Chapter 9: Fury

At that moment, the doctor walked out of the room. He looked at Nie Yuncong and said, "If you have something to discuss, take it outside. Don't make a scene here."

Then, he turned to Xu Ke. "Sort out your private affairs before you come back for your appointment."

Hearing this, Xu Ke's expression changed. But the doctor walked right past them and called out to the next patient waiting, "Next."

The cold, electronic voice announced, "Number fifty-seven, Wong Ming."

The doctor turned and went back inside.

Nie Yuncong sneered, "No need for a doctor's visit now, is there? Hurry up and pay me back."

Xu Ke took a deep breath. "Let's talk somewhere else."

"Fine." Nie Yuncong raised an eyebrow, agreeing with surprising ease. He turned and headed for the emergency exit stairwell.

As his back was turned, a sly, almost unnoticeable grin flashed in his eyes.

If someone really wanted their money back, they wouldn't corner a debtor in a hospital like this. The truth was, Li Jun had sent him here to deliberately give Xu Ke a hard time. As long as he could prevent Xu Ke from even seeing the doctor, his mission would be a success.

「In the silent emergency staircase」

The atmosphere was frozen.

"Pay up." Nie Yuncong stood with his arms crossed.

Xu Ke looked at him. "Brother Cong, doesn't our past friendship mean anything? I even introduced you to President Zhou. Can't you wait a little longer?"

"I just want to see the money," Nie Yuncong pressed, taking a step forward.

Although his official task was only to interfere with Xu Ke's appointment, Nie Yuncong wouldn't mind taking the opportunity to get his ten thousand back. Since they had already dropped all pretenses, it was definitely better to get the money back sooner rather than later.

Xu Ke gritted his teeth. "Brother Cong, I don't have the money right now, but I will definitely pay you back. I give you my word."

"Heh, how do I know you won't just run off?" Nie Yuncong sneered. "What have you got left to use as a guarantee?"

"I still have a house," Xu Ke said through clenched teeth.

Nie Yuncong scoffed, "Isn't that Siao Jia's?"

At those words, something in Xu Ke's mind snapped. The morning's feelings of despair and helplessness in front of his home flooded back, along with the arrogant faces of Siao Jia and Li Jun at lunchtime... That single sentence was the fuse that lit his explosive anger.

"Who the fuck said the house is hers?!" he suddenly roared, his voice thundering at Nie Yuncong. "Nie Yuncong, that house is MINE! It's fucking MINE, you hear me?!"

His shouts echoed through the empty stairwell. The sudden eruption of fury stunned Nie Yuncong.

Seeing Xu Ke's bloodshot eyes and the throbbing veins on his forehead, Nie Yuncong cowered. For all his bulk, he was just flabby. If a truly enraged Xu Ke landed a couple of punches, he wouldn't be able to take it.

He could only stammer softly, "Yours, fine, it's yours... but you still need to give me the money..."

"NO MONEY! I fucking told you I have no money! Are you deaf? Can't you understand?! HUH?!" Xu Ke slammed his fist into the adjacent wall.

Seeing the fresh dent in the plaster, Nie Yuncong's face went pale. "Y-y-you... don't get so worked up. Just... just remember to pay me back later."

"GET LOST!"

Nie Yuncong scrambled away, fleeing down the opposite stairwell. He stumbled, tripped, and went sprawling, falling flat on his face.

"AH...!"

A pained cry echoed up the stairs, but Nie Yuncong didn't dare to look back. As he limped away, he muttered to himself, "Figures. The one who owes money acts like he's the boss. My rotten luck."

"Damn it." Xu Ke watched Nie Yuncong's disappearing figure, a look of anguish in his eyes.

How fickle people are. How cruel the world is. Without money, you have nothing.

Just then, his phone rang.

It was his mother.

Xu Ke's eyes widened. Why would Mom call at this time? He frantically composed himself before answering. "Mom, what's up?"

His voice was hoarse from all the shouting.

"Why did you take so long to answer? I was worried about you. And what's wrong with your voice?" his mother asked with concern.

Xu Ke quickly fabricated an excuse. "I was in the middle of training a client, so I was busy. As for my voice, I was out entertaining my boss last night. I think I just overdid it."

"Well, remember to drink some herbal tea and don't work too hard," she advised.

"I will. By the way, Mom, why did you call?"

"Oh, nothing much. I just wanted to say that Siao Jia is a city girl, so she can be a little delicate. You need to take good care of her and not lose your temper. If you're short on money, just ask me for it."

Hearing this, a terrible premonition washed over Xu Ke. His face paled. "What did Siao Jia tell you?"

"She told me you've been tight on money for loan repayments lately and have been a bit irritable. She said you took it out on her, and she felt a little hurt and under a lot of stress. But don't worry, I've already transferred a few thousand to her."

Xu Ke's fingernails dug into his palms, his chest tightening with a stifling rage...

Damn it! Siao Jia actually called my mother!

Xu Ke ran a hand through his hair, deciding to come clean at once. "Mom, don't transfer her any more money. She and I have already broken up."

He was certain that if he kept this a secret and didn't tell her the truth just to avoid worrying her, it would only bring trouble to the Xu Family.

But his mother immediately started to scold him. "Stop talking nonsense! You're about to get married, don't say such unlucky things. A husband and wife should live in harmony. Go on and apologize to her. A couple's quarrel should be resolved before you go to sleep."

"Alright, Mom, I can't talk anymore, I have to get back to work. Talk to you later."

Fearing Xu Ke would say something else foolish, his mother promptly hung up the phone. This only left Xu Ke practically seething with rage.

He opened his contacts and dialed Siao Jia's number.

He had to get things straight with her!