Chapter 77: Game 9—Then Let’s Fight to the Death!…

Bai Yuanzhi, hiding in Room 302, never expected to stumble upon such a bombshell of a story tonight!

After Xu Wenrui uttered those words,

the entire scene fell into dead silence.

Not only were Chen Shen and Chen Shuojie stunned,

Li Yongzhen was stunned,

the women’s brigade was stunned…

even Bai Yuanzhi and Miss Sui in the adjacent Room 302 were equally shocked.

Ah! What kind of outrageous words were these?!

Bai Yuanzhi was dumbfounded.

—If Xu Wenrui was truly Chen Shen’s wife and Chen Shuojie’s mother, then… who was the Ms. Xu Wenli that Chen Shuojie had taken Bai Yuanzhi to pay respects to at Qingshan Cemetery two months ago?!

“Xu Wenrui, stop acting crazy, will you?” Chen Shen shouted sternly.

Xu Wenrui screamed, “Which part of what I said was wrong? Tell me! Which part was wrong?!”

Chen Shuojie said in a trembling voice, “Dad, she… what… what is going on? My… my mom isn’t already…”

Xu Wenrui said urgently, “Shuojie, I’m not your aunt! I’m your mother! You’re my child!”

Scattered gasps of shock echoed through the room.

Chen Shen roared angrily, “Get out!”

“Out, out, out, out, out—”

“If you don’t want to die in disgrace, keep your mouths shut!”

“Get out! All of you, get out!”

“Li Yongzhen, you get out too!!!”

The women gathered in the hallway outside immediately scattered like birds and beasts.

Bai Yuanzhi, hiding in Room 302, held her breath and pricked up her ears to catch the gossip.

Only after it had grown completely quiet outside

did Chen Shen question Xu Wenrui, “Are you determined to act crazy today?”

Xu Wenrui sobbed, “But it’s the truth, Brother Shen! I never wanted to marry him… I was your girlfriend, I was your woman! Shuojie is also the child I bore for you! I don’t understand… why can’t I tell the truth? Why?!”

“What did you say?” Chen Shuojie, standing nearby, asked in shock.

Xu Wenrui said tearfully, “Shuojie, what I’m saying is true! If your father wasn’t my man, why would I always try to control him? If you weren’t my son, why do you think I care so much about you?!”

“Shuojie, your father and I are the real couple! We fell in love long ago… but no one allowed us to be together, no one wanted us to marry.”

“I had no choice, I was forced to marry into the Ming Family!”

“Shuojie, I am your mother!” Xu Wenrui cried until she was choked with sobs.

Chen Shuojie was dumbstruck.

He couldn’t accept it.

After all, for many years, he had felt that Xu Wenrui’s interference in his and his father’s affairs had far overstepped her bounds.

This had made him particularly, particularly resentful!

And also—

Chen Shuojie had always been very jealous of his cousin, Ming Jiayao.

The reason was simple.

Even though Ming Jiayao was weak and useless, he was the only male heir of the shipping magnate’s family, the future richest man in Hong Kong City, and he had both parents alive!

There were also things about Ming Jiayao that made Chen Shuojie secretly gloat.

For example, Ming Jiayao’s biological mother, Xu Wenrui, was a madwoman;

and also, for example, Ming Jiayao was utterly useless…

But ever since Ming Jiayao went abroad to study, Chen Shuojie had heard from his father that Ming Jiayao seemed to have become very capable, having secured the Hong Kong City Rong Fu Ji project at just eighteen years old.

His father’s words were tinged with envy.

This left Chen Shuojie feeling both jealous and distressed.

Yet he still comforted himself in his heart—it’s fine, so what if Ming Jiayao is so capable? With a mother like Xu Wenrui, he’ll be unlucky for the rest of his life!

Who would have thought,

Now Xu Wenrui was personally telling him that she was his biological mother?

What was even more absurd was,

His father didn’t even deny it?

Chen Shuojie let out a choked sob that sounded like both a cry and a laugh.

