536. A MILLION YUAN IN COMPENSATION, HOW'S THAT?
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She was willing to meet him for a simple reason. Shen Jingyan used to treat her pretty well and was reasonable about things. She considered him to be an elder.
Thst was why she showed him some respect by meeting him.
But about Wei Qi's matter...
Qiao Nian raised a brow brow said succinctly, ''Uncle Shen, you've got it wrong. He doesn't have to apologize to me since he didn't owe me anything. He owes someone else an apology.''
''...''
Shen Jingyan had called Wei Ying previously to ask what exactly Master Wang of the Ye family had shown her.
Upon hearing what Qiao Nian said now, he felt his head throb.
Of course, he knew who Qiao Nian was referring to.
Chen Yuan!
A poor guy with nothing to his family's name. His parents had moved from the country to develop their child. A guy like him had a negligible existence, and he wouldn't even have given him a second look in the past. But now, he had no idea how to face this Chen Yuan.
Shen Jingyan's expression tensed slightly, and he thought for a while before saying, ''Nian Nian, I know what you mean. You'd like for Wei Qi to apologize to Chen Yuan. I've asked him about it. He did get someone to threaten Chen Yuan and make him sign it, but he had no idea that those people would get physical. He didn't expect things to turn out like that...''
Qiao Nian didn't make a sound, and her expression was calm and usual. She was leaning back leisurely in her seat, awaiting his continuation. He couldn't tell if she was smiling.
Given Shen Jingyan's current status, it had been a while since he had to speak to someone in such a demeanor. Yet, he lowered his position once again as he said softly, ''Nian Nian, you have also gotten physical and stood up for Chen Yuan. He's also lying in hospital now and has realized his mistake. Do you think it's possible to minimize the problem...''
Qiao Nian waited for him to be done before resting her hand on the edge of the glass table. She looked extremely casual and at ease as she asked him, ''Uncle Shen, if, I'm saying if, Chen Yuan was your son, would you be saying this to me now and telling me to forget it?"
This silenced Shen Jingyan.
Because he knew his answer!
He would never allow it to slide just like that!
Seeing his reaction, Qiao Nian went on, ''Wei Qi is lying in the hospital now, but Chen Yuan was also beaten up and might not be able to make it into a university because of this. You should know about his family's situation by now. They're not doing well; his father is in the hospital all year round and his mother makes a living at a stall. The family depend on him to qualify for a university to change their lives...''
Shen Jingyan didn't bother about these. He was getting frustrated. Like Wei Ling, he didn't care about Chen Yuan at all. He immediately said, ''I really... had not considered this well enough. How about this, Nian Nian. We'll compensate his family. A million Yuan, how's that?"
A million Yuan?
For most ordinary people, this was indeed a large sum of money. In Chen Yuan's case, for instance, his family would probably not be able to make that sum even in 10 years.
But she had money herself. If Aunt Chen was willing to accept this sort of money, she would have been able to provide for her without her having to run her stall. But the point was that Aunt Chen never accepted her money. That was why she could only help her out in other ways, like getting Uncle Chen into a single-bed ward, or altering the medical bills for their family such that they only had to pay a third of it or less. Of course, she did this behind the Chen family's back, without anyone knowing...
Hence, when she heard that Shen Jingyan wanted to use money to settle this matter, she felt like laughing deep down in her heart... but in her eyes, there was only coldness.
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537. I COULD EVEN GET PROFESSOR LIANG LU TO TREAT HIS FATHER
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''Uncle Shen, I think you've got me wrong," she said slowly.
Shen Jingyan misunderstood her and thought that she found the compensation amount insufficient. Hence, he said, ''In that case, since you said that Chen Yuan's father is in the hospital all year round, and the hospitals in Rao City don't have the best resources, I can transfer him to a hospital in Beijing and find the best specialist for him.''
On that note, something came to his mind. ''Have you heard of Professor Liang Lu from Qing University?"
His expression softened and he smiled slightly. ''She's a top-tier neurologist in the country. If Chen Yuan's father has a related condition, I can step forward and get Professor Liang Lu to have a look at him. Professor Liang Lu hardly ever does consultations for anyone. She takes no more than two or three surgeries per year. But she owes me a favor and should accede to my request if I come forward. She's likely to agree to it if I ask her... this is already an unimaginable concession, I believe it should be enough to make up for Wei Qi's folly.''
