C97 Lin Chen I Hate You!

As dusk settled, Lin Chen arrived at the Jun Hao Hotel with Zhang Xiaoyu in tow. Amid the bustling crowd of men and women, their glasses clinking in celebration, Lin Chen made his way to a quiet corner and took a seat.

Zhang Xiaoyu, ever the considerate companion, positioned herself behind him and began to massage his shoulders. Yet, her brow furrowed with confusion as she spoke, "Brother Lin, aren't we here to stand in for Director Ann and network for potential partnerships for Ann's Group?"

Lin Chen shook his head, his patience evident as he replied, "Ann's Group is currently navigating some complex issues. Rushing to secure partners could lead us down a path of repeated mistakes and endless complications. What's more, that madwoman's priority is to safely deliver her child; all other matters pale in comparison."

The only reason Lin Chen had agreed to attend this so-called business gathering was due to Ann Lan's insistence. Left to his own devices, he would have never bothered.

"Xiaoyu, your massages are becoming exceptionally soothing," Lin Chen complimented, a content smile spreading across his face. "Starting this month, your salary will see an increase of ten thousand yuan."

As he savored a grape that Zhang Xiaoyu offered to him, she hesitantly broached a delicate subject, "Brother Lin, our account is running low on funds. Director Ann has prohibited any under-the-table medicine sales, and just recently, a few of our security guards were caught doing just that by the Police Division. In their haste to escape, one suffered a broken leg, which led to substantial medical bills. And with the occasional funds you've been sending to Director Ann..."

Her voice trailed off, the awkwardness of the situation hanging in the air. Lin Chen's expression tightened, and he cut her off, "Xiaoyu, just give it to me straight—how much is left in the account?"

She answered honestly, "Around 1.5 million."

Only 1.5 million remaining? Lin Chen inwardly winced. Had his finances dwindled to such an extent? True, Wang Sheng and Qian Duoduo had been quite successful in their pharmaceutical ventures, swelling his coffers, but the money had flowed out as quickly as it had come in.

He dismissed the concern with a wave of his hand. "Money comes and goes. We'll earn it back eventually. As for those security guards with broken legs, let's provide them with a hundred thousand yuan each for their injuries."

Lin Chen shook his head with a hint of resignation in his voice.

"It's a blast to spend money, but once it's gone, it feels like you're heading straight for the crematorium."

Still, Lin wasn't overly concerned. If he really ran out of cash, he figured he could always gamble on some stones and make it back in minutes.

"Huh, Lee Chen is attending this business gala too?"

The thought of gambling had barely crossed Lin's mind when he spotted Lee Chen, clad in a suit and tie, mingling in the crowd.

Seeing him, Lin couldn't suppress a chuckle.

Gambling on stones required a fall guy, and Lee was an old hand at taking the fall.

Remembering Lee's last bout of bad luck, Lin's heart softened.

The guy had been through enough. What if he got duped again? What if Lee ended up completely bamboozled?

After all, there was no real animosity between them.

"Xiaoyu, who do you think is the prettiest girl in this hall?"

Lin's attention shifted to the other women in the room. As he surveyed them, he casually posed the question to Zhang Xiaoyu.

"I think the lady in the black evening gown and the one in the light yellow dress are both quite attractive," replied Zhang Xiaoyu, following Lin's lead.

Lin gave the two girls a discerning look.

"The one in the evening gown might have a big behind and chest, but it's all padded with silicone."

"And her waist might appear slender, but it's actually the dress squeezing it into shape."

"As for her face, let's not even go there. Beneath the thick makeup, it's a minefield of blemishes."

Lin paused for a moment before continuing.

"The girl in the light yellow dress may not have a fake figure, and her face could score a seven out of ten."

"But that black aura at her brow? That's the classic mark of a husband jinx. Any man who marries her is asking for trouble."

"And that's not all—she's got the blood of at least three on her hands!"

Lin's certainty left Zhang Xiaoyu gobsmacked.

She couldn't fathom how Lin could glean so much about someone with just a glance.

"Brother Lin, are you... reading her fortune?" Zhang Xiaoyu finally managed to ask, still in a state of shock.

"You're a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to fortune-telling, divination, face reading, Feng Shui, and the like, Brother Lin," Lin Chen said with a hint of pride.

Back when he was in the mountains, the old man would often tell him that such pursuits were pointless. But Lin Chen begged to differ.

Take face reading, for instance—what's not enjoyable about observing the features of a pretty girl?

