Zhao Jingrou frowned, saying resentfully, "Just getting Zhao Yuan expelled from the university? Isn't that letting him off too easy?"
Growing up, Zhao Jingrou had always been the one hitting others; this was the first time she'd ever been on the receiving end. She had always prided herself on her superb Martial Arts, but against Zhao Yuan, she couldn't even withstand a single move. This left her feeling utterly humiliated and furious.
Zhao Dezhu sneered. "Don't worry, my dear daughter. Getting Zhao Yuan expelled is just the first step. At the same time, I'll have people spread the word that he's been impersonating our Jinling Zhao Family. I'll make it impossible for him to gain a foothold in the medical community! Even if he tries to find another job, this black mark on his record will ensure no one accepts him. He'll have no choice but to tuck his tail between his legs and crawl back to whatever poor mountain village he came from! I will destroy his future, destroy his hope, and make him spend the rest of his life wallowing in regret and remorse!"
Zhao Dezhu's method was like killing someone with a dull knife. While not immediately fatal, the torment it inflicted was far more intense than a quick, clean kill.
Once she understood her father's plan, Zhao Jingrou nodded in satisfaction but added, "I've never been hit by anyone in my life. No matter what happens to Zhao Yuan in the end, I have to give him a beating myself to satisfy my hatred!"
"No problem!"
Zhao Dezhu's feelings for his daughter went beyond love; he doted on her, spoiling her rotten. Otherwise, Zhao Jingrou wouldn't have developed such a spoiled and willful personality. Zhao Dezhu rarely refused his daughter's requests, reasonable or not, and this time was no exception.
"I've already summoned all the people in the family who practice martial arts. As soon as Zhao Yuan is expelled from West Hua Medical University, you can lead them over there. When he's at his lowest and most dejected, teach him a good lesson! It'll be like rubbing salt mixed with chili powder into his wounds! As the saying goes, two fists are no match for four hands. No matter how good of a fighter that kid is, I refuse to believe he can take on an entire group."
Although the Jinling Zhao Family was primarily known for passing down its medical arts, throughout its centuries-long history, it had treated many people from the Martial Arts world. Some of these Martial Artists, grateful for having their lives saved, taught the family their signature techniques in return.
After centuries of accumulation, the Jinling Zhao Family's Martial Skills, in addition to their medical arts, were also exceptional. Many clan members studied both medicine and martial arts. Although Martial Skills had fallen out of favor in modern times, the Jinling Zhao Family still had several masters among its ranks.
"That's wonderful!" Hearing her father's plan, Zhao Jingrou was overjoyed. She saw nothing wrong with taking advantage of someone's misfortune or ganging up on them. Instead, she said excitedly, "I'm going to beat Zhao Yuan until his face is a swollen mess! I'm going to make him kneel on the ground and beg me for mercy!"
Zhao Jingrou chuckled gleefully, fantasizing about Zhao Yuan's wretched state. But she soon thought of another question. "But Dad, how are you going to get Zhao Yuan expelled from West Hua Medical University?"
Zhao Dezhu replied, "If I recall, the president of West Hua Medical University is a man named Ma Guotao, right? I imagine he'll be willing to do me this favor." As he spoke, he picked up his phone, found Ma Guotao's number in his contacts, and made the call.
Ma Guotao was resting at home and was quite puzzled to receive a call from Zhao Dezhu.
Though he knew Zhao Dezhu, they hardly ever interacted. After all, one was in Rongcheng City and the other in Jinling, with several provinces between them. Moreover, one had come up through the formal academic world, while the other was the scion of a Noble Family; they had little in common.
However, given Zhao Dezhu's status, Ma Guotao certainly wouldn't slight him. He answered the call and asked with a laugh, "Dezhu, my friend, what brings you to call me? Is something the matter?"
Zhao Dezhu didn't bother with pleasantries, getting straight to the point. "Guotao, my friend, I wouldn't call you unless I had a reason. This time, my old face, and the face of our Jinling Zhao Family, have been utterly disgraced. I need you to do me a favor."
Ma Guotao was startled and hurriedly asked, "What happened?"
Zhao Dezhu said coldly, "There's a con artist out there, using the name of our Jinling Zhao Family to run around and swindle people. Not long ago, some of his victims even showed up at the Jinling Zhao Family's doorstep to cause a scene! Sigh, it's utterly humiliating!"
Ma Guotao frowned. Zhao Dezhu's strange, passive-aggressive tone made him a little uncomfortable.
"That actually happened? Who would be so bold as to impersonate your Jinling Zhao Family?"
This was the exact question Zhao Dezhu had been waiting for. He immediately answered, "This person is a first-year student in your university's Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine. His name is Zhao Yuan!"
Ma Guotao was stunned. He never would have imagined that this matter actually involved a student from his own university. His expression immediately turned serious, and he demanded in a grave voice, "Dezhu, are you certain?"
Zhao Dezhu snorted. "What?" he shot back. "Are you doubting my word? Or are you trying to protect this con artist who's impersonating my Jinling Zhao Family? I never would have thought the renowned West Hua Medical University was a place that harbors such filth! I've really learned something today!"
Ma Guotao nearly exploded with rage. 'I ask one simple question, "Are you sure?" and this bastard blows it completely out of proportion!' He was a man of good composure; if it had been the hot-tempered Xiao Xianlin or Liu Mingzhang, they would have already started a shouting match with Zhao Dezhu.
After taking a deep breath, Ma Guotao said, "Dezhu, I will have this matter investigated immediately. If it's confirmed that the student named Zhao Yuan has indeed been impersonating your Jinling Zhao Family and committing fraud, we will handle it with the utmost severity. We will show no leniency!"
"Investigate?" Zhao Dezhu sneered. "Does this even need an investigation? Is my word not enough for you? Guotao, I'm calling you today for your university's own good! In a day or two, the news of Zhao Yuan impersonating my Jinling Zhao Family to commit fraud will have spread throughout the entire medical community! If your university doesn't handle this in a timely or appropriate manner and your reputation gets dragged through the mud as a result, don't blame me for not warning you!"
This was, without a doubt, a threat.
On the other end of the line, Ma Guotao fell into deep thought.
He had originally intended to have the matter thoroughly investigated before deciding how to proceed. But now, Zhao Dezhu was pressuring him to make an immediate decision. He could, of course, ignore Zhao Dezhu. But if what the man said was true—that a student from his university was impersonating the Jinling Zhao Family to commit fraud—the fallout would be incredibly damaging.
After mulling it over, Ma Guotao concluded that a man of Zhao Dezhu's stature was unlikely to lie just to slander a student. He said, "Dezhu, rest assured. We will handle this matter as quickly as possible and give you a satisfactory answer."
"Good. I'll be waiting to see how you handle it!" His objective achieved, Zhao Dezhu didn't even bother with any parting pleasantries and hung up the phone directly.
He stood up and gazed out the hotel window at the bustling, traffic-filled street below. A vicious sneer spread across his lips.
'You dare to go against our Jinling Zhao Family? I'll show you how I'm going to ruin you!'