Chapter Seventy-Nine: Killing the Chicken to Warn the Monkey, Luring the Snake from Its Lair!

Wang Zheng had never cared about anyone’s opinions. As long as it was something he wanted to do, whether it was right or wrong, in his eyes, it was always right.

“You…!” The middle-aged man was left speechless by Wang Zheng’s words, his mouth agape, unable to find a retort. His expression was vacant, his spirit on the verge of collapse. Watching the man’s lips move up and down, Wang Zheng suddenly felt that being in the right—was so powerless.

“Apologize!” Wang Zheng demanded loudly, his voice echoing through every corner of the office area, including Lin Xiaolei’s office. He wanted his voice to be everywhere.

There’s an old saying: those in the right are relentless. But someone like Wang Zheng, relentless even when he’s wrong, is rare indeed. The female employees clenched their fists, their eyes on Wang Zheng filled with excitement and happiness. Though they couldn’t support him with actions, their spirits cheered him on, rallying behind him with all their hearts.

“You’re crazy!” The middle-aged man shot Wang Zheng a glare, his tone sour, then bent to pick up his scattered documents. To him, his discontent had started at noon, when he saw Wang Zheng leisurely walk out of his office—a man who did no work yet occupied a large office right next to the general manager’s. Wasn’t he just taking up space and contributing nothing?

After all, even senior employees like himself didn’t enjoy the privilege of a private office.

Suddenly, as he prepared to retrieve his papers, a hand gripped his collar tightly, a powerful force emanating from Wang Zheng’s broad hand and arm—like a python, before the man could react, he was trapped, prey in the serpent’s territory.

“You called me crazy?” Wang Zheng frowned, questioning him. If earlier he was twisting words, now he had a reason. Wang Zheng lifted him with one hand, shouting angrily, “There are two things I hate most: being insulted and being called crazy. You’ve done both—you must apologize.”

If you want to be angry, you’ll always find a reason. Isn’t that true?

“It was you who bumped into me! Why are you so unreasonable?” The man struggled to speak as Wang Zheng’s grip tightened, his collar choking him.

“Newton would be heartbroken to hear what you just said!” Wang Zheng stared at him. “Apologize and I’ll let you go. Refuse, and today you won’t escape my grasp.”

“Wang… Wang Zheng!” At that moment, a gentle, trembling voice called out, “Can you let him go? I… I’ll apologize to you on his behalf!” Her voice quivered as if she were afraid of something.

Silence.

The company was unusually quiet; all eyes were fixed on Wang Zheng and Lin Xiaolei. The general manager apologizing for a subordinate to another subordinate, in such a soft, pleading manner—it seemed almost unbelievable, yet it was happening right before them.

Wang Zheng silently laughed to himself. If he remembered correctly, this was Lin Xiaolei’s first time speaking to him today. He still didn’t dislike her; he admired her, even though their standoff over the company’s development had left them at an impasse. But every issue has two sides, and this only proved Lin Xiaolei was a woman of ideals and ambition.

Without dreams, what’s the difference between a person and a salted fish?

Wang Zheng released the middle-aged man, who fell to the floor with a thud, clutching his backside, looking utterly embarrassed.

With the man out of his grasp, Wang Zheng’s severe expression softened, replaced by a relaxed smile. He walked toward his office, muttering to himself, “Ah, today’s mood is as good as the weather. What should I eat tonight?”

There was no trace of the earlier unpleasantness on his face; it was as if nothing had happened at all.

Watching Wang Zheng’s retreating figure, Lin Xiaolei bit her lip, at a loss. In her bright eyes, something flickered incessantly. When Wang Zheng entered his office, Lin Xiaolei sighed softly, lowered her head, and returned to her own office, visibly dejected. Of course, Bai Bing noticed everything. After Lin Xiaolei left, Bai Bing glanced at the disgruntled middle-aged man on the floor, snorted coldly, and headed for Wang Zheng’s office. Though she appeared calm, her heart was delighted.

From what had just happened, Wang Zheng was clearly making an example out of the man to send Lin Xiaolei a message.

