C9 Who Do You Want to Sue?

Outside the hospital, a man in a floral shirt stood with his seven or eight muscular henchmen, blocking Lin Luo's path. They were there to collect a debt from Lin Luo. Among the group of strong men was a bald one who appeared to be injured, his right hand tightly wrapped in bandages, rendering it immobile.

"Lin Luo, I've given you two days. By now, you should have my money ready, right?"

Lin Luo wasn't in the mood for chit-chat. He pulled out three hundred thousand in cash from the safe and tossed it to the man in the floral shirt, then turned to head into the hospital.

But the man in the floral shirt wasn't ready to let Lin Luo off so easily. Three or four of his burly men stepped forward to block Lin Luo's path once more, this time clearly prepared for trouble, each with a weapon at the ready.

"I've repaid the debt. What more do you want?" Lin Luo asked, his brow furrowed in annoyance at their obstructive behavior.

"Lin Luo, you've settled your financial debt, sure, but the matter of you injuring my man here hasn't been resolved!" the man in the floral shirt declared, pulling the bandaged bald man to the forefront.

"See, my brother's right hand is broken because of you. Don't you think you should compensate for the medical and nutritional expenses?"

Lin Luo realized the man in the floral shirt was trying to extort him.

"And if I refuse?" Lin Luo challenged.

"Then we'll settle it in court. My brother still has your fingerprints on him. If I want, I can have you behind bars at any moment," the man in the floral shirt said smugly, reveling in his threat.

Lin Luo was seething with anger. He despised being threatened and was ready to take out the men before him. But as he made a move, the seven or eight strong men behind the man in the floral shirt tensed up, hands going to their waists, ready to draw their weapons.

"Lin Luo, I know you're a good fighter, but think about it. You might be able to defend yourself, but your wife and daughter? They don't have your skills."

The man in the floral shirt smirked with satisfaction and pulled out his phone to play a video. In the footage, two burly men with full beards stood outside the window of Lin Luo's daughter's hospital room, capturing the tender scene of his wife caring for their daughter.

"These two guys were sent by my boss. They're hardened criminals with blood on their hands. If you lay a finger on me, they won't hesitate to kill your wife and daughter," he threatened.

"If you dare harm my family, I assure you, none of you will be left in one piece," Lin Luo spat, his voice seething with anger.

"If you want me to spare your family, just hand over all the money in that case. Then we're even, and our paths need never cross again," the man in the floral shirt declared with a smug grin.

Biting back his rage, Lin Luo slowly passed the case to him.

The man in the floral shirt signaled to a muscular henchman to take the safe. Once he had the case, filled with cash, he backhanded Lin Luo across the face with a resounding slap.

A vivid red handprint bloomed on Lin Luo's cheek.

"I'm returning the favor with this slap. Now we're square!" he taunted.

Watching Lin Luo's furious yet restrained reaction, the man in the floral shirt let out a scornful laugh. "Lin Luo, no matter how tough you think you are, you're just a coward."

With that, he and his posse of brutes climbed into a van and sped away.

Lin Luo watched the van's taillights disappear, his brow furrowed and a chill of resolve in his gaze.

Back in the hospital room, Xiao Qingli, seated beside her daughter's bed, rushed to Lin Luo as he returned.

"Lin Luo, Xiao Xiao's..." she began, intending to inquire about the surgery funds, but upon noticing the slap mark on his face, she quickly shifted her concern. "What happened to your face?"

Lin Luo met his wife's eyes and recounted the ordeal that had just unfolded at the hospital entrance.

Hearing his words, Xiao Qingli's heart skipped a beat, and she stumbled backward, her voice quivering. "So, we've lost the money for Xiao Xiao's surgery?"

Her voice shook, and her eyes brimmed with tears, threatening to spill over at any moment.

Seeing his wife's heartbroken expression, Lin Luo quickly said, "Qingli, just give me a little more time. I will definitely..."

"Don't say anymore, Lin Luo. Xiao's condition can't wait any longer."

Xiao Qingli looked at Lin Luo with eyes full of disappointment and said, "It's my fault. I should never have relied on you for something as crucial as the surgery costs."

With those words, Xiao Qingli left the hospital room.

"Qingli, where are you going?"

Lin Luo asked urgently.

But Xiao Qingli didn't respond.

Watching Xiao Qingli's resolute departure, Lin Luo's face suddenly paled as a thought struck him.

Xiao Qingli arrived at the company and entered Manager Wong's office.

Upon seeing Xiao Qingli, Manager Wong's face lit up with a welcoming smile.

"Xiao, you've come around so quickly?"

He said, reaching out to caress Xiao Qingli's fair thigh.

Xiao Qingli stepped back immediately, a look of distress on her face. "Manager Wong, is there any way we could change the terms?"

"Change the terms?" Manager Wong's face darkened.

"If you don't agree, then it's over. I'll get HR to send your termination letter later, and I won't lend you the money. You can just wait for your daughter to succumb to her illness!"

The mention of her daughter, Lin Xiao, twisted Xiao Qingli's heart.

Her daughter was only six years old, her life barely begun. Was she really going to stand by and watch her die?

Manager Wong, sensing Xiao Qingli's turmoil, leaned in closer and said,

"Xiao, you can't be selfish. Think about your daughter. She's not even grown up yet. Do you really want to see her die from her illness?"

"Besides, I'm only asking you to be my mistress, not my wife. If neither of us speaks of it, who's to know?"

"Moreover, this is a mutual need, not a transaction. You're just trying to get the money to save your daughter. You're not doing anything wrong."

With that, Manager Wong pulled out a thick envelope of cash from his drawer.

"Xiao, I've got your daughter's surgery fees ready. Just agree to my terms, and you can take this money right now."

Manager Wong approached, extending the envelope to Xiao Qingli, his left hand creeping toward her shoulder.

Just then—

"Bang!"

The office door burst open.

A figure charged in and landed a solid punch on Manager Wong's face.

Manager Wong stumbled and fell, clutching his bleeding nose and howling in pain.

"Qingli, did he hurt you?" Lin Luo inquired.

Upon seeing Manager Wong's blood smeared across the floor, Xiao Qingli's face turned pale with shock, and she yelled at Lin Luo,

"Lin Luo! Do you realize what you've done?"

After speaking, Xiao Qingli rushed to assist Manager Wong, but he shoved her away with a forceful palm, furiously declaring,

"Xiao Qingli, your worthless husband had the audacity to strike me. You're done for! Say goodbye to your daughter's surgery funds! Just wait for her to succumb to her illness!"

At his words, hot tears spilled from Xiao Qingli's eyes.

Sobbing, she fled the room.

"Qingli!"

Lin Luo attempted to follow, but Manager Wong clung to his legs, refusing to release him.

"Kid, you think you can hit me and get away with it? I'm going to sue you today. I'll make sure you end up behind bars!"

Lin Luo grew increasingly impatient, contemplating another punch to free himself.

But before he could act, a commanding voice echoed from the hallway,

"Who do you plan to sue?"