Chapter 21: Consider It a Lesson Bought with Money

On the way back, Liu Heming did not say a word. He just kept smoking one cigarette after another. The remaining half of the cigarette box was finished by him even before they reached George’s house.

“Dear, what’s wrong with Dexter?” Seeing Liu Heming sitting there alone in a daze after returning, Megan asked with concern.

“Let him be alone for a while. That damned bank tricked us. They didn’t call us over today to approve our loan—they only approved thirty thousand US Dollars limit.” George lowered his voice and said.

“Oh my God, how could they do this?” Megan was also shocked.

“Even if they didn’t want to lend that much money, they should have at least explained it clearly over the phone first. This bank is terrible. Remember the Drony family’s bankruptcy? They pushed them into it.”

“Sigh, I just never thought they would do something like this. This loan was a sure win, a win-win situation that would benefit both sides.” George frowned.

Just as Liu Heming had said at the bank, banks were indeed no good. When there’s profit to be made, they actively cooperate with you. Once they notice you’re struggling, they rush to exploit you before anyone else.

Most farmers in the area had suffered losses because of the bank, but there were no large banks here—only these small ones. What surprised him was that the bank refused to earn the interest and insisted on sabotaging the deal.

George was about to say something more when his phone rang. He walked aside to take the call and returned with a grim expression.

“George, just tell me directly. I think there’s no bad news I can’t accept right now.” Liu Heming forced a bitter smile.

“Dexter, I just got a call from David Roy. He asked about the Bumper Farm deal. I briefly explained our situation to him, and he said he can only give us three more days at most. If we exceed that deadline…” George trailed off, unable to finish.

Liu Heming nodded bitterly. What else could happen after the deadline? They wouldn’t refund the deposit. In other words, because of his own greed, he had to pay a five-thousand US Dollar price. For him now, that price was really hard to bear.

“Dexter, I’m sorry. If it weren’t for my suggestion, and if we had been more cautious, you wouldn’t have lost so much.” George brought Liu Heming a beer, sat beside him, and spoke with deep regret.

“George, this isn’t your fault. I’m the one to blame.” Liu Heming clinked his glass with George’s.

“Dexter, although I don’t have much savings, I can gather about seven thousand US Dollars. Can you raise funds from somewhere else?” George asked, looking at him.

“George, thank you, but I’m afraid we really can’t do it this time. The funding gap is too large.” Liu Heming spoke with a dispirited tone.

“Even if we barely manage to buy Bumper Farm, we have no funds for planting. Actually, I was wondering if someone else has taken an interest in this farm.”

“Dexter, do you really think so?” George frowned. If Liu Heming’s guess was correct, this situation was deliberately targeted.

“I don’t know yet, but I have a slight feeling. Otherwise, why would the bank pass up such good profits? Why shut me out?” Liu Heming shook his head.

He actually thought it might have something to do with Sasha. If that were the case, everything would make sense. Sasha probably didn’t want their daughter to have much contact with him and wanted to get rid of him quickly.

His current situation was somewhat different from when he first came to the United States. If he really went bankrupt, her lawyer probably wouldn’t wait for the so-called two-year agreement and would file for divorce immediately. However, he had no evidence, only a vague suspicion.

Besides, the matter was too complicated, and he couldn’t ask George for advice—not with a confidentiality agreement in place. If he broke the rules, the fault would be on his side.

“Alright, George, Megan, don’t be sad for me. Let’s treat it as a good lesson, reminding us to be more careful in the future.” Liu Heming forced a smile at the elderly couple.

“We were supposed to celebrate today with roast turkey—don’t tell me I won’t get it because of this? I’ve been looking forward to it for days.”

The elderly couple were kind people, and he had often eaten at their place lately. He would just consider it a lesson bought with money. After all, it wasn’t the end of the world—the sky hadn’t fallen, and he still had Magical Ranch.

“Dexter, don’t be too upset. Everything will get better.” Megan looked at Liu Heming and comforted him.

“Alright, let’s do as Dexter says—go roast the turkey. Life goes on. After dinner, we’ll see if we can think of other ways.” George also spoke up.

Megan went to roast the turkey, and George called David Roy, the owner of Bumper Farm, again to see if they could change the payment deadline or method.

Liu Heming was also hopeful, wondering if Bumper Farm would allow installment payments. That would ease his financial pressure and let the farm purchase move forward.

But after talking on the phone for a long time, George brought no good news. David Roy insisted on only a three-day extension.

“I really never thought David Roy, who used to be such a good person, would turn out like this.” George looked worried after hanging up.

“George, that’s reality for you. When I get back, I’ll try other methods and give it one last shot. If it still doesn’t work, then we’ll have to accept it.” This time, Liu Heming comforted George.

This was normal. When faced with benefits, many friendships were as thin as paper, easily torn apart. If David Roy could keep the five-thousand US Dollar deposit and still sell his farm, anyone—even Liu Heming himself—would make the same choice.

They didn’t talk about the loan or buying the farm anymore—it was too painful.

It wasn’t that Liu Heming had completely given up hope. He still had a little hope in Liu Yi, the lawyer he’d met a few times. He didn’t know if Liu Yi had any friends in the banking industry.

But he also thought it was unlikely. For one, he and Liu Yi weren’t that close. And even if Liu Yi knew someone, there probably wasn’t enough time.