The wooden beauty of Young Master Sheng(176-180)

Chapter 176: Overnight

"Chenchen, his house has many rooms. You don't have to squeeze into one room."


Sheng Mingsi probably figured out why she insisted on staying in one room, perhaps to avoid causing trouble for others.


But she was close to him, and there was no need to worry about bothering him.


Jiang Chenchen shook her head resolutely at his suggestion. "Brother Ah Si, I don't think I'll sleep for long. I just want to be with you. Is that okay?"


Qin Yansheng's eyes sparkled. He didn't expect this girl to be so straightforward.


But he felt a bit awkward staying here any longer. Opening the door, turning on the lights, the room was spacious, and the bed was large.


"You can rest freely. If you need anything, just call me. I'll be in the room in front," Qin Yansheng said before leaving.


After he left, Sheng Mingsi led Jiang Chenchen into the room.


Then he closed the door.


Both of them were exhausted. The guest room was quite spacious, with a small sofa. Sheng Mingsi lay down, with his legs hanging over the edge, making the sofa look small.


Jiang Chenchen couldn't bear to watch it and pulled him up. "Ah Si, you sleep on the bed, and I'll sleep here. I'm small."


"But can you sleep comfortably here? Or should I ask Yan Sheng to arrange another room..." Sheng Mingsi hesitated.


"No need. I'm fine sleeping here," she said. Because of what she saw with Lu Su, she didn't dare to sleep alone. It wasn't fear of being harmed but fear of Sheng Mingsi. She was afraid that if he was out of her sight, the unknown fear would return.


Although Sheng Mingsi didn't know exactly what she was thinking, he guessed something due to Lu Su's incident.


That person...


He decided it was time to have a proper conversation.


"Chenchen, what do you really think about Zhan Chen?" Sheng Mingsi asked.


Jiang Chenchen's thoughts shifted as she looked at him, very candidly saying, "He is a terrifying person, but he has been kind to me. He can harm people close to me, like what happened to Lu Su. So, I'm afraid of implicating you..."


Sheng Mingsi held her shoulders, bending down to look into her eyes. "Chenchen, you have to trust me. I am not someone who can be manipulated, and I won't let him get close to you again."


Jiang Chenchen looked into his eyes, nodding firmly. However...


"I want to try handling some things on my own, is that okay?" she asked. She didn't want to be someone who relied on others for protection. Some things were her responsibility and needed to be resolved by her.


Sheng Mingsi tightened his grip on her shoulders, his expression profound and dark. "Do you want to go find him? Do you know his attitude towards you? You can't go to him, or do you have feelings for him..."


He didn't know how to continue. Each word was a cruel guess.


If she answered "yes," how should he face it?!


After all, she was a person who didn't quite understand what love was.


Clearly, they had been entangled like that in the bathroom before...


Seeing Sheng Mingsi's suddenly abnormal expression, Jiang Chenchen quickly said, "Brother Ah Si... no, Ah Si, I know he is a lunatic. I used to not care about these things, but now he has threatened people around me. I don't want others to be harmed, especially you. You are the most important person in the world to me."


Sheng Mingsi's eyes deepened, and her last sentence was enough. What else was there to think about?


He loosened his grip on her shoulders, saying, "You must always remember that you are not alone. The power of one person is limited, but together, maybe the problems won't be so difficult to solve. Understand? I will plan carefully about this matter. What you need to do is cooperate with me and not act recklessly, okay?"


This was to prevent her from going alone to find Zhan Chen, as that person was dangerous.


He couldn't let Jiang Chenchen take such risks. Almost the entire day was spent being imprisoned by him today. This kind of person might do such things again.


Moreover, from his actions, coming here, there might be another purpose.


Jiang Chenchen met his gaze and nodded firmly. "Okay, I understand."


She absolutely believed in Sheng Mingsi. Since he said so, she would definitely follow his instructions and not act recklessly.


"Then, I'll go to sleep."


"Mmm."


Sheng Mingsi reached out and patted her head, then watched her lie down on the sofa. Due to her small size, lying down didn't look as exaggerated as when he did.


