Obscuris Labyrinth

Zhao Yuxuan watched his uncle walk away slowly. That receding figure seemed to take away a bit of the restraint of reason. Immediately, his gaze shot towards Wu Qiming like a sharp arrow again. His eyes were wide open, as if burning with angry flames, and his voice unconsciously rose a few decibels as he said loudly, "I'll say it one more time. Wipe up that phlegm at once and kowtow to my father to admit your mistake." The voice echoed in the silent space, carrying an air of indisputable authority.

Wu Qiming stood there, secretly bemoaning his misfortune. He had already keenly sensed that the young man in front of him seemed to have an extraordinary background and must be someone of great influence. As the president of a rather large - scale company, he was usually a powerful figure in the business world. When had he ever suffered such humiliation? Asking him to kneel down and apologize was a serious trampling on his dignity. It was simply a great shame. A ripple of regret couldn't help but rise in his heart. He had really underestimated the Zhao family. He thought to himself that if he had known this situation today, he should have brought some people along, so that he would have someone to support him and not be as isolated and helpless as he was now. At this moment, he didn't want to stay in this oppressive place any longer. It seemed that the air here had become thin, making it difficult for him to breathe. So, he turned around and planned to leave, his steps hurried, just wanting to escape this place of trouble as soon as possible.

However, he had just taken one step when he felt as if his lower back had been suddenly hit by a flying cannonball. A sharp pain instantly spread throughout his body. The powerful force made his body uncontrollably lurch forward several steps, like a puppet that had lost its balance, and then he fell forward with a "plop". It turned out that Zhao Yuxuan had mercilessly kicked him in the lower back. Wu Qiming only felt that his waist seemed to be pierced by countless needles at the same time, and a burst of severe pain came. Only then did he realize that this seemingly refined Zhao Yuxuan had such astonishing strength. While gritting his teeth in pain, making a creaking sound, he said angrily, "Well, Zhao Yuxuan, how dare you hit someone? I'm going to call the police." As he said this, he reached for his mobile phone, his hand trembling slightly with pain.

Before he could press the button, Zhao Yuxuan, like an agile cheetah, rushed to his side in one stride. He flew up and kicked Wu Qiming's mobile phone far away. The mobile phone drew an arc in the air and then landed on the ground with a "clang". Immediately after, Zhao Yuxuan kicked again. This kick, full of anger, landed heavily on Wu Qiming's lower abdomen. The force of this kick was so great that Wu Qiming felt as if all his bones had been removed, limp and powerless, unable to stand up at all, and could only lie on the ground moaning in pain. Subsequently, Zhao Yuxuan dragged over a chair made of reinforced plastic and a metal stand beside him. He gripped the chair tightly with both hands and raised it high. The chair above his head was like a hammer of judgment about to fall, aimed at Wu Qiming's head. At this time, Zhao Yuxuan's eyes showed an air of indisputable determination as he asked again, "Will you kowtow or not?"

At this moment, Wu Qiming was in unbearable pain in his waist and abdomen, as if a fire was burning there. He laboriously raised his head to look at Zhao Yuxuan. He saw that Zhao Yuxuan was biting his teeth tightly, his cheeks puffed up, and his eyes bloodshot. He looked like an enraged beast, with a fierce light in his eyes, ready to pounce on someone and tear them to pieces at any time. A deep sense of fear immediately rose in Wu Qiming's heart. He thought that this was a young man who didn't know his limits. If he really didn't care and smashed the chair at his head, the consequences would be unimaginable. Although if something really happened, this kid wouldn't be able to escape legal sanctions either, but why should he die together with such an impulsive person? Today's visit was really too reckless, like a beast that had recklessly barged into a trap and could now only be at the mercy of others.

Under the shadow of fear, Wu Qiming had no doubt that if he answered slowly, this seemingly out - of - control Zhao Yuxuan would surely not hesitate to act and smash the chair hard at his head, which could be life - threatening. So, he gritted his teeth and nodded reluctantly. That nodding motion was like a heavy sigh.

