C119 Zhao Family

Chen Dafu's jaw dropped, his eyes wide with astonishment.

He was well aware of the issues between the Han and Zhao families, yet it had never crossed his mind that Han Qiqi's boyfriend would turn out to be Zhang Chen!

Wasn't Zhang Chen married into the Lin family?

Frozen in disbelief, Chen Dafu stood rooted to the spot.

Zhang Chen shook his head, a gesture of resignation, yet he harbored no real concern.

Zhao's mother was equally taken aback, her voice laced with bewilderment, "Mr. Chen?"

Within the confines of Ningzhou City, Chen Dafu and Han Tianhua were regarded as the two paramount forces.

But Han Tianhua's influence was primarily within Ningzhou.

Chen Dafu's reach extended well beyond.

The Zhao family's base wasn't in Ningzhou.

It took a moment for Chen Dafu to gather his thoughts, a flush of embarrassment coloring his cheeks.

He wavered, at a loss for words.

Han Qiqi rose to her feet, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "So, you resort to calling in reinforcements when you're at fault?"

Zhao's mother's anger flared anew, her voice rising, "What gives you the right to speak to me that way?"

In a covert move, Han Qiqi gave Zhang Chen a quick pinch.

With a sense of resignation, Zhang Chen could only offer a sheepish smile, countering, "And what gives you the right to address my girlfriend in such a manner?"

His retort left everyone speechless!

Han Qiqi shot him an approving glance.

Zhao Kuo barked in fury, "Who do you think you're talking to?"

Zhu Jiuyan observed Zhang Chen with a spark of curiosity.

Zhao Kuo was seething with rage!

Zhao's mother clenched her jaw, her hand raised in fury, "Do you have any idea who I am? Do you really think I can't make you vanish from Ningzhou?"

Zhang Chen feigned shock, but quickly shook his head, "I don't buy it."

Zhao's mother's breaths came in rapid succession, her chest heaving with indignation.

Her gaze shifted to Chen Dafu at her side, her voice icy, "Take a good look. Standing next to me is Ningzhou's wealthiest, Chen Dafu!"

Zhang Chen's grin widened, "I'm acquainted with him."

The room fell into stunned silence.

Zhao's mother fumed with anger!

It was a while before she spun around, her voice laced with unbridled rage, "Mr. Chen, did you catch that? He's openly challenging you!"

A flicker of urgency passed through Han Qiqi's gaze as she instinctively glanced toward Han Tianhua's location. She was powerless if Chen Dafu decided to go after Zhang Chen.

Zhao Kuo's lips curled into a cold smirk, and Zhao's mother's sneer was relentless.

Chen Dafu chuckled and remarked, "I heard what was said, but he didn't provoke me. He's a good friend of mine."

Silence enveloped the room.

Everyone was flabbergasted.

Han Qiqi's face was a picture of astonishment.

Han Tianhua looked equally shocked.

The sneer on Zhao's mother's face had solidified, her eyes brimming with bewilderment.

Only Zhu Jiuyan cast a meaningful glance across the room.

It took a while, but the crowd began to process the situation.

Zhao's mother, wide-eyed, managed to ask, "Mr. Chen, what are you saying?"

Chen Dafu, unfazed, cheerfully continued, "Young Master Chen, it's been days since you've sought me out."

Ignoring Zhao's mother only added to the ominous air.

Was Chen Dafu suggesting that Zhang Chen join him in his wealth-making ventures?

Had the world gone mad?

Disbelief swamped Zhao Haichen's features.

The room was filled with the sound of people swallowing hard.

Han Qiqi scrutinized Zhang Chen as if she had stumbled upon an uncharted land.

Zhang Chen, with an awkward smile, responded, "Director Chen, please, you flatter me. I haven't yet gotten a handle on managing the hotel you entrusted to me."

He hadn't anticipated Chen Dafu's public display of support.

The surrounding crowd was petrified, utterly baffled by the unfolding events.

Chen Dafu, still smiling, prodded, "Young Master Chen, would you say her earlier remarks were meant to sow discord between us?"

Caught off guard, Zhang Chen took a moment before he could inwardly commend Chen Dafu's emotional intelligence.

With a single statement, Chen Dafu had handed the reins of judgment to Zhang Chen.

Zhao's mother was dumbstruck.

The Han family members' eyes were saucers.

Chen Dafu's statement was tantamount to siding with Zhang Chen against the Zhao family.

Zhang Chen chuckled and replied, "No worries. They simply lack manners, after all."

After all, he was merely serving as a decoy. There was no need for him to create adversaries.

Zhao Haichen's heart flooded with relief. He cast a grateful glance at Zhang Chen.

Zhao's mother's chest heaved with intense agitation, her sense of shame overwhelming.

Chen Dafu gave a nod, turning to address the room with a measured tone, "As you all know, I was brought here to administer justice at your request."

"Yet, it seems the Zhao family has indeed overstepped in their remarks."

"It's only natural for Miss Han, a lady of considerable wealth, to exhibit some princess-like behavior."

The words left Zhao's mother and Zhao Kuo wearing expressions of deep humiliation, yet they were utterly speechless.

The very person they had summoned to dispense justice was now refusing to take their side.

This realization fanned the flames of Zhao's mother's fury, and she found herself wishing she could throttle Zhang Chen with her bare hands.

Chen Dafu's gaze narrowed as he spoke with a detached coolness, "I prefer not to meddle in your affairs, but since this involves my brother, I feel compelled to add my thoughts."

"If Miss Han consents to the union between your families, I wouldn't dream of intervening."

"However, should Miss Han's affections lie more with my brother, rest assured, I will not stand idly by."

His presence filled the room, an imposing aura that could only be cultivated from long-held authority.

Even Zhang Chen felt a jolt of surprise, realizing he had sorely underestimated Chen Dafu.

Han Qiqi's eyebrows lifted, her gaze sparkling with sheer excitement.

She watched Zhang Chen with the curiosity of a playful kitten.

The Zhao family fell into a contemplative silence, ultimately unable to voice a response.

The typically defiant Zhao's mother, however, did not dare to openly confront Chen Dafu.

Meanwhile, the gleam in Zhu Jiuyan's eyes grew ever more intense.