Chapter 14 He Would Do Anything for It

Chapter 14 He Would Do Anything for It

Ye Man gripped the box tightly.

Back when he was figuring out how to stretch a pack of instant noodles into six meals, he had a thought: if someone were to buy him a whole box of instant noodles, he would do anything for them.

Let alone the eight-figure gemstone Xu Huaiting was giving him now.

Even if Xu Huaiting told him to change his surname from Chi to Xu, Ye Man thought he probably wouldn’t hesitate at all.

Picking up on his thoughts, the system scolded him in frustration: "You’re a villainous pawn! How can you bend your back for a mere eight-figure gemstone!"

That’s just pathetic! What kind of villain would give up their wicked ways and reform just for a little cash?

"But, Brother Tong, that’s an eight-figure sum!" Ye Man still widened his eyes in shock, his voice trembling.

"Shame on you! I promised you way more than this, and even if I gave you billions now, it would be useless. When your story arc ends and you’re out, all your money and assets will be taken away."

Unless Ye Man spent every cent he got now.

The Chi Family likely wouldn’t go after every cent he spent.

But if he went through with it, wouldn’t that just show he’s a reckless, morally bankrupt wastrel? Wouldn’t that make Chi Jue seem even better? Wouldn’t the Chi Family like Chi Jue even more and dislike him even more?

The system also told him to drop the idea of selling the gem for cash.

"This Royal Blue is likely the one Xu Ziyi showed off at an auction a few days back. It even hit the news. Never mind whether anyone would dare to buy it, if you sell it in the morning, Xu Huaiting will know by noon."

Selling a gift someone gave you is just wrong. The old man would definitely be furious.

Knowing he couldn’t cash it in, Ye Man was a little disappointed, but not overly so.

Even though he couldn’t cash in on this gem, it was one of the few gifts he’d ever gotten in his life.

It was his birthday today.

He finally got a birthday gift!

Ye Man carefully slipped the small box into his pocket.

There was a knock on the door.

"Sir, the Chi Family is here."

Ye Man’s family had arrived to pick him up.

The most serious fracture had been treated immediately, and the cast was already on. The rest of his injuries were just bruises from collisions and scrapes from falls. Once he returned to the Chi Family, someone would take care of everything for him. There was no need for Xu Huaiting to micromanage such trivial matters.

Xu Huaiting casually glanced at Ye Man’s stomach. Through the clothes, he couldn’t see what was wrong, but he was sure it wasn’t something like acute appendicitis that needed immediate attention.

"Make sure you know what to say and what not to say later."

Half a reminder, half a threat, Xu Huaiting glanced at his watch and prepared to leave.

He was confident he could control Ye Man and make him obey.

It wasn’t that he thought a mere stone could completely buy Ye Man over. A fifty-carat Royal Blue was indeed valuable, but the Chi Family could afford it. The gem’s symbolic and deterrent meaning outweighed its practical value. Even if Ye Man later regretted it or had other schemes and stopped obeying, he would have to weigh whether he could afford the consequences of offending Xu Huaiting.

After taking two steps, before reaching the door, Xu Huaiting suddenly stopped and turned to look at the person following behind him.

When he heard Xu Huaiting was leaving, Ye Man quickly sat up from the sofa, grabbed his blind cane, and quietly trailed behind him like a clingy shadow.

As Xu Huaiting stopped, Ye Man also halted, peering up, confused: "What's wrong?"

Xu Huaiting didn’t speak, and Ye Man knew he was looking at him. He tried to read Xu Huaiting's mind, and his guard shot up.

Had Xu Huaiting realized he'd been duped and now regretted it, wanting to take back the Royal Blue?

In Ye Man's eyes, Xu Huaiting had been so taken in by his big talk that he’d handed over something so valuable without a second thought!

Without hesitation, he put on his pitiful act once more, raising his strikingly beautiful face, his eyes wet and drooping, resembling a drenched puppy as he pleaded in a soft, trembling voice: "Mr. Xu, for this Royal Blue, I’m willing to do anything. Please don’t take it back, alright?"

