This refusal instantly silenced the atmosphere.
Zhou Lao Er and the others did not expect Zhou Chen to be so stubborn. They had made their point very clear, but Zhou Chen still refused to compromise.
"Zhou Chen, what do you mean? Are you obsessed with money? You'd abandon your siblings for money, and you've completely ignored the advice of your elders. Don't be so self-righteous. We're only helping you and your siblings because of your parents. Don't bite the hand that feeds you."
The second aunt was the first to jump out, pointing at Zhou Chen and cursing loudly.
“Xiao Chen, we are all your family. Your heartless attitude towards your relatives is very disappointing to us.” One aunt immediately spoke up, and another aunt followed suit, saying that the Zhou family did not have anyone as cold-blooded as Zhou Chen.
Is he cold-blooded?
Does he disown his own family?
Hearing these labels attached to him, Zhou Chen felt it was ridiculous. He asked, "Please open your eyes wide and see clearly who is really cold-hearted and heartless, who doesn't care about family ties. Is it me, Zhou Chen?"
Just as Zhou Chen was about to retort,
Another aunt spoke up, her tone no longer lecturing and harsh, but full of threat, saying, "Zhou Chen, if you continue to be so stubborn, don't blame us old folks for spreading your despicable side so that your classmates, your teachers, and your friends know what kind of person you really are!"
Don't think that just because you're on TV, you'll be pitied, admired, and liked by many. If we publicize your disrespect for elders, your coldness towards your siblings, and your selfishness, the people who like you will hate you even more. You'll become a pariah, hated by everyone. Whether you do as we say or choose to fight to the death is your decision. I advise you to think it over carefully. If it gets to that point, no one will be happy!
This string of words was what everyone wanted to say, and it was also the main reason why they dared to talk to Zhou Chen again.
Actually, they were at a loss at first, not knowing how to get Zhou Chen to compromise, until Zhou Ling gave them an idea, and after talking with Zhou Na, they reached a consensus and decided to use it as a condition for negotiating with Zhou Chen.
These people, standing together with one opinion and a unified voice, will influence many people who have watched the documentary once they express their attitude towards Zhou Chen. Just as there is the ancient story of calling a deer a horse, now, with their collective voices, the higher and better Zhou Chen's reputation is built, the harder and more severe the fall will be, and he will suffer a huge backlash.
Even when Zhou Chen openly and honestly explained the pros and cons, they didn't believe him, and he still chose to confront them head-on.
Unless, of course, Zhou Chen truly doesn't care about his reputation and doesn't cherish his own image.
Any intelligent person knows how to make choices.
"I don't need to consider it. Like I said, I refuse! If you want to expose it, then expose it. It's up to you."
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Zhou Chen reiterated his uncompromising stance.
It sounds nice to call it a compromise, but what's the difference between that and paying money to avoid disaster? If we compromise this time, who knows, we might use it as an excuse to threaten him again in the future.
Zhou Chen isn't easily intimidated. Zhou Ling threatened him before, saying she would ruin his reputation. Was he scared?
Don't be afraid.
Now it's just a matter of having more people. Zhou Chen is upright and honest, and he has nothing to fear. If you want to smear him, go ahead and see who has the last laugh.
"Zhou Chen, are you sure you want to fight to the death, to the point where things can't be salvaged and we can't even be relatives anymore?"
Zhou Lao Er's face was stern and serious.
"Relatives who covet other people's money and use the guise of doing what's best for others are better off not being recognized. I don't care for them, and just seeing them makes me sick."
Zhou Chen said coldly.
"You little brat, who are you calling disgusting!"
The second and third aunts were both anxious, their eyes wide and mouths agape, looking as if they wanted to devour someone.
"Whoever tries to steal my money, I'm talking about them. Some people are willing to take it personally, so I've hit the nail on the head!" Zhou Chen didn't hold back and directly retorted angrily.
What elders? What relatives? Who the hell?
Trying to take advantage of me while considering my feelings? There's no such thing as a free lunch.
Since you've chosen to be shameless, then you can't be lenient with me; give me a good slap across the face.
This kind of direct and scathing scolding made the uncles and aunts so angry that their faces turned black and their bodies trembled with cold.
Just then, the bell rang ten minutes before afternoon classes began.
Zhou Chen glanced at the group and said, "Don't mess with me, or you'll regret it."
Then,
With a cold face, he turned and left.
"What kind of consequences are these? We're spreading rumors about you, so what can you do? Can you send us to jail?"
Aunt Zhou spat at Zhou Chen's retreating figure, extremely annoyed by the failed negotiation once again.
"Second sister-in-law, don't underestimate him. Xiao Chuan spread rumors about his business and has already been sent to jail. If we directly spread rumors and smear him, we might really end up like Xiao Chuan."
Zhou Laosan spoke up, offering a reminder and recounting a real-life example.
Upon hearing this, Auntie paused for a moment, clearly having forgotten about this incident.
"This kid is stubborn and won't listen to reason or force. It'll be very, very difficult for us to get him to compromise," Zhou Lao Er said leisurely.
"Then what do we do? Give up? But he has hundreds of thousands, even millions, of yuan on him. Even if what Xiaoling said is false and he doesn't have that much money, this stinky tofu business is real. You've all seen how popular it is, and you've all eaten it. It does taste really good. Are we just going to give up this business too?"
The eldest aunt spoke up at the opportune moment.
These words caused the others to fall silent. Fang Qi was indeed unwilling, but did they really want to smear Zhou Chen?
"The old man has said more than once that my eldest brother might not be his son. Since that's the case, I think we don't need to feel guilty. This little brat probably doesn't treat us as family or elders, which is why he's so rude and ill-mannered. We should teach him a lesson."
Zhou Lao Er spoke again, and after a brief silence, the others nodded in agreement.
"However, we can't be like Xiao Chuan, spreading rumors and misinformation. If we're going to do it, we have to do it more discreetly, so that even Uncle Hat can't find us on our heads."
"Second brother, do you have any good ideas?"
"I've got a brilliant idea."
These words caused the others to exchange glances and immediately press for answers.
After Zhou Lao Er briefly explained his plan, everyone's eyes lit up, and they thought it had great potential.
This could potentially send Zhou Chen plummeting from the heights of success to the depths of despair.
Although somewhat cruel,
But when they thought about how Zhou Chen, a mere kid, was so successful and lived a better life than any of them, and refused to give them any of his advantages, they felt no guilt whatsoever. Instead, they thought that Zhou Chen had only himself to blame.
...
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