Seeing Wu Qiming nod, Zhao Yuxuan then took a step back, but still held the chair high in his hand, like a vigilant guard. It seemed that as long as Wu Qiming made any unusual move, he would attack again. The chair in his hand seemed to have become a symbol of deterrence.

Wu Qiming slowly climbed up from the ground, every movement accompanied by pain. It wasn't that he hadn't thought about fighting with Zhao Yuxuan, but as soon as he exerted force, the place where his waist and abdomen had been kicked hurt unbearably, like a sharp knife twisting there. Moreover, he was also clear in his heart that in this hall, everyone would surely side with Zhao Yuxuan. After all, this was the Zhao family's territory. If they really fought, he would only suffer more losses, like a moth flying into a flame. At this point, he could only swallow his pride.

Immediately, without saying a word, he walked to the portrait of Sun Qiming. The person in the portrait seemed to be quietly watching his every move. He took out a tissue from his pocket. The tissue looked a bit wrinkled in his trembling hand. He slowly crouched down and wiped the thick phlegm he had spat out clean. Every wipe was like wiping away the shame in his heart. Then, he slowly knelt down. The moment his knees touched the ground, he seemed to hear the sound of his dignity shattering. He kowtowed three times respectfully, each kowtow very heavy, as if atoning for his reckless behavior. Then he said, "Sun Qiming, I'm sorry." He did every action as Zhao Yuxuan required, not daring to make the slightest mistake. He was afraid that if he didn't do something properly, the young man in front of him, who was gnashing his teeth and had blood - red eyes, would make him do it all over again, which would be even worse. Wu Qiming, who had been traveling around the business world for many years, knew well the principle that patience brings peace. Naturally, the sooner this humiliation ended, the better.

Just as he was about to turn around and leave again, he heard Zhao Yuxuan say from behind, "Stop." The voice was like an order, making Wu Qiming's steps halt abruptly.

Wu Qiming turned his head and said angrily, "Zhao Yuxuan, what else do you want? Don't be too pushy. At worst, I'll fight you." His eyes were burning with angry flames, and his hands unconsciously clenched into fists.

However, at this moment, Zhao Yuxuan made an unexpected move. He bowed deeply to Wu Qiming. The bow was very standard and full of sincerity. Then he said sincerely, "Uncle Wu, thank you for lending money to my father when he was in the most difficult situation. I know he didn't mean not to pay it back. I want to ask you, how much did he borrow from you at that time?"

Wu Qiming looked at Zhao Yuxuan, who had suddenly become refined and polite in front of him, and was a bit stunned for a while, as if seeing a complete stranger. Subconsciously, he replied according to his words, "Five million yuan. That was all the working capital of my company. Sun Qiming promised to pay it back in half a year."

Zhao Yuxuan said without hesitation, "Okay, Uncle Wu. I will pay this five million yuan back for my father. He broke his promise and didn't pay it back in half a year. In the future, I will add the highest interest and pay it all back to you." His eyes showed firmness, as if he could already see the day when he would pay back the money in the future.

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Shihan couldn't help but scream, "Yuxuan, are you crazy? Where... where are you going to get the money? Don't promise others randomly." Her eyes were wide open, and her face was full of worried expressions.

Zhao Yuxuan suddenly turned around and glared at her, scolding, "Shut up. I'm talking. Who asked you to be so talkative?" His eyes carried a hint of annoyance, like a lion being disturbed.

Chen Shihan was timid by nature. Being glared at by him like this, she was immediately so frightened that she took two steps back continuously. Her body trembled slightly, like a leaf shivering in the wind.

Wu Qiming's face, which had been full of shame and anger just a moment ago, suddenly calmed down at this moment. He stared at Zhao Yuxuan for a long, long time, as if examining a precious work of art. Then he slowly nodded and said, "Sun Qiming had some bad luck, but he has a good son. Okay, Zhao Yuxuan, I'll wait for you to pay me back, no matter how long it takes."

