C13 From Threats to Negotiation

"Just one tap on the screen, and the video will be blasted out to everyone."

Feng Manlou's words floated towards Zhao Huaiyuan on a breeze.

Despite it being well into summer, the wind sent a chill through Zhao Huaiyuan, making him shiver.

"Back off, all of you!" Zhao Huaiyuan commanded.

The four imposing boys hesitated, puzzled by his command.

"Go back?"

"Didn't you hear me? I said back off!"

Frustrated by their lack of response, Zhao Huaiyuan's anger flared.

He relished the sensation of manipulating others and savored the sight of his adversaries quaking in fear.

Even when dealing with someone as insignificant as Feng Manlou, he had gone to great lengths to orchestrate a psychological battle, aiming to utterly defeat his opponent mentally.

But now, his plan had spiraled out of control.

The insignificant ant he thought he could crush with ease had morphed into a formidable adversary, brazenly challenging him.

Caught in a bind, he could do nothing but stand there, paralyzed with apprehension.

Hsu Wei, Liu Kai, Wang Dongliang, and Zhao Zhenyu exchanged glances, reading the mix of annoyance and astonishment on each other's faces, yet they remained silent. They turned and retreated to the staircase.

"Damn, is this guy out of his mind?!" Hsu Wei, a shot putter on the school's track and field team, muttered under his breath. "He's the one who summoned us, and now he's the one sending us away. What on earth is this jerk thinking?!"

Liu Kai, a high jumper with a scar on his left forehead and a notably elongated face, handed out cigarettes to the group. "Calm down, no need to get worked up. The guy's a fool, but he's generous. We're getting paid without lifting a finger. How is that not a sweet deal?"

Xu Wei nodded, seeing the logic in this, and let out a sly laugh. "You're right. Five hundred just to show up on the rooftop? You can't beat that."

Thirty paces away, Zhao Huaiyuan took a deep breath, striving to regain his composure.

The dynamics had shifted; the adversary now possessed a formidable weapon that instilled fear in him, necessitating a change in strategy.

"Alright, I concede that was a clever move on your part."

Zhao Huaiyuan shrugged. "While I'm not concerned about you uploading the video online, I do consider the time and effort it would take to quell public opinion. Therefore, I'm open to negotiating a truce and possibly striking a deal."

He resumed his posture of complete control, like a monarch planning to conquer with gentle persuasion. "So, what will it take for you to delete the video? Money, a position on the student council, or perhaps a woman? Name your terms, and I can fulfill them."

He didn't wait for Feng Manlou to respond, already smirking internally. With the lure of money, power, and women cast, few seasoned and shrewd social elites could resist, much less a naive college student like Feng Manlou. Once he tricked him into deleting the video, there would be countless ways to make him regret it.

Zhao Huaiyuan's rich imagination conjured an image of Feng Manlou groveling at his feet like a stray dog, prompting a smug smile.

Feng Manlou, repulsed by his odd grin, stepped aside. As a man who had lived two lifetimes, he was no stranger to such ploys. In his past life, he had encountered several colleagues who were all too eager to please when they needed something, only to turn cold and ruthless once their objectives were met. Each encounter deepened his disdain for deceit and ingratitude.

If colleagues warranted caution, Zhao Huaiyuan, who considered him an enemy from the start, deserved even more wariness. Feng Manlou would rather gouge out his own eyes than believe there wasn't a catch to his offers.

With a single retort, Feng Manlou dashed Zhao Huaiyuan's illusions, sending him plummeting back into despair.

"No thanks, I'm not one to risk my life for a bit of luxury."

"No need?!" Zhao Huaiyuan was taken aback, quickly realizing the issue at hand.

He cleared his throat, striving to appear earnest, "Junior Brother Feng, if you're concerned that I might deceive you, rest assured, there's no need for worry."

Everyone knows that I have a reputation for keeping my word. If I've promised to smooth things over, rest assured, I won't be settling scores when the time is ripe. "You seem to misunderstand the nature of our deal. Let me clarify. The money I'm offering isn't just a few hundred, thousand, or even tens of thousands, but..."

"Enough with the act. We're both old foxes here; why play these games?" Feng Manlou cut off Zhao Huaiyuan mid-sentence. He was growing impatient, knowing that if he delayed any longer, his lobster dish might spoil. "Let's be straightforward. I have no intention of deleting the video, so don't bother trying to deceive me."

"So you're actually considering posting the video online?!" Zhao Huaiyuan's face darkened once more.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, don't give me that look as if you're about to toss me off the building. Did I ever say I was going to upload it?" Feng Manlou retorted.

"What are you getting at?" Zhao Huaiyuan asked, his eyes narrowing.

"I'm not the type to act rashly. I have no desire for a bitter end with you. As for the video, I'm keeping it for self-defense. As long as you don't bother me, I assure you, it won't see the light of day," Feng Manlou stated with composure.

"And why should I trust you to keep your promise?" Zhao Huaiyuan glared at Feng Manlou with a ferocity akin to a wolf, his presence menacing. It seemed as though he would throw Feng Manlou off the building at the slightest provocation.

Unfortunately for Zhao Huaiyuan, such intimidation was ineffective against Feng Manlou, who had the wisdom of two lifetimes. Firstly, he was acutely aware of the video's destructive potential—if released, Zhao Huaiyuan would be ruined. Secondly, with a powerful system at his disposal, Feng Manlou could make a swift exit whenever necessary, leaving him fearless.

"President Zhao, have a little faith in your own influence and wealth. Why would an ordinary person like me, unless driven to desperation, seek to clash with you?" Feng Manlou said with a smile, "Isn't that logical?"

Zhao Huaiyuan's brow furrowed slightly as he pondered the situation. He had to admit, there was some logic to the argument. In East Sea City, as long as he didn't go looking for trouble, there were very few who would dare to cross him.

"Fine, I'll trust you this time," Zhao Huaiyuan warned, his tone threatening. "But let me make one thing clear—if that video shows up online, you're going to regret it."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Feng Manlou assured him with a reassuring smile.

With his phone in his left hand and his thumb poised over the screen, Feng Manlou effectively dissuaded Zhao Huaiyuan from any thoughts of trying to grab it. Zhao, visibly irritated, gestured dismissively at his companions, "Let him go."

The four men, no longer interested in inviting further trouble, nodded and made their way down the stairs.

"President Zhao," Feng Manlou called out, pausing at the top of the staircase.

"What now?" Zhao Huaiyuan snapped, his patience wearing thin. He was eager for this sly pest to vanish from his sight.

"How about you join me for dinner back at the restaurant?" Feng Manlou suggested with a smile. "You called me out in front of everyone. If we don't return together, it might tarnish your reputation."

Zhao Huaiyuan glared at the infuriating smile, fighting the urge to rip Feng Manlou's mouth off. Yet, he knew Feng was right; if he didn't send Feng away and they didn't return to the restaurant together, he'd likely leave the impression of a sore loser scurrying away in defeat.

Cursed with no other choice, it seemed he had to dine with this contemptible pest after all. Zhao Huaiyuan nodded with great reluctance.

"Look on the bright side, at least you have the opportunity to share a meal with Senior Sister Ye. That's a rare chance," Feng Manlou pointed out, his jab nearly causing Zhao Huaiyuan to seethe with rage.

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