"You're really sleeping here?" Sheng Mingsi asked her. From this high angle, the person beneath him looked as small as a rabbit.


The bruising on her slender neck was particularly eye-catching.


His eyes deepened, and his Adam's apple rolled. He quickly walked away, leaving only a small lamp, and then went to bed.


He couldn't fall asleep right away. The images in the bathroom played repeatedly in his mind. After that, she went out, saying something about 'still having.'


At that time, he was busy saving someone, and then everything was cut off.


Did this girl forget about everything that happened?


He watched her sleep soundly, her movements stopping after a while. Even her breathing became shallow.


If he didn't sleep now, it would be dawn soon.


The night was so long.


He dozed off in a daze.


Jiang Chenchen slept very deeply. When she woke up, the room was gently lit, and a faint light penetrated through the curtains, softening the sunlight by half.


But there was no one on the bed.


Where was Sheng Mingsi?


Her heart tightened, and she quickly got up from the sofa, pushed open the door, and went out. Just as the door opened, someone was coming in, and she almost collided with them.


Standing before her was a tall figure, blocking the dazzling sunlight behind him. He lowered his head to look at her.


"What's wrong?"


"I thought you disappeared." She rushed into his arms, tightly hugging his waist, speaking in a muffled voice.


He seemed a bit scared.


But he didn't notice the person standing behind Sheng Mingsi.


Not only was it Qin Yansheng, but there was also a nurse and a girl.


The girl had a straight posture, blocking the bright sunlight behind her, and she looked down at Jiang Chenchen.


"What's going on?"


"I thought you disappeared," she said, rushing into his arms, tightly hugging his waist, her voice muffled.


Looking somewhat frightened.


Completely unaware of the people standing behind Sheng Mingsi.


In addition to Qin Yansheng, there was a nurse and a girl.


The girl's voice was crisp, exclaiming, "Ah! Is this the beauty hidden by Mr. Sheng?!"


Jiang Chenchen heard the voice, came out of Sheng Mingsi's embrace, and looked outside. She saw a girl with bright, big eyes. She was exceptionally cute, with two buns on her head, wearing a cool camisole that revealed a slim waist, and a short skirt with flat sandals, giving off a summery vibe.


Seeing Jiang Chenchen's gaze, the girl also looked at her, unabashedly staring at her. After observing, she stepped forward and praised, "Wow! What a beauty! Your temperament is totally different. No wonder Mr. Sheng in the imperial capital was conquered by you, hehehe, I'm just making things up!"


She saw Sheng Mingsi's gaze and stepped back repeatedly.


She was used to being spoiled and protected by everyone in her circle. However, Sheng Mingsi was different, never looking at her directly. She had never dared to approach him. When she was young and didn't understand, she wanted to get closer to her handsome brother, but she was scared and cried. From then on, she developed a trauma.


Seeing him, she was subconsciously scared!

Chapter 177: Shouldering

Jiang Chenchen asked softly, "Who is she?"


Sheng Mingsi withdrew his gaze from the girl in front of him and said, "She's from the Feng family, Feng Xiaozhi. A lively girl, don't bother with her."


Feng Xiaozhi hid behind Qin Yansheng, chatting away. In any case, she was quite lively.


Jiang Chenchen found her rather cute, not crazy at all.


Sheng Mingsi had to go to the company at this moment, so he instructed her to have breakfast here and arranged for someone to take her home later. Jiang Chenchen expressed the need to stay longer to check on Lu Su's condition.


After thinking for a moment, Sheng Mingsi touched her head. "Don't worry too much. Call me if you need anything."


"Okay."


...


Feng Xiaozhi led Jiang Chenchen to Lu Su's ward. She had come for an internship today, pushing a cart with prepared IV bottles. Along the way, she kept asking her questions, and the central topic revolved around Sheng Mingsi.


Jiang Chenchen answered truthfully.


Feng Xiaozhi felt that although she seemed a bit silly, she was easy to get along with, so the topics of conversation increased.


"By the way, I really want to ask you, how can you capture a man's heart?"