Liang Lu.
Qiao Niam went through this name for a bit and recalled this person. She was the one who specially made the trip down to Rao City to benevolently offer Qiao Nian a secured place in Qing University. It was she who flared up in embarrassment after Qiao Nian rejected her, and in turn, found trouble with Qiao Nian thereafter.
She squinted her eyes as she leaned back. Her expression was one of disdain– this person did mean much to her.
Compared to Liang Lu...
She was more certain of Mr. Huang's ability in treating Uncle Chen.
As for Liang Lu, she didn't even have the basic character for being a doctor. She didn't think much about a person like Liang Lu in the medical field.
How good could a doctor be if she couldn't even tolerate and embrace differences?
Chinese Medicine, western medicine... were they not serving the same purpose of treating patients?
If she really wanted to get someone to treat Uncle Chen, she could get Mr. Huang. There was no need for her to go through him to ask for Liang Lu's help.
In terms of both reputation and skills, Liang Lu and Mr. Huang were not in the same league; not locally, not internationally either!
But this simply wasn't the time. Uncle Chen's constitution was too weak at the moment, and it wasnt suitable to get him to travel. She had to take the next few months to strengthen his constitution before she could consider the next step.
Shen Jingyan was still going on about how good Liang Lu was and how difficult it was to get her help.
Qiao Nian interrupted him and said curtly, ''Uncle Shen, I can let Wei Qi's matter slide, but my two requests remain. Firstly, Wei Qi has to apologize to Chen Yuan. Secondly, Chen Yuan'a education cannot be compromised. This is my bottom line. If these requests aren't met, there's nothing left to talk about.''
Shen Jingyan didn't expect her stance to be so firm. He had already lowered himself this much, and she was still unwilling to step back.
His expression was slightly awful and his smile had faded. He looked at Qiao Nian in the eye and said seriously, ''Nian Nian, I cam accede to the second request. But the first, could you let it go?"
Chen Yuan's statement in which he pleaded guilty could be retracted by pulling strings, but getting Wei Qi to apologize was simply too difficult.
Firstly, Wei Qi was a second-generation heir who had been spoiled by his parents throughout his growing years. This tyrant would never admit his wrongs to anybody, not to mention to someone like Chen Yuan whom he despised.
Moreover, if Wei Qi admitted his fault, he would also be admitting to the fact that the item found on Chen Yuan actually belonged to him. He would have to be detained and face the consequences.
If Wei Qi was detained, where would the Wei family put their pride?!
Her request sounded simple, but it was too difficult to fulfill.
At the very least, her was trying to ease the situation now.
''I know that Chen Yuan is your friend and you want to stand up for him... I'm also aware that Wei Qi wasn't being moral, but he really knows his mistakes now. Nian Nian, can you forgive him just this once on my account? Take it that Uncle is pleading to you, alright?"
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538. SISTER NIAN: I'M POOR, BUT I CAN AFFORD A LAWYER
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At this juncture, Shen Jingyan couldn't be bothered to protect his ego any further and played the 'Uncle' card.
He quietly said, ''How about this, I'll take another step back. I'll find a way to get Chen Yuan to continue this studies, it will surely not affect his attending university. Additionally, the compensation sum I mentioned earlier will be in effect as well. I'll also find a way to get his father to be transferred to a hospital in Beijing. If Professor Liang Lu can help out, I will get her help in treating his father. If she can't, I will get another skilled specialist. In any case, I'll do all I can to get his father treated... is this alright?"
He really thought that his conditions were extremely appealing.
A million Yuan, the best hospital in Beijing, a skilled specialist – all things that Chen Yuan would never have been able to achieve in this lifetime.
As for Qiao Nian...
Shen Jingyan looked at the girl opposite to him with a sophisticated expression. This girl was sitting in a casual position, as leisurely as anyone could get. Besides the exceptionally pretty face beneath her cap, she looked no different from an ordinary girl.
But this matter really changed his view and understand of Qiao Nian...
He subconsciously tightened his grip on his cup as his eyes glinted. He thought about the call Wei Dongshan received before he left earlier today and felt his heart tighten.
Wei Dongshan canceled her student status thr previous night.
Today, he received a call saying that the higher-ups were going to investigate this matter. They even said that Wei Dongshan was abusing his power and would undergo investigation as well.
