The Art of Teasing - Chapter 121

Chapter 121

Dragged out the door by Ye Ling, Wen Zhengyu's face was deathly pale. She had first been terrified by Wen Shiyi's suicidal move, then felt as if she'd been viciously slapped across the face several times. Her grandfather's voice echoed in her ears, saying that Wen Shiyi hadn't been like this before, yet she never imagined he would turn into this kind of person. She resented Wen Shiyi for causing her mother's death, but she had always believed he was simply irresponsible, never taking her mother to heart, and it was carelessness that led to this outcome—if he had known the consequences, he wouldn't have simply walked away. She also knew that this time Wen Shiyi wanted the family to repay his debts, knew he valued money, perhaps believing that only money could provide him security. Yet she never expected that for the sake of money, he would cast aside even his dignity, having completely lost any semblance of humanity.

In her eyes, dignity was something more important than life itself, and Wen Shiyi had simply torn it off, trampled it on the ground, and flung it into all their faces.

Money lost could be earned again. No matter how much debt was owed, it could always be repaid through work—it would just be a bit more toil and hardship.

But for the sake of money, he had disregarded both family and dignity entirely.

She would rather be so poor she didn't have a single cent than have her father become like this.

Zhan Cheng, having served the Wen family for so many years, didn't make things difficult for Wen Shiyi and personally helped him out.

Wen Shiyi didn't want to leave, but Zhan Cheng forcibly pulled him out and whispered to him: "Go, quickly!"

Wen Shiyi was no fool. Zhan Cheng had followed his father for so many years and naturally didn't wish to see anything happen to him. Such a warning clearly meant that if he didn't leave now, he wouldn't need to leave at all—he would never need to leave again in this lifetime.

Wen Shiyi also hadn't expected to suffer such a massive defeat at Ye Ling's hands again. Supported by Zhan Cheng, he stumbled unsteadily out the main gate. The first people he saw were Ye Ling and Wen Zhengyu, who had exited before him, and then the three creditors standing in the distance with their suitcases.

Wen Shiyi quickened his pace and rushed toward Wen Zhengyu and Ye Ling, only to be blocked by Ma Jun, Wen Jing, and Ye Ling's bodyguards. Immediately after, he saw Wen Zhengyu looking at him with reddened eyes and an especially desolate, fierce gaze. Her face, so similar to Lian Huaijin's, set against such a gaze, was so uncannily like Lian Huaijin reborn that Wen Shiyi suddenly felt a surge of guilt. He quickly composed himself and called out: "Xiao Yu."

Wen Zhengyu turned her face away, then saw the three people in the distance waiting for Wen Shiyi.

Ye Ling called out: "Father-in-law."

Wen Shiyi's face darkened. "Who's your father-in-law."

Ye Ling let out a long "Oh," and said: "So you plan to repay the debt yourself then?"

Wen Shiyi asked with a dark expression: "What do you mean?"

Ye Ling cast a meaningful glance at the three people in the distance, then swept her gaze back to Wen Shiyi, and said: "You're a sensible man. I'm sure you know very well what approach benefits you more. Only when Zhengyu is well can you be well, isn't that right? Clinging to a dead-end path in a pit—that's no good. Take your time to think it over. We're going to have breakfast." She finished speaking and pulled Wen Zhengyu toward the waiting car.

Just before getting into the car, Wen Zhengyu turned back to look at Wen Shiyi standing at the doorway, lost in thought. She ducked into the car and said: "What you just said—I don't quite understand."

Ye Ling soothingly patted Wen Zhengyu's hand and said to Wen Jing, who was driving: "Find a place for breakfast." She then said to Wen Zhengyu: "People—when pushed to a dead end, they're capable of anything. What he just did was certainly disgraceful, but from what I can see, he's truly at his wit's end."

Wen Zhengyu turned her head to look out the window. She wanted to say he brought this on himself, but such words wouldn't leave her lips.

She knew Ye Ling had far more experience handling these matters than she did, and knew better how to respond. Thinking of how Ye Ling had acquired that experience, and then recalling that what Ye Ling had endured in the past was even more humiliating and helpless than what she herself was experiencing now, she felt sadness and heartache for Ye Ling. She grasped Ye Ling's hand and said: "Back then... it must have been very painful for you too, wasn't it?"

