Plunder-Chapter 238: Fulfilling Your Wish
As the end of the workday approached, Zhou Jin’an issued a ban against Ding Corporation.
As the leader of Rong City’s business community, his actions were the industry’s weathervane.
Old Mr. Ding immediately panicked.
"Director Zhou, why do you have to do this?"
He personally called Zhou Jin’an, suppressing his anger.
"Ask Ding Hao."
Zhou Jin’an didn’t say another word and hung up the phone directly.
When Old Mr. Ding called again, he immediately blacklisted the number.
Afterward, he drove back to Chu Garden.
During dinner, Sister Rong chattered, "Oh my, when I went to buy groceries today, everyone at the meat stall was gossiping about the Ding Family. I overheard that the rebel son was causing trouble again, and it seemed quite serious."
Zhou Jin’an’s expression was solemn as he slowly sipped his soup, not responding to the conversation.
Auntie Jiang, aware of some past incidents between Qiao En and Ding Hao, stealthily glanced at Qiao En and Zhou Jin’an.
"Sister Rong, this soup is a bit cold, perhaps bring it to the kitchen to heat it up," she suggested with a wink.
"Is it? Then I’ll take it to warm it up," Sister Rong quickly stood, carrying the soup towards the kitchen.
Auntie Jiang also stood up to go inside, "I’ll help you."
At the dining table, now only Zhou Jin’an and Qiao En were left.
"You saw everything?"
Zhou Jin’an looked at Qiao En.
Her eyebrows were downcast, and her face was calm, showing no emotion.
"Yes."
"I’m sorry for not telling you about these actions in advance," Zhou Jin’an apologized.
The movements he made, Qiao En would sooner or later learn the truth.
Rather than hiding it from her, it’s better to tell her everything upfront.
"You don’t need to tell me in advance, I trust you know what you’re doing," Qiao En said, lifting her gaze firmly.
"Thank you," Zhou Jin’an was surprised, but at the same time, he was grateful.
Suddenly, the gatebell rang.
Sister Rong, wiping her hands on her apron, quickly walked outside.
At the gate, Old Mr. Ding stood there, hunched over.
"You—" Sister Rong began, but Old Mr. Ding interrupted, pointing inside, "I’m looking for Zhou Jin’an."
"Please wait a moment."
Sister Rong hurriedly turned back and went inside to inform Zhou Jin’an that Old Mr. Ding was at the door.
"From afar, I could see he was fuming with rage. Young master, perhaps it’s better not to meet him, meeting such a person at this late hour is unlucky," Sister Rong added. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
Zhou Jin’an was serving soup to Qiao En, "Alright, I’ll take your advice."
"Alright, I’ll send him away now."
Emboldened, Sister Rong strutted outside.
"Mr. Ding, our young master is busy and doesn’t have time to meet you today, please go back," she said, then turned and left.
Old Mr. Ding, unable to meet Zhou Jin’an, was reluctant to leave.
He gripped the gate’s railing, yelling inside, "Director Zhou, I know you’re home. I came to tell you that Ding Hao is Ding Hao, Ding Corporation is Ding Corporation. I hope Director Zhou could show some mercy and give Ding Corporation a way out."
The voice outside was loud enough for everyone in the house to hear.
Zhou Jin’an’s eyebrows slightly furrowed, he grasped Qiao En’s hand tightly, and asked softly, "Do you want to watch a movie tonight?"
"Sure."
Qiao En responded.
A smile tugged at Zhou Jin’an’s lips as he immediately got up to adjust the projection screen.
"How about a comedy?"
Before Qiao En could respond, Sister Rong peeked her head out from the kitchen, "At this time, it has to be a drama."
After speaking, she quickly withdrew her head.
"Then let’s go with Sister Rong’s suggestion."
Qiao En also smiled.
Zhou Jin’an quickly set up the movie, and Qiao En settled down on the couch.
"Mom, Sister Rong, come and watch the movie with us."
The chaos outside continued.
Old Mr. Ding was banging on the gate’s railing, "Zhou Jin’an, you are being too excessive, this is bullying by using your power!"
But within the courtyard, everyone had already been immersed in the film.
Sister Rong had prepared fruits and snacks, and everyone gathered together, watching and eating. Qiao En laughed so hard her stomach hurt and she leaned into Zhou Jin’an’s arms, while he gently soothed her with his large hand.
