C12 Chapter 12

Chen Dong seemed to have lost his mind, and Lee Susu, in a panic, tried to pry his hand away. "Let him go! Or I'll call security!"

"Do you really think a few security guards can stop me?" Chen Dong quirked an eyebrow, amused by the thought.

Lee Susu realized then that the thugs Chu Yun had with him were no match for Chen Dong, let alone a handful of security guards.

"Fine, have it your way." A glint of cunning shone in Chen Dong's eyes.

Lee Susu mistakenly believed her words had an effect and felt a surge of pride. But before she could revel in it, Zhang Qi was discarded on the ground like garbage, his mouth filled with the remnants of a bento.

"Wuwu... Wuwu..." His mouth slick with grease, the worst part for Zhang Qi was knowing the food he was forced to eat had been trampled underfoot. The thought made his stomach convulse.

"I'll pay for the suit. But if it's going to get dirty, it might as well be thoroughly soiled." Chen Dong nonchalantly stepped on Zhang Qi's back, applying more pressure. Zhang Qi struggled in vain, his situation as pitiful as a dog eating excrement.

The air filled with sharp intakes of breath.

Several onlookers couldn't stomach the scene and retched over the trash cans, their last meal threatening to resurface.

Lee Susu staggered back, her stomach lurching, and she clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle the nausea, her eyes watering.

Lanlan watched with a strange look on her face, a mix of confusion and fear directed at Chen Dong.

Not a fan of idle chatter, are you?

Then let's fill that mouth of yours.

Chen Dong's foot pressed down harder.

"I... I was wrong..." Zhang Qi pleaded, his hands slipping on the polished floor as he begged for mercy.

"What exactly did you do wrong?" Chen Dong asked, lifting his foot and exhaling deeply, a sense of relief washing over him that was more satisfying than a burp.

"I... I shouldn't have framed you... It was me who bumped into you..." Zhang Qi's confession ended in a retch as the stench of last night's indulgences filled the air, his face turning the color of liver. "Chen Dong, you'll see! Susu, she..."

"Zhang Qi!" Lee Susu's face showed a flash of panic as she quickly called out and crouched beside him, pressing a tissue to her nose. She urgently summoned a few people to carry Zhang Qi away. "Act like you didn't see anything, okay?"

The cleaning crew arrived promptly, erasing all traces of the mess on the floor. The porcelain board looked brand new, and a spritz of air freshener made it seem as if nothing had ever happened.

"What are you doing here?" Lee Susu swiftly diverted the conversation, casting a glance at the employees around her. Those who caught her eye instantly knew to disperse. "Did you run out of money from last time?"

Lee Susu's shift in demeanor was abrupt.

She had just been defending that man, even demanding an apology from him. How did she switch gears so quickly, allowing him to be whisked away without a second thought?

Watching Zhang Qi being escorted out, Chen Dong sensed there was an unspoken message in the man's words.

"I brought you lunch." It appeared that Chen Dong was accustomed to asking his wife for money at work. He averted his eyes from her to the spot where the lunch had fallen. Touching his nose, he reflected on how well his mother-in-law treated her daughter, except for Lee Susu...

"The lunch is delivered; you can go now," Lee Susu said icily before turning away, her back exuding an air of aloofness.

Chen Dong stepped forward and grabbed his wife's hand, which she quickly withdrew as if it burned. "I'll pay for the damage to his suit."

"With what will you pay?" she retorted.

"You live off me, eating and drinking at my expense. What do you do besides cause me trouble?" she challenged.

Chen Dong rubbed his nose, understanding why his predecessor was labeled useless. "I'll have a million in three days," he promised confidently.

The employees had scattered, yet their ears remained attuned to the exchange, their perception of Chen Dong evolving. In the past, he would have suffered in silence, too intimidated to utter a word. But now, they saw a different side of him.

Chen Dong, the son-in-law who lived off his wife's family, was well-known throughout the company. Some of the male employees would even scheme against him when he visited the office to see Lee Susu.

Lee Susu was more than just their top boss; she was also the goddess they all admired. Her distant and unapproachable demeanor somehow accommodated a ne'er-do-well like Chen Dong. It was no wonder she was the envy of many.

So, when they heard Chen Dong's words, they were taken aback. Had the good-for-nothing turned over a new leaf?

"If you're dreaming, then sure," Lee Susu dismissed Chen Dong's words without a second thought. She wasn't one to shy away from a challenge, and with her connection to Zhang Qi, getting a suit would be no trouble at all.

Had Zhang Qi's company struck it rich? To think he would wear such an expensive garment...

Realizing that any explanation would be futile, Chen Dong held his peace and let them believe what they would.

Leaving the office, he noticed the commercial street below was lit up, and the rain had stopped. It was evening already, and no one had seen it coming.

One million yuan, huh?

In his past life, that amount would have been trivial for Chen Dong. But now, as an unemployed college graduate, what could he do?

Alright, back to reality, Chen Dong acknowledged his overreach.

"Beep, beep, beep."

The glare of headlights hit Chen Dong's eyes as he withdrew his hands, watching the approaching Maybach. It was clear who was inside.

The driver leaned out the window and coughed lightly, "Mr. Chen, please get in..."

"Okay." Chen Dong's decisive response surprised even the driver. Without hesitation, Chen Dong opened the door and climbed into the car.

It was the same elderly gentleman, but his complexion was even more ashen than during the day. He grimaced as he held his leg, "Just an old issue flaring up worse at night."

Chen Dong turned and pressed on the man's leg, eliciting involuntary cries of pain. The driver, thinking something was amiss, abruptly stopped the car.

With the sudden jolt, Chen Dong's hand slipped from the old man's leg, leaving him momentarily dazed.

"It's alright, it's alright," the old man reassured, gesturing for the driver to keep going.

Taking the CEO's cue that all was well, the driver refrained from further speculation and pressed on the gas.

Colorful lights flashed by the car windows as Chen Dong leaned back into his seat and let out a long sigh, "The cold has seeped into my bones. I fear amputation might be necessary."

The driver slammed on the brakes, the tires screeching against the pavement.

Shaking, the driver glanced back at the elderly gentleman, tears welling in his aged eyes, "President..."

"It's alright, keep driving."

The driver shook his head, tears spilling down his cheeks, wishing he could step out of the car right then and there to attend to the old master.

"Turn around!" Yang Guogang's voice grew stern, his presence exuding an undeniable authority.