“Come here, take a beating.” “If I say… I want you…”
Yan Zhiheng seemed not to have heard clearly. Blankly and politely, he asked again, “I’m sorry, what did you just say?”
“I said,” Xie Yunxie slowly stood up, leisurely removed his wristwatch, and asked him with a veneer of civility, “Can you take a beating for me in place of Ming Yi?”
This time, Yan Zhiheng heard him perfectly. His expression turned grim. Thinking of the door that had just been locked, he forced a smile and gritted his teeth, “Don’t joke around, President Xie.”
The Yan and Xie families were business partners. Given Xie Yunxie’s status, Yan Zhiheng did not believe he would disregard his own reputation to openly assault a partner.
“Who is joking with you? Are you worthy?” Xie Yunxie had already walked up to Yan Zhiheng. He looked down at the well-dressed man, curling his lips in disdain. “What do you think you are? You are just a dog chasing after the Xie family for scraps. If I want to hit you, who would dare say anything?”
“Do you really think that just because you sold your brother into marriage, you can become an honored guest of the Xie family?”
Xie Yunxie let out a low laugh.
Yan Zhiheng was truly oblivious to his own faults.
Firstly, he knew exactly what his brother had suffered, yet he turned a blind eye and even mocked him. Secondly, he was feasting on his brother’s human blood buns while complaining that his brother did not bleed enough or was not obedient enough while being devoured.
If he liked eating human blood buns so much, he could try eating them dipped in his own blood.
Before Yan Zhiheng could react, Xie Yunxie suddenly threw a punch. The fist tore through the air and landed heavily on Yan Zhiheng’s handsome right cheek, knocking him straight to the ground.
Xie Yunxie’s change in demeanor was so swift that Yan Zhiheng could not even grab the chair beside him; he fell to the floor along with it, carried by momentum.
Everything was a mess.
Yan Zhiheng had never been this disheveled in his entire life.
His right cheek burned with pain, his ears were ringing, and more importantly, there was the humiliation of being beaten. As a pampered young master, when had he ever suffered such indignity?
At first, Yan Zhiheng felt only anger. But when he saw Xie Yunxie walking toward him unhurriedly, that anger transformed into the terror one feels when facing a madman.
The door was locked. If Xie Yunxie intended to continue the assault, there was no way for him to leave.
Realizing this, Yan Zhiheng’s head buzzed. He hurriedly fumbled for the phone in his pocket, gasping, “I… I am calling the police!”
A black leather shoe stretched out and stepped on the phone he had just pulled out, along with half of his hand.
Xie Yunxie leaned down to look at him and sneered, “This game… I haven’t said it is over yet.”
Yan Zhiheng looked at Xie Yunxie in horror. Since their first meeting, Xie Yunxie had always maintained an image of decisive, cold rationality. Even with rumors of his cruelty, Yan Zhiheng had never been able to reconcile the two.
Yan Zhiheng had even felt that Ming Yi was making a mountain out of a molehill. The two families were married by alliance and had business ties; even if Xie Yunxie was not good to Ming Yi, he would not cause him severe injury or death.
But some punches, only when they land on your own body, do you truly understand how much they hurt.
Today, Xie Yunxie was wearing a perfectly tailored black suit with a crisp tie. He was still elegant and noble, save for a single strand of meticulously styled hair that had fallen out of place, revealing a hint of loss of control.
He smiled and said, “I hope you can take a beating well. You are going to be my new toy.”
Yan Zhiheng could not describe how terrifying his subsequent ordeal was.
Xie Yunxie was like a madman. Every bit of his pent-up, violent impulses was unleashed upon him. He looked like a psychiatric patient suffering from manic-depressive disorder, or a seasoned murderer.
Countless punches rained down on him. Yan Zhiheng saw stars; there was not a single part of him that did not ache. He almost thought he was going to be beaten to death. Yet, no matter how he screamed or shouted, there was no sound from outside the president’s office.
This was Xie Yunxie’s territory. As long as Xie Yunxie did not permit it, he had nowhere to hide.