“What on earth are you saying, Auntie!” He forced a casual smile, “How could you possibly be my biological mother? You… you’re my aunt! Have you forgotten? You’re only fifteen years older than me…”

He wanted to say: You couldn’t have given birth to me at fifteen!

But these words remained stuck in Chen Shuojie’s throat, unable to be spoken no matter what.

Because—

Chen Shen stepped forward to confirm it, “My dear son, what your mother said… is true!”

During this time, Chen Shen and Xu Wenrui had been hiding with Chen Shuojie in the United States,

Even after returning to Hong Kong City, they dared not let Chen Shuojie know the truth…

All because the two of them disagreed on how to handle this matter.

Xu Wenrui had long had enough!

She wanted to make all relationships public,

She wanted to set things right,

She wanted to openly be Chen Shen’s wife and Chen Shuojie’s mother!

But Chen Shen disagreed.

—The Chen Family’s reputation over the past two generations hadn’t been great.

It was only when he became the head of the family that they managed to somewhat clean up their image.

If the truth about the Xu sisters switching marriages were to come to light,

The little good reputation the Chen Family had painstakingly built over half a lifetime would vanish into thin air!

At that point, at best, it would cause stock price fluctuations in the company, and at worst… it could affect the upcoming New Year film from Wanmei Film Industry, triggering a domino effect that would gradually weaken the Chen Group.

But now—

Since Xu Wenrui had already revealed the truth,

There was no point in hiding it any longer.

For now, the only option was for the Chen and Xu families to unite and fully confront the Ming Family!

Chen Shen said to Chen Shuojie, “My dear son, back then… your mother and I were also young, and we could only listen to our elders. Whatever the elders told us to do, we had to do.”

“Your mother and I… truly loved each other, but Old Master Ming insisted that your mother marry into the Ming Family. We had no choice but to go along with it.”

At this point, Chen Shen, mindful of Chen Shuojie’s feelings, pretended to console his son,

“So, my dear son, your father and mother have already suffered like this, which is why we’re determined to face your relationship with Miss Bai head-on…”

Bai Yuanzhi, who was unexpectedly brought into this: ???

Chen Shuojie asked in a trembling voice, “If she is my mother, then what about Xu Wenli…”

Chen Shen replied, “Xu Wenli is actually your cousin’s mother.”

Chen Shuojie asked again, “Then how could she agree to this?”

Chen Shen smiled bitterly, “Of course she didn’t agree… We quietly announced my marriage to her without her knowledge. And after her death, we pretended to fabricate the fact that she had been ill for many years.”

Chen Shuojie was stunned.

In his memory, his mother Xu Wenli died from a difficult childbirth.

—It wasn’t that she died immediately after giving birth to him, but her body was damaged during his birth, and after lingering in illness for three years, she unfortunately passed away.

So???

Chen Shuojie pressed further, “Then… then how did she really die?”

Chen Shen sighed, “She died saving you.”

Chen Shuojie gasped sharply, “Huh?”

Chen Shen used the most concise language to recount the emotional entanglements among the younger generation of the Ming, Chen, and Xu families back then, as well the profit-driven schemes of the older generation.

At this point,

Even Bai Yuanzhi, hiding in room 302, was stunned as she got firsthand gossip!

It must be said,

The gossip among the wealthy truly is more explosive than that of ordinary commoners!

Bai Yuanzhi had originally intended to quietly be a spectator, but her mind was buzzing from the shocking content.

Chen Shuojie simply could not accept his father’s explanation,

“Why is it like this? Why is it like this!”

“What you’re saying… none of it is true!”

“My father is honorable and upright, he absolutely could not have gotten an underage girl pregnant and had a child with her!”

“My mom… my mom is Xu Wenli! She is the kind and studious Xu Wenli!”

This matter severely impacted Chen Shuojie’s worldview.

—Previously, he had always thought that his mother passed away early, and Chen Shen never remarried, which to some extent protected Chen Shuojie’s inheritance rights.

