Chapter 84: Negotiation
Chapter 84: Negotiation
Lu Ran hadn't expected Ji Min to be so well-prepared. Shen Xingyu narrowed his eyes.
He said, "This is a private matter of the Shen family. Isn't Mr. Ji getting a bit too involved?"
The bodyguard didn't step aside and merely replied, "Please understand our duty."
Seeing Shen Xingyu being stopped, Lu Ran was taken aback for a moment as well.
But he still walked over.
He patted the bodyguard on the shoulder and said, "Brother, you were sent by my boss, right? Thank him for me, but in this situation, it's not convenient for you to intervene. I'll handle it."
Bodyguard: "?"
Lu Ran glanced at Shen Xingyu across from him.
It was within his expectations that the Shens would come knocking. There was no need for surprise.
Amidst the bodyguard's baffled expression, Lu Ran took two steps toward Shen Xingyu before pausing and returning.
Handing the backpack to the bodyguard, I said, "This contains my newly acquired experimental samples. Please handle with care."
He carefully handed over his lab coat as well, saying, "I have another one that's being washed and hasn't dried yet. Don't get this one dirty."
Having thus imparted all that needed to be said, the youth strode forward with resolute steps, coming to stand before Shen Xingyu.
Shen Xingyu frowned at him and said, "You've had your fun outside for over ten days. That's enough."
Lu Ran also met his gaze head-on, asking, "Tell me, why does the Shen family insist on my return? If you give me a reason, I'll go back with you."
But Shen Xingyu averted his eyes, saying, "It's time for you to fulfill your responsibilities."
Lu Ran bared his canines in a lopsided grin. "Since you're not telling me, there's nothing I can do."
Just as Shen Xingyu was about to respond,
Lu Ran suddenly sprawled out right in front of him.
Shen Xingyu was taken aback.
In the next second, Lu Ran let out a loud cry, "Help! Someone's being beaten! The CEO of the Shen Corporation is attacking a student at University Y!"
Shen Xingyu had imagined various scenarios of Lu Ran's non-cooperation.
But he never expected it to be so straightforward and crude.
Shen Xingyu had never encountered such a situation before, and he was immediately dumbfounded.
There were quite a number of people coming and going at the school gate at that moment, with enthusiastic university students being the majority.
Upon hearing the commotion, they rushed over immediately.
The security guards on duty also sprang into action.
"What are you causing a fuss about?" Shen Xingyu promptly reached out to grab the person lying on the ground.
As he reached out, he inadvertently confirmed the act of "assault."
Some quick-witted people around them had already started snapping photos with their phones.
Hearing the commotion, Lu Ran's classmates from the same major rushed over and asked, "What happened to Lu Ran?"
Lu Ran pointed at Shen Xingyu and said, "He tried to hit me and forced me into his car."
Sure enough, there was a car parked behind Shen Xingyu.
The door was now open, revealing someone inside, apparently waiting for them.
Seeing this scene, many people suddenly became alert.
Someone immediately commented, "Could it be human trafficking?"
Upon seeing this, Shen Xingyu quickly clarified, "No, I'm his older brother. He's having a disagreement with our family and refuses to go back home..."
However, his words only made the surrounding students, especially the girls, even more wary.
Good heavens!
Isn't this a common abduction scenario from the internet?
Although Lu Ran didn't quite fit in with his classmates, he wasn't one of those rowdy boys that others found irritating.
When girls asked for his help, he would quietly take care of things without complaint.
Moreover, he was an excellent student and skilled at laboratory work, drawing crowds during lab classes to watch him operate.
Someone immediately asked Lu Ran, "Do you know him?"
Lu Ran cautiously evaded the question, "I know him, but not well. But he wants to take me back and lock me up."
As he spoke, Lu Ran retreated even further.
Upon hearing this, instead of dispersing, the surrounding people's eyes widened in shock.
Oh my god.
Could it be that they were truly family? Family members actually blocking someone at the school gate and resorting to violence?
Rumors had it that they were from the Shen family, the very CEO of the Shen Corporation.
In this age where same-sex marriage was legal, would such an influential family try to force an arranged marriage?
The onlookers instantly imagined a melodramatic tale of wealth and conflict.
More people gathered around to witness the spectacle.
Shen Xingyu's expression was grim.
At this point, the Shen family couldn't afford negative public opinion. If this were to really blow up...
He reached out to seize Lu Ran's wrist, intent on forcibly pulling the man away.
Upon seeing him make a move, the people around immediately stepped in to stop him. "Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing?"
Someone pointed at him and said, "We live in a society governed by law now, and I've already reported this to the campus security."
The bodyguard stood aside, watching in astonishment.
He didn't forget to call his boss and report, "Boss, Shen Xingyu is here."
On the other end of the line, Ji Min's voice was somewhat cold, "You didn't stop him?"
