Chapter 81: Choice

Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Choice

"Take this card, it contains the money from our harvest this year, keep it..."

"Dad, I can’t take this money! Your health isn’t good, save it for emergencies! I’ll figure something out!"

Knock, knock, knock! Yun Yang and Ling Feng knocked on the door.

"Who is it? Come in!"

Yun Yang entered. "You seem to be recovering well, big brother!"

"Are you... the one who took my dad to the hospital?" The young man looked at Yun Yang with excitement. "Thank you! If it weren’t for you, my dad would have..."

As he spoke, the young man’s eyes reddened, and he kept bowing to Yun Yang.

Yun Yang helped the young man up and said, "Young man, don’t be so polite, I just did what I should! By the way, how is your dad’s health now?"

"After the examination, everything seems okay!" said the young man. "I haven’t asked for your honorable last name yet, uncle?"

"I am Yun Yang, now retired," Yun Yang said with a smile.

The young man said, "Nice to meet you, Uncle Yun. I heard from the nurse that you covered 2,000 yuan of the costs for me, and I have that money for you now!"

Yun Yang said softly, "No rush on that, let’s focus on getting your older brother treated first!"

Having listened outside the door for a while, Yun Yang understood that the young man was facing some difficulties, so he was not in a hurry for the money.

"I accidentally overheard your conversation just now; are you facing some difficulties?" Yun Yang asked. "If it’s okay, can you tell me? Maybe I can help solve them."

The young farmer was hesitant, but his father excitedly said, "Xiao Bing, we’ve met a good Samaritan today, just tell him."

The young man grimaced and said, "Uncle Yun, my name is Zhao Bing, and I’m a senior at Yanjing University. I’m indeed facing some difficulties, but I’m afraid this is something nobody else can resolve. Thank you for your kindness."

Yun Yang frowned slightly. At that moment, Ling Feng spoke up, "Zhao Bing, my Uncle Yun still carries some weight at Yanjing University. No matter the difficulty, just tell us; maybe we can help you."

Zhao Bing hesitated, then said, "Uncle Yun, since that’s the case, I’ll tell you!"

Zhao Bing was a senior in the finance department at Yanjing University and also worked part-time at the university’s administration office. Recently, however, he noticed some discrepancies in the office’s accounts. When he reported this, he was told to mind his own business! Being stubborn, he secretly checked the accounts and was shocked to find signs of falsification, with missing amounts totaling up to millions!

But his actions were noticed, and soon there were issues with the accounts he was responsible for, leaving a shortfall of tens of thousands! The director of the administration office outright claimed it was Zhao Bing’s fault due to negligence at work, and according to regulations, he had to compensate an equivalent amount!

But Zhao Bing’s family was poor, how could they possibly cover that shortfall? The director ignored Zhao Bing’s pleas and made a phone call, bringing Zhao Bing’s father from the rural countryside to the city.

Due to this incident, Zhao Bing’s father was distraught and had fainted by the roadside.

"This is definitely a setup against me!" Zhao Bing gritted his teeth as he spoke, "Their goal is to drive me into a corner. Only then can they control me and prevent me from exposing these matters!"

Yun Yang’s face showed shock. "I never expected it to be like this! This is outrageous!"

Ling Feng said indifferently, "Zhao Bing, what do you think their next move will be?"

"If nothing unexpected happens, they might call me," said Zhao Bing. "I simply cannot repay this debt. Only by compromising with them can I settle this matter. Once I compromise, they will have ample time to cover up all the financial discrepancies, and by then..."

Ling Feng continued indifferently, "What’s your choice then? Honestly, there’s not much we can do to solve this, as it involves certain secrets within Yanjing University. Our capabilities are limited, and we can’t help you much. Besides, you should know that even if you do report this, the impact would probably be minimal. This matter will definitely not only involve the administrative director!"

A look of despair appeared on Zhao Bing’s face. "I... I know, I’m not sure what to do now!"

Zhao’s father sighed, patted Zhao Bing’s hand, and said, "Xiao Bing, you’ve always been the pride of our family, our village! Whatever you do, your mom and I will support you. But you should know, whatever you do, you must never betray your conscience or morals!"

Zhao Bing’s body shivered. "Dad, I understand!"

Zhao Bing spoke earnestly, "Even if I have to take out usurious loans, I will not compromise with them! A bunch of parasites, if I were to collude with them, I..."

Ding-a-ling! Zhao Bing’s phone suddenly rang. He took it out and his eyes narrowed. "Just as I thought, it’s them!"

"Put it on speaker," said Yun Yang indifferently.

Zhao Bing glanced at Yun Yang doubtfully, then turned on the speakerphone. "Director Deng, do you need something?"

"Heh, Little Zhao, you should know very well what I need!" a frivolous voice came over the phone. "That account you handled, I can’t cover it up anymore. If I don’t get a result from you today, our secretary will find out, and if they do, you’re finished! At best, you won’t graduate; at worst, you’ll face a police investigation."

"Deng Yuanqing, do you really have to take this to such extremes!" Zhao Bing said, his eyes red. "What’s wrong with that account, do you think I don’t know? Isn’t it all your doing behind the scenes?"

"Heh, Little Zhao, you shouldn’t make accusations without evidence!" Deng Yuanqing’s voice said with a light laugh. "Since you’ve already drawn your conclusions, then you should know why it has come to this. Who asked you to investigate the past accounts? If you don’t seek trouble, you won’t get in trouble! However, I do admire you, not having graduated yet and already possessing such sharp financial insights, truly remarkable."

"But if you fail to graduate, all is lost! Consider the police investigation that might follow, which company would hire a tarnished accountant like you? I heard you’re a filial son; think about your old father. He even knelt for me in my office yesterday! Can you really bear to see your old father kneel again?"

"What!" Zhao Bing stared blankly at his father on the hospital bed, his eyes instantly reddening: "Dad, how could you..."

Zhao Bing was unable to continue; Zhao’s father, although a farmer, held his integrity high! Back when the family was too poor to afford schooling, everyone advised Zhao’s father to pull Zhao Bing out of school to have an additional labor force at home.

But Zhao’s father clenched his teeth and said, "I can’t let my child skip schooling. Without education, he would suffer as I have. As long as he studies well, I would even sell iron pots to pay for his education!"

And now, for his own future, his old father had actually knelt to that detestable man! Zhao Bing felt as if his heart was pierced by countless sharp knives, so painful that he couldn’t breathe, so agonizing that he was beside himself!