So Chen Shuojie was grateful to his father, and he even empathized with him, feeling that Chen Shen was inexplicably entangled by his aunt Xu Wenrui.

Thus, many times when Chen Shen had girlfriends, Chen Shuojie would help cover for him, preventing Xu Wenrui from finding out.

But now—

Both Chen Shen and Xu Wenrui were saying that they were his biological parents???

Then, what about all those women Chen Shen had slept with and the girlfriends he had dated over the years!

And Xu Wenrui,

Previously, Chen Shuojie had secretly pitied his cousin in his heart, thinking how unfortunate his cousin was to have a mother like that…

He never expected that the real fool was himself!

A flood of emotions surged, causing Chen Shuojie to become increasingly distraught.

He choked back a sob,

Turned around and ran!

Xu Wenrui screamed, “Shuojie!”

She wanted to chase after him,

But Chen Shen shouted sternly, “You stay where you are!”

Xu Wenrui said tearfully, “Brother Shen, I’m afraid something might happen to Shuojie…”

Chen Shen said coldly, “If you were really afraid something might happen to him, why did you have to say it just now?”

Xu Wenrui retorted defiantly, “Was what I said not the truth?”

“If it’s true, why can’t it be said?”

“Do you think just because I don’t say it, outsiders won’t know the truth?”

“Brother Shen, stop deceiving yourself!”

“That damn brat didn’t leave us any dignity at all! As soon as his old man died, he immediately published the obituary in the papers, completely disregarding whether Liu Rong could save face… Brother Shen, after all, Ah Rong pretended to be his father for over ten years, and he really didn’t show any consideration at all! And he even moved Xu Wenli, who was buried in Qingshan Cemetery, to have her buried together with Ming Zhixuan!”

“Brother Shen, even if I don’t say it, can this matter be hidden forever!”

“Outsiders have known about it for a long time!” Xu Wenrui said angrily.

Bai Yuanzhi was greatly shocked!

Oh my goodness,

—Chen Shen’s seduction and assault of a young woman, the Xu sisters switching marriages, the scandal of the Ming family’s true and false young masters!

The rich really know how to play.

At this moment—

Chen Shen suddenly murmured to himself, “Liu Rong… Ah Rong…”

After a long while, he suddenly turned and asked Xu Wenrui, “Why did you come here today?”

Upon hearing this, Xu Wenrui remembered the scene of catching them in the act earlier. Her eyes reddened, and she felt immensely wronged, “I naturally have my own sources of information—”

“Hurry up and tell me!” Chen Shen urged anxiously, “You stupid woman! Do you have any idea that we’ve all been tricked!!!”

Chen Shen had been momentarily stunned by the scene of his wife and son arriving to catch him in the act, unable to react immediately.

It wasn’t until now, after Xu Wenrui uttered the name “Liu Rong,” that Chen Shen started to feel something was off the more he thought about it:

—Bai Yuanzhi had just gone missing, and then Liu Rong called him, saying he had a big gift for him and that he should enjoy himself tonight???

—When he rushed to the “usual spot,” he found that the woman waiting for him was actually Li Yongzhen? What the hell was Li Yongzhen… Usually, Chen Shen wouldn’t even look at a woman like her. But Chen Shen still trusted Liu Rong’s taste in women, so he thought Li Yongzhen must have some exceptional qualities. Half-convinced, he went along with it. Yet even after it was over, he still didn’t see anything special about Li Yongzhen.

—Then, when Xu Wenrui brought Chen Shuojie to catch him in the act, it seemed like she had yelled something like “Your dad is sleeping with your girlfriend” before kicking the door open…

In an instant, Chen Shen broke out in a cold sweat.

If the woman waiting in this room had really been Bai Yuanzhi… what would have happened then?

—Was there even any need to ask? His naive and sheltered fool of a son would definitely have been driven mad with rage!

—Xu Wenrui would have been driven insane too!

