C17 Make a Deal!

The car door swung open, and with his daughter's steady support, Zhao Feng made his way down from the vehicle at a measured pace.

He paid no mind to the onlookers, his steps deliberate as he headed straight for Lin Chen.

"Is that... Zhao Feng, the head of the Zhao family?"

Qian Duoduo's gaze locked onto Zhao Xue'er's elegant form, and he was momentarily spellbound.

Known as one of A City's four great beauties, Zhao Xue'er would only offer her support to one man besides her father—no one else!

"Zhao Feng and Zhao Xue'er?"

"What business do they have with Ann's Group?"

A frown creased Ann Lan's brow, a sense of foreboding washing over her.

"Lee, round up the guys, quick."

"The way Zhao Xue'er is glaring at the boss, it's clear they're here to stir up trouble!"

Before Qian Duoduo could even respond to Ann Lan, he caught the hostile look Zhao Xue'er shot Lin Chen and hastily sent Lee on his errand.

Inside, though, he was filled with a bitter resignation.

His boss certainly had a knack for finding trouble.

Crossing Zhang Changsheng and Chairman Lee was one thing, but now they had the Zhao family on their doorstep.

What a mess.

Prompted by Qian Duoduo's warning, Ann Lan snapped to attention.

She strode forward, positioning herself squarely in the path of Zhao Xue'er and her father.

"Mr. Zhao, Miss Zhao, you're on Ann's Group turf."

"We won't tolerate any wild behavior here, or I'll be forced to call the police!"

Ann Lan was itching to give Lin Chen a piece of her mind.

How long had he been back and already he was drawing all sorts of trouble her way?

And the adversaries just kept getting more formidable!

"Ann Lan, step aside!"

"This doesn't concern you!"

Zhao Xue'er was no stranger to Ann Lan; they'd had their share of business skirmishes in the past.

Consequently, she spared no warmth in her gaze.

"Lin Chen is under my protection!"

"Whatever you're planning, you won't lay a finger on him today."

Ann Lan's voice was icy as she stood her ground against Zhao Xue'er.

Behind her, Lin Chen was taken aback by her words, and a bemused thought crossed his mind: Had the madwoman taken a door to the head today? Why the sudden urge to play my guardian angel?

Was she trying to win me over with this tactic?

So he could peacefully be the father of her child in the future?

While Lin Chen was busy speculating, Chairman Lee, not far away, noticed Zhao Xue'er's angry gaze fixed on Ann Lan and Lin Chen. His eyes sparkled with opportunity.

Seeing that the Zhao family was also after Lin Chen, why not stir the pot a bit?

"Patriarch Zhao, if I may be so bold, are you looking to take this young man down a peg?"

Chairman Lee approached, inquiring tentatively of Zhao Feng.

Take down this young man?

Zhao Feng's brow creased slightly as Chairman Lee gestured towards Lin Chen.

"Patriarch Zhao, I happened to overhear this fellow boast that he'd been intimate with your daughter."

"I intended to discipline him myself, but his fighting skills are formidable; he left all my bodyguards injured."

"And that's not all. He had the audacity to claim that the Zhao family means nothing to him, saying he could wipe you all out with just a flick of his finger!"

Chairman Lee's words sent a ripple of disbelief through Ann Lan, Sun Lili, and Qian Duoduo.

Clearly, this old man had tried to use his status to intimidate Lin Chen.

Yet now, he twisted the story to make it sound like Lin Chen was the one boasting about his conquest of Zhao Xue'er?

"Uncle Lee, is that really what he said?"

Zhao Xue'er, lips quivering with suppressed rage, stared at Lin Chen, her face a mix of shame and fury.

This despicable rogue, snapping her bra strap was bad enough.

But to spread vile rumors and tarnish her reputation?

"All my bodyguards can vouch for it!"

Chairman Lee nearly burst with silent laughter at Zhao Xue'er's gullibility, but he maintained a grave expression as he assured her.

"You scoundrel, do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Zhao Xue'er bellowed at Lin Chen.

As Ann Lan was about to step in with an explanation, Lin Chen's gaze lingered on the swell of her chest, and he sneered, "Madwoman, they say you're all chest and no brain, and it seems they're right."

