109: Mingzhe forces three men to repay their mortgage, and they are crushed in the process.

Just after Wu Fei dropped Xiao Mi off at the kindergarten, her mobile phone received a bank deduction alert—the mortgage for that small house in China, which Su Mingzhe was supposed to cover, had been deducted from her card today, amounting to three thousand yuan. Immediately afterward, Su Mingzhe's WeChat message came through: "Wu Fei, I'm under a lot of pressure in the US. Please help me pay the domestic mortgage for a few months, and I'll pay you back once I recover. After all, the house will belong to Xiao Mi eventually, so it's right for you to bear some of the cost."

Looking at the message, Wu Fei was so angry her hands were shaking—Su Mingzhe had bought this house before their marriage, and he hadn't added her name after they married. Now he was actually asking her to pay the mortgage, even using Xiao Mi as an excuse. She wanted to argue back, but she was afraid Su Mingzhe would become entangled again. After hesitating for a long time, she finally called Xie Hui, her voice full of grievance: "Mr. Xie, Su Mingzhe... he's asking me to pay the domestic mortgage, and he already deducted three thousand yuan from me. What should I do?"

"Don't panic, Sister Wu." Xie Hui's voice was like a calming pill. "That house is his premarital property; it has nothing to do with you. You have no obligation to pay the mortgage. I'll come over to you now, and we'll go to the Su Family Old Residence together to clarify this matter, and see if he's colluded with Su Daqiang again."

Hanging up the mobile phone, Wu Fei felt much more settled. Half an hour later, Xie Hui's car stopped in front of her. He was holding a File Bag: "I just had a friend check Su Mingzhe's bank statement. He still has over twenty thousand US dollars in his American account. He's not under pressure at all; he just wants you to pay. Also, I found out that Su Daqiang talked to Su Mingzhe on the phone for half an hour yesterday. He must be siding with Su Mingzhe."

The two drove toward the Su Family Old Residence. On the way, Wu Fei leaned back in the passenger seat and whispered, "I used to think Su Mingzhe was just obsessed with Face, but now I realize he is fundamentally selfish, calculating even against me and Xiao Mi."

"He won't be able to scheme against you anymore, not while I'm here." Xie Hui pulled a bottle of warm milk from his inner universe and handed it to her. "Drink something warm first, don't let anger ruin your health."

When they arrived downstairs at the Su Family Old Residence, they ran into Zhu Li, who had also come over. She had received a WeChat message from Mingcheng that morning saying "something was left in the old house, and could she help pick it up." When she arrived, she saw Su Mingcheng and Su Daqiang waiting at the door, trying to get her to help Su Mingzhe repay some of the mortgage, claiming, "We are all family, don't stand by and do nothing."

"Mr. Xie, Sister Wu, you're here too!" Zhu Li looked at them as if they were saviors. "Su Mingcheng and Dad want me to help Su Mingzhe pay the mortgage. I'm already divorced from Mingcheng, so why should I have to pay?"

"They just want to push all the pressure onto us." Su Mingyu's voice came from behind. She had just received a message from Xie Hui saying Su Mingzhe was causing trouble again, so she specifically took time off from Company Name to come over. "I just heard Su Daqiang tell Su Mingcheng downstairs to 'find a few more people to put pressure on them; Wu Fei and Zhu Li are soft-hearted, they will definitely pay up'."

Xie Hui's eyes chilled as he watched The female protagonists get dragged into this. "Let's go up. We'll settle this once and for all today and let them know we're not Pushovers."

Pushing the door open, Su Mingzhe, Su Mingcheng, and Su Daqiang were sitting on the sofa. Seeing them enter, Su Daqiang immediately stood up: "Mingyu, Zhu Li, Wu Fei, it's good that you're here! Mingzhe has it tough in the US. Help him pay some of the domestic mortgage. We are all family; don't be so stingy."

"Family?" Su Mingyu sneered. "Su Mingzhe bought this house before marriage. It has nothing to do with us. Why should we pay the mortgage? If you truly care about him, why don't you use your thirty thousand yuan savings to help him?"

Su Daqiang's Face instantly went pale, and he subconsciously touched his pocket: "M-my money is for retirement, I can't touch it!"

Su Mingzhe quickly tried to mediate: "Mingyu, I'm not asking you to pay for nothing. The house will go to Xiao Mi later, so you're spending money on Xiao Mi. Wu Fei, as Xiao Mi's mother, isn't it right for you to bear some of the mortgage? Zhu Li, you were married to Mingcheng and lived in this house before; what's wrong with helping out a little?"

"I lived here, so I should help out?" Zhu Li's Face flushed with anger. "During the years I was married to Mingcheng, I paid the rent and utilities! Now we're divorced, and you still want money from me? That makes no sense!"

Wu Fei also gathered her courage: "Su Mingzhe, you have over twenty thousand US dollars in your American account. You are not under pressure at all; you just want to cheat me out of my money! I will not pay this mortgage!"

Seeing that they all disagreed, Su Mingcheng stood up and tried to push Wu Fei: "How can you be so heartless and unjust? My brother is almost starving; why won't you help him!"

Xie Hui immediately stepped forward, grabbed Su Mingcheng's wrist, and twisted it lightly. Su Mingcheng cried out in pain: "Su Mingcheng, you dare to lay a hand on her? Did you forget the pain from last time when I didn't hand over the evidence of you embezzling Company Name funds to the police?"

Su Mingcheng was in so much pain that tears were almost streaming out. He begged for mercy repeatedly: "I won't dare again! I won't ever lay a hand on anyone again!"