His hand tightly covered the pocket containing his precious eight-figure gem, making Xu Huaiting look like the villain.

If it weren’t for this act, Xu Huaiting would have almost forgotten the time he’d been splashed with dirty water in the restroom.

He fixed his gaze on Ye Man for a moment, then said lazily, "Once I give something, it’s yours to keep."

Ye Man’s face lit up instantly.

However, the next second, Xu Huaiting added, "As for what happened in the restroom, I’m waiting for your apology gift."

Ye Man’s heart sank.

How could he still remember that?

...

When they walked out of the room, Mr. and Mrs. Chi, Chi Yan, and Chi Jue were anxiously waiting at the door.

As soon as Ye Man came out, the Chi Family closed in around him.

Although Chi Jue had already briefly explained the situation to them, seeing Ye Man in person still tugged at their hearts.

Chi Yan's face was dark, and his expression was hard as stone. Even though Ye Man couldn’t see, he could sense Chi Yan’s simmering anger.

Remembering that his elder brother had long ago instructed him to call immediately if anything happened, yet he had ended up in such a state without a word, Ye Man hung his head in guilt.

Chi Yan yanked at his tie in frustration, his voice low: "After we get home, come to the study to see me."

Ye Man muttered, too scared to speak up, and quietly tugged at the sleeve of the nearest person.

Chi Jue silently turned his face away.

Other things might be manageable, but this... he might get an earful too, so he kept his distance.

Mr. and Mrs. Chi were exchanging pleasantries with Xu Huaiting. Xu Huaiting had other matters to attend to but maintained basic courtesy. After a few brief words, he left first, while Dr. Zhao stayed behind to give some medical instructions.

Since today’s birthday banquet had invited many guests, the Chi Family couldn’t all leave. Chi Jue and Ye Man, as the main guests of the banquet, had to stay at least one, and Chi Yan, as the current pillar of the Chi Family and the center of the social circle, naturally had to stay to entertain. In the end, the family decided that Qin Fangrui would accompany Ye Man home first, while the father and sons stayed to entertain.

The banquet lasted until late at night, and the Chi father and sons returned home somewhat exhausted.

When Qin Fangrui came downstairs, her movements were very light, "Xiao Man is asleep."

Chi Yan had originally planned to talk to Ye Man, as he always returned injured from these outings, and this time it was so severe that he broke his hand. This couldn’t go on.

Hearing this, he had to temporarily put it aside.

Turning to Chi Jue, he said, "Go back and tidy up first. Once you’re done, come to the study to see me."

The study.

Chi Jue knocked on the door: "Hey bro, it's me."

"Come on in."

When Chi Jue walked in, Chi Yan had swapped his suit for a set of gray loungewear, with a pair of glasses on the bridge of his nose, looking through something on the computer. Chi Jue glanced at the several files spread out on the table—unexpectedly, they weren’t related to the company’s recent projects but rather some information about doctors and a few handled cases.

They were all top ophthalmology experts, both domestic and international.

Seeing Chi Jue come in, Chi Yan pinched his nose, took off his glasses, and leaned back: "What exactly happened today? Why did Xiao Man leave your side? Weren’t you together?"

Chi Yan’s tone was icy, like he was addressing an underling.

Chi Jue was used to it—Chi Yan had been this way since he was a kid. Not just Chi Jue, even their dad sometimes got scolded like a kid by Chi Yan. Who could blame him? He really did handle everything in an orderly manner.

People still remember when Chi Yan first joined the company. The old guys on the board had plenty of criticisms, and Chi Yan’s frequent bold reforms sparked a lot of doubts and dissatisfaction. But time and facts proved that Chi Yan doesn’t make mistakes. His vision is sharp, and his decisions are precise, far beyond what most people are capable of. When Chi Yan hit a wall in the company, the Chi family was happily waiting to see those old guys get slapped in the face.

Chi Jue explained what had happened that day, sounding a bit apologetic: "I’m sorry, brother. Meng Yao called me, and I stepped away for a moment. Later, we checked the surveillance, and Xiao Man… followed me out."