Chapter 34: Fairy Tales Are All Lies

Even though it was midday, the construction site was still bustling with people. The workers, having been busy all morning, didn't care about the dirt and slept directly on the ground during their brief breaks. Some workers who remained awake simply looked the other way, avoiding eye contact and walking around Jiang Chen and Bai Haoran as if they weren't there.

It was obvious.

Everyone here likely knew Bai Haoran.

"Did Liang Zhenlun send you?"

In truth, Jiang Chen had already suspected this on his way here. He was just an ordinary college student; who would go out of their way to cause him trouble for no reason?

Thinking it through, the only person he had a grudge with was undoubtedly that young master, Liang.

"You can only blame your bad luck. Of all the women to steal, you had to steal Young Master Liang's."

Bai Haoran pushed Jiang Chen to the fourth floor.

The commercial residential building under construction had not yet had its exterior walls installed. It was hollow and empty, with wind blowing in from all four sides, offering no sense of security.

*I stole his woman?*

Talk about the thief calling the police.

However, Jiang Chen understood that in this situation, reasoning was useless.

"Mr. Bai, could you show some mercy? If you are willing to let me go, I will surely reward you handsomely."

Money makes the world go round.

At a time like this, the only thing that could help him escape this predicament was likely money.

The corners of Bai Haoran's mouth curled up.

*A handsome reward.*

Listen to that tone.

If he hadn't known that this kid was just an ordinary student who even had to work as a waiter to support his studies, he might have mistaken him for some scion of a wealthy family.

"A handsome reward? How handsome?"

Bai Haoran asked with an intrigued smile. Regardless, the kid was currently meat on a chopping block with no way to escape; there was no rush to deal with him.

"How much did Liang Zhenlun pay you?"

Jiang Chen asked, his expression serious, appearing as if he weren't joking.

"How much can *you* pay?"

Bai Haoran's eyes held the playful mockery of a cat playing with a mouse.

"No matter how much Liang Zhenlun paid, I will pay double."

Jiang Chen acted like a total spendthrift, his tone incredibly boastful.

Bai Haoran stared at him for a moment, his smile gradually becoming brighter and sharper, before asking word by word

"Kid, do you even have money?"

Jiang Chen wasn't embarrassed. Knowing no one was around, he feigned a look of caution, glancing around before lowering his voice.

"Mr. Bai, to tell you the truth, my family is actually very wealthy. The reason I live frugally at school is because my family wants to temper me and teach me to be independent. My part-time work is for the same reason."

Watching Jiang Chen's earnest performance, Bai Haoran frowned slightly, momentarily unable to tell if the kid was telling the truth or lying.

But then again, would a penniless boy really have the guts to steal a woman from a socialite like Liang Zhenlun?

"Mr. Bai, I am telling the truth. As long as you let me go, I will absolutely make you satisfied."

Although Bai Haoran was ruthless, he wasn't stupid.

The reason he had proactively agreed to help Liang Zhenlun was twofold: first, to do Liang a favor, and second, because the target was just an ordinary student.

Dealing with a poor kid was easy, but if it were a wealthy and powerful heir, the consequences would be entirely different.

To verify the truthfulness of the statement, Bai Haoran narrowed his eyes and said deliberately, "Fine. Give me two hundred thousand right now, and I'll let you go."

The other party's attitude had finally softened, but Jiang Chen seemed to have some difficulty, remaining silent for a long while.

"What? Is there a problem?"

Jiang Chen hesitated, finally saying with a hint of embarrassment, "Mr. Bai, can I write an IOU?"

An IOU?

Bai Haoran froze, and his expression instantly darkened.

"Are you fucking playing me?!"

"No, no, it's just that I don't have cash on me right now. Just give me some time. When the time comes, I will definitely give you the money. Three hundred thousand! I'll give you three hundred thousand!"

Jiang Chen said quickly.

But at this point, how could Bai Haoran believe him?

This wasn't just a pauper; it seemed the kid was fucking crazy, too.

No wonder he dared to steal Liang Zhenlun's woman.

"Kid, you're going to pay for your actions. Walk forward!"

Feeling mocked, Bai Haoran used the dagger to force Jiang Chen step by step toward the edge of the floor.

"Mr. Bai, I'm telling the truth. Believe me, I really do have money..."

Bai Haoran turned a deaf ear, pressing Jiang Chen toward the edge.

One more step and he would fall.

The fourth floor.

Roughly ten meters high.

A fall from this height certainly wouldn't be fatal, but if luck was bad, he might be stuck in a hospital bed for a year or so.

"Mr. Bai, I have a fear of heights. We can discuss this properly."

Jiang Chen did not give up. Since his body couldn't move, he could only try to turn his head.

Bai Haoran, pressed against his back, ignored him completely and pushed the dagger forward. "Are you going to jump yourself, or should I send you down?"

He was forcing Jiang Chen to jump on his own.

If he jumped voluntarily, his injuries would likely be lighter if he was prepared; if he were pushed, the outcome would be unpredictable.

Furthermore, this would allow Bai Haoran to evade responsibility. With a little maneuvering, it could be framed as an accident.

How sinister.

Undoubtedly, Jiang Chen was caught in a dilemma. He could either fight back, in which case the most likely outcome of being unarmed was getting stabbed once or twice. Or, he could obey and jump, leaving his survival to fate.

"Five hundred thousand! Is five hundred thousand enough?"

Seeing that the kid was still talking nonsense, Bai Haoran completely lost his patience.

"You won't jump, huh? Fine, then I'll give you a hand."

Just as he was about to kick Jiang Chen off, a voice suddenly shouted at the critical moment.

"Stop!"

Li Shurui, who had been hiding for a long time, finally stepped forward.

"Shurui?"

Jiang Chen was stunned, his face full of surprise. He never expected Li Shurui to appear here.

Li Shurui ignored him, staring intently at Bai Haoran.

"Let him go, or I'm calling the police."

She was holding a white smartphone in her hand.

Bai Haoran looked at her, then at the phone, his expression shifting unsteadily.

The atmosphere froze instantly, becoming terrifyingly oppressive.

Li Shurui's breathing was heavy, and her palms were unconsciously sweating.

"Fine, he's yours."

Bai Haoran suddenly gave a bright smile, took a step back, and withdrew the dagger.

The tension instantly broke.

Having regained his freedom, Jiang Chen quickly walked toward Li Shurui. There wasn't much relief on his face from having escaped death; instead, he felt mostly embarrassed.

Aren't heroes supposed to save beauties in movies, novels, and fairy tales?

Why had the tone turned so completely sideways in his case?

"Why are you here?"

Jiang Chen walked up to the girl who had appeared like a divine savior and forced a natural smile.

"If you want to stay here and continue bungee jumping, be my guest."

Li Shurui turned and walked away.

"Shurui, wait for me!"

Watching the two disappear one after the other at the stairwell, Bai Haoran's smile gradually faded.

(End of Chapter)