Fine, fine, fine-turns out I'm the sucker

Hua Jian left the operating room area and went with the police officers waiting next door to give his statement.

A female officer surnamed Liu was startled the moment she saw the bright red handprint on his face.

"Mr. Hua, your face..."

"It's nothing. I'm really sorry for taking up your time. Let's get going."

Seeing his reaction, Officer Liu felt she couldn't say anything more.

Sitting in the police car, Hua Jian stared impassively at the streets sliding past outside.

Suddenly, his brows drew together slightly.

His fingers twitched. He wanted to use his phone to look at where he'd been slapped.

But with the officer beside him, he ultimately just pressed his tongue against the inside of that cheek.

Even his tongue could feel the heat radiating from his skin.

That alone showed how hard Madam Hua had struck him.

He sighed silently. It seemed he really wasn't destined to have much of a family.

He'd been an orphan in his previous life. In this life, having a mother seemed no different from not having one.

Sitting beside him, Officer Liu noticed his gloomy expression and said, "You don't need to worry too much. My colleagues just said they've obtained the restaurant footage. It shows that Cui Zhao hit your third brother first."

Hua Jian replied gratefully, "Sorry for all the trouble, officers."

When they reached the nearby police station, Hua Jian discovered that Bo Lin was standing at the entrance.

He hurried over. "Bo Lin? What are you doing here? Aren't you busy at work?"

Bo Lin's pupils contracted sharply. "What happened to your face? Who hit you? Xie Zhiwei?"

"No." Hua Jian turned slightly, trying to hide the side of his face that had been slapped.

Did Madam Hua hit me that hard? It doesn't even hurt anymore, but the mark is still that obvious?

Bo Lin's anger stalled. Madam Hua? Who called his own mother "Madam"?

After a moment of silence, Bo Lin reined in his anger. "Let's go inside. Bo's lawyer is in there, and the private room footage has already been submitted as evidence. Just tell them the truth."

Hua Jian said apologetically, "Thank you, Bo Lin. I'm really sorry about today. I should have been working, and instead I've made you waste your time here."

"It's fine. There's no rush on the mural."

Bo Lin had looked into Cui Zhao's background. He'd meant to tell Hua Jian something, but now he hesitated.

Hua Jian already had such a hard time with the Xie Family. He might as well take care of this little matter for him.

"Well, Xiao Jian, haven't seen you in a few days, and you're already this battered? Lost that fight earlier?"

A man's casual voice rang out.

Hua Jian said in surprise, "President Lu, what are you doing here?"

Lu Zexi said irritably, "Do you know how long I waited for him at the office? And what did he do? Ditched me to pick you up for lunch, only for all this to happen."

Bo Lin said flatly, "Ignore him. Hua Jian, let's go inside."

Lu Zexi hurried after them. "Bo Lin, I really do need to talk to you. The Pulton Family's people will arrive in the next couple of days. They're interested in investing in China. I'm telling you, this is a great opportunity!"

Just then, Hua Jian's leisurely voice sounded. Poulton. That name sounds so familiar.

Lu Zexi stopped abruptly. Even Bo Lin looked up at Hua Jian.

Only then did Hua Jian ask, "What's wrong? Why are you both looking at me?"

"Poulton?" Lu Zexi asked tentatively.

Hua Jian looked rather blank. He thought, Right, what was the deal with Poulton again? Why can't I remember all of a sudden?

That thought left Lu Zexi hanging. His face flushed red as he watched Bo Lin and Hua Jian enter a room.

"Fuck, I must've lost my mind just now. I actually wanted to hear Hua Jian's opinion without even thinking. Who knows if he's just making things up?"

While Hua Jian and Bo Lin gave their statements inside, Lu Zexi sulked in the corridor outside.

The Pulton Family was a family of Chinese descent based in Europe.

They were extremely secretive, but had immense capital and extensive business holdings.

Bo Lin might not care about the Pulton Family investing in China, but he had always wanted to establish a branch in their territory.

Two years ago, the local power broker, Poulton, had pulled a fast one on him, costing him several hundred million.

Bo Lin hadn't gotten angry. He'd simply established a branch in the neighboring country instead, and the international logistics business still brought in money fast.

But Lu Zexi had never been able to swallow that insult.

When he'd told Bo Lin earlier that this was a "great opportunity," he hadn't meant an opportunity to do business. He'd meant an opportunity to stop Poulton from doing business in China.

"Damn it, Hua Jian definitely knows something! No, I'll have to sound him out again later."

He ended up waiting several hours. The two of them didn't come out until dusk.

"Why are you still here?" Bo Lin was annoyed at the sight of him. "I don't want to discuss work today."

But Lu Zexi ignored him and turned to Hua Jian instead.

"Heh, Xiao Jian, let me buy you dinner tonight. You don't have to go to UP, either. I'll give you a day of sick leave, with full pay."

"I haven't done anything to deserve that. I'm fine, President Lu. Tonight..."

"What do you mean, deserve it? You've worked at UP for so long. What's wrong with me buying you dinner? Come on, let's go!"

"But, boss, I'm not hungry yet. I..."

"I know, I know!"

Bo Lin narrowed his eyes. Lu Zexi had already dragged Hua Jian quite a distance away.

Tsk. He'd forgotten that Lu Zexi was Hua Jian's actual boss.

Bo Lin held no shares in UP.

How irritating.

Dinner was decidedly strange. Hua Jian sat between Lu Zexi and Bo Lin. Lu Zexi was warm and welcoming, while Bo Lin was as cold as a block of ice.

Still remembering his objective, Lu Zexi smiled at Bo Lin. "You really won't consider Poulton?"

Without waiting for an answer, Lu Zexi turned to Hua Jian. "Have you heard of the Poulton Group? They own lots of luxury brands. Their watches and clothing are all very famous."

Bo Lin stared at him coldly.

Lu Zexi gritted his teeth and waited for Hua Jian's answer.

"Yes."

Fuck, I remember Poulton's storyline now.

Lu Zexi's eyes instantly lit up. Finally!

The man heading Poulton's visit to China is the family head's nephew. Damn, that guy is a complete psychopath.

He has no intention of letting the family invest a single cent in China. This whole visit is a cover. He's here to find the family head's long-lost child.

Of course, that bastard is full of dirty tricks. He isn't even making a proper effort to find the child. If he actually found him, wouldn't that ruin his chances of inheriting the Pulton Family?

He picks one company here and plays them for fools. What was it called again?

Oh, Yinsheng. Just look at that name-hidden prosperity. How are they supposed to prosper if they keep it hidden?

Lu Zexi's face instantly froze.

Fuck. Yinsheng was the name of his parent company.

Fine, fine, fine-turns out I'm the sucker.

A glimmer of amusement flashed in Bo Lin's eyes.

The food arrived soon afterward. Lu Zexi, who had been chattering nonstop, suddenly went completely silent. Hua Jian felt much more at ease.

The meal was fairly pleasant, right up until Hua Jian received a call from Madam Hua.