Chapter 211: A Man of Principles

When Hu Wanlin met Li Dong again, she looked noticeably worn out.

Seeing Li Dong, Hu Wanlin was seething with rage. If circumstances allowed, she would have loved to slap this bastard.

However, Li Dong didn't look at her but at Hu Yue standing beside her, asking, "Why are you here?"

Hu Yue looked a bit awkward. Although Li Dong wasn't her classmate, he was still somewhat familiar. The last time they met in Beijing, she hadn't mentioned working for a usury company. If her classmates found out, she would be ridiculed.

But since her boss asked her to come, Hu Yue had no choice.

Hu Yue knew that Hu Wanlin had recently suffered some losses at Li Dong's hands and understood the purpose of Hu Wanlin's request for her presence—to ease the tension.

Hu Yue quickly suppressed her embarrassment and smiled, "Knowing an old classmate was coming, I asked Ms. Hu to bring me along. I hope you don't mind."

Li Dong's lips twitched in resignation, "I don't mind. After all, we're old classmates."

They both laughed, and Li Dong and Hu Yue exchanged a few casual words before Li Dong turned his attention to Hu Wanlin.

Although Hu Wanlin was furious, she knew there was no need to continue fighting Li Dong at this point.

When the two stopped talking, Hu Wanlin said directly, "Mr. Li, I accept responsibility for this loss!"

"Ms. Hu, don't say that. It seems like I'm the one who's at a disadvantage here," Li Dong said with a smile.

Hu Wanlin huffed, "The vandalism wasn't done by me! Whether you believe it or not, it has nothing to do with me. However, since Chen Si is someone I know, I'll compensate for your losses since he's disappeared!"

"Ms. Hu is straightforward!" 

Li Dong gave a thumbs-up in praise and then said, "Actually, it's not a big deal. Since Ms. Hu is offering compensation, that's fine. Just give me the IOU from Wang Jia's father."

Hu Wanlin was furious. It sounded easy, but Wang Jia's father now owed two million.

But Hu Wanlin had anticipated this and, given that Wang Jia was unlikely to pay back the money, she said nothing and signaled Hu Yue.

Hu Yue took out a stack of IOUs from her bag and handed them to Li Dong, who glanced at them and accepted them.

Seeing this, Hu Wanlin asked impatiently, "Mr. Li, is this settled?"

"Not yet."

Li Dong smiled and, ignoring Hu Wanlin's displeased expression, pulled a suitcase from behind him and pushed it across the table.

Hu Wanlin frowned, "What's this about?"

"Fifty thousand. I'm not taking advantage of Ms. Hu. Wang Jia's father borrowed a million from you but only received about eight hundred thousand. Wang Jia has already repaid thirty thousand, so I'm adding fifty thousand now. Ms. Hu shouldn't feel at a loss," Li Dong said cheerfully.

Hu Wanlin's expression kept changing. She hadn't expected Li Dong to make such an offer.

Even if Li Dong hadn't given a penny, she would have had to accept the loss. But now Li Dong was making an offer of fifty thousand, more than the thirty thousand previously discussed. It was a generous gesture.

At this point, Hu Wanlin didn't know whether to be angry with Li Dong or to be grateful.

After all, fifty thousand was a substantial amount. Recovering this money made Hu Wanlin happy.

But accepting the offer under Li Dong's pressure made her uncomfortable. It didn't feel entirely satisfying.

Regardless of her feelings, Li Dong had given her face today, and Hu Wanlin had an opportunity to step down gracefully. She finally sighed, "Mr. Li, we're even now. From now on, you go your way, and I'll go mine."

Li Dong smiled, "Look at what Ms. Hu is saying. It's better to have more friends than enemies. It's better to be friends than adversaries."

Hu Wanlin rolled her eyes, not knowing what to say.

Do I want to be your enemy?

If she could be friends with Li Dong, Hu Wanlin would be happy. After all, knowing a few wealthy people could be beneficial.

