Compensation

The little farce ended amid Song Anning's awkward apology.

Song Anning had never expected that his little scheme would not only fail, but also expose his timidity before Cen Muxiao and force him to lower his head before Guo Lantai, costing him his dignity.

Having suffered a secret setback, he truly could not stay any longer. He forced a smile at Cen Muxiao, turned to leave, but Song Yuan, who was blocking the doorway and watching the show, stopped him.

"What?"

Song Anning raised a dissatisfied brow at him. Ever since showing up, this man had not said a word, clearly there just to watch him make a fool of himself. He had not given him much face in the private room either, and who knew how he would embellish the story for others after returning.

But he could not care about that now. His face was burning with embarrassment, and he needed to get out for some air.

"I'm not stopping you, but you won't be able to leave anyway!"

A faint smile curled Song Yuan's lips as he tipped his chin toward Song Anning's back. "That kid's glare is about to eat you alive!"

At that, Song Anning's brow jumped. The phone! Didn't that kid refuse the money just now?

When he turned around, he indeed met Tang Xu's resentful, indignant eyes. That look really could devour someone!

"How much? Name your price!"

He turned back and stared directly at Tang Xu as he asked. He could not get his hands on a limited-edition phone, so compensation was his only option.

Before Tang Xu could speak, Song Yuan snorted with laughter and beat him to it. "If I'm not mistaken, that's the Summit Custom Gaming Phone released just last month, right? I heard it was a small event the developers held to commemorate a game upgrade. There weren't many available, and you had to reserve one three months in advance. The official price was 188,000. It's not that expensive, but I wonder whether you can afford it!"

"Song Yuan!" Cen Muxiao barked a warning. Song Anning's family circumstances could not compare to theirs. A small business in a small town—being able to support him studying abroad was already decent enough. They did not have that much spare money for him to squander.

The moment Song Yuan spoke, Song Anning's expression darkened.

"188,000!"

When Song Anning heard that, he nearly ground his back teeth to pieces. Why didn't they just rob him?

Only then did he truly realize how foolish he had been. One slap had cost him 188,000!

"Yeah, 188,000. No discounts. Add emotional damages, and make it 200,000. Otherwise, I definitely won't let you leave!"

Tang Xu lifted his chest and demanded his price. He was in the right, so what did he have to fear? When his eyes flicked over, he noticed Song Yuan watching him with a smile, and for some reason, his face suddenly flushed.

But after withdrawing his gaze, he added emphatically, "Your own people can testify for me. I'm not taking advantage of you or naming an outrageous price!"

Yu Tu rubbed his chin and joined in with a grin. "Exactly. You hit our table too. It's already generous of us not to charge you medical fees. So? Cash, card, or transfer?"

"You..."

Song Anning wanted to argue, but Song Yuan had already spoken first, so it seemed he had no room to bargain. Besides, how could he possibly come up with 188,000?

His family's business had not been doing well these past few years, and they had not made much money. Part of the cost of his years abroad had been earned through his own part-time performances. He had never been someone who knew how to save; he spent whatever he earned, living quite freely and comfortably.

Even after returning to the country, he had never worried about money, because he had already planned to develop his career in the entertainment industry. Besides, with Cen Muxiao around, how could he possibly lack resources or spending money?

But all that could only happen if Cen Muxiao had not gotten married and had agreed to date him!

Now, they did not even have a chance to properly catch up and revisit the past. How could there be any talk of a future together?

The balance in his account was not looking good now. And he really had just received a call from home—his parents said the family business had run into some trouble and asked him for money!

They had pestered him to the point that he could not take it anymore, and he had been planning to find a chance to borrow some money from Cen Muxiao to get through this difficult time!

Well then. Before he had even borrowed the money, he was already being forced to pay out 200,000. When had Song Anning ever been this strapped for cash?

Thinking of this, he could not help looking at Cen Muxiao. He was the only one who could help him.

"Muxiao, could you..."

Before he could finish, Cen Muxiao suddenly raised a hand to stop him, then shifted his gaze to Guo Lantai right before Song Anning's eyes.

What was that? He hadn't even finished speaking!

Cen Muxiao should not have had any trouble understanding what he meant, right? Could it be that helping him out required asking Guo Lantai for permission?

"And you? Will 200,000 settle this account?"

Sure enough, Cen Muxiao said something that left Song Anning choked with anger. Was 200,000 not enough? What else did he want?

And why was he asking Guo Lantai? Shouldn't he be asking the phone's owner directly?

Song Anning realized that he was becoming less and less able to understand Cen Muxiao's thoughts!

Based on how they had gotten along back then, wasn't this supposed to be Cen Muxiao's chance to step forward heroically? He was not short on money. Shouldn't he have thrown down a card the moment Song Anning opened his mouth, smashed it in that kid's face, and told them to get as far away as possible?

How much affection did Cen Muxiao still have for him?

Guo Lantai folded his arms and watched the show at leisure when the domineering CEO suddenly called on him. What kind of logic was that?

Both parties involved were right there. What was he asking him for?

Fuck! Did he think I was egging this on behind the scenes again?

He clearly was not! The big pig trotter was clear-eyed and sharp-eared right now. He had not said a single word, okay?

"Otherwise what? How about... you agree to move into my room?"

There was a barb in the first half of Guo Lantai's words and obvious frivolity in the second. He casually made a request Cen Muxiao could never agree to, just to disgust him. Who told him to come provoke him for no reason?

Cen Muxiao secretly drew a deep breath. He really had made an unnecessary move. He could not be bothered to say more, so he turned to Tang Xu and declared in an overbearing tone, "200,000 plus a custom phone. Pick one yourself. My secretary will contact you later!"

With that, the domineering CEO turned and left, leaving behind a heavy scent of money!

Song Anning's eyes widened in disbelief. ...This wasn't hush money. Why compensate him with an extra phone?

"Muxiao!"

Song Anning shot one unwilling glance back before hurrying after him. He had no idea what to expect—was this money considered a loan or a gift? If it was a loan, then he had really suffered a huge loss!

Yu Tu finally came to his senses and slapped Tang Xu hard on the shoulder, overjoyed. "Not bad, kid! Weren't you complaining that you weren't satisfied and wanted a different model? Didn't the opportunity just come knocking?"

Tang Xu could hardly believe his ears. He dug hard at them, then asked again, "200,000, plus a custom phone I can pick freely?"

Yu Tu's large hand landed on the back of his head again. "Silly kid, you heard right. See? Brother Guo's got serious clout. Go celebrate in secret!"

"Hehe, my mom won't be able to scold me now!"

Tang Xu grinned stupidly, so happy that he did not know where to put his hands.

Unexpectedly, a sudden scoff came from the doorway. "Heh! Mama's boy!"

After saying that, Song Yuan swayed away, leaving the three of them staring at one another.

Tang Xu: "Who was he calling a mama's boy?"

Yu Tu: "Don't listen to him. He's just a demon!"

Guo Lantai smiled without saying anything. This Song Yuan was clearly the person he had mentioned who could not stand Song Anning. At last, there was someone here who was not blind!