C3 It Was Her?

A warm breath whispered into his ear, sending a jolt through his body as if he'd been struck by lightning.

Zhang Chen scrambled away, his cheeks flushing.

Su Mang teased him with a chuckle, "Little brother, feeling shy? Don't you remember how you used to hold me and declare you'd marry me when you grew up?"

Zhang Chen's embarrassment deepened.

Those were childhood days, after all, filled with their naive antics.

But times had changed; they were adults now. And Su Mang had blossomed into a stunning beauty.

"Third Sister, please stop teasing me," Zhang Chen mumbled, his face the picture of discomfort.

With a haughty smile, Su Mang retorted, "After all the trouble I went through to find you, I can't even rib you a little?"

Zhang Chen hastily shook his head, "No, that's not it."

"Enough," she cut him off.

Before he could finish his thought, Su Mang interjected, "Your Fourth Sister is in Ningzhou too. We're living together now. Let me take you to see her. Remember, you were her first kiss!"

Fourth Sister in Ningzhou?

Zhang Chen's eyes widened, a surge of excitement flooding his heart.

A decade had passed since they'd last seen each other, and he longed for his Fourth Sister.

He was about to accept when Lee Fengqin's words echoed in his mind, and his smile slowly faded.

Zhang Chen spoke with an awkward edge, "Maybe some other time? I really need to get this car fixed and returned."

Su Mang looked at him, puzzled, "Fix the car?"

He nodded, intending to elaborate, but the words never came.

Without missing a beat, Su Mang declared, "No way, you're spending the day with me, no arguments."

Zhang Chen's expression twisted with conflict. "But..."

Su Mang dismissed his protests with a wave of her hand, "I'll have someone take care of the car. Just give me the address."

She didn't wait for his response, promptly ushering Zhang Chen into the Rolls Royce Phantom.

Resigned, Zhang Chen accepted his fate.

Ten years apart, and his Third Sister was as imperious as ever.

Unable to refuse her, he had to consider an alternative.

Ultimately, he decided to have the person fixing the car inform Lee Fengqin that he'd gone off to work to compensate for the damages.

After climbing into the car, Su Mang made several phone calls, but to no avail—no one picked up.

With a sigh of resignation, Su Mang said, "Your Fourth Sister must be tied up with something. She's not answering her phone. Since she's not home, I guess we'll have to go out to eat."

"What's Fourth Sister up to?" Zhang Chen inquired with a hint of curiosity.

"Your Fourth Sister is doing quite well for herself. Her medical expertise has reached the level of a specialist," Su Mang said, unable to hide her admiration.

Zhang Chen wasn't taken aback; after all, Fourth Sister had mastered the kind of medicine that could revive the dead.

They quickly made their way to the Green Hotel.

The hotel was among Ningzhou's finest, frequented by the wealthy.

Once inside, Su Mang promptly secured a private room adorned with opulent decor and state-of-the-art amenities.

While waiting for their meal, Zhang Chen struck up a casual conversation with Su Mang.

Upon revealing that he was married, Su Mang gasped in shock, "What? You're married?"

Zhang Chen nodded reluctantly, "Yeah."

"Let's not get into it. These past two years have been tough on me."

A few drinks later, Zhang Chen felt the urge to vent his frustrations.

Su Mang's voice rose in disbelief, "What?"

She banged her fist on the table, standing up with fury etched on her face, "Then why the hesitation? Go and start the divorce process now! My little brother shouldn't have to put up with being mistreated!"

"And what about us, now that you're married?"

Zhang Chen shook his head, "I can't. It was Master's dying wish."

His feelings for Lin Zhiqing were unclear, but clinging to his Master's wish was all that kept him going.

He didn't give much thought to her last remark; their playful banter had been a constant since childhood.

"You're saying this was Master's intention?"

Su Mang paused, her voice filled with confusion.

Zhang Chen gave a slight nod.

Su Mang seemed to struggle for words, but ultimately, she remained silent.

Finally, she grumbled, "Master went too far! How could he promise my little junior brother to another woman!"

"No way, our junior brother should belong to us!"

With that thought, a determined gleam appeared in Su Mang's eyes.