But just days ago, Li Dong had nearly driven her to madness, and now he was talking about friendship. Hu Wanlin was truly frustrated.

Without responding to Li Dong's words, Hu Wanlin picked up her suitcase and stood up, saying, "Mr. Li, whether friends or enemies, let me say one more thing. The vandalism was definitely not my order."

"I believe Ms. Hu."

Li Dong smiled. Of course, he believed her. If she were responsible, it wouldn't have been resolved so easily.

Hu Wanlin wasn't sure whether Li Dong truly believed her or not, but it didn't matter now.

Since Li Dong had shown consideration today, she didn't want to escalate the situation. The matter should end here.

Without further conversation, Hu Wanlin signaled to Hu Yue, and they both left.

Once they were out of the teahouse, Li Dong leisurely got up.

Although he spent fifty thousand today, Li Dong didn't feel it was a loss.

Not only did he completely resolve Wang Jia's issue, but Hu Wanlin's attitude also suggested she wouldn't continue to make trouble for him.

Her influential backer was nearing retirement, but still held significant sway in the Pingchuan legal and public security circles.

If he could avoid creating enemies, it was best to resolve conflicts as much as possible.

Li Dong couldn't strike down her backer with a single blow, so spending fifty thousand to eliminate a foe was worth it.

Moreover, the fifty thousand wasn't wasted. Without the previous groundwork, resolving Wang Jia's issue would have been difficult.

Previously, Hu Wanlin demanded one hundred fifty thousand. Given her attitude, she wouldn't have accepted a penny less.

Now, having spent only fifty thousand, Li Dong not only saved money but also made Hu Wanlin grateful for the face-saving gesture. The business deal was not a loss.

---

While Li Dong thought he had come out ahead, Hu Wanlin felt she hadn't lost much.

Despite being angry a few days ago, not only did she save money, but she also got fifty thousand back. Hu Wanlin's mood was fairly good.

On the way back, Hu Wanlin called her old man and recounted the situation.

There was silence on the other end for a while before he said, "He's a man of principles, and a shrewd one. Let's end it here."

If Li Dong hadn't offered the fifty thousand today, Hu Wanlin would have insisted on more trouble. Even if she couldn't confront Li Dong now, she would have sought revenge in the future.

But since Li Dong gave money, Hu Wanlin was willing to end the matter. Her old man's words were just what she wanted.

She was about to hang up but suddenly remembered the phone call she had just received and added, "I forgot to mention, someone told me that Chen Si vandalized Li Dong's stores on Niu Meng's orders. Do you think there's a problem with this?"

"Niu Meng?"

There was a pause on the other end, and then he asked, "Niu Feng's son?"

"Yeah, it seems to be him. But I don't know if it's true. It was told to me by one of Chen Si's subordinates. Chen Si himself hasn't been found yet."

"I understand!"

The call ended abruptly, and Hu Wanlin could clearly detect the coldness in her old man's tone.

Hu Wanlin had a strong suspicion that it was Niu Meng behind the vandalism. Even though the news might not be true, she couldn't accept being wrongly blamed.

Li Dong, whom she initially hated, now seemed less detestable. In fact, with a common enemy, Hu Wanlin found her residual anger dissipating.

---

Li Dong, who hadn't reached home yet, received Hu Wanlin's call with mixed feelings.

Hu Wanlin was quite loyal, informing him of the real culprit, though it was a piece of information he had shared with her.

Li Dong understood Hu Wanlin's intent—to join forces against Niu Meng.

However, Li Dong wasn't interested in getting involved. Since Hu Wanlin knew, her backer must also be aware. Li Dong would just watch the drama unfold and avoid wasting energy.

Of course, if Niu Meng were about to meet his end, Li Dong wouldn't mind kicking him a bit.

After all, Niu Meng had tried to have him kidnapped before, and now was plotting against him. It was only right to give him a taste of his own medicine.