371: Chapter 371 A Gift of Fate

"To determine superiority, and to decide life and death."

"This means a death match."

"Sign a life-and-death waiver."

"Life or death is self-determined; it does not end until one dies."

"Under normal circumstances, people without a deep, blood-feud hatred wouldn't do this."

"Shi Xiaoya saying this is definitely not a joke."

"People in the martial world value face; once these words are spoken, one side must either concede or accept their fate."

"Therefore, upon hearing this, Cu Mawei's expression changed immediately."

"Duel with Shi Xiaoya?"

"If he loses, he dies."

"If he wins, he still dies."

"Shi Xiaoya is one of Han Jingyang's people. If she were to truly die in a duel, Han Jingyang would absolutely not let it slide."

"Shi Xiaoya's strength might not be much, but Han Jingyang's strength..."

"Cu Mawei's heart couldn't help but race when he thought of that earth-shattering sword strike from Han Jingyang last night. That strike was too terrifying; he definitely couldn't withstand it."

"Moreover, his purpose in coming here was to beg Han Jingyang to save someone. Getting into a fight with Han Jingyang's woman at this time, even if no lives were lost, would still ruin things."

"Thinking of this, Cu Mawei took a deep breath, slowly lowered his head, bowed, and said in a deep voice, 'I dare not.'"

"Shi Xiaoya snorted, 'Then be sensible and get out with your people. Don't force me to take action!'"

"Cu Mawei's neck turned bright red, but he didn't dare say a word, nor was he willing to leave just like that, because Han Jingyang was his only hope."

"Thus, the two sides remained at a stalemate."

"The atmosphere, however, became increasingly tense."

"Shi Xiaoya and Liu Jing pressed forward step by step, intending to drive them out."

"Cu Mawei's side, however, was unwilling to leave."

"The atmosphere grew even tenser."

"Liu Jing's right hand was already resting on the hilt of her war blade."

"A great battle was on the verge of breaking out."

"At this moment, Yang Zhizhong, in his wheelchair, gave a light cough."

"Cu Mawei immediately crouched down beside the wheelchair and whispered, 'Boss, you're awake.'"

"Yang Zhizhong slowly opened his eyes, 'Xiao Chang, where am I?'"

"'Jiguang Zhai, Mr. Han Jingyang's shop. You asked me to bring you here the last time you woke up.'"

"'Oh?' Yang Zhizhong's gaze slowly swept across the faces of those in Jiguang Zhai, finally resting on Han Jingyang's face, 'Mr. Han, I apologize for the intrusion.'"

"Han Jingyang stared into Yang Zhizhong's eyes for a few seconds, 'Boss Yang, I didn't expect our first meeting to be like this.'"

"Yang Zhizhong gave a light cough, his expression slightly surprised, 'Mr. Han, that sounded like... we have some history?'"

"'I graduated from the Archaeology Department at Shanda University and even received your scholarship for two years.'"

"'So that's it. Not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning,' Yang Zhizhong waved his hand with effort, 'Mr. Han, has Chang Xiaoliang told you about my situation?'"

"'He has,' Han Jingyang nodded, but the tone of his conversation shifted sharply, 'However, I still say the same thing: there is nothing I can do.'"

"Yang Zhizhong shook his head with effort, 'Mr. Han, I understand. Let me put it this way: as long as you can cure me, I will give you whatever you want, even Xinyi Group.'"

"Han Jingyang couldn't help but laugh out loud, 'Are you willing to part with it?'"

"'I am willing,' Yang Zhizhong smiled weakly, 'If my life is gone, what use are those things?'"

"'Indeed, if you're dead, those things are useless. But the problem is, if you are alive but those things are gone, will you really be happy? By then, your subordinates will all leave you, your wife, daughter, and parents will all resent you, and might even view you as an enemy. Heh, I am never afraid to speculate on the human heart and human nature with the greatest malice. Xinyi Group has a market value of ten billion. In the face of such massive interests, friendship and family ties are just a layer of window paper, easily pierced,' Han Jingyang looked at Yang Zhizhong with a chuckle, 'Do you think what I said makes sense?'"

