C78 It Was Proof That He Was a Man!!

Despite her struggles, Zhang Chen strode into the elevator.

He was holding his breath, the intense pain nearly choking him. But to get Han Qiqi to leave, he had no other choice.

"Release me! Do you think I won't have your hotel demolished this instant?" Han Qiqi's resistance grew fiercer, her voice breaking from the strain.

Zhang Chen winced in pain. Her thrashing sent waves of agony through every inch of his skin. The friction between them intensified, and his grip tightened involuntarily, the sensation torturing him.

Han Qiqi's hands began to pummel Zhang Chen's body as the elevator dinged its arrival.

Without hesitation, Zhang Chen made a beeline for the hotel entrance.

"Let me go!" Han Qiqi's cries were frantic. "Let me go! I'm from a distinguished Ningzhou family! How can I face anyone if my people see me like this?"

"Do you think I won't have my father tear down your hotel?"

"Let go, or I'm calling the police!"

But before she could finish her threat, she realized Zhang Chen had already halted.

Han Qiqi was taken aback, then rage flooded her features.

She was about to explode with anger when a glance at the surrounding scene sent a shiver through her.

Staring blankly, she was horrified to see the hotel lobby teeming with people.

Looking down at their compromising position, Han Qiqi was dumbfounded.

Zhang Chen was equally shocked, not expecting such a crowd to have gathered so quickly.

What was worse, all eyes were on Han Qiqi, drawn by her shouting. The crowd was silent, fixated on her. Some even whipped out their phones to capture the moment.

Suddenly, Han Qiqi's scream pierced the silence.

Startled, Zhang Chen released her immediately.

Regaining her footing, Han Qiqi scrambled to smooth out her clothes.

"Oh my God, isn't that Miss Han?"

"Yes, that's her! What's going on? There's trouble in Ningzhou!"

"Who is that man? How dare he manhandle Miss Han?"

The crowd regained their composure and began murmuring among themselves.

Han Qiqi looked up in fury, her face a storm of changing emotions. She was mortified.

"Stop staring!" Han Qiqi barked.

Those around her quickly averted their eyes.

With her teeth clenched, Han Qiqi's dark gaze bore into Zhang Chen.

Zhang Chen, with a helpless shrug, responded, "You asked for this, not me. I'm not to blame."

Han Qiqi, seething, threatened, "You've embarrassed me. I'll make sure you're out of a job!"

"Wreck his hotel!"

Her voice nearly broke with the force of her last command.

Zhang Chen's brow furrowed in an instant.

Looking up, he could no longer see anyone outside.

He wondered if Loong San had taken care of the situation.

Once again, all eyes in the vicinity were on him.

"What? Miss Han was coerced? That guy's as good as dead!"

"He's lost his mind."

"He dared to lay a hand on Miss Han?"

Voices buzzed with speculation and judgment.

Disdainful glares converged on Zhang Chen.

Han Qiqi's eyes turned icy, her rage palpable, chilling the air of the entire hall.

Seconds ticked by. Ten seconds. No sign of movement.

Thirty seconds. Still nothing at the entrance.

The onlookers froze, their gazes drifting towards the door in confusion.

Han Qiqi's anger faded to disbelief as she turned around, her expression one of shock. She had been waiting, but no one appeared at the hotel entrance.

Where were her people?

Confusion clouded Han Qiqi's eyes, mirrored by the crowd's puzzled faces.

What was happening?

"Where are my people!" Han Qiqi cried out again in fury.

She waited, but still, no one came.

An uncomfortable silence began to permeate the hall.

Han Qiqi was at a loss.

Zhang Chen flashed a mischievous smile. "Looks like I'll be escorting you out after all."

Han Qiqi's face was a mask of rage, under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

Yet, Han Qiqi found herself speechless.

Zhang Chen teased, "If you've got nothing to say, then it's time for you to go."

With that, he moved towards her.

"Don't come any closer!"

Startled, Han Qiqi stumbled backward, her voice tinged with panic.

Zhang Chen halted and declared, "Then you should leave."

With that, he couldn't suppress a smug grin.

"You..."

Rage surged anew in Han Qiqi's chest, yet she found herself speechless.

Today had been a total humiliation!

After a moment, Han Qiqi stamped her foot with fury and spat out, "You'll see!"

Seething, she stormed off.

Zhang Chen allowed himself a triumphant smile before addressing the onlookers, "My apologies for the wait, everyone. To make it up to you, I'll add an extra dish to your meal today as my way of saying sorry."

The crowd paused, taken aback.

"Alright, thanks a lot, boss!"

"Much appreciated, boss."

"Ha, with the way you handle things, I'm sticking with your hotel from now on!"

Once the initial surprise faded, they began to buzz with excitement.

For these patrons, it wasn't about the extra dish; it was Zhang Chen's approach that impressed them.

Without lingering further, Zhang Chen made his way back to the meeting room.

Meanwhile, Han Qiqi was fuming at the hotel entrance, scanning the area to no avail.

Her eyes gleamed with calculation.

She was certain her underlings wouldn't dare leave on their own.

Then...

Gradually, her anger subsided, replaced by a sly smile.

"Interesting," she murmured before striding away.

Time flew, and three hours later, Zhang Chen emerged victorious from a mountain of paperwork.

Only now could he fully empathize with Su Mang's struggles.

Having passed the baton of plans to Secretary Wu, he felt a sense of liberation.

Zhang Chen turned and inquired, "Secretary Wu, don't I have an office? Working in the conference room is rather dull."

Secretary Wu responded with deference, "You certainly do. It's the one previously occupied by Director Chen, though it's been vacant."

"I'll arrange for the office to be cleaned shortly."

Zhang Chen nodded, his eyes alight with anticipation.

What would his first office look like?

His musings were cut short by the ring of his phone.

It was Loong San on the line. He pressed the answer button without hesitation.

"What's the matter?" Zhang Chen asked.

Loong San's deep voice came through: "I have news about Lee Junyi."

Zhang Chen's eyebrows lifted in surprise.

That was quick, wasn't it?