Since she confessed her feelings to Qin Yansheng, she had been rejected quite openly. Although she felt sad when rejected for the first time, she got used to it later and tried to date other men, but none of them could replace Qin Yansheng.


She could only love him in her life, so she was determined to pursue him! Seeing that even the difficult Sheng Mingsi could be won over, she thought Jiang Chenchen must have some skills and wanted to learn.


But Jiang Chenchen really didn't know how to answer this question. She looked at the girl beside her in confusion. "What are you talking about?"


"Don't be shy!" Feng Xiaozhi bumped her shoulder and blinked, "You guys live together. Everyone has seen it. When you first met, how did you make him notice you and like you? Do you have any experience to share?"


After thinking for a while, Jiang Chenchen could only recall her childhood memories of their first meeting.


As for Sheng Mingsi, his memories probably started from the mental hospital. At that time, he was dealing with his father's affairs. As for how he came to like her, she had never thought about it.


She only knew that she liked him and wanted to be a family with him. But Sheng Mingsi seemed to have never said anything.


Seeing that she just shook her head and didn't speak, Feng Xiaozhi thought that this girl was really clueless. Could it be that Sheng Mingsi fell for her like this? She felt a bit disheartened. Why were other people's love stories so sweet and smooth?


"You're living together. Haven't you confessed your feelings?"


"Confess?" Jiang Chenchen was confused.


Feng Xiaozhi covered her face with her hands. It seemed that she had skipped this step and went straight to the point. When they arrived at the door of the ward, Jiang Chenchen had already pushed the door open.


Lu Su was awake, staring blankly at the ceiling.


Jiang Chenchen walked over and called out to him softly. This voice made Lu Su slowly turn his gaze to look at her. There were some changes in his eyes, but he quickly lowered them, sinking into endless pain.


Feng Xiaozhi went to check Lu Su's blood pressure and hung an IV bag. She was a bit flustered, but fortunately, there was a nurse on the side guiding her, so there was no major problem.


They went out, closing the door to the ward.


Jiang Chenchen sat next to Lu Su, looking at him. "I'm sorry."


This apology made Lu Su look at her, shaking his head. He looked uncomfortable. "No, you shouldn't say sorry. It's me, it's all my fault."


"No, perhaps you don't know. You met someone, and he's not an ordinary person. It's not your fault. It's that person who is too crazy. His target is me, but he implicated you. So, the apology must be from me. I caused trouble for you." Jiang Chenchen continued, "I don't know how you faced death last night, but that was something I once wanted to do, but I never could."


Lu Su widened his eyes at her words. He had never known that such a pure-hearted person like Jiang Chenchen had also experienced moments of not wanting to live.


Jiang Chenchen told him about her past, about the days in the mental hospital, and many other things, including the person named Zhan Chen.


Lu Su had never known about her past like this, and he was about to collapse. "Why are you telling me this?"


Jiang Chenchen continued to talk about her past experiences and hardships. Lu Su listened silently, feeling a sense of bitterness and desolation.


Lu Su had never known about Jiang Chenchen's dark past. If it were him, he would have probably collapsed long ago. "Why are you telling me this?"


Jiang Chenchen was very candid. "You're my friend, aren't you? I don't know how to put it, but I hope you can live well. Maybe, like me, you can find that ray of light and feel that living has meaning."


Lu Su looked melancholic. "I also want to live... But those endless and unbearable days, I really can't endure them. Dealing with the company, endless rehearsals, the stage, drinking with the boss after the performance, facing fans, facing reporters! Can't make the slightest mistake every day, it's like walking on a tightrope. I'm afraid of being exposed for any scandals. The video in the underground bar has already been recorded, and I have nowhere to escape. Thinking of the day when the video is exposed, all the delicate myths will be shattered! The world's ridicule will be right in front of me—insults, accusations, madness—I can't take it anymore!"


After making up his mind, he found that he was still alive. The feeling of waking up after deciding to end it all was a mix of relief and even more suffocating misery.


But on this day without a phone, the surroundings felt much quieter.


Perhaps they had gone crazy trying to call him.


Jiang Chenchen listened attentively, and promised him sincerely, "I will definitely destroy those videos. Please give me some time. Rest well during this time, see a psychologist, and wait for my message."


