Chapter 270 - 270 Redemption
270 Redemption
After beating about the bush for some time, Tang Sheng finally broached the topic of Chu Ning’s compensation.
Chu Ning had vaguely guessed Tang Sheng’s intentions once he had identified himself. Words of gratitude were nothing before actual compensation. Although Chu Ning had no intention of asking for benefits from the investor of the amusement park, she would accept the offer since the other party proposed it.
“Miss Chu, I’ve learned you had to part with quite a sum to prevent this disaster from happening. Many still don’t know how much you’ve done for them. I’ve also heard that you paid off those tourists 2000 Yuan a person to stall them for an hour so that they would not go up the observation tower. Is that true?” Tang Sheng asked. While he already knew the answer, it was still good to confirm the details so that he could compensate Chu Ning adequately.
“It is, but I’d like to think that human lives are more important than money. Don’t you agree?” Chu Ning challenged.
“Of course, Miss Chu. I admire your spirit and the humanitarian effort in preventing a catastrophe. At the same time, I would like to make it up to you somehow. I, too, should take responsibility for what happened. Please send me your bank account number.” Tang Sheng sounded very regretful in their short exchange.
Chu Ning hung up a while later.
She did not make things difficult for Tang Sheng and gave him her bank account number. Her efforts were only a part of a greater whole; she would not have succeeded but for the efforts of her classmates.
Still, a monetary reward was not something she could give her peers. Instead, Chu Ning vowed to remember this favor and repay them in another manner.
Tang Sheng was relieved that things had gone smoothly. He immediately instructed his assistant to transfer two million yuan to Chu Ning’s bank account, almost ten times more than the total sum Chu Ning had spent.
There was no hesitation or reluctance in his decision. He knew very well that if Chu Ning had not intervened, the deaths of over 100 people would amount to upwards of 20 million yuan in compensation.
Tang Sheng was a very successful businessman for a reason. He might not care about their deaths, but he would never allow anything to affect his monetary interests.
The two million yuan was his way of thanking Chu Ning and making up for his mistakes. It was also his way of appeasing the person who backed her. It had only been a short while ago that the secretary to the mayor of M City called!
Nothing was more embarrassing than needing to apologize to the man who wielded the greatest authority in the city. Tang Sheng had more business ventures than the amusement park, and if he hoped to continue growing in M City, he would need to keep on the good side of the man in power.
The mayor’s secretary may have been vague, but the underlying threat was clear. In addition to handling the aftermath, he needed to pay special attention to one person in particular so as not to be blindsided in the future.
“Chu Ning… What a curious young woman you are.” Tang Sheng leaned back on his sofa chair as he rubbed his temples, muttering.
……
The next morning, Chu Ning woke up at 10 am.
She washed up and tidied her room. When she finished, Chu Ning discovered it was already noon. While she wanted to take the day off, Chu Ning knew she could not; she had a company and a career to advance.
The agricultural sector of M City was a lake with deep waters, with many unknowns and powerful individuals lurking in its depths.
When Chu Ning booted up her laptop to deal with some matters, she found an unfamiliar email.
Chu Ning opened and read its contents. It was not long, and he had nothing to do with her work.
“Dear Miss Chu, we are grateful for your patience and courage. You did not hesitate to help us in a moment of crisis. At that time, we could not understand your kind intentions and even laughed at your actions. People are not born into greatness; they work towards it. The unshakeable determination that carried you through your self-imposed task is clear for all to see when viewed in hindsight. Your actions speak for themself, and we, those who could not perceive the truth, must now come to terms with the facts.
We are ashamed.
Money is nothing compared to our lives. You gave us a second chance to live, and your inner nobility shines greater than gold. We, the survivors of that day, have decided to volunteer to start a fund. All the proceeds we receive through donations will go to charity. We still regret and blame ourselves, but we also want to use this chance to redeem the kindness we took for granted.”
Attached to the email was a spreadsheet. It detailed the total sum raised as of writing and the contributions made by those 100 survivors.
Chu Ning smiled as she stared at the screen for a long time.
When she came back to her senses, she saved the email.
“What could be more meaningful than this?” Chu Ning mumbled to herself as her lips curved up. To find something one lost was truly a beauty unto its own.