Chapter 703: Chapter 424: Unique Charm, the 5th NPC with a Feel-good Index Over 90 – Part 2

“Hmm…”

Zeng Xianyong scratched his head, with a rare look of embarrassment on his face: “Dad, why don’t you go and apologize to her and her parents? Be sincere about it, and maybe they won’t press the issue.”

Zeng’s father was initially taken aback, then his face shifted through a range of emotions before he looked at him incredulously: “Xianyong, why should I apologize for the mess you’ve created?”

“Dad, you apologizing would better show our sincere attitude,” Zeng Xianyong said earnestly.

“…..”

Zeng’s father felt like that made sense, but then again, it didn’t.

“If you can’t lose face, I can’t afford to lose this old one either. How about we both apologize together?”

….

In the living room, Zeng Xianyong nodded slightly: “Mom and Dad, I’m sorry, I’ve been presumptuous recently, causing unpleasantness for both of you, I truly apologize.”

Zeng Xianyong turned to Lin Yuchang: “Yuchang…..”

“Don’t call me Yuchang,” Lin Yuchang interrupted coldly.

“I’m truly sorry, this time we were wrong, we promise it won’t happen again, and we hope you can forgive us.”

Zeng Xianyong bowed his head, then nudged his father.

Zeng’s father’s face turned red; 20 minutes ago he was spouting big talk, and now he had to humble himself and beg for forgiveness, he truly felt shame.

“Mr. and Mrs. In-law, we’re sorry, we were wrong…..”

Lin’s father and mother glanced at each other, said nothing, and then looked over at Lin Yuchang.

Lin Yuchang’s face was expressionless, and Mao Mingcheng also kept silent the whole time.

Then Zeng Xianyong continued: “We promise, we won’t use this as a threat anymore, nor will we harass you again. We will also delete the few photos we took that day. Could you… possibly destroy the things you have on us as well?”

Lin Yuchang laughed: “Did you just wake up from a nap outside?”

Zeng Xianyong knew he was at fault and tried to backtrack: “Then can you not take things any further, please? We promise not to do anything unreasonable again.”

At that moment, Mao Mingcheng spoke: “A verbal promise is meaningless, we need a written guarantee.”

Zeng Xianyong clenched his teeth: “I can write a pledge, but you have to agree not to take any further action against us.”

“Mr. Zeng, please wait.”

Mao Mingcheng stood up and said: “Ms. Lin, please come with me to the door, I need to discuss something with you.”

The two walked to the door, and Mao Mingcheng said: “Ms. Lin, what are your thoughts? Do you plan to pursue this matter?”

Lin Yuchang hesitated; if things were taken further, Zeng Xianyong might end up in jail, and his only source of family income, the fruit shop, would surely close down.

“Ms. Lin, do you mind if I share my thoughts?”

“Director Mao, please go ahead.”

“I’ve been a lawyer since I was 24, and now at 51, it’s been 27 years since I started practicing. I’ve encountered many cases along the way. I remember, back in 2006, there was a case like this.”

Mao Mingcheng elaborated calmly: “At that time, there was a cab driver who was robbed. The driver was an honest man with a sick mother in the hospital, so he gave away most of his money. However, the robber still wasn’t satisfied and continued to search the car. He stole the last 500 yuan the driver had.”

“The driver begged him, saying it was the money for his mother’s medical treatment, that he needed to pay for her hospital bills the next day. But the robber wasn’t kind-hearted; he took the money and left. At this point, the driver lost all hope, his eyes turned red, and he took a knife from the car and stabbed the robber to death.”

“Because of this, he also faced imprisonment. If he had just endured a little, he would have gotten through, no matter how tough, there’s always a way to make money.”

“That driver is so pitiable,” Lin Yuchang remarked with some emotion.

“Yes, I was the attorney defending him. In fact, he’s a very kind man. After the trial, he told me he regretted it and wished he’d just endured at that moment.”

“However, what I want to say is that people are essentially the same. When in a safe and comfortable environment, they have rational and emotional responses, but when pushed to the brink, they’re capable of anything.”

“I don’t know much about Zeng Xianyong, but we can’t guarantee he won’t do something desperate. If he writes this guarantee today, holding all the leverage, it’s like a sword of Damocles hanging over his head. As long as he isn’t foolish, such an incident won’t happen again.”

Mao Mingcheng spoke sincerely: “Of course, this is just a suggestion. The final decision to pursue or not is yours.”

After listening, Lin Yuchang gave it some serious thought: “According to the principle of yielding to the happier party, one must indeed leave some leeway… So I’ll take your advice, Director Mao.”

“Alright.”

…..

When they returned to the living room, Mao Mingcheng said: “Mr. Zeng, we’ll accept your written pledge, but when establishing the pledge, you must state: it’s based on your true inner will, and there is no fraud, coercion, or other such situations involved.”

“Then can you guarantee you won’t mess with me and my family in the future?” Zeng Xianyong asked.

“We won’t promise, but Ms. Lin has just expressed her thoughts to me verbally. If you complete the pledge and don’t harass, threaten, or trouble her and her family in any form, she’ll hold back her next step,” Mao Mingcheng replied.

“Alright…”

Zeng Xianyong nodded resignedly; although they couldn’t force her to destroy the evidence, it was already the best outcome.

And besides, this Mao lawyer was a big shot in the industry, he probably wouldn’t deceive him.

After writing the pledge, signing, and stamping it, Zeng Xianyong felt as if he was completely drained.

This incident meant that the Audi Q5, the house, the savings, were all conclusively disconnected from him.

Before leaving, Zeng Xianyong asked: “Lawyer Mao, could you tell me, was it my ex-wife who hired you, or was it that Shen gentleman who sought your assistance?”

Mao Mingcheng smiled and said: “It wouldn’t be accurate to say Mr. Shen sought our help. Rather, my colleagues and I all serve Mr. Shen.”