Chapter 118: Clown
Zhao Dong looked at the middle-aged man and asked coolly, "Are you in charge here?"
The man bowed obsequiously. "Mr. Zhao, my name is Zhang Tong. I'm so sorry, I didn't realize it was you. If I had known you were coming, I would have definitely come down to greet you..."
With that, he turned to the surrounding thugs and yelled, "All of you, get lost! Can't you see this is Mr. Zhao?"
A group of thugs hurriedly bowed to Zhao Dong before piling into the elevator and leaving.
Wang Han stared blankly at the scene. It's like I'm dreaming.
Zhang Tong trembled. "Mr. Zhao, please, come into my office to talk. I'll make you some tea."
Zhao Dong nodded, and Zhang Tong's face lit up with joy. He then glanced at Wang Han and said coolly, "You, come in as well."
Zhang Tong looked at Wang Han, who was still on the floor, and started. "Mr. Zhao, this woman is..."
Zhao Dong remained silent. Zhang Tong understood this was not the place to ask questions and didn't dare press the issue. Wang Han got to her feet, gave Zhao Dong a complicated look, and followed them into the office.
Inside the office, Zhang Tong respectfully prepared tea for Zhao Dong, his expression utterly servile.
Watching Zhang Tong's behavior, Wang Han was deeply shaken and filled with disbelief. This is Zhang Tong... the general manager. My father can't even get a meeting with this man, and yet... he's being so deferential to Zhao Dong?
After taking a sip of tea, Zhao Dong asked casually, "Zhang Tong, how has the company's revenue been lately?"
Zhang Tong immediately answered, "Mr. Zhao, the revenue has been excellent. The company's current market value is nearly two hundred million, with a cash flow of close to fifty million. And we're still growing."
Zhao Dong nodded slightly. "Your company isn't large, so to have achieved this is quite impressive."
"Yes, of course, Mr. Zhao..." Zhang Tong replied hastily.
Then Zhao Dong's tone turned cold. "If your cash flow is so abundant, why are you withholding payment from people?"
Zhang Tong froze, nearly scared out of his wits. He stammered, "Mr. Zhao, I... which payment are you referring to?"
Zhao Dong glanced at Wang Han. Zhang Tong followed his gaze, his face twisting into a bitter expression. "Sister-in-law, I... I truly wasn't aware of this. Just tell me what this is about, and I'll settle the payment immediately."
Wang Han froze. Sister-in-law? A wave of complex emotions washed over her at the title.
Zhao Dong, however, frowned and said coldly, "What are you talking about, 'sister-in-law'? I have no connection to this woman. Don't use that term."
Zhang Tong's expression shifted, and he forced a laugh. "I see. My apologies, Mr. Zhao, my eyes must have been playing tricks on me. Ahem... Miss, which company do you represent? We have a lot of clients, so I'm not always sure who has an outstanding payment."
Wang Han bit her lip and said softly, "My father is Wang Jianguo... of the Wang Construction Company."
Zhang Tong slapped his forehead. "I remember now! We do indeed owe your company four million! I'll pay it right now!"
Zhang Tong immediately pulled a checkbook from his desk. He filled out the amount, stamped it with the company seal, and handed it to Wang Han respectfully. "Miss Wang," he said with a smile, "this is a check for four million. You can cash it at East Sea Bank at any time. It was our mistake to delay the payment, and we will visit you to offer a formal apology soon."
Wang Han stared at the check in her hand, completely dazed. Our family tried countless methods to get this money back, all of which failed... and Zhao Dong managed it with just a few words?
She looked at Zhao Dong, a torrent of complicated emotions swirling within her. Zhao Dong... what exactly is his background? Could it be that... he isn't the incompetent person I always thought he was?
Zhao Dong stood up and looked at her. "Let's go. Why are you still sitting there?"
Startled, Wang Han quickly composed herself and stood up. Zhao Dong gave a brief nod to Zhang Tong and left with Wang Han.
The two entered the elevator, and the atmosphere grew silent. Wang Han clutched the check, biting her lip hard as she stared at the floor. She glanced at Zhao Dong, but he was looking up at the ceiling, not sparing her a single look. A sudden bitterness welled up inside her.
"Zhao Dong..."
"What is it?" His tone was still cold.
Wang Han took a deep breath and mustered her courage. "How do you know the general manager?"
"Is that any of your business?"
Wang Han was taken aback, rendered speechless. Faced with his impatient and indifferent demeanor, a pang of sadness struck her heart.
"Zhao Dong, if you know all these important people, why didn't you ever say anything?"
Zhao Dong looked at her as if she were a fool. "Why should I tell you? If I were to tell anyone, it would be the people I'm actually close to. What are you to me?"
Wang Han's face went pale. Her body trembled slightly as she bit her lip, not even realizing she was doing it.