Ye Ling knew what Wen Zhengyu was referring to. She said: "It was manageable. They never treated me as family, and I never treated them as family either—there was no pressure in fighting back." Wen Shiyi might be a bastard, but she could tell that Wen Zhengyu cared about him. Regardless of whether Wen Shiyi was a competent father, at least before his bankruptcy and collapse, he had held up a household, sheltered Wen Zhengyu from wind and rain and protected her as she grew up, providing her with an affluent environment where she had ample food and clothing and could freely do what she loved. One could say he hadn't raised Wen Zhengyu in the sense of moral and intellectual upbringing, but one couldn't say he hadn't provided for Wen Zhengyu materially. Wen Zhengyu resented him, but she also cared about him—this was the bond of blood kinship, an accumulation of innate connection and over twenty years of shared life. What made Ye Ling sigh with emotion was that when this family collapsed, father and daughter, facing the lowest point of their lives, had reacted in two entirely different ways—one would rather starve to death than compromise their integrity, while the other had crumbled into a complete and utter ruin.

Wen Shiyi was Wen Zhengyu's father. If he had trouble, Wen Zhengyu would lose face just the same.

For Ye Ling, whether Wen Shiyi was good or bad wasn't what mattered. The important thing was how to keep Wen Zhengyu from being harmed.

Wen Zhengyu asked Ye Ling: "How do you think this should be handled?"

The corner of Ye Ling's lips curved upward into a pleasing smile as she said: "I like it when you come to me with things you don't understand." She held Wen Zhengyu's hand and said: "Right now, he's like a drowning man frantically grasping for a lifeline. Whoever throws him that lifeline is who he'll listen to."

Fearing that Wen Zhengyu might feel humiliated by Wen Shiyi's behavior, she added: "Whether the things he's doing now look good or not, at least he's someone capable of maneuvering—it's just that his approach is crooked and his methods are wrong. He's a smart man. A little guidance and he'll understand. After smooth sailing for so many years, suddenly collapsing—not many people can endure that. How many people, upon going bankrupt, simply jump off a building? Those who jump are the ones who truly lose everything, with no blood left to pay. As long as a person is alive, as long as they can keep maneuvering, there's always hope of rising again." She continued: "Wen Shiyi only became like this because of successive defeats. If he had absconded with the money and returned two years later, bringing large sums of capital to repay the debt in grand style, that would be a different spectacle entirely—something to be recounted as a successful experience of weathering storms."

Wen Zhengyu said: "You don't need to make excuses for him."

Ye Ling said: "He's still my father-in-law. If he's not well, I don't look good either."

Wen Zhengyu's face tensed as she said: "He's not. Whether in success or defeat, a person must have their own sense of responsibility." As she spoke, a thought suddenly stirred in her mind. She asked: "Then what if your business collapses someday?"

Ye Ling quickly said: "I struggled so hard just to climb back up—don't jinx me." She said to Wen Zhengyu: "I never would have guessed, but you're quite the worrywart."

Wen Zhengyu gripped Ye Ling's hand tightly with both of hers and said: "If you collapse someday, don't run. I'll stay with you."

Ye Ling was suddenly rather moved. She said: "Mm, I won't run. Money can be earned again, but if I lose you, there's nowhere to find another." She added: "You're more important than money."

Wen Zhengyu knew how important money was to Ye Ling. The fact that she was more important than money meant she truly mattered a great deal. She silently held Ye Ling's hand. Whether it was because of Ye Ling's words of consolation or because of Ye Ling herself, her heart felt much lighter.

She had Wen Jing drive to a very distinctive breakfast shop, where she ate breakfast with Ye Ling at a leisurely pace. Thinking that Wen Shishu and the old gentleman had had their morning meal disrupted, she also packed two portions to take back.

The old gentleman had been angered, and with Wen Shishu still at home, she couldn't feel at ease without going back to check on them.

Ye Ling realized that in Wen Zhengyu's heart, nothing was more important than family. Actually, at this moment, what was most pressing for Wen Zhengyu was first resolving the loan shark debt Wen Shiyi owed outside. But the fact that Wen Zhengyu cared so much about family was, instead, quite gratifying to Ye Ling.

The family of four had breakfast together again.

Wen Shishu told Wen Zhengyu and Ye Ling that she planned to take the old gentleman to stay at her place for a while, leaving matters here to the two of them to handle. However, she wasn't simply washing her hands of everything and doing nothing. She said: "I've already arranged for people to investigate the backgrounds of those people and what exactly is going on with Third Brother. The people I arranged are all ones I brought you to meet when I came back last time. I've told them to report whatever they find to you. You're establishing your own household now, and when you encounter problems, you need to have your own ideas. Although Third Brother's matter is vexing, it's not some life-threatening catastrophe. You need to learn to handle things yourself. If you don't understand something, ask Xiao Yezi. With her watching over you, I can be at ease. As for my people here, if they can be of use to you, by all means use them."

