Zhao Dong still found out about Xie Jinghu coming to Rongcheng.
When the assistant told Xie Jinghu that Xie Qian was on his way to the police station, the silent and uncooperative Mr. Xie immediately changed his mind, letting his unfilial son run errands for him would be utterly humiliating, this was a job for a lackey!
Zhao, the lackey, upon receiving the news: “…”
Mr. Xie, you really are full of vigour!
Zhao Dong had his doubts too. Mr. Xie flew to Rongcheng to fight, did he win?
The assistant, reluctant to embarrass Mr. Xie further, vaguely said both were injured, but since Mr. Xie struck first and there was surveillance footage as evidence, if Song Foxiang didn’t relent, Mr. Xie might have to spend the night at the police station.
“Mr. Xie will never apologise, nor will he pay compensation. These are his core principles,” the assistant stressed repeatedly.
So, that meant Zhao had to apologise and pay up?
Zhao Dong: There’s a certain phrase I’m not sure I should say!
Though Zhao cursed inwardly, he knew this was his chance to redeem himself. If he couldn’t handle Song Foxiang, he’d be completely done for in Xie Jinghu’s eyes.
Zhao Dong was confident about dealing with Song Foxiang. Song Foxiang even took ghostwriting jobs, showing he lacked the integrity of a literati. As long as Zhao offered enough compensation for medical expenses, Song Foxiang would likely back down.
Besides, Song Foxiang probably didn’t know the Xie family’s background, which explained his boldness.
Zhao Dong went to the hospital with confidence. Song Foxiang had just finished some tests and, unbelievably, had booked an MRI and a gastroenterology exam.
Why not get your teeth descaled while you’re at it?!
Zhao Dong urged Song Foxiang to know when to stop.
“Chief Editor Song, you’re the one in the wrong here.”
Thinking of how he’d taken two punches from Jiang Youjia because of this idiot on the hospital bed, Zhao Dong was tempted to pounce and give Song Foxiang another beating.
But Song Foxiang was infuriatingly shameless. Dressed in a hospital gown, lying in bed, he looked melancholic. His face, swollen from punches, was uneven, one side larger than the other, smeared with iodine, all red and yellow, ruining his artistic aura. Yet this didn’t stop Chief Editor Song from putting on airs.
“Mr. Zhao, you don’t understand.”
Song Foxiang stared blankly at the ceiling, “The issue isn’t money. I’m heartbroken for Xiao Zou. Have you met Xiao Zou? Do you think such a vulgar husband deserves her?”
Zhao Dong nearly choked on his own saliva. Xie Jinghu, vulgar? With his prominent family background, unimaginable wealth, and striking good looks, Xie Jinghu existed to make ordinary men feel inferior. Truth be told, even Zhao Dong was secretly jealous of him.
Yet in Song Foxiang’s mouth, Xie Jinghu was worthless.
Zhao Dong couldn’t fathom Song Foxiang’s logic. “Chief Editor Song, you probably don’t know about Mr. Xie’s—”
“Tch, are you going to say that Xie guy has a bit of dirty money? What does his money have to do with me?”
Song Foxiang’s gaze drifted, “You’d understand if you met Xiao Zou. She’s not the kind of woman who only cares about money. She needs emotional and spiritual connection, not vulgar cash! Honestly, meeting that Xie guy was such a disappointment. How can a man like that deserve Xiao Zou? Not magnanimous at all!”
He’s not worthy, but you are?
Zhao Dong’s eye twitched with anger. This stinking idiot was the ghostwriter he’d paid for? Zhao Dong remembered paying the ghostwriting fee, and Song Foxiang hadn’t hesitated to accept it. If he could take money for ghostwriting, why not accept compensation to settle?
Zhao Dong tried reasoning with him, “This injury doesn’t qualify as intentional harm. Without a settlement, the police can’t hold Mr. Xie for long. Take the compensation, let this matter pass, it’s good for Mr. Xie and better for you, Chief Editor Song.”
If both sides sat down calmly, they could negotiate a decent compensation amount. Zhao Dong hinted that the compensation would exceed the ghostwriting fee, certain Song Foxiang would be tempted.
To his surprise, Song Foxiang didn’t show any greed or haggle over the amount. Instead, he pulled the blanket over his face, refusing to engage further. Such childish behaviour from a middle-aged man!
Zhao Dong was so angry he wanted to hit someone. Rapid footsteps came from outside the ward, and Song Chan rushed in, looking anxious.
“Dad, are you okay?”
Song Foxiang lifted a corner of the blanket, “Xiao Chan, why are you here?”
“I got a call from the hospital saying you were injured. Let me see how bad it is.”
Song Foxiang refused, but Song Chan yanked the blanket off, revealing her father’s red and yellow face, his artistic charm utterly ruined. Song Chan, never having seen him like this, was on the verge of tears.
Song Foxiang turned his face away, “Go, go, I don’t need you to look after me.”
Song Chan pressed for details, but Song Foxiang only said he’d been bitten by a dog, refusing to say more.
It was Zhao Dong’s first time meeting Song Chan. Since Song Foxiang wouldn’t budge, maybe he could persuade his daughter. Teenage girls were usually easier to deal with than adults.
“Miss Song, since Chief Editor Song won’t tell you, let me. He pursued a married woman, and her husband beat him up,” Zhao Dong explained briefly. “I’m not judging who’s right or wrong. Both Chief Editor Song and Mr. Xie can take half the blame. Mr. Xie wants to settle this and is willing to compensate for the harm caused. Can you help persuade your father?”
Song Chan was a bit surprised but not entirely shocked. Her father pursuing a married woman, it wasn’t his first time.
Her face flushed briefly before she zeroed in on the key point, “My dad pursued that Aunt Zou, got rejected, and didn’t pester her, right? So, he didn’t even know she was married at first. Nothing had happened yet, but Aunt Zou’s husband beat him up right at his workplace entrance. What a terrible impact! Everyone at the office must be talking about my dad getting beaten. They won’t think Aunt Zou’s husband was too impulsive, they’ll assume my dad did something out of line. Physical injuries are one thing, but what about the damage to his reputation?”
Who was Song Chan? A renowned young talent at a top provincial school. When it came to verbal sparring, even adults weren’t necessarily her match. Without some skill, she wouldn’t have so many admirers at school!
Zhao Dong’s attempt to sway her with a few words was futile. He was caught off guard. He hadn’t expected Song Foxiang’s daughter to be so sharp.
“Miss Song, you’re right, which is why I’m offering compensation on Mr. Xie’s behalf.”
Song Chan, used to praise and always following her own logic, wasn’t swayed by Zhao Dong. Instead, she frowned at his words, “Why are you apologising for Mr. Xie? You’re you, and he’s him. He doesn’t even show up to ask for my dad’s forgiveness. Is he mute, or some overgrown baby who needs others to handle everything? It’s bizarre, he was perfectly capable of beating someone up himself!”