Her words made Lu Su nervous. He reached out to grab her, remembering the terrifying scene from that day.


"Can you really destroy those videos?"


His voice was trembling.


Seeing his state, Jiang Chenchen realized that she might have to take action sooner than waiting for Sheng Mingsi's plan.


...


After taking care of Lu Su in the ward all day, Jiang Chenchen had to go to work at the convenience store tonight.


Bai Junwen had stayed awake for a day and night, and she couldn't let her help anymore.


Wu Bi drove to take her there. "Miss Jiang, is it necessary to go to work at this time?"


Jiang Chenchen's car was parked outside the hospital, and she didn't get into Wu Bi's car. Instead, she asked him to go back and rest.


"Don't worry, I'll be fine."


She didn't want to act recklessly before dealing with Zhan Chen, but if Sheng Mingsi's plan took too long, Lu Su's mental pressure would increase.


Now, she had to shoulder her own responsibilities.


...

Chapter 178: You Will Be My Enemy

She got into the car and headed to the convenience store.


After taking over from Bai Junwen, she busied herself at the counter, and her phone, which was kept aside, remained on. In her contact list, only Zhan Chen's phone number remained, with all the others deleted.


She only added a single contact: Zhan Chen's full name.


She could have called him throughout the day, but she restrained herself. If she couldn't wait for Sheng Mingsi's plan tonight, she would resolve the situation in her own way.


In the early hours of the summer night, there weren't many people visiting the convenience store.


There were a few drunken customers who came in to buy cigarettes and flirted with her, but she ignored them.


Zhan Mo came again, fully armed, looking like a star.


She bought a few strings of oden and leaned against the counter. When she invited Jiang Chenchen to eat, she started talking. These were things she wouldn't dare to say to her friends in the entertainment industry, and she had no friends outside the industry, so Jiang Chenchen became the most suitable person to share with.


It seemed like she was a very good listener.


Mostly, she talked about Lu Su's situation, saying that he had disappeared.


Currently, there were only rumors on the internet, nothing major, but such a top-tier celebrity, such a big matter, couldn't be hidden for long.


When it hit the internet, it would be explosive!


Jiang Chenchen didn't respond to her topic.


Seeing her abnormal expression, Zhan Momo murmured, "Do you know something?"


Jiang Chenchen looked at the steaming oden but had no appetite. "I don't want to lie to you, but I can't reveal anything."


"Sure enough, you know! This matter is really serious. Does it really look like the rumors of suicide? If you're involved, you'll be criticized by public opinion until you collapse!"


"Where did the news come from?"


Sheng Mingsi had already instructed many people, including clearing all possible leaks of footage, and Qin Doctor's private hospital was also managed strictly. However, this matter still leaked out. Where was the problem?


If Lu Su found out about this, it would be bad.


Zhan Momo looked toward the door, then lowered her voice. "It's spreading within the industry, in a small circle. But I estimate it will become big news by tomorrow at the latest. What role have you played in this? Can you clear yourself? Otherwise, you'll be in trouble. Top-tier fans are crazy; they'll tear you apart!"


Jiang Chenchen shook her head, thinking in her heart that this matter might be related to Zhan Chen letting people leak it out.


He wouldn't personally take action to kill someone, but he might let those people seek relief and end their own lives.


Lu Su, he wouldn't let off easily. Letting him go was just letting him live for one more day.


Thinking of this, she realized that this matter had to be linked to him. She couldn't let tomorrow's events unfold from video exposure to irreparable chaos.


Seeing Zhan Momo being very worried and wanting to make a call, Jiang Chenchen's mind was racing. "You don't know anything! This is probably Zhan Chen's doing. He's trying to frame Lu Su and make him look like he committed suicide. This whole situation is probably his plan. I have to find a way to stop it."


Zhan Momo was taken aback. "Zhan Chen? But why would he do this?"


Jiang Chenchen hesitated but decided not to hide it anymore. "Zhan Chen has a grudge against Lu Su. He wants revenge, and he's ruthless. I need to make a call and try to intervene in time."


