Chapter 117: Beat You to Death
"Mr. Bai, what were you just cursing about?" Although Ishiheng Gen couldn't quite understand Chinese, that 'baka' he did catch. He frowned and asked in clumsy Chinese.
When Bai Wensheng heard this, he thought, oh no, he had offended him too. He quickly bowed and apologized, "I'm so sorry, I was just talking to another annoying guy, it wasn't directed at you."
Ishiheng glanced at the empty, quiet conference hall, frowned, and asked the translator beside him, "Weren't we supposed to hold a press conference? Did I come to the wrong place?"
The translator translated, and Bai Wensheng panicked, hurriedly waving his hands to explain, "No, no, today we're just having a… a… rehearsal, yes, that's what I mean, a rehearsal. The official press conference will be a few days later."
In his panic, Bai Wensheng managed to come up with what seemed like the most reliable excuse for now. Maybe this was the only thing he could do—make up a new press conference later. It might not work well, but it was better than being humiliated today.
When Ishiheng heard that, he got annoyed, "No, the notice from our headquarters clearly said the press conference is today. And… I heard your government also values this event highly, and Deputy Mayor Ma of your city would personally attend. So why is it suddenly a rehearsal? How can you just change it like that? Mr. Bai, I hope you can give me a reasonable explanation."
Bai Wensheng was speechless. He could only beg and plead before finally calming Ishiheng down and postponing the press conference by five days.
Ishiheng hadn't left yet when that nosy tabloid reporter who always stuck posters on lampposts stood up and shouted loudly, "Chairman Bai, it's time, weren't you going to hold a press conference?"
Bai Wensheng was so angry he almost spat blood, quickly ordering the security guards to throw him out. There were still plenty of agents to deal with. Damn it, Zhang Yang, you've really screwed me over this time. This isn't over between us.
Just as he was about to enter the lounge, his assistant rushed over and said, "Chairman, bad news."
Bai Wensheng snapped, shouting, "What now?"
"Well… there's news from the police station about the young master. They said no bail, at least ten days of detention, a fine of ten thousand, and compensation of one hundred thirty thousand for the injured student's medical expenses."
"What? Ten days' detention? Damn it, Deng Chunlai really isn't giving me any face. I can accept the fine, I can pay the compensation, but the person didn't even die! Why detain him for ten days? Wasn't it agreed that admitting fault and paying would release him?" Bai Wensheng, already in a foul mood, smashed the microphone on the ground and roared.
Two days ago, his son had been arrested for hitting someone with his car. It was agreed that after paying the fine, he'd be released. How the hell did it turn into detention now? This was complete bullshit. Even a small precinct chief dared to act tough with him—and a new one, at that.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. He demanded Director Deng's number and dialed it.
The other side answered, but the voice was cold as ice, asking who he was and what he wanted.
Bai Wensheng stood with his hands on his hips and said casually, "I'm Bai Wensheng, Chairman of Bai Pharmaceuticals."
"Who's Bai Wensheng?"
Hearing that, Bai Wensheng almost choked to death. But since he needed something, he swallowed his anger and said, "Here's the thing, I'm good friends with Deputy Director Ou of Yuetian District. I could've asked him to talk to you directly, but I thought that wouldn't be respectful to you."
There was silence on the other end for a moment before the man replied coldly, "What do you want? Just say it."
Hearing that, Bai Wensheng couldn't help feeling smug. Ha, now you're scared because I mentioned Deputy Director Ou, huh?
"Here's the thing, I hope you can release my son, Bai Liangfeng, first. As for the fine, you can set any amount you like."
"Bai Liangfeng? You mean that spoiled brat who intentionally tried to kill someone by driving through campus? His case has already been sent to the prosecutor's office and will be tried immediately."
Bai Wensheng froze. The hell? It's now called attempted murder? And 'spoiled brat'? What the hell does that mean?
"No, no, wasn't it an accidental collision? How did it become attempted murder? Who was he trying to kill?"
