Chapter 142: The Banquet

Zhang Chengdong never imagined that the person who saved his son would turn out to be Shu Yiming. Stunned for a moment, he immediately knelt before Shu Yiming and kowtowed three times.

Shu Yiming was taken aback; he had not expected such an intense reaction from Zhang Chengdong and quickly reached out to help him up.

After some polite exchanges, Zhang Chengdong insisted on treating Shu Yiming to a meal, arranging an extravagant banquet. Finding it difficult to refuse, Shu Yiming nodded and agreed.

At the banquet, Zhang Chengdong insisted on sharing a few drinks with Shu Yiming. However, his tolerance proved inferior; after only a few glasses, Shu Yiming remained sober while Zhang Chengdong drank himself into a stupor.

As he spoke, Zhang Chengdong began to weep, tears and snot streaming down his face. Clutching Shu Yiming’s arm, he refused to let go, wailing, "You have no idea, my son has such a bitter life. He lost his mother the moment he was born. While other children grow up in their mothers' arms, my son doesn't even know what his mother looked like!"

He shook his head, then continued, "My wife and I were in love; we had a wonderful relationship. But ever since she passed three years ago, it’s as if the heavens abandoned this child. He was born with a heart condition, and I’ve spent years running myself ragged for his sake. The reason things got so complicated last time was simply because I was at the end of my rope."

He sighed, looked toward Zhang Junyi with a pained expression, and added, "My son’s fate is tragic. I fear he doesn't have much time left—perhaps in a year or two, he will be gone. That is why I want to give him everything good while I still can."

Ouyang Zhuo, listening from the side, felt a pang of sadness and glanced at Zhang Junyi.

Just as he was feeling sympathetic, Shu Yiming tapped lightly on the table.

"Zhang Chengdong, it was Shu Fang who lured you into the underworld, wasn't it? Now that both Shu Fang and Shu Zucheng have been brought to justice, I won't hold the past against you. How about this: once this is all over, come work for my company. I know you are a talent in computer science, and I happen to have a need for that."

Shu Yiming’s words hit Zhang Chengdong like a thunderclap, instantly sobering him up.

Zhang Chengdong sat in a daze for a long time, staring at Shu Yiming. He was caught in a dilemma; if he agreed, he would have to abandon his own company and business. If he refused, he would appear ungrateful, especially since Shu Yiming had saved his son’s life.

As he hesitated, Shu Yiming raised an eyebrow slightly and continued, "How about this: I will find a way to heal your son’s heart. How does that sound as a condition?"

Zhang Chengdong was speechless. If what Shu Yiming said was true, he would be willing to stake his own life, let alone his business. His only fear was that Shu Yiming might be bluffing.

Before he could hesitate further, Shu Yiming spoke again, "Why don't we do this? I will contact a doctor to arrange the surgery for your son first. Once he has recovered, you will report to my company immediately."

Zhang Chengdong had been ready with excuses and justifications, but after these words, he found himself unable to speak and could only nod.

Following more polite conversation, Zhang Chengdong, now distracted, offered only perfunctory replies. When he saw Shu Yiming preparing to leave, he did not press him to stay, instead standing up to see him off.

On the road, Ouyang Zhuo, who had been holding back, could no longer contain himself. Furrowing his brows, he asked, "A-Ming, were you speaking the truth or just making it up? It sounds a bit far-fetched to me. If a heart is ill, can you really just cut it open and replace it?"