Chapter 1289: Conditions

Chapter 1289: Chapter 1289: Conditions

Zhao Gushen’s words hit Ye Ning’s sore points one after another.

Between Zhao Guqing and Xu Huizhen, Ye Ning would definitely choose Xu Huizhen.

Her relationship with Zhao Guqing was purely about mutual cooperation and exploitation.

Zhao Guqing had never made any promises to her.

She certainly couldn’t sacrifice Xu Huizhen for Zhao Guqing.

But if Zhao Guqing really promised her something.

Like marrying her, letting her into the Zhao Family.

As long as there was a stable promise to give Ye Ning peace of mind.

Ye Ning might truly be able to sacrifice Xu Huizhen.

It’s just a pity that Zhao Guqing never promised her anything.

He didn’t even take her seriously.

He even hit her once.

That was the time when Ye Fei had tricked him.

Zhao Guqing found out she was still trying to approach Zhao Guoxian, and he beat her up.

Although he hadn’t hit her again since then, Ye Ning remembered that time very well.

Men who hit women are no good.

For such things, there’s only the distinction between zero times and countless times.

As I’ve said before, if Zhao Guqing would marry her.

She might take some risks and agree.

But since Zhao Guqing didn’t, Ye Ning held a grudge.

Currently, because they are in a cooperative relationship, and Zhao Guqing is not someone she can handle.

But as soon as she gets the chance, Ye Ning will definitely seek revenge.

That beating, she can’t take for nothing!

In this light, isn’t it clear whom to protect and whom to give up?

Of course, the choice is only between Zhao Guqing and Xu Huizhen.

Ye Ning absolutely cannot sacrifice herself.

She has no such awareness of self-sacrifice.

Besides, Zhao Gushen was right.

Even if she and Zhao Guqing had a cooperative relationship.

In this situation, Zhao Guqing was obviously the one making the plans.

But if something went wrong, Zhao Guqing would refuse to take responsibility.

As Zhao Gushen said, continuing to cooperate, with any further mistake, she would surely be the one Zhao Guqing pushed out to take the blame.

To put it bluntly, she and Zhao Guqing aren’t truly working together.

It’s just nice to say it that way.

In Zhao Guqing’s eyes, she’s just a tool for him.

Zhao Guqing doesn’t need to do anything; a few words from him are enough for her to act.

Once evidence is found against them in this setup,

she will be the one Zhao Guqing pushes out to take the fall.

All these points remind her that it’s better to expose Zhao Guqing and save Xu Huizhen.

Although Zhao Gushen’s final words were quite tempting to her.

Cooperating with Zhao Gushen is much better than with Zhao Guqing.

But Ye Ning isn’t so foolish; she knows Zhao Gushen would never actually work with her.

Zhao Gushen has no need to cooperate with her.

Not to mention there’s still Ye Fei.

So, even though Zhao Gushen’s offer was appealing, Ye Ning remained restrained and did not believe it.

She also realizes that, besides the outlier Zhao Guqing, the Zhao Family is particularly united, with deep feelings for one another.

If she were really willing to sell out Xu Huizhen, how could Zhao Gushen possibly work with her?

"Does what you just said still count?" Ye Ning asked.

"What?" Zhao Gushen raised an eyebrow.

"You said that if I revealed who’s behind me, you would let me and my mom go. She could regain her freedom, and my restaurant in B City could continue without your interference," Ye Ning inquired.

"Yes." Zhao Gushen nodded.

"I have one more condition." Ye Ning said.

Zhao Gushen raised an eyebrow, mockingly, "Go ahead."

"If I tell you, can you guarantee that the other party won’t know it was me?" Ye Ning asked.

"I can’t." Zhao Gushen said, "I can only guarantee that I won’t tell him it was you."

On this point, Zhao Gushen didn’t choose to deceive Ye Ning.

He indeed wouldn’t tell Zhao Guqing.

He knows it’s Zhao Guqing who did it and now needs evidence.

He’s currently recording; as long as Ye Ning clearly explains the situation, he can use the recording to completely nail Zhao Guqing.

He doesn’t need to let Zhao Guqing hear it, just the two elders.

But even if he doesn’t say it, sooner or later Zhao Guqing will know it was Ye Ning who spoke up.

Ye Ning shivered but didn’t expect Zhao Gushen to keep it confidential for her.

Considering Zhao Gushen was asking her this, it was clear he was ready to make a move against Zhao Guqing.

It seemed Zhao Gushen needed evidence.

At this moment, Ye Ning, for some reason, had a rare moment of clarity.

She figured out the situation, and her guesses were almost spot on.

"If you can’t guarantee that the other party won’t know it was me, then at least you must ensure my safety," Ye Ning said. "If you can guarantee my safety, I’ll reveal who it is."

Zhao Gushen chuckled softly, "You chose to work with a fool and got used as a tool. You were the one to provoke Ye Fei in an attempt to harm her. You are not innocent in all this, so why should you expect my protection?"

"If you don’t guarantee my safety, then I won’t say anything," Ye Ning declared.

Zhao Gushen was silent for a moment and said, "You might have misunderstood my intent."

Ye Ning was elated, thinking Zhao Gushen had backed down.

Seeing her unwillingness to speak, he had no choice but to concede.

She couldn’t believe she had made Zhao Gushen admit defeat.

Ye Ning couldn’t help feeling a bit smug.

It seemed Zhao Gushen wasn’t so formidable after all.

The outside world had exaggerated his abilities.

But before Ye Ning could savor her triumph, she heard Zhao Gushen say, "I came to confirm with you just to save trouble and time."

"But even without you, he would act at some point. As long as he dares to act, I can catch his evidence," Zhao Gushen said. "So, with or without you, it hardly matters."

"Of course, I’d be happier if I could get the evidence sooner. If not, it doesn’t matter."

"The condition I’m offering you is to release Xu Huizhen." Zhao Gushen stated, "If you want Xu Huizhen free, then tell me the truth. Otherwise, you won’t gain freedom either."

At this moment, Zhao Gushen gently waved his finger.

A goon stepped up with another person, standing on either side of Ye Ning.

Ye Ning instantly grew nervous.

Because it was just like when Xu Huizhen was taken away earlier.

Seeing that the goon was about to untie her and take her away, Ye Ning hurriedly said, "Wait!"

The goon and the other individual glanced at Zhao Gushen, then stopped.

Ye Ning quickly said, "Let me confirm, if I tell, you won’t interfere with the restaurant and will release my mom?"

Zhao Gushen was surprised that Ye Ning had put the restaurant before Xu Huizhen.

Typically, in such situations, people prioritize what they value most.

It looked like in Ye Ning’s eyes, Xu Huizhen wasn’t as important as her restaurant.