"You'll have to ask your son about that. I'm busy, I don't have time to waste with you."
Bai Wensheng went completely mad, jumping up and shouting, "Didn't you say ten days' detention? How did it turn into attempted murder? I'll call Deputy Director Ou myself!"
"Deputy Director Ou? You mean Ou from Yuetian District? Forgot to tell you, he was taken by the city's Discipline Inspection Committee this morning for economic crimes. Oh, Mr. Bai, you don't have any financial dealings with him, do you? Anyway, goodbye!"
With that, Director Deng hung up.
Bai Wensheng was dumbfounded. Deputy Director Ou was taken by the Discipline Committee?
Economic crimes?
Isn't that just bribery?
Damn it, as if I didn't have any financial dealings with him. Half the stuff in his house was from me. So many medical dispute cases and Bai Liangfeng's assault charges—weren't they all settled thanks to him?
"It's over. All over…" Bai Wensheng couldn't care less about those agents anymore. He loosened his tie, pacing like an ant on a hot pan. "What should I do now?"
"Chairman, the opening ceremony for the Nuwa Company's Rehabilitation Center has started…" His assistant, oblivious to danger, pointed to the local news on the screen and reminded him.
Hearing that, Bai Wensheng slapped him across the face. "Get the hell out! Are you trying to piss me off on purpose?"
But his eyes still couldn't resist glancing at the massive LED TV in the multifunctional conference hall. It should've been showing their own venue's broadcast, but instead, it was showing a small corner inside Zhongshan Hospital…
Bai Wensheng stared at the giant LED screen, a flash of hatred glinting in his eyes.
"Xiaowen, let's go. I want to see what kind of lousy rehabilitation center this really is…"
"What about the young master?" his assistant asked anxiously.
"It's come to this already," Bai Wensheng frowned and said helplessly. "Didn't Bai Gang introduce us to Du Yuheng last time? Looks like we'll have to ask the Du family for help now."
"Chairman, the Du family is a pack of hungry wolves. They've been eyeing Bai Group for a long time. We might as well go to Young Master Qiao instead. He's the real backer."
"Qiao Xijie?" Bai Wensheng gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "He only met with us last time because he was in a good mood. Do you really think we're qualified to talk terms with him?"
"But…"
"Enough, no need to say more," Bai Wensheng waved his hand and said decisively. "I know what I'm doing. For now, saving Liangfeng comes first. Everything else can wait. Have Bai Gang contact Young Master Du Yuheng tonight."
"Now?" He stared at the big screen showing the live broadcast, his bloated body trembling slightly, eyes almost spitting fire. "Damn it, even CCTV… Let's go check it out. I want to see what kind of trash rehabilitation center could even bring Minister Chen here."
He had barely taken a few steps when the head of the publication department called out, "Chairman, are we still holding the press conference?"
At the door, Bai Wensheng almost tripped. He turned around, his face dark, glaring at his assistant and growled, "That idiot doesn't need to come in tomorrow."
*****
At Meining University Zhongshan Hospital, in a temporarily arranged press area, Zhang Yang hid in a corner, yawning and dozing off on the table. Beside him, Qiao Xier kept poking his waist with her finger. "Hey, Zhang, the main event's starting. It's time for the official unveiling. As the company's legal representative, at least get up and say something."
"No… I'm not fully awake yet!" Zhang Yang clung to the table legs, refusing to move. It wasn't that he couldn't handle such a big scene, nor that he didn't want fame—it's just… damn it, this was bullshit. The official unveiling time was around three in the afternoon, and that just happened to be when the Nuwa System refreshed.
If… if his luck was bad and the system suddenly popped up with something like, 'Target within twenty meters'… He had already checked earlier—those attending the unveiling included the person in charge, Yang Jing, the pharmaceutical director Qiao Xier, the lab girls, and a bunch of female reporters…
Just thinking about it made Zhang Yang want to die. That'd be over a dozen women.