Zhang Chen, puzzled, asked, "Third Sister, what exactly are you talking about?"

Su Mang paused, deftly steering the conversation elsewhere, "It's nothing. Come on, let's keep the drinks flowing. I'm really happy to see you today. We definitely need to toast a couple more times!"

Zhang Chen lifted his glass with a smile, "Sure thing!"

A few drinks later, Su Mang was noticeably tipsy.

Meanwhile, Zhang Chen excused himself to use the restroom.

While there, he overheard a conversation from the next stall.

"One day, I'll be in Young Master Lee's shoes! I'm so jealous! He's with Ningzhou's most gorgeous CEO!"

"Imagine the profits from such a massive project. How could Miss Lin resist? She's bound to spend a wonderful night with Young Master Lee! Hahaha!"

Zhang Chen's buzz faded slightly at their words.

The top beauty and CEO with the surname Lin?

In all of Ningzhou, could it be anyone other than Lin Zhiqing?

Was Lin Zhiqing actually here?

It seemed too much of a coincidence.

Biting his tongue, Zhang Chen sharpened his focus.

Once he heard the flush from outside, he pushed the door open and stepped out, just in time to see two men in black exiting the restroom.

Zhang Chen quickly followed them.

The men continued their conversation, stopping finally at the entrance to an exclusive private room, taking up positions on either side.

From around the corner, Zhang Chen watched, his gaze filled with turmoil.

Was it really Lin Zhiqing inside? Should he go in to check?

He wrestled with the decision.

Inside the room, Lin Zhiqing's cheeks were rosy, her grip on her wine glass unsteady.

Across from her sat a slick-haired young man, his gaze impolitely scanning her attractive figure.

With a slurred voice, Lin Zhiqing addressed him, "Young Master Lee, have you enjoyed your drinks? Can we proceed with signing the contract now?"

On the surface, the Lin family appeared prosperous, but in reality, they were riddled with problems.

This project was crucial for the Lin family's revival, and Lin Zhiqing was determined to secure it at all costs, following the Lin family's strict mandate.

Lee Junyi spoke with a teasing lilt, "Still pondering over the contract? Seems to me you haven't drunk enough. Keep going."

With that, he refilled Lin Zhiqing's glass.

Hesitation shimmered in Lin Zhiqing's eyes, yet ultimately, she had no choice but to down the drink in one go. The weight of the entire Lin family's future rested on her shoulders; she had to drink.

Lee Junyi's eyes blazed with fervor as he whispered, "Miss Lin, why endure such torment? Spend just one night with me, and I assure you, all the Lee family's contracts will be yours from here on out. How about it?"

As he finished his proposition, Lee Junyi reached out, aiming to caress Lin Zhiqing's delicate hand.

Lin Zhiqing swiftly retracted her hand, her gaze hazy as she laughed, "Young Master Lee, please, no more jokes. I'm a married woman!"

"I've had my fill. Let's proceed with the contract."

But before Lin Zhiqing could complete her thought, she collapsed onto the table, her last thread of sobriety numbed by the alcohol.

A triumphant glint flashed in Lee Junyi's eyes as he scoffed, "I never jest."

"Tonight, you're inevitably mine."

His face then twisted into a lewd grin.

"Come in!"

At his command, two men in black entered, hoisting Lin Zhiqing up by her arms and escorting her out.

Lee Junyi rose leisurely and trailed after them, his gaze dripping with anticipation.

As the private room door swung open, the men in black supported the inebriated Lin Zhiqing out.

Zhang Chen, previously torn, witnessed the scene and was instantly incensed. It was indeed Lin Zhiqing!

Fueled by alcohol, Zhang Chen's rage surged to a boiling point, his eyes reddening with fury.

Without hesitation, he grabbed a wine bottle from a nearby waiter's tray and charged at Lee Junyi.

Rage was all that consumed Zhang Chen's thoughts.

Meanwhile, Lee Junyi was preoccupied with visions of the impending intimate encounter with Lin Zhiqing, oblivious to the wrathful figure approaching from behind.

Zhang Chen strode purposefully toward Lee Junyi, closing the distance rapidly. With a swift lunge forward, he raised his arm high in a decisive gesture.