Yan Zhiheng realized this terrifying reality in despair.
He was dragged up by his collar, and a heavy, crushing punch landed in his abdomen, making him want to vomit.
Xie Yunxie stared at his swollen, bruised lips for a moment and said, quite displeased, “Ming Yi is much better at enduring pain than you. When he gets beaten, he never cries out.”
“Useless.”
Another kick landed on his abdomen. Yan Zhiheng’s hair was disheveled, and he curled up in agony, his former composure replaced by total wretchedness.
Xie Yunxie felt somewhat satisfied and turned to take a drink of water, glancing sideways at Yan Zhiheng on the floor.
“I will… report you to the police… just you wait… I will, I will definitely call the police,” Yan Zhiheng wiped his bleeding lips and said hoarsely.
“That is a pity. The big project of the Yan family—I am afraid the Xie Corporation will have to withdraw its investment,” Xie Yunxie looked down at him, feigning regret. “You would not want that project to collapse in your hands, would you, President Yan?”
Yan Zhiheng froze instantly.
Xie Yunxie smiled slightly. “I am still missing a handy sandbag, and you are quite suitable.”
“Please come back to be my sparring partner at the same time tomorrow, President Yan.”
“Otherwise, I cannot guarantee whether that project might develop other problems.”
After calming his breathing, Xie Yunxie pressed the intercom and called the secretary to come in and take Yan Zhiheng away for medical treatment.
When the secretary entered and saw the chaotic scene in the office, his expression did not change at all; he handled the aftermath with high efficiency.
Clearly, this was not the first time such a situation had occurred; he was already accustomed to his boss’s violent tendencies.
Yan Zhiheng was helped out by the secretary, limping. Having suffered such humiliation, he was filled with resentment and anger.
Should he seek revenge? Should he expose all of this?
But that project… Yan Zhiheng closed his eyes, already imagining the consequences of losing it.
Could it be that… he really had no choice but to take the beating?
Xie Yunxie watched Yan Zhiheng’s miserable retreating figure, gave a light scoff, leaned back in his boss’s chair, and asked the system, “What is the cruelty value at now?”
System: [512… No, Host, why did you beat up the brother-in-law! This never happened in the original plot!]
Xie Yunxie was puzzled: “If the brother-in-law can beat his own younger brother, why can’t he be beaten? Although this part is not in the plot, adding a little drama will not affect the main storyline, right?”
The system did not speak. In the original text, Yan Zhiheng was positioned as a brother-con backup. Since he was not the main romantic lead, he did not appear often. Xie Yunxie beating him did not significantly impact the main plot, to be honest.
It was precisely because it would not ruin the main plot that the system did not intervene with a direct electric shock.
Electric shocks cost energy, too. It could not afford that kind of consumption if it shocked people every day.
But the system still scolded him: [Host, you cannot always do this—suddenly adding plots! What if it accumulates into a quantitative change that leads to a qualitative change!]
Xie Yunxie sweet-talked it: “You are watching over me, so how could that happen? I believe in your ability and experience. With you as the system, these should all be minor issues, right?”
The system felt a bit puffed up with pride: “Well… even so, but—”
Xie Yunxie swore to the heavens: “I promise, it will not happen again! This was just to earn some cruelty points. Once I beat Yan Zhiheng for a few days, I will stop, do not worry!”
The system barely believed him: “You did not beat Yan Zhiheng into a serious condition, did you?”
“How could I? I studied medicine before; I specifically avoid vital spots. I guarantee there will be no lasting sequelae.”
But he would definitely be in pain for a few days.
He deserved it; who told Yan Zhiheng to have such a foul mouth.
Xie Yunxie shook his fingers and called his assistant to inquire about the handling of the online public opinion.
Now that he had transmigrated into a book, he would be the one to protect his paper-thin wife.
A day later, Ming Yi received another call from Yan Zhiheng.
When he heard Yan Zhiheng’s hoarse voice, Ming Yi thought that he must change his phone card tomorrow.
How annoying.
