"Still thinking of her, are we? Was last time's beating too lenient? I should have crippled both your legs! Not much skill, but plenty of nerve, daring to covet my wife..."
Having been beaten and left without a penny in compensation or responsibility, escaping simply because he had no money or power, Dong Jian had been simmering with anger.
Upon meeting again, to be cursed at immediately, he couldn't help but step forward, grab the man by the collar, and punch him in the face.
The man wasn't as tall as Dong Jian and spent his days drinking, never exercising, his stomach bulging like a balloon.
Though he looked plump and soft, he had no strength. Dong Jian's punch sent him to the ground.
Zeng Hui, fearing outsiders would hear, closed the office door and drew the curtains.
Seeing Dong Jian was there for revenge, the man opened his mouth to shout. Zeng Hui used her physical advantage to quickly rush forward, grabbed a stool, and wedged it against him, sitting on it and pinning him down.
"Stuff his mouth before you hit him. Hit him hard."
Dong Jian's gaze shifted to the tape on a nearby cabinet.
He thoroughly wrapped the man's mouth with several layers of tape, then proceeded to punch and kick him. Refreshed, they left the room.
Dong Jian's heart began to pound belatedly.
"There's surveillance here, they'll definitely report it. If I'm arrested, say it was all me. I'll repay you after I get out. Please take care of my mother."
Zeng Hui laughed at him, "You're too useless. He beat you without taking responsibility, and you have to take responsibility after beating him? If we just deny everything, what can he do?"
"Stand tall. Bring back that uninhibited person you used to be. Do as I say, and don't overthink things!"
The two returned to their car, watching the factory entrance from across the road.
Soon, the ex-girlfriend appeared, flustered, helping the man into the car.
As she helped the man walk, she was clearly chiding him, likely complaining about him causing trouble for her again.
Zeng Hui, seeing the lingering affection in his gaze as he looked at his ex-girlfriend, scoffed.
"Don't tell me you've never seen a woman before? He's made you like this, and in her eyes, you're worse than pigs and dogs, yet you still pine for her?"
"I do. After all I've done for her, I never had the chance to be with her back then."
A hint of coldness flickered in Dong Jian's eyes.
"This is what she owes me. If she doesn't pay it back in this lifetime, I'll never be content."
Zeng Hui's wicked thoughts were understandable to Zeng Hui.
"I'll satisfy you, right in front of her husband. Let's go."
They followed them to the hospital, keeping a moderate distance. Their car was parked a row behind theirs. While the couple went in for examination, Zeng Hui secretly punctured one of their rear tires.
An hour later, the couple emerged and drove away. Sure enough, less than three traffic lights later, their car stopped by the roadside.
The tire was completely flat, making it impossible to drive further.
The two got out to examine it. The man took out his phone and started making a call.
Zeng Hui watched for a while, then calmly got out of her car and walked up to the man.
The man had just finished his call, pointing at his wife and cursing her for bringing bad luck. Upon seeing Zeng Hui, he froze, then shouted angrily.
"It's you? That damned bitch, she and Dong Jian came to find me today! I was just about to report you and get you arrested, and you're coming to me voluntarily. How brave!"
"You wait for me, don't run if you have the guts, I'm calling people right now..."
Zeng Hui interrupted him, "Don't get excited, I'm not running. Not only am I not running, but I plan to invite you to wait in my car. Dare you join me?"
The man's hand, holding the phone, paused. "Wait in your car? What trick are you playing now?"
Zeng Hui said, "He's a cripple, and I'm a woman. You're on guard now, what can you do?"
"Your wife harmed him so badly, and you beat him like this. It's not much for him to punch you a couple of times for venting his anger, right?"
"He has cancer and is dying. There's no point in arresting him. Someone who doesn't want to live will continue to trouble you after getting out. He knows which school your child attends..."
"You!"
"Let's not say so much. I'll try to persuade him, and I'll persuade you both. Let's mediate. How about we have a meal together, and frankly discuss everything today? You apologize for what happened before, and he guarantees he won't bother you again. How about it?"
The man looked visibly angry. How could he possibly sit down and talk with a useless cripple?
But the woman was clearly guilty and pleaded with him desperately.
"Husband. Forget it, don't report it. He's already lost his mind, this trick won't work on him."
"She's right. If he finds us again after getting out... I'll apologize to him, you don't say anything, and let this matter pass, okay?"
Unable to resist his wife's pitiful pleading, the man held his ground for a few minutes before following Zeng Hui to their car.
He glanced at the car's body, quite impressive.
"Whose car is this?"
"Mine. Dong Jian saved my life. He's my savior."
Zeng Hui led them to her rented house. Upon entering, she poured them water and quickly ordered takeout.
"You're injured, and his leg is like this. We'll cause a scene if we go out, so let's just eat at home."
"It will be delivered shortly. Let's chat first."
Dong Jian had changed into a new set of clothes, bought by Zeng Hui for Chen Dongyang.
His young, refined features were accentuated. Sitting still, without revealing his crippled leg, he was quite pleasing to the eye.
The ex-girlfriend scrutinized him, then apologized.
Zeng Hui signaled Dong Jian to talk more and stall for time.
They chatted for a good ten minutes in front of her husband before the takeout arrived.
Zeng Hui went downstairs to pick it up and returned with a bottle of wine.
"Let's not dwell on it anymore. Let bygones be bygones. Let's all look forward. Life will only get better from now on. I propose we all have a drink together."
The woman drank first. The man hesitated, reluctant to drink.
Zeng Hui chided him, "Such a big man, running a business, and you don't have this much magnanimity? You've crippled someone for life and you're still not satisfied? Must you insist on endless retribution?"
With a few sharp words, he drank the wine.
Dong Jian raised his glass to drink as well, but Zeng Hui stopped him.
"Don't drink. You're about to die. The doctor said you can't have alcohol, and I don't want you to die in my house. Drink tea instead."
She didn't drink herself.
This matter had nothing to do with her. She was merely an intermediary, and besides, she had to drive them home later.
The ex-girlfriend and her husband each drank three cups. They then began to eat.
As they ate, the couple's condition began to become dazed.
Dizzy and weak, the man finally realized and pointed at Zeng Hui.
"You? You did something? You put something in the wine?"
Zeng Hui smiled, "Yes. We have distinguished guests, so why not add a little extra for you?"
"You can't move now, right? Then don't move, just sit and watch the show. Dong Jian, it's your turn to perform."