C27 Sun Hao Is a Member of the Zhao Family!

"Lin Chen, is this that new project you were talking about?"

Ann Lan was utterly astounded as she gazed upon Qian Duoduo's fair and smooth complexion. Her words even began to falter.

As the mainstay of Ann's Group was cosmetics, she was intimately familiar with every product on the market.

Yet none of the big-name brands could hold a candle to Lin Chen's creation.

Qian Duoduo's face had been a minefield of acne, earning him the private moniker 'Qian Doudou.'

But in mere minutes after applying the ointment, his face was transformed; the acne vanished, leaving his skin fair and smooth.

"Why are you all staring at me like that?"

"My face isn't ruined, is it?"

Qian Duoduo's heart skipped a beat under their astonished looks. Without a second thought, he whipped out his phone and switched on the camera.

The sight of his rejuvenated face made him drop his phone and nearly topple over.

"Boss... my face..."

Qian Duoduo's speech grew hesitant.

"Yes, that transformation is all thanks to that 'wonderful' treatment."

"So, what do you think? Want another round?"

Lin Chen caught the disbelief in Ann Lan and the others' eyes and a smug smile spread across his face.

They had all doubted him before, but who was doubting now?

"Absolutely, I do!"

"Boss, not just one more—give me a hundred!"

"I'll cover myself head to toe with it. Then, I can make a killing as a pretty boy!"

Qian Duoduo's eyes blazed with eagerness as he looked at Lin Chen.

In this world, who wouldn't leap at the chance to become more attractive, man or woman?

"Come over here, now!"

Lin Chen was about to dismiss Qian Duoduo when he abruptly changed his tune.

Becoming a pretty boy for profit?

Qian Duoduo's idea was sheer brilliance!

"Boss, rolling right over!"

Without hesitation, Qian Duoduo tumbled across the floor and popped up in front of Lin Chen, eager and expectant.

Lin Chen's face contorted with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

Alright, for the sake of the almighty dollar, I'll let this slide for the moment.

"You want to slather yourself in cream and turn into a pretty boy for cash? That's not off the table."

"But you get how the profit split works, right?"

Lin Chen smacked his lips, grinning at Qian Duoduo.

Profit split?

Damn, the boss is money-hungry, isn't he?

He's even trying to skim off the top of my gigolo earnings!

"Qian, why are you giving me that look?"

"You do realize, this beauty potion costs a pretty penny to make—over a hundred grand!"

"And here you are, balking at only handing over half the profits?"

Lin Chen's annoyance was palpable as he addressed Qian Duoduo.

It costs over a hundred thousand?

Does he think I'm some kind of money moron?

Wang Sheng bought these herbs for less than five hundred yuan total!

Still, Qian Duoduo knew that without cutting Lin Chen in, this ointment deal was dead in the water.

Watching Qian Duoduo reluctantly agree, tears in his eyes, Lin Chen turned to the rest of the security team.

"Fellas, who else wants to join Qian Duoduo in the noble ranks of the pretty boys, and start raking in cash from wealthy women?"

"I'm telling you, you can use this ointment for free right now. Just agree to split your future profits with me, like Qian Duoduo, and you're set."

"It's a surefire way to make a killing!"

As Lin Chen hustled the other guards, Ann Lan had seen enough.

He strode over to Lin Chen and held out his hands, "Didn't you just whip up a batch of that ointment?"

"Hand it over. I want to take it back for some research."

Take it back for research?

Yeah, right.

The recipe's right here with me—what's there to research?

Lin Chen rolled his eyes, fully aware that Ann Lan was angling for a freebie once more.

"Honey, I know you're after this ointment, but come on, what are we to each other?"

"Just give me a kiss, and not only will you get this batch of ointment ahead of time, but I'll throw in the recipe too."

Lin Chen held up the dark mass of ointment, pitching it to Ann Lan with deadpan sincerity.

"Kiss me?"

At those words, Ann Lan's cheeks flushed instantly.

It was a mix of shyness and irritation.

The man knew full well he was the father of her child, and yet, here he was, scheming against her.

"Honey, even though we're married, we've got to keep things clear between us."

"Give me a kiss, and you'll get this incredibly profitable medicinal paste formula. It's a surefire win."

Lin Chen noticed Ann Lan's growing irritation and coaxed gently.

"And if I refuse to kiss you?"

"Without that kiss, this medicinal paste and its formula could become exceedingly problematic."

Ann Lan, seeing the look of feigned disappointment on Lin Chen's face, felt an overwhelming urge to smack him.

Why did he insist on a kiss now, in front of everyone? As the CEO of Ann's Group, didn't she deserve to maintain her dignity?

"Lin Chen, do you honestly think I won't go straight to the hospital and terminate this pregnancy?"

Ann Lan, seeing Lin Chen remain impassive, snapped in desperation.

"Whoa, hold on, crazy lady, don't be reckless. That child is my past life's sweetheart..."

"And the medicinal paste and the formula?"

"I'll give it, I'll give it all to you!"

As Lin Chen handed over the medicinal paste and formula, he saw the triumphant smile curling at Ann Lan's lips.

He wiped the sweat from his brow, exasperated.

He knew Ann Lan was bluffing, but with his beloved's life at stake, Lin Chen wasn't about to gamble.

Ann Lan, noticing Lin Chen's deep concern for the child, felt an unusual warmth in her heart.

For a fleeting moment, she entertained the notion that having Lin Chen around might not be so bad after all.

"Zhang Changsheng, this medicinal paste is the new project I've devised for Ann's Group."

"Stay on the straight and narrow, and I'll not only help you rake in the cash, but I'll also make sure you're untouchable."

After handing over the formula and the medicinal paste, Lin Chen turned to Zhang Changsheng with a casual tone.

But as he spoke, a chilling glint flickered in his eyes.

"Rest easy, Grandpa Lin. I, Zhang Changsheng, will spare no effort for you and Director Ann!"

Zhang Changsheng wasted no words, his face etched with gratitude as he responded to Lin Chen.

He was acutely aware that neither Chairman Lee nor Sun Hao would let him off the hook after the mission's failure.

His only chance at survival was to seek Lin Chen's protection.

With this in mind, Zhang Changsheng didn't hesitate. He earnestly turned to Lin Chen and said, "Grandpa Lin, something just came to mind."

"I inadvertently overheard a conversation between Sun Hao and the Zhao family on the phone..."

Lin Chen's expression shifted noticeably at this revelation.

Sun Hao had been in contact with the Zhao family?

Could it be that the Zhao family orchestrated Sun Hao's campaign against Ann's Group?

"Zhang Changsheng, are you aware of the consequences if you're lying to me?" Lin Chen asked, his eyes half-closed, a chill in his gaze.

"Grandpa Lin, as you know, I intentionally conspired with Chairman Lee to set a trap for you and Director Ann."

"With the plan now in ruins, both Chairman Lee and Sun Hao will surely hold me accountable."

"Without a strong ally, they'll certainly have me killed!"

Zhang Changsheng was clever; he understood that honesty would compel Lin Chen to stand by him.

"If Sun Hao is indeed in league with the Zhao family, you'll have made a significant contribution," Lin Chen acknowledged.

After speaking, Lin Chen instructed Qian Duoduo to take Zhang Changsheng to the hospital for treatment.

As Lin Chen was preparing to confront Sun Hao at Prosperous Group, a sudden cry from Zhang Xiaoyu, who was on the phone nearby, caught his attention.

"What?"

"My mother is critically ill?"

"How can that be? She was perfectly fine when I left this morning!"