Zhao Yuxuan replied resolutely, "Okay, just wait. I will definitely pay you back."

Wu Qiming didn't say anything more and turned around and walked out of the mourning hall. His back looked a bit lonely, but also carried a sense of relief. With his departure, the mourning hall regained its calmness, like a deep pool of water without a ripple.

Zhao Yuxuan turned around and saw that his eldest uncle and his uncle didn't have any special expressions on their faces. They just stood there quietly, as if Zhao Yuxuan's words just now were like a gust of wind, not leaving any trace in their hearts. Yes, five million yuan, plus interest. How was he going to pay it back? What could he use to pay it back? In their eyes, it was just empty talk. Who would take it seriously?

At this time, Zhao Yuxuan walked to Chen Shihan's side and said softly, "Shihan, I was a bit too loud just now. I'm sorry." His voice carried a hint of guilt, and his eyes became gentle.

Chen Shihan shook her head and said softly, "Yuxuan, don't get angry again in the future. You were really scary just now." There was still a trace of fear in her eyes.

Zhao Yuxuan looked at the timid - looking Chen Shihan and couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Yes, in her eyes, she only saw the handsome and unrestrained Zhao Yuxuan, the gentle and refined Zhao Yuxuan, and the generous Zhao Yuxuan, but she didn't see the Zhao Yuxuan who could be as fierce as a wild beast like today. Even Zhao Yuxuan himself didn't understand why he had such a wild side. In the past twenty - one years, he had never fought with anyone. Maybe there was no opportunity, and he had never thought about fighting with others either. But what happened today made him feel confused. Now that he had calmed down, he could hardly believe that he had been so fierce and so reckless just now. What kind of person was he exactly? He himself wasn't clear either. Human nature was really too complex and strange.

The last night of the wake passed like this. Early the next morning, the burial began. Zhao Qiyang and Wu Junhui also arrived. Fortunately, they hadn't forgotten their friend. 

However, there was one thing that made Zhao Yuxuan very dissatisfied. That was, his eldest uncle and his uncle didn't arrange for a prime burial plot but chose a row of ordinary ones. Zhao Yuxuan suddenly remembered an overheard conversation between his parents before. At that time, they were discussing whether to let his eldest uncle and his uncle come out to help manage the business. It seemed that they said that his eldest uncle and his uncle were born in a small town, had little education, were narrow - minded, stingy, and not suitable for big business. In the end, they still hadn't decided to let them help. Now it seemed that it was indeed the case. He even heard his uncle muttering to himself, meaning that since a person was dead, the size of the burial plot was no longer important. He himself would be buried find a random place after he died.

Zhao Yuxuan suspected that his uncle was deliberately saying this for him to hear, but he didn't show it. He knew very well in his heart that a good burial plot cost hundreds of thousands of yuan, and his eldest uncle and his uncle were unwilling to spend this money. He didn't blame his thrifty eldest uncle and his uncle too much. He just secretly vowed to work hard to make money and give his parents a grand re - burial in the future.

After the funeral, Chen Yuxuan and the others left. His eldest uncle and his uncle also gave Zhao Yuxuan a great deal of advice, telling him to study hard so that he could find a better job after graduation and learn to take care of himself in daily life. Their words were full of concern, but when Zhao Yuxuan heard them, he felt they were a bit hollow.

Zhao Yuxuan agreed while feeling a bit downcast. His eldest uncle and his uncle said a great many things, and every sentence seemed to show concern for him. But they clearly knew that his parents had gone bankrupt and all their property had been seized, yet they hadn't asked him if he needed money. This was the most practical problem. They thought he didn't understand, but in fact, he knew everything. He just didn't want to point it out.

To be honest, Zhao Yuxuan had never thought of burdening his grandparents, his maternal grandparents, or any of his relatives at home, and making them bear his living expenses. But at a time like this, how much he longed to hear a truly caring word, and long for that blood - related family affection. However, he was disappointed. Truly disappointed.