Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Your Whole Family Owes Me
Seeing that Chi Wan had finally agreed, Song Yangming suppressed his ecstasy, his face a mixture of guilt and gratitude. "Wanwan, thank you. Really, thank you so much!"
’Thank you for being willing to trade yourself for a lifetime of wealth and comfort for me.’
He steadied himself and said, "In that case, I’ll have my boss pick you up tomorrow. We can have a meal, discuss the details, and then sign a contract. Don’t worry, I won’t let you get a bad deal!"
But Chi Wan seemed to have run out of patience. She turned and started to walk away. "After this is over, don’t come looking for me or my parents again. We’ve done more than enough for you."
Chi Wan’s attitude, however, actually put Song Yangming more at ease. No matter how tough she talked, she was ultimately just a girl still in school. Seeing the miserable state he was in now, it was difficult for her to refuse.
’After all, shouldn’t her family bear some responsibility for what I’ve become? If they hadn’t been unwilling to sell the mountain to help pay my debts, how else could I have ended up in this position!’
"This is what your family owes me," Song Yangming muttered. "Once this debt is paid, I’ll be on my own bright path."
For him, whatever fate awaited Chi Wan couldn’t compare to the torture he’d endured in the compound, or the life he’d nearly lost.
After all, ever since he was little, Qian Cuicui and his family had always taught Song Yangming one thing: You are the most important person in this family.
’Since I’m so important, isn’t it only natural for others to make a few sacrifices for me?’
Chi Wan didn’t know what Song Yangming was thinking, but after she turned away, she almost couldn’t resist rolling her eyes.
’That Song Yangming really has been spoiled into an utter moron by Qian Cuicui and his parents. Heaven only knew how I was supposed to play along more naturally with his clumsy "acting."’
’Did he ever stop to think, given everything he’s done in the past, just how brain-dead would I have to be to agree to go out alone with him to meet some "factory boss"?’
’Spending a few more minutes with him would make me worry my own IQ was dropping. Still, at least the stage was set.’
’Next up: a meeting with He Lingfeng.’
’I just hope he’s as stupid as Song Yangming.’
*
Soon, it was Friday night. Zhou Huaijin had been a little worried that Chi Wan had postponed her trip to Beijing City because of something to do with He Lingfeng.
But after Chi Wan’s "confession" to him the other day, he didn’t dare press her for more details, afraid of receiving an even more heartbreaking answer.
As he thought about the so-called "birthday party" and recalled the shy look on Chi Wan’s face when she admitted she had a boyfriend, Zhou Huaijin found himself somewhat distracted.
He had just finished an experiment and was simply waiting for the results. With time to kill, the new junior members in the lab started gossiping, saying something about how the campus belle from the neighboring department had apparently been dumped by a rich heir.
Zhou Huaijin wasn’t interested at first, but his heart suddenly clenched when he heard them mention He Lingfeng’s name.
He instinctively asked, "The campus belle you’re talking about... what’s her name?"
The junior lab members were a little surprised that Zhou Huaijin was actually joining their conversation. Assuming he was interested in the campus belle, they asked with a sly smile, "Senior Brother, you always seem so above it all. Turns out you just have high standards, huh?
"But Qin Shi is probably pretty proud. After dating that eldest young master from the He Family, she might not be interested in ordinary guys like us."
Zhou Huaijin rarely spoke about his family background, so apart from Qi Jiayou, everyone else just assumed he came from a middle-class family and advised him to give up any ideas about Qin Shi.
But upon hearing He Lingfeng’s name, Zhou Huaijin’s heart clenched again. A sudden, inexplicable sense of panic made it hard for him to breathe.
One of the junior members looked at his expression and asked worriedly, "Senior Brother Zhou, what’s wrong? You... you haven’t actually fallen for Qin Shi, have you?"
Zhou Huaijin snapped back to his senses and forced a smile. "No, I don’t even know her. I just remembered something very important. Junior Brother, I’ll leave you to monitor the results."
The junior brother nodded. "Don’t worry, Senior Brother. It’s just data logging. Go ahead if you have something to take care of."
As their senior, Zhou Huaijin never put on airs and always took good care of his juniors, so they took on the task without hesitation.
Zhou Huaijin rushed out of the lab and immediately called Chi Wan.
Meanwhile, Chi Wan was already in the car Song Yangming had arranged.
She took in the discreet interior, the silent driver, and the mountain forest outside the window, a flicker of suspicion in her eyes. "Didn’t you say we were going for a meal? Where are we headed?"
Song Yangming had relaxed completely the moment Chi Wan got into the car. Upon hearing her question, he wanted to laugh and tell her there was no turning back now. But they were so close to the finish line, and he didn’t want any last-minute problems. So, he feigned reassurance, "Don’t worry, Wanwan. The boss has a small villa up in the mountains, specifically for hosting guests for dinner. There, look. It’s right up ahead."
Chi Wan followed his finger and, sure enough, there was a villa halfway up the mountain. The light it cast from deep within the mountains seemed like a physical manifestation of temptation.
Seeing Chi Wan fall silent, Song Yangming chuckled softly. After today, Chi Wan would be ruined, evidence of He Lingfeng’s crimes would be in Song Baihan’s hands, and both of them would be taken down. He, on the other hand, would take the "compensation" from Song Baihan and live a carefree life.
As for Qian Cuicui and Song Jianguo, Song Yangming had already forgotten them completely.
Suddenly, Chi Wan’s phone rang.
Song Yangming’s heart clenched. Afraid she might say something she shouldn’t, he reminded her, "Wanwan, we’re almost there."
Chi Wan shot him a look and said slowly, "It’s my senior brother. What’s the rush? Don’t tell me your boss forbids people from taking calls during dinner?"
Song Yangming gave an awkward laugh. "No, not at all. It’s just that my boss is a very private person and doesn’t allow photos at his villa, so..."
Chi Wan rolled her eyes. "It’s not like I have such a boring hobby," she said as she answered the phone.
Hearing Chi Wan’s normal voice, Zhou Huaijin first breathed a sigh of relief, but then he grew tense again. ’Wanwan already told me her plans for tonight, yet I keep calling. Will she think I have no sense of boundaries?’
Thankfully, Chi Wan didn’t sound annoyed. Instead, her tone was light as she asked, "Senior Brother, is something wrong?"
Zhou Huaijin hesitated, but his concern for her safety ultimately won out. "Wanwan, you’re... you’re at a birthday party tonight, right? Will you be back very late? Do you want me to pick you up?"
Chi Wan lowered her gaze. She wondered if Zhou Huaijin knew something, but judging from his tone, he wasn’t certain. Otherwise, he would have just told her directly not to do anything foolish.
Sighing, Chi Wan said with a small, amused laugh, "Senior Brother, have you forgotten I have a boyfriend? You don’t need to worry."