Ming Yi did not hide his impatience: “What is it again?”
Yan Zhiheng was breathing heavily on the other end, his tone bordering on an interrogation: “What has been going on between you and Xie Yunxie lately?”
“I am under no obligation to tell you. Get lost!”
Ming Yi hung up without hesitation and then set his phone to reject all unknown numbers.
The world was finally quiet.
With no one left to harass him, Ming Yi focused all his energy on filming.
This time, he did not have to be a foil to anyone, did not have to play unsuitable roles, and did not have to be mocked as a nepo baby with backing. For the first time, he could focus on studying a character with peace of mind.
He would cherish this opportunity to fight for a way out for himself.
But Yan Zhiheng had hit rock bottom.
Yan Zhiheng had wanted to beat around the bush, asking Ming Yi where he had offended Xie Yunxie and if he could help persuade Xie to stop. He did not expect Ming Yi to block him immediately, and calls from other numbers would not go through either.
The day after he was beaten, Yan Zhiheng tried to ignore Xie Yunxie’s absurd threat and went to work at Yan’s, but before noon, the secretary rushed in, saying that two investors had suddenly withdrawn their capital.
Yan Zhiheng’s heart went cold on the spot. He hurried to call the investors to ask for the reason. The investors were vague, only subtly reminding him to check if he had offended any big figures recently.
Was that madman Xie Yunxie actually for real? Sweat beaded on Yan Zhiheng’s forehead. He contacted Xie Yunxie’s secretary again, who politely told him: “President Xie asks you to come over in person for a detailed talk.”
With no other choice, Yan Zhiheng had to head to the Xie Corporation building again.
After entering Xie Yunxie’s office this time, Yan Zhiheng negotiated immediately: “President Xie, I do not know what kind of provocation you received from Ming Yi, but considering our business cooperation, please stop making such jokes. If this spreads, it will not be good for the Xie family’s influence either.”
Xie Yunxie was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, slowly wrapping his hand bandages. Hearing this, he turned his head and gave him an indifferent glance.
“Who is joking with you?”
“I simply—” Xie Yunxie said with malice, “just happen to need a sandbag.”
That day, Yan Zhiheng took another beating.
When everything ended, Xie Yunxie sat in his boss chair for a brief rest. As he unwound his bandages, he said coldly, “Same time tomorrow. If I do not see you there, you know what the consequences will be.”
“And do not even think about calling the police or asking others for help—those are stupid methods.”
Xie Yunxie stood up, kicked the man curled up on the ground, and told him from his high-and-mighty position: “Remember, for the Xie Corporation, crushing you is as simple as crushing an ant.”
From then on, every morning became a nightmare for Yan Zhiheng.
The Yan family did not have the capital to compete with Xie Yunxie. This meant that if he did not want the project to fall through, Yan Zhiheng could not completely break ties with Xie Yunxie, let alone call the police or end this senseless violence.
He could not even find anyone to help him figure out a solution.
Should he tell his family? How could he? Say that Xie Yunxie had suddenly gone mad and wanted to beat him up every day, or he would destroy his company?
Other than being scolded by his father for being useless and making his mother worry, it would be of no use.
Given the wealth of the Yan family, if not for the marriage alliance, they would not even be in the same social class as the Xie family.
Yan Zhiheng secretly contacted many connections, trying to find someone who could stand up to Xie Yunxie. However, when he was beaten for the third time, Yan Zhiheng suddenly realized very clearly that no one could help him.
He had so many connections, his family was still intact, yet… not a single person could help him?
For a long time, Yan Zhiheng had felt that he had reached a high position. He could issue orders at will, and countless people would follow his rules. Even those from higher classes would give him some face.
But he never expected that when real capital came crashing down, not only was he unable to fight back, but all his channels for help were cut off.
He was completely and utterly isolated.
By the fourth day of being beaten, Yan Zhiheng had started to fear the sound of his phone ringing.
Because every time he answered, he would hear that devilish voice: “Come here, take a beating.”