Zhan Momo frowned, "But if you interfere, won't you become his target too?"


Jiang Chenchen sighed. "I don't have a choice. I can't let him harm Lu Su, and I can't stand by while he destroys someone's life. I have to do something, even if it means becoming his enemy."

There was a moment when a pure musical ringtone echoed.


As if it suddenly came with background music, a tall and extraordinary man appeared. She stole a glance at him.


His side profile was flawless, with exceptionally fair skin and a well-defined nose. The man glanced at her, his appearance resembling that of a mixed-blood individual. When he smiled, it was particularly gentle and beautiful, like the moon high up in the summer night, enchanting and mysterious.


Because he only glanced at her once, he then turned his gaze and walked in.


Zhan Mo stopped in her tracks, regretting coming out. Should she go back inside for a chat?


Curious, she stood by the door and turned to look. The man had walked over to the counter, seemingly wanting to buy cigarettes. He operated his phone with one hand. Thinking of staying a bit longer and asking for his WeChat, Zhan Momo was about to return when she realized something was wrong. Jiang Chenchen had put down her phone without taking the cigarettes, and at this moment, the man's silver-gray eyes were fixed on Jiang Chenchen.


Zhan Momo felt like she had made a mistake by coming in.


The man seemed to have taken an interest in Jiang Chenchen!


Zhan Momo sighed silently and left without stopping.


The glass door closed, and the bell tinkled for a while before finally stopping.


On this summer night, due to the fully functioning air conditioning, it was much cooler.


However, Jiang Chenchen felt that the atmosphere became stagnant the moment Zhan Chen entered. He actually found her here.


Before she could speak, he took the initiative.


"Chenchen, I'm delighted you called me. Just one day apart, did you miss me? I missed you a lot."


Leaning against the glass counter, Zhan Chen lazily supported his chin with one hand. His appearance was extremely relaxed, but his gaze at her was so direct, as if everything she did made him very happy.


However, Jiang Chenchen stared into his eyes and said expressionlessly, "I didn't miss you. I called you to ask you to delete Lu Su's videos and not to let public opinion kill him!"


Zhan Chen chuckled softly. His tone was always gentle when talking to her. "I was thinking that you've changed. Why are you so unrestrained with me? Why do I still like you? Later, I figured it's probably because your appearance has left a strong impression on me. No matter what you do, I can't bear to kill you."


Such cruel and ruthless words sounded indifferent and casual when spoken by him.


Hearing this, Jiang Chenchen thought for a moment and said very seriously, "If I ruin this face, will you spare the friends around me?"


Zhan Chen's eyes dimmed like moonlight shrouded in mist. He reached out to lift her chin. "Even if you ruin your face, I can have it restored through medical procedures. You better not do that; it won't bring any benefits except pain."


He seemed like a persistent person, unwilling to let her go.


Jiang Chenchen removed his hand. "Then, what do I have to do for you to truly spare my friends?"


Her eyes pleaded.


Zhan Chen tightened his grip on her hand, extremely gentle. "Chenchen, don't speak to me like this because of other men. In my heart, there's only a crazy desire to kill that man, and I have no other thoughts."


For the men he set his sights on, there was no way out.


Deal with them one by one.


"Since I'm begging you like this and you won't spare him, then I have nothing more to say to you." Jiang Chenchen withdrew her hand decisively. "I never want to see you again. You will be my enemy."


Facing enemies, she had her own set of methods, just like the way she dealt with those people in the laboratory.

Chapter 179: Let's Make a Deal

Zhan Chen lowered his gaze to his empty hand. The warmth still lingered.


He clenched his fist tightly, looked up at her, and spoke with a cruelty that surpassed his previous silence. However, he had experienced the most painful things in this world. As long as he firmly grasped what he wanted, he wouldn't let go. He was not supposed to expect or be greedy for more.


"Give me a pack of cigarettes."


He took out his wallet from his pocket, pulled out a banknote, and placed it on the glass counter. His expression seemed ordinary, as if he hadn't heard the words of estrangement at all.


