Chapter 109: Personal Choice

As the words "Threaten my brother" fell, Zhao Fan’s complexion changed, but more than that, he was infuriated.

“Say that again—what is he to you?”

Fueled by a surge of anger, Yang Qingqing stepped right up to Zhao Fan. Though the question made her falter slightly, seeing Zhao Haitan gave her strength once more.

“I said, he’s my husband. Got a problem with that?”

Zhao Fan laughed angrily. “Divorced, and you still dare to call him that?”

A triumphant smile bloomed on Yang Qingqing’s face as she clung to Zhao Haitan’s arm.

“We may be divorced, but once we bring our daughter back, we’ll remarry. Remarry, understand? We’re still husband and wife.”

Zhao Fan ignored her and looked toward Zhao Haitan.

“Big brother, say something.”

Zhao Haitan lowered his head. “I have nothing to say. It’s just as she said. Brother, the medical bills for Yuner and the supermarket’s capital—I will repay you all of it. I’m sorry.”

“You heartless bastard!”

From the side, Zhao Father rushed out and slapped Zhao Haitan across the face.

“Your brother has been tirelessly worried for you, and this is how you treat him? Fine, take your child; but if you cause any more trouble, don’t ever come back to us.”

Zhao Father was furious and had no desire to argue further with Zhao Haitan.

“Xiaofan, let’s go.”

With those words, Zhao Fan found himself unable to speak further. He glanced at Zhao Haitan and followed his father’s lead.

Chen Jianyu and the others trailed silently behind, casting disdainful glances at Zhao Haitan as they passed.

They had seen ungrateful people before, but never to this extent.

“Dad, just now—”

Zhao Father cut him off harshly. “I know you want to help your big brother, but look at him—I’m angry just looking at him. No matter his reasons, since he’s made his choice, he must bear it.”

They had already done too much for Zhao Haitan. If anything else happened, it would be his own doing.

Zhao Fan, leaning on two crutches, struggled to keep pace with his father.

“Dad, slow down a bit.”

Zhao Father immediately slowed his pace.

“I know you’re upset, but this matter isn’t as simple as it seems. There are things I need to investigate. So I have to handle this.”

Zhao Father looked puzzled. “What do you have to manage?”

“I’m not entirely sure yet. I need to find out.”

Hearing this, Zhao Father glanced back. “Then what about just now—”

“It’s nothing. I’ll take care of it later. Not a big deal.”

Though Zhao Fan said this, Zhao Father still felt a twinge of frustration.

“Should I go back now?”

Zhao Fan quickly stopped his father. “Yang Qingqing’s family is still around; it won’t help if you go now. Wait a bit longer—I’ll find the right time to talk with big brother.”

“All right, fine.”

Noticing Chen Jianyu behind them, Zhao Fan said, “I have some matters to attend to. Dad, you—”

Zhao Father waved him off. “You go ahead. I’ll take a walk over by the supermarket.”

“All right.”

Watching Zhao Father leave, Zhao Fan turned to the others. “Let’s go grab something to eat.”

“Sure.”

He led them to a restaurant. Zhao Fan took a cup and sipped water quietly, while Chen Jianyu, surprisingly, smiled and eagerly ordered dishes.

Halfway through, Chen Jianyu pushed the menu toward Zhao Fan.

“Anything catch your eye?”

Compared to Zhao Fan, Chen Jianyu seemed more like the host.

Zhao Fan smiled and pushed the menu away. “Order whatever you like. I’m not picky.”

After the meal, Chen Jianyu’s group left. Zhao Fan asked him to accompany him.

“There’s something I need your help with.”

Without hesitation, Chen Jianyu followed. “Whatever it is, just say it, Fan.”

“It’s like this...”

Zhao Fan had just started to speak when suddenly a woman dashed out beside them. Off guard, he was knocked to the ground.

“Bang!”

Zhao Fan fell heavily, his crutches flying out of reach.

Chen Jianyu immediately grabbed the woman without a word.

“What are you doing? You knocked him down and now you want to leave just like that?”

Zhao Fan lay there dazed, slowly pushing himself up.

“Chen Jianyu, don’t scare her.”

Chen Jianyu’s expression softened, but he still held her firmly.

Zhao Fan noticed the woman was terrified, constantly glancing back. She clutched a camera, dressed all in black, looking quite ordinary.

“You…”

Before he could finish, his gaze locked on the camera. As she struggled, the camera was pushed aside, revealing a press badge with the word “Reporter” clearly visible.

“You’re a journalist?”

The woman’s first reaction was to shield her face. “I—I—please let me go. There are people after me, they want to kill me. I can’t stay here.”

Who would want to kill a reporter?

This question flashed in Zhao Fan’s mind. Nowadays, journalists were different from the future—they genuinely stood up for certain groups.

Looking at the reporter’s camera, Zhao Fan suddenly understood: she must have captured something that cannot be exposed.

Realizing this, Zhao Fan said, “Come with us. I can help you.”

The reporter hesitated. “You… you can help me?”

“Yes.”

Zhao Fan replied and took off his coat, draping it over the reporter’s head. Then he handed her his crutches.

“Chen Jianyu, take her away.”

Chen Jianyu was stunned but obediently led the reporter away.

Almost immediately, a group of people rushed over, scrutinizing Zhao Fan.

“Did you see a woman come through here?”

Zhao Fan remained calm. “Are you talking about a woman in black, holding a camera?”

“Yes, that’s her.”

Zhao Fan beckoned to one of them. “Come here, I’ll tell you.”

“You…”

Zhao Fan grabbed the man’s collar, his calm demeanor vanishing. “She just knocked me down and stole my crutches before running off. The doctor said I can’t have any impact on my leg. Now it’s ruined. And you want to know what? I want compensation. You owe me compensation!”

The man was caught off guard and stunned.

“This… this…”

“What’s this? Does that woman have nothing to do with you? Listen, don’t waste time. Take me to the hospital now.”

“You, let go of me! What hospital? That woman is a thief. She stole from us, and we’re chasing her. If you want compensation, fine—when we catch her, she’ll pay you.”

“Bah!”

Zhao Fan spat on the ground. “If I believed you, I’d be a fool. Catch her? No way. Give me the money now. If it’s less than five thousand, don’t even think about leaving.”

“What’s wrong with you—”

“Here, take it. That’s five thousand. Now can you tell me which way she went?”

Zhao Fan moistened his fingers with saliva as he counted the money. “That way, down that alley. A taxi was waiting. She got in and ran.”

“After her!”

The group rushed off.

“Idiots!”