Chapter 62

Chapter 62

"Why? Why is no one willing to give me a chance?" Chu Qingyi looked at Ye Mingzhao with disappointment and couldn't help but ask, "Did I commit some heinous crime?"

He just wanted to survive, to live a bit better, a bit easier. Why does everyone have to bully me? Why do they all look down on him?

"Even if I deliberately hid Chu Hengyi's background, so what? Regardless of how you see it, Chu Hengyi is still our family's foster son. Our Chu family worked hard to raise him for eighteen years. Even if we didn’t get credit, we put in the effort, didn’t we? He repaid our eighteen years of nurturing kindness by turning against us and putting all the blame on our family. Has he ever thought about how my parents and I should cope?"

No one wanted to live their whole life bearing the title of a human trafficker's family.

Before this happened, Chu Qingyi had been an outstanding student at Xinhai University and a promising actor. But once Chu Hengyi came back to the Ye family, everything changed. He became someone that everyone condemned as a member of a human trafficker's family.

"Doesn’t he remember how he survived? If it weren't for my father, he would have died in the snowfield years ago."

"Even if he harbors hatred, it should be directed at the culprit who orchestrated his kidnapping. My second uncle was just a tool. Even if he hadn't kidnapped Chu Hengyi, someone else would have. Instead of going after the real culprits, he takes it out on the family who saved him? The family that saved his life!"

"Isn’t that just picking on the weak and fearing the powerful? What difference does that make from those who bully me?"

Chu Qingyi felt indignant. Even at this moment, he still believed in his own innocence.

Without us, Chu Hengyi would likely have died at Hua Rui’s hands. How could he have ended up back with the Ye family after all these years?

"Where did you hear the name Hua Rui?" Ye Mingzhao interrupted Chu Qingyi's complaints and suddenly asked.

Chu Qingyi's complaints came to an abrupt halt. He looked at Ye Mingzhao in surprise and stammered, "W-what Hua Rui? I don't know what you're talking about?"

Seeing Chu Qingyi's troubled expression, Ye Mingzhao smiled slightly, "You’re under contract with Zhou’s film company, aren’t you? You know that, don’t you?"

Ye Mingzhao continued, "I heard that the breach of contract fee for artists signed with Zhou's film company is at least one hundred million. What about yours?"

Chu Qingyi’s expression changed, showing signs of unease: "Zhou's film company has already gone bankrupt."

"But the management contract is still valid," Ye Mingzhao helpfully reminded him. "You majored in finance in university, didn’t you? I’m sure you also took courses in Contract Law and Civil Law."

Chu Qingyi fell silent, his expression clearly turning guilty.

Ye Mingzhao calmly said, "I’ve heard that many film and talent agencies don’t have many resources themselves and rely on breach of contract fees to make money. Of course, the old Zhou's film company was wealthy and backed by the Zhou family, so it wouldn’t have fallen into such a situation. But now..."

"With Zhou's film company bankrupt, all its projects have been put on hold, and major shareholders have suffered heavy losses. Do you think they won’t try every possible way to recover their losses?"

The more Chu Qingyi listened, the more agitated he became, and he couldn’t help but interrupt Ye Mingzhao: "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"I just want to remind you that if you can’t afford the high breach of contract fee, you could consider passing the civil service exam." Ye Mingzhao smiled warmly. "You have a degree and fame, and your uncle’s crimes have nothing to do with you, so the political review shouldn’t be a problem."

"Are you mocking me?" Chu Qingyi’s face turned pale.

His current reputation, though not notorious, was certainly tarnished. Even if he could pass the civil service exam, what would it matter?

How much does a civil servant earn in a month?

Chu Qingyi refused to allow himself to become so mediocre.

Just thinking about the future Ye Mingzhao described made Chu Qingyi feel suffocated. His eyes red, he looked at the smiling Ye Mingzhao: "I’ll trade you Zhou Yueze’s ledger. Can’t you help me pay the breach of contract fee?"

Ye Mingzhao asked with a smile, "Do you think that ledger is worth hundreds of millions?"

Chu Qingyi: "..."

Chu Qingyi said, "At the very least, you can put Zhou Yueze in prison."

Ye Mingzhao smiled again, "What difference does that make?"

Chu Qingyi was initially confused. When it finally clicked, he looked at Ye Mingzhao in confusion, "Don't you hate Zhou Yueze? Don't you want him to go to prison?"

Ye Mingzhao said gently, "Zhou Yueze and I don't have that much bad blood between us."

Chu Qingyi was doubtful. He didn't believe Ye Mingzhao, known for his vengeful nature, would pass up a chance to crush an enemy.

But he also didn't know why Ye Mingzhao was refusing him.

Could it really be because he didn't want to offend Chu Hengyi?

Then what should he do?

Ye Mingzhao was the most capable and motivated person he could reach out to who could stand up against Zhou Heting! He could only live safely if he gained Ye Mingzhao's protection.

If he couldn't convince Ye Mingzhao, his future would definitely be pretty grim.

For a moment, Chu Qingyi was anxious like an ant on a hot pan, or desperate to grab onto any lifeline.

"What would it take for you to help me?" In a sudden moment of clarity, Chu Qingyi got smart, "If you had no intention of helping me, you wouldn't have shown up today. Since you're here, it means you still want to get your hands on Zhou Yueze's ledger."

"Am I right?"

Ye Mingzhao chuckled and politely asked Chu Qingyi, "So where exactly did you hear the name Hua Rui? What else do you know?"

"Did you uncover any secrets between Zhou Yueze and Hua Rui, or maybe between Zhou Heting and her?"

Chu Qingyi's mind went blank at Ye Mingzhao's barrage of questions, and he clenched his teeth, refusing to say another word.

Ye Mingzhao sighed gently and reminded him softly, "You should be aware that right now, you're the one begging for my help, right?"

Chu Qingyi was drenched in sweat, staring silently at Ye Mingzhao.

Ye Mingzhao said, "I'm eager to see your sincerity."

Chu Qingyi still refused to speak.

Ye Mingzhao picked up his coffee and took a sip, "Mind if I make a quick call?"

Although Chu Qingyi was anxious, he said, "Go ahead."

Ye Mingzhao smiled again, "Curious who I'm calling?"

Chu Qingyi had a vague realization.

Ye Mingzhao looked into Chu Qingyi's eyes and made the call to Chu Hengyi.

A minute later, to Chu Qingyi's shock and confusion, a tall figure calmly pushed open the door of the private room and walked in.

The man was nearly two meters tall, with broad shoulders and long legs, his features handsome and striking. But few would notice his good looks because the aura around him was overwhelmingly fierce, like a dangerous beast that had strayed into civilized society.

It was Chu Hengyi—the same guy Chu Qingyi had been trashing all afternoon.

Ye Mingzhao, meeting Chu Qingyi's bewildered gaze, added helpfully, "When you called me last night, he was right next to me."

Chu Hengyi continued, "I was curious about your purpose for meeting him, so I came along."

Chu Hengyi gave Chu Qingyi a friendly smile, "You don't mind, do you?"

Chu Qingyi was speechless.