Chapter 17: It's All Up to Miss Shen's Acquaintance

Usually, Shang Jianghan would not pay attention to or intervene in such situations, especially when Bai Jingran was involved.

However, this group had encroached on his territory, especially now when all Shang Jianghan wanted was to stay on the balcony.

Without changing his expression, he took two more steps forward and unexpectedly caught sight of the slim, tall silhouette.

Shen Chaoxi, clad in a light white and red-collared khaki cleaner's uniform, her long, fragmented black hair sticking to her pale cheeks in the evening breeze, and her bright black eyes, upturned at the outer corners, seemed alluring under the light.

She was being cornered on the balcony by a group of young elites from the Beijing Circle, with a twenty-meter drop behind her only separated by a metal railing and a group of men with covetous expressions in front of her.

Shang Jianghan stood behind this group of people, turned, and leaned against the hallway wall, observing with cold detachment.

Even in such a situation, there was not a hint of fear on the girl's face. It was unclear whether she was feigning ignorance or was just naive.

Immediately, Shang Jianghan thought of her identity – a bastard child who was used to fawning over people in public, surely she knew how to deal with such situations.

As the group became more aggressive, Shang Jianghan finally spoke up.

As everyone looked toward Shang Jianghan, those charming and coquettish eyes also turned to him.

Her indifferent gaze passed leisurely from Shang Jianghan's left eye to his right foot, and he was certain she recognized him.

Owing a debt of life, at such a time, proposing a favor in return could not be simpler.

Amidst the grey swirls of smoke, Shang Jianghan's mouth curved slightly, his dark eyes inquiring. He was waiting for her to ask for help.

Bai Jingran spotted his cousin—the one person in the Shangjing Circle he dared not provoke. Before coming here, he had inquired thoroughly to ensure that Shang Jianghan would not appear, only deciding to come after confirming that he would not be upstaged.

Unexpectedly, such bad luck!

"Jianghan brother, long time no see. How do you know this girl?"

One of the bolder young men spoke up, "If she's Jianghan's girl, shame on us for not recognizing her!"

At that moment, Bai Jingran's face turned pale and he clenched his back teeth in frustration.

For as long as he could remember, whatever belonged to Shang Jianghan had nothing to do with Bai Jingran!

It was the same this time.

Shang Jianghan's gaze fixed on her pale little face, waiting for even a hint of a plea in her eyes, but there was none.

A faint sense of disappointment welled up inside him.

"Whether we are acquainted depends on Miss Shen's opinion," Shang Jianghan said, his voice deep and resonant like a plucked string.

With such a statement, the ball was clearly in Shen Chaoxi's court to respond.

The girl's captivating eyes curved, she shook her head slightly, "We aren't acquainted, there's no need for help, thank you!"

With the girl's permission, Bai Jingran, for the first time, looked at his cousin with disdain. His thoughts became more unbridled, and he took a step forward.

Shen Chaoxi had been cornered to an edge of the balcony, with no place to retreat.

At that moment, a hand reached out, about to touch the girl's shoulder.

"Ah!"

In the blink of an eye, the hand raised and the one responsible was taken down.

The ensuing chaos seemed to go beyond expectations; apart from Shang Jianghan, the others were like weaklings, with no power to fight back.

The night breeze entered from the balcony, dispersing the white gauze curtains and tousling the girl's hair.

She slowly approached, stopping beside Shang Jianghan, sizing him up with her enchanting eyes before her gaze softened.

"I misspoke just now. I'd like to ask for your help—to deal with the aftermath of these people. Thank you!"

Now Shang Jianghan remembered how carefree she had been when she left, simply asking him to take care of the aftermath, and he found it amusing!

At the moment, he was lying flat on the single bed of the medical staff dormitory, the faint scent of disinfectant lingering in his nostrils. Moonlight poured in through the window, and occasionally the sound of car tires rolling over the ground resonated from outside.

This night was destined to be sleepless, yet his mood was inexplicably good!

The next day, the police station sent someone over early in the morning.

Zhong Shuoxi and Old Han also rushed over.

Everyone was at fault, so the assault case was left unresolved.

After the police had left, Song Yang was visibly furious.

"Those bloody bastards!"

Zhong Shuoxi had not slept the entire night and now looked weary, stretching a hand to pat Song Yang's shoulder.

"You think business is that simple? There's a saying, 'The knife is sharpened on the stone, a person is honed in adversity.' You're just getting started! There's a long road ahead!"

Song Yang had spent the whole of last night in the Eastern Suburb lanes, thinking that the delay in the demolition was due to the greedy residents, only to be shocked upon investigation.

The demolition of the Eastern Suburb lanes had been entrusted to a "slick" demolition company by Song Yang.

Song's Real Estate offered terms of 1:2 exchange based on actual housing area, plus a certain amount of demolition and renovation compensation. Storeroom owners could negotiate an additional price, and for those opting out of replacement, a buyout at 100,000 per square meter was offered.

Such conditions were rarely seen in the renovation of old districts in Shangjing City District.

Song Yang was almost exploded on the spot when he discovered the reality.

That gang at the demolition office!

When the residents of Eastern Suburb lanes found out the details of the contract, they realized how excessively they had been exploited.

The main issue was that if residents disagreed with the relocation and refused to sign the contract, they were harassed at home. Those who did not lack money had no choice but to sign and leave, while those in difficult circumstances but with integrity either abandoned their houses or went into hiding.

Having learned the gist of the matter, an idea flashed through Song Yang's mind.

Lucky for him that he had concealed his identity at the hospital, otherwise he would probably be beaten to a pulp by now!

Shang Jianghan pinched the bridge of his nose, having not closed his eyes all night, his mind somewhat groggy.

"Enough with the ranting, what you need now is to take care of the aftermath. Be thankful no lives were lost! I'll have someone handle the media, and you should go back to Song's and apologize to your father. Then renegotiate contracts with those residents who have signed, offering appropriate compensation," Shang Jianghan instructed Song Yang before turning his gaze to Zhong Shuoxi.

"Shuoxi, take care of this mess for him. The Yao Family is all in the hospital, after all; they need an explanation."