Only after being reborn did I realize how fascinating the world of the rich is.

Inside the Cheng family villa, Cheng Zhiyuan said to Cao Jinpeng with some jealousy, "Boss, you're something else. We both suffered heavy losses this time."

"You're the only one who not only made a fortune investing in Wanzhong Media, but you also secured your profits ahead of time in the real estate market!"

Cao Jinpeng looked smug, but pretended to be humble as he said, "It was just luck, luck. I was just lucky. At first, I was thinking of taking it in, but then I thought better of it."

"I never expected the real estate market to crash like this. It's a bit scary to think about now. If I had held onto that huge amount of real estate, I don't know what I would have done!"

Cheng Zhiyuan said sourly, "What are you going to do? You've cashed out hundreds of millions in the stock market, and you're still worried about not having enough funds to support it!"

Lu Zhendong, who was standing to the side, finally couldn't hold back anymore and said to Cao Jinpeng with a pleading look on his face, "Boss, I didn't expect the real estate market to fall so quickly."

I ate too much at the end of last year, and I'm a bit short on cash. My monthly mortgage payments won't last more than a few months. Could you lend me some money to tide me over?

Cao Jinpeng leaned back on the sofa and said in a nonchalant tone, "Between brothers, this is easy to talk about. Pledge your company's shares to me, and I'll lend you whatever you want, the old rule, six percent interest!"

"Six points? That's too high!" Cheng Zhiyuan, who was also looking at Cao Jinpeng with longing eyes, was taken aback and looked very dejected.

This is blatant usury, and these kinds of usurious loans are calculated on a monthly basis.

A 6% interest rate means that if you borrow 10,000 yuan, you will have to pay 600 yuan in interest every month. If you calculate it over a year, the annual interest rate is as high as 72%. Not many businesses can afford such a high interest rate.

However, that's how business is sometimes. Once you need funds, you're doomed if you don't borrow from loan sharks, but if you do, you might still have a glimmer of hope.

If Lü Zhendong and Cheng Zhiyuan are unable to pay their monthly mortgage payments, those properties may be auctioned off by the bank, resulting in even greater losses.

There's even a possibility that the auctioned assets won't be enough to pay off the bank debts, turning you from a millionaire into a debtor overnight, with no hope of ever getting ahead in life.

It's important to know that there is no such thing as personal bankruptcy in China; a person's debts remain with them until they die.

Hearing Cheng Zhiyuan say this, Cao Jinpeng frowned slightly and said with an annoyance, "Fourth brother, although we are brothers, no one owes anyone anything. It's already kind of me to lend you money."

"At this time of year, go out and ask around, you won't find anyone else who wants to borrow money from me. I wouldn't lend you money unless we're brothers and know each other well. Don't be ungrateful!"

With a worried look on his face, Lü Zhendong said, "Boss, for the sake of our brotherhood over the years, could you please lower the interest rate a little? We really can't afford such a high interest rate!"

Cao Jinpeng smiled dismissively and said in a nonchalant tone, "Second brother, even brothers need to keep clear accounts. It's not that I'm not giving you face, it's just that the market situation is what it is."

Go out and ask around. In times like these, how many people can lend money? And even if they can, how many of them will charge less than six percent interest?

Oh, right, the third brother definitely has money. He's the richest among us now. You could borrow some money from him; his interest rate might be lower.

I remember you guys used to be on pretty good terms, right? At least better than me and him. Maybe he'd even waive the interest because of your relationship with the two of you!

Cheng Zhiyuan sighed and said, "That was before. Ever since he didn't attend my wedding last time, we haven't had any contact with him, mainly because we were afraid Jiaqi would be unhappy!"

Lu Zhendong also sighed: "Yes, Jiayi also told me to try not to contact Lao San. Actually, I didn't want it to be like this either. If I go to him now, I'm afraid I won't get a good look!"

Cao Jinpeng sneered: "I'm not even going to hold Xueying's matter against you, but you two idiots would throw away a brother like Lao San for a used woman. Only you two idiots would do something like that."

The shares I invested in by Lao San were originally intended for the two of you, but in the end, they benefited me. Lao San had previously told you not to take over his real estate, but you two insisted on not listening.

Fortunately, I had a lot of faith in my third brother's investment acumen. When things started to feel off, I sold all my real estate holdings. And as it turned out, he was right after all.

Cheng Zhiyuan said with some dissatisfaction, "Boss, Jiaqi and I are already together, and Jiaqi is very good to me. Xueying's matter can be a thing of the past for you, so why can't I let Jiaqi's matter be a thing of the past?"

The world can keep turning no matter who leaves. I refuse to believe that the world will stop turning without the third brother. Second brother, don't you think so?

Lu Zhendong said in a somewhat complicated tone, "Sigh, to be honest, we don't have any conflicts with Lao San. I don't understand why things have come to this."

The world does keep turning even without the third brother, but if we had his help, we wouldn't be in such a predicament now!

Cheng Zhiyuan sneered: "Second brother, do you think the third brother is a good guy? That he would help us in our time of need? Believe me, if you ask him for money, he won't lend it to you at all!"

Cao Jinpeng sneered, "Isn't that normal? The third brother is in big business and doesn't care about your little business or your meager interest."

"I kindly lent you money, but instead of being grateful, you complained about the interest rate. Why should I bother with such a cold shoulder? Fine, I won't lend you any more. Go borrow from whoever you want!"

Lu Zhendong panicked upon hearing this and quickly said, "Boss, don't be like this. Fourth Brother didn't mean that. He was talking about Third Brother, not you!"

"Whether it's the third brother or not is no longer important. It all depends on your attitudes. If I were the third brother, I wouldn't lend you the money either!"

We're not students anymore. Before, the third child's family was the poorest, so it was understandable that you all felt superior. But now, the third child is a completely different person.

The big boss of a listed company, especially one listed on NASDAQ, is a different level just by talking about it, not to mention the comparison of their financial resources.

But in your two words, the third brother is still dispensable, a small-time businessman, and it's as if he owes you something.

Look at your two families' wealth now, it's probably not even a fraction of what others have, yet you're still shamelessly saying that the world will keep turning even without the third brother.

"That's ridiculous. If you could even turn around now, why would you need me to come over?"

Soon, the three parted on bad terms, and Cao Jinpeng drove off in his secondhand Porsche sports car.