Chapter 51 He Bullied Me

Chapter 51 He Bullied Me

"Let me handle this, sir." Xiao Wu, who had been nearby, quickly stepped in to separate Ye Man from the man opposite him, his internal alarms going off.

He recognized the other party, or rather, few in the upper circles of Jing City didn't know Xu Qiting.

The man was tall and slender, with a diagonal scar across his face that made it hard to look directly at him. It was a leftover from the younger generation's internal strife in the Xu Family, and even today, people would inadvertently bring it up in conversation, sharing knowing looks.

Although it was a high-profile internal conflict, it wasn't as intricate or riddled with intrigue and strategy as outsiders thought. However, the bloodshed and cruelty far surpassed what most people could imagine.

To Xiao Wu, it was like lions battling for food on the African savanna—whoever was ruthless and ferocious enough to survive and bring the opponent to their knees would win. As for the process, it didn't need to be flashy, just practical.

Xiao Wu stole a glance at his young master, who looked innocent and naive, and his heart skipped a beat as he remembered the scene he had witnessed that day. He silently increased his vigilance towards Xu Qiting.

Given his young master's relationship with Mr. Xu, he had no choice but to side firmly with Xu Huaiting. So, even though he had no prior interaction with Xu Qiting, Xiao Wu automatically labeled him as an enemy, staying on high alert.

That day, when the young master was in Mr. Xu's car, Xiao Wu wisely kept it from the head of the Chi Family.

Picking the right boss and aligning oneself properly—what to say and what not to say—he was crystal clear about these things. The young master hadn't mentioned it to his family, so it would be overstepping for him to go blabbing about it. Doing so would be pure idiocy, satisfying neither party.

However, he wasn't deliberately hiding it from the head of the Chi Family either. As an employee, he answered only what his superior asked, and since the head of the Chi Family didn't ask, he didn't mention it.

Xu Qiting didn't pay any attention to the life assistant of the young master of the Chi Family, not even bothering to give him an extra glance. He just slipped a card into Ye Man's pocket: "If you're interested, you can come find me here. Be discreet—you’re surrounded by too many people."

Ye Man wondered, wasn’t Xiao Wu his only assistant? Where did all these people come from?

Just as this doubt arose, he heard a series of hurried footsteps, followed by the unmistakable voice of Secretary Chen: "Mr. Xu Qiting! What a coincidence. I heard you brought the old man here for a check-up and to visit a friend. I didn't expect to run into you as soon as I stepped out."

Ye Man: ?

Where did this guy come from?

Secretary Chen hurried over, reaching them in a few strides and inserting himself between Ye Man and Xu Qiting, forcing Xu Qiting to step back further.

Xiao Wu steadied Ye Man, staring in shock as the armed police responsible for hospital security approached.

"Young... Young Master Xiao Man..."

Ye Man, who couldn't see anything: "Huh?"

Xiao Wu and Secretary Chen exchanged glances behind their glasses, gulping down their saliva: "It's nothing."

Xu Qiting hadn't expected Secretary Chen to be here either. He sneered, curling his lips: "What brings you here, Secretary Chen? Xu Huaiting is abroad, aren't you supposed to be with him?"

"On annual leave, free time, just here for a full-body check-up," Secretary Chen replied calmly, explaining why he was there.

Xu Qiting clearly didn’t buy it, and Xiao Wu winced silently, but Ye Man did.

Xiao Wu saw his young master's face light up with sudden understanding.

Suddenly, he felt his future looked a bit shaky.

Xu Qiting had guessed that Xu Huaiting would have people stationed around. The security Xu Huaiting had placed around the Chi Family wasn't just for show—if it weren't for that, he would have found a way to approach the Chi Family's newly recognized son. He had finally seized the opportunity when the other party was visiting the hospital and Xu Huaiting was out of the country, but he hadn't expected Secretary Chen to show up.

They had only exchanged a couple of sentences.

If it weren't for the fact that after years of effort, he still couldn't shake Xu Huaiting's position, he wouldn't have rushed to seize any potential loophole he could find.