"Brother Lin, could you read my face?" Zhang Xiaoyu asked, her interest piqued and her voice tinged with excitement.

"With your fair complexion, long legs, and curvaceous figure, you're destined to have a prosperous marriage," Lin Chen began. "Your red lips and white teeth, along with a clear brow, are sure signs of a wife who will bring good fortune."

"However, your path this year is fraught with hardship, and there's a significant hurdle ahead. If you fail to overcome it, it could lead to a lifetime of sorrow," Lin Chen continued, his initial enthusiasm giving way to a furrowed brow. He wasn't just making this up; the challenge was real.

"Xiaoyu, these matters of destiny are complex. I can't provide all the details," Lin Chen said thoughtfully. "But one thing is certain from my predictions—if you find a man with a strong, masculine energy, he could help you navigate this obstacle with ease."

Zhang Xiaoyu's face tensed with worry at his words.

"A man with strong masculine energy?" she echoed, slightly bewildered.

She would have dismissed such a claim from anyone else, but coming from Lin Chen, she felt compelled to believe it.

"Pfft!"

"Lin Chen, why don't you just come out and say that you're the man with the potent masculine energy she needs?" a voice interjected with a laugh. "That way, you might just charm her right into your bed!"

The scoffing voice came from behind them. Turning to look, they saw Zhao Xue'er, dressed in a white gown, her lovely face aglow like a proud swan, though her eyes danced with mockery.

Words may be spoken without intent, but they can carry meaning for those who listen. At Zhao Xue'er's insinuation, Zhang Xiaoyu's realization dawned instantly.

If anyone epitomized raw masculine energy, Lin Chen was the prime example.

Moreover, as Lin Chen's secretary, even if the situation was as Zhao Xue'er described, fulfilling her responsibilities was part of the job.

"Zhao Xue'er, apologize to my secretary."

"Otherwise, you'll face the consequences!"

A chill spread across Lin Chen's face as he commanded Zhao Xue'er with authority.

"Apologize?"

"For what?"

"I merely spoke the truth!"

Zhao Xue'er had spotted Lin Chen at the business gala and had dismissed several partners just to approach him.

And this was the thanks she got?

"Miss, you've got Lin all wrong."

Zhang Xiaoyu hurriedly tried to clear things up with Zhao Xue'er.

She recognized that Zhao Xue'er was no ordinary woman.

Thus, she didn't want to be the reason Lin Chen offended Zhao Xue'er.

The accusation that Lin Chen was trying to deceive her was pure fabrication.

After all, Zhang Xiaoyu would not hesitate to accept if Lin Chen proposed.

"Zhao Xue'er, you have ten seconds."

Lin Chen's voice was devoid of emotion as he issued the warning.

Sun Hao had previously mentioned that Zhao Xue'er's father, Zhao Feng, was plotting against Ann's Group.

That was an account Lin Chen had not yet settled with father and daughter.

Now that Zhao Xue'er had willingly walked into his presence, could he be expected to greet her warmly?

"I refuse to apologize. What are you going to do about it?"

Zhao Xue'er clenched her teeth defiantly.

Back in the park, Lin Chen had slapped her behind and snapped her bra strap.

She hadn't forgotten those humiliations.

And now, Lin Chen expected her, a lady of her standing, to apologize to Zhang Xiaoyu? This was outright harassment.

"Smack!"

No sooner had Zhao Xue'er finished speaking than Lin Chen's hand struck her bottom without a moment's hesitation.

The stinging pain ignited her cheeks as her expression twisted with fury.

"Lin Chen, this means war!"

To be spanked by Lin Chen at such a formal event was more than Zhao Xue'er could stand.

"If you don't back off, the next step won't be as mild as a slap!"

A glint of ice shot through Lin Chen's gaze.

He issued an unapologetic threat to Zhao Xue'er.

"You!"

Feeling the icy intent to kill emanating from Lin Chen's gaze, Zhao Xue'er halted in her tracks, her body quivering ever so slightly.

She had this premonition that if she pushed further, this man would indeed lay hands on her!

"Lin Chen, I despise you!"

As Zhao Xue'er reflected on past events, her eyes brimmed with tears, a mix of bitterness, resentment, and fury.

Lin Chen watched her back as she covered her eyes and walked away, his face betraying no emotion.

He had already extended more than enough help to Zhao Xue'er and her father.

Yet, despite his efforts, they remained thankless.