578: Chapter Five Hundred and Seventy-Three: The Best 578: Chapter Five Hundred and Seventy-Three: The Best Gao Yang didn’t know what to say, in contrast to his father who had put his whole heart into looking for him and thus allowed people to take advantage of him, resulting in a fictitious high-interest loan, Rafael’s father had brought it upon himself.
Gambling for fun is fine, but if one gambles heavily, still being an ordinary person, few end up with a good outcome.
However, the Sicilian Mafia was indeed ruthless, turning a principal sum of 200,000 euros several times over, 1.6 million euros of principal, the interest alone each month must be tens of thousands.
Gao Yang couldn’t help but ask, “Rafael, how much money do you have to pay each month in interest?”
Rafael replied with a pained expression, “Five percent monthly interest, which means eighty thousand euros a month.
If I can’t repay the interest on time, it’ll be added to the principal.”
Once Rafael spoke out, everyone present was dumbfounded, this was indeed too harsh.
Without some windfall, Rafael would probably never be able to repay it in his lifetime.
Gao Yang gave a wry smile and said, “That’s indeed a large sum.
So, were you able to repay the interest on time before?”
Rafael looked at Gao Yang with a face full of helplessness and said, “Sir, if I could have paid it, would I have been beaten like this?
The situation is actually not too bad now.
In the beginning, the monthly interest was thirty percent.
When it reached one million euros, the creditors knew that my father and I would never be able to repay the money, so they voluntarily lowered the interest to ten percent.
When it reached 1.5 million euros, they reduced the interest to five percent.”
Cui Bo couldn’t help but say, “In that case, those Mafia aren’t too bad.”
Rafael shook his head and said, “No, they were afraid that if the debt became too high, my dad and mom would become desperate and commit suicide, then they would get nothing.”
Gao Yang, puzzled, said, “Since you’ll never be able to repay the money, fighting them isn’t realistic, why didn’t you think of escaping?”
“Escape?
How could I!
If the people of the Mafia could let those who owe them money run away, then why would they give high-interest loans?
I did have a chance to run because they needed to let me earn money to repay them, but if I ran away, my parents would surely not survive, not to mention my brother, my sister, and another sister of mine.”
Gao Yang didn’t know whether Rafael’s plight was deserving of sympathy, but without a doubt, he had been ruined by his own father, and the ruin was severe.
Gao Yang let out a long sigh and said, “Alas, gambling kills.”
Glolov said solemnly, “In Russia, the Mafia would make your sisters repay the debt, I need not say more about the methods, right?”
Rafael also spoke somberly, “You don’t need to spell it out; the Sicilian Mafia won’t be polite either.
If it weren’t for my sisters being eleven and four years old, do you think they could have avoided this fate?
However, looking at the current trend, in another year or two, three at most, the thing I fear most might happen.”
Gao Yang stopped in his tracks, hesitated, and finally patted Rafael on the shoulder and said, “If you truly have the ability, and you can join Satan, your fate will change, believe me.”
Rafael nodded repeatedly and said, “Sir, I understand.
My teacher told me that you are one of the most profitable Mercenary Groups, and after I lost the opportunity to join the Angels, there was no better choice than joining Satan.”
After speaking, Rafael made the sign of the cross on his chest and muttered to himself, “Virgin Mary, my faith in you has never wavered.
I’m just joining the Satan Mercenary Corps, I’m not betraying my faith.”
Glolov laughed and asked, “Are you a Catholic?”
“Of course, though I’m not devout enough, joining a mercenary group named after Satan, well, makes me feel a bit odd.
But who cares, it’s just a name, and you are not followers of Satan.”
Gao Yang didn’t believe in Satan.
He had no faith at all, so he couldn’t understand Rafael’s feelings, but he thought the name Satan was quite good, at least he hadn’t encountered anyone with the same name.
After chatting for a while and waiting for everyone to board the taxi, Gao Yang and his group headed straight for the port.
After boarding the boat, it would take a few hours to reach the transfer vessel.
During this time, Gao Yang and his companions naturally struck up a conversation again, with the topic this time being Rafael’s capabilities, not his background.
After settling down on the boat, Gao Yang asked leisurely, “Rafael, what are you good at?
Hmm, can you make fake bombs?”
Rafael smiled confidently and said, “Sir, of course I can.
No matter what kind of fake bomb you want, I can make it for you.
Moreover, I can make fake bombs out of very common household items.
As for blowing up targets like buildings, that is my forte.
Also, I can make mines with simple materials.”
That was exactly the skill Gao Yang wanted from Rafael.
Satisfied, he nodded and said, “Good, demolitions are your specialty.
So, how about your basic infantry skills?”
Rafael grinned and replied, “Sir, the best soldiers in Italy are Sicilians, and their best troops are the mountain infantry.
I’m Sicilian and a mountain infantryman.
So please rest assured, my combat skills won’t disappoint you.
Besides, when I worked for a security company, they didn’t need my demolitions talent, but I still received the highest pay because of my basic ability as an infantryman.”
Gao Yang laughed heartily and said, “Excellent, I like confident people.
I hope you’ll perform as well as you say later on.
Also, I have to say, I really like Pirlo, haha.”
Without having seen Rafael’s performance yet, there was nothing more to ask, so Gao Yang switched the topic to football.
As soon as Pirlo was mentioned, Rafael gave a puzzled look, but in the end he just shrugged and said, “Although he’s a northerner, he’s indeed a great player.
However, joining the Old Lady was a wrong decision.
Of course, as a Sicilian, I’m not very interested in Italian teams.
He can go wherever he wants, I’ll always support Palermo.”
With one remark from Gao Yang came a barrage of words from Rafael, who eventually raised his arm and shouted in support of his team.
After Rafael’s shout, Eileen immediately raised both hands, exclaiming, “Dortmund will win, the big-eared cup this year must belong to Dortmund!”
Rafael shrugged and replied, “Dortmund is performing well, getting out of the group of death is quite impressive.
But to lift the big-eared cup, I still think it’s not very likely.
However, they definitely have a chance, at least making it to the semi-finals shouldn’t be a problem.”
Watching the two of them get into a discussion about football again, Gao Yang, who was not a real fan, couldn’t join in.
Moreover, seeing Rafael and Eileen almost starting to argue, Gao Yang began to regret turning the topic to football.
(To be continued.
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