Wen Zhengyu agreed.

Wen Shishu then gave Wen Zhengyu detailed instructions on who each person was, what they did, their temperaments and dispositions, and what connections and history she had with them. Wen Shishu didn't avoid Ye Ling and let her listen as well.

Ye Ling understood that Wen Shishu was beginning to transfer the network of connections from the old family into Wen Zhengyu's hands. Not avoiding her served two purposes: first, so she could help Wen Zhengyu assess situations and offer counsel; second, it meant she wasn't being treated as an outsider.

After Wen Shishu finished her instructions, they emerged from her courtyard. Ye Ling sighed with a tinge of envy and remarked: "Your second aunt truly cares for you and Wen Shiyi from the bottom of her heart."

Wen Zhengyu gave a soft "Mm," and said: "When I was little, I always pestered her to be my mother." Even now, she still viewed her as half a mother. She said: "My second aunt dotes on me especially."

Ye Ling said: "I can tell." Entrusting the family foundations from her hometown to Wen Zhengyu—she wouldn't treat her own biological daughter any better than this. She continued: "But your second aunt has another layer of meaning behind this."

Wen Zhengyu made a questioning "Hm?" sound, looking at Ye Ling somewhat puzzled.

Ye Ling said: "To give the Lian family an explanation—to protect Wen Shiyi."

Wen Zhengyu said: "Right now, it's Wen... Wen Shiyi who got himself into loan shark debt. The Lian family hasn't done anything to him."

Ye Ling said: "But afterward, it will be hard to avoid them settling accounts with him. The Lian family's granddaughter by the maternal line has received this benefit from her—it wouldn't be proper for her to then have her younger brother's legs broken. When you handle this matter yourself, whether or not to let Wen Shiyi off will be your decision. Only if you let Wen Shiyi off can no one say a word against it." She paused and then continued: "The loan sharks are easy to deal with. At worst, spend fifty million and the matter is settled. It's the Lian family who are the hardest to handle. They don't want money—they only want the person. If you handle this well, Wen Shiyi can avoid being crippled. If you handle it poorly, he'll spend the rest of his life as a useless invalid, locked away, unable to cause any more trouble. As for you, of course—if, with so many people given to you, you still can't protect your own biological father, then for the rest of your life, you'll just get by on collecting a bit of rent and selling a few paintings."

Wen Zhengyu: "..."

Ye Ling said: "Actually, I'm quite interested in these family assets your second aunt is handing over. How about I manage them for you?"

Wen Zhengyu: "..."

Ye Ling said: "These are worth far more than those three chests of jewelry of yours."

Wen Zhengyu: "..."

Ye Ling said: "Really—your second aunt is only handing over the connections now. If you can't even hold onto the connections, then don't even mention taking over the accounts."

Wen Zhengyu stared blankly at Ye Ling for a long moment, then looked back toward her second aunt's courtyard. She suddenly understood that her second aunt knew she couldn't grasp all the twists and turns within, and that was why she had called Ye Ling along. But even now that Ye Ling had explained it clearly, her mind still struggled to comprehend. Wen Zhengyu suddenly felt rather like mud that couldn't stick to a wall—her intelligence seemed a bit insufficient.

Ye Ling laughed and said: "Alright, stop spacing out. Let's wait for the reports to come back." As they spoke, they had already reached their small courtyard. She poured two glasses of water, one for Wen Zhengyu and one for herself, and said: "Actually, my approach and your second aunt's are the same. Fifty million US dollars—they can dream on..." Before she could finish, she saw Wen Zhengyu, who was drinking water, suddenly choke.

Wen Zhengyu covered her mouth, coughing several times in succession, tears welling up from choking. She cried out in shock: "US dollars?"

Ye Ling said: "Mm, US dollars. Fifty million US dollars. A loan contract signed abroad, of course it wouldn't be in renminbi. Loan sharks, compound interest rolling—you won't be able to repay it just by earning money yourself, unless you dip into your mother's dowry. Otherwise, you'd have to sell yourself to me just to pay it off."

Wen Zhengyu stared blankly at Ye Ling.

Ye Ling said: "Otherwise, did you think your second aunt would hand over half the family assets from her hometown just for a mere fifty million renminbi? If you truly took on this debt, Wen Shiyi would be dead as dead can be."

Wen Zhengyu made an "Uh" sound and asked: "Half?" She had thought her second aunt had already given everything.

