C5 Despicable Framing and Framing

Ten minutes later.

"I'm going to kill him," Yang Aomin fumed with a mix of embarrassment and rage.

The thought of being humiliated by a timid college student drove Yang Aomin to the brink of madness.

If he couldn't resolve this, he'd lose all credibility in Jiang City.

"Brother Yang, think it over," Li Niu, a seasoned streetwise man, cautioned. "Those enforcers are intimidating and shady..."

"I don't care who they are..." Yang Aomin blustered, but his fear was palpable.

He had arrived full of enthusiasm, only to leave with his tail between his legs, his cherished Wuling Hong Guang wrecked. Li Niu and his brothers were filled with silent resentment.

After seeing off Li Niu and his crew, Yang Aomin felt like he was hemorrhaging money. Those good-for-nothings had the nerve to demand a hefty sum for their trouble!

Amidst his financial heartache, Yang Aomin's phone rang.

"Brother, did you pay that worker of yours?" Yang Aoxue's voice came through the phone. "Do it quickly, get him out of here before he stirs up more trouble. This project is sensitive; we can't afford to draw attention."

"Sis, of course, I paid him. How could I not?" Yang Aomin lamented. "He came with a gang, trashed the site, and left me battered. Then he took the wages."

"He hit you?"

"Yeah, stomped on me and gave me a beating."

"That's outrageous. He's crossed the line with me? I'll make him regret it."

"Sister, he seems to have some clout."

"Some clout? Carrying cement at your site?" Yang Aoxue scoffed. "He's nothing but trash with a few thug friends. I'll make sure he gets what he deserves."

Yang Aomin's spirits lifted. With his sister stepping in, success was assured!

"Ha, theft, assault, threats, and outright robbery on the site. Don't worry, brother. If he doesn't come crawling back to apologize, I'll ensure he gets at least five years, if not life!"

"Right, with all your powerful connections in Jiang City, you can crush him!" Yang Aomin was ecstatic.

After ending the call, Yang Aoxue's mind was consumed by the image of Chiang Le's detestable face. The more she dwelled on it, the more her anger flared. Without a second thought, she made another call.

"Hello, Director Yang? This is Yang Aoxue from Phoenix Real Estate. Yes, that's right, the same Phoenix Real Estate that contributed to the charity gala."

"We've got a situation. One of our construction sites has been hit by a thief. You know how the country is cracking down on these criminals lately? Well, I was thinking..."

"Thank you, thank you. I really appreciate your help, Leader Yang."

Once the phone was back on the hook, a shadow of darkness crossed Yang Aoxue's eyes.

Chiang Le, huh?

Dare to strike my brother? I'll make sure you regret it for life!

Within five minutes, the police arrived to take a statement. Yang Aomin recounted the events, embellishing the story with every accusation he could muster against Chiang Le—cable theft, hooliganism, inciting brawls, inflicting serious injuries, robbing the safe... His performance was a masterclass in melodrama.

The officer was incensed and vowed to apprehend the suspect swiftly, promising justice for the wronged.

Unbeknownst to Chiang Le, he was now the prime suspect in a robbery, with the law hot on his trail.

Meanwhile, Chiang Le sat in his elegantly appointed living room, lost in thought, the paycheck in his hand feeling like a relic from another life.

"Boss, with all the resources at your disposal, do you really find this small salary worthwhile?"

"It's worth every penny," Chiang Le replied. "I've earned it, and it holds great significance for me."

As he spoke, Chiang Le's mind wandered to his girlfriend, her face soft with tenderness. With school about to start, he planned to surprise her with the latest iPhone, purchased with the 10,000 yuan he had saved.

He resolved to give her everything she desired in the future, to shield her from any hardship. He intended to lavish her with the finest love, to offer her the very best the world had to offer.

Yet, no luxury could ever match the profound significance of the salary he had earned through a month of grueling labor.

It was the epitome of meaningful—a wage bought with sweat, toil, and heartfelt dedication.

School was just three days away from starting, and Chiang Le could hardly wait.

"Elena, here's my paycheck. Please use it to buy the latest iPhone for me," Chiang Le said earnestly as he handed over his hard-earned money to Elena. "It's for my girlfriend's one-year anniversary gift. Make sure it's the right one."

"Got it," Elena replied, her respect for Chiang Le growing.

Despite the dramatic changes in his life, the young prince remained true to himself. He didn't lose his way, engage in reckless behavior, or succumb to luxury and excess. His steadfast loyalty to his girlfriend and his authenticity were truly admirable.

"Elena, later on, transfer some funds into my account," Chiang Le instructed further.

"Sure thing, boss."

"And, pick up some nice clothes for me while you're at it."

"Understood."

With Elena gone, Chiang Le surveyed his surroundings. The closet was filled with an impressive array of valuable porcelain, and several oil paintings adorned the walls. These weren't just valuable—they were undoubtedly top-tier antiques and artworks. Chiang Le nodded to himself; given his extraordinary past, it was impossible for fakes to be in his possession.

