C13 The Richest Subordinate Came?

After some time, Lin Miao collected herself and looked up with a grin, "You're right, but Lily's line of work just isn't for me. I'm not as promiscuous as she is, nor do I have her sex appeal."

Zhang Chen couldn't help but smile; he hadn't expected Lin Miao to actually talk back.

Her comment instantly infuriated Lily.

"You're wrong," Lily retorted with a cold laugh. "A woman's status matters more. And her tactics? They're part of her power."

The conflict was escalating rapidly.

The other women chimed in, "Exactly, Miaomiao, you were the talk of the town in high school. How did you end up like this?"

"You've never played the game, and now you're struggling to make ends meet. I'm trying to help you here. You should be thankful! Understand?"

Lin Miao chuckled, "Looks like you all turned into chefs after graduation, with such nimble tongues."

There was a moment of silence.

It took a while for even Zhang Chen to catch on. Were they skilled with words because they were so good at flattering her?

One woman with green hair stood up abruptly, slamming her hand on the table. "What are you implying, Lin Miao? Are you jealous of Lily because she's doing well now?"

"And now you're verbally attacking us. Do you still think the Lin family will come to your rescue?"

Unfazed, Lin Miao sneered back, "The Lin family may have seen better days, but we're still leagues above a few strays like you!"

Zhang Chen couldn't resist commending her. That was the spirit of the Lin family!

"Leagues above us?" The green-haired woman scoffed, her voice dripping with scorn. "No matter my struggles, I'm part of society's middle class. Look at who you're surrounded by. What does that say about you?"

"I never imagined you'd sink this low, befriending someone from the sticks. Aren't you embarrassed?"

As soon as she finished, mocking looks converged on Zhang Chen.

Lin Miao was livid. Her worst fear had come true, and she was left speechless.

She realized she was defeated, utterly and completely defeated! Her irritation with Zhang Chen had hit its peak.

The sneers of the onlookers grew even sharper.

Caught in uncertainty, Lin Miao was at a loss until a teasing voice cut through, "Miss, you're mistaken. I'm certainly not from the countryside."

With that, Zhang Chen drew all eyes back to him.

The words of the woman with green hair had clearly struck a nerve.

What's wrong with being from the country?

"And where might you be from?" the green-haired woman asked with a scoff, dripping with scorn.

Unruffled, Zhang Chen responded, "I hail from a secluded area."

His reply sent the crowd into fits of laughter.

"Miaomiao's friend is quite the oddity! She's not even on par with a country bumpkin!"

"Why is he so smug? I'm dying to know what he's so proud of."

"She's someone special! Quite the impressive person indeed!"

...

The chatter of the crowd swelled.

Lin Miao's face was flushed with embarrassment. Clenching her teeth, she wished Zhang Chen would just vanish into thin air.

How can someone be this foolish!

The green-haired woman kept laughing uncontrollably, her voice laced with derision, "Miaomiao, my apologies, I was wrong!"

"I never imagined your friend would be like this."

The rest were laughing too hard to even speak.

Lily looked on with a detached gaze, her eyes brimming with mockery.

Zhang Chen, unfazed, spoke with a relaxed ease, "Though I come from a place far-flung, my friend is rather formidable."

He leaned back casually, mirroring Lin Miao, basking in the attention.

The green-haired woman, tears streaming from laughter, composed herself to ask, "So, what sort of person is your friend?"

A twinge of anxiety gripped Lin Miao, an ominous feeling creeping in.

Zhang Chen flashed a smile and declared, "My friend owns this hotel."

At his words, Lin Miao nearly collapsed into her chair.

A brief hush fell over the room.

But then, laughter erupted once more, louder and more raucous than before.

"Absolutely hilarious!"

"Lily, do you know this guy?"

Peals of intense laughter echoed endlessly through the room, some people even doubled over on the table, clutching their bellies in mirth.

Zhang Chen felt a wave of helplessness wash over him.

Why wouldn't anyone believe him?

Lin Miao had become completely impassive, her face devoid of any expression.

Lily, barely containing her laughter, said with a hint of sarcasm, "It seems I don't recognize him."

Zhang Chen sensed it was time to wrap things up. He pulled out his phone and shot a quick text to Third Sister.

Yet the laughter persisted.

Suddenly, the door to the private room swung open.

A portly middle-aged man came into view.

Zhang Chen paused, taken aback.

He looked up to see Chen Dafu at the doorway, gasping for breath.

A frown creased Zhang Chen's brow.

He had reached out to the female secretary before; what brought Chen Dafu here?

Upon spotting Zhang Chen, Chen Dafu's face lit up with surprise.

Eager to demonstrate his efficiency, he had rushed to complete all the paperwork. But upon his return, he discovered Zhang Chen was gone.

It was only after checking the security footage that he learned Zhang Chen had gone into this private room.

"Young Master Chen."

Chen Dafu was about to bask in his own pride.

Zhang Chen was startled and quickly cut him off, "Boss Chen, what brings you here?"

Chen Dafu froze.

He looked more closely and, catching Zhang Chen's subtle cues, he had an epiphany.

Lily, struggling to stifle her chuckles, remarked, "Isn't this the owner of Hongtai Hotel you were talking about?"

Her words set off another round of scornful laughter from the crowd.

Lily's jest was meant to lighten the mood.

But to everyone's bewilderment, Zhang Chen confirmed, "Yes, that's him."

The room erupted in laughter once more, so thunderous that the glasses on the table started to quiver.