In the past, someone like Chi Ye Man, from such a background, wouldn't even have been worth a glance from Xu Qiting. In his prime, people of that status wouldn’t even have been allowed to kneel and polish his shoes at his circle’s parties.

Now, he found himself compelled to approach him directly.

Firstly, people like Ye Man, who are naive, are the easiest to manipulate; a minor incentive can easily sway him to act on his behalf. Secondly, Xu Huaiting's demeanor towards him is notably different, getting close to this young master of the Chi Family, with whom he should have no connection. This began to circulate after that auction, and later it was heard that Chu Sanshao became furious at a gathering when the auction was mentioned.

Yet, when his so-called friends pushed him to seize an opportunity to teach him a lesson and vent his anger, he declined, visibly frustrated.

When asked why, he merely sneered, stating he had no desire to court death, as the patriarch of his family had recently been in a rage, and he had to lay low for a while; they were welcome to try it themselves if they were reckless with their lives.

Those individuals failed to grasp his reasoning, and some skeptically dismissed his warnings, plotting to 'accidentally' meet the young master of the Chi Family, chat him up, and engage in some mischief to unsettle him.

However, before they could even approach, their own scandals were brought to light, entangling some of their family elders in a series of investigations, rapidly descending into a maelstrom of troubles, with no time to think about those things.

With their own familial matters in disarray, who had the time to concern themselves with others?

After failing to discern the pattern once or twice, by the third or fourth instance, it became clear to everyone what was happening.

Not to mention, in certain households, Secretary Chen made personal visits, ostensibly for a friendly call, and engaged in an extended conversation with their elders in the study. Following the discussion, both parties emerged, smiling warmly, and promptly dispatched their own wayward juniors overseas.

Certain individuals are so well-protected that they remain untouchable and inaccessible.

Having long been part of the circle, after a few admonitions, it was only natural that everyone comprehended, discarded any improper notions, and avoided meddling with those who were off-limits.

Being a member of the Xu Family, Xu Qiting required no one to point out the orchestrator behind the scenes.

Over the years, Xu Huaiting has shown concern for no one other than his mother and sister, and scarcely anything could perturb his stoic and unyielding heart. Regardless of Elder Xu's subsequent efforts to reconcile and mend the rift between grandfather and grandson, such a stern old man who had been authoritative all his life was willing to lower himself to reconcile and admit the mistakes of the past, yet Xu Huaiting showed no sign of softening.

Xu Qiting didn't know what was so special about this young master of the Chi Family that made him treat him differently.

He carefully observed the young man.

Could it be just because he has a good-looking face?

Whatever the reason, it shows that Xu Huaiting is not truly without weaknesses.

Isn't this a ready-made one?

As long as he could control Ye Man, Xu Qiting could turn him into a knife to stab Xu Huaiting.

Xu Qiting's face was uncertain as he stared at Ye Man: "I think Xu Huaiting is afraid that Chi Shao might know something, so he deliberately has people watch around him, keeping him in an information cocoon, only letting him know what he wants him to know."

"Don't you think such a person is terrifying? He's trying to control you, making you ignorant of the truest aspects of the people you know, and also blocking you from making friends, cutting off your channels to become better and continue to climb upwards."

"Mr. Xu Qiting," Secretary Chen's tone intensified, "please do not speak carelessly, spreading rumors carries legal responsibilities."

Xu Qiting sneered: "What if it's not a rumor?"

Knowing that missing this opportunity, he might not have another.

Today, this hoe must be swung, planting seeds of doubt in his heart. As long as Ye Man is slightly swayed by his words, he can seize the opportunity to make him gradually defect.

Then, the nails that couldn't be planted near Xu Huaiting all these years would naturally grow out by themselves.

Originally planning to make contact secretly.

Now, Xu Qiting had to take the risk and directly say to Ye Man: "Isn't it terrifying that someone who dares to kill his own father? Who would dare to be sincere with such a person, heartless and ungrateful, whoever gets close to him, wouldn't they end up like his father..."

Secretary Chen didn't expect him to mention this matter in public, immediately changed his expression, and raised his voice: "Mr. Xu Qiting! Mr. Xu's father died in a car accident while drunk, this matter has been thoroughly investigated, do not talk nonsense!"