Zhao Dong couldn't be bothered to look at her and simply turned away. A self-deprecating laugh escaped Wang Han, though her smile was filled with utter dejection.
After exiting the elevator, they walked out the main entrance of the company.
When Wang Jianguo saw the two of them emerge safely, he heaved a sigh of relief. He had been worried they would fail to get the money and get beaten up in the process. At least they were unharmed.
Li Mujing shot Zhao Dong a look and sneered, "So, Zhao Dong, you obviously didn't get the money back, did you? I knew we shouldn't have trusted you. You're completely useless!"
Zhao Dong looked at Li Mujing, his gaze terrifyingly indifferent. Beside him, Wang Han bit her lip. "Mom, stop it..."
Wang Jianguo sighed as he looked at Zhao Dong's expression. "Let it go. If we didn't get the money back, so be it. We'll figure something else out. The important thing is that you two are safe. Mujing, that's enough!"
Li Mujing snorted. "I'll say what I want. Why can't I? He's all talk and no action, so why shouldn't I call him out on it? I said it before, and I'll say it again: if Zhao Dong manages to get that money back, I'll eat my own shit!"
"Mom! That's enough! Zhao Dong got the money back!" Wang Han shrieked.
Li Mujing and Wang Jianguo froze.
Wang Jianguo was ecstatic. "Han, you... you're not joking, are you?"
Wang Han sighed, shook her head, and pulled the check from her pocket, handing it to her father. "They paid. Four million. Every last cent."
Wang Jianguo's hands trembled as he took the check. A second later, he was overcome with joy. "They really paid! They really paid! My God, I can't believe it! Han, how did you get the money back?"
Wang Han sighed again and briefly explained what had happened.
When he heard that the general manager had addressed Zhao Dong as 'Mr. Zhao' and had even personally made him tea, Wang Jianguo was left dumbfounded, staring at Zhao Dong in utter disbelief.
Zhao Dong stood with his hands in his pockets, his face expressionless.
Beside him, Li Mujing trembled, her legs growing so weak she almost collapsed. She swallowed hard and asked in a shaky voice, "Han, is... is what you're saying true?"
Wang Han nodded slightly. Li Mujing's mouth hung open as she looked at Zhao Dong, completely at a loss for how to face him.
"Zhao Dong, I..."
Zhao Dong glanced at her and said dismissively, "Stop. I don't want to hear anything you have to say. I got your money back for you. Now just make sure you keep your end of the deal."
Zhao Dong didn't linger. He hailed a cab and left by himself, leaving the Wang family standing there, utterly dumbfounded.
Watching the car's taillights disappear, Wang Jianguo murmured, How does Zhao Dong know such a powerful person? Why did he never say anything...?
Wang Han sighed softly. "Dad, those gifts Zhao Dong gave us before were worth millions. He's probably just a low-key person who doesn't like to show off. We were the ones who were too stupid."
Li Mujing pursed her lips, her face burning as if she'd been slapped repeatedly. Could I have been wrong about him too? But his family... they seem so ordinary!
Wang Jianguo sighed. "Mujing, you need to be more discerning in the future. Ugh! We could have forged a great relationship with Zhao Dong, but after the way you acted, he wants nothing to do with us!"
Li Mujing pouted, her face a mask of bitter regret. "I just never expected that he... sigh!"
As the family sighed in regret, Wang Jianguo suddenly asked, "Han, how are things between you and Zhou Chongming now?"
Wang Han bit her lip. "It is what it is. After what happened last time, I see his true colors. The fake gift was one thing, but he's also such an arrogant braggart. I find him really annoying."
Wang Jianguo coughed. "Then, what do you think of Zhao Dong?"
Wang Han stiffened and frowned. "Dad, what are you trying to say?"
Wang Jianguo said wistfully, "Zhou Chongming puffs himself up to look important, while Zhao Dong is truly capable but chooses to be low-key. Zhao Dong's father and I even arranged a childhood engagement for you two. Honestly, I think you and Zhao Dong would be a great match."
Wang Han pressed her lips together and frowned. "Dad, don't talk about this anymore. It's annoying."
Wang Jianguo sighed, and the family dropped the subject.
Meanwhile, Zhao Dong didn't head home. He planned to buy some cinnabar and yellow paper, as he still felt he owed Han Chuxue and wanted to help her however he could.
He arrived at the antique market in East Sea. The street was lined with stalls selling various antiques, though there were even more proper storefronts. As Zhao Dong walked down the street looking at the stalls, he began circulating the Mystic Sky Technique, feeling as if his vision could penetrate the surface of things. A single sweep of his gaze told him that while there were a few genuine treasures, most of the items were worthless fakes meant to fool the unwary.
Just then, however, a small object at a stall across the street caught his eye. Zhao Dong's eyebrow twitched, and his heart suddenly began to race.
Taking a deep breath, he suppressed his excitement and started walking toward the stall.