107: Chapter 107 Chen Ling's Attempt to Force Himself

Deputy Director Chen Ling arrived under the cover of night.

Financial Director Wei Xue had just finished showering, her hair still half-damp, and when she heard the doorbell ring, she assumed it was the nanny returning.

She took a look through the peephole, and her heart sank abruptly.

Deputy Director Chen Ling was standing outside the door, his tie crooked, his face as red as a boiled shrimp, and his eyes unfocused as if veiled in fog.

Having spent so many years in the business world, Financial Director Wei Xue could tell at a glance that the man was either drunk or had taken some kind of drug.

Out of caution, she did not open the door.

"General Manager Wei..."

Deputy Director Chen Ling pounded on the door, a guttural, croaking sound emerging from his throat.

"Open the door. I know you're home."

Financial Director Wei Xue bit her lip, walked quickly to the coffee table to pick up her phone, and sent a message to Xu Weidong.

"Deputy Director Chen Ling is at my place. His state isn't right; he might be drunk or on drugs. I'm afraid something might happen."

After sending it, she muted her phone, tucked it under the sofa cushion, took a deep breath, and walked to the door.

She opened the door, and Deputy Director Chen Ling stumbled in, nearly falling over.

Financial Director Wei Xue stepped aside to avoid him, not offering a hand.

His gaze swept around the room and finally landed on Financial Director Wei Xue.

Having just showered, she was wearing a long-sleeved loungewear pajama set, the collar buttoned up tightly, her wet hair draped over her shoulders.

"General Manager Wei."

Deputy Director Chen Ling grinned, revealing a mouthful of teeth yellowed by smoking.

"I've been waiting for you for a long time. We agreed you'd treat me alone; why haven't I heard from you?"

Financial Director Wei Xue stepped back two paces, putting distance between them, and said, "Director Chen, it's too late tonight. Let's do it another day. I'll have my driver take you home."

"Another day?"

Deputy Director Chen Ling shook his head, as if trying to shake off the blurriness before his eyes.

"What 'another day'? Today."

He took a step forward, his gaze sliding from her face to her neck, and his throat bobbed as he looked down.

"General Manager Wei, are we still handling your brother's matter or not?"

Financial Director Wei Xue retreated another step, her lower back hitting the armrest of the sofa.

"Director Chen, you've had too much to drink. Let me pour you some tea to sober you up."

"I haven't had too much."

Deputy Director Chen Ling waved his hand, his tongue thick, yet the greed in his eyes became even more distinct.

"General Manager Wei, let me tell you the truth."

"Xu Weidong is personally keeping an eye on your brother's case. I can't get him out."

"But..."

He extended his index finger and wagged it in front of Financial Director Wei Xue.

"I can make him get a heavier sentence."

Financial Director Wei Xue's pupils constricted.

Deputy Director Chen Ling took in her reaction and smiled triumphantly.

He forced another step forward, almost pressing against her, the smell of alcohol spraying onto her face.

"Think about it: over thirty people involved in armed brawling, classified as an organized crime group—that's a ten-year minimum."

"If I add a few more sentences to the report, label him a principal offender, and note aggravating circumstances, fifteen years isn't impossible."

Deputy Director Chen Ling reached out, pinched a strand of Financial Director Wei Xue's wet hair, and slowly toyed with it between his fingers.

"Your brother is only thirty-eight this year, right? He'd be fifty-three by the time he gets out after fifteen years."

"His life would be over."

Financial Director Wei Xue stood still, letting him pinch her hair, her voice so calm it didn't sound like someone being threatened.

"What does Director Chen want?"

"What do I want?"

Deputy Director Chen Ling released her hair, placed his hand on her shoulder, and slowly slid it down.

"Someone as smart as you, General Manager Wei, surely knows what I want?"

His hand stopped on her upper arm, and through the fabric of her pajamas, he gently...

"I don't need you to do anything else."

"Just keep me company for a few nights and make me happy."

"Regarding your brother's matter, I guarantee I won't push for a heavier sentence. Whatever it should be, it will be; I won't add to it."

Financial Director Wei Xue looked down at his hand, then raised her head and looked into his eyes.

"While I can't get him out, I can choose not to step on him."

Deputy Director Chen Ling's hand tightened, and he said, "General Manager Wei, these days, not harming you is the same as helping you."

"Think about it. If I write in the report that your brother is an organizer or planner, versus writing that he was a participant or coerced, do you think that's the same?"

Financial Director Wei Xue was silent.

Deputy Director Chen Ling, thinking she was hesitating, grew bolder; he placed his other hand on her and pulled her toward his chest.

"General Manager Wei, you're already divorced, what are you playing hard to get for? Be with me, you won't lose out."

Just then, a cry of shock came from the kitchen doorway.

"Miss!"

It was the nanny, Aunt Zhou, who was over fifty and had worked for the Wei family for over a decade.

She had gone back to see her grandson tonight, but had returned, who knew when.

