C148 I will Make the Decision!!

Lin Guolong shot Zhang Chen a withering glare before reluctantly answering the phone. Moments later, his expression turned to one of shock. "How could they refuse to cooperate?" he exclaimed.

A wave of alarm swept through the room as everyone's faces registered shock. Panic flickered in Lin Zhiqing's eyes—this deal was crucial for the Lin family's pressing issues.

Lin Guofeng, his brows furrowed, fixed his gaze on Lin Guolong. After a few more words from the other end of the line, Lin Guolong slumped onto the couch, his face a mask of bewilderment.

Old Master Lin cast a significant glance at Zhang Chen, who responded with a cheery, "How's it going, Second Uncle?"

Lin Guolong felt a sharp twinge of irritation. Zhang Chen added, "You shouldn't be too greedy."

That set Lin Guolong off. He bellowed, "Shut your mouth! Did you have a hand in this?"

With a smile, Zhang Chen replied, "I don't have that kind of power." His casual dismissal eased the suspicions of the others—except for Lin Miao, whose eyes shimmered with complexity. She was certain Zhang Chen was capable.

Lin Guolong's voice turned dark. "Lin Zhiqing, did you tell them something?"

Caught off guard, Lin Zhiqing's face was a picture of bewilderment.

Lin Guofeng's voice cut through the tension. "What other explanation could there be? Zhiqing, how does this serve your interests?"

With her teeth clenched and eyes brimming with urgency, Lin Zhiqing remained silent.

Zhang Chen chuckled. "This is quite the spectacle. Zhiqing's due credit has been hijacked, and yet you're interrogating her. What good does it do you, Second Uncle, to take her credit?"

Lin Guolong seethed with rage but found himself at a loss for words.

Lin Guofeng inhaled deeply, striving for composure. "This isn't a game, Zhiqing. It's vital to the Lin family. If you can salvage the deal, I assure you, the credit will be all yours."

Confusion clouded Lin Zhiqing's expression; she was at a loss for words.

Anxiously, Lin Guolong urged, "Zhiqing, please, go and restore the cooperation. This time, the credit will be unequivocally yours!"

Lin Zhiqing clenched her teeth gently.

Just as she was about to reply, Zhang Chen's icy voice cut in, "What's going through your minds?"

He couldn't let this issue slide!

Moreover, once this was over, Lin Zhiqing would undoubtedly face even harsher bullying.

He couldn't bear to see Lin Zhiqing mistreated!

Lin Guolong bellowed, "Silence! Zhiqing is an employee of Lin's Group. She has both the responsibility and the duty to work for the company!"

Zhang Chen's smile slowly faded as he responded coolly, "What's the point of her staying at such a company?"

A plan was already forming in his mind.

Everyone in the room widened their eyes in shock.

A look of incredulity shone in Lin Zhiqing's eyes.

Lin Guofeng barked, "Zhang Chen, it's not your place to decide what happens with Zhiqing!"

But Zhang Chen blatantly ignored him, casting a covert glance at the Old Master.

Seeing no sign of disapproval on the Old Master's face, he breathed a sigh of relief.

The Lin's Group was no longer on the rise.

Perhaps it was better for Lin Zhiqing to quietly focus on developing Xuanying.

Lin Guolong's eyes narrowed as he demanded coldly, "Zhiqing, don't you have anything to say?"

Lin Zhiqing was torn.

She hadn't anticipated Zhang Chen's remarks.

Yet, as she gazed at his retreating figure, a surprising sense of security welled up inside her.

Zhang Chen, however, wasn't dwelling on it.

A plan was just that—a plan. It was clearly not feasible for Lin Zhiqing to leave Lin's Group at this juncture.

The company hadn't let her down that much.

Then, Lin Zhiqing declared, "Indeed, he's the one to make decisions regarding my affairs."

Her cool voice echoed through the hall.

Zhang Chen was dumbfounded.

Everyone was bewildered, including Old Master Lin, whose eyes flickered with unexpected surprise.

Zhang Chen swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on Lin Zhiqing in disbelief.

She stood silently, their eyes meeting. For reasons unknown to her, a sense of triumph surged within Lin Zhiqing.

And Zhang Chen looked back at her intently.

His efforts to assist Lin Zhiqing clearly weren't wasted!

It took a moment, but everyone eventually caught on.

"Fine!"

Lin Guolong was shaking with rage as he spat out coldly, "You've outgrown us. You're too good for Lin's Group now!"

"Fine! We'll just see about that!"

"Even without you, Lin Zhiqing, the Lin family will still secure the project!"

"And without Lin's Group, what do you have left? Your pathetic little studio?"

Zhang Chen turned, a triumphant grin on his face.

"Sure, she's got nothing but a shabby little studio now, but who's to say it won't grow into something more?"

Zhang Chen chuckled, clearly in high spirits.

Lin Guofeng clenched his jaw and barked, "Fine, if Lin's Group has no place for you, then leave!"

"We have more important matters to attend to!"

With those words, Lin Guofeng had effectively disowned Lin Zhiqing from the Lin family.

With nothing left to say, Zhang Chen saw no reason to stay.

"Alright, then. This is goodbye."

With that, he led Lin Zhiqing away.

As they reached the door, Zhang Chen couldn't resist one last jab with a smirk, "Oh, and Second Uncle, you might want to try for that project again."

"It'll be quite the embarrassment if Zhiqing, now separate from Lin's Group, ends up with it."

He then escorted Lin Zhiqing out of the villa.

"You..."

Lin Guolong was seething, his eyes dark with fury.

Old Master Lin chuckled, "Now, now, no need for anger."

He appeared to console Lin Guofeng, yet his gaze lingered on Zhang Chen's departing figure.

Lin Guolong and Lin Guofeng were at a loss for words.

Eventually, Old Master Lin mused to himself, "Is it all beginning so soon?"

He sighed deeply.

Meanwhile, Zhang Chen and Lin Zhiqing had made it to the courtyard gate.

After a long pause, Lin Zhiqing finally voiced her concern, "Why did you make me leave Lin's Group?"

Zhang Chen stopped in his tracks, smiling slyly, "Why did you listen to me so readily?"

A flustered Lin Zhiqing replied anxiously, "I didn't just listen to you—I'm genuinely unhappy there."

Zhang Chen's eyebrows quirked up, a playful tone in his voice, "Oh, is that so?"