Chapter 21

Update Time: March 22, 2013

"Boss Niu, what are you here for? The lease hasn't expired yet, right?" Zhang Yang said.

The current Zhang Yang was no longer the naive person he was a few months ago. When he faced Niu Jinda again, he no longer had the fearful and respectful demeanor from their last meeting. This maturity was all thanks to Wang Yue.

"Why don't you invite me to sit down? After all, I am the landlord," Niu Jinda said with a grin.

Zhang Yang frowned, thinking about what Wang Yue had written in her letter. He nodded and said, "Please come in!"

After sitting down, Niu Jinda looked around. The room was filled with the smell of alcohol and instant noodles. His guess was right; this foolish boy had been deceived badly. He probably still hoped Wang Yue would come back.

"That woman is gone, and you can't accept it, can you? Zhang, I told you not to get involved with her! You didn't listen to me, did you? Now you've been deceived, haven't you?" Niu Jinda said.

Zhang Yang asked with a grim expression, "How did you know?"

Niu Jinda laughed smugly and said, "I know a lot. Let's listen to this first."

He then took out a voice recorder and played Wang Yue's words. When Zhang Yang heard Wang Yue say that she was with him for his money, his eyes turned green. He couldn't accept it and said, "Impossible, she wouldn't do that. I don't believe it, I don't believe it."

Niu Jinda laughed and said, "Whether you believe it or not, it's the truth. Is your money still there? Is Wang Yue still here? You've lost both your money and your woman."

Zhang Yang looked at Niu Jinda angrily and asked, "How did you get this recording? When was it made?"

The current Zhang Yang was no longer the naive boy he used to be. He immediately noticed the inconsistency. This recording was definitely problematic. If it was made before Wang Yue left, it meant her departure was related to them. If it was made afterward, Wang Yue might be in their hands.

"You should be more concerned about finding Wang Yue instead of worrying about this. As far as I know, she transferred all your money to her name at the bank. If I were you, I'd report her to the police. But to be honest, you're not losing out. Wang Yue, such a beautiful woman, let you enjoy her for three months. Many people would envy you," Niu Jinda said, adding a sigh of admiration.

Zhang Yang stood up, making a gesture to see him off, and said, "Boss Niu, is there anything else? If not, please leave."

Niu Jinda's face turned ugly, and he said, "Don't be ungrateful. This is my house."

"I know it's your house, but our contract hasn't ended. I'm the one living here now, and I don't welcome you," Zhang Yang said.

His voice was calm, but he had suppressed his endless anger. When Niu Jinda mentioned Wang Yue with a lecherous look, Zhang Yang was already furious. If not for Wang Yue's teachings, he would have already punched Niu Jinda.

As for the recording, he had already figured it out. If Wang Yue was in Niu Jinda's hands, he wouldn't have come here and told him to report her. If his guess was correct, Wang Yue's departure was definitely related to them. Their suggestion to report her wasn't out of kindness to help him recover his wealth but to force Wang Yue into a corner. But they had underestimated Zhang Yang.

The current Zhang Yang was no longer the naive boy from a few months ago. He had learned to weigh the pros and cons. Compared to the missing Wang Yue, he trusted her more.

Seeing Zhang Yang's demeanor, Niu Jinda sat on the sofa and said with a cold laugh, "Don't be ungrateful. Telling you to report her is giving you a chance. You should know the consequences of not following orders!"

"This is between us, and it's none of your business," Zhang Yang said.

Niu Jinda didn't expect this boy to be so stubborn and said, "Zhang Yang, since you're so ungrateful, I'm now notifying you to pack your things and get out. I'm not renting this place to you anymore."

Zhang Yang laughed and said, "Kick me out? We have a contract. If you breach it, pay the penalty. Otherwise, we'll see each other in court. I don't mind a lawsuit. After all, I'm just a poor, insignificant person. I wonder if Boss Niu has the time."

Niu Jinda was taken aback, not expecting this boy to know how to use the law.

"Boy, do you think the law is for people like you to seek justice? It's for people like us to use. Besides, I have a hundred ways to get rid of you. If you don't want trouble, get out now," Niu Jinda said with a cold laugh and walked out.

After Niu Jinda left, Zhang Yang couldn't maintain his composure and sat back on the sofa.

Even if Niu Jinda hadn't said anything, Zhang Yang wanted to leave this place of sorrow. Thinking about Wang Yue's mocking and contemptuous voice in the recording, Zhang Yang punched the coffee table hard.

Was this the real reason Wang Yue approached him? What about the letter? Was she trying to deceive him one last time before leaving?

I really was a naive boy, deceived without even realizing it, still believing Wang Yue's excuses. I ended up in a state of self-pity, squatting in the room like a怨妇. It turns out Wang Yue was right; this world is full of deception. Either you deceive others, or others deceive you.

Ha, Wang Yue, if you knew I had millions of gold, would you still do this?

Indeed, this is a dog-eat-dog society where no one can be trusted.

Good, very good, Wang Yue, you've given me the most vivid lesson!

I should thank Boss Niu. If not for him, I wouldn't have seen your true face and would still be living in a fantasy, thinking you were so wonderful! Women, what are women? Women are just playthings. Love? Nonsense!

Zhang Yang had always had a smooth life and had never experienced such a huge setback. If Wang Yue's departure still left him with a glimmer of hope, the recording of Wang Yue's words had a profound impact on him, completely changing his worldview and outlook on life.

They say a prodigal son can turn over a new leaf, and a bad person can repent. But a good person can also take a different path overnight. In a sense, it was Wang Yue's departure that set Zhang Yang on a different life path. Decades later, when he recalled this night, Zhang Yang would secretly speculate that if this hadn't happened, he might not be where he is today.

Zhang Yang walked to the liquor cabinet, took out a bottle of Wuliangye, poured a glass, and drank it in one gulp. His stomach felt like it was on fire.

"Good, good, you're all very good! This is society. Ha, from today on, I, Zhang Yang, will be different. I'll make you regret it," Zhang Yang laughed wildly, and something seemed to be streaming from the corners of his eyes.

That night, Zhang Yang got drunk, completely and utterly. The simple, kind, and cautious Zhang Yang disappeared.

In the morning, Zhang Yang was awakened by a phone call. He rubbed his aching head and answered, "Who is it?"

"Da Yang, are you okay? If your girlfriend is gone, I'll introduce you to a better one," Wang Shuang said.

Zhang Yang sat up straight, rubbed his eyes, and said, "Mom, I'm fine. Don't worry about me!"

"Da Yang, are you really okay?" Wang Shuang asked, disbelieving.

Zhang Yang's eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he said, "Mom, don't worry. I'm really fine. I'm better than ever. I'll handle my personal matters myself. Also, you and Dad don't need to do anything. I'll send you money."

Wang Shuang said, "No need, we have enough. Just take care of yourself. If anything happens, talk to me and Dad. Don't keep it to yourself, okay?"

Zhang Yang nodded and said, "Mom, I know."

After hanging up, Zhang Yang took out a pack of cigarettes from under the coffee table. It was something he had bought to entertain guests. Zhang Yang lit his first cigarette, savoring the nicotine, and his thoughts drifted. Since he had no more attachments, it was time to start his revenge.

Why was he beaten? Who put him in detention? This couldn't be delayed any longer. It was time to find out the truth.

Bastards, are you ready for my revenge?