Thinking back to the horrific sight of Li Yongzhen beaten until her face and body were covered in blood…

For a moment, Chen Shen didn’t dare to imagine in detail what would have become of his family of three!

“Tell me now!” Chen Shen shouted at Xu Wenrui, “Who exactly told you I was here?”

Xu Wenrui was startled and quickly began to recall, “When I got home, someone suddenly called me… It must have been Chuchu who called me!”

Chen Shen frowned and asked, “Which Chuchu?”

Xu Wenrui replied, “Anthony’s girlfriend!”

As soon as Chen Shen heard this, he knew something was fishy.

—Anthony was a business prodigy who usually only handled Chen Shen’s legitimate business dealings.

Chen Shen trusted Anthony completely,

but when it came to unsavory activities like fooling around with women in a film set’s shooting room, Chen Shen would never let Anthony know about it. So how could Anthony’s girlfriend possibly know?

Moreover…

With a dark expression, Chen Shen directly took out his cell phone and called Anthony.

Half a minute later, the call connected.

“Anthony, sorry to bother you so late,” Chen Shen said in a gentle tone, “I have an urgent matter and need to ask you something—is your girlfriend Chuchu with you right now?”

A few seconds later—

Chen Shen’s voice suddenly rose three octaves, “What did you say? You’re currently single… You haven’t been in a relationship for the past year, and you’ve never dated a girl named Chuchu?”

Chen Shen took a deep breath—

“Anthony, then what was your last girlfriend’s name? When did you start dating, and when did you break up?” Chen Shen continued to press.

Two minutes later, Chen Shen said calmly, “It’s nothing… Okay, I understand. Sorry, Anthony, for disturbing your rest. Goodbye.”

Chen Shen put away his mobile phone and said to Xu Wenrui word by word, “Anthony’s ex-girlfriend is named Nasa, a Russian girl… She doesn’t speak Cantonese or Mandarin, only Slavic languages and English. Anthony broke up with her a year ago because Nasa wanted to return to her home country. From then until now, Anthony hasn’t had a girlfriend.”

Xu Wenrui opened her mouth in shock, “But, but…”

Yet when that woman called to tip her off, she indeed claimed to be Anthony’s girlfriend, unable to bear seeing her boyfriend’s boss and his son’s relationship break down because of Bai Yuanzhi…

Who exactly was that woman?

Why play such a trick on people!

“Brother Shen,” Xu Wenrui cried out, “it must be Anthony who has a problem…”

“Shut up, you fool!” Chen Shen sensed danger closing in and anxiously scolded, “Let’s go, hurry up and leave… This place isn’t safe to stay! Go now!”

At this moment—

Even Bai Yuanzhi, hiding in room 302, felt a chill run through her body.

She unconsciously grasped Miss Sui’s hand.

Miss Sui gently patted the back of Bai Yuanzhi’s hand, signaling her not to be afraid.

Out in the corridor,

Chen Shen took Xu Wenrui’s hand, wanting to leave immediately.

But then, a sinister voice sounded, “Brother Shen, Wenrui, since you’ve already come… why rush to leave?”

This sudden male voice startled Bai Yuanzhi!

Miss Sui also tightened her grip on Bai Yuanzhi’s hand…

Soon,

Chen Shen spoke, “Ah Rong? Is it you playing tricks?”

Xu Wenrui also cried out, “Liu Rong? What are you doing here!”

Liu Rong chuckled, “Wenrui, this is a film set, so of course I’m here… directing!”

Xu Wenrui asked naively and foolishly, “Are you helping Brother Shen film a movie?”

Liu Rong laughed, “Yes!”

Xu Wenrui asked again, “What movie are you filming?”

Chen Shen rolled his eyes beside her.

Indeed, it was precisely because Xu Wenrui was so foolish that Chen Shen could easily deceive this young lady into losing her virginity and giving birth to his child before she even reached adulthood.

And because she was too foolish, when Ming Jingxing insisted on having Xu Wenrui marry into the Ming Family after the incident, Chen Shen did not object.

