Ning Fei narrowed his eyes, staring at Chen Jinzhao without speaking.
"Heh—"
"In the end, you still have no proof, do you? If you had proof, why would you be arguing with me here? Even if I told you now that everything you got from Chu Zixiong was my doing, what could you do?"
"Go call the police!"
Chen Jinzhao clenched his fists again.
Ning Fei had committed these heinous acts, yet showed no remorse. Instead, he was becoming more brazen in front of him.
He truly wanted to kill Ning Fei on the spot!
There would be no mistake!
Ning Fei continued to provoke Chen Jinzhao, adding fuel to the fire in Chen Jinzhao's chest. Chen Jinzhao had reached his limit and was about to make a move when Xu Nianqing raised her hands and pressed on his arms. "Chen Jinzhao, calm down! Ning Fei is just saying these things to provoke you and get you sent away. Have you forgotten that Ning Fei has many media outlets under his command?"
Once the matter escalated, Chen Jinzhao would be subjected to scrutiny.
If Chen Jinzhao remained unharmed, Ning Fei's media outlets would undoubtedly seize upon this, using the surging public opinion to defeat Chen Jinzhao!
Chen Jinzhao met Xu Nianqing's anxious gaze, and the anger in his chest gradually subsided.
Xu Nianqing was right.
He had almost fallen into Ning Fei's trap.
Ning Fei frowned, regretting it. He had almost managed to truly enrage Chen Jinzhao and then, using the same method as Li Xiaozhong years ago, prevent Chen Jinzhao from ever appearing before him again.
What a pity—
Xu Nianqing had ruined his plan.
Chen Jinzhao took a deep breath, trying to calm himself as much as possible. Looking back now, he didn't understand why he had lost control of his temper. Normally, he might not have resorted to violence.
This showed that Ning Fei was indeed skilled.
Ning Fei couldn't help but laugh. "I don't even know what nonsense you two are talking about. I'm a law-abiding citizen, unlike you barbarians. I'll let this slide this time. If you dare to lay a hand on me again, I guarantee you'll regret it."
"Nianqing, I'll wait for you to come back to your senses, hahaha."
Ning Fei laughed heartily, got into his car, and drove away.
The few cars parked by the roadside also left after he did, confirming Xu Nianqing's suspicion.
Xu Nianqing said to Chen Jinzhao, "You were too impulsive. You almost fell into Ning Fei's trap. From now on, you need to be more calm in everything you do. Don't be so reckless like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old student."
Chen Jinzhao grunted, "Thank you. If you hadn't stopped me, I might have actually killed Ning Fei."
"You're welcome. I'll head home now if there's nothing else," Xu Nianqing said.
Chen Jinzhao hesitated, wanting to say more, but in the end, he just nodded. "Alright. Be careful on your way. I'll have someone escort you back."
Xu Nianqing got into her car and left.
Another car followed hers, it was Shangguan Yu'an's car.
When everyone else had left, Chen Jinzhao put another cigarette in his mouth. Before he could even light it, a fair hand snatched it away. Chen Jinzhao was about to get angry when he saw who it was and could only awkwardly scratch his head.
"What are you doing here?" Chen Jinzhao asked with a sheepish grin.
Yu Mengzhi threw the cigarette into the trash can and snorted, "Didn't I tell you not to smoke anymore? You're secretly smoking behind my back. Just you wait until tonight, I'll beat you to death!"
Chen Jinzhao retorted, "How are you going to beat me?"
Yu Mengzhi's words stopped on her lips. She realized Chen Jinzhao was teasing her. She bit her lip and whispered, "Oh, this isn't the place. With so many students coming and going, how can you say such things?"
"It's so embarrassing!"
Chen Jinzhao chuckled, "You still haven't told me why you came to find me."
Yu Mengzhi extended her fair arm, hugging Chen Jinzhao and leaning into his embrace. "I came home after a busy day and you weren't here. And I was a bit hungry, so I came to find you."
"Now that you mention it, I'm feeling a little hungry too," Chen Jinzhao said, hugging her back.
Yu Mengzhi looked up into Chen Jinzhao's eyes. "Jinzhao, am I too clingy and annoying you?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Jinzhao gently placed his hand on Yu Mengzhi's head, stroking her long black hair and smiling. "How could you be? If I didn't have missions to attend to, I'd want to be with you all day. This is perfectly fine."
He had expected Yu Mengzhi to mention Xu Nianqing.
