SWNOVELXO Chapter 111: Swallow the Wangyi Building
Originally, they were just going out for a late-night snack, but since they were already outside, Zhang Menglong and Wang Ling decided to hit up a skewer restaurant, of course, bringing Xia You along.
"You know, occasionally eating what common folks eat, it really brings back memories!"
"You make it sound like you don't eat what regular people eat every day. It's nothing more than chicken, duck, fish, meat, and vegetables; what else could it be?" Wang Ling treated Zhang Menglong's remark as if he were just expounding some sentiments.
"That's where you're wrong," Zhang Menglong said, "The porridge I drink every morning is made from Kobe beef flown in from the Island Country, the fish I eat are farmed privately in Australia, and fed Kobe beef, and the vegetables I eat are grown on our family's contracted farm..."
"Enough, enough, I don't want to hear it," Wang Ling hurriedly blocked her ears; Zhang Menglong's flaunting of wealth, which always seemed to slip out casually, made her resentment grow twofold.
"Thank you both for helping me out today. This drink, I dedicate to you, bros!" Xia You had changed into fresh clothes, and although a bit frail, she looked much better.
"Don't be so polite. You called me 'bro,' so of course, I'd help!" Wang Ling said cheerfully.
"Right, you are now our dedicated musician. Anyone who wants to mess with you has to go through us first," Zhang Menglong said. "I am quite superstitious, and facing today's incident, I had to step in. Plus, you overheard earlier; I've been wanting to deal with Wangyi Group for a while now, and this just gave me an excuse!"
"Pfft!" Seeing Zhang Menglong's sly smile, Xia You burst out laughing. She knew Zhang Menglong was just saying this to keep her from feeling burdened.
"I'm like you; I'm also a senior this year. I've seen your profile—you're a few months younger than me. I'll thick-skinnedly accept the title of 'Big Brother Zhang.' Next time, I'll introduce my roommate to you, who knows, maybe one day you really will become my friend's girlfriend!"
Xia You's face turned red instantly. Zhang Menglong's jokes were really too much, one after another.
"Big Brother Zhang, let's just let this matter rest here. Wangyi is not some small company. I heard that Mr. Ding has recently increased his shareholding a lot, owning 70% of the company shares between him and his son. I'm worried it might affect you."
"Don't worry, even ten Wangyi Groups couldn't pluck a single hair from this young man!" Wang Ling said, her words muffled as she ate.
"Since you call me 'Big Brother,' I must seek justice for you. You have to know, a cancer like Ding Yuxi, if not disciplined, will only harm more girls in society."
"Don't worry, I know what you're concerned about," Zhang Menglong immediately saw through Xia You's worries, "Wang Ling will help you delete the hotel's video footage. If Ding Yuxi secretly took any videos that could damage your reputation, I'll take care of them. Apart from us, no one else will know about today's events."
"Then... I'll listen to you." It wouldn't be true if she said she didn't want to see Ding Yuxi receive his due punishment. She simply didn't have the means to protect herself. Now that Zhang Menglong and Wang Ling were willing to seek justice for her, she was naturally grateful.
...
"What? You messed with that kid?" In the Wangyi Group's office building, Ding Sanshi was enjoying the business empire he had built over the years when he received a call from Ding Yuxi.
After Zhang Menglong and the others left, the more Ding Yuxi thought about it, the more something seemed off. Zhang Menglong's words "This isn't over" felt like a thorn in his throat. After much hesitation, he finally called his father, Ding Sanshi.
"How many times have I told you? It's okay to mess around with women, but you mustn't overstep. Do you think you're the king?"
"Dad, I just couldn't hold back this one time. I know I was wrong."
"You know nothing!" Ding Sanshi was tired of covering up for Ding Yuxi time and again. In the past, people would let it slide because of his face, but Zhang Menglong was not just anyone. He defied heaven and earth, and even Wang Ling wasn't as tough as him.
All those in the internet sector had their circle, and when a character like Zhang Menglong appeared, everyone began seeking information about him.
He had once asked Ma Hua and Li Hong why they had immediately backed down after a provocation from Zhang Menglong.
Ma Hua and Li Hong didn't give a direct response; they just told Ding Sanshi never to provoke this young man unless he was willing to see his business empire crumble.
If someone else had told Ding Sanshi this, he would have taken it as a joke, but coming from the mouths of these two industry magnates, it was worth deep consideration, definitely not an unfounded rumor.
Fortunately, he didn't have much interaction with Zhang Menglong; even if he was formidable, their paths rarely crossed, so he shouldn't unexpectedly come after me, right?
But what he didn't know was that this grudge had been buried a long time ago, and his son had directly triggered this hidden landmine.
"Dad, is this guy really that powerful? I heard even Mr. Poladi, the world's richest man, treats him with great respect."
"You know about this and you still dared to provoke him?" Ding Sanshi wished he could slap Ding Yuxi to death; he should have just shot him on the wall back then to avoid all these troubles.
"I didn't want to, but as soon as he spoke, he demanded 50 billion in emotional damages from me. Isn't he just looking for trouble?"
"50 billion? Why doesn't he go rob someone?" Hearing about Zhang Menglong's audacious demand, Ding Sanshi couldn't help but sneer.
"He also said 10 million was just for throwing at beggars. Right in front of me, in a live stream, he tipped tens of millions." The image still somewhat dazed Ding Yuxi.
"Hmph, it seems he's just a wasteful spender," said Ding Sanshi, "I wonder who his elders are, I've never heard that there's a wealthy Zhang family in Huaxia with such immense power."
"Dad, what should I do?"
"Leave this matter to me. Starting today, you're to reflect at home for a month, and don't stir up any more trouble!"
...
The next day, Zhang Menglong was still with Wang Ling at the audition site watching the selection of actors who had minor roles; not complete nobodies, but even these characters created scenes that looked like titans clashing.
"Keep watching, I'll take a call!" Zhang Menglong glanced at his phone, which showed an unfamiliar number. Experience exclusive tales on empire
"Hello, who is this?"
"Is this Mr. Zhang Menglong? Hello, this is Ding Sanshi?"
"Holy shit! It's you?" Before Zhang Menglong had figured out how to deal with Ding Yuxi making him cringe, his father, Ding Sanshi, had come knocking at his door.
"What's the matter?" Zhang Menglong was startled but quickly regained his composure.
"Mr. Zhang, there might be some misunderstanding regarding my son's issue. I was wondering if it's not too inconvenient to meet the young lady who was hurt yesterday, so I can apologize on behalf of my son."
"If you want to apologize, come yourself. Sending someone else shows no sincerity at all. Forget it!" Zhang Menglong answered irritably.
Ding Sanshi's face turned crimson with anger. He was the chairman of a listed company, personally apologizing to an ordinary young girl, and this was called lacking sincerity?
"Then Mr. Zhang, what do you think constitutes sufficient sincerity?" Ding Sanshi asked, "I'm willing to offer a billion to get the girl's forgiveness."
"A billion? Why do you and your son think money can solve everything?" Zhang Menglong laughed, "Alright, since you want to settle with money, it can be done, but as I said yesterday, 50 billion, not a penny less, or else this won't be over!"
"50 billion? Do you think you're dealing with the Bank of Heaven and Earth? If you can produce that money, I'll eat my Wangyi Building!"
"Producing 50 billion in cash all at once, I believe no one in Huaxia could accomplish that."
"Oh, okay," said Zhang Menglong calmly, "Well, I have never seen someone eat a building before. How about I come up with a few more 50 billions, and you build a couple more to eat for me to watch? How does that sound?"