A song from Chengdu revived a closed-down pub.

The next morning, Pan Lei knocked on the door.

Su Fan opened the door with a yawn, his eyes not fully open yet, his hair sticking up in a mess.

"Uncle Pan, why are you up so early?"

"You're so young, how can you sleep like that?"

Su Fan leaned against the door frame and yawned again: "Uncle Pan, you're too old to sleep, but I'm still young and need to rest and grow."

Pan Lei, too lazy to argue with him, said, "Stop talking nonsense and hurry up. We can't keep them waiting."

"Uncle Pan, don't make it sound like we're begging them."

Pan Lei glared at him: "But we're begging them for money."

"They give us the money, and we pay the interest. It's a win-win situation. We're not borrowing money and not paying it back."

Pan Lei was taken aback by his words. He opened his mouth, then waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, you're right. Hurry up."

After washing up, Su Fan drove Pan Lei to the city.

When they arrived at the agreed place, Wei Zhiran arrived shortly afterward.

When Wei Zhiran saw Su Fan, his expression was somewhat complicated.

Su Fan felt a hint of resentment in the other man's eyes, making him uncomfortable. He took the initiative to greet him, "Director Wei, long time no see."

Wei Zhirang wanted to say something but swallowed it back, only saying, "Let's go in, the others should be here soon."

A short while later, a middle-aged man in his forties also walked in.

Wei Zhirang gave an introduction.

The visitor's name was Xie Xun, and he was the manager of a bank in the city.

After taking his seat, Pan Lei appeared somewhat reserved.

Wei Zhirang, on the other hand, took a sip of tea and chatted with Xie Xun for a few minutes.

Su Fan leaned back in his chair, looking very relaxed.

Wei Zhirang thought Su Fan's state was very good, neither humble nor arrogant.

But Xie Xun felt uncomfortable.

The young people he met were either too reserved to speak or too enthusiastic.

Su Fan's nonchalant attitude made him feel slighted.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wei Zhirang steered the conversation to business: "Old Xie, you've already looked into the project in Xiao Fan's village. Let him explain it to you in detail today, and you can see how it works."

Su Fan turned on his computer and began explaining his plan.

"The expansion plan for the Mawei Post Station Folk Culture Experience Park covers a total area of ​​approximately 300 acres. In addition to the existing facilities, it also requires the renovation of the visitor service center, parking lot, landscaping, as well as the renovation of village guesthouses and road upgrades, with a budget of 12 million yuan..."

After explaining the plan, Su Fan began to talk about the loan.

"The village's plan is to take out an initial loan of eight million to start the construction of facilities for the visitor center and commercial district. Once this is completed, it is expected to receive one million visitors annually, and ticket revenue and shop rental income can cover operating costs and loan repayments..."

He spoke very frankly, without embellishing the data or concealing the risks.

Pan Lei nodded occasionally from the side.

After listening, Xie Xun picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said in a nonchalant tone, "The plan is well done, but what are you offering as collateral?"

Su Fan was stunned.

He didn't expect the other person to ask such a question.

Not to mention Su Fan, even Wei Zhiran was stunned for a moment.

Wei Zhirang quickly chimed in, "Old Xie, you know what the situation is like where Xiao Fan and his group are. They have customers, resources, and support from the province. Why are you worried they won't be able to pay back the money?"

Wei Zhirang's words were very direct.

But Xie Xun remained unmoved, his tone still businesslike: "I need to control the risks, and you all need to understand that the bank's money doesn't come from thin air."

Su Fan realized that things probably wouldn't work out today.

He stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "President Xie, you are aware of our situation. Since you came, it means you have your reasons. So, please speak frankly."

Xie Xun's expression changed slightly.

He originally planned to put Su Fan under pressure first, to make him understand the proper attitude when asking for favors, and then offer his terms.

But Su Fan quickly dismantled his facade with just a few words, forcing him to reveal his true colors.

This feeling made him very uncomfortable.

But I also know that it's pointless to keep putting on airs.

"Alright, I'll get straight to the point." Xie Xun put down his teacup and said, "Our bank can lend money for the Mawei Post Station project, but collateral is required."

Pan Lei quickly said, "The village's collective assets can be mortgaged, including the land under the village committee's name, and the operating rights of that folk culture park..."

Xie Xun interrupted him, his tone blunt: "If your project succeeds, the things in the village will indeed be valuable, but if it fails, they will be worthless."

Pan Lei was speechless; he opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word.

Su Fan looked at him, his face expressionless, but he already understood. He asked, "President Xie, please state your terms directly."

Xie Xun suggested, "I know you're a singer, and you own the copyrights to several songs. Those copyrights are currently valued at a high level, so you can use them as collateral."

Su Fan almost laughed out of anger.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger: "President Xie, I would like to ask you to clarify one thing: the loan is a matter for the village, not for me personally, while the copyrights of those songs are my personal property."

Xie Xun said calmly, "You're from that village too. If you're confident in this project, why would you care about providing a guarantee?"

He said it so casually, as if Su Fan's refusal meant he lacked confidence.

Su Fan stared at him for two seconds, then smirked and changed the subject: "Following your logic, if our village is short of money, why don't the banks just give us the money directly? It's all for the development of Qin Province, isn't it?"

Xie Xun's face darkened, feeling somewhat embarrassed by the retort: ​​"How can these be the same?"

Pan Lei then stepped forward: "What's the difference? Xiao Fan earned his own money. If he uses his own assets to guarantee the village's loan, and the project makes money, some people will say it's what he should do, or even think he profited from it. If the project loses money, and Xiao Fan loses everything, who will compensate him? Therefore, using Xiao Fan's personal assets to borrow money from the village is pointless; this project is better off not going ahead!"

Pan Lei's attitude was very firm.

Wei Zhirang, sitting next to him, looked a little embarrassed.

He never expected Xie Xun to make such a request, let alone that things would turn out this way.

He tried to smooth things over, but his tone was already quite harsh: "Old Xie, if you can handle this, then handle it; if you can't, then forget it. Don't go through all this trouble."

Su Fan had been observing Wei Zhiran's attitude.

For a moment, he wondered if this was a charade put on by Wei Zhiran and Xie Xun.

But Wei Zhiran's words dispelled most of his doubts.

Xie Xun felt a little embarrassed after Wei Zhiran said that.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, feigning composure, "I'm doing this for your own good. Don't rush to answer this question; go back and think it over carefully."

Su Fan replied directly: "No need to consider it. I can tell you right now, it's impossible."

Pan Lei also said, "Yes, there's nothing to consider."

Xie Xun's face darkened completely. He snorted coldly, picked up his briefcase, and strode out of the private room.