CHAPTER 996: CHAPTER 1003: CANDID PHOTOS (2)

"Was that person a man or a woman? And how much did you pay?"

"A woman, sounded older. She initially asked for two hundred thousand, but we bargained it down to one hundred thousand, worrying about the news’s value. We’ve already paid twenty thousand, and if the news proves valuable, we’ll pay the remaining eighty thousand."

Hearing this, Ling Chen frowned slightly and asked the other reporters, "And you all did the same?"

Everyone nodded.

"Did she leave any contact information?"

"Yes, yes." The young man quickly reached into his pocket, took out a small note with a phone number, and handed it to Ling Chen, saying, "This is the contact she left. She also told me she has a lot of exclusive news and photos about Miss Tang and is willing to sell them as long as the price is right."

Gazing at the phone number on the note, Ling Chen let go of the young man and said calmly, "You can leave now."

"But..." A group of reporters looked at the pile of broken cameras and phones, somewhat unwilling.

"But what?" Ling Chen raised his eyebrows and said sternly, "I warn you not to harass Miss Tang again. Otherwise, next time, it won’t be just a bunch of broken machines, but your arms and legs. Got it?"

"Yes, yes, we understand." The reporters nodded fearfully and hurriedly left towards the parking lot.

"Wait!"

Ling Chen stopped the reporters, turned to open the car door, and leaned inside. After a while, he straightened up, walked to a reporter, handed them a check, and said, "Here’s two hundred thousand. It should cover your losses, and the rest can be considered medical compensation."

Pausing, Ling Chen continued, "I apologize for earlier. I lost my temper. I hope you understand. Also, I’m Miss Tang’s brother, not her boyfriend. Please don’t fabricate stories that would affect Miss Tang."

Seeing Ling Chen so generous and polite, the reporters felt much better.

After sending the reporters away, Ling Chen returned to the car and looked at Tang Shiyun, who had removed her mask and baseball cap, and asked, "How are you, okay?"

"I’m fine. These reporters are really impressive. Even with my disguise, they still recognized me."

"Shiyun, see if this phone number looks familiar." Ling Chen handed the small note to Tang Shiyun.

Upon seeing it, Tang Shiyun immediately exclaimed, "Hey, isn’t this my mom’s number? Ling, how do you have my mom’s phone number?"

Just now, Tang Shiyun was sitting in the car. She only saw Ling Chen getting rough but didn’t hear the conversation between Ling Chen and the reporters.

Indeed, it really was her!

Ling Chen frowned silently. When the reporter mentioned that person earlier, he immediately thought of Yao Li. Only Yao Li would know enough about Tang Shiyun.

"Ling, what are you thinking about?" Seeing Ling Chen’s delay in responding, Tang Shiyun couldn’t help asking.

"Nothing." Ling Chen snapped out of it and replied casually. It’s better not to let Tang Shiyun know the truth about this matter; otherwise, it would only hurt her more. As a mother, Yao Li treating her daughter like this is truly infuriating. If Ling Chen had any hope that Yao Li might change for the better, he was now utterly disappointed in her.

A person like that can no longer be called a ’person’ but a scum.

In contemplation, Ling Chen quietly made up his mind to help Tang Shiyun resolve this issue. He didn’t want her future and career to be destroyed by Yao Li.

"Shiyun, still want to go eat? Or should I take you home?" Ling Chen worried that the earlier incident might have affected Tang Shiyun’s mood, so he suggested taking her home.

"No." Tang Shiyun refused without hesitation, "Let’s eat first and then go to the movies." She pouted and held onto Ling Chen’s arm, saying, "Ling, you promised to spend the whole day with me today. You can’t go back on your word."

"Alright, alright," Ling Chen laughed and replied, "As long as you want, I’ll definitely be with you. Let’s go find a place to eat first."

In the evening, Ling Chen drove Tang Shiyun to the Old City. This was where they first met and held many beautiful memories for them. Back then, Ling Chen would always take Tang Shiyun to eat at the roadside food stalls when they had nothing to do.

Now, one has become a nationally renowned singing star, and the other has a net worth of billions. They are no longer the naive youngsters they once were.

However, the Old City is no longer what it used to be. Since the government initiated, and Hongyu Group invested, the Old City has entered a comprehensive redevelopment project. Many old buildings and houses have been demolished, and skyscrapers are slowly being built. It’s estimated that in about five years, the entire Old City will be completely transformed.

With Tang Shiyun, Ling Chen walked around the places they once lived. Unfortunately, the building they rented has been demolished, leaving only rubble and construction debris.

"Those days were better," Tang Shiyun sighed.

Ling Chen smiled and said, "That’s because you were still pure. It’s hard to keep an innocent mindset once you’re in the real world. Alright, stop dwelling on the past. Let’s check out the old food stalls."

"Alright!" Tang Shiyun agreed cheerfully.

Their luck wasn’t too bad. Though many buildings were gone, the roadside food stalls were still there, and business was even better than before. With so much construction going on, there are about hundreds of workers in the Old City. After a day of hard work, they enjoyed gathering at night for some barbeque and a few drinks.

Ling Chen and Tang Shiyun went to the food stall they frequented and ordered a private booth and a few dishes.

The food stall’s booth was like a Mongolian yurt, just a scaled-down version. After all, Tang Shiyun is now well-known. If people found out she was here, the area would likely be flooded.

After dinner, Ling Chen contentedly patted his stomach and looked at Tang Shiyun across the table, "How about it? Are you full?"

Tang Shiyun nodded lightly, eagerly putting on her mask and said, "Ling, let’s go watch a movie. I think a new one just came out."

"Okay, it’s up to you."

Leaving the food stall, Ling Chen walked down the Old City streets with Tang Shiyun’s hand in his.

Soon after, Ling Chen saw someone walking towards them, and he couldn’t help but be stunned.

This is just too coincidental!

To actually bump into her here. Oh right, he nearly forgot, she does work around here in the Old City area.