Chapter 648 - 648: Just Deserts

In response to Han Jingjing's words, Ma Hui offered no sarcastic retort. Instead, he bowed, a fawning smile plastered on his face, his attitude humble to the extreme. "Miss Han, not at all! How would I dare threaten you again? I came today to apologize to you—especially to Xiaoya!"

"Apologize?"

Liu Xiaoya and Han Jingjing's mouths fell open, momentarily wondering if they had misheard.

They didn't believe Ma Hui would genuinely apologize; they just assumed he was plotting something.

Liu Xiaoya frowned, questioning him coldly, "Boss Ma, what new trick are you trying to pull? And another thing, don't call me Xiaoya. You don't have the right to call me that."

To her utter astonishment, the ever-arrogant and domineering Ma Hui was so terrified by her question that he dropped to his knees with a loud THUD.

This sight stunned Liu Xiaoya and Han Jingjing. However, what happened next surprised them even more.

Ma Hui said in a trembling voice, "Miss Liu, you're right to reprimand me. Calling you that just now was indeed presumptuous of me. But I truly came today to apologize to Miss Liu. What I did before... it was beastly, completely unforgivable…"

As he spoke, he actually raised his hand and began to slap himself hard across the face.

He was really hitting himself. The sharp SLAP, SLAP of the blows made even Liu Xiaoya and Han Jingjing wince. This only deepened their confusion and bewilderment.

What on earth had gotten into Ma Hui? Not only had he shown up to apologize, a completely bizarre act in itself, but now he was resorting to self-harm? This was nothing like his usual style.

Han Jingjing couldn't help but ask, "Ma Hui, what kind of act is this? You're not trying to pull some kind of scam by hurting yourself, are you?"

Ma Hui replied with a pained expression, "I really am just here to apologize! Oh, right. There's five hundred thousand in this card as compensation for the trouble I've caused Miss Liu recently."

"Five hundred thousand?" Han Jingjing was even more astonished. She never thought that Ma Hui would not only slap himself but also offer five hundred thousand in compensation… 'What is this? Has the prodigal son returned, a new man?'

Ma Hui misunderstood, thinking she found the five hundred thousand too low. He hastily explained, "I know, five hundred thousand is a bit low. I wanted to compensate you more, but all the funds in my company account have been frozen. Right now, this five hundred thousand is all the cash I have on hand... How about this? I'll throw in my Land Rover SUV as compensation, too?"

Han Jingjing's jaw dropped. She nudged Liu Xiaoya and asked, "What is wrong with this guy? You don't think he's been possessed, do you?"

Liu Xiaoya shook her head. "I don't know." The words had barely left her mouth when an image of Zhao Yuan flashed through her mind. She quickly asked, "Did Mr. Zhao do something to you?"

Ma Hui quickly replied, "Yes, yes! I was blind today and offended Mr. Zhao, and now I'm facing utter ruin…"

He launched into a torrent of words, recounting everything that had happened to him. Finally, he pleaded, "I'm truly at the end of my rope now. I beg you, Miss Liu, please forgive me and put in a good word for me with Mr. Zhao. Ask him to be merciful and spare me just this once."

"This was all done by that Mr. Zhao?" Han Jingjing was utterly stunned. She asked, "Xiaoya, what's the story with this Mr. Zhao? What kind of background does he have? Even Ying Real Estate has to listen to him?"

"I don't know either." Liu Xiaoya was also a bit dazed.

After composing herself, she said to Ma Hui, "Boss Ma, I'm sorry, but I can't help you with this. For one, what's happening to you today is your own fault; you deserve this retribution. For another, Mr. Zhao and I are mere acquaintances. I'm not in a position to plead for you."

Ma Hui didn't believe her and refused to give up, pleading again, "Miss Liu, please, have a heart, just help me this once! Ah, I get it. You think what I'm offering isn't enough, right? How about this: if you help me get through this crisis, I'll give you a share of Fuqiang Decoration Company's stock... ten percent... no, twenty... thirty percent!"

Liu Xiaoya shook her head and refused. "Boss Ma, this isn't about money. In any case, I won't help you. Everyone has to take responsibility for their mistakes! This isn't something you can just smooth over with a little money! That's enough. Please leave, don't disturb my work."

How could Ma Hui agree to that? He continued to beg pitifully. Left with no choice, Han Jingjing had to call property management to have security forcibly drag Ma Hui away.

After shutting the studio door, Han Jingjing burst out laughing. "I can't believe it! The arrogant Ma Hui finally got what was coming to him! Did you see him just now? Crying, kneeling, slapping his own face—it was so satisfying to watch! Damn, I can't believe I forgot to take a picture or record it. What a mistake."

"That's called just deserts! That's called karma!" Liu Xiaoya couldn't help but laugh as well.

Han Jingjing nodded in agreement. "Isn't it? When you're dealing with scum, making them lose everything is the only way!"

After being dragged out of the building, Ma Hui completely fell apart. He collapsed on the ground, wailing loudly and attracting a crowd of curious onlookers.

Back in the studio, Liu Xiaoya hesitated for a moment before picking up her phone and sending two words to Zhao Yuan: "Thank you."

She soon received a reply from Zhao Yuan. It was just one sentence: "Good and evil always get their due."

Seeing that sentence, Liu Xiaoya was certain: Zhao Yuan was the one who had punished Ma Hui! At the same time, she silently resolved, 'I have to make this design plan absolutely perfect to repay Mr. Zhao for his righteous help!'

Dealing with Ma Hui might have been as simple as a phone call for Zhao Yuan, but for Liu Xiaoya, it gave her career a new lease on life.

「The night passed quickly.」

The next day, Zhao Yuan woke up very early. After washing up, he headed to Lin Xue's house.

Last night, he had already arranged a departure time with Lin Xue, so even though it was early, she was already prepared and waiting for him.

Lin Xue hadn't packed much luggage, but she had so many gifts in bags large and small that they completely filled the car's trunk.

Zhao Yuan said with a wry smile, "You didn't have to buy so many gifts, you know?"

Lin Xue shot him a look and said peevishly, "It's my first time meeting your parents and your little sister Ling'Er. You expect me to show up empty-handed?"

Zhao Yuan shook his head, but he couldn't say anything more. After all, this was a token of Lin Xue's sincerity.

After saying goodbye to Lin Liqiang and Xue Wanyun, as well as Old Master Lin Liangzhe, Zhao Yuan and Lin Xue got into the car and set off on the road home.