Seeing this, Jiang Chenchen didn't reach for the cigarettes. This was to avoid tomorrow's tragedy. She didn't want such a situation to occur and needed to prevent it.


He truly feared no threats, and he didn't care about her feelings. How could such a cruel person be convinced to change his mind about killing Lu Su?


During this brief moment, Jiang Chenchen thought and thought. She leaned against the counter, her eyes fixed on him without interruption. "Let's make a deal."


"A deal?"


"As long as you never have any intentions towards my friends from now on and spare them, I will help you fulfill one of your wishes."


She said it very seriously, but Zhan Chen smiled when he heard it.


He reached out and tapped on the glass counter. "Give me a pack of cigarettes."


Interrupting her thoughts, Jiang Chenchen took a pack of cigarettes and handed it to him.


"How about it, can you consider it?"


Zhan Chen took the cigarette, lit one, and smoked in front of her. It was prohibited to smoke indoors, but Jiang Chenchen didn't stop him.


"My wish is not easy to fulfill. Are you really willing to make this deal with me?"


It was already past midnight, and the news would spread as soon as it got light. Lu Su would be done for.


Jiang Chenchen said very seriously, "As long as you never treat my friends as enemies from now on and spare them, I am willing to make this deal with you."


Zhan Chen's face was pale, and his expression was lazy. With a cigarette between his fingers, his eyes looked into the distance through the swirling smoke. "Chenchen, do you know my wish? I just want my mother to die. She doesn't have much time left due to illness. If you want to end her life, then I can agree to this deal."


Any words from his mouth sounded as bland as dirt, without any value.


Jiang Chenchen had never expected such a wish. Mother... such a beautiful word, yet he wanted to do this!?


She stood there in a daze.


Zhan Chen laughed lightly, seemingly indifferent. "Look, it's something you're willing to give up yourself. I gave you a chance."


As he laughed, he coughed again.


The cheap cigarettes really made people uncomfortable.


He extinguished the cigarette and threw it on the glass counter. Jiang Chenchen twisted open a bottle of water from the counter and handed it to him. "Don't you have any other wishes?"


Zhan Chen looked at the hand reaching out to him. His gaze lingered for a moment, and he took the water bottle but didn't drink. "I can get whatever I want, but that one thing is impossible."


But he still harbored hatred, from childhood to now.


"I'll do it."


Jiang Chenchen suddenly said, as if she had thought about it for a long time and reached a conclusion.


She went to get an empty ashtray, cleaned up the cigarette ashes on the counter, and faced him calmly.


"You speak your words, don't you? From now on, stay away from all my friends, each and every one of them."


Zhan Chen's silver-gray eyes flickered like a layer of mist, looking into her eyes. "Can you really do it? To end another person's life for the sake of your so-called friends and make this absurd deal with me."


Jiang Chenchen looked at him. "Is there any other way?"


Jiang Chenchen looked at him. "Is there any other way?"


Time passed second by second, and within this limited time, all she could do was this.


There was another way, and that was to make him her hostage, ordering his people to stop the absurd rhetoric of killing.


But she couldn't kill the person in front of her.


She knew.


When he went mad, he wasn't afraid of death at all. It didn't need to escalate to that point.


Zhan Chen remained noncommittal. He always decided the course of things.


"After three days, you have to return to country A with me," he said.


Jiang Chenchen replied, "I'm only going for three days, including the time spent on the journey."


"Really? Aren't you afraid you won't be able to come back?"


It was like automatically running to his territory, which delighted him.


Shaking her head, Jiang Chenchen said, "I have to trust you at least. Since the beginning, trust has been impossible. If you make me lose trust completely, even in the carefree country A, even if it means death, I will come back. This trip is my way of repaying the favor you did for two years."


"Chenchen, that's not enough. A favor for a favor."


Zhan Chen took a sip of water and twisted the bottle cap. "But I won't lie to you either."


So, the deal was settled.


Zhan Chen had the video deleted, canceled connections with the arranged media, and even had Scarface personally apologize to Lu Su at Dr. Qin's private hospital.


This series of operations temporarily put Lu Su's matter aside for Jiang Chenchen.


What she needed to face now was Shen Mingsi.


