C149 His Sister Is Back'!

Lin Zhiqing quickly steadied her emotions and responded with a cool detachment, "Yes, what else?"

Zhang Chen chuckled, shaking his head before steering the conversation in a new direction. "Staying with Lin's Group isn't benefiting you or the Lin family."

"You'd be better off breaking away from the Lin family and developing Xuanying on your own."

"Once you're strong enough to protect the Lin family, you won't need Lin's Group anymore."

Caught off guard, Lin Zhiqing sighed and settled into the car.

Zhang Chen took his place in the passenger seat.

Before long, Lin Zhiqing voiced her concerns. "You don't get it. Sure, it sounds simple, but is it really that easy to get something off the ground?"

"Without money, you're already out of the game."

Zhang Chen's laughter filled the car. "Who says you're out of funds? Didn't you just land a project?"

"Take on this project yourself, and you'll have the capital you need to grow Xuanying."

His words left Lin Zhiqing speechless.

After a moment's reflection, she replied with a hint of resignation, "But the partners have already backed out. How could they possibly want to work with me now?"

Leaning back comfortably, Zhang Chen grinned. "You never know. What if they've taken a liking to you? Why not give it a shot?"

Lin Zhiqing felt a surge of hope.

Securing this project could mean the financial breakthrough she needed for Xuanying!

After much deliberation, she finally pulled out her phone and dialed the number.

The call connected quickly.

With caution, Lin Zhiqing inquired, "Hello, I've been informed that our collaboration has been called off, is that correct?"

The sweet voice of Wang Yunan came through, "Not at all."

Lin Zhiqing was momentarily taken aback.

Zhang Chen offered her an encouraging glance.

Lin Zhiqing pressed on, "Then what was my company talking about?"

Wang Yunan's laughter was light and breezy. "I'm not acquainted with Lin's Group. I'm interested in partnering with you."

"Our cooperation is still on track."

That single sentence left Lin Zhiqing utterly astounded!

Wang Yunan spoke again, "When are you available? We should get that unfinished contract signed."

A wave of excitement washed over Lin Zhiqing, and she quickly replied, "I'm free now. I can come over anytime."

Zhang Chen's lips curled into an involuntary smile.

Seeing Lin Zhiqing happy made him happy too.

They quickly set a time and ended the call.

Lin Zhiqing exclaimed with excitement, "I can't believe she really wants to collaborate with me. What's going on?"

With a helpless shrug and a smile, Zhang Chen replied, "I'm clueless too. Maybe she truly sees something in you."

A glint of sharpness passed through Lin Zhiqing's eyes as she questioned, "Does this have anything to do with you?"

Zhang Chen paused, taken aback.

Lin Zhiqing was certainly astute.

"How could that be? How could I have anything to do with your collaboration? I don't even know what it's about," he said, his smile tinged with embarrassment.

Unable to argue, Lin Zhiqing's doubts gradually gave way to her growing excitement.

Zhang Chen kept smiling and teased, "So, do you have the funds to develop Xuanying now?"

Lin Zhiqing nodded emphatically.

Grinning, Zhang Chen encouraged her, "Well then, go sign that contract. After this project, you'll be able to realize your dream."

"The Lin family still needs your protection."

Lin Zhiqing gave Zhang Chen a long, complex look.

"I should get going, and you should too," she said.

With that, Zhang Chen pushed open the car door and stepped out.

Lin Zhiqing remained silent for a moment, watching Zhang Chen wave goodbye before she finally pressed the gas pedal.

Yet, her gaze lingered on Zhang Chen in the rearview mirror until her car vanished from sight.

It was only then that Zhang Chen's smile slowly faded.

With the issue resolved and Lin Zhiqing standing on her own, Zhang Chen felt a burden lift from his shoulders.

Before long, a black Mercedes-Benz rolled to a stop in front of him.

Shaking his head with a wry smile, Zhang Chen opened the door and got in.

Loong San promptly drove off toward the villa.

Zhang Chen didn't dwell on it; with nothing pressing, he felt a welcome ease.

Lin Zhiqing's influence was growing.

His own hotel branch was on the cusp of opening.

They soon reached the villa, and Zhang Chen strode inside.

The emptiness of the room struck him with a wave of solitude.

He had only just begun to feel at home, and now he was alone once more.

Zhang Chen let out a quiet sigh and stretched out on the couch.

As dusk approached, Zhang Chen found himself at a loss for what to do, his boredom palpable.

While he debated whether to practice with Loong San, an unusual scent caught his attention.

Zhang Chen paused, a frown creasing his brow.

The aroma seemed oddly familiar to him.

But before he could ponder it further, a figure burst from behind the sofa!

Zhang Chen's eyes flew wide open, a jolt of surprise racing through him!

Yet before he could gather his thoughts, he felt a weight press down upon him!

Looking up, Zhang Chen was met with a delicate face right before his eyes!

And then, he was utterly dumbfounded.

"Third Sister, when did you get back?" he exclaimed with delight.

Su Mang smiled coyly and asked with a hint of arrogance, "Well? Are you surprised?"

It was then that Zhang Chen realized Su Mang was sprawled across him.

"Third Sister, I'm thrilled, but could you please get off?" he said with an awkward grin.

Su Mang rolled her eyes and retorted, "What, I just got back and you're already trying to send me away?"

She punctuated her words with a petulant wriggle of her body.

"I'm not trying to send you off, it's just that this isn't quite proper," Zhang Chen explained, his voice tinged with embarrassment.

He found himself too sheepish to articulate the rest.

Unperturbed, Su Mang teased, "Feeling shy now, are we? Didn't you use to sneak into my bed when you were little?"

Zhang Chen blushed, stammering, "I was just a kid back then."

Su Mang pouted, then finally shifted to sit on the couch, elegantly crossing her legs with a sulky expression.

Zhang Chen chuckled and straightened up.

"Third Sister, what brings you back? I thought you said you'd be tied up for quite a while?"

His voice was laced with pleasant surprise.

Indeed, it was an unexpected joy!

Su Mang pursed her lips and replied, "I'm not busy all the time. I had some free time, so I thought I'd come check on you."

"Have you been bringing any women home while I've been away?"

With that, she fixed him with a scrutinizing gaze.

Zhang Chen's mouth quirked involuntarily.