C150 The Enemy Has Gathered!!

Above all, it just didn't suit Su Mang's character.

Zhang Chen quickly shook his head, insisting, "No way, that's not me."

A look of satisfaction spread across Su Mang's face.

Zhang Chen, bubbling with excitement, asked, "Third Sister, how long are you staying this time?"

Su Mang shook her head, "I really don't have much time—I'm practically working for you!"

Zhang Chen was momentarily taken aback.

Realizing she'd said too much, Su Mang hastily corrected herself, "I have to leave tomorrow. I had a rare moment of free time today, so I decided to drop in for a visit."

A twinge of disappointment tugged at Zhang Chen's heart.

"So, when will you be done with work?" he inquired.

He was plagued by an odd sensation he couldn't quite place.

Su Mang tousled Zhang Chen's hair affectionately, "Once you're all grown up, I'll be able to take a break."

"I'm counting on you to support me someday."

Zhang Chen felt a sense of resignation.

With a grin, Su Mang asked, "Got any plans later?"

"I'm all yours," Zhang Chen replied eagerly. "What's on your mind?"

He was just dying of boredom.

"Has anyone with the last name Ouyang been giving you trouble lately?" Su Mang probed.

Zhang Chen paused, the name ringing a bell.

Yet, he hadn't encountered any recent troubles.

"Nope," he replied, shaking his head.

Relieved, Su Mang's smile widened, "Great, then today I'm taking you somewhere exciting!"

"Where to?" Zhang Chen asked, his curiosity piqued.

"You'll see," Su Mang teased, taking his hand and leading him outside.

Stepping out, they found a black Mercedes-Benz waiting.

Puzzled, Zhang Chen inquired, "What happened to your Rolls Royce?"

Su Mang gave him an eye roll, "What, you've become materialistic now?"

Zhang Chen quickly denied it, grinning, "Just curious, that's all."

Su Mang nodded, "I flew back just to see you."

It was clear Su Mang had traveled a great distance to return.

Warmth flooded Zhang Chen's heart once more.

Despite her likely exhaustion, Su Mang had made the journey back just for him.

Loong San quickly pulled the car out onto the road.

Zhang Chen's thoughts were tangled in a complex web of emotions.

He looked up, only to realize that they had been on the move for quite some time.

The two struck up a casual conversation.

Over half an hour later, the car came to a gentle stop.

Zhang Chen glanced outside and recognized the outskirts of the city's eastern district.

Though bustling, it paled in comparison to the city center.

Stepping out of the car, he was greeted by the sight of a hotel.

The hotel itself wasn't overly opulent, yet a lineup of luxury cars adorned its entrance.

Su Mang offered a knowing smile and remarked, "The owner here is hosting a gathering today. It's the kind of event where all of Ningzhou's elite come together."

Zhang Chen was taken aback.

Who was this influential figure within the hotel?

"I returned to check on you, and it just so happened I received an invite," Su Mang explained. "I thought it'd be good to bring you along."

Zhang Chen nodded, though a sense of awe still lingered within him.

"Third Sister, who exactly is the hotel owner?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.

After a brief pause, Su Mang replied, "Whenever he throws a party, it's like Ningzhou's hierarchy gets reshuffled."

Zhang Chen involuntarily gasped at the implication.

Who was this person with such formidable clout?

"Come on, let's head inside. This is all beyond you for now," Su Mang gestured dismissively and strode toward the hotel entrance.

Zhang Chen fell into step behind her, with Loong San trailing at the rear.

It was then that Zhang Chen sensed a dramatic shift in Su Mang's presence – a chilling authority that seemed to emanate from her very core.

It dawned on him that Third Sister might well be on par with the hotel's owner.

They soon entered the hotel, where the expansive lobby was teeming with guests.

Murmurs filled the air as everyone conversed in hushed tones, seemingly cautious about their volume.

Zhang Chen's eyes swept across the room, recognizing several familiar faces.

Before he could dwell on it further, Su Mang's voice cut through, "Brother, take a seat here for a moment. I'm going to meet a friend."

With a smile, Zhang Chen replied, "Sure."

Su Mang nodded and made a beeline for the staircase on the right.

Loong San trailed silently behind her.

Zhang Chen glanced at the second floor, a spark of insight flickering in his eyes.

The owner of this place had to be someone of extraordinary status—Loong San wouldn't have accompanied Su Mang otherwise.

Shaking his head, Zhang Chen quietly made his way to a corner on the right, seeking solitude over the buzz of the crowd.

But before he could settle in, an excited voice rang out, "Zhang Chen? What brings you here?"

He paused, recognizing the voice.

Was that Han Qiqi?

Looking up, Zhang Chen saw Han Qiqi approaching with a look of delight.

She had slipped into another elegant evening dress, though it seemed somewhat out of place on her.

Zhang Chen was taken aback but quickly pieced it together—Han Tianhua was a heavyweight in Ningzhou, after all.

"Fancy meeting you here," Zhang Chen greeted with a grin, taking a seat at an empty table.

Han Qiqi hurried to his side, lamenting, "I had no say in it—my dad dragged me out to 'broaden my horizons.'"

With a sympathetic shake of his head, Zhang Chen's gaze swept the room once more, spotting a host of familiar faces.

Yee Qingsong, Lee Junyi, Zhao Kuo, and Hee Jiahua were all present, along with a slew of others he had yet to meet.

Han Qiqi joined in with her own set of grievances.

Zhang Chen chuckled, offering a light-hearted agreement.

Yet, his mind was elsewhere, pondering who Su Mang was meeting upstairs.

The hotel owner, perhaps?

Amidst his curiosity, a mocking voice cut through, "Qiqi, what am I to say about you?"

"Bringing your boyfriend to an event like this?"

"Have you lost your mind?"

Zhang Chen froze.

He looked up to find Zhao Kuo smirking at him, sauntering closer with each word.