Chapter 390: Looking for Trouble

Translator: Tim Editor: GlobeGlotter

“Sorry, there are no more free rooms.”

Ye Mo looked around casually. The place resembled a bar but was of a much higher standard. He scanned it with his spirit sense and knew many rooms were available, especially the high-class ones. However, since they weren’t given a room, the gold card level was too low. He didn’t mind and simply said, “Since there are no more free rooms, just give us two cups of coffee to take outside.”

Watching Ye Mo and Shi Xiu walk toward a corner of the main hall, the waitress felt relieved. She most feared encountering those with low-level cards who acted superior.

The coffee arrived quickly. Ye Mo dismissed the waiter and asked Shi Xiu, “Tell me what happened. I looked for you several times before graduation but couldn’t find you. What happened in your family?”

Shi Xiu was silent before sighing, “Ye Mo, if you were still in the Ye family, perhaps you could help. But now… what’s the point of talking about it? It’s all in the past.”

Ye Mo drank his coffee and urged, “Shi Xiu, if we’re friends, tell me what happened. Otherwise, how can I know if I can help?”

Shi Xiu’s eyes reddened. Since leaving university and the subsequent events, no one had called him friend. Hearing the word again today…

“Ye Mo, looking at you, I know you’re far better off than me. At least you’re no longer affected by Yan Yan.” Shi Xiu finished his coffee, his gaze distant.

He quickly continued, “My dad was the governor of Cha Ci town. My post-graduation position was thanks to him. I became a government official, and due to my achievements and his connections, I was promoted to vice-manager within six months.”

Ye Mo frowned. While unfamiliar with Chinese politics, becoming a vice-manager six months after graduation was too fast. With support, it was acceptable; without it, a double-edged sword. And Shi Xiu’s father was only a town governor. If the town was part of a small city, his power would be even lower. How could his father secure him a managerial position?

“Was it your dad or someone else who promoted you?” Ye Mo asked.

Shi Xiu looked shocked. He’d only recently made the same connection. Though Ye Mo wasn’t involved in politics, his insight surpassed his own.

Shi Xiu clenched his fists. “It wasn’t my dad. It was the town’s vice-governor, whom my dad disliked. During a flood, I organized the rescue and preservation of assets. The vice-governor suggested me for the flood management position. My dad refused, but the vice-governor argued that failing to promote achievement would discourage other officials. So, I became vice-manager. My dad initially believed my achievements warranted the promotion and saw it as an attempt by the vice-governor to mend their relationship, as my dad was about to be promoted.”

Ye Mo sighed. Politics was trouble at every turn.

“But my promotion alerted the city government, and someone investigated my dad. They were like ravenous wolves, finding abundant evidence of bribery and emails. That night, my dad was arrested.”

“My mother was already ill, and she never woke up again.”

“Was your dad actually bribed?” Ye Mo asked.

Shi Xiu shook his head. “My dad never took bribes. If he had, Mother wouldn’t have been sick for years without money for an operation. The ‘evidence’ was fabricated. The newspaper wrapping the cash was from that day, yet they claimed it was from months prior. It was ridiculous. I wanted to fight it, but Dad stopped me.”

Even Ye Mo sighed at the depths of political corruption.

“After Mother passed away, news broke of Dad committing suicide. I know he was innocent and wouldn’t kill himself, but I couldn't even see him one last time. I understood my powerlessness. I'll probably never avenge my parents. I was relieved of my duties. When I got home, Tan Tan was my only support, but today, she left,” Shi Xiu’s eyes reddened.

Ye Mo fell silent. He didn’t know how to comfort Shi Xiu. He wished Shi Xiu would avoid politics, but knew he needed to seek revenge. Without involvement, revenge would be impossible. Helping him directly would leave Ye Mo with regrets.

“When I met Tan Tan, I was just an office worker. She didn’t mind and was kind to Mother, always caring for her. I can’t believe she changed. She doesn’t love money, but… but—” Shi Xiu wept.

“Shi Xiu, do you want revenge?” Ye Mo asked.

“Revenge?” Shi Xiu looked up, surprised. “I’m about to go to jail! How can I get revenge?”

Ye Mo asked strangely, “Jail? Weren’t you relieved of your duties? Why jail?”

Shi Xiu sighed. “After Dad was arrested, I borrowed money to get him out. I spent a fortune, but he remained imprisoned. The loans accrued interest. I sold our house, but it’s still not enough. The court notified me that if I don’t repay, I’ll be jailed in a week.”

“How much do you owe?” Ye Mo sighed, believing Shi Xiu had been trapped. Those lenders knew his assets yet still lent him money; something was amiss.

“The loan was 200,000; with interest, it’s 500,000,” Shi Xiu said sadly.

Ye Mo slammed the table in anger. “How can the interest be that high?”

“Boss Huang, why are there so many flies in your bar?” a strange voice echoed. Two young men entered with a middle-aged man in tow. The leading youth had two bodyguards.

The middle-aged man quickly said, “Young Master Qiu, please go inside. Don’t bother with these insignificant things.”

“Are you saying I’m unreasonable?” the youth’s face darkened.

“No, no, I’ll make them leave immediately.”

Ye Mo’s eyes grew cold. Few seemed to recognize him since leaving Beijing; even a random guy dared to dismiss him.

Shi Xiu pulled Ye Mo. “That’s deliberate. I know the man behind Young Master Qiu. The vice-governor who framed my dad is his uncle, Dong Jie, a Beijing University graduate. He saw me and is looking for trouble. Young Master Qiu isn’t simple. Ye Mo, let’s go.”

Ye Mo understood. No wonder this person was so arrogant.

“You two, leave. This place doesn’t welcome you,” two security guards approached.

“Get lost,” Ye Mo said coldly. “If you don’t leave in three seconds, don’t blame me.”

“You’re asking for it,” a guard drew a baton.

“Don’t fight—!” Wang Yan saw what was happening and rushed over.