"Why would I sully my own reputation by claiming I'd been with you?"

"I'd be disgracing myself – something I'm certainly not inclined to do!"

Disgracing myself?

So in this guy's mind, bragging about sleeping with her is something shameful?

"You lousy scoundrel, I'm going to take you down!"

Zhao Xue'er's eyes were red with rage as she raised her fist, ready to strike Lin Chen.

At the sight, Zhao Feng was taken aback.

He quickly admonished his daughter, "Xue'er, stop right there!"

Offending Lin Chen could mean not just losing any chance of his help with his father's situation, but Lin Chen might also ignore his own injuries.

After their encounter in the park, Zhao Feng had tentatively applied the Golden Sore Medicine Lin Chen provided.

To his amazement, his wounds had rapidly healed within a couple of hours.

With such miraculous medicine at his disposal, Lin Chen had to be a divine healer.

Stopped by her father, Zhao Xue'er's face was awash with hurt, tears swirling in her eyes.

Lin Chen was mistreating her, and her father seemed to do nothing.

"Mr. Zhao, I understand you're a good man who shuns wrongdoing."

"Yet, his behavior is tantamount to tarnishing Miss Zhao's reputation. Should this spread, how will Miss Zhao ever face others?"

"If you're reluctant to act, allow me to discipline this young man on your behalf."

Chairman Lee stepped forward at just the right moment, addressing Zhao Feng with due respect.

"Old fool, quit your baseless accusations!"

"My boss never said any such thing!"

Qian Duoduo couldn't stand it any longer and jumped in to berate Chairman Lee.

"Qian Duoduo, you're in cahoots with him, naturally you'd cover for him!"

"Sadly, the damage to Miss Zhao's honor is done, and no amount of excuses can change that."

Chairman Lee let out a cold laugh.

He was resolute, planning to take care of Lin Chen first, then deal with Qian Duoduo, who was clearly out of his depth.

"Chairman Lee, enough," Zhao Feng interjected, a trace of annoyance in his eyes.

He knew Lin Chen well enough to know that he wouldn't stoop to such vile means to dishonor his daughter.

Of course, if Lin Chen did harbor any such intentions towards his daughter, Zhao Feng wouldn't be entirely opposed.

But before he could finish his thought...

Lin Chen nonchalantly dug at his ear, glancing at Zhao Feng as he offhandedly remarked, "Brother Zhao, I'm considering taking one of his legs as payment for my services."

"What's your take on that?"

Lin Chen had an inkling of Zhao Feng and Zhao Xue'er's intentions the moment they showed up. If Chairman Lee was looking to use Zhao Feng as a pawn to take him out, Lin Chen was ready to give him a taste of his own medicine. He wasn't about to let the old man think he was a pushover.

Brother... Brother Zhao?

Chairman Lee's breath hitched when he heard Lin Chen address Zhao Feng. Panic flickered in his eyes, mixed with a touch of astonishment. Weren't Zhao Feng and his daughter supposed to be here to give Lin Chen trouble? Why was Lin Chen calling him Brother Zhao? That made no sense!

"Little brother, isn't this a bit too harsh?" Zhao Feng said, eyeing the visibly unsettled Chairman Lee. "After all, Chairman Lee and I have history."

Zhao Feng took a moment to reflect before gently trying to dissuade Lin Chen. He recognized Chairman Lee's attempts at driving a wedge, but the Zhao family did have ties with Chairman Lee, and it wouldn't be wise to burn bridges hastily.

"Qian, would you mind escorting Brother Zhao and the others out?" Lin Chen requested, without sparing Zhao Feng another glance. "And pick up some ice cream on your way back; this weather is unbearably hot."

Settling back into his armchair, Lin Chen paid no further attention to Zhao Feng. Zhang Xiaoyu, ever so thoughtful, placed an eyepatch on him and handed him a chilled milk tea.

As for Zhao Feng and his daughter, Lin Chen wasn't too concerned. Business was about willing exchange. If they weren't inclined to settle Chairman Lee's leg as a medical bill, then there was nothing more to discuss.