Zhou Jin’an closed his doors to Mr. Ding, but he, stubborn as a mule, refused to leave.
At ten in the evening, Ding Hao drove up to the entrance of Chu Garden.
"Dad, let’s go," he said.
Half his face was still swollen as he walked toward Mr. Ding, pulling open the car door.
He clutched the courtyard gate rail tightly, his face aged, and those bloodshot eyes stared at Ding Hao.
Before Ding Hao could get close, Mr. Ding swung his hand and a heavy slap landed on Ding Hao’s cheek.
He took the hit but didn’t cry out in pain.
A taste of blood spread in his mouth, and he spat a mouthful of blood onto the ground.
"He won’t see you, go home,"
Ding Hao said again.
Mr. Ding, having held back his anger with nowhere to vent, now exploded uncontrollably upon Ding Hao’s appearance.
He charged forward, swung his fists, and heavily struck Ding Hao’s back, while Ding Hao just stood there impassively, letting Mr. Ding unleash his fury.
Burdened by age, after a dozen hits, he leaned on his knees, panting heavily.
"You unworthy son, I toiled my whole life to build our legacy, and now you are about to ruin it all. Why must you provoke Zhou Jin’an? Don’t you know who he is?"
Mr. Ding’s aged yet resonant voice, tinged with infuriating blame, drilled into Ding Hao’s ears.
Though he had been beaten and looked disheveled, the intrinsic defiance within his bones remained undiminished.
"What’s there to regret? Sooner or later, you will give all this to me. What difference does it make if I fail now or later?"
He snorted coldly, speaking with contempt.
Mr. Ding was too exhausted to continue, his trembling fingers pointing at Ding Hao.
"Unfilial son, how did I ever give birth to such an unfilial son!"
"Dad, stop always belittling my spirit to boast others. Zhou Jin’an may be better than me in everything, but no matter how good he is, he isn’t your son. You’ve always compared me to him since we were kids; no matter how hard I try, you’ve never once praised me. My constant opposition against him, isn’t it all caused by you?"
Ding Hao said, righteous and emboldened.
Mr. Ding was so angry that he choked on his breath.
"I compare you to him because I hope you could learn from him, to become a person like him. Why can’t you understand my good intentions?"
"Ha!"
Ding Hao laughed.
He grinned, his smile full of disdain.
"Why should I become someone like him? Isn’t it good enough being myself? If you think so highly of him, why don’t you recognize him as your son? Or, you can prove your vigor by giving me a little brother?"
"Slap!"
With the last bit of his strength, Mr. Ding raised his hand and slapped Ding Hao across the face.
However, he fell to the ground from exerting too much force.
"You—"
He clutched his chest, in too much pain to utter another word.
Ding Hao, being a doctor, knew Mr. Ding had a heart problem.
He crouched down to perform basic first aid, but Mr. Ding forcefully pushed him away.
"Isn’t this what you wanted, to anger me to death? I’ve fulfilled your wish."
He spoke in anger, his words fueled by rage.
Yet, Ding Hao took them seriously.
He let go, stood up, and walked toward his vehicle.
Mr. Ding was in too much pain to manage on his own, curling up on the ground, unable to move.
Sister Rong went to use the restroom halfway, and from the bathroom saw everything that happened outside.
"Young master, it’s bad, Mr. Ding has collapsed at our gate,"
Sister Rong cried out in shock.
Zhou Jin’an immediately got up and walked briskly outside.
"Quick, call 120."
Qiao En instructed.
Sister Rong immediately took out her phone and made the call.
Qiao En walked outside, with Auntie Jiang supporting her.
Soon, the ambulance arrived, and Mr. Ding was carried onto it.
Zhou Jin’an was telling something to the doctor, while Auntie Jiang and Qiao En stood at a distance within the courtyard.
"Yayun, let’s go back,"
Auntie Jiang’s face looked unwell as she urged.
"Mom, what’s wrong with you? Why do you look so pale?"
Qiao En looked puzzled at Auntie Jiang.
"I suddenly have a headache, I’m going back to my room."
After speaking, she left Qiao En behind and quickly entered the house, but she went straight to her own bedroom.
When Qiao En returned, the light in Auntie Jiang’s room had already been turned off.
