C20 Bewitching!?
"Okay, I understand," Zhang Chen said, ending the call.
He turned to face Lin Zhiqing, who looked frosty, her gaze icy.
Before Zhang Chen could speak, she cut him off sharply, "Zhang Chen, you've let me down completely."
With those words, Lin Zhiqing spun on her heel and walked away.
Zhang Chen let out a sigh of relief, but regardless, he needed to follow her, and he quickly did so.
They soon found themselves in an elevator, Lin Zhiqing's demeanor as chilly as if she didn't even recognize Zhang Chen, leaving him feeling awkward.
The elevator chimed as it reached the ground floor. As the doors slid open, Zhang Chen stepped out swiftly.
No sooner had he exited than a familiar voice rang out, "Zhiqing? What a coincidence."
Zhang Chen's heart skipped a beat.
He looked up to find Lee Junyi standing right there!
How on earth had Lee Junyi bumped into Lin Zhiqing?
Taken aback, Lin Zhiqing managed a flustered response, "Young Master Lee, indeed, what a coincidence."
The events of that night were still vivid in her mind, and with the Lee family not having retaliated against the Lins yet, she felt lucky.
Zhang Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.
Coincidence?
His mind raced, trying to piece things together.
He was determined not to let Lee Junyi and Lin Junkai's nefarious schemes come to fruition.
Lee Junyi, noticing Zhang Chen, let a cold glint flash in his eyes, but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
"Young Master Lee, about last time..." Lin Zhiqing began, her voice tinged with uncertainty. She had deeply offended Lee Junyi before and was unsure how to proceed, especially now with the Lin family in crisis and Old Master Lin gravely ill.
She felt powerless and knew she needed to forge new alliances.
Lee Junyi offered a gentlemanly smile. "Let's not dwell on the past," he said.
His words brought a wave of relief to Lin Zhiqing, who replied with heartfelt gratitude, "Young Master Lee, your generosity is appreciated. Thank you."
Zhang Chen inhaled deeply, feeling a weight pressing down on him.
Lee Junyi's eyes sparkled with a glint of sharpness.
"The past is the past, but Miss Lin, perhaps you owe me a meal as a token of thanks?"
Lee Junyi said with a chuckle.
Lin Zhiqing responded with pleasant surprise, "Absolutely."
"Young Master Lee, when would it be convenient for you?"
For Lin Zhiqing, this was an excellent chance to make amends for the previous incident, and Lee Junyi's generosity had taken her aback.
Lee Junyi grinned and suggested, "How about today? Let's head out now; I haven't had a chance to eat yet."
He hadn't eaten since leaving the Hongtai Hotel?
Zhang Chen clenched his jaw as his anger surged.
"Alright."
Lin Zhiqing consented.
Despite her suspicions, Lin Zhiqing focused on cultivating connections, crucial for the Lin family's growth and Old Master Lin's well-being.
But before she could finish, Zhang Chen cut in, "Young Master Lee, didn't you just leave the Hongtai Hotel? How come you haven't eaten?"
At Zhang Chen's words, both Lee Junyi and Lin Zhiqing's faces fell.
"Go ahead, I've got things to handle!" Lin Zhiqing said icily.
Determined not to let alcohol or Zhang Chen spoil things again, Lin Zhiqing stood her ground.
Lee Junyi squinted, barely holding back his fury.
Had it not been for his intent to win over Lin Zhiqing today, Zhang Chen would have already felt his wrath.
Zhang Chen said with a grin, "Oh, come on. I haven't eaten either. Why not bring me along?"
"You..."
Lin Zhiqing seethed with anger.
Lee Junyi interjected, "There's no need for that. I'd be terrified if you decided to beat me up again."
His tone dripped with mockery.
This startled Lin Zhiqing, sending her into a flurry of panic.
"I told you, I'm busy. Please, leave!" Lin Zhiqing pointed emphatically, her voice strained with suppressed fury.
Zhang Chen's frown deepened, the frustration evident in his demeanor.
"Zhiqing, it's not safe for you to go alone," Zhang Chen whispered with concern.
Lin Zhiqing let out a cold laugh. "As if being safe would save my grandfather's life."
Zhang Chen was at a loss for words.
"Just go!"
Lin Zhiqing's angry shout drew the attention of onlookers.
The crowd began to whisper and point, speculating about their relationship while casting derisive looks at Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen managed a smile.
"Fine, I'll leave."
His inner rage surged, and he felt a pang of injustice so acute it made his chest ache.
Under Lee Junyi's taunting gaze, Zhang Chen turned and left the mall.
Lee Junyi turned to Lin Zhiqing with a gentlemanly smile. "Shall we?"
Lin Zhiqing mustered a smile. "After you."
She then headed toward the mall's exit.
Fuming, Zhang Chen got into his Mercedes-Benz where Loong San was still at the wheel.
He took a deep, ragged breath, feeling almost too choked up to breathe.
Looking up, he saw Lin Zhiqing smiling radiantly as she settled into Lee Junyi's luxury car.
Zhang Chen's fist thudded against the seat.
Loong San's voice broke the silence, low and steady, "Young Master Chen, they've left. Do we follow them?"
Zhang Chen was torn.
He was tempted to just drive away, but his concern for Lin Zhiqing—and the thought of Lin Junkai and Lee Junyi—weighed heavily on him.
"We'll follow them!"
No sooner had Zhang Chen spoken than Loong San pulled out into traffic.
Before long, Lee Junyi's luxury car pulled up in front of the Green Hotel.
Zhang Chen watched with a sinking heart as they entered the hotel, laughing and talking, flanked by four bodyguards.
He clenched his jaw, the pain in his heart almost unbearable.
He didn't have to wait long before another car arrived, and Lee Junyi emerged with several others.
Zhang Chen's frown deepened.
There was definitely something sinister afoot.
"Can you keep a close watch on them?" he asked Loong San, anxiety lacing his voice.
"Of course."
Loong San's response was respectful and prompt. He stepped out of the car and strode confidently into the hotel.
Inside the car, Zhang Chen wrestled with his emotions, the agony of the situation nearly overwhelming.
Ten minutes later, Loong San reappeared, his pace measured as he reported, "Young Master Chen, Miss Lin has been drugged."
