C141 You Are Asking for Humiliation!!

Zhang Chen arched an eyebrow.

Zhao Kuo had also spotted Han Qiqi and approached with excitement.

However, upon laying eyes on Zhang Chen, he came to an abrupt halt, his expression darkening.

To make matters worse, Han Qiqi was clasping Zhang Chen's hand!

Seemingly oblivious to Zhao Kuo, Han Qiqi continued to walk forward at a leisurely pace.

Zhao Kuo clenched his jaw and stepped forward, offering a strained smile. "Qiqi, you've arrived."

Han Qiqi replied with a tone of disdain, "As you can see, I'm already here."

After a brief hesitation, Zhao Kuo turned his ire towards Zhang Chen, his voice icy. "And you're here too?"

Echoing her earlier response, Zhang Chen quipped, "As you can see, I'm already here."

Laughter erupted from several onlookers who had turned their attention to the unfolding scene.

A flicker of rage crossed Zhao Kuo's eyes as he demanded, "What are you doing here? You weren't invited, were you?"

The crowd around them buzzed with speculation.

Zhang Chen offered a wry smile in response.

With a note of irritation, Han Qiqi declared, "This is a dance, and he's my dance partner."

Zhao Kuo's expression shifted as he forced a smile. "I can be your dance partner. After all, I am your fiancé."

Without missing a beat, Han Qiqi retorted, "I have no desire to dance with you!"

Zhao Kuo inhaled sharply, his breaths becoming more rapid.

Han Qiqi pressed on, "So, are you going to let us in, or not? If you're not, we'll just leave. I wasn't keen on coming in the first place."

In a flurry, Zhao Kuo blurted out, "Please, go ahead inside."

He stepped aside, and Han Qiqi, arm in arm with Zhang Chen, entered the hotel.

The murmurs of the crowd continued.

Zhao Kuo's complexion grew stormy, a glint of coldness in his gaze.

He returned to his post to resume his hosting duties.

Inside the hotel, a sizable crowd had gathered.

The attendees were dressed to the nines, exuding elegance. Zhang Chen and Han Qiqi, however, stood out from the rest.

Preferring to avoid the hubbub, Zhang Chen led Han Qiqi to a quiet corner.

Han Qiqi began to explain, "In essence, this is a matchmaking gala. Frankly, it's an event organized by the major families to seek out partnership opportunities."

Zhang Chen had a realization.

Before long, guests began to trickle in from outside.

The majority were women.

Among them, Zhang Chen recognized a few familiar faces—Yee Qingsong and Hee Jiahua.

A sense of helplessness washed over him.

He couldn't shake the feeling that there was some underlying scheme to this ball.

In short order, the last of the attendees had arrived, and the hotel doors were shut.

Zhao Kuo's eyes methodically scanned the crowd before settling on Han Qiqi, a peculiar gleam flickering in his gaze.

Without further hesitation, he strode to the center stage, microphone in hand. "Thank you all for joining us at today's ball," he announced.

"Let's start with dancing."

"Afterward, there will be time for everyone to mingle!"

As Zhao Kuo's voice trailed off, the hall filled with the sound of smooth, calming music.

Guests began to twirl and sway in the central clearing.

Others meandered through the hotel in search of the perfect dance partner.

Zhang Chen, however, had no interest in dancing; he didn't even know how.

Han Qiqi, dressed to the nines, was nonchalantly cracking melon seeds.

Soon, the dance floor was abuzz with activity.

Zhang Chen and Han Qiqi stood out conspicuously.

With a smile playing on his lips, Zhao Kuo approached them at a leisurely pace.

Yet Zhang Chen and Han Qiqi seemed to look right through him.

Pausing, Zhao Kuo offered a courteous smile. "I'd like to ask your lady friend for a dance. You wouldn't mind, would you?"

Zhang Chen blinked in surprise.

"I mind," he retorted.

Zhao Kuo's smile faltered, his voice dropping to an icy tone. "Even if you do, you'll just have to deal with it!"

He turned his attention back to Han Qiqi.

Zhang Chen, clearly irritated, shot back, "Then why bother asking?"

Zhao Kuo stumbled, nearly losing his balance!

Regaining his composure, Zhao Kuo forced a gentlemanly smile once more. "Qiqi, may I have the honor of this dance?"

Without looking up from her seeds, Han Qiqi's voice was frosty. "No."

At her refusal, Zhao Kuo's composure cracked, his mouth twitching wildly.

Around them, other dancers couldn't help but smirk at the scene.

Taking a deep breath, Zhao Kuo's eyes blazed with a fierce intensity.

Alright, just you wait!

Zhao Kuo stormed off, a plan already forming in his mind.

Zhang Chen shook his head in resignation and muttered, "Now I truly understand the meaning of 'asking for it.'"

Han Qiqi couldn't suppress her giggles.

After what felt like an eternity, the ball finally came to a close.

Numerous young men and women eagerly exchanged contact information, living up to the event's reputation as a successful matchmaking festival.

The crowd settled back into their seats.

Zhao Kuo stepped onto the stage, beaming. "In addition to dancing, I've prepared some unique entertainment for everyone tonight."

His announcement piqued the curiosity of many in the audience.

A sly smile played on Zhao Kuo's lips as he slowly announced, "Now, please enjoy the show."

He then descended from the stage.

Shortly after, a group of men dressed in white training attire ascended the stage, each brandishing a variety of traditional weapons.

The sound of gongs and drums filled the hall, setting the rhythm for the performance.

The audience was captivated by the spectacle on stage.

Zhang Chen, after a few brief glances, quickly lost interest.

Before long, the performance concluded.

Most performers exited, leaving two muscular men standing silently to the side.

Zhao Kuo reemerged on stage, all smiles. "Did you find their performance spectacular?"

The high society ladies below cheered in approval.

Pleased, Zhao Kuo nodded and continued, "I have an even more thrilling act in store. We'll randomly select an audience member to join in the performance."

"Would you like to see that?"

The crowd's response was immediate and enthusiastic: "Yes!"

Zhang Chen's brow furrowed, a sense of foreboding washing over him.

As the plan unfolded, Zhao Kuo's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Well then, let's find our lucky audience member!"

His gaze landed squarely on Zhang Chen.

Zhang Chen was taken aback.