In his view,

Xu Wenli, who studied law at Columbia University in the United States and was continuing her doctoral studies, was his ideal wife.

—Xu Wenli came from a concubine branch, with a gentler and more considerate personality. Moreover, she was highly intelligent, and her academic qualifications were valuable, making her perfectly suited to marry and manage his household.

Meanwhile, Liu Rong had already begun chatting amiably with Xu Wenrui, “…Wenrui, you know my situation! That brat (referring to Ming Jiayao) has driven me to the brink, leaving me with no way out. I can only stay here to scrape by!”

“Recently, the movie I’m directing is called ‘Father and Son Fight Over a Wife and Turn Against Each Other, Aunt and Birth Mother Splatter Blood Three Feet High’…”

“This story is extremely thrilling. It’s about a father who sleeps with his son’s most beloved woman. After the son’s aunt finds out, she gets so angry that she stabs the woman to death. The more the son loved that girl, the more he hates his father and aunt. To appease the son, the aunt runs over and hugs him. In a fit of anger, the son snatches the knife from the aunt’s hand… The father, thinking his son intends to commit murder, rushes over to stop him. Then, in the ensuing chaos, all three members of this family… end up dead!”

“Wenrui, do you think this story will become a hit if filmed?” Liu Rong asked hoarsely.

Even if Xu Wenrui were foolish, she understood now.

“Ah! So it was you!” Xu Wenrui pointed at Liu Rong angrily. “You had someone impersonate Anthony’s girlfriend to call me, luring me and Shuojie here!”

Liu Rong applauded. “Wow, Wenrui, you’re really clever (Note: ‘clever’ here carries a sarcastic tone)… But now I have a problem and don’t know how to solve it. Could you help me think of a solution?”

Xu Wenrui stammered, “W-what is it?”

Liu Rong said word by word, “As a director, if the actors under me completely refuse to follow directions and won’t perform according to the script I’ve arranged… tell me, what should I do? I originally just wanted to direct a family drama full of melodramatic twists, but if no one cooperates, why not change the script? Let’s film a gang annihilation scene instead? I hear there are piranhas in the waters near Shawan…”

Chen Shen interrupted Liu Rong. “Ah Rong, I know recent events… have been quite unfavorable for you. Don’t worry, Wenrui and I have been your friends for many years. Friends help friends in need—we’ll help you!”

Liu Rong laughed. “Really, Brother Shen?”

Chen Shen chuckled. “Of course! It’s just that we just returned to Hong Kong City and still have many matters to handle… How about this: Wenrui and I will leave first. Once we finish our urgent business, we’ll invite you out for tea!”

As he spoke, he signaled for Xu Wenrui to follow him, then turned to leave.

Too late.

With a wave of Liu Rong’s hand, his men blocked Chen Shen and Xu Wenrui.

Chen Shen’s expression changed abruptly. “Ah Rong?”

Liu Rong smiled. “Brother Shen, when I was in trouble, you and Wenrui weren’t in Hong Kong City. At that time, I was terrified and worried, desperately calling you and Wenrui… Why couldn’t I get through?”

Chen Shen’s expression turned extremely ugly.

—Why?

Because he had blocked Liu Rong’s number!

Liu Rong said with a smile, “Brother Shen, I advise you… today, you’d better follow my script! Otherwise…”

Xu Wenrui finally began to feel afraid.

She screamed, “Liu Rong! What do you want?”

Liu Rong’s expression turned ferocious. “What do I want?”

“I just fucking want to survive!”

“But you… every single one of you… fucking want me dead!”

“I don’t want to die!”

“So—”

“You go die instead!!!”

As soon as Liu Rong finished speaking—

With a loud “bang,” the door of room 302 was violently kicked open.

Bai Yuanzhi and Miss Sui were dragged out by several burly men.

Seeing Bai Yuanzhi, Chen Shen and Xu Wenrui froze.

But they didn’t ask why Bai Yuanzhi was there.