"No, it was Young Master Lu Ran..."
Ji Min's voice immediately became more anxious, "Lu Ran was taken away?"
"No..."
The bodyguard, with a dazed look, stared at the campus police car approaching, "He put Shen Xingyu in the police car..."
Ji Min: "...."
This time, Shen Xingyu didn't come out on top.
Not only did he fail to take Lu Ran away, but he even got a free tour of the Y University security office.
Moreover, a video of his "disturbance" outside Y University's gate was posted online.
To prevent the situation from escalating into a public scandal, the Shen family had no choice but to spend more money to suppress it.
Seeing that Ji Min had arranged for someone to keep an eye on Lu Ran, the possibility of taking him away from school was virtually nil.
With no other options, Shen Xingyu had no choice but to follow proper procedures and request a meeting with Ji Min.
Ji Min wasn't surprised by this development.
Initially, he hadn't intended to tell Lu Ran about it.
But after careful consideration, he decided to inform Lu Ran anyway.
After all, it was an issue related to Lu Ran.
Despite addressing him as a "child," Lu Ran was already nineteen years old.
However, Ji Min had no intention of taking Lu Ran to meet Shen Xingyu.
He had previously consulted Doctor Kemler about Lu Ran's condition.
Doctor Kemler's advice was straightforward.
If panic attacks only occurred upon encountering specific individuals, the best solution would be to stay away from the source of fear.
That was how Ji Min rationalized it.
And that was his plan.
But as he sat in the car, ready to set off, he noticed Lu Ran's haunting gaze fixed on the window on his side.
It was rather unsettling at first glance.
Ji Min: "…"
He rubbed his forehead and sighed. "Why didn't you go to school?"
"I don't have any classes this morning!" Lu Ran declared.
Already, he had circled around to the other side and skillfully slid into the car.
Ji Min could only signal the driver to wait before starting the vehicle.
Turning to the young man beside him, Ji Min said, "I'm going to meet Shen Xingyu."
"I know," Lu Ran replied.
He looked earnestly at Ji Min and continued, "That's precisely why I followed you. I knew you were going to see him."
Ji Min was taken aback.
He had assumed that Lu Ran would choose to avoid Shen Xingyu.
To his surprise, Lu Ran continued, "Shen Xingyu has issues with his mind. What if he suddenly goes crazy? Can you outrun him in your wheelchair?"
Ji Min was speechless.
Forgive him for being unable to conjure up such a scenario.
After all, no matter how eccentric Shen Xingyu was, he shouldn't be using Ji Min's cup to rinse in the toilet.
Or suddenly releasing cockroaches at him out of spite.
In Ji Min's eyes, Shen Xingyu was an outstanding individual.
However, his excessive concern for his family made his weakness equally evident.
Yet upon turning his head to catch sight of the youth's expression, Ji Min was momentarily taken aback.
Lu Ran was serious.
He was genuinely worried about him.
Assuming that his own apprehension toward Shen Xingyu might somehow extend to their encounter, he feared that he could also be in peril when meeting Shen Xingyu.
Ji Min suddenly found himself at a loss for words.
After a moment of silence, he said, "Forget it. If you don't want to go down, just stay in the car."
Upon hearing this, Manager Chen turned back silently and gave him a glance, seeking an answer through his eyes: "Sir, what about your principles?"
Ji Min turned his head away, pretending not to notice.
The meeting with Shen Xingyu was arranged at a golf club.
Although he had brought Lu Ran along, he had no intention of letting them interact.
Upon alighting from the car, he gave a subtle signal to Butler Chen, instructing him to take the young man to play a game.
He, on the other hand, would handle the negotiation with Shen Xingyu.
When Ji Min arrived, Shen Xingyu was already waiting by the side of the court.
Seated at a nearby round table, he had a cup of black coffee placed before him.
Upon seeing Ji Min approach, his demeanor remained as respectful as ever.
Rising to his feet, he nodded at Ji Min. "Senior Ji."
Ji Min glanced over his shoulder at the not-too-distant figure behind him. "Walk with me for a bit."
Shen Xingyu obligingly agreed.
The two strolled leisurely across the grassy expanse of the golf course.
Ji Min didn't have many friends.
He has a tempestuous nature, with an inherent air of aloofness and arrogance.
Shen Xingyu is one of the few individuals whose company he genuinely enjoys.
Because Shen Xingyu possesses an exceptional level of executiveness, he is rarely swayed by his emotions.
Remaining composed in his work, he never allows emotional outbursts to interfere with efficiency when dealing with subordinates' mistakes.
This is something that Ji Min greatly appreciates.
Back in college, Ji Min had casually asked about the reason, but Shen Xingyu hadn't replied.
"It was at the alumni gathering the last time we met," Ji Min commented casually.