The moment he heard that voice, Yan Zhiheng’s eyes split with rage. The fear and anger that had been accumulating for days reached a peak!
No! This could not go on!
He had to think of a way to stop Xie Yunxie’s perverted, insane behavior!
That day, Yan Zhiheng canceled all his evening plans and rushed to the set where Ming Yi was filming under the cover of night.
Ming Yi had already arrived at the location, spent the day meeting the other leads, and read through the script. With nothing to do in the evening, he prepared to return to the hotel to rest.
When he was stopped by Yan Zhiheng’s assistant, Ming Yi rubbed his temples in frustration, not understanding what Yan Zhiheng wanted now.
Did he want him to leave the cast again and act as a supporting role for Yan An?
Ming Yi could not be bothered to entangle himself with Yan Zhiheng. He originally wanted to call someone over, but Yan Zhiheng’s assistant looked imploring, looking very anxious: “Master Ming Yi, there really is an emergency with President Yan. He has something to tell you. It will not take much of your time!”
Ming Yi frowned: “Tell me first, what exactly is the matter?”
The assistant thought of his boss’s bruised and swollen face and looked conflicted, saying tactfully: “You will know when you go…”
Ming Yi cast a suspicious glance at the assistant’s expression, sensing something was wrong. He thought to himself, Yan Zhiheng had been hounding him frequently these past few days; something must have happened. If it could not be resolved, he might just keep bothering him.
Plus, with the assistant acting so hesitant, Ming Yi’s curiosity was piqued. He sent a message to his own assistant explaining where he was going and then left with Yan Zhiheng’s assistant.
Yan Zhiheng was waiting for Ming Yi in a private room. To cover the injuries on his face, he wore a mask, sunglasses, and an extra baseball cap. His getup was more celebrity-like than Ming Yi himself.
As soon as Ming Yi entered, he saw Yan Zhiheng’s heavily armored appearance and was stunned for a moment, then curved his lips and sat down opposite him, pouring himself a glass of water: “What is this about? Is President Yan also afraid of paparazzi?”
Yan Zhiheng was in no mood to argue. He asked urgently: “What the hell has been going on between you and Xie Yunxie lately?”
Ming Yi calmly pushed the question back: “Why do you ask?”
Yan Zhiheng could not hide his agitation: “Answer me!”
“President Yan, understand this: you are the one begging to see me,” Ming Yi spilled the tea on the table, tracing the water marks with his finger, not even bothering to lift his eyelids. “So, please answer my question first, okay?”
Yan Zhiheng had no other choice. In frustration, he took off his sunglasses, slammed them on the table, and gritted his teeth: “Do you know that Xie Yunxie has been going crazy these past few days!”
Ming Yi finally glanced at him. When his gaze touched the bruised corner of his eye, he paused, revealing an expression of surprise.
Huh? Yan Zhiheng was beaten?
Discovering this, Ming Yi almost laughed out loud.
—No, he did laugh out loud. Right in front of Yan Zhiheng, he let out a “pfft,” mocking him without mercy.
Yan Zhiheng had already been extremely anxious. Hearing Ming Yi’s laughter, the fire in his heart flared up: “What are you laughing at! Is it because of something you said to Xie Yunxie that that madman is suddenly acting crazy toward me!”
Ming Yi laughed until his stomach hurt. It took him a while to calm down: “You said it yourself, he is a madman. How would I know what a madman is thinking?”
“I do not care what you said to him,” Yan Zhiheng’s eyes were red, he gasped, “His behavior… is seriously affecting my daily work. You are also a member of the Yan family. What good does it do you if something happens to them? In any case, make Xie Yunxie act normal immediately!”
“I am not a member of the Yan family,” Ming Yi corrected him kindly: “Brother, you forgot, you already sold me to the Xie family, remember?”
“Besides, if something happens to the Yan family, of course it is good for me.”
Ming Yi smiled slightly and tilted his head: “If the Yan family falls, then Yan An, the one you hate the most, the one you love the most will have nothing to rely on anymore, right?”
Yan Zhiheng looked at him in disbelief, as if looking at a stranger: “Ming Yi, you are crazy!!”