The study was a throwback to ancient times, decked out in solid yellow pearwood, with shelves brimming with rare and ancient texts. On the desk sat a complete set of traditional Chinese writing instruments and a massive computer.

Adjacent to the study was a fully-equipped gym.

Stepping out onto the balcony, Chiang Le was greeted by a riot of colorful flowers. Overlooking the villa, the meticulously crafted garden and the constant-temperature swimming pool below were sights he eagerly anticipated enjoying.

The villa might not have been ostentatious, but its true value far exceeded Chiang Le's wildest dreams. After all, not many in Jiang City could boast a helicopter parked on their rooftop.

He couldn't help but wonder about the expression on his girlfriend's face when he brought her here after her summer break.

A slight smile played on Chiang Le's lips.

The ping of a notification pulled him back to his phone. It was a bank transfer alert. His account now displayed an impressively long string of digits.

Chiang Le had grown accustomed to such numbers; he pocketed his phone without a flicker of emotion and headed to the bathroom for a relaxing hot shower.

Emerging from the bathroom wrapped in a towel, Chiang Le found Elena had already returned from her shopping spree, the living room now overflowing with bags of all sizes.

"Boss, due to the time crunch, I couldn't arrange for an Italian tailor to custom-make your suits. You'll have to make do with these for now. I've bought every designer style available in Jiang City for you."

Make do with these...

Chiang Le's eyelids twitched uncontrollably. His secretary was splurging with an air of nobility that seemed to surpass even his own.

"Just leave one set for me."

"I'll help you choose," Elena offered, approaching Chiang Le with an armful of clothing.

Chiang Le froze. Underneath his bathrobe, he was... completely bare. Was this... really appropriate?

"I'll manage on my own," Chiang Le said, snatching the clothes with a hint of awkwardness and retreating to the changing room.

Elena watched her flustered boss, a subtle smile playing at the corners of her eyes.

Moments later, Chiang Le emerged, transformed by his new attire.

"How do I look?"

"Absolutely perfect," Elena beamed, stepping forward like a tender, attentive spouse. She meticulously adjusted Chiang Le's outfit, smoothing out wrinkles and refining the details before presenting him with a watch to complete the ensemble.

"I've arranged for dinner. Would you prefer Chinese or Western cuisine?"

"Western," Chiang Le replied, his curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar fare.

"Very well."

A minute later, Chiang Le was gobsmacked by the array of steak, foie gras, caviar, salad, red wine, and a plethora of seafood adorning the dining table.

"This sirloin steak is Angus beef from Australia, grain-fed for 200 days and flown in especially."

"The foie gras is from Strasbourg, the pinnacle of French gastronomy."

"And this caviar is the world's priciest, sourced from royal sturgeon in the Caspian Sea."

"How much does it cost?" Chiang Le inquired, sampling a spoonful and savoring the taste before casually sipping some sparkling wine.

"Two thousand euros for ten grams. That bite might cost more than your entire previous wages."

Pfft...

Chiang Le's mouthful of champagne sprayed out in shock.

"The champagne you just sprayed is the most expensive kind, the Queen of Spades. A single sip is worth about five months of your salary..."

Chiang Le jumped at the sudden shock, hastily clamping his mouth shut as he struggled to gulp down the half-sip of red wine. "My God, I really can't afford to waste this!"

A month's salary gone in a single gulp... Oh my God... Is this even eating? I never could've imagined such luxury before. Okay, stay calm, just get used to it...

He waved off Elena's continued introduction, his heart couldn't take any more surprises. He quietly savored the moment, a silent whirlwind of satisfaction.

Full and content, Chiang Le let out a satisfied burp. "You know, as pricey as it is, it really is delicious."

"The chef was the head chef at a Michelin three-star restaurant, so the quality is unquestionable," Elena added.

...

Chiang Le was at a loss for words.

"By the way, boss, there's something you need to be aware of."

"Go ahead," Chiang Le said, sinking into the softness of the sofa with a lazy drawl.

"The police are all over the city looking for you. The charges are theft, extortion, assault, and robbery."

Chiang Le bolted upright, alarmed. "Is this because of today's incident?"

"Yes, Phoenix Real Estate has filed a report. Their CEO has a lot of clout and it looks like they're determined to make this airtight."

Chiang Le's gaze turned steely, his anger flaring. "I was only claiming my hard-earned wages, not a fortune. Do they really need to vilify me so relentlessly?"

"Rest assured, I'll handle this matter with care."

"How can I be reassured? Phoenix Real Estate is the biggest player in Jiang City! They have their hands in everything and connections that run deep. You haven't seen how fast they clear out residents during demolitions. With their clubs and hefty payouts, no holdout lasts more than twenty-four hours..." Chiang Le's worry was palpable. "And this is just a branch in Jiang City. They're renowned nationwide. Facing such a behemoth, I can't help but feel I'm done for."

"Don't worry, boss. You won't be left out in the cold," Elena reassured him.