Usually, if someone underwent investigation, the outcome wouldn't just be a simple punishment.
Wei Dongshan evidently offended someone extraordinary!
He couldn't tell how much backing Qiao Nian had at this point. Both superpowers, Old Master Su and the Ye family lad had gotten themselves involved in Wei Qi's matter.
He couldn't tell whether these two people were contacted by the powerful Old Master in the Jiang family, or if it was the case speculated by Wei Dongshan, that Old Master Su knew Qiao Nian personally!
He was able to swallow the first possibility, but the second was simply incredulous. He was extremely doubtful about it.
If Su Huaiyuan and Ye Wangchuan were both really standing up for Qiao Nian, wouldn't it make him an idiot for choosing Qiao Chen over her previously!
Shen Jingyan didn't wish to think about it. He tried to play the kinship card to get Qiao Nian on his side. He said gently, ''Nian Nian, I have been thinking about his interests time and again because he's your friend. If this goes on, everyone will get hurt.''
''Are you done talking?"
Qiao Nian picked up her glass and took a sip of her lemon water, the put it down. She grabbed her belongings, stood up, and then said to him, ''Uncle Shen, since you've come to see me, it means that you've already seen Wei Qi's documents. I'm already taking a step back and compromising on your account. If you think that Wei Qi is suffering a loss by doing this, then Chen Yuan and I can go by legal procedures. As for the money you mentioned... Chen Yuan doesn't have it, but I do have some. It should be enough to fight a lawsuit!"
If Gu San was around, he would surely not be able to resist interjecting – ''Big boss, your tiny pill can fetch an eight-figure sum, you can that ''some'' money! That ''some'' money of yours might just be able to knock the Wei family, or at least Wei Ling Ling Wei Ying, down for a lifetime! Moreover, you have Master Wang as your backing. Causing them to go banjos would just be the beginning. Wei Qi would have to go to hell and back, and nobody can guarantee if he would survive!"
But Gu San wasn't around and nobody was saying this.
Qiao Nian wouldn't say this to Shen Jingyan, either.
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539. SCARING SISTER NIAN JUST BECAUSE SHE'S YOUNG
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When she was done talking, her cell phone went off. She glanced at the screen and saw that it was a message from Gu San asking if she was done eating and where she was.
He then send her his location to tell her that he was nearby.
Qiao Nian could guess that Ye Wangchuan was probably with him. She pursed her lips for a moment and then sent a quick message.
[QN: I've something on, give me five minutes.]
Done replying, she placed her phone in her bag and looked up at Shen Jingyan.
''Uncle Shen, take some time to consider.''
Shen Jingyan looked fatigued by now. He had busied himself the whole night, and his dark eye circles were obvious.
Seeing that she was about to leave, he straightened his back and put his arm by his side. His dark eyes seemed a little threatening.
''Nian Nian, you might not understand the situation in Beijing very well. Beijing is dominated by three parties, the Wen family, Ye family, and Wei family. Even the Shen family has to bow down to these three families. Among them, the Ye family is the strongest, followed by the Wei family. The Wen family is slightly weaker than the Wei family. Ever since Old Master Wei started making a name for himself, he family has been developing and expanding. They have contacts in every possible industry, and they're involved in matters far more complicated than you can imagine. There are only two heirs in the Wei family in Wei Qi's generation. In other words, Wei Qi is likely to be taking over the Wei family in the future.''
Qiao Nian wasn't the least bit interested in what he was saying. She was much more involved in the illegal businesses and forces and was not as aware of the scene in Beijing.
She narrowed her eyes and stood in a casual posture, with an air of rebellion around her. She looked at the man who was talking and stretched her patience. ''So?"
Shen Jingyan couldn't be saying this all for nothing. He must have something to add, some subtext he was getting at.
Shen Jingyan didn't expect her to be so calm. He pursed his lips for a while, not knowing how to go about talking to this version of Qiao Nian he knew.
''Nian Nian, what I'm trying to say is that some matters aren't as simple as you make them out to be. You think that you're fighting for justice for your friend, but you might have just rustled a beehive. You have the Jiang family's protection and will be safe. But do you think the Wei family will let Chen Yuan off?"
His tone was still controlled and warm, but his words were much more cutting.