Because Liu Rong had already spoken, though his question was directed at Miss Sui. “Are you crazy? Why ruin my plans?”

Bai Yuanzhi could sense that Miss Sui was also terrified—her face was deathly pale, her palms sweaty, and her entire body trembled slightly.

But Miss Sui still mustered the courage to answer Liu Rong’s question, “I—I am an employee of Wanmei Film Industry. I—I am Bingo… It has nothing to do with you. My boss is Mr. Chen. Since Mr. Chen didn’t ask me to answer your questions, I don’t have to.”

Bai Yuanzhi’s heart stirred.

She kept her head down, maintaining absolute discretion, not daring to look at Miss Sui.

But she understood Miss Sui’s intention—I don’t want to explain why I’m with Bai Yuanzhi. If you want to know, go ask Chen Shen!

It was foreseeable that

 

Miss Sui answered Liu Rong’s question, yet she said nothing of substance. Instead, she made her stance clear—she was Chen Shen’s employee and should be under his protection.

However, Bai Yuanzhi was certain that Miss Sui was definitely not one of Chen Shen’s people.

Then—

Which side did Miss Sui actually belong to?

Who would… chase after her like this, constantly trying to protect her???

“Wow! I never would’ve guessed you’re so loyal to your boss?” Liu Rong sneered.

Miss Sui looked as if she was about to shatter from fear. “I… I…”

Chen Shen stared at Miss Sui and finally spoke up. “Who are you? What happened?”

Miss Sui answered with a tearful face. “Boss, I’m Hua Ge’s assistant, Sui Xi. Lanlan… Lanlan has an audition tomorrow, so Hua Ge asked me to find a quiet place for her to practice first…”

“I remembered there was a spot at the studio where she could practice, so I thought I’d come over first to get things ready. But as soon as I arrived at the entrance, I ran into Zhenzhen (Li Yongzhen). Zhenzhen took a liking to Room Seven, but who knew this young lady was already inside…” As she spoke, Miss Sui pointed at Bai Yuanzhi.

“Zhenzhen got really angry and chased both me and this young lady away.”

“I thought, since Zhenzhen wanted Room Seven, it didn’t really matter… I could just find another empty room.”

“Then I took a liking to Room Three. Just as I stepped into Room Three, I heard Mrs. Ming bringing people over… I… I was a bit scared and didn’t dare to go out. This young lady was scared too, so we stayed together in Room Three…” Miss Sui explained.

Although Bai Yuanzhi hadn’t made a sound the entire time,

she was genuinely a little afraid that Chen Shen would call Hua Ge to verify Miss Sui’s story, just as he had called Anthony to confirm what Xu Wenrui said…

But Chen Shen didn’t do that.

For one thing, Hua Ge, Lanlan, and Zhenzhen were all his subordinates—he knew them.

For another, this female employee named Sui Xi had inadvertently taken Bai Yuanzhi away, which actually helped him and his son avoid an irreconcilable conflict.

He felt relieved inside.

“Got it,” Chen Shen impatiently waved at Miss Sui. “You take Mrs. Ming and Miss Bai and leave first!”

Miss Sui took Bai Yuanzhi’s hand and was about to leave—

Liu Rong waved his hand,

and several burly men blocked the women’s path.

Chen Shen’s expression changed, but he forced himself to remain calm. “Ah Rong, let them leave first… They’re all women. Even if they stay, they can’t make any decisions and will only get in the way.”

“Don’t worry, with me here, I’ll have a good talk with you.”

“Without women around, us brothers can chat more freely!” Chen Shen laughed.

Liu Rong chuckled. “Brother Shen, the more people, the livelier it gets!”

“Oh, right,” Liu Rong turned to ask his subordinate, “…Where’s Chen Shao?”

The burly man nodded to Liu Rong and added, “Bring Chen Shuojie up!”

Chen Shen’s face instantly darkened. “Liu Rong, what do you mean by this?”

Soon, Chen Shuojie, bound tightly, was escorted up by several burly men.

