Volume 4: Undercurrents of Conflict, Chapter 258: Treating the Symptoms

At this moment, Director Zhang’s expression was unpredictable. He already knew everything about Writer Chen’s misdeeds, but due to his connections, the man’s status in the industry, and his familiarity with the media, he chose to turn a blind eye.

He never expected the situation to escalate so much. The young man in front of him spoke with neither arrogance nor humility, his expression full of confidence. Director Zhang knew his words were true, but he couldn’t decide how to handle it. After all, in the capital, almost anyone might have some kind of influential connections. Handling this poorly could mean even a high-ranking official couldn’t protect him.

“What abuse? I didn’t steal or rob her. She came to me voluntarily. I provided her with food and comfort, bought her whatever she wanted—so of course I can use her. This is a capitalist society! Some so-called college girl—pure before getting involved, but just trash after that. I’m just playing around with her to get inspiration for my script. Do you really think you’re some kind of hero? Pah! With just a little money, she’ll lie down for me!” When Director Zhang arrived, Chen Zijian wasn’t intimidated at all; instead, he became nervous after hearing a few words from him and started shouting frantically.

“You, you’re lying! It’s not like that!” Le Er, weak and out of breath, fainted before she could finish speaking.

Even those from the underworld couldn’t help but glare angrily at Chen Zijian, wishing they could slap him. Not only was he rude, but he was also despicable!

For Director Zhang, though annoyed and thinking the guy was too arrogant, his words reminded him of what to do. He already had a plan in mind.

Chen Zijian was right—this could be easily resolved. All that was needed was to pay some money. After all, the woman deserved it. Flies don’t land on unbroken eggs. If she didn’t respect herself, she deserved to be abused. Chen Zijian could claim it was consensual. Later, she might sue him for money or blackmail him. Even if it went to court, it would likely end in out-of-court settlement. Why bother offending this arrogant guy?

However, Director Zhang still had some uncertainty about this young man—his background remained unclear. So it was not appropriate to take a stance right away, and he spoke in an official tone, “Hey, we’ll investigate the specifics of this matter. You all, disperse now—just a few of you stay. Chen, call another police car and bring them all to the station.” As he spoke, he signaled for the members of the Bangdao Gang to leave while pointing at Chu Tianyu and the others, including the bald boss, to stay.

Hearing Director Zhang’s words, Chen Zijian immediately sensed something positive and glared fiercely at Chu Tianyu, showing an intent to make him pay.

Chu Tianyu had anticipated Director Zhang’s reaction. He already had his own plans in mind. There were plenty of scum like Chen Zijian in society, but one thing Director Zhang said was true—no matter what happened next, no one had forced Le Er to follow him. As the saying goes, “If one hand doesn’t clap, there’s no sound.” As for Le Er, Chu Tianyu really didn’t want to judge her—after all, it was “she brought it upon herself!”

So today, Chu Tianyu didn’t want to create more trouble. Dealing with ordinary people required ordinary methods. With a cold expression, he deliberately emphasized his words, “What, Director Zhang? If I refuse to go, will you have to use force to arrest me?”

“This… this…” Director Zhang looked at Chu Tianyu’s fearless attitude and grew uneasy. He stammered for a long time without coming up with any concrete response. By then, the bald boss also realized something—Chu Tianyu must have significant backing. He was overjoyed. “Great, the cops are here! Otherwise, I would’ve had to deal with this mess myself. Hehe, what luck—I’m really lucky today. I must burn incense when I get back.”

Seeing Director Zhang’s indecisive expression, Chu Tianyu smiled slightly, stopped playing games, and blurted out something astonishing, “Is that director of yours surnamed Ma? He used to be my grandfather’s secretary. I heard he’s trying to climb the ladder again—Is that true?”

At these words, Director Zhang was shocked to the core, his face frozen in astonishment. As a loyal follower of Director Ma, he certainly knew who Chu Tianyu’s grandfather was and was well aware of his background. Strictly speaking, he also belonged to the old man’s faction…

Director Zhang shook his head vigorously, as if trying to shake off his shock. It took him a while to calm down. After thinking for a moment, he asked with a slightly trembling voice, “P-please, may I ask your surname?”

Chu Tianyu nodded inwardly. To reach such a position in the capital, one indeed needed some skill—his ability to ask such a question already revealed his competence. He neither rushed to inquire about his background nor immediately confirmed his identity; instead, he asked for his surname. Once the answer came, he would naturally have an idea.

“Chu!” Chu Tianyu replied succinctly and forcefully.