Xu Qiting smiled coldly: "I saw it that night, Xu Huaiting..."

"Xu Qiting."

An elderly man in a traditional Chinese tunic suit approached, accompanied by a group of people, and Xu Qiting immediately quieted down.

His expression shifted, and he hurried over to assist the old man. "Grandfather."

The old man's eyes calmly scanned the area, finally resting on Ye Man.

Secretary Chen stepped aside, obstructing the view, and nodded politely. "Elder Xu."

Elder Xu said little, only instructing Xu Qiting to leave.

The old man's presence was commanding; his mere stance seemed to chill the air around him.

As the group left, Ye Man heard Xiao Wu beside him let out a heavy sigh.

Secretary Chen's tense posture also eased, and he turned to look at Ye Man.

He noticed Ye Man's expression was unusually grim, a side of him seldom seen in public.

Recalling Xu Qiting's words, Secretary Chen's eyebrow twitched, and he attempted to explain, "Third Young Master, what that person just said..."

He wanted to advise him not to take it personally. And to clarify that his boss wasn't meddling in his personal affairs, nor had he ordered anyone to block his information channels...

Also, he was absolutely not spying on him. It was purely coincidental—Secretary Chen vowed, thinking of the substantial bonus his boss had arranged before departing.

But Ye Man cut him off with a somber tone, "Secretary Chen, that person is so annoying."

Secretary Chen was taken aback, unprepared for such a response.

"He slighted me."

Secretary Chen was even more dumbfounded. "...Surely not?"

Ye Man went on, his voice icy and menacing, "Sorry, I'm a bit sensitive by nature. Did he say... 'wolf-hearted and dog-lunged'?"

Secretary Chen suddenly caught on.

Ah, I nearly forgot. The man before him was the same one who had once stabbed himself to ensure his father's imprisonment.

The tension in his heart just dropped.

Massaging his temples, he realized Xu Qiting had misjudged the situation. He was completely clueless about Young Master Chi. This guy... was something else.

Thinking about it, he couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.

He still needed to soothe his boss's associate. "No, no, he was talking about Mr. Xu, not you."

The system added, trying to reassure him, 「Right, right, he didn't come here to insult you. He wanted to collaborate with you to deal with Xu Huaiting.」

Ye Man stated flatly, 「Oh, so he planned to tell me that the big shot isn't a good person, to say he's bad, and get me to team up with him against the big shot?」

Ye Man thought the guy was insane.

He said to the system in a tone of utter disbelief, 「Do I look like a good person to him?」

「Is he aware of who he's addressing?」

He’s the system’s one and only designated villainous cannon fodder!

"I stopped using such low-level tricks to stir up trouble when I was ten. Brother Tong, you think he’s looking down on me?"

System: We’re screwed.

They probably never expected this little liar to twist things like that, huh?

It didn’t expect it either.

Secretary Chen next door was totally floored.

...

That same day, Ye Man went to Xu Huaiting to whine and exaggerate, "He called me a heartless, unlovable loser!"

System: "That’s not... He didn’t say that!"

Ye Man whined, "He wouldn’t even cough up a royal blue, and he expects me to work for free!"

Of course, a royal blue doesn’t cut it for him now. He’s not the same person he used to be—now he’s raising the stakes.

"Trust me, I’ve seen plenty of bosses like this who just want free labor. He’ll definitely ditch me without paying a dime once the internship’s over!"

He went on and on to Xu Huaiting about how shady the other guy’s intentions were.

Xu Huaiting, who’d already heard everything from Secretary Chen, was cracking up on the other end.

Ye Man pouted, "How can you laugh at this?"

His voice suddenly turned pitiful, "I’m so busy. I can’t even manage to separate my brother and your nephew, and he wants me to take on another job. He’s trying to exploit me, Ricardo. He’s bullying me, bullying your..."

Xu Huaiting’s laughter gradually subsided.

The other end of the line was filled with uneven breaths.

"Why don’t you continue? Say it. My what?"