C122 Recovering

Zhang Chen quirked an eyebrow and teased, "You dare speak to me like that?"

Han Qiqi reverted to her usual self, declaring with haughty defiance, "You still expect to share a bed with me? That's never going to happen!"

With the issue settled, Zhang Chen was at ease.

"Soon, I'll just tell your folks we were putting on an act. I'm just a poor guy. I'm certainly not entitled to share a bed with a wealthy miss like you."

A self-mocking smile then crossed Zhang Chen's face.

Han Qiqi was taken aback, her anxiety flaring.

"You can't tell them that. If you do, my parents will flay me alive!"

She blurted out in a frenzy.

Zhang Chen feigned agony, "So what do we do? I can't sleep with you, but I can't leave either. Are you trying to kill me here?"

Han Qiqi clenched her teeth, her voice tinged with urgency, "Keep it down, will you? Don't let anyone overhear this!"

Her cautious demeanor only deepened Zhang Chen's sense of satisfaction.

Finally, after a long pause, Han Qiqi whispered, "If there's really no other way, I'll sleep with you. I'll just sleep on the floor if I have to."

It was a significant concession.

Zhang Chen grew more agitated, "But that's just it—I don't want to sleep with you! I refuse to suffer that indignity!"

"I'm a young man! If word gets out that I shared a bed with you, how could I show my face again?"

Han Qiqi was left speechless.

He was utterly shameless!

Exasperated, Han Qiqi said, "How can you be like this? Regardless, you need to help me!"

"I've helped you out, so now it's your turn to help me!"

Even in her insistence, a playful whine colored her voice.

Zhang Chen couldn't help but smile inwardly.

Yet now, he was at a loss for what to do next.

As he hesitated, his phone suddenly rang.

Startled, Zhang Chen pulled it out to see Lee Fengqin's name on the screen.

With a slight frown, he answered the call.

Immediately, a piercing voice demanded, "Have you seen Zhiqing?"

Lin Zhiqing was missing again?

Zhang Chen's frown deepened as he replied, "No."

But before he could say more, all he heard was the dial tone.

Zhang Chen was seized by a sudden, inexplicable sense of urgency.

Could Shenyin's people have arrived so swiftly?

"What's the matter?" Han Qiqi asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

"Nothing," he replied, and hastily dialed Loong San's number.

The call connected almost immediately.

"Have Shenyin's people come back?" Zhang Chen inquired, his voice laced with concern.

Loong San responded in a grave tone, "No, Miss Lin is at the bar."

The bar.

Confusion clouded Zhang Chen's eyes as he processed this information.

Once the call ended, he tried reaching Lin Zhiqing, only to be met with an automated response: "Sorry, the number you have dialed is switched off."

What was happening?

A flicker of bewilderment crossed Zhang Chen's gaze.

He couldn't shake the worry he felt for her. Lin Zhiqing must be dealing with a lot, he thought.

With a heavy heart and a sigh, he felt a pang of discomfort.

"What's bothering you?" Han Qiqi pressed, her own concern evident.

After a brief pause, Zhang Chen admitted, "I've got some things to take care of, so I need to head out. Just tell your folks I got tied up with something. They shouldn't mind."

Han Qiqi's expression turned to one of distress. "You can't leave! I can't lie to my mom."

Zhang Chen was torn.

He mulled it over, then offered with a smile, "How about we both make a run for it?"

Han Qiqi was taken aback.

Zhang Chen coaxed her further, "What's holding you back? You're always so bold; why hesitate to make a break for it with me?"

"I'm not afraid," Han Qiqi retorted, her annoyance clear. "My mother's health isn't great, and I don't want to upset her!"

Zhang Chen's smile widened. "Your mom seems to really like me. She won't fuss if you leave with me. And if there's an issue, we can just say we're staying elsewhere."

Han Qiqi remained conflicted.

"Why the hesitation?" Zhang Chen said with an easygoing air. "Unless you're actually considering sharing a room with me? Just so you know, I tend to toss and turn in my sleep."

"And I might sleepwalk or snore," he added.

At that, Han Qiqi's eyes went wide, and she quickly conceded, "Alright, I'm in. Let's run!"

Zhang Chen flashed a triumphant smile.

"Let's go!"

Seizing the opportunity before Han Tianhua and Zhu Jiuyan could return, they swiftly fled the villa and departed from the estate.

Once outside, a black Mercedes-Benz was parked by the roadside.

There was a surveillance camera.

Zhang Chen shook his head dismissively and climbed into the Mercedes.

Han Qiqi, though confused, quickly followed suit.

The car sped off in no time.

Loong San was well aware that Zhang Chen was bound for the bar.

Meanwhile, an unusual sensation was gradually taking hold in Zhang Chen's heart.

His concern for Lin Zhiqing's safety was paramount, yet today presented an ideal chance with Han Qiqi right there beside him.

He was poised to have Han Qiqi clarify the recent events face to face.

Soon enough, they pulled up in front of a bar.

Stepping out of the car, Zhang Chen led Han Qiqi straight into the establishment.

As they entered, they were engulfed by the blaring music.

Zhang Chen's body vibrated with the beat; such an atmosphere was not to his liking.

He scanned the room. The dim lighting made it nearly impossible to see clearly, so he continued his search in silence.

In a corner booth, Lin Zhiqing sat with a rosy glow on her cheeks, nursing a glass of wine.

A dagger lay ominously next to her hand.

With each sip, tears began to stream down her face.

Exhaustion had set in.

The past couple of days had been exceptionally stressful for Lin Zhiqing.

She was juggling the demands of her Xuanying studio and the affairs of Lin's Group.

With Lin Junkai's departure, the weight of numerous responsibilities had fallen on Lin Zhiqing's shoulders.

Though she had achieved her goal, Lin Guolong was exerting immense pressure on her from the shadows.

To make matters worse, many of the company's employees were once loyal to Lin Junkai.

Her promotion had been met with skepticism and adversity.

Coupled with the recent flurry of news about Zhang Chen, her emotions were in turmoil.

Another glass down, and Lin Zhiqing's head started to spin.

It was then that a taunting voice broke through the din, "Hey, beautiful, drinking all by yourself? How about we keep you company?"

She lifted her gaze to meet several ruffians approaching, smirks of lechery painted across their faces.

Lin Zhiqing grasped the dagger lying next to her and said icily, "Back off!"

The thugs cocked an eyebrow, their surprise tinged with admiration. "You've got some fight in you! What's eating you? Share with me your troubles, I'll help you get it off your chest!"

With that, one of them reached out for Lin Zhiqing's wrist.

A surge of fury instantly flared within Lin Zhiqing.

The sharp bite of alcohol, coupled with her inner turmoil, stripped away her rationality!