"Mm-hm," Shen Xingyu nodded. "Last time, when I sought your advice on the difficulties I encountered at work, you gave me many valuable suggestions."
After exchanging a few words, they fell silent again.
At first glance, their relationship seemed to still be that of the distant, gentlemanly acquaintance they'd once been.
But there was an undeniable barrier between them now.
Ji Min maneuvered his wheelchair, stopping occasionally, only glancing sideways every now and then towards the other side of the lawn.
There, a young man was practicing by rolling a ball. Afterward, he would jog over with his puppy to retrieve it.
Ji Min observed with a soft scoff, commenting, "Your skills haven't improved at all."
Shen Xingyu followed his gaze.
"Is Lu Ran over there?" He asked with certainty.
Ji Min nodded, showing no intention of hiding the truth from him.
By mentioning Lu Ran, he was conveying to Shen Xingyu that even if Lu Ran were right before him, he wouldn't have the ability to take him away.
Shen Xingyu was well aware of this fact.
Realizing that he might not achieve his goal today, he frowned and said, "I didn't expect that you would have such a close relationship with my brother."
Shen Xingyu emphasized the words "my brother," making it clear that he was displeased.
Ji Min's lips curved faintly, showing no sign of distress.
He said pointedly, "Children need someone to dote on them."
Shen Xingyu immediately lowered his gaze.
Instead, Ji Min started a casual conversation:
"Do you know the circumstances under which I first met him?"
Shen Xingyu didn't respond.
He was well aware of Ji Min's capabilities.
This man with a disability was usually reticent, but when necessary, his words could become his most potent weapon, capable of slaying not only the body but also the heart.
Ji Min didn't expect any particular reaction and continued with a detached tone:
"He placed himself in front of a speeding sports car, and its headlights came to a stop just grazing his knees."
Saying this, Ji Min tapped the armrest of his wheelchair.
"had it been a little closer, his best outcome would have been to end up like me, confined to a wheelchair for life."
Shen Xingyu's brows furrowed, but he remained silent.
"Oh," Ji Min added, as if recalling something, "That car seemed to be connected to Second Young Master Shen's family."
Pausing here, he cast a quizzical, almost amused glance at Shen Xingyu and said, "If my memory serves me right, this second young master of the Shen family is also sort of Lu Ran's elder brother, isn't he?"
"I'll educate Shen Xingzhuo when we get back," Shen Xingyu said with a frown.
Ji Min smiled but didn't respond.
He simply halted his wheelchair, quietly gazing at the youth in the distance who had once again swung his club into empty air.
After a moment, he continued to himself, "When we first met, this kid had no respect for his elders. I offered to send him abroad to study, and he rejected me in a way that left me with no face."
Shen Xingyu's brows knitted even tighter.
If Ji Min really hid someone abroad, the Shen family would truly be powerless.
Ji Min sighed.
"At first, I was puzzled. Despite my initial help, why did he act as if he couldn't recognize me, treating me with such suspicion as if I were about to sell him off?"
Shen Xingyu didn't understand the relevance of this statement.
Only to see Ji Min turn his wheelchair around, gazing directly at him.
Despite being seated in a wheelchair and required to look up at the person beside him, the man's aura in no way diminished.
A faintly chilly curve formed at the corner of Ji Min's lips as he said,
"Not until I witnessed that slap did I realize that perhaps the initial cold treatment I received was all because of my association with you, my elder brother."
Ji Min also emphasized the word "brother" heavily.
Shen Xingyu recalled the incident.
He hadn't initially been aware of Shen Hongyuan's dinner invitation to Fang Chen that day.
At the time, he was attending an event when he happened to encounter Ji Min and went over to greet him.
Upon receiving news from his assistant, he hastily rushed to the Shen residence, worried that Shen Hongyuan might inadvertently spoil things.
He hurriedly bid Ji Min farewell.
Little did he expect that this senior, who usually minded his own business, would glance at him and voluntarily offer to visit the Shen family.
Reflecting on it now, it was likely all for Lu Ran.
Shen Xingyu inwardly sighed, acknowledging that brute force was not the way to proceed.
He cast a glance at Ji Min, then turned his gaze towards the distant youth still engrossed in playing ball.
Shen Xingyu suddenly remarked, "He's not very skilled. Senior Ji, did you not teach him?"
Ji Min's grip on the wheelchair controller tightened ever so slightly.
His gaze darkened for an instant.
Staring at the young man in the distance, Shen Xingyu nonchalantly said, "But I can teach him."
He continued,
"As his older brother, teaching him how to play golf wouldn't provoke any undue rumors or suspicions from outsiders."
"There's no need to clarify or avoid suspicion."
Shen Xingyu's eyes swept over Ji Min's knees as he emphasized each word, "I can teach him properly."