The following days, with Ding Yun and her parents deliberately shielding themselves from external comments, were barely happy. However, Ding Yun couldn't keep her child indoors forever, and her agency also had matters to report.
So, a week after returning home.
Ding Yun bid farewell.
Before leaving, Xu Ping specifically handed Ding Yun a bank card: "Keep this card. Don't refuse.
The money in this card was originally intended as a dowry for your wedding back then. Although it didn't work out, we never touched this money. We could have saved more over the years, but as you know, your brother's grades were too poor, and we spent a lot on him.
It's estimated we'll still spend a lot.
So we couldn't save much more.
But we never touched the 300,000 in this card. I heard that sending children to primary and secondary school in big cities costs a lot of money, and you may not have plans to get married again. So, take this money for now. It's all for the child. It's just that if you get married in the future, we might not be able to provide much of a dowry."
Saying this, Xu Ping forcefully stuffed the bank card into Ding Yun's hand and also told her the password: "The password is your birthday, six digits."
Ding Yun initially wanted to refuse, but seeing her mother's resolute attitude, she finally decided to accept the money, thinking she could at least hold it for them.
Or perhaps she could help out the family more in the future.
And take good care of them in their old age.
So, after a brief exchange of pleasantries, she accepted the card, and then, taking her child with her, she hurriedly left.
...
Upon returning to her own home and settling her child, Ding Yun immediately arranged to meet the agent specifically responsible for Zhou Shou. It was this agent who had called to inform Ding Yun that something had happened to Zhou Shou, prompting her hasty return.
"What exactly happened? Explain it clearly!"
Because she was worried that it wouldn't be clear over the phone, Ding Yun waited until she was back before inquiring about the details.
"Boss, Zhou Shou has had an accident."
"He's paralyzed in an accident, now half his body is immobile!"
As soon as they met, the agent Hu Wei rushed to say.
Hearing this, a smile involuntarily appeared on Ding Yun's face. She didn't bother to control her expression and continued to smile, asking:
"What exactly happened? Tell me quickly!"
Her schadenfreude was almost too obvious.
"Yesterday, during a scene, he needed to perform some dangerous stunts. But whether he was distracted or not, he messed up and fell directly from upstairs. Coincidentally, a stone on the ground hit his waist directly. They say it's nerve damage, with virtually no possibility of recovery."
"Didn't you say last time that you didn't want to give their family a single cent in compensation? But now, with his condition, if we don't give any compensation, it might be bad for the company's reputation. So, what do you think?"
Yes, Hu Wei wasn't worried about Zhou Shou being paralyzed, but rather about what Ding Yun had said earlier: not to push Zhou Shou too hard, because she didn't want to pay a single cent in death compensation to the Zhou family.
But now that an accident had happened, if they really didn't compensate him.
It was really hard to justify.
And it would be bad for the company's reputation.
Moreover, the film crew had already paid compensation. They should at least offer some humanitarian aid and compensate a little.
"Then give him the minimum standard. Also, directly terminate the contract citing the other party's inability to fulfill it. Ah, I ultimately can't be completely shameless in dealing with him.
Otherwise, according to the rules in the original contract.
We could sue him for breach of contract and make him pay liquidated damages.
It's a pity that doing so would not give us an advantage in terms of moral public opinion.
I don't want to be labeled a black-hearted profiteer because of him. But it's not bad either. If I hadn't assigned him those dirty, tiring, and dangerous jobs, with his own personality, how could he have possibly taken on this job!"
Although the outcome was somewhat unexpected, Ding Yun was satisfied. Making him paralyzed like this.
Perhaps it would be more agonizing than him directly passing away.
So she quickly gave instructions for the next steps, preparing for Hu Wei to proceed as she said. She felt that she had already acted with considerable benevolence.
As Ding Yun finished her instructions, Hu Wei quickly understood and promptly handled all related compensation and contract termination matters as instructed by Qiao Mu.
Although there were some minor setbacks during the process.
They were well handled by the legal department.
Furthermore, they had the trump card of completely tearing up the contract and directly suing Zhou Shou for breach of contract without regard for public opinion.
No matter how dissatisfied the Zhou family was.
They could only helplessly accept the outcome.
And take the person back to care for him.
Originally, Ding Yun thought the matter was basically over. She didn't intend to continue dealing with the Zhou family, and even felt that all debts and karma were settled, and that not having any further contact from then on would be the best outcome.
But she still underestimated the shamelessness of the Zhou family.
Especially Hu Lin's shamelessness.
On the third day of Ding Yun's return, she suddenly received a call from Hu Lin. Out of curiosity about why she was calling, Ding Yun didn't hang up immediately and listened.
Then, what Ding Yun heard was—
"You're Zhu Xin, right? I am Zhou Shou's mother, Hu Lin. I've been thinking during this time, and there must still be some feelings between you and Zhou Shou. As a mother, I shouldn't break up a loving couple. Moreover, you have a child together, and neither of you is married yet.
I imagine you haven't gotten married until now.
It must be because you still have my son in your heart.
I've thought it through now and decided to do a good deed. I agree to your marriage. This way, you won't have the difficulty of not being able to marry, and the child will have a biological father. This is a great thing for you.
You should pack your things and get ready.
Come to the local civil affairs bureau with my son to get registered later. Your mother's previous mention of bride price, I can accept it, thirteen thousand is thirteen thousand, alright?
Where are you now? Let's meet."
If Ding Yun hadn't known her son's current condition, she might have been a bit confused about what Hu Lin was trying to do. But Ding Yun, who was well aware that her son was now paralyzed, immediately understood Hu Lin's intention. She was clearly trying to find a free, long-term caregiver for her son.
Perhaps it was also because she thought her son would have a hard time finding a new partner to marry, so she could only compromise and contact Zhu Xin, who might still have feelings for her son.
And miss her son.
To be honest, after hearing her shameless words, Ding Yun almost couldn't help but laugh. She had never seen such a shameless and self-righteous person.
However, Ding Yun's composure prevented her from uttering any venomous curses. In the end, she could only scoff angrily and reprimand her a couple of times before hanging up the phone in anger.
And immediately decided that this matter would not be settled.
She wouldn't let that Hu Lin suffer some hardship.
She was truly resentful and could not suppress her anger.