with their tricks. Promises from their kind are worth nothing. That approach simply won't work with me."

Elder Wu couldn't help but feel a bit agitated, "Do you see me as a debt dodger?"

Old Chen said, "Please don't misunderstand; I didn't say that, and of course, I hope Elder Wu doesn't turn out to be one. Elder Wu, the reason I came today is sincerely to help you solve your problem."

Elder Wu was taken aback. Why were so many people claiming to come with sincerity to solve his problems today? Wei Yue'er had said the same thing.

"What do you mean?" Elder Wu asked curiously.

Old Chen smiled, "Let me point Elder Wu in the right direction. Elder Wu needs money; why not seek help from the Jiangnan Wei Family?"