I'll Spare You This Time

Tang Guogang, fearing Lin Chen might hold him responsible, hastily distanced himself. Then, he continued, "But, honestly, it's embarrassing. After that incident, I wanted to find a time to apologize to you in person, Mr. Lin."

"Who knew something like this would happen again today."

"Mr. Lin, I, Tang Guogang, am truly sorry. Please be magnanimous and forgive my incompetence in management."

With that, Tang Guogang clasped his hands and bowed deeply to Lin Chen.

Although he could still stand and speak just moments ago, his back was already soaked in cold sweat. His heart was pounding wildly in his chest. If anyone had been observing closely, they would have noticed Tang Guogang's legs trembling uncontrollably. It was all due to his immense fear. Being able to remain composed and not collapse on the spot was a testament to the experience he had gained over decades in Zhonghai. Anyone else would have been so terrified they'd collapse and lose control of their bladder right then and there.

"So that's why Xia Tiejun was so arrogant. It turns out you're the backers behind him."

Although Lin Chen didn't know Tang Guogang, given his previous stake in the hospital, his background couldn't be insignificant. It wasn't surprising that Xia Tiejun was so arrogant and overbearing, to the point where even the chairman of Shilin Guomao Group feared him by seventy percent. Of course, Lin Chen was just speaking his mind, essentially realizing the cause and effect of Xia Tiejun's arrogance.

However, his words carried a different meaning for Tang Guogang and Zhang Bin.

This is bad.

Upon hearing Lin Chen's words, Tang Guogang and Zhang Bin simultaneously thought this. Their bodies trembled involuntarily at that moment. It was clear that Lin Chen was very angry about their actions, otherwise, he wouldn't still be unsatisfied after their repeated apologies.

"Mr. Lin, I know I shouldn't have offended you."

"But since this has already happened, we will do our utmost to satisfy you."

"As long as you spare Zhang Bin and me, I, Tang Guogang, am willing to offer ninety percent of my assets as compensation."

"I hope you can give me a chance, a chance to atone and start anew."

"Please."

With that, Tang Guogang stepped forward and knelt directly before Lin Chen. He kowtowed deeply in Lin Chen's direction. This moved Zhang Bin, who had been feeling helpless beside him. At the same time, he secretly resolved to repay Tang Guogang with his life in the future.

Hiss—

When Tang Guogang knelt and kowtowed, everyone was stunned. What followed was a collective gasp. His act of kneeling and kowtowing was like a nuclear explosion to everyone present. They were already shocked by Lin Chen's background, but they had greatly underestimated him. To make Tang Guogang kneel and apologize like this, there probably wasn't another person in all of Zhonghai who could achieve it.

"What's the background of this major shareholder of our group? It's too terrifying."

"Yeah, Tang Guogang is so famous, yet he's nothing in front of Mr. Lin. It's simply unbelievable."

"I wonder how Shang Zhiyi knows Mr. Lin. She's so lucky."

"Honestly, I regret it. If I had known Mr. Lin's background was so formidable, I would have stepped forward to help her no matter what back then."

"Yeah, even if I got beaten up by Xia Tiejun, I would have stepped forward to help."

"Alas, time can't be rewound. I'm truly envious of Yu Qian. She's just too lucky."

The marketing department employees chattered amongst themselves, filled with regret for their earlier actions.

Thump thump thump—

At this moment, Xia Tiejun finally realized the gravity of the situation. He scrambled towards Lin Chen and began kowtowing profusely, repeatedly begging for Lin Chen's forgiveness.

"Mr. Lin, it was I, Xia Tiejun, who was blind and offended you. I beg you to spare my life, spare my life!"

"Please, Mr. Lin, please..."

Bang bang bang—

The sounds of kowtowing echoed through the marketing department, each impact delivered with full force.

Soon, Xia Tiejun's forehead was covered in blood.

Everyone held their breath at that moment, their gazes all turning to Lin Chen, awaiting his final decision.

"What? Weren't you very arrogant just now?"

"Don't you have people backing you up? Go call them!"

Bang—

The anger that had just begun to subside in Lin Chen surged back upon hearing Xia Tiejun's words.

He immediately lost control and kicked Xia Tiejun.

The kick was full of force, sending Xia Tiejun tumbling backward to the ground.

However, Xia Tiejun didn't feel the slightest bit of anger. Instead, he quickly got back up and continued to kowtow towards Lin Chen, begging for forgiveness.

Bang, bang, bang—

The sound continued for several minutes.

By this time, Xia Tiejun's forehead was already a bloody mess, and his entire face was covered in blood.

"Mr. Lin, please spare my life, please..."

The entire marketing department fell silent, with only the sound of Xia Tiejun's kowtowing and pleas.

Looking at the scene before him, Lin Chen didn't know why, but some of his anger finally dissipated.

Perhaps seeing Xia Tiejun like this reminded him of his own past experiences.

He himself had once begged others in a similar manner, though the circumstances were entirely different.

"Alright, alright, stop being an eyesore. If you want forgiveness, go beg the people you bullied."

"As long as she agrees, I'll let you off this time."

Lin Chen waved his hand impatiently.

But it was these words that made Tang Guogang and Zhang Bin, who had been kneeling and unsure what to do, feel completely relieved.

They knew that this disaster had been narrowly avoided.

Of course, Xia Tiejun was the most excited.

Upon hearing Lin Chen's words, he immediately turned and scrambled towards Shang Zhiyi, who was behind him.

"Miss... Miss Shang, all my mistakes are mine, Xia Tiejun's. I shouldn't have coveted you, nor should I have harbored ill intentions towards you."

"Please spare my life, please spare my life..."

Bang, bang, bang—

With that, Xia Tiejun began to kowtow violently again, the sound echoing through the marketing department.

"I..."

Although Shang Zhiyi was angry with Xia Tiejun, she was, after all, a soft-hearted and kind person. Seeing this scene now, she felt a bit hesitant.

Especially seeing his entire face covered in blood from kowtowing, her hatred eventually subsided considerably due to her soft heart.

"Then... then will you dare to trouble me again in the future?"

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. From now on, I, Xia Tiejun, will never dare to trouble you again."

It was a joke. For this matter alone, Xia Tiejun had almost lost his life. How could he possibly dare to trouble Shang Zhiyi again?

If he could survive today, not only would he not cause trouble, but he would also volunteer to protect this "living ancestor" for Mr. Lin.

"Then... then, if that's the case, I'll forgive you."

"I hope you won't do such wicked things again in the future."