Chapter 252: Conditions

Chapter 252: Conditions

After silently cursing the absurdity of Lin Chen’s Protagonist Halo, Wang Haoran got straight to the point with Cheng Rui.

“That little kid, Lin Chen, he came to you because he wants a favor. He’s asking you to withdraw the charges against that Divine Doctor Xue who treated Ma Hongsheng and botched it. The one being held.”

Cheng Rui immediately understood. Her voice came through the phone, composed but curious. “What do you want me to do?”

Wang Haoran couldn’t help but praise her. “Talking to smart women is such a relief.”

“I thought you men didn’t like smart women?” Her tone carried a hint of amusement.

“Well, that’s true… but only with one condition,” Wang Haoran replied smoothly.

A condition. And that condition was simple—so long as she wasn’t

his

woman, it didn’t matter.

Cheng Rui fell silent for a beat, then sighed inwardly. If only… if only she were his woman, she’d be willing to act stupid—so stupid she’d throw away her IQ altogether. But sadly, that opportunity had never come.

“I’m listening. What exactly do you want me to do?” she asked again, shaking off the thoughts that momentarily clouded her heart.

“You care about debts of gratitude, don’t you?” Wang Haoran didn’t give instructions right away. Instead, he tested the waters.

“To me, your word matters more than fate itself,” Cheng Rui said with unwavering seriousness. “I can give up anything for it.”

She was a woman with a ruthless edge.

Forget favors—even if he told her right now to unplug Ma Hongsheng’s oxygen supply, she wouldn’t flinch. And if he asked her to erase the child they’d had together, she could do that too. No hesitation.

Wang Haoran was momentarily stunned by her words. Not because he doubted her sincerity—her Favorability toward him was already maxed out—but hearing it from her lips carried a different weight. A strange, almost pleasant satisfaction swelled within him.

Still, he already had his hands full juggling several Female Leads. He had no special interest in Cheng Rui. He wasn’t exactly trying to become the next Cao Cao.

“Later, when you meet Lin Chen,” Wang Haoran began, his voice turning calm and instructive—

—

At a quiet café, Cheng Rui ended her call with Wang Haoran just moments before Lin Chen arrived. The eight-year-old boy walked in with a young woman who looked to be around twenty.

She already knew, from the call, that this woman was Bian Suwen—a Divine Doctor in her own right.

“Hello, Auntie,” Lin Chen greeted with a bright, polite smile.

“Good day to you, Madam Ma,” Bian Suwen followed up respectfully.

“Please, sit,” Cheng Rui smiled faintly, nodding at the server to bring over three cups of coffee.

After a brief round of pleasantries, Lin Chen didn’t waste time. He could sense Third Sister’s growing anxiety. He cut straight to the point.

“Auntie, here’s the situation. My Third Sister’s Junior—his surname is Xue—made a mistake while treating someone, and things went wrong. We’re here today hoping you’ll consider showing mercy and withdrawing the charges.”

Cheng Rui had already heard this from Wang Haoran, so she wasn’t surprised. Still, for appearance’s sake, she put on a look of feigned astonishment. Then she turned to Bian Suwen, her expression cooling.

“That quack surnamed Xue is your Junior? So that makes you a doctor too?”

“Yes, Madam Ma,” Bian Suwen nodded, maintaining composure. “My Junior is quite skilled. What happened last time must have been an accident.”

Cheng Rui’s tone turned icy. “I don’t care whether it was an accident. All I know is that my husband is now lying in bed, barely above a vegetative state. Courtesy of your Junior.”

Bian Suwen said solemnly, “I’m willing to treat your husband myself. I give you my word—I’ll cure him. Please, I ask that you withdraw your accusation.”

Cheng Rui’s eyes sharpened, boring into her like blades. “That’s exactly what your Junior said last time. And look what happened.”

The pressure radiating from her was suffocating. Bian Suwen, momentarily overwhelmed, couldn’t respond.

Lin Chen stepped in hurriedly. “Auntie, actually—”

Cheng Rui cut him off, changing the subject without missing a beat. “Oh right, little one. You helped me find my son the other day. I never properly thanked you.”

She pulled out a check and set it on the table before him.

“This is a token of my gratitude. Please accept it.”

Lin Chen blinked, glanced at the figure written on the check.

Fifty million.

This woman really didn’t do anything by halves. Still, he didn’t need the money. More importantly, accepting it would mean the favor was repaid.

He pushed the check back. “Auntie, I can’t take this. Please take it back.”

Cheng Rui didn’t argue. She simply took out another check.

This time, it was for a hundred million.

She pushed both checks across the table again. “Take them. It’s my heartfelt thanks.”

Lin Chen’s youthful face remained firm. “Auntie, I helped you purely out of kindness. I wasn’t expecting any reward. A child that young getting lost—anyone would’ve stepped up.”

He looked at her seriously, pushed the checks back again. “I truly can’t accept this. If you insist on giving it to me, it feels like you’re insulting me.”

Cheng Rui studied his face, then slowly nodded and retrieved the checks. “You’re a good child. In that case, I won’t insist.”

Bian Suwen and Lin Chen both quietly exhaled, thinking they’d finally made some progress.

But before either could speak further, Cheng Rui stood up.

“I’ve already paid the bill. I’ve got matters to attend to, so I won’t be staying.”

“Auntie, about that matter—” Lin Chen quickly stood as well.

“What matter?” she asked, feigning ignorance.

“My Third Sister’s Junior…”

Cheng Rui gave a sly smile. “Didn’t you just say you didn’t want anything in return? Are you going back on your word already? Tsk tsk. Lying isn’t good, little one.”

“I—” Lin Chen was left speechless.

Cheng Rui picked up her purse and turned to leave.

Bian Suwen shot to her feet. “Madam Ma, so long as you withdraw the accusation, whatever your conditions are—we’ll agree to them.”

Cheng Rui paused, pretending to consider it. Then she said, “My son’s really into Bugatti toy cars lately. If you can get one, I

might

reconsider.”

“Bugatti toy car? That’s easy enough,” Lin Chen said without thinking.

Cheng Rui turned back, a faint smirk playing on her lips. “Yes, a toy car. But I mean the kind you can drive. And brand new. Best if it’s delivered

today.

Because who knows—my son might not care about Bugatti anymore after today.”

Her meaning was clear.

Only someone like a top-tier tycoon could call a tens-of-millions Bugatti a child’s toy.

Brand new. Same day delivery. In a city like Qingling? That was a tall order.

Lin Chen’s expression darkened briefly, but then a thought came to him. There was someone annoying who’d recently bought a Bugatti… and barely even driven it.

“Auntie, you said it. Let’s treat that as a deal.” Lin Chen agreed immediately.

“Only today. After today, don’t bother.” Cheng Rui tossed out the final words and left.

Bian Suwen’s brow furrowed. “Xiao Chen, if we were in the Imperial Capital, maybe we could find a brand new Bugatti in a day. But this is Qingling. Where are we going to find one that quickly?”

Lin Chen replied, “Someone we know just bought one a few days ago.”

“Who?”

“Wang Haoran.”

Bian Suwen’s face twitched.

They’d just dismissed Wang Haoran so coldly earlier… and now, they had to go crawling back to him.

Her mood turned complicated. Lin Chen wasn’t much better. He still clearly remembered what they’d said less than an hour ago.

Don’t get cocky. If you ever want my help, you’ll have to call me Daddy.

I can do anything. I’ll never ask you for help.

And now, here they were…