My Perfect Female CEO

Chapter 822: A Biting Dog Doesn’t Bark

Turning to eight or nine o’clock at night, as the night deepened, Zhang Furen finished his work at the restaurant and walked towards his rented apartment. Not far behind, a car was following at a leisurely pace, with Ye Fan, Mengyao, and Qiu Wen inside.Walking alongside Zhang Furen was another man, a colleague from the restaurant.

"Xiao Zhang, can I ask you something?" The colleague asked curiously, tilting his head.

"Brother Wu, go ahead," Zhang Furen replied confidently. This colleague, surnamed Wu, was older than Zhang Furen.

"The young guy who came looking for you at the restaurant during the day, he comes every three or four days. Who is he? You seem pretty close, right? His attire doesn’t look like that of a kid from an ordinary family. Could it be that you’re also a wealthy young master?" Brother Wu’s curiosity grew.

The young guy Brother Wu referred to was Zhang Jiren. Despite being part of a vulnerable group, constantly busy for a living, he was perceptive. Plus, Zhang Jiren frequently came to find Zhang Furen, anyone could tell something was off.

Zhang Furen smiled bitterly and pondered his response, saying, "Here’s the thing, he’s my half-brother. I’m not welcomed at home, fortunately, this younger brother treats me a bit better, hence this situation."

He didn’t tell the whole truth but lied ambiguously, yet his words revealed a lot. Brother Wu immediately understood, thinking the Zhang Family gave all good food and clothing to the second son, whereas no one cared for the eldest. Feeling guilty, he said, "Sorry for being intrusive, bringing up your sad matter."

"No problem, I’ve gotten used to it." Zhang Furen couldn’t hide his disappointment.

"A man should endure hardships. As the saying goes, when Heaven is about to bestow great responsibility upon a person, it must first stress their will and exhaust their muscles. I believe in you, you’ll achieve great things in the future." Brother Wu advised.

"Thank you for the encouragement, Brother Wu. I’ll remember it," Zhang Furen humbly accepted Brother Wu’s teaching, not caring about the misused ancient saying.

The two parted ways at an intersection, heading towards their respective homes after bidding farewell.

While passing through a secluded street, several thugs blocked Zhang Furen’s path.

The leading thug was known as Brother Hai, a notorious gangster from nearby streets.

This Brother Hai was the one the Zhang Family’s steward mentioned to Zhang Wushan when reporting Zhang Furen’s situation.

"Brother Hai." Zhang Furen jogged over and greeted Brother Hai obsequiously.

"Isn’t it time to pay this week’s protection fee?" Brother Hai said roguishly.

"Didn’t I just pay a couple of days ago?" Zhang Furen asked in confusion, his face full of anxiety.

"Paid?" Brother Hai’s tone turned icy, "Who said you’ve paid?"

"F***! Are you insulting Brother Hai’s intelligence? When Brother Hai says you haven’t paid, you haven’t paid, you brainless waste, really asking for it." A thug kicked Zhang Furen over, then two or three thugs rushed forward and began kicking him brutally. However, they were careful, avoiding his face and only targeting his stomach and back.

Their actions seemed orchestrated, refraining from hitting legs or the face, but were ruthless elsewhere.

Clutching his head, Zhang Furen screamed miserably, his body curled up in agony.

"Brother Hai, please stop, please stop. I realized my mistake. I truly haven’t paid this week’s fee. I remembered wrong. Please forgive me this once." Zhang Furen cried out in anguish, pleading.

Brother Hai waved his hand, and the thugs spat on Zhang Furen, cursed him, then stood to the side.

"You wretch, without a lesson, you wouldn’t understand my reputation. If you don’t behave, I’ll chop off your legs." Brother Hai reprimanded.

"Brother Hai, never again, I swear never again." Zhang Furen begged persistently.

"Alright." Brother Hai laughed peculiarly and said, "Seeing you’re being sensible, I’ll be merciful this time."

"Thank you, Brother Hai." Zhang Furen continued thanking tirelessly.

Brother Hai signaled to a subordinate, who stepped forward and extended his hand, saying coldly, "You know the rules, and you know the consequences of breaking them even better."

"Yes, yes." Zhang Furen nodded and bowed, hurriedly pulling out all his money, the watch given by Zhang Jiren, some hundred-yuan bills, and his own pocket change, giving it all away. He barely uttered a word before being beaten; if he didn’t act wisely, he would face worse. He was frequently beaten by Brother Hai’s group and understood the stakes; attempting deception would result in worse.

After handing over all his assets, he presented himself for a body search.

Brother Hai’s subordinates didn’t idle, searching thoroughly until they were satisfied.

Zhang Furen anticipated the search and complied, knowing his situation, choosing the smarter option to avoid further harm.

"Kid, very good, finally learned the essence of being human." The thug mocked while patting Zhang Furen’s face.

"Thank you for your praise, big brother," Zhang Furen said, trembling but forcibly polite.

"Not bad, quite good, more and more human-like." The thug applauded.

Holding Zhang Furen’s belongings, the thug handed them to Brother Hai, laughing, "Brother Hai, this wretch is quite the catch, beating him every few days brings considerable income."

"Hmm." Brother Hai nodded with satisfaction, pleased with Zhang Furen’s compliance and lack of concealment. Having such a reliable source was enjoyable, so generously he said, "Give him five yuan, don’t starve our money-bag."

"Hahaha, hahahahaha..." Brother Hai’s subordinates laughed heartily.

One thug pulled five yuan from Zhang Furen’s possessions, threw it onto his face, and spat, "Show gratitude for Brother Hai’s kindness."

"Thank you, Brother Hai, for your kindness," Zhang Furen pretended to thank willingly.

Brother Hai’s group, satisfied, left joyfully.

Only after Brother Hai and his men disappeared completely did Zhang Furen straighten his bent waist.

His fist was tightly clenched, eyes filled with fury, and a murderous intent brewed.

Yet moments later, he sighed deeply, fist loosening, dragging himself forward like lifeless walking dead.

Qiu Wen observed everything without intervening but with a specific goal, then turned and returned to the car.

In fact, Qiu Wen initially wanted to intervene, to teach the thugs bullying Zhang Furen a lesson. However, after listening to Ye Fan and Mengyao, she dismissed the idea.

How Zhang Furen truly was required further investigation for Ye Fan and Mengyao to decide the extent of help they would provide him.