Ye Ling glanced at Wen Zhengyu, sighed wistfully, and pulled Wen Zhengyu close. She said: "If she gave you everything, you wouldn't be able to take it on—truly unable to handle it. What she's given is the portion that, as long as you're willing to put your heart into it, you can manage. If you manage it, it's enough for you to establish yourself. This is both her show of sincerity to the Lian family and her genuine, heartfelt love for you and Wen Shiyi. Otherwise, she could simply wash her hands of you and your father, take your grandfather away, and be done with it."

"Your second aunt has paved the way for you. Do you know what to do next?"

Wen Zhengyu nodded and said: "I understand Second Aunt's intention—first investigate clearly, then devise a strategy, right?"

Ye Ling: "..." She stared at Wen Zhengyu, dumbfounded, then turned her head to look outside the courtyard. She felt that if Wen Shishu heard this, she would absolutely take her people back and not give them to Wen Zhengyu.

Seeing Ye Ling's reaction, Wen Zhengyu knew she had said the wrong thing and quickly handed the water glass to Ye Ling.

Ye Ling sighed and said: "This group—you can tell from their methods that they specifically target Chinese people who go overseas. The fact that they can chase the debt all the way back to China means they have people both domestically and abroad, and there are cross-border financial flows. When your father borrowed money, there would have been a formal contract, with the repayment company and account number listed. Through the company, the account number, and the individuals who have shown their faces, we can trace it further. These loan shark companies can't transfer funds through legitimate channels—they're usually connected to underground banks or money-laundering enterprises... Once investigated, this can be reported directly to the police for arrests. When this kind of case is uncovered, you'd be embarrassed to say the amount involved is anything less than some number in the hundreds of millions. Of course, once we find out, whether or not to report to the police will be up to us." Repay the money? As if!

She continued: "They set a trap to fleece you—we naturally have to hit back. But the extent of the counterattack depends on who their boss is. In short, if we don't make them shed a layer of skin and spit up some blood, it wouldn't be worthy of your second aunt reaching out her hand in this matter."

"These people—as long as they don't show themselves and don't cause trouble, fine. But once they reveal themselves, they're guaranteed to be caught, every single one traced. It just takes some effort to investigate." She paused and added: "The fact that Wen Shiyi could be pushed to this extent by them, and that they dared to do this, suggests they hold some leverage over Wen Shiyi. It all depends on whether you're willing to be blackmailed or not." She scrutinized Wen Zhengyu from head to toe once more and said: "Or perhaps I'm overthinking it. Maybe they simply thought you were easy to deceive and did this deal. After all, last night, someone was already prepared to borrow money to pay off this debt."

Wen Zhengyu: "..." She realized that Ye Ling was not only talkative but also sharp-tongued. This was completely different from the taciturn, reserved Ye Ling of the past. Had she, having successfully moved into her home and gotten together with her, begun to reveal her true colors?

From her perspective, this was simply a matter of owing money and paying it back. Yet with Ye Ling and her aunt, it was clearly about making the other side pay up!

Owing money to loan sharks, and making the loan sharks pay them instead?

Wen Zhengyu suddenly felt as if her entire twenty-plus years of understanding the world had been turned upside down.

Ye Ling then added, in a subdued tone: "Say—if we deal with this group of loan sharks, do you think any other loan sharks would dare seek out your father in the future?"

Wen Zhengyu shook her head numbly. They'd treat Wen Shiyi like a plague god. It would be difficult for Wen Shiyi to borrow even a single cent outside ever again.

Ye Ling supplemented: "If the other side has formidable strength and we can't win, then we'll have no choice but to obediently repay the money—and then cripple your father and lock him up so he never sees daylight for the rest of his life."

Wen Zhengyu opened her mouth, then was completely speechless. Only after a long moment did she say: "Second Aunt's people—I'll hand them over for you to command." She knew her own limitations. She couldn't do this. If she mishandled it, the loss would amount to hundreds of millions.

The corner of Ye Ling's mouth lifted. She said: "See? I said you're easy to deceive—just a few words, and you've handed over the family assets your second aunt gave you."

Wen Zhengyu fixed her gaze on Ye Ling and said: "I feel like looking for the adhesive tape."

Ye Ling smiled warmly. She laughed and said: "Alright, I'll stop teasing you. In matters where there's meat to be had, we can't leave out your cousin. With him involved, our chances of success increase significantly—at the very least, we can preserve the principal, your dad won't get crippled, and you won't be blamed. At noon, invite your second aunt's people and Lian Xin out for a meal to discuss a plan of action."

Wen Zhengyu understood. Her second aunt had pulled Ye Ling in; Ye Ling pulled her cousin Lian Xin in. In the end, she was still left standing on the sidelines watching the show.

Ye Ling: I really want to dig into my wife's family assets! What should I do!

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