"What... what did you say?"
Wang Xiaoxia never dreamed that Chen Qing would be so overjoyed upon learning that her son had beaten someone up. Her mind went blank, and after a long pause, she said in disbelief:
"Chen Qing, Chen Qing, you're usually crazy enough, but I never imagined you could be this crazy..."
Chen Qing interrupted Wang Xiaoxia righteously:
"Of course you wouldn't imagine it, since it's the first time I've heard my son beat someone up!"
"You..."
Wang Xiaoxia was so angry she was speechless.
Chen Xingwen gritted his teeth, his voice sinister as he chimed in:
"Chen Qing, your son hit someone first, and Gao Fei was reportedly quite seriously injured. You'll have to pay medical expenses. What's there to be happy about?"
Chen Qing said without hesitation:
"So what if I have to pay? My son finally dared to hit someone, and I'm happy to pay. Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, you two came here in such a big fuss, you're not also here for compensation, are you?"
Chen Xingwen said righteously:
"Of course we're here to demand compensation! After all, because of your son, not only has my daughter's great marriage been ruined, but I've also lost a major client, and even inexplicably gained an enemy, and that enemy is my next-door neighbor..."
Chen Qing frowned slightly and interrupted Chen Xingwen with a sarcastic tone:
"Second Brother, you truly live up to your reputation as a bank employee. You've really calculated things well! But I, your sister, am happy today. Ask for whatever compensation you want. I might, possibly, satisfy you. But you'd better control your appetite, because I definitely can't come up with more than three thousand yuan."
Wang Xiaoxia immediately became displeased, saying with a mercenary expression:
"Chen Qing, do you think your Second Brother and I are beggars? You think a mere three thousand yuan can send us away?"
"Exactly!"
Chen Xingwen said indignantly, his tone even more matter-of-fact:
"At least thirty thousand yuan, otherwise don't blame me for personally dealing with your son..."
Just then, Chen Xiao's voice suddenly came from outside the door:
"Second Uncle, I'm here. If you want to deal with me, just come at me!"
Along with his words, he, looking exhausted, immediately stepped in and sat down heavily next to Chen Xingwen, showing no fear, but rather a look of defiance.
"You..."
Chen Xingwen was clearly taken aback by Chen Xiao's sudden assertiveness, as he had always been someone who never fought back or talked back. He immediately jumped up like a startled bird and retreated far away. For a moment, he felt that Chen Xiao's aura was even more powerful than those bosses who came to the bank to deposit millions.
"Useless!"
Wang Xiaoxia glared at Chen Xingwen with annoyance, then rushed out the door, looking left and right. Her gaze finally landed on Chen Xiao's small electric scooter parked outside. When she returned, her gaze towards Chen Xiao was even more contemptuous:
"Chen Xiao, why aren't you driving Zhou Wanrong's Porsche today?"
Chen Xiao replied, unfazed:
"So what?"
"Still so arrogant!"
Wang Xiaoxia said gleefully:
"I heard the doctors and nurses talking while eating in the cafeteria that you beat up the son of the deputy bank president from your Second Uncle's bank. So the Jian father and son are making a scene in the dean's office? Hmph! You ignorant fool, do you know that Deputy Bank President Jian's connections are as vast as the sky, so much so that even the Ye and Song families are vying to curry favor with him? Now, even if Dean Ye is your mom's college classmate, he can't protect you. No wonder Zhou Wanrong kicked you out and wouldn't let you drive her car!"
Much of what she said was hearsay, and some was her own speculation, far from the truth.
"Wh... what?"
Chen Xingwen's face turned pale with shock, and he stammered:
"Wife... Wife? Why didn't you tell me before we came? Chen Xiao... did Chen Xiao really beat Jian Xiaojun's son? Does Jian Xiaojun know that I'm Chen Xiao's second uncle?"
Wang Xiaoxia's tone suddenly became tense:
"This is exactly what I'm most worried about. Chen Xiao being able to return safely might mean he's already told Jian Xiaojun about you being his second uncle, and Jian Xiaojun is temporarily letting him off the hook out of respect for you? If that's the case, then our family... our family is in big trouble!"
Daphne, seeing the panicked reactions of Chen Xingwen and Wang Xiaoxia, couldn't help but say with disdain:
"What kind of vast connections can a mere deputy bank president have? If his background were truly as great as the sky, why would he only be a deputy bank president? Chen Xiao, don't be afraid. With the Stark family of New York City backing you, even if you beat someone from the Yanbei Zhang family, I can ensure you'll be fine!"
Chen Xingwen gasped, his eyes widening:
"You... you're from the Stark family of New York City?"
Wang Xiaoxia was completely bewildered:
"What family in New York City? Husband, is this foreigner bragging? I remember you told me that Jian Xiaojun's backer is the young master of the Yanbei Zhang family, who is very powerful. All the wealth banks, domestic and foreign, belong to their family..."
Chen Xingwen interrupted Wang Xiaoxia without hesitation:
"The Stark family of New York City! One of the top global conglomerates, and the Wealth Bank also has shares in their family!"
"Really?"
Wang Xiaoxia looked Daphne up and down with disdain:
"Just her? A fake?"
"You..."
Daphne, feeling insulted, was furious and about to retort.
Chen Xiao noticed that Chen Qing, who had been silent, appeared calm but showed subtle signs of nervousness. He quickly interrupted Daphne:
"Second Aunt is indeed sharp. With just one look, she saw that Daphne is a fake from the Stark family. But then again, if you two are worried about being implicated because I beat up Jian Xiaojun's son, you can go home with peace of mind. Because Jian Xiaojun has been fired, and Zhang Liuqian is my friend."
"Pfft—"
This time, it was Chen Xingwen's turn to burst out laughing:
"Chen Xiao, are you kidding me? Jian Xiaojun's backer is so strong, how could he be fired? As for Zhang Liuqian, he's from the Yanbei Zhang family, a high and mighty figure. I usually don't even dare to look him in the eye. How can you be friends with him?"
He paused, then impatiently urged Chen Qing:
"Your son seems to be an idiot, otherwise he wouldn't be talking nonsense. Don't waste any more time, just pay the money. Thirty thousand yuan, and we'll be square with both the Gao Sheng family and the Jian Xiaojun family."
Chen Qing felt her heart pounding. After all, she never dreamed her son would dare to hit someone, and the people he hit had increasingly formidable backgrounds. Even now, she still felt Chen Xiao was being framed by Chen Xingwen and Wang Xiaoxia. So, she pretended to be calm and looked at the weak-looking Chen Xiao:
"Son, what do you say? Mom needs your explanation."
Chen Xiao noticed the worry in Chen Qing's eyes and felt a pang of concern. He hesitated for a moment before saying:
"Mom, since Second Uncle doesn't believe the president of their bank is my friend, why don't I just make a video call to confirm it?"
Saying this, he took out his phone and called Zhang Liuqian.