''His father is still in the hospital and his mother has to work at the stall every day. The circumstances of his family are prone to accidents, to begin with. If a flustered nurse accidentally gives his father the wrong type of medicine... all of these are possible occurrences.''
He didn't want to come to such a juncture with Qiao Nian, and he wasn't about to resort to these underhands means either. He was simply saying this because Qiao Nian was young and he wanted to scare her. It was easier to target her and to get Wei Qi's documents for her rather than others.
His voice was casual and light, like an elder talking sense into a rebellious junior. He continued feigning kindness, ''I know you have something about Wei Qi on hand, but you've heard what I said about the Wei family's power. Do you think that with their background, you're really able to do anything by going through a legal proceeding? Would anyone in Rao City dare to take up your case?"
He felt increasingly relaxed as he spoke... he now leaned back in his seat and looked at the girl who had narrowed her eyes, evidently angered by him.
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540. YOU'RE NOT THAT IMPORTANT EVEN TO ME
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''Nian Nian, I'm not threatening you, I'm just sharing some important lessons with you. This world isn't black and white, and not everything can be settled with the law. Even the sun doesn't shine on every corner of the earth.''
He took a check out of his wallet and placed it on the table, the shifted it to Qkao Nian. He said calmly, ''A million Yuan is quite a sum. If we let things slide here, Chen Yuan doesn't just recieve a million Yuan in compensation, his father will also get to have the best treatment in a hospital in Beijing. This transaction is a win for him. As for him... when he graduates, I will personally find him a company and ensure he lands a job. How's that?"
This was not a negotiation, this was an option after a threat!
Qiao Nian's dark eyes went cold. She initially already had her bag on her shoulder. At this point, she tossed the bag back onto the seat and chuckled, looking at him with her exquisite look.
The, she said unkindly, ''You guys can try us...''
After laughing, her phone buzzed again. Qiao Nian looked down and saw that Gu San had replied.
[Gu San: Miss Qiao, we're already near where you are. I've parked the car by the roadside, and we're waiting for you. Master Wang wants me to let you know you can take your time, there's no rush (*?◇?*)]
After seeing the emotions in the last line, some of the coldness faded from her eyes.
In the past, only Jiang Li and her dad would use this emoticon.
Now, even Gu San had learned to do the same.
Recently, the people around her loved to add these cute emoticons when messaging her. Even Shen Qingqing and the rest would do that in their texts.
Qiao Nian didn't reply to the message. After glancing at her phone, she looked up at Shen Jingyan once again. Much of her ferocity had dispersed after the interrupting message came in, but her eyes were still cold and unfriendly. She didn't want to say much more and simply left Shen Jingyan with a statement.
''You're right that the world isn't black and white. But I believe that there is justice and fairness. However dark it may be, there will be light!"
That was why she liked this word.
Sun.
Light.
Sunlight.
Zhui Guang!
''I advise you not to think of targeting Aunt Chen and her family. I'm willing to let Wei Qi off on your account, but ykur aren't that important even to me. At least, you're not so important that the relationship we share can guarantee me letting Wei Qi off...''
Qiao Nian's cap was pulled extremely low, and she appeared not to have much of an expression. Yet, Shen Jingyan felt a strange sense of oppression. It was almost suffocating.
He never realized how strong her presence was in the past.
This sort of aura.
He had never before experienced it in all his years in Beijing.
At this point, he felt that Qiao Chen couldn't compare to Qiao Nian at all. She was negligible when placed next to her!
If not for the fact that he knew Qiao Nian didn't make it to Qing University, he would really be doubting his choices now.
Qiao Nian had no idea what he was thinking. After suppressing her anger, she bent over and picked up her bag once again, slinging it on her shoulder. She had one hand in her pocket, looking casual but curt at the same time. ''.... If anything untoward happens to Aunt Chen or her family, Wei Qi will be suffering the same right after. Uncle Shen, I mean what I say!"
She was succinct and ruthless.
Shen Jingyan had lived the high life all these years and was respected, even revered, wherever he went. When has he ever had to deal with such directness?
— I'm willing to let Wei Qi off on your account, but you aren't that important even to me!
— If anything untoward happens to Aunt Chen or her family, Wei Qi will he suffering the same right after.
At that moment, Shen Jingyan actually had no idea how to respond.
He was the one threatening Qiao Nian, why had the tables turned? Qiao Nian was now the one warning him!