Xie Hui let go of his hand, took out his mobile phone, and opened Su Mingzhe's bank statement: "Su Mingzhe, how do you explain the twenty thousand US dollars in your American account? You claim you're under pressure, so why don't you transfer this money back to pay the mortgage? Also, you called Su Daqiang yesterday and said, 'Wu Fei and Zhu Li are soft-hearted; putting more pressure on them will make them pay.' You said that, didn't you?"

He then played a Recording, where Su Mingzhe's voice clearly came through: "Dad, please tell Wu Fei and Zhu Li that I can barely pay rent anymore. They'll definitely soften up..."

As soon as the Recording played, Su Mingzhe's Face instantly paled, and he stood speechless with his mouth open. Su Daqiang also wilted, no longer daring to chime in. Xie Hui then pulled out Su Mingcheng's Freeloader Ledger: "Su Mingcheng, you still owe Company Name five hundred thousand yuan yourself, and you have the nerve to ask others to pay? When your mother was alive, you sponged off them for over fifty thousand a year. Why don't you use your own money to help your brother now?"

The numbers on the ledger were clear. Su Mingcheng lowered his head, completely losing his previous arrogance.

"Now, who else thinks we should pay the mortgage?" Xie Hui looked at the three Su Family men, his tone as cold as ice. "Su Mingzhe, if you ever ask Wu Fei or Zhu Li to pay the mortgage again, I will send your bank statement and the Recording to your company in the US, so they can see how you scheme against your family. Su Mingcheng, if you dare to lay a hand on Zhu Li or harass her again, I will hand over the evidence of your embezzlement to the police. Su Daqiang, if you keep helping them exert pressure, I will tell the neighbors about your thirty thousand savings and let everyone see how you pretend to be poor."

The three Su Family men were left speechless. Su Mingzhe quickly said, "I... I'll pay the mortgage myself, you don't need to worry about it!" Su Mingcheng also nodded: "I won't ever bother Zhu Li again!" Su Daqiang hung his head: "I... I won't side with them anymore."

Seeing their cowardly demeanor, The female protagonists all breathed a sigh of relief. Xie Hui told them, "Let's go. Don't waste time here. I'll treat you to dinner tonight to celebrate our victory."

Leaving the Su Family Old Residence, Zhu Li looked at Mr. Xie and whispered, "Mr. Xie, you help us every time. I really don't know how to thank you. The nine flower jade dew pill you gave me last time was especially effective; after taking it, I don't feel tired even when staying up late to audit accounts."

"As long as it works." Xie Hui smiled. "If Su Mingcheng ever harasses you again, call me anytime. I'll be there right away."

Su Mingyu also said, "I've already spoken to General Manager Meng about the Company Name side. If Su Mingzhe or Su Mingcheng try to find me at the Company Name in the future, the Security Guards will stop them immediately. With you helping me handle family matters, I can finally focus on my work."

Wu Fei, holding Xiao Mi (whom she had picked up on the way), smiled and said, "Xiao Mi, quickly thank Uncle, who helped Mommy solve a big problem." Xiao Mi hugged Xie Hui's leg and sweetly said, "Thank you, Uncle! I drew a picture of Uncle today, I'll show it to you tonight!"

In the evening, Xie Hui booked a Private Kitchen Restaurant with a cozy atmosphere. The five of them sat around the dining table. Xiao Mi sat next to Xie Hui, chattering happily and sharing fun stories from the kindergarten. Su Mingyu picked up a piece of spare rib for Xie Hui: "You helped us so much today, eat more." Zhu Li also poured a bowl of soup for Xie Hui: "This soup is very fresh, try it." Wu Fei looked at them, a smile on her lips, her heart full of contentment.

While eating, Su Mingyu excitedly said, "General Manager Meng just messaged me, saying the new energy project can be launched next month. We'll be able to share a good amount of profit then. It's all thanks to your investment and help with family matters."

"I have good news too!" Zhu Li raised her cup. "The Audit Project I was leading concluded in Perfection today. My boss gave me a bonus and said that all important projects will be handed over to me from now on!"

Wu Fei also smiled and said, "The lawyer said I can get the Divorce Certificate next week. Su Mingzhe has already signed, so Xiao Mi and I can finally live a peaceful life."

Xie Hui looked at the smiles on their Faces, feeling a sense of Satisfaction—the schemes of the three Su Family men had failed once again, and The female protagonists' lives were getting better and better. This was the most satisfying thing. He raised his cup: "Come, cheers! May we never be bothered by the Su Family again, and may our lives keep improving!"

"Cheers!" The four cups clinked together. Xiao Mi's laughter was clear and crisp, and the warm yellow light shone on everyone's Faces, filled with the flavor of happiness.

When they parted, Xie Hui drove them home individually. When he dropped Su Mingyu off downstairs, she took out a handmade Key Chain from her bag, engraved with the character "Xie" and a small orchid: "Mr. Xie, this is for you. Last time you mentioned you had nowhere to put your car key, this will be perfect."

Xie Hui took the Key Chain. The wooden texture felt comfortable, and the orchid carved on it was very delicate: "I like it very much, thank you."

Su Mingyu's Face instantly turned red. She turned around and quickly walked into the apartment building, but after a few steps, she looked back and waved at Xie Hui. Xie Hui watched her retreating figure, knowing clearly that their feelings for him had slowly transitioned from dependence to admiration.

On the drive home, Xie Hui touched the inner universe in his chest—it contained Su Mingzhe's bank statement, Su Daqiang's Recording, Su Mingcheng's ledger, and small gifts from The female protagonists. These were all proof of his protection over them. He knew that the three Su Family men might still be resentful, but as long as he was there, he wouldn't let them suffer any more grievances.

The night deepened. The car drove steadily under the streetlights, and a smile lingered on Xie Hui's lips—the Exhilarating Journey in the all is well world was continuing. He looked forward to the next challenge and, even more, to seeing The female protagonists completely break free from the shadows and move toward a better future with him.