Chapter 146: The Visit [Part 2]

Another chapter is coming right up~!

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"Come with me to visit someone." After Wang Mengzi's emotions had settled, Zhang Ye smiled and said.

"Who is it?" Only through adversity does one grow. At this moment, Wang Mengzi possessed a newfound resilience. At the very least, she was no longer as helpless as before.

They say that nothing in the world is difficult for one who sets their mind to it. Even if they were to ultimately fail, at least they would have tried, leaving no regrets in their hearts.

With that thought, her mood instantly shifted.

"It's hard to explain in a few words. I'll tell you on the way." With that, Zhang Ye took Wang Mengzi's hand and led her straight out of the office.

Being at the magazine publishing house, Wang Mengzi naturally couldn't be as carefree as she was at home. As soon as they stepped outside, she pulled her hand away from Zhang Ye's, casually instructed a few things to the staff, and then followed him out.

Zhang Ye rubbed his nose, unbothered. Chuckling, he walked downstairs with Wang Mengzi and began to explain the encounter from the day before.

"The person is from the News and Publication Bureau? What is his position?" Right now, the only thing that could truly stir Wang Mengzi's mind was anything related to the magazine. Hearing this, a shock ran through her heart, and the expression on her face instantly brightened.

"I'm not entirely sure of the specifics, and I didn't ask. But judging by his bearing and demeanor, he is definitely more than just a minor clerk." Although it was only their first meeting, Zhang Ye had sensed an unusual aura about Han Xingchen.

It was an aura that Zhang Ye had previously noticed in Yuan Yuqing, and had also detected in Guo Haijun. Although not as profound in Han Xingchen as in the others, it was nonetheless present.

Perhaps this was what people called official authority.

Zhang Ye could only guess. Growing increasingly perceptive, he had developed the ability to detect subtle details in people's demeanors that ordinary people would easily overlook without careful observation.

In truth, this was also a manifestation of his growing discernment.

The hospital, smelling faintly of disinfectants, was as busy as ever. Lihua County was neither large nor small, but every day people were born, aged, fell ill, and died. As the largest hospital in the entire county, it was naturally bustling during the day.

From time to time, Zhang Ye could spot doctors and nurses hurrying past.

They headed straight to the second floor and walked toward the ward of elderly Han Sheng. On the way, they had purchased a few pounds of fruit to show a modicum of sincerity.

"Well, well, what a coincidence. Isn't this Director Wang of Tianmeng Magazine? What's this? Is someone in your family sick?" At that moment, a mocking and certain voice, reminiscent of a cat toying with a mouse, came from behind. The tone was blatantly disrespectful.

"Someone in *your* family is sick," Zhang Ye retorted instantly over his shoulder before turning around to face the newcomers.

One fat, one thin. The fat man's face gleamed with oil. He was dressed in a black suit with a blue tie, and in his hand, he carried an exquisite gift box. Faintly visible on the packaging were words indicating some brand of nutritional supplement, clearly showing he was there to visit someone.

The thin man was bald on top, wore glasses, and looked to be in his forties. The mustache and beard around his mouth were cleanly shaven, and even his clothes appeared meticulously neat.

"Director Sun, Zhao Qian..." Wang Mengzi clearly recognized the two men and let out an involuntary exclamation of surprise.

"Director Sun..." Zhang Ye looked at the bald man in glasses and narrowed his eyes slightly. This man was undoubtedly the chief culprit who had pushed their magazine to the brink of closure.

As for Zhao Qian beside him, if Zhang Ye guessed correctly, he must be the executive editor of Donglai Magazine and the true mastermind behind the conspiracy against their publication.

"Director Sun, I wonder if you could spare me a few moments to talk? Just a few minutes, a few minutes will do." Upon seeing Director Sun, Wang Mengzi brushed aside Zhao Qian's verbal insults and spoke with a hint of nervousness.

Before the person who held the power of life and death over her magazine, she had no choice but to bow her head.

Zhang Ye glanced at her, feeling a slight pang in his heart. He stepped forward, intending to speak, but Wang Mengzi reached out and grabbed his sleeve.

"What are you two doing here?" Director Sun's face darkened slightly. He looked at the fruit in Zhang Ye's hand, curled the corner of his mouth in a sneer, and said, "Oh, I'm sorry, I don't have time right now. However, if you're truly sincere, come to the Hongmeng Restaurant tonight by yourself. I'll be waiting for you." As he spoke, he looked Wang Mengzi up and down, his implication glaringly obvious.

Seeing the lecherous glint in Director Sun's eyes, the anger in Zhang Ye's chest surged violently. Ignoring Wang Mengzi's restraining grip, he stepped forward and delivered a fierce slap across the man's face.

"Who do you think you are? Do you really think nobody can deal with you?" With those words, Zhang Ye raised his leg and kicked viciously toward the man's stomach.

Had Director Sun merely given their magazine a hard time by colluding with Zhao Qian, the executive editor of Donglai Magazine, Zhang Ye wouldn't have been this furious. After all, fighting for one's own interests and engaging in dirty tricks was nothing out of the ordinary.

However, of all the things he could have done, he had no business targeting Aunt Wang.

She was his absolute bottom line. Even if this man were the wealthiest person in the world or a high-ranking provincial official, Zhang Ye would still have delivered that slap and that kick without a shred of hesitation.

"Xiao Ye, stop it, Xiao Ye, please!" Wang Mengzi cried out in alarm, rushing forward to wrap her arms tightly around Zhang Ye's waist to pull him back.

The sudden turn of events had happened too quickly—so quickly that neither Wang Mengzi nor Zhao Qian had time to react. When they finally looked over, Director Sun's face was already flushed and swollen on one side, and his pristine white shirt bore the unmistakable imprint of a size-ten-plus shoe.

"You... you, you, you..." Zhao Qian pointed a trembling finger at Zhang Ye, shaking all over. He stammered for a long time, unable to utter another word.

"Just wait for your magazine to shut down! As long as I'm around, you will never operate again. The two of you just wait to go bankrupt!"

After catching his breath, Sun Xiang glared furiously at Zhang Ye and Wang Mengzi, shouting in rage. The burning pain on his face and the conspicuous footprint on his stomach filled him with shame and humiliation, turning his face deeply red.

Never in his life, from childhood until now, had he ever suffered such degradation. The pain on his face and the footprint on his clothes subjected him to an unprecedented level of insult.

At that very moment, his mind was made up. Even if Wang Mengzi were to relent and offer herself to him later, he would never let them off easily. He would make them regret this and live the rest of their lives in perpetual terror.

"Bankrupt then! See if I care! I refuse to believe that running a magazine is the only way to make a living in this world." Seeing that the situation was beyond saving, Wang Mengzi cast aside her reservations. She placed her hands on her hips and glared back at them with a fierce, unyielding expression, her tone laced with a strange sense of liberation.

If the magazine was gone, then so be it. As long as one was alive, there were plenty of ways to earn a living.