Chapter 144: Facing Trouble

In the end, Zhao Haitian handed his room card to Zhao Fan, pulling Yang Qingqing away amidst her reluctant and bitter protests.

"Clap!"

Zhao Fan tossed the room card onto the table and sat down opposite his father.

"Does Dad think I'm being cold and heartless?"

Father Zhao sighed. "Human affection requires mutual reciprocity to last. Your eldest brother..."

Not knowing what to recall, Father Zhao shook his head. "You've already done everything you possibly could for your eldest brother."

Having poured so much money into him only to be repaid with ingratitude, Father Zhao’s heart ached just as much.

Zhao Fan glanced toward the upper floor. "What about Mom's side..."

"I'll talk to her. Don't worry, your mother just hasn't thought things through yet. Once we talk it out, she'll be fine."

Zhao Fan smiled. "Then I'll leave it to you, Dad."

He stood up, preparing to return to his room, but after taking a few steps, he paused. "By the way, the Feiteng Supermarket under your management has been fully renovated. You should pick a date to reopen it."

Keeping busy was better than sitting at home letting one's mind run wild.

A flash of astonishment crossed Father Zhao's eyes, though it quickly vanished.

"I understand."

The incident involving Zhao Haitian and Yang Qingqing was pushed to the back of Zhao Fan's mind after a single night. With no classes today, he planned to head to the office to check on things and handle some business.

Who would have thought that while still on the way, he would receive a call from his secretary, Xiao Chen?

"President Zhao, an unreasonable woman has arrived and is stubbornly insisting on seeing you."

"An unreasonable woman? What's her name?"

"Du Xinyan."

"Hmm?" The end of Zhao Fan's voice rose slightly as a chill flashed through his eyes. "How long has she been at the company?"

"About half an hour. She brought a whole group of people, and our security guards didn't dare make a move for fear she'd have the place smashed up."

Zhao Fan frowned. "Keep her steady for now. I'll be right there."

"Got it."

Driven by urgency, Zhao Fan arrived at the company in no time. As soon as he stepped through the