Because during the three days she was away, she had to explain to him. Wu Bi was guarding outside the store that day, entangled by Zhan Chen's people. The two gangs were negotiating outside the store, and the convenience store was where they were bargaining. Shen Mingsi wouldn't be oblivious to this.


If she didn't care about this person, she wouldn't have to go to that place at all. It was not only for Lu Su but also for Shen Mingsi.


These days, she roughly understood. That kiss was an expression of liking.


It was not brotherly love, not familial affection, but a heartbeat, a desire to protect.


It was the person she liked.


Because she didn't want endless threats in the future, this trip to country A could be used to do other things.


Here, Sheng Mingsi told her to follow the law and not act rudely. There, she was a foreigner. If she couldn't eliminate future threats, they would perish together.


Zhan Chen, living in such pain, she was helping him.


She had figured all this out, so this trip, she also had to conceal it from him.


Using two explanations, the reminiscence and letting go in the convenience store represented Zhan Chen's farewell.


The other was a one-week journey, going to her hometown with Bai Junwen to visit her deceased grandmother.


Although Sheng Mingsi suspected her, Bai Junwen's itinerary was genuine. She had arranged everything well, truly setting off later to change the route towards country A.


Because of Zhan Chen's appearance, he helped the Sheng family, who were against the Jin family in various aspects in the imperial capital, by violently destroying two important laboratories outside the city and spreading rumors of virus leaks. He was thus forced to get involved in handling these matters.


Although he had known that he would collude with the Jin family and use any means, he didn't expect him to be so heartless, disregarding the safety of the people in two cities. Fortunately, the laboratory's issues were not significant, but the spread of public opinion was much more considerable.

Chapter 180: The Situation

It took Sheng Mingsi two days to handle the aftermath, hold a press conference to clarify, and initiate the reconstruction of the laboratory, as well as expose the mastermind behind the scenes. These matters required someone to be in charge.


Zhan Chen's people, while not revealing their intentions, inadvertently exposed the tails of Jin Haichen's people, which were soon discovered by Sheng Mingsi's team.


In the face of evidence, denial was impossible!


Jin Haichen's reputation took a severe hit, and he had to undergo an investigation!


Jin Haichen felt played by Zhan Chen's group. Not only did he give away a substantial amount of money, but he also let them shoulder such a significant blame.


Fighting fire with fire!


He was unwilling to let Zhan Chen, who was still lingering in the capital, get away with this.


This was their turf, and Zhan Chen's influence abroad couldn't bring many people here.


However, the people he sent out came back in batches with losses.


Jin Haichen realized Zhan Chen had hidden so many people secretly upon his return to the country. His influence was unpredictable. He didn't dare provoke him again!


He was too busy to make any more trouble.


Those who came back with losses delivered a message, saying, "Master Zhan says, 'How foolish! No wonder you can't beat the Sheng family. Have you ever thought about who benefited the most from this incident in the capital? Am I, Zhan, hired by you, or is it surnamed Sheng?'"


Jin Haichen thought carefully. Was all this actually a conspiracy by the Sheng family? To eliminate their position in the capital?


Once he thought about it, his heart turned cold.


The Sheng family must still have more moves, and the beginning of accepting the investigation team wouldn't end so quickly!


...


In a VIP suite at a high-end hotel.


Sheng Qinghua and Zhan Chen clinked glasses.


"So young, with great potential."


Sheng Qinghua, with a dignified appearance and graceful demeanor, praised the person in front of her.


Zhan Chen lightly smiled, his posture lazy and casual. "Madam is the formidable one. The Sheng family consortium can't do without a helmswoman like Madam, easily removing opponents."


He considered himself ruthless, but the old woman in front of him was truly ruthless. She had developed the family glory to such grandeur, not a simple task.


Moreover, she seemed to act independently of her son, Sheng Mingsi. Perhaps she had some means. Someone like Sheng Mingsi wouldn't stoop to such methods.


They weren't as clean as him.


After a few glasses of wine, he couldn't drink too much, and a few gestures were enough.


Casually chatting, today's situation was set by Mrs. Sheng.


