Chapter 343: Nothing is Absolute

At this moment, the three men who had been eagerly waiting on the sidelines for Lin Ruoxi couldn't hold back any longer.

"Big brother, what's there to talk about with this kind of high-class lady? She doesn't understand a thing. Let's just have our way with her and then make a run for it. I can hardly wait!" Wang Ze smirked.

Wu Liangzhu looked at Lin Ruoxi, who had retreated to a corner, and sneered, "You useless lot. Do you think she can escape? If you want to do it, just do it. I'll watch right here. Let's see the expression on the face of this rich and powerful CEO when these two thugs have their way with her. Haha, look how tightly they're gripping her. She might even be their type."

"That would be a jackpot. I'd gladly trade ten years of my life for that!" Meng Fan chimed in eagerly.

As Meng Fan and Wang Ze were about to pounce, Lin Ruoxi looked around frantically, considering whether she should jump out of the window. But they were on the third floor; jumping would mean risking severe injury or worse.

However, even being disabled seemed better than being defiled by these men!

Just then, a voice rang out from behind Wu Liangzhu.

"Hey, you guys. If you want to curse or steal money, go ahead. But why do you have designs on my woman? Don't pretend I'm asleep anymore..."

The four men had all been focused on Lin Ruoxi, who was as silent as a cicada in cold weather. They were startled by the voice and turned around.

They saw Yang Chen, who had been lying on the ground just moments ago, now standing up slowly. There was no trace of confusion or drowsiness on his face; he looked completely fine, just muttering helplessly.

"You, you, how..." Meng Fan pointed at Yang Chen, unable to find his words.

"So you woke up so quickly," Yang Chen smiled faintly. "The truth is, the sedative you bought was expired, so its effects weren't that strong. And your acting skills are atrocious. You look more like thugs than officials. Look at your sunburnt faces, all dark like street vendors. Who would believe you're office workers doing accounting?"

Wu Liangzhu panicked and quickly instructed the three men to grab Yang Chen. Even Xiao Liu guarding the door rushed over to tackle him.

But Yang Chen easily dealt with them. In swift moves, he knocked each one out cold. Then, he walked slowly to Lin Ruoxi, who was sweating coldly, and gently pinched her ice-cold jade-like arm.

"A bit scared, huh? It's okay, I'm here."

Lin Ruoxi finally came to her senses. Although she was puzzled about how Yang Chen had suddenly awakened, seeing the current situation, she breathed a sigh of relief as if she had just narrowly escaped death's door.

"I'm fine," Lin Ruoxi immediately withdrew her hand from Yang Chen's palm, looking at him suspiciously. "Did you never really lose consciousness? Was it intentional?"

Ever since she learned about Yang Chen's impressive background and extraordinary skills, she had wondered how he had been easily drugged this time. Now, she guessed she had been deceived by him.

Embarrassed, Yang Chen rubbed the back of his head. "I just wanted to see what kind of trick they were up to. Initially, I felt a bit sorry for them and thought of letting them off after getting their money back. But now, I think sending them to jail might be more appropriate."

While Yang Chen was talking, Wu Liangzhu, sensing trouble, had quietly approached the door, hoping to make a break for it.

But Yang Chen wasn't about to let him go. With a swift move, before Wu Liangzhu could react, Yang Chen had kicked him to the ground. Following up with another kick, although it was skillful, it still knocked Wu Liangzhu unconscious.

3.5

Once again witnessing the terrifying strength of this man, Lin Ruoxi wasn't as surprised as the first time. Looking at the four unconscious figures on the ground, she sighed, "Let them stay here. I'll call the police to handle them. As for the legal matters, I'll leave them to Lawyer Zhang and Wu Yue."

An hour later, following Lin Ruoxi's call to the police, the local station chief arrived with several officers and took away Wu Liangzhu and his three companions. They immediately began investigating Wu Liangzhu for embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds.

Wu Liangzhu, after all, was not a sophisticated criminal, and his scheme was quickly uncovered. His plan to escape was quite laughable—just taking a large sum of money and entering Myanmar via Yunnan. In such a military-controlled country, having money could indeed solve everything. Moreover, he wasn't a government official, so there was no diplomatic negotiation for his extradition.

Lin Ruoxi personally making the police call was a significant event for the local authorities in Yuping Town. Aside from Yu Ping Garment Factory, she had three or four other companies established in the town, bringing considerable economic profit. They couldn't afford to neglect this female financial deity.

