If you were to ask who in Haicheng was most eagerly awaiting Xu Zixi's return, it would undoubtedly be Fang Ruiyang.
During the days when Xu Zixi was away, he had been poring over the knowledge she had taught him day and night. Meanwhile, he was also self - studying the parts she hadn't had the time to cover. He was extremely eager to share his learning achievements of these days with Xu Zixi.
The next day at work, he waited nervously and anxiously. Finally, just before work was about to end, he received the address sent by Xu Zixi.
As soon as work ended, Fang Ruiyang left Pei's. He circled around the destination a few times. After making sure no one was following him, he came to a secluded private club and pushed open the door of one of the private rooms.
On the sofa in the room, there were two familiar figures sitting. Hearing the sound, Xu Zixi looked up and smiled.
"Here comes my good apprentice. Come in quickly and try the pastries here."
Fang Ruiyang hesitated for a moment. His eyes fell on the man beside Xu Zixi, and his face was full of shock - Why was Mr. Yan here?
Wait, something wasn't right! Master had directly called him her apprentice in front of Mr. Yan, which meant Mr. Yan already knew that he had apprenticed to her.
Didn't that mean Mr. Yan also knew that he was Zhao Quanjing's illegitimate son and the mole Zhao's had planted in Pei's?
This discovery made him tremble. Was it still too late for him to back out now?
As if knowing what he was thinking, Xu Zixi said, "You don't need to be afraid. I've already told him about you. He knows your identity and the difficulties you're facing now, and he's willing to help arrange a hospital for your mother's follow - up treatment."
Yan Yincheng said to Fang Ruiyang calmly, "I've already contacted the hospital to admit your mother. It's in Jincheng. They happen to have a team researching your mother's illness there. If you sign a contract to make her a clinical patient, the treatment cost for your mother can be relatively reduced, which can ease your financial burden."
"Really? We'll sign!" Fang Ruiyang's eyes turned red with excitement. "As long as there's a chance to cure my mother's illness, I'm willing to do anything. Thank you, Mr. Yan! Thank you so much! I thought you..."
"May I take the liberty to ask why you're willing to help me, Mr. Yan? After all, I'm Zhao Quanjing's illegitimate son..."
"I really dislike those who are cowardly and only know how to escape when faced with problems instead of fighting for the maximum benefits for themselves." Yan Yincheng said calmly. "So, you should be glad that you've made the right choice. It was you who saved yourself and your mother."
Fang Ruiyang didn't know what to say anymore. Both Xu Zixi and Yan Yincheng were important benefactors in his and his mother's lives. If it weren't for them, he and his mother would probably live in hell forever.
But now, he could already see the glimmer of hope.
He said very seriously, "Master, Mr. Yan, if there's anything you need me to do in the future, I'll even risk my life to help you!"
"Don't say such empty words. It's better to do something practical. Now, tell us about the movements of Zhao's."
The excitement faded from Fang Ruiyang's face, and his expression immediately became solemn.
During the five days when Xu Zixi and Yan Yincheng were away from Haicheng, Zhao Quanjing had privately contacted him once, and it was on the day they returned to Haicheng.
...
Two days ago, at 10 p.m., in the "Rose and Wine" nightclub in Haicheng.
Guided by a bunny girl, Fang Ruiyang pushed open the familiar door of the private room. A strong smell of tobacco mixed with the perfume of the women rushed towards him, almost making him vomit.
The lights were flashing inside, and the music was blaring. Several familiar friends of Zhao Quanjing were singing at the top of their lungs. Zhao Quanjing was sitting on the leather sofa with his arms outstretched, surrounded by several scantily - clad women who were serving him fruits and red wine.
The scene in front of him was as decadent as it could be, making one instinctively feel physically uncomfortable.
Thinking that his mother had once been one of them, Fang Ruiyang was filled with cold anger.
But he masked his expression well.
Seeing him come in, Zhao Quanjing waved at him.
"Sit down, Xiaoyang. Why do you always look like a country bumpkin every time you come to this place? Are you afraid your girlfriend will find out?"
After saying that, Zhao Quanjing and the others burst into laughter, but his eyes were fixed on Fang Ruiyang's reaction.
"Of course not. A woman I can discard at any time, why would I care about her thoughts?"
To avoid arousing Zhao Quanjing's suspicion, Fang Ruiyang endured the discomfort in his heart and said these cold and heartless words. He then forced himself to relax and sat down on the sofa.
When a woman leaned over, he endured and didn't push her away.
Not sure if it was a test, Zhao Quanjing then asked him to drink, smoke, play dice, and play cards, as if he wanted to drag Fang Ruiyang into the abyss and turn him into a vicious dog like them.
Fang Ruiyang endured the nausea in his stomach wave after wave and tried his best to cooperate in doing all these things. But he behaved like a novice and was constantly mocked mercilessly by others. They called him a hick from the fishing village, and he accepted it all.
He did all these just to gain Zhao Quanjing's trust.
He didn't believe that Zhao Quanjing had called him here just for entertainment. There must be other motives.
Sure enough, after he had been in this smoky and noisy private room for nearly an hour, as one person after another left with a woman in their arms, and only he and Zhao Quanjing were left, Zhao Quanjing lit a cigarette and said:
"What's the current situation of Pei's? What's the progress of that project?"
Fang Ruiyang took a sip of red wine and said, "The investor from Yan's and that designer have left Haicheng these days. But although they're not here, the foundation of the project has been dug smoothly."
"Smoothly?" Zhao Quanjing sneered. "Have I made your life too comfortable that you've forgotten what I sent you there for? With the money to pay for your mother's medical bills, you don't want to do things for me anymore?"
"Dad, where are you thinking? There's not much room for manipulation during the foundation - laying. I'm planning to tamper with the materials during the piling process. That's the core part." Fang Ruiyang quickly said.
"Now that woman has gradually handed over the material - purchasing work to me. When she completely lets go, I'll gradually replace all their materials with inferior products, like steel bars, cement, bricks, glass, aluminum... There are so many places where we can make a move. By the time the typhoon season comes..."
Fang Ruiyang grinned, looking extremely sinister.
"Good, that's how it should be. Let all their efforts go to waste!" Zhao Quanjing said viciously. "Those who dare to compete with me, Zhao Quanjing, for profit will end up losing everything!"
Fang Ruiyang remembered the bold plan Xu Zixi had told him. He lowered his voice and said, "Dad, I have something else to report to you, but I'm afraid you'll think I'm sowing discord after you hear it."
"Oh? What is it? Just say it." Zhao Quanjing was in a good mood and didn't take it seriously.
Fang Ruiyang whispered something in his ear, and the more Zhao Quanjing listened, the more solemn his expression became.