Chen Shen anxiously asked, “Shuojie, are you alright?”

“Dad, I’m fine,” Chen Shuojie had just said this when he caught sight of Bai Yuanzhi and immediately widened his eyes. “Ah Zhi! What are you doing here?!”

Chen Shen, afraid his son would misunderstand him, quickly explained, “Ah Zhi was invited by your Uncle Rong… but then she was taken away by the young lady from our company through a series of mishaps… Ah Zhi, tell us, what exactly happened?”

Bai Yuanzhi frowned, “I had just left school when someone covered my mouth with a handkerchief and knocked me out. When I woke up, I realized I had been kidnapped and brought here. Then this older sister and Li Yongzhen started arguing, so I left… Why should your conflicts involve me?”

Chen Shuojie immediately said, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” He tried to break free from the burly man restraining him and move toward Bai Yuanzhi.

But the burly man wouldn’t let him.

Chen Shuojie grew suspicious and uneasy, finally realizing something was wrong.

His gaze slowly swept over everyone present…

Finally, Chen Shuojie’s eyes landed on Liu Rong!

His pupils trembled with shock, “Uncle-in-law! You…”

Aren’t you supposed to be dead?

But soon, Chen Shuojie realized that this Ming Zhixuan was not the real Ming Zhixuan, but… Liu Rong, the body double of the real Ming Zhixuan!

Chen Shuojie took a deep breath, called out “Uncle Rong,” and added, “Bai Yuanzhi is innocent, and the young lady from my father’s company is innocent too. Uncle Rong, please let them go! If there’s anything to discuss, my father and I will stay behind, and we can talk it out together.”

Chen Shen quickly interjected, “Ah Rong, keeping Shuojie here won’t do any good. You know he’s never been involved in the company’s affairs. He knows nothing…”

Liu Rong roared, “No one is leaving today!”

He was utterly frustrated!

Ming Jingxing had that kind of authority—the old man only needed to casually mention wanting revenge on Chen Shen, and Liu Rong, like a dog, had to obey his master’s command.

He also wanted to be like Ming Jingxing, able to manipulate Chen Shen and Xu Wenrui with just a few words…

But why had all his carefully laid plans… failed so completely?

Since everything he had tried to hide was now exposed…

What was the point of keeping up the pretense?

Liu Rong said, “Brother Shen, you know the situation I’m in.”

“Since we’re all clear-headed here, I won’t pretend anymore—someone wants your life, and they’re offering… five million.” Liu Rong made an outrageous demand, “So, how much do you think you can pay for your life? Make it easier for me, just name your price.”

“After all, we’ve been brothers for years, and I’ve been married to Wenrui for over a decade. There’s still some affection there.”

“Right, Brother Shen?” Liu Rong said.

His words plunged the room into silence once more.

Chen Shen’s face turned pale, “Was it that old bastard (translation: Ming Jingxing) or that little runt (translation: Ming Jiayao) who made the offer?”

“What difference does it make whether it was the old bastard or the little runt? Right, Brother Shen?” Liu Rong replied.

Xu Wenrui, who was usually domineering, realized this was a matter of life and death. She dropped her usual arrogance and timidly said, “Brother Rong, how about we pay six million for our lives… Let us go first, and then Brother Shen will write you a check.”

Liu Rong burst into laughter, “Wenrui, you’re so adorable! Bargaining like you’re at the market… But you’re just a woman… Let Brother Shen make the decision.”

Chen Shen thought for a moment, then said seriously to Liu Rong, “The only solution I can think of is—you let Shuojie go first. He can go back, get my checkbook, and bring it here. I’ll write you a check, and after you cash it, you can let us go.”

“As for the amount—I can write you ten million,” Chen Shen said.

Upon hearing “ten million,” Liu Rong’s heart instantly raced.

Wasn’t that far better than Ming Jingxing’s measly one million?!

Chen Shen added, “If you don’t want to stay in Hong Kong City anymore, I can also arrange for someone to take you to Taiwan or Southeast Asia.”

