Chapter 944: Things Are Out of Control

Inside a hospital in the Northwest.

Staring at the unconscious Ye Shihu on the hospital bed.

Recalling the doctor’s recent words.

During the fight, Ye Shihu had injured one of his ears. In the future, his hearing will be severely impaired, and he must wear a hearing aid to lead a normal life.

In other words, Ye Shihu is now considered partially disabled, from a certain point of view.

Zhao Chen panicked.

The original plan was only to injure Ye Shihu slightly. The best-case scenario was him staying in the hospital for ten days or half a month.

But now things had gone beyond his control. Ye Shihu ended up with a permanent hearing disability.

Will Ye Shilong, the eldest son of the Ye family, let this slide?

Yes, Ye Shilong will likely target the Deng Family first.

But the Zhao family probably won’t escape trouble either. After all, it was Zhao who took Ye Shihu to the hotel for dinner.

What’s worse, this isn’t even the worst outcome.

The worst scenario would be if Ye Shilong finds out that all of this was a Zhao family plot to force him into the situation. Then the Zhao family would be doomed.

As the saying goes, ‘Not everything follows your planned scenario.’ Reality is unpredictable, beyond anyone’s control.

As the old saying goes, ‘Plans can’t ever keep up with changes.’

“Tap Tap Tap Tap……”

A series of hurried footsteps echoed in the hall.

Shortly, Zhao Lianghe, who had received the news, rushed into the ward with a frantic expression.

“Dad… Dad.”

Seeing Zhao Lianghe, the panicking Zhao Chen suddenly found his backbone.

“Slap!”

Zhao Lianghe slapped him hard on the face.

The crisp sound resonated, and five clearly visible finger marks appeared on Zhao Chen’s face, which quickly became swollen.

“Dad…”

Feeling the burning pain on his face, Zhao Chen instinctively wanted to explain himself.

“Slap!”

Before he could finish, Zhao Lianghe slapped him again.

Five fresh red fingerprints marked the other side of Zhao Chen’s face, and blood flowed from his nose.

“How many times did I tell you? Huh?! How many times did I tell you!”

Zhao Lianghe shouted hysterically: “I reminded you again and again. Ye Shihu could get hurt, but the injury couldn’t be too severe! You had to ensure his safety!”

He paused and pointed at Ye Shihu, lying in the hospital bed. “And now? Is this your answer? Tell me, how are you going to soothe Ye Shilong’s rage!”

On the way here, Zhao Lianghe repeatedly told himself that the event had already occurred; there was no point in irrational anger. What mattered now was how to fix the situation.

But upon seeing the state of things, the fury he had suppressed came surging back uncontrollably, even beyond his ability to contain.

Zhao Chen bit his lip and stammered: “Dad… Young Master Ye might not find out it was us…”

“Are you an idiot? Do you think he’s as stupid as you are?”

Zhao Lianghe cut Zhao Chen off fiercely, grinding his teeth. “With your skill level, at most, you’d be a department manager under Ye Shilong. Do you think he won’t find out? Do you think he wouldn’t investigate?”

Zhao Lianghe had never even hoped that today’s plan could be hidden from Ye Shilong.

As long as Ye Shihu’s injuries weren’t too severe, even if Ye Shilong knew it was a scheme, he would blame the Deng family first. After all, the Deng family had been the actual attackers.

If he didn’t make a stance on it, where would the Ye family’s face go? Wouldn’t everyone feel free to trample over them in the future?

The Zhao family could apologize later with some compensation, and things would eventually blow over.

But now? Ye Shihu has been left disabled. Does Ye Shilong seem like the type to easily overlook their Zhao family, the ones who set this in motion?

Fine, let’s assume, even at the best-case scenario, Ye Shilong lets the Zhao family go.

But at what price would it come? This whole situation just spiraled downhill, and it’s all because of this idiot Zhao Chen. Now the Zhao family’s position has become far more precarious.

How could Zhao Lianghe not be furious?

“But Dad, he doesn’t have proof that it was us…”

Zhao Chen’s throat felt dry as he stubbornly clung to his last bit of defiance.

“Idiot! You’re truly beyond saving!”

Zhao Lianghe couldn’t believe what his son was saying, pointing at him in a rage: “Do you think Ye Shilong needs proof to take down the Zhao family? Do you think you’re someone important enough to warrant such effort?!”

That’s the tragedy of being weak. Even worse is having no real grasp of one’s own weakness.

Zhao Chen’s face turned pale instantly, fear gripping his heart. “Dad, what are we going to do? What do we do?”

“Call now. Contact Young Master Ye and tell him everything in full.”

Zhao Lianghe took a deep breath, formulating a plan. Since Ye Shilong would undoubtedly find out, it was better to confess everything upfront.

After all, if they tried to conceal it, the consequences would only worsen.

The higher someone’s authority and status, the more they detest deceit. They view it as both a challenge to their authority and a sign of disrespect.

“Dad, I…”

Zhao Chen hesitated. Now he finally understood the sense of dread Zhao Fei must have felt when he confronted Xu Shaochen with fear in his heart.

“What are you dawdling for? I told you to make the call! And lower your stance!”

Zhao Lianghe snapped. In the world of social status, when you’re in a weak position and at fault, you must be prepared to take hits.

This time, the Zhao family was the guilty party, and they were at a disadvantage. Big sacrifices would be necessary to quell Ye Shilong’s anger.

At this point, Zhao Lianghe wasn’t even hoping to gain Ye Shilong’s favor. He just prayed that Ye Shilong would show mercy and spare them.

Under his father’s sharp gaze, Zhao Chen, with trembling hands, dialed Ye Shilong’s number on the phone.

“Beep… Beep…”

After a long and excruciating wait, a deep male voice echoed from the other end.

“Speak.”

Just that one word, flat and emotionless, sent a shiver down Zhao Chen’s spine.

“Young… Young Master Ye, Second Young Master has been injured…”

Zhao Chen tried to suppress the terror in his heart and explained everything shakily. He even admitted the Zhao family’s entire plot openly.

“Oh.”

After hearing him out, Ye Shilong responded indifferently with just a single syllable.

Zhao Chen quickly replied: “Young Master Ye, I… I never intended for the Second Young Master to be hurt so badly. I just…”

“Enough. I’ve already understood everything. Whatever is left, say it to me in person when I arrive.”

Ye Shilong cut him off nonchalantly. From his tone, it was impossible to discern any hint of anger.

But Zhao Chen grew even more frightened: “Young Master Ye, please listen to my explanation…”

“I said, whatever is left, say it face-to-face when I arrive.”

Ye Shilong repeated calmly, neither too harsh nor soft.

Zhao Chen immediately fell silent, his face drained of color. “Then… we’ll be awaiting your arrival, Young Master Ye. I… I won’t disturb you for now… Beep… Beep…”

Before he could finish speaking, the other side had already hung up the phone.