novelAlta Chapter 591: Extra 004 Mu Cidian Released from Prison (Second Update)
Chapter 591: Extra 004 Mu Cidian Released from Prison (Second Update)
Chapter 591: Extra 004 Mu Cidian Released from Prison (Second Update)
Two years later, in Jin City.
The progress of time had made the city more radiant and colorful.
Once again, it was March.
The entire city was filled with flying catkins.
A high-end black sedan traveled on the street. The bright sunshine made Jin City more dazzling.
On the massive electronic screens, the news was being repeatedly broadcast, “Ji Baijian takes over Commercial Management Institution.”
On the big screen.
The handsome face of Ji Baijian appeared on the high-definition screen. Perhaps most people were no longer concerned about the news itself, but rather why this man could be so handsome.
Xin Zaozao sat in the sedan, driving along the bustling street, while watching the high-definition screens around her.
After two years of recuperation, the once handsome Ji Baijian had been nursed back to health by Song Zhizhi.
He became a national heartthrob once more.
She wondered if Song Zhizhi would regret nursing Ji Baijian back to such handsome splendor, as he seemed even more popular among girls than celebrities now.
A smile hung at the corner of her mouth.
Thinking about the relationship between Ji Baijian and Song Zhizhi always made her smile like a doting aunt.
Their happiness was contagious.
Her eyes shifted slightly.
As she was about to take her gaze off Ji Baijian’s stunningly beautiful face, her eyes suddenly paused for a moment.
She turned her head to look at the place they had just passed, fixating on a somewhat familiar figure.
It was just a fleeting glimpse.
They drove away, and the crowd obscured the view.
“Chairman,” voiced Song Lifei from the seat beside her, “What are you looking at?”
She turned her head.
She must have been mistaken.
With so many people around, it’s improbable she could spot him at a glance.
Moreover, there were still two months to go.
She said, “Nothing.”
Her expression turned serious.
Song Lifei, understanding her cue, didn’t ask more and respectfully reported his work, “We’re going to meet the CEO of a foreign-funded company in Yan. Though he’s originally from Jin City, he grew up abroad and only recently returned to work here. He’s ruthless and shows no mercy in his work. He doesn’t give face to anyone but himself. I had to make three appointments just to secure this meeting.”
“Hmm.” Xin Zaozao nodded.
After so many years in the business world, what kind of person hasn’t she seen? She’s used to it all.
She took a deep breath.
She took the materials Song Lifei was holding and started to review them seriously.
At the place where they had just driven past.
A crosswalk.
A man in a black suit stood, not crossing the street even when the green light appeared. He had a buzz cut, dark skin, and a thin physique.
So thin that his black suit hung loosely on him. Nevertheless, he still held himself straight. At first glance, one might think him to have a charismatic appeal, but upon closer examination, would shake their head at his frail frame, realizing they were wrong.
Crowds came and went.
He stayed there.
The city had changed too much, he was trying to determine in which direction he should go, or perhaps, he was reacquainting himself with this now unfamiliar city.
He had been in prison for three years and six months. He was released two months early.
No one knew about his release that day. He didn’t even pass the message on about his early release. For more than three years, no one had come to visit him. Initially, there were some visitors, but after he rejected them, there was nothing.
He took a deep breath and finally crossed the street with the crowd when the green light shone again.
He went to the communication service center on the opposite side where he bought a new phone card with the few hundred yuan that had been returned to him from his prison account as he was released.
His mother was straightening out his blankets.
Wan Quan said, “You should sleep on the bed and I’ll sleep on the sofa. You must be tired after just getting out of prison, you should rest well.”
“No need.” Mu Cidian shook his head, “I’ll just sleep on the sofa.”
Wan Quan gazed at her son.
Mu Cidian walked towards the sofa and lay down on it.
Wan Quan’s eyes reddened, “Since you were a child, I’ve never let you suffer like this.”
Since he was a child, they had never been so financially strained. Regardless of the circumstances, they were never short of money.
Mu Cidian smiled a bit, “This is much better than the prison environment.”
“Cidian, promise me, we must rise again, we must return to living in a big house.”
“Mmm.” Mu Cidian nodded.
He would work hard.
The first day after being released from prison.
Mu Cidian spent half a day resting at home. In the afternoon, he went out to write a resume and bought a new suit. Although it was cheap, it made him look more professional. The suit was too big for him even in the smallest size, and it was also a bit short. He could only buy it back, have it adjusted at the tailor’s shop to a more appropriate size.
The following early morning.
Wan Quan was still asleep when Mu Cidian left the house.
He needed to find work quickly.
At least to have some income.
He saw various recruitment information on different websites and applied for jobs at different companies.
Initially, he set his expected monthly salary at 20,000 yuan. After being rejected, he lowered his expectations to 10,000 yuan, then 5,000 yuan, and finally even a job paying 3,000 yuan. All were rejected for the same reason – he had a criminal record.
A criminal record was a red flag. No respectable companies would hire him.
Ordinary jobs were now out of reach.
He thought of starting his own business, but had no capital.
Mu Cidian was wandering aimlessly on the streets, clutching his resume, faltering amongst the bustling crowd.
He never imagined that finding a job would be this difficult for him.
As he continued to walk.
The phone rang.
Seeing the caller ID, he initially thought that it might be a company that wanted to hire him against the odds. The anticipation turned into disappointment when he answered, “Mom?”
“Cidian, come home quickly, someone is trying to kill me, hurry back...” Wan Quan cried out on the phone.
The call abruptly ended the next second.
Mu Cidian quickly hailed a cab to get home.
Taking a cab was a luxury to him now.
As soon as he arrived home, he saw several large men standing there, with Wan Quan cowering in the corner out of fear. Upon seeing Mu Cidian, she ran and hid behind him immediately.
Mu Cidian faced the men.
“You’re her son, right?” The leader of the group asked.
“Yes.”
“Good, she owes us 50,000 yuan. Pay us back for her!”
Mu Cidian frowned, “How did she owe you money?”
“You don’t know? Your mom borrowed money from us to gamble. You can look at the loan agreement here in black and white. We’ve been lenient, but if we don’t get our money back today, we’re going to cut off her hand!”
“Ah, ah, no...” Wan Quan screamed in fear.
Mu Cidian was calmer, grabbing the loan contract to take a closer look. He saw the signature and thumbprint, and then turned to gaze at his mother.
“I...I thought I could win it back. Who knew I would just keep losing...” Wan Quan muttered, before suddenly defending herself, “They must have cheated!”
“Enough with the crap! Are you paying back or not?!” the man growled.
Wan Quan was too scared to say anything more.
Mu Cidian said, “Give me some time, and I’ll find a way to pay you back!”