She stood at the kitchen entrance, carrying a thermos in her hand, glaring at Deputy Director Chen Ling with a face full of shock and anger.

"Who are you! Let go of our Miss!"

Aunt Zhou set the thermos on the table and rushed over to pull Deputy Director Chen Ling away.

Deputy Director Chen Ling shoved Financial Director Wei Xue aside and turned to glare at the old woman who didn't know her place.

"Get lost!"

Aunt Zhou wasn't afraid of him and reached out to grab his arm.

"Get out! If you don't leave, I'm calling the police!"

"Calling the police?"

Deputy Director Chen Ling laughed, a sinister sound.

"I am the police! Try calling and see what happens!"

He shoved her with one hand. Aunt Zhou stumbled backward, the back of her head hitting the corner of the coffee table with a muffled groan.

She collapsed onto the floor, clutching the back of her head, her face turning pale.

"Aunt Zhou!"

Financial Director Wei Xue lunged forward to support her.

Her fingers touched the back of her head and came away wet—that damn stuff was blood!

She looked up abruptly, staring at Deputy Director Chen Ling.

Those eyes, usually shrewd and gentle, were frozen like ice at this moment.

"Deputy Director Chen Ling, get out."

Deputy Director Chen Ling was pinned in place by her gaze.

He sobered up a bit, but his mouth refused to admit defeat.

"Financial Director Wei Xue, don't be ungrateful."

"I'm telling you, your brother's case..."

"My brother's case needs no effort from you."

Financial Director Wei Xue stood up, blocking Aunt Zhou.

"Deputy Director Chen Ling, you came to my house tonight, threatened me, and pushed my nanny. Do you think these things can be kept hidden?"

Deputy Director Chen Ling's expression shifted repeatedly as he said, "What do you mean?"

Financial Director Wei Xue didn't answer, instead turning to pull her phone out from under the sofa cushion.

On the screen, Xu Weidong had replied with a message.

"Arriving in ten minutes. Don't open the door."

She glanced at the time—eight minutes ago.

"Director Xu will be here soon; you won't be able to leave."

Deputy Director Chen Ling stared at the message on the screen, his pupils dilating suddenly, and the alcohol sobered up completely.

His lips trembled as he tried to say something, but his throat felt as if it were being choked, and he couldn't squeeze out a single word.

"You... you bitch... you and Xu Weidong!"

"What my relationship is with Director Xu is none of your business."

Financial Director Wei Xue's voice was very calm.

"Deputy Director Chen Ling, if you leave now, you might still have a shred of dignity. Any later, and you won't be able to leave."

Deputy Director Chen Ling stood there, his face turning blue and then white, as if someone had pulled a bone out of him.

He turned abruptly and stumbled toward the door, nearly tripping over the threshold as he pulled it open, and the door slammed shut behind him with a bang.

Financial Director Wei Xue stood still, her hands still shaking.

Aunt Zhou sat on the floor; the blood on the back of her head had stopped, but her face was still pale.

"Aunt Zhou, it's okay now."

Financial Director Wei Xue crouched down and held her shoulders.

"I'll take you to get bandaged up."

Aunt Zhou shook her head, her lips trembling as she said, "Miss, that animal..."

"Someone will deal with him."

Financial Director Wei Xue had just helped Aunt Zhou sit on the sofa when the doorbell rang.

She walked over to open the door.

Xu Weidong stood at the entrance, followed by Director Li Zhongmin and two young police officers.

He was wearing a dark jacket, his face expressionless, but his eyes were heavy.

"Where is he?"

"He ran away."

Financial Director Wei Xue stepped aside to let him in and said, "He just left, less than three minutes ago."

Xu Weidong walked into the living room and saw Aunt Zhou on the sofa clutching the back of her head.

His gaze paused for a moment, and Director Li Zhongmin immediately walked over to check the injury.

"Are you alright?"

Financial Director Wei Xue shook her head and said, "I'm fine. Aunt Zhou was pushed down by him and hit the coffee table."

Xu Weidong glanced at the corner of the coffee table, which was still stained with a bit of blood, and his eyes darkened.

"Director Li, take Aunt Zhou to the hospital to have the wound treated and get a check-up."

"Take the police car."

Director Li Zhongmin nodded and helped Aunt Zhou walk out.

As Aunt Zhou passed by Xu Weidong, she suddenly stopped and tugged on his sleeve.

"Are you Director Xu? You must uphold justice for our Miss; that animal..."

"Rest assured, Aunt Zhou."

Xu Weidong said in a gentle voice, "I will handle it."

After everyone had left, only Xu Weidong and Financial Director Wei Xue remained in the living room.

Financial Director Wei Xue stood by the sofa, head bowed, like a child who had done something wrong.

She hadn't finished showering long ago; her hair was still wet, with a few stray locks clinging to her cheeks.

Her long-sleeved pajamas were buttoned neatly, but a small patch at the collar was damp—stained from when she had bandaged Aunt Zhou just moments ago.