“Hiss—” He took a deep breath. As expected, trouble came when least expected. Today’s encounter was truly a stroke of luck. Chu Tianyu’s demeanor and presence made it impossible not to believe in him. Instantly, his hands began to rub together nervously, unsure of what to say.

After answering, Chu Tianyu ignored Director Zhang and walked up to Chen Zijian, who looked terrified. By now, Chen Zijian had lost all his earlier arrogance. Even a fool could see the change in Director Zhang’s attitude—from rude to obsequious—along with the conversation itself, which clearly indicated the status of the man before him. He definitely couldn’t afford to provoke him!

But before he could recover from his shock, everything blurred before his eyes. A sharp pain shot through his lower body, and under a powerful force, he was flung backward. At the same time, he heard Chu Tianyu’s calm voice: “I’ve ruined your virility. I’m not doing this for fun—just because you’re too annoying!”

After saying that, Chu Tianyu turned to Director Zhang, still at a loss, and asked, “Director Zhang, may my friend and I leave now?”

“O-Of course! Of course you can!” Director Zhang nodded hastily without thinking.

Chu Tianyu smiled, casting a sarcastic glance at everyone, including the dumbfounded bald boss. Shaking his head slightly, he thought to himself, “The most effective way to deal with an enemy is to use the very methods they fear the most!”

Chen Zijian, relying on his wealth and power, had been arrogant. To deal with someone like him, one had to make him realize that the other party was even richer and more powerful. Since he understood this well, even if Chu Tianyu hadn’t broken his virility in front of so many people, any further extreme action would force him to accept it—because that’s exactly what happened when he used his power to bully others: utter impunity!

In Xue Ning’er’s car, no one spoke. Le Er had also woken up. The atmosphere was oppressive. Even Xue Ning’er, known as the “Water Folk,” remained silent when she saw Chu Tianyu’s serious expression.

It turned out there was a large underground parking lot in the entire villa complex. No wonder not a single car was visible on the road. After Le Er got out of the car, Chu Tianyu asked her to take her to the hospital for a check-up first. He didn’t say much about Le Er’s injuries; he had already guessed roughly from her faint breathing before even kicking the door open. It were just superficial wounds, but as for the degree of humiliation and the mental damage, Chu Tianyu had no idea.

The car stopped at the hospital entrance, and everyone together took Le Er inside. The diagnosis matched Chu Tianyu’s assessment. The doctor recommended hospitalization for observation. So Zhou Jie stayed there first. Watching Le Er, who appeared dull and silent, the others didn’t know what to say. Perhaps for her, the best doctor was the man right in front of her—Zhou Jie.

After leaving the hospital, they first sent Hu Luda back. Xue Ning’er slowly drove the car, not knowing where Chu Tianyu would go next. She wanted to ask, but seeing his serious and thoughtful expression, she held back from speaking for a while.

After a long while, Xue Ning’er mustered up the courage to ask softly, “Brother-in-law, you’re not going to blame me for hanging out with that Chen Zijian, are you? I really just came here to check out the script today!”

Hearing Xue Ning’er’s voice, which was almost on the verge of crying, Chu Tianyu was initially stunned, then replied with a helpless smile, “Why would I blame you? To be honest, today’s incident was also accidental, and my classmate brought it upon himself.”

Learning that Chu Tianyu wasn’t blaming her, Xue Ning’er became more energetic and reverted to her curious self. She asked, “Is that Zhou Jie and Le Er lovers originally? Did Le Er reject him because she preferred the rich? Hey, do you think they could get back together? Just now, when I secretly observed Le Er, I noticed her eyes would sparkle a bit when looking at Zhou Jie, but otherwise they were dull and lifeless. Ah, it would be great if they could be together again—it would definitely be the most romantic story!”

“You little girl, you’re really curious. What does romantic mean? I really don’t know what’s going on in your little head all day long!” Chu Tianyu was both amused and exasperated after hearing her.

“What else could there be to think about but your and Sister’s exciting, thrilling, and romantic experiences? Traveling through mountains, mastering moon energy, fighting against illusions, connecting with spiritual veins—Sister told me all about it when she came back a few days ago. I’m so envious! Brother-in-law is so unfair; he’s never thought of taking me to experience such fun things…” The girl’s eyes shone with longing as she talked about it.

After hearing that, Chu Tianyu really felt helpless around her. Especially when he saw her expression of resentment and pouted lips later on, his heart stirred, and he laughed, “If you can stay quiet now, your brother-in-law will take you to fight someone tonight!”
“Okay…” Before she could finish speaking, before even saying an “ah,” Xue Ning’er ignored the steering wheel and immediately covered her mouth with both hands, afraid of breaking Chu Tianyu’s rules, looking terrified like a little girl.