Chapter 122: Paying for the Ride

The driver, seeing Bai Fanhao bolt, flew into a rage and cursed, "Damn it, the little brat actually dared to run!" He jumped out of the taxi and gave chase.

Inside the office of the Seek Bar, a few people were in the middle of a discussion when someone walked in and said to Old Hou, "Boss, a young man named Bai Fanhao is outside to see you."

Old Hou frowned, thinking to himself, why is he only showing up now? He had been contacted ages ago; what took him so long?

"Old Hou, where is Xiao Xi?" Bai Fanhao asked breathlessly the moment he stepped into the office.

Old Hou shook his head, his expression grave. "Why are you only just now arriving?"

Bai Fanhao looked utterly exasperated. "Don't even get me started. Who would have guessed my parents would come home today? They said they wouldn't be back until my college entrance exams, but they suddenly showed up out of nowhere."

"Oh, surely that wouldn't have taken you this long to shake them off!" the impatient Old Si complained.

Bai Fanhao didn't take offense, but asked with a hint of confusion, "It was strange, actually. Once they got home, they kept rambling on about nothing, refusing to let me leave. Whenever I tried to go, they would hold me back, but whenever I sat down, they had nothing to say—they just wouldn't let me leave the house."

His words caught the attention of everyone in the office; they stared at him, transfixed.

Bai Fanhao stared back, puzzled. "Why are you all looking at me like that?"

"So, you were set up too," Old Hou said slowly, his voice laced with suppressed fury.

"I was set up? Brother Hou, what do you mean?" Bai Fanhao asked.

The group explained how they had been lured to the mountains, only realizing halfway there that it was a trap. By the time they returned, they had scouted the bar, but it was already too late—Xiao Xi and her younger brother had already been taken.

It was clear to them now: someone was orchestrating this.

Bai Fanhao slammed his fist onto the coffee table in frustration. Old Hou’s face darkened. "It seems this Wu Li is looking to provoke us."

"I clearly saw him go in! Why are you telling me he didn't?"

"Sir, please stop making a scene, or I will have to call security."

"Move aside! Or I’m calling the police to report you for harboring a criminal."

"Sir, that is our boss's office. You cannot barge in."

"Why can't I? A debt must be paid—it’s only right! Even if he is your boss, he still has to pay the fare after taking a ride, doesn't he?"

Just then, the driver who had chased him in could be heard shouting from the hallway, "You little brat! Get out here! Get out!"

The people in the office wondered who this person was and who could possibly be riding in a taxi without paying. Only Bai Fanhao sat there in embarrassment. He let out a sheepish laugh and said, "Uh, Brother Hou, I'm sorry. I left in such a rush that I forgot my wallet. Could you please cover me for a moment?"

The group exclaimed in shock, "You took a taxi without paying?"

"No, no, that’s not it! I left in a hurry and forgot my wallet. I was in such a rush to get here that I just ran," Bai Fanhao argued desperately.

Just then, the office door swung open. The driver, not expecting the door to be only partially latched, stumbled inside. Spotting Bai Fanhao, he lunged forward and grabbed him by the collar. "You little punk! You take a taxi, don't pay, and then run? Pay up, now!"

At that moment, a red banknote appeared before the driver. "Is this enough?"

"That's too much," the driver said, letting go of Bai Fanhao and taking the money. "Wait here, I'll get you eighty in change."

Once the driver was sent on his way, everyone except Old Hou burst into laughter. They hadn't expected something so ridiculous to happen during such a tense moment—it certainly helped to lighten the mood.