Plenty of onlookers had gathered around, all of them milling about the perimeter, whispering incessantly.
Chen Hong continued to shout, "...Don't you f***ing remember? It was me who dropped out of school to work and support your education! Now that you've made something of yourself, you want to cast me aside like a burden? I'm telling you, no way! Come out quickly, and give me my money!"
The door suddenly burst open. Ye Zhi looked up to see Chen Wei, his face pale as if he hadn't been outdoors in a long time. His long hair almost covered his eyes, clearly indicating he hadn't had a haircut in ages.
However, his hair wasn't messy, and he was wearing a faded suit that had been washed many times, yet it was neat and clean. It was evident this was the last shred of dignity he had preserved for himself.
At this moment, Chen Wei, with his pale face, was flushed red with anger. He said resentfully, "Scram! I don't have any money!"
"Everyone, you see it now!" Chen Hong pointed at Chen Wei's nose and shouted to the crowd, "It's him! My ungrateful brother! The family poured all their money into sending him to university, only to raise an enemy! He's a beast! No, even a beast would be affectionate after a few years, but this guy is worse than a beast!"
The crowd was even more astonished, and their gazes towards Chen Wei became more unfriendly.
Being pointed at by so many people, Chen Wei's face turned even paler.
Suddenly, a young man pushed his way through the crowd. He glared at Chen Hong and said indignantly, "You're spouting nonsense! You were the one who didn't like studying and dropped out yourself! What does that have to do with Chen Wei?! Also, your family gave you all their savings for you to start a small business, but you were unwilling to endure hardship and spent all that money!
The money Chen Wei used for university was through student loans he applied for, and the living expenses he earned from part-time work at school. He never spent a single penny of your family's money from beginning to end! When he had money before, he used it to repair the roads and houses back home. Did you ever say a single word of gratitude to him?! Now that he's down on his luck, not only are you not helping him, but you've come here to demand money. Has your conscience been eaten by dogs?!"
This young man spoke quickly and his arguments were clear and logical. Chen Hong didn't even get a chance to interrupt.
"Furthermore, I've already called the police. If you don't leave now, I'll have you arrested for a few days!" the young man announced loudly.
Seeing that he wouldn't gain anything by staying, Chen Hong spat on the ground viciously and turned to leave.
Ye Zhi called over two bodyguards and said in a low voice, "Follow him. Find a place without cameras, cover his head, and give him a beating!"
The two bodyguards acknowledged her order and quietly followed Chen Hong.
"Disperse, everyone! What are you still looking at?!" the young man said displeasantly, "Keep looking and I'll raise your rent!"
Hearing the last sentence, the crowd immediately scattered.
"Wei Peng, thank you so much today," Chen Wei said with a wry smile.
"What are you thanking me for, good brother!" Wei Peng patted his shoulder, "If you encounter something like this next time, just call me directly, otherwise, you're not treating me as a brother!"
After Wei Peng left, Chen Wei was about to close the door when Ye Zhi walked up and politely asked, "Excuse me, are you Mr. Chen Wei?"
"Who are you?" Chen Wei asked, looking at her warily.
"My name is Ye Zhi, this is my business card." Ye Zhi handed him the business card she had printed not long ago.
Chen Wei glanced down at the card. "Taoxun Company? Never heard of it."
"Our company was just established a few days ago," Ye Zhi said with a faint smile. "Our company is in great need of an experienced program designer. I wonder if you have time, and if it would be convenient for you to chat with me? You can choose the time and place."
Chen Wei frowned again, then pushed the door open and said, "Come in."
Ye Zhi followed him inside. The rented room was very small, and due to the abundance of belongings, it appeared a bit cluttered, but it was orderly despite the mess.
Chen Wei pulled out a stool from under the table and offered it to Ye Zhi, "Sit down."
Ye Zhi said nothing and sat down directly.
"Why are you looking for me?" Chen Wei asked, puzzled. "Haven't you heard about me?"
"I have," Ye Zhi said calmly. "I believe in your character and I believe in your abilities."
Chen Wei couldn't help but frown deeply. "Then you should also know that by looking for me, you're essentially opposing Ou Minghan. Aren't you afraid of him?"
"I don't think he's someone to be afraid of," Ye Zhi said lightly. "Besides, the business world is like a battlefield; everyone relies on their own skills."
Chen Wei's confusion deepened. He looked at Ye Zhi's business card again, and suddenly, his gaze fixed on the character "Ye" on the card, his expression sinking slightly.
"What is Ye Yongxian of the Ye Group to you?" he asked, his tone displeased.
"He is my father," Ye Zhi replied truthfully.
"Meaning, Ou Minghan's current girlfriend, Ye Qinya, is your own sister?" Chen Wei asked sarcastically. "No wonder you're not afraid! I bet it was your future brother-in-law who sent you here, wasn't it? What, have you thought of a new trick? Trying to harm me again?"
Ye Zhi's eyes flickered, but she wasn't entirely surprised. It seemed that even after leaving the capital, Chen Wei had been keeping track of Ou Minghan's movements. This was good; at least it showed that Chen Wei still had some fight left in him.
"Mr. Chen," Ye Zhi said calmly, "I am not here in relation to Ou Minghan at all. To put it bluntly, from the moment my company was established, we have been in direct competition with him. I sincerely hope to have a genius like you join us. This is the offer I have for you. If you have any requirements, feel free to state them."
As she spoke, Ye Zhi took out a contract and placed it in front of Chen Wei.
Chen Wei showed no intention of opening it. He sneered, "Then first, help me pay the rent for the past six months!"
Ye Zhi opened her wallet, counted out six thousand yuan, and placed it before him.
"Alright, you can go back now!" Chen Wei waved his hand. "I'll consider it carefully. Wait for my news!"
Ye Zhi calmly stood up, her eyes flickering slightly. "Mr. Chen, I know you've been deceived many times and won't easily trust anyone again. Let me be candid with you: I've already discovered that the reason Ou Minghan approached Ye Qinya was actually to bring down the Ye family and seize its assets. Therefore, please believe me when I say that in our stance towards Ou Minghan, we are aligned.
Don't you want to prove your innocence to the world with your abilities, to prove that you were right all along? Don't you want to witness the downfall of Qianbai Company and personally take revenge on Ou Minghan?"
Chen Wei was immediately moved. However, thinking of the various deceptions and betrayals he had suffered over the years, his slightly beating heart sank again. It was possible that Ye Zhi's visit was just another one of Ou Minghan's schemes.
He said mockingly, "Heh, why do you think I would believe you?"
"I also know my words are hard to believe," Ye Zhi said calmly. "But what if you trust me just once? If what I'm saying is true, then you'll have another teammate and won't have to fight alone. If what I'm saying is false..."