After the disagreement between Lin Xiaolei and Wang Zheng over the company’s future, Bai Bing began to dislike Lin Xiaolei. Although she had little fondness for Wang Zheng, Lin Xiaolei’s ingratitude and betrayal had left her extremely disappointed. She had been pleased to see Zhongtian Company thriving and had personally arranged for Wu Bifan’s capture to recover the stolen funds. But after the money was returned, things had changed so much that Bai Bing regretted ever helping Lin Xiaolei.

In truth, it was only for Wang Zheng’s sake that Bai Bing acted as she did. Otherwise, would she care about Lin Xiaolei? Bai Bing’s pride was second to none!

When Bai Bing entered the office and saw Wang Zheng sitting in his chair, her cold face broke into a smile. She trotted over, sat opposite him, and gave him a thumbs up.

Wang Zheng glanced at Bai Bing’s sly grin; he could more or less guess her thoughts and responded by showing her a finger—but it was his middle finger.

Such trivial matters are nothing! I am a wolf among sheep—who am I afraid of?

“I thought you’d go after Lin Xiaolei directly and worried you’d have no excuse. I didn’t expect you to put on such a show—making an example of one to warn another, drawing out the snake from its hole. Brilliant! I bet Lin Xiaolei feels absolutely miserable now,” Bai Bing said with a smile. Having spent much time with Wang Zheng, she subconsciously regarded him as a companion, so her mood often shifted with his.

If Wang Zheng won, she was happy. If he was down, her mood soured. Of course, if their conflict was between the two of them, Bai Bing would gladly flush Wang Zheng down the toilet. Humans are contradictory creatures—contradictory even without realizing it.

Wang Zheng smiled at her words, then replied, “You make it sound as if I’m a villain.”

“You’re not a villain, but you’re definitely not a good guy either!” Bai Bing scoffed, making Wang Zheng remember how, as a kid, flooding rat holes was considered a heinous crime. But her expression didn’t last long; she adopted a mysterious look and asked, “Hey, since you’ve declared war, what’s your next move? Can you tell me in advance and satisfy my curiosity?”

“No!” Wang Zheng replied, “What war? You make it sound like the Third World War. What I did just now was simply to help those female employees I hired vent their grievances. I won’t just stand by and watch people I recruited get bullied. And did you perhaps misunderstand?”

“You did it for them?” Bai Bing frowned, suspicious of Wang Zheng’s claim. Was his motive really that pure? No matter how she pondered it, Bai Bing couldn’t believe him. So she pressed, “You weren’t targeting Lin Xiaolei?”

“Heh,” Wang Zheng chuckled softly, looking at Bai Bing. “I’m a simple man. You’re overthinking it!”

“Simple? I’d sooner believe Ximen Qing was a virgin than believe you’re simple! Who are you trying to fool?”

Before Bai Bing finished, a thick magazine flew at her face. Luckily, she ducked quickly, and a gust of wind brushed her forehead, making her feel her hair flutter from the force. Cautious, Bai Bing checked Wang Zheng’s hands—seeing nothing left to throw, she sat up straight and eyed Wang Zheng provocatively, saying, “So I was right? You’re an out-and-out lecher, utterly shameless, with no manners, your eyes glued to every beauty, always peeping more eagerly than anyone else!”

Come on, is that how it’s going to be? Wang Zheng wasn’t about to accept such a pile of baseless accusations.

“I’m not shameless—just have a few bad habits. I’m not lacking manners—just never have the occasion. I’m not a voyeur—just think it’s a waste not to look.”

“Explaining is just covering up. And covering up means it’s true. Besides, I absolutely don’t believe you’ll let Lin Xiaolei off so easily. I’m sure no matter what path she chooses, you’ll be there—either as a spectator, or to pull her out of trouble, or… maybe trip her up and then act merciful, making her grateful to you,” Bai Bing said confidently, watching Wang Zheng. “Am I right?”

“No matter how confident you are, there’ll never be bamboo growing in your chest!”