Chapter 112: A Temporary Resolution

News of the commotion at the Bai family estate quickly spread throughout Yang City via the media. Since the matter involved loss of life, no one dared to speak hastily; everyone waited quietly, hoping for a stable resolution.

Under such circumstances, the situation only escalated further.

The Bai family never expected that, after so much back and forth, the issue would not only remain unresolved but would also grow worse.

At the Bai residence, Bai Yongyuan smashed everything within reach, furious as he bellowed, “Who is it? Who exactly is scheming against me behind my back?”

The old troubles he had once suppressed resurfaced, and now that lives were involved, no matter how capable he was, he had to consider public sentiment.

The others lowered their heads, not daring to utter a word.

Pacing back and forth in his study, Bai Yongyuan ordered, “Find someone to contact those causing the disturbance. Offer them money to hush this up.”

“We’ve already reached out, but they refuse to settle for money.”

“What do you mean?”

“They want the Bai family to pay a price.”

Bai Yongyuan let out a bitter laugh, anger simmering beneath it. “They want the Bai family to pay a price? Who do they think they are?”

Pay a price, ha!

Though enraged, Bai Yongyuan had to admit one thing: right now, the Bai family was powerless. Their stock had already been shaken by this incident; any further moves might invite a police raid.

“Keep trying. If they say they won’t accept money, it just means the offer hasn’t been tempting enough. Raise the stakes — this must be settled quickly.”

“Yes.”

Just as the Bai family connected with the victims, Zhao Fan received word.

Chen Jianyu asked, “Should we try to keep this under wraps?”

Zhao Fan, understanding that Chen Jianyu was referring to the victims’ families, smiled faintly. “No need. Let them decide for themselves.”

If the victims’ families chose to let things slide, Zhao Fan would remain in the shadows. But if they refused, he would find a way to resolve the matter for them—and ensure they received ample compensation.

“Understood.”

Three days later, Chen Jianyu called Zhao Fan again.

“Only one family has accepted the money.”

“Good. We can arrange for the lawyer to step in.”

During those three days, Zhao Fan hadn’t been idle. He sought out Shi Wenxuan, and together they hired the best law firm in Yang City to represent the victims’ families.

When the lawyer’s notice reached the Bai family, their stock plunged once more.

Bai Yongyuan, unable to sit still, sought help from Yang Tiancheng.

“I understand what the Bai family head wants, but the problem is, I can’t intervene.”

Bai Yongyuan’s expression stiffened. “You can’t intervene? What do you mean?”

“I recently bought a piece of land and have been puzzling over how to develop it. It’s been a real headache, sigh!”

Bai Yongyuan clenched his teeth. “How you develop a piece of land should be up to the Yang family head.”

Yang Tiancheng smiled. “The Bai family head thinks about turning that land into a shopping mall? I heard that young Zhao Fan was trying to build a mall too, but it collapsed halfway through.”

“That Zhao Fan kid may lack other talents, but his ability to make money is impressive. Wherever he wants to build, it’s bound to be right.”

In the past, a young man from an ordinary family would have difficulty catching the eyes of the elite.

But Zhao Fan was different. His initial breakthrough came from a rare opportunity with Song Yingci’s Whispering Bottle; not everyone can stumble upon such a windfall. Sometimes, luck is a skill that commands envy—and it’s irreplaceable.

That was just one reason. After that, Zhao Fan dabbled in supermarkets, then ventured into the internet—whatever was novel, he tried it. And somehow, he made money.

His daring and results made others envious.

Not only Bai Yongyuan, but even Yang Tiancheng felt the envy.

Yang Tiancheng chuckled, “Yeah, whatever the kid wants to do is usually right. I just don’t know if the Bai family head has similar talent to recommend, since no one’s ever done a mall before.”

Bai Yongyuan’s eyes flickered. “If the Yang family head doesn’t mind, I have a design plan here. But… there’s a problem with its origin. I wonder if you’re willing to accept it?”

Yang Tiancheng narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”

“It’s Zhao Fan’s.”

Yang Tiancheng’s brow relaxed. “If I remember correctly, his construction has already stopped.”

Bai Yongyuan sighed. “It did stop. No choice—no workers on site, and the designer ended up in the hospital. They had to halt.”

“This design plan…”

“I can deliver it soon, but I’m not sure…”

They exchanged a glance, each reading the other’s calculation. Inwardly, both cursed the other as a sly old fox.

The next day, the Yang family announced a forthcoming collaboration with the Bai family in medical device development. As soon as the news broke, the Bai family’s stock, which had been steadily falling, stabilized and even showed signs of gradual recovery.

Zhao Fan, watching the Bai family’s situation, couldn’t help but click his tongue.

Bai Yongyuan was truly going all out, though no one knew what price he had paid to enlist the Yang family’s help.

His phone rang—it was Chen Jianyu.

Zhao Fan answered, “What’s up?”

“The Bai family’s stock has stabilized. What should we do next?”

“Release the news about the substandard building materials tomorrow.”

“Got it.”

At the Bai residence, Bai Yongyuan let out a breath of relief as he saw the stock slowly rising. For the moment, he could finally relax—once things were stable, they could handle those causing trouble later.

But the very next morning, news leaked that the Bai family’s construction site had used inferior building materials. Accompanying the revelation were records and several video screenshots, which crushed the Bai family’s fragile recovery.

This time, the Bai family was under investigation.

Zhao Fan received the news with great amusement.

“Ah, it’s finally resolved. Feels good.”

Zhao Fan would not utterly destroy the Bai family before the final reckoning; this was merely a warning.

Of course, with his current strength, annihilating the Bai family would only lead to mutual destruction.

But if the Bai family dared to strike him again, Zhao Fan would not hesitate to employ every means to settle the score once and for all.

That very evening, Zhao Fan had just returned home when his father handed him a bank card.

“Why give me a bank card?”

“This was sent by your eldest brother this morning. It’s the money from opening the supermarket, and the funds for Yun’er’s treatment will be transferred here in installments.”

Hearing this, Zhao Fan smiled faintly and pushed the card back.

“You keep it. I don’t need this money.”

With Feiteng Supermarket and his software company, Zhao Fan was confident enough to say so.

His father said nothing more and casually handed the card to Zhao Fan’s mother.

“Hold on to it for Xiao Fan.”

After all, the money was Zhao Fan’s anyway; temporarily keeping it was no problem.

After dinner, Zhao Fan resumed his studies. Remembering the days he had lost, he decided to return to school the next day.

During breakfast the following morning, Zhao Fan received a call from Shi Wenxuan.

“My company… it’s gone.”