However, Yu Mengzhi didn't. She hadn't mentioned it at all, which left Chen Jinzhao feeling quite complex.
He hoped he wouldn't lose such a good girlfriend.
"Let's go, we'll eat first and then go home," Chen Jinzhao said.
Yu Mengzhi nodded obediently.
Meanwhile.
Ning Fei went to the hospital, had his wound treated, and returned home.
He hadn't managed to fully enrage Chen Jinzhao, so taking that punch was in vain. What depressed him even more was that Xu Nianqing was willing to play a supporting role to Chen Jinzhao. In his opinion, she was acting foolishly!
Speaking of which.
Ning Fei genuinely liked Xu Nianqing, but unfortunately, Xu Nianqing had no interest in him.
"Damn!"
"Chen Jinzhao is such an idiot! How is Xu Nianqing any worse than Yu Mengzhi? If you don't know how to cherish her, you should just let her go. I might have some moral failings, but my feelings for Xu Nianqing are as clear as day."
After smoking several cigarettes, Ning Fei's hatred for Chen Jinzhao intensified, flowing endlessly like the Yangtze River.
After thinking all night.
Ning Fei had another idea. He took out his phone and called Xu Mingzhi. He called several times, but there was no answer, making Ning Fei realize that Xu Mingzhi had likely blocked his number.
He had to use a third party to relay his message to Xu Mingzhi.
A while later.
His phone rang. Ning Fei picked it up and saw it was indeed Xu Mingzhi calling. He didn't answer immediately, but placed the phone on the coffee table, letting Xu Mingzhi wait for more than ten minutes before picking up.
"Uncle Xu, still awake?" Ning Fei said with a smile.
Xu Mingzhi knew Ning Fei was teasing him. He quickly apologized, "In front of Young Master Ning, I dare not call myself uncle. Young Master Ning, are the things you had someone tell me just now true?"
The message Ning Fei had conveyed to Xu Mingzhi was, in essence, that he could help him achieve great success.
Although Xu Mingzhi's company was no longer in debt, it was struggling. Ning Fei had revealed his connection with Danshui Capital, which tempted Xu Mingzhi, the boss of a small investment company.
Danshui Capital had overcome numerous obstacles and achieved remarkable success in China over the years. Following them in investment would undoubtedly lead to soaring success.
This was why Xu Mingzhi had disregarded his daughter's advice and called Ning Fei.
His daughter was so outstanding; he, as a father, couldn't be a burden.
Ning Fei inwardly sneered; people nowadays were too pragmatic. "Uncle Xu, of course, I want to help you achieve great success, but you know I've been in a bad mood lately. Nianqing has clearly broken up with Chen Jinzhao, yet she refuses to date me. You know— my feelings for her are sincere. If you can help me win her over, everything else can be discussed."
This put Xu Mingzhi in a difficult position.
He knew his daughter's stance very well. If she found out he was doing this, she would likely cut ties with him.
Ning Fei saw his inner struggle. "It's common knowledge that Chen Jinzhao and Yu Mengzhi are together. Uncle Xu, surely you don't want your daughter to be alone for the rest of her life?"
This hit Xu Mingzhi where it hurt.
The matter between Chen Jinzhao and Xu Nianqing was already over, he knew this, but there was nothing he could do to hurry it.
It was better to settle for the next best option and fulfill Ning Fei's wishes with Xu Nianqing.
"Okay!"
"I will find a way to bring you and my daughter together, but I will need some time."
Ning Fei laughed heartily. "Then I will eagerly await Uncle Xu's good news."
While Ning Fei was laughing heartily, Xu Nianqing had just returned home. She didn't live with Xu Mingzhi anymore, as her mother had passed away early, and Xu Mingzhi, as a man, also needed his private life.
She sat on the sofa, lost in thought, when suddenly there was a knock on the door.
Xu Nianqing's heart skipped a beat.
Who would come to see her so late at night?
Chen Jinzhao?
It was unlikely.
She put on her slippers and walked to the door. Through the peephole, she could see a woman with fair skin and delicate bones standing at her doorstep. Xu Nianqing knew her name—Shangguan Yu'an, Chen Jinzhao's subordinate.
Without overthinking it, Xu Nianqing opened the door.
At this moment, Shangguan Yu'an lacked her usual heroic demeanor, replaced by a gentler aura. "Professor Xu, please forgive my impolite visit. May I have a moment to talk with you?"
"About him."