C17 Do You Think I Am Afraid of Him??

Chen Feng wasn't the least bit surprised. He knew all too well that in such prominent families, the role of the patriarch was always reserved for a man.

"Some people really overestimate themselves," Xia Zilan sneered. "Do they actually believe they can get away with anything just because they've shared a bed with Lin Zongwei?" After her remark, she gave Chen Feng a pointed look and asked with a smirk, "Chen Feng, you're not aware of how your wife negotiated with the president of Dingfeng Corporation yesterday, are you?"

Chen Feng's eyebrows lifted slightly.

"I heard they were holed up in the Hilton's presidential suite for a good two to three hours," Xia Zilan said, stirring the pot with glee.

"And then what?" Chen Feng feigned shock. He was acutely aware of how Xia Mengyao conducted her business with Lin Zongwei. Did Xia Zilan really have concrete for brains?

"Chen Feng, are you brain-dead? Lin Zongwei is so dashing and wealthy, and Xia Mengyao is stunning. They were alone in that hotel room; would you actually believe they were just doing homework?" Xia Zilan was beside herself with frustration. She had dropped such obvious hints, and yet, Chen Feng seemed utterly oblivious.

"Of course, I believe it," Chen Feng replied earnestly, nodding. "They were working on a project together. Mengyao told me all about it when she got home."

Xia Mengyao couldn't suppress a laugh. She could see right through Chen Feng's act; he was clearly toying with Xia Zilan. When had he become such a shameless rascal?

Xia Zilan, catching Xia Mengyao's laughter, sensed something was amiss but could only grit her teeth and blurt out, "Chen Feng, you fool. Xia Mengyao's having an affair. Didn't you know?"

"Oh, I'm aware," Chen Feng replied, his face the picture of seriousness.

Xia Zilan was at a loss for words. How could he remain so composed?

"Chen Feng, are you even a man? Your wife cheats, and you're not upset?" Xia Zilan lashed out.

"Why should I be upset?" Chen Feng countered.

"You're utterly useless!" Xia Zilan was left speechless.

"He's not afraid to get angry; he's just afraid to take any action against Xia Mengyao," Xia Hao commented with a sneer. He had nothing but contempt for Chen Feng, believing he had disgraced all men. Back at the Ancestral Shrine, he had humiliated Chen Feng so thoroughly, yet Chen Feng hadn't dared to retaliate.

"Xia Hao, I heard you got roughed up yesterday. Are you okay?" Chen Feng asked with genuine concern etched on his face. To the uninformed observer, he seemed truly worried about Xia Hao.

"Me getting beaten up—what does that have to do with you?" Xia Hao's expression contorted with anger. The beating he'd received from Lin Zongwei had left a psychological scar, and the last thing he wanted was for anyone to mention it. Yet, there was Chen Feng, rubbing salt into his wounds.

"I'm just checking in on you. Why are you getting so heated?" Chen Feng let out a sigh.

"I don't need your concern. Your wife cheats on you, and even though it makes you mad, you're too scared to confront it. What gives you the right to care about me?" Xia Hao bellowed.

Xia Mengyao stood by, wide-eyed and slack-jawed, as if she was seeing Chen Feng for the first time. Was this the same man who always nodded along to everything? His words were so cutting, so effective that they sent Xia Hao into a rage with just a few sentences.

"My wife's infidelity and my concern for you—where's the conflict? Does her cheating mean I can't be concerned about you?" Chen Feng's face remained earnest.

"Shut your mouth!" Xia Hao was livid, itching to leap up and give Chen Feng a piece of his mind. He had planned to flaunt his superiority in front of Xia Mengyao today, to shake her confidence, but instead, it was Chen Feng's words that had struck a nerve.

A radiant smile played on Xia Mengyao's lips. She wondered how she had never noticed this intriguing side of Chen Feng before.

"What's so funny, you harlot?!" Xia Hao, already in a foul mood, grew even angrier upon seeing Xia Mengyao's smile.

"Xia Hao, watch your language!" Xia Mengyao snapped, her patience wearing thin.

Chen Feng's face hardened. He could tolerate Xia Hao's insults directed at him, but when they were aimed at Xia Mengyao, that crossed a line.

"You think you're something special, don't you? Just because you spent a night with Lin Zongwei, you think you can strut around the Xia Family like you own the place. Our family's affairs are not for someone like you to decide," Xia Hao spat venomously, his words harsh and demeaning. Xia Mengyao's chest heaved with rapid breaths, clearly enraged by his outburst.

"Try insulting Mengyao one more time!" Chen Feng's face was icy, his expression terrifying.

Xia Hao, meeting Chen Feng's emotionless, frosty gaze, involuntarily shuddered, yet stubbornly retorted, "I'm her cousin; aren't I allowed to scold her? And you, just a live-in son-in-law, are being supported by our Xia Family. What's your role? You wouldn't dare lay a hand on me, would you?"

With a swift slap, Chen Feng sent Xia Hao spinning, knocking out two of his teeth.

"Sorry, but you were correct—I do dare to hit you." Chen Feng's tone was calm. Xia Mengyao was his red line.

Xia Hao could insult him, but if he dared to insult Xia Mengyao, he was signing his own death warrant!

Dazed by the slap, Xia Hao saw stars. It took him a few seconds to comprehend that Chen Feng had actually struck him. Lin Zongwei hitting him was one thing, but Chen Feng? What gave him the right? Xia Hao's rage boiled over.

"Chen Feng, I'll kill you!" Xia Hao bellowed, lunging at Chen Feng.

Chen Feng smirked with contempt. Xia Hao's slight frame was such that, without exaggeration, Chen Feng could take on ten of him at once!

Another slap sent Xia Hao spinning like a top once more.

"Chen Feng, what are you doing? Assault is illegal, you know?" Xia Zilan cried out in alarm, attempting to intervene.

"Shut up! Keep it up, and you'll get the same treatment!" Chen Feng snapped viciously.

Xia Zilan clammed up instantly.

Chen Feng had no inclination to be gentle; he had long found Xia Zilan irritating. If she continued to talk back, he wouldn't hesitate to give her a taste of his backhand.

Reeling from the two slaps, Xia Hao was utterly bewildered.

Was this the same doormat son-in-law of the Xia Family, who never fought back or talked back? Why was he so ferocious today?

As Chen Feng advanced toward him again, a wave of fear rose within Xia Hao.

"Chen Feng, what do you think you're doing? I'm the sole heir to the Xia Family. If you cause me serious harm, Grandfather will never forgive you!" Xia Hao blustered, his threat tinged with underlying panic.

Chen Feng let out a cold laugh and retorted, "Do you really think I'm scared of Xia Yunsheng?"

"Have you lost your mind?" Xia Hao's eyes bulged in disbelief. Chen Feng had the audacity to address Xia Yunsheng by his name outright.

"This is outrageous!"

"You're begging for trouble!"

"Kick him out of the Xia family!".