38: Chapter 38: Zhang Yang's Compromise, Abandoning His Dignity

"Brother, don't be afraid. It's just money, right?"

"I, Cao Shuwen, am not short on money either. I'll go back and beg my father to lend me some. We'll definitely raise the funds to save your mother's life."

As the Protagonist's best friend, Cao Shuwen chose to stand by Zhang Yang without hesitation.

Although his family couldn't claim to be the wealthiest in the region, they could still cough up a few hundred thousand or a million.

"You two really are good brothers, so loyal. I, Chu Yuan, happen to like people like you."

"Why don't you tell me, kid, just how much money does your family have? Ten quadrillion? Or a hundred quadrillion?"

"Do you believe that with just one word from me, I could make all that vanish into thin air and leave your parents begging on the streets?"

"So you've got a little pocket change, big deal. What are you acting so arrogant for? I'd actually like to know what method you have to make my parents beg on the streets."

Cao Shuwen held his head high, completely disregarding Chu Yuan's words, and even blurted out the name of his family's company.

He wanted to see what kind of "legendary scene" it would be to have his parents begging on the street.

Chu Yuan was speechless. He just wanted to bully the Protagonist; why was this extra character jumping into the fray?

Since you're so insistent on your parents begging, if I, this young master, don't fulfill your wish, wouldn't that make me look incompetent?

"Shishi, since we have the company name, teach them a lesson."

"Understood!"

Zuo Shishi nodded, picked up her phone, and gave an order: "Do it."

"Putting on an act. I want to see just how capable you really are, you poser."

Cao Shuwen was full of himself. His family were billionaires; he doubted Chu Yuan had the ability to make them beg on the streets.

He wasn't happy for even a minute before a ringtone made him unable to feel happy anymore.

"No way... could it be..."

Cao Shuwen picked up his phone with trembling hands. The word "Dad" on the screen was blindingly bright.

"It can't be real. It must be a coincidence."

Cao Shuwen refused to believe that Chu Yuan truly had such immense power, so he could only comfort himself.

"You damned beast! You're always causing trouble outside. What kind of big shot have you provoked? Do you want your father to end up begging on the streets?"

"I'm warning you, get on your knees right now and apologize to that big shot, and beg for their forgiveness."

"Otherwise, I'll break your legs myself and turn you into a beggar."

A torrent of abuse came from the other end of the phone, leaving Cao Shuwen completely dumbfounded; his head was buzzing.

His father had never scolded him like this before; now, it felt like he wanted to swallow him whole.

That could only mean one thing: Chu Yuan truly had the power to deal with his family, and could do so in an instant.

"Shuwen, are you okay? It's all my fault for dragging you into this."

Beside him, Zhang Yang sensed the change in Cao Shuwen; it seemed something earth-shattering had happened to the Cao family.

He understood that all of this was because of him.

Having caused his brother to end up in such a state, he didn't know what to say.

"Brother, don't worry. It's not what you think. It's just that my dad saw I hadn't come home late at night and gave me a scolding."

"Rest assured, I will definitely find a way to raise money for your mother's treatment. You must not compromise with this guy."

Who knew if Cao Shuwen's IQ had dropped, or if the Protagonist's "intelligence-lowering halo" was just too powerful.

Even though they were on the verge of ruin, he still stood by Zhang Yang without wavering.

"You two brothers-in-misfortune are truly amusing. I almost can't bear to deal with you anymore."

"However, I want to test whether your bones are tougher, or if my methods are."

As Chu Yuan spoke, he issued an order to Zuo Shishi: "Shishi, go find out where this kid's mother is. Find a way to create an accident. No need to take a life, just break her two legs."

"How dare you! If my mother loses even a single hair, I will fight you to the death."

Seeing Chu Yuan dare to order his subordinate to harm his mother right in front of him.

Zhang Yang was filled with righteous indignation and fury; he wanted nothing more than to rush up and fight Chu Yuan to the death.

"Don't be so impulsive. Looking at your angry, threatening expression, it's nothing more than the barking of an incompetent person."

"Of course, perhaps I, this young master, am just joking with you. You can bet on whether I'm just scaring you or if I'll really do it."

"Even if you lose the bet, it's just a matter of two legs; it won't cost you your life."

Chu Yuan spread his hands, his expression indifferent.

A dignified major villain wouldn't be afraid of verbal threats.

At the very least, he wouldn't be scared by Zhang Yang's barking.

"You dare! Don't forget, this is a society ruled by law. If you dare to commit violence and harm people, I'll call the police and have you arrested right now."

Cao Shuwen also refused to show weakness, attempting to use the threat of calling the police to scare Chu Yuan off.

"Calling the police? That's not a bad idea."

"And you call yourself a rich young master? Do you think I, this young master, need to do such things with my own hands?"

"Never mind that no one will find anything; even if they did, I could just find someone to take the fall and it would be resolved."

"I just wonder how many lives your mother has to serve as a test subject for me."

The intimidation left Zhang Yang and his companion speechless, terrified that if they said anything more, Zhang Yang's mother would truly suffer.

"Alright, I can't be bothered to waste any more breath on you. I'll give you two choices now."

"First, take this twenty-million check, write a guarantee, and from now on, whenever you see Nie Yuqing, you are to give me a wide berth."

"The second option: tomorrow morning, you will receive news that your mother has broken her legs, and that your brother's family has gone bankrupt and is begging on the streets."

Chu Yuan had already laid out two paths for Zhang Yang.

How he chose was up to him.

"Devil! You are a devil!"

Zhang Yang completely broke down. He couldn't stand anymore; his legs went weak, and he slumped onto a chair, trembling with lingering fear.

"Correct, I am a devil. Make up your mind once you've thought it through."

"Otherwise, I'll have to make the choice for you."

Chu Yuan smiled faintly, like a devil tempting one into sin.

Zhang Yang didn't dare say anything more. His expression shifted rapidly, his heart caught in a fierce internal struggle.

Conflict, hesitation!

He didn't know how he should choose.

He had never even imagined he would encounter such a dilemma.

How was he to choose between his so-called dignity and love, and the lives of his mother and brother?

"Twenty million... are you really willing to give it to me?" Zhang Yang asked, trembling slightly.

"Indeed. As soon as you sign the paper, I will transfer the money to you immediately."

Chu Yuan still wore a light, breezy smile.

"Fine, I... I agree!"

Zhang Yang, his face deathly pale, lowered his head; even his voice was frail.