Coming temporarily, some plans couldn't be executed perfectly and had to be adapted to the situation. He liked taking risks but disliked sending himself to death.


Beside him, Bian Zhicheng couldn't contain his emotions, and there was almost no hiding the hatred in his eyes.


He had emphasized this many times; stability was needed to have a chance at a successful strike. Being unstable would inevitably expose the plan, which left him somewhat disappointed.


Bian Zhicheng had worked with him since childhood under the old leader. They had a deep friendship, and he had heard him talk about his background and the revenge he wanted.


After years of lurking, he thought it was time, only to find that he lacked patience and strength.


But he insisted that this grudge had to be settled by his own hands.


So easily attracting the attention of Mrs. Sheng and revealing his intentions, the shrewd old fox saw through him. Under her sharp scrutiny, Bian Zhicheng had already aimed the gun at her heart!


At that moment, Mrs. Sheng's bodyguards had acted faster than him. A bullet hit his hand, and blood gushed out. Unsteady, he misfired, shattering the glass beside him.


The gun fell to the ground.


Unwilling, Bian Zhicheng bent to pick up the gun but was hit in the knee by another bullet, hindering his movements.


Both guns were equipped with silencers.


However, due to this action, both sides raised their firearms.


The situation became tense all of a sudden.


"Playing dirty again? Turning against each other?" Madam Sheng sneered.


However, Zhan Chen looked genuinely surprised. "Huh?"


He looked at Bian Zhicheng next to him with an indifferent tone, "What's going on with you?"


Madam Sheng chuckled, steadying her momentum and grace, "Don't pretend. Your acting skills are not that good. This is my territory. Initiating such an action, aren't you seeking death?"


Zhan Chen looked over with an expression of helplessness, "I did consider this. But he holds deep grudges against you, and I couldn't stop him."


Madam Sheng sneered, stabilizing her demeanor and composure, "Stop pretending. This is my territory. What you did is tantamount to courting death."


Madam Shen felt a sudden headache. Maintaining her composure on the surface, she was shocked internally. Could it be that something was added to her wine glass?


But this place was managed by her people. The red wine, utensils, everything was arranged by them. When could they have added something to her drink? It was impossible!


She had arrived first, and Zhan Chen was right under her nose. She hadn't seen any unusual movements.


She frowned, glancing over at the person who claimed to have deep-seated enmity with her. His hands and knees were bleeding profusely, and he wore oversized black sunglasses that Zhan Chen removed.


"Take a look, recognize him?"


Bian Zhicheng's eyes were full of hatred, rolling intensely, quite terrifying.


Madam Sheng stared at him and found that this face reminded her of someone, almost identical.


But some details revealed that he was the son of the man who betrayed her!


That illegitimate child!


As she thought of this, her chest rapidly rose and fell, and her head hurt even more.


She reached out, all the hatred rushing to her head, pointing at Bian Zhicheng and shouting, "Damn illegitimate child!"


This thorn in her heart had been there for over a decade. She had sent people to search for him, wanting to get rid of him. And today, he was right in front of her!


"Kill him! Shoot him with one bullet!"


Her face contorted with hatred, giving orders.


But the bodyguards beside her didn't have time to act, being stopped by Zhan Chen with a raised hand.


"If you really want to go to war, no one will benefit."


Seeing that the illegitimate child hadn't been killed immediately, Madam Sheng's expression became even more hideous. The hatred had taken over her mind, and she ignored the pain. She sat up abruptly, slamming her palm on the table, "Understand clearly, whose territory is this?"


The red wine glass on the table was knocked over, and the wine spilled out, resembling blood.


In this tense atmosphere, Zhan Chen remained as relaxed and carefree as before. His gaze swept over, and in the same gentle tone, he said, "Madam, haven't you felt a headache?"


Madam Sheng couldn't stand firmly, supporting her head. With a fierce glare, she looked at him, "What poison did you put in?!"


"Don't be nervous, Madam. I think there's still room for maneuver in this matter. The person by my side wanted to kill you, but he doesn't have the ability. Missing the opportunity, I'm giving him to you. Isn't this worth another favor from you?"