"Yang Zhizhong was silent for a moment, then sighed softly, 'It makes sense.'"

"'So, do you still dare to give Xinyi Group to me?'"

"'I dare,' Yang Zhizhong's gaze gradually became firm, 'It is precisely because human nature is unreliable that I must live well. I am still young, only forty-four. Even if I am penniless, I can still start from scratch and make a comeback, because my experience, background, knowledge, wisdom, vision, insight, and even connections are all still there. These things, added to a healthy body, are worth far more than a mere Xinyi Group.'"

"This was interesting."

"Han Jingyang couldn't help but think more highly of Yang Zhizhong."

"This man was able to start from scratch and create Xinyi Group with a market value of ten billion; he certainly had his unique strengths, and it wasn't just good luck."

"This mindset, this way of thinking, this decisiveness—they were all extraordinary."

"Not to mention his courage; to say he would give away such a massive Xinyi Group just like that is truly something an ordinary person could not do."

"Even if it's just paying lip service, most people wouldn't be willing to say it, as it is, after all, their entire real fortune."

"Moreover, although this man was in a sorry state, he was very confident in his speech and actions, getting straight to the point without any unnecessary chatter."

"Such a person is truly more likely to win the favor of strangers."

"However, it was far from enough to make him change his attitude."

"Not saving him meant not saving him."

"At this moment, Yang Zhizhong waved his hand again."

"Cu Mawei and the others withdrew."

"Only then did Yang Zhizhong say softly, 'This injury of mine was actually caused by my brother.'"

"'Fighting over the family fortune?'"

"'Yes. In the early stages of the business, it was more convenient for brothers to work together. He naturally had shares in the group and held a certain amount of decision-making power. If he gets rid of me, he will have the opportunity to become the helmsman of the group.'"

"'That ruthless?'"

"'He is responsible for that aspect of the work. I am the face, and he is the inner lining. Do you understand?'"

"'The inner lining wants to flip to the outside.'"

"'Of course, there are more complex details, but that is roughly the situation. If I die, the group goes to my brother; if I live, the group goes to you. In the former, I have nothing left; in the latter, I can still salvage my life. Therefore, I will definitely strive to live on, and you, Mr. Han, are my only straw to clutch at.'"

"Han Jingyang smiled."

"These words were spoken very sincerely and realistically; it was the honest truth that couldn't be any more real."

"But what was the use of that?"

"What use was such a group to him, one that had a high market value but was riddled with hidden dangers?"

"He didn't have the patience to manage it."

"And he wasn't cut out for that kind of thing either."

"Hire a professional manager? Actually, that's even more tiring. Being a hands-off boss isn't that easy to pull off; if not handled well, he would bear the risks while others reaped the rewards."

"Moreover, transferring the control of a listed company to another unrelated stranger is not such a simple matter. It involves many troubles, and if not done well, the ten-billion market value could directly shrink to one-tenth."

"Therefore, Han Jingyang was not moved at all, 'The logic is sound, but in your situation, I really am unable to help.'"

"Yang Zhizhong tried hard to raise his head and stare at Han Jingyang, 'Really?'"

"Han Jingyang didn't feel guilty at all, 'Really.'"

"Upon hearing this, Yang Zhizhong was silent for a long time, then sighed, 'It seems that, as a person, one really must accept their fate.'"

"Han Jingyang nodded, 'Not only must you accept your fate, but you must also accept karma. What cause leads to what effect? When you prepare to do a certain thing, you should consider the price you might have to pay for it later. How does that quote go? At that time, he was still too young to know that all the gifts of fate had already been marked with a price in the shadows. This quote is very fitting for you as well.'"

"Yang Zhizhong's eyelids twitched twice, and he asked unwillingly, 'Mr. Han, is there really no way at all?'"

"'Of course not. I told your subordinate that there are many experts among the people. Go look for them, and perhaps you can find the person you need.'"

"'Do you have any recommendations?'"

"'I've only been in this line of work for a few days. I know fewer than a handful of folk experts; how can I give you any recommendations?'"

"Yang Zhizhong suddenly lowered his voice, 'I will trade a secret with you, a big secret, related to Zhang Dahai.'"