Chapter Forty: Warning

Hong Chen’s expression remained calm. “Tell everyone here the truth.”
The manager didn’t dare disobey. Still kneeling, he half-turned, pointed at Shi Jie, then at Lu Ke’er. “He handed the watch to her, and she put it in Mr. Hong’s pocket.”
Shi Jie and Lu Ke’er’s faces changed dramatically. Lu Ke’er blurted out, “Nonsense! How could it be me?”
Vice President Mo looked at her coldly. “Shall I have the surveillance team bring the footage over? Let me remind you, if it comes to that, the club’s punishment will be even harsher.”
Lu Ke’er’s face flickered between blue and white, her expression ever-changing. Lin Yuxin could now see the truth and exclaimed in disbelief, “Ke’er, why would you do that?”
“Yuxin, I…” Lu Ke’er was in a panic. At this moment, the manager pointed at Chen Feiyang. “I framed Mr. Hong because he instructed me to. He gave me three hundred thousand, told me not only to frame Mr. Hong, but to do so as severely as possible. Normally, the club’s punishment would be breaking two fingers, or compensation at five times the value of the stolen item.”
At these words, those present were stunned. Chen Feiyang’s face was ashen. “Manager Cai, don’t you slander me! Where’s your proof that I gave you three hundred thousand?”
The manager sneered. “You’re cunning indeed, always using someone else for transfers. I’m just telling the truth, not fighting a lawsuit. People know in their hearts what to believe.”
A cruel glint flashed in Chen Feiyang’s eyes as he retorted, “Manager Cai, you insist on throwing mud at me, but who really put you up to this?”
“I haven’t left the club since 2 p.m. today. Of all the people in your suite, I only ran into you, around 4:50 in the first-floor corridor.”
With that, the manager turned back to Hong Chen. Hong Chen glanced at Vice President Mo. “Now your club owes me justice.”
Without a word, Vice President Mo signaled Minister Xiao with his eyes. A glint of coldness flashed in Minister Xiao’s eyes as he kicked the manager in the head. Blood spurted from the manager’s nose, two teeth flew from his mouth.
That was just the beginning. Minister Xiao then punched and kicked him mercilessly. The manager’s screams were like a slaughtered pig, making everyone’s hearts pound with fear; several women turned as pale as death.
In less than a minute, the manager fell silent, collapsed like a dead dog, the carpet around him stained irregularly with blood.
After Minister Xiao stopped, Vice President Mo raised his gaze to Shi Jie and Lu Ke’er. “You two falsely accused Mr. Hong, which is tantamount to theft yourselves. According to club rules, it should be breaking two fingers or paying double the item’s value. But now, in accordance with Mr. Hong’s case, it’s breaking a hand or paying five times the value, split between you—five fingers or two hundred and fifty thousand each. The watch’s value of one million was confirmed by you at Mr. Hong’s request.”
Hearing this, and seeing the bloody deterrent of Manager Cai, the two of them turned ashen, especially Shi Jie, who wanted nothing more than to bash his head against a wall. His watch was a high-grade imitation worth just over ten thousand, but at Chen Feiyang’s behest, he’d insisted it was worth a million. Now, he’d spun his own web and trapped himself.

If he had a second chance, he’d speak the truth. But there’s no turning back in this world.
Unconsciously, both looked at Chen Feiyang. Where could they come up with two hundred and fifty thousand each? As for losing five fingers—unthinkable.
Chen Feiyang’s face was dark as water. The plot had failed, and all signs pointed to him. There was no denying it now. His reputation and image were destroyed tonight. His only consolation was his caution—he’d left no solid evidence. As long as he denied everything, the club’s punishment wouldn’t fall on him. As for calling the police or lawsuits—he had no fear.
“Why are you looking at me? I didn’t tell you to do anything. You made your own choices, now bear the consequences.” Since his face was already lost, Chen Feiyang simply spread his hands and denied everything. Five hundred thousand was a large sum even for him; dreaming he’d fork it over was a fantasy.
“Chen Feiyang, do you even have a conscience? I did this for you because we were classmates, and now when things go wrong you wash your hands of it! If you hadn’t guaranteed you’d cover me, I had no grudge against Hong Chen. How could a fake worth just over ten thousand be worth a million!” Shi Jie, furious, tore the watch from his wrist and threw it at Chen Feiyang.
His aim was off but his strength was great; it missed Chen Feiyang and struck the wall, leaving a crack on the watch’s surface.
Chen Feiyang glared coldly at Shi Jie. “Don’t think you can act like a mad dog just because you’re angry. If that had hit me, even if I let it go for old time’s sake, the club wouldn’t let you walk out the front door.”
Shi Jie’s anger was immense, but he dared not truly confront Chen Feiyang. Their status was worlds apart. If Chen Feiyang retaliated later, he’d be finished, and maybe his family would suffer too.
“Yuxin, help me.” Lu Ke’er, seeing Chen Feiyang’s expression so grim, dared not utter harsher words and could only plead with Lin Yuxin, her eyes filling with tears.
“Why did you do it?” Lin Yuxin looked at her coldly. Lu Ke’er sobbed, “I just wanted you to divorce him, for you and Feiyang to be together.”
“Was it Chen Feiyang’s idea?” Lin Yuxin asked, already knowing the answer. Lu Ke’er’s face twisted, but in the end, she hung her head and nodded lightly.
Lin Yuxin exhaled a heavy breath, turned to Hong Chen, and hesitated. “Hong Chen, Ke’er was forced into this. Could you…”
Hong Chen replied blandly, “I have no right to interfere with the club’s punishment. However, since the club owes me an explanation for Manager Cai, I can negotiate with Vice President Mo. Are you sure you want to let her go?”
Seeing Lin Yuxin nod, Hong Chen said no more and looked to Vice President Mo. The latter replied formally, “Mr. Hong, everything here is at your discretion. But once this matter is settled, the club will not offer further compensation.”
At this, Shi Jie seemed to grab at a lifeline, looking pleadingly at Lin Yuxin. Sensing his gaze, Lin Yuxin merely frowned and, without waiting for him to speak, said, “Hong Chen, Shi Jie is also a classmate. We only meet every few years. Can’t we let it go?”
Hong Chen nodded readily. “Alright.”

Shi Jie looked as if he’d been granted amnesty. After a moment’s hesitation, he gave Hong Chen a deep bow. “Mr. Hong, I apologize for what I’ve done.”
The others watched this scene, their expressions turning complicated.
Hong Chen merely nodded indifferently, then turned his eyes to Chen Feiyang. “Are you disappointed? Not only did you fail to ruin me, you ended up a laughingstock yourself.”
Chen Feiyang was silent, his face as dark and menacing as a midnight forest. Hong Chen smiled. “Let me tell you, your information is outdated. I’m no longer unemployed. I work for the Hongcheng Group as a driver, but I can speak directly with the company’s leadership. Just now, with one call, I reported the situation to my boss and mentioned your Mao Ding Building Materials. The boss personally instructed Vice President Mo to handle things impartially. Also, he asked me to give you a message: If you dare flaunt your connection with Hongcheng Group again, you’ll bear all consequences yourself!”
“Remember, there’s only one warning. There won’t be a second chance!”
Chen Feiyang had made money from his company, seduced his wife, and even tried to frame him. Given Hong Chen’s current attitude, if he didn’t repay in kind, at the very least he’d use his adversary’s own methods against him. The reason he hadn’t ended the Hongcheng Group’s cooperation with Mao Ding Construction was out of consideration for Lin Yuxin. That, and his earlier willingness to spare Lu Ke’er and Shi Jie at Lin Yuxin’s request, were for her sake.
After all, Chen Feiyang, Lu Ke’er, and Shi Jie were all connected to Lin Yuxin. In just over half a month, his marriage to Lin Yuxin would be over. He didn’t want to use overly harsh methods that might plant seeds of hatred, causing them to seek revenge on Lin Yuxin once he was gone.
Chen Feiyang’s pupils constricted as he looked at Hong Chen’s mocking, triumphant smile. Rage and frustration filled his heart, threatening to explode.
A mere driver, not only had he escaped the trap, he’d thrown mud onto Chen Feiyang and now even dared to threaten him. It was no different from a slap in the face.
What a disgrace!
“Chen Feiyang, from this day on, whether in business or private matters, there will be nothing between us.” Lin Yuxin’s voice was cold and resolute. “Everyone, don’t inform me of any future gatherings.”
Her gaze swept across the faces of those present, as if in farewell. She rose and walked over to Hong Chen, whispering, “I don’t want to stay here any longer. Can we go?”
Hong Chen shrugged. “Of course.”