Rapid Collapse (GL) - Chapter 61

Zhong Kai looked furious. Tea had spilled all over the floor, and the disdain on his face surprised Han Ning.

She was a bit confused and analyzed the situation in her mind. No matter how powerful Zhong Kai was, could he really describe Nie He as someone who relied on his family’s influence like a dog? After all, Nie He had great power, while Zhong Kai was just an old paparazzo who had been out of the industry for years.

Yet, judging by his anger, it seemed as if Nie He was somehow beneath him…
Ah Tian was also startled by Zhong Kai’s reaction. He quickly cleaned up the spilled tea, walked over, and asked, “Master? Did you just say that Nie He relies on his family’s power? But the Nie family is indeed very powerful.”

Zhong Kai snorted with disdain, flicked his sleeve, and said, “Who does he think he is?

He’s nothing more than the black sheep of the Nie family! And his daughter—she’s truly a chip off the old block!”

Realizing that he had lost his composure, Zhong Kai took a deep breath to calm himself down. Then, he turned to Han Ning and said, “I’ve heard of you.”

“Huh?” Han Ning was stunned. Am I really that famous?

“I heard about you from Ah Tian. He complained to me that he couldn’t capture any valuable news about you—you’re either eating or sleeping…” Zhong Kai picked up his teacup, scraped the tea leaves aside, and took a sip.

“Master…” Ah Tian frantically waved his hands, nearly rushing over to cover his master’s mouth to stop him from talking.

Han Ning shot a deadly glare at Ah Tian but reminded herself that she needed Zhong Kai’s help. She had to keep her temper in check.

“I think it’s a good thing—it means you keep your circle clean and pure.” Zhong Kai put down his teacup, motioned for them to sit, and poured each of them a cup of tea.

“Thank you… I feel oddly comforted,” Han Ning said with a forced smile.

“Alright, let’s get to the main point. You didn’t drive all the way from Lingchao just to chat with an old man like me, did you?” Zhong Kai glanced at both of them.

“Master, let me explain in detail,” Ah Tian said, vividly describing the entire situation.

Half an hour later, he finally finished. Han Ning, who had nearly dozed off, let out a bitter smile and summarized concisely, “We need your help to expose the past of the Nie family and bring public scrutiny upon them. That way, my girlfriend will have a chance to escape. Otherwise, even if she runs now, she’ll always be in danger.”

Zhong Kai stroked his beard and said, “Now I understand…” Then, he smacked Ah Tian on the forehead and scolded, “Idiot! And you call yourself a journalist? You ramble too much.”

Ah Tian shrank back and fell silent.

“The Nie family was once a respectable, well-established family. The Nie family had no daughters—only sons. The Nie matriarch was a legendary woman. She was widowed early, yet despite the turbulent times, she managed to build a thriving business empire. In today’s terms, she was the epitome of a strong, independent woman,” Zhong Kai said, his eyes filled with admiration.

Han Ning and Ah Tian sat on the floor cushions, listening as Zhong Kai recounted the past.

The Nie matriarch—the very woman who refused to let You Xi and her mother step into the Nie household—was ruthless and decisive. She never hesitated to take action, and her energy was boundless. Nie He was her youngest son and bore the closest resemblance to the late Nie patriarch.

Because of this, the Nie matriarch spoiled him excessively. Over time, her indulgence turned into blind favoritism. She let him do whatever he wanted, get whatever he desired.But in the end, she paid the price—falling ill and passing away from the stress.

With no one to restrain him, Nie He became an uncontrollable force, doing whatever he pleased.

However, there was one person he feared—his third brother, Nie Wei.

“Nie Wei was my friend, my brother. He lived with his grandmother when he was young, and we grew up together. Even after we became adults, we never lost touch.”

In their youth, Zhong Kai and Nie Wei studied abroad together. When they returned, Zhong Kai had to work in the entertainment industry to make a living, while Nie Wei, now well-educated and refined, stood on a completely different level.

Despite the gap between them, their bond remained unchanged. At that time, Zhong Kai became an apprentice, tasked with photographing celebrities and high-profile figures. He even captured images of Nie He’s endless romantic scandals. Out of respect for Nie Wei, he never released those photos to avoid damaging the Nie family’s reputation.

“But later, that bastard became even worse. By then, I had gained some status in the industry and taken in my first apprentice. I still refrained from exposing Nie He’s misdeeds for the sake of his brother. But my first apprentice was reckless—he captured evidence of Nie He’s crimes and tried to blackmail him for five million yuan… In the end, he dug his own grave.” Zhong Kai shook his head and sighed. “He provoked the wrong person, just like you did today, Ah Tian.”

At that time, Zhong Kai was young and hot-tempered. He deeply cared for his apprentice, who came from a poor background. Enraged by what had happened, he nearly published Nie He’s criminal evidence. If not for Nie Wei personally visiting him and persuading him for hours, he would have done it—regardless of the consequences for the Nie family.

But Zhong Kai held back, for the sake of old friendship.

He didn’t expose it, but he didn’t sit idle either. From that moment on, he started collecting evidence against Nie He, determined to make him pay for his apprentice’s life.

“So, I can’t believe that even after all these years, he’s still not retired and behaving himself. Instead, he’s encouraging his family to commit more heinous acts!” Zhong Kai sighed deeply and murmured, “Wei, if you’re watching from above, don’t blame me…”

He stood up and walked toward his room, saying as he went, “Come back tomorrow at ten.”

Han Ning had a feeling the old man was about to drop a bombshell.

Years ago, Nie He executed Zhong Kai’s most beloved apprentice with a single gunshot. Now, Nie Lan had brutally beaten his youngest apprentice, leaving him disfigured and homeless.

Anyone in his shoes would be furious.

Once Zhong Kai got serious, rescuing Shen Xi would be just a side task.

Back at her rented room, Han Ning let out a sigh of relief. She hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly—except for climbing that spiral staircase…

She logged into her game and saw Shen Xi online. Overjoyed, she shared the good news. Shen Xi, though secretly ecstatic, maintained a calm expression.

By now, Shen Xi had earned most of Nie Lan’s trust. The next morning, Nie Lan brought her to the hospital again. This time, the bodyguards didn’t stop Shen Xi.

“Wait for me, babe. I need to take a call,” Nie Lan said.

Shen Xi nodded. “Go ahead.”

As Nie Lan walked onto the balcony to talk to Nie Yan, Shen Xi cautiously approached Nie He’s bedside and whispered, “Do you know Zhong Kai?”