Around 8 PM that evening, Lin Ruoxi finally met with the senior executives of Yu Ping Garment Factory. They tearfully and vehemently condemned Wu Liangzhu, accusing him of using force to threaten them into silence about his dirty dealings. They hoped Lin Ruoxi would forgive them and allow them to continue working at the factory.

However, Lin Ruoxi didn't readily agree. Without hesitation, she dismissed all the main executives and implemented a complete overhaul of the factory's management.

Yang Chen understood her intentions. Even with such serious misconduct, these individuals dared not privately retaliate, suggesting there were likely personal benefits involved. Thus, purging them was necessary.

With everything settled, it was almost 10 PM. The remaining tasks, including restructuring the factory and ensuring owed wages were paid, couldn't be completed in a day or two.

As Lin Ruoxi sat somewhat exhausted in Yang Chen's car, Yang Chen easily sensed a thick cloud of gloom enveloping her, one that wouldn't dissipate.

"Are we heading home?"

"Yeah," Lin Ruoxi replied softly, then fell silent, sitting quietly in the passenger seat like an ice sculpture, cold and seemingly breathless.

Since it was nighttime, the roads were clear with few pedestrians or vehicles, allowing Yang Chen, who was already driving at a brisk pace, to speed up even more.

However, unlike before, Lin Ruoxi didn't ask Yang Chen to slow down. She just sat there, seemingly oblivious.

Glancing at her, Yang Chen asked, "Are you still thinking about what Wu Liangzhu said earlier?"

Lin Ruoxi, unsure if she heard him clearly, murmured, "Hmm," as if acknowledging and seeking confirmation.

"Do you know why I didn't immediately get up and beat them when I clearly heard him insult you earlier?" Yang Chen asked.

"Don't you think that person is pitiful?" Lin Ruoxi replied casually.

Yang Chen smiled faintly, not denying it, and said to himself, "From Wu Liangzhu's perspective, he indeed has reasons to resent you. Our nation has inherited traditions for thousands of years. Although many of what we consider honorable traditions have slowly eroded and abandoned unnoticed, many deeply ingrained virtues are hard to erase. Such as cherishing one's homeland and honoring one's ancestors. Often, people from capitalist countries, like Americans, when they come here, find us particularly warm-hearted because we adhere to our own values, such as family, ancestral homes, and hometowns.

These things seem diminished in developed countries. Many people there will never own a home in their lifetime, let alone a factory built over three generations like Wu Liangzhu's.

Some things are more valuable than money. So, when he scolded you, I didn't think much of it. Of course, that's just my perspective."

Lin Ruoxi turned away silently and glanced at Yang Chen. In the dim car interior, the BMW's amber indicator lights cast a familiar glow on his ordinary face. His calm narration unexpectedly stirred her emotions.

Lin Ruoxi couldn't help but ask, "So, what are you trying to say?"

"It's not some profound truth. Perhaps you were feeling down and distracted, so it slipped your mind. I believe what you did not only caused suffering to Wu Liangzhu's family but also earned gratitude from countless others.

Have you considered the migrant workers who travel far from home, without much education or connections? In this unfamiliar city, even on the outskirts or small towns, they are a lonely group. This isn't their hometown; they have no relatives or homes here. Some don't even have legal status. They come here seeking a job to support themselves, and perhaps to marry and start a family. What they need most is stable employment.

The original Wu family factory couldn't immediately accommodate nearly a thousand workers. Only you took over the factory and led its expansion, providing stable jobs. Have you seen those people waiting at the factory gate, bringing their families just to collect half a year's wages, visibly desperate, eating with bowls in hand? They have essentially given up their dignity in hopes of securing their livelihoods. For them, social security from the state isn't enough.

Because they aren't business-savvy, providing stable jobs and guiding their sustained growth is the best choice. And you are precisely that person. So, what you've done is truly a tremendous act of kindness. Though you've wronged Wu Liangzhu's family, your actions are justified."

Lin Ruoxi's eyes flashed with many thoughts, gradually becoming clearer. He smiled lightly and said, "Are you trying to enlighten me?"

Yang Chen shrugged and said, "I'm just talking about my opinion. After all, there are always good and bad people, and it's impossible to cover everything. Is everything absolute?"

As he spoke, Yang Chen immediately seized the opportunity and said with a hint of anticipation, "Ruoxi baby, do you think my words make sense? I think they make a lot of sense. For example, when I said last time that I wanted to separate from you, it must have been a momentary mistake in my mind. Just like the pros and cons of your factory acquisition, everything is absolute and people cannot be perfect. You just treat those words as nonsense and let them all go. How about we reconcile?"