“As for that old bastard, you don’t need to worry about him. I may not be as good at business as he is, but when it comes to these matters… you might only be able to rely on me.”

“Ah Rong, I’ve always treated you like a real brother,” Chen Shen said, doing his best to calm Liu Rong down.

However—

The more detailed Chen Shen’s plan was, and the more he framed it as protecting Liu Rong…

The clearer Liu Rong’s mind became.

He suddenly realized that Chen Shen was right—the Ming Family ran legitimate businesses in Hong Kong City. Even though Ming Jingxing’s offer seemed stingy at one million, his credibility was far stronger than Chen Shen’s!

Besides, he had already committed kidnapping. If he let Chen Shen walk out of the studio alive today, there was no telling how he, Liu Rong, might end up dead tomorrow.

With this thought, Liu Rong’s mind cleared a little.

“Brother Shen, let’s do as you say,” Liu Rong said.

Chen Shen breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as he was about to tell his son to leave immediately—

Liu Rong spoke again, “But I can’t just let Shuojie go so easily. What if this is a trick to escape? So, here’s what we’ll do, Brother Shen. This is the third floor—you throw Xu Wenrui down first—”

“What did you say?” Xu Wenrui was startled!

Liu Rong smiled and reassured Xu Wenrui, “Don’t worry, Wenrui. The third floor isn’t that high—you won’t die!”

Chen Shen objected, “Ah Rong, we’ve already agreed. That ten million is the price for our family of three to stay alive. Given that… I can’t let Wenrui get hurt.”

Xu Wenrui also said, “That’s right! If you want to throw someone, throw Bai Yuanzhi down instead!”

Liu Rong laughed, “Why would I throw Bai Yuanzhi? She’s just Chen Shuojie’s girlfriend. Even if she dies, Chen Shuojie can always find another one!”

“Alright, Brother Shen. If you can’t bear to throw Wenrui from the third floor… then throwing Shuojie from the third floor works too. Young people are always tougher, and they recover faster.”

Chen Shen, Xu Wenrui, and Chen Shuojie were stunned.

Liu Rong urged them, “Hurry up. I’ll only give you three minutes… Once three minutes are up, forget it. I’ll just throw all of you from the third floor. Wouldn’t it be better to go straight for that five million?”

Chen Shen panicked, “Ah Rong, don’t do this. Let’s talk this through properly!”

Xu Wenrui was also frantic, “Why do you have to target us? Useless! If you have the guts, go after that old bastard!”

Chen Shuojie pleaded, “Bai Yuanzhi is innocent, Uncle Rong. Please let her go…”

Liu Rong glanced at his watch and said word by word, “Time’s—up!”

He waved at the burly men.

Soon, the three members of the Chen Family, along with Bai Yuanzhi and Miss Sui—five people in total—were all dragged by the burly men to the railing in the corridor.

Bai Yuanzhi looked down at the concrete ground three floors below. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t afraid.

——The third floor of the set was unusually high, likely due to filming requirements, estimated to be at least fifteen or sixteen meters tall.

Falling from there…

If luck was on her side and she landed lower body first, the best-case scenario would likely be paralysis or becoming a permanent vegetable.

If luck wasn’t on her side and she landed upper body first… she’d probably be done for.

Just as she was terrified, wondering how to survive—

Xu Wenrui cried out, “Ah Rong, stop! I’ll jump! I’ll jump myself! Just pretend… just pretend Brother Shen threw me down!”

She turned to Chen Shen and said, “Brother Shen, if I end up crippled or paralyzed, you have to keep saving me and treating me! And if… if I’m unlucky and die, then promise me you’ll never find another woman in your life, okay?”

Chen Shen was startled. “Wenrui! Don’t do this… don’t—”

Too late.

Xu Wenrui, who had been restrained by the burly man, bit down hard on his hand, forcing him to let go.

Then, without looking back, she leaped over the railing.

One second later—

A dull thud of flesh hitting the concrete echoed.

Everyone was stunned.