As soon as he finished speaking, the cup in Ming Yi’s hand flew out and smashed directly into Yan Zhiheng’s forehead.
The cup shattered on the floor. At the same time, a line of blood slid from Yan Zhiheng’s forehead, flowing across his shocked eyes.
“It seems your memory is not very good. Do I need to remind you again? When you ask for help, you should have the attitude of someone asking for help,” Ming Yi was expressionless: “With such a foul mouth, no wonder you get beaten by Xie Yunxie.”
All the nasty words from the past were returned to Yan Zhiheng by Ming Yi. His chest felt heavy, as if he were about to vomit blood: “You—”
The sharp pain on his forehead was a constant reminder of what had just happened. Yan Zhiheng’s chest heaved a few times; considering his own predicament, he barely suppressed the fire: “What will it take for you to go plead with Xie Yunxie?”
Ming Yi sneered: “Why should I plead with Xie Yunxie for you?”
“When I called you and asked you to pick me up, I did not see you pleading for me.” Speaking of this, Ming Yi’s voice became uncontrollably sharp—partly because of Yan Zhiheng, who had ignored his cries for help, and partly for his own past self who had been abandoned.
Yan Zhiheng closed his eyes, his shoulders slumped, and he leaned back dejectedly: “I did not… I did not know Xie Yunxie would be like this back then. If I had known his true face, I would have definitely come to get you…”
Ming Yi mocked: “Is that so?”
“I cannot help you.” Ming Yi looked at him coldly: “Do not ask me why. For the sake of Yan An, you have hurt me too many times. When I was suffering, you ignored my cries. So, I will also ignore your cries. It is fair, is it not?”
Dropping these words, Ming Yi stood up and started to leave. Seeing his plea was failing, Yan Zhiheng could not care about anything else. He lunged over, grabbed his arm, and said urgently: “I can give you money! Give you other things! Anything I can give, I will use to compensate you!”
He really did not want to keep being beaten by that madman!
Ming Yi looked back and stared deeply at him: “Are you being serious?”
“Of course I am!” Yan Zhiheng said arduously: “I know I was wrong, I am sorry for what I did to you. Can you give me one more chance?”
Ming Yi lowered his eyes, his dark pupils staring directly into Yan Zhiheng’s desperate eyes: “If I say… I want you to freeze Yan An’s career for one year?”
The face behind Yan Zhiheng’s mask twisted: “An’an… is currently in the ascending stage of his career!”
Ming Yi whispered softly: “See? You cannot even do such a simple thing, yet you still want me to forgive you.”
“It is just one year. Yan An’s acting is so good and his popularity is so high; he can definitely make a comeback after a year.” Ming Yi narrowed his eyes: “Brother, think clearly: is the family business more important, or is Yan An?”
Yan Zhiheng froze for a moment, and by the time he recovered, Ming Yi had already brushed off his hand.
“Take the night to think about it carefully.”
Before leaving, Ming Yi tilted his head slightly: “You and Yan An are so close. If Yan An knew about your situation, surely he would not want you to be in such a difficult position, right?”
…
…
On the way back to the hotel, Ming Yi walked through the cold night wind, his mind clearer than it had ever been.
Do not do things that did not appear in the original plot, do not change the original plot, and do not break character these were the three points Xie Yunxie had emphasized. Once violated, the plot line would be destroyed.
Xie Yunxie was monitored by the system and could not actively do these things. Therefore, only he, who was not monitored by the system, could cooperate with Xie Yunxie to help him complete this task from where the system could not see.
And now, Xie Yunxie had delivered the opportunity to break the plot line right into his hands.
Ming Yi stopped, looked up at the pitch-black night sky, a flash of mockery in his eyes.
He knew that Yan Zhiheng would definitely agree to his conditions.
For profit, they could sell a true son they did not favor.
For profit, they could, of course, sell a fake son they did favor.
They, the Yan family, were the kind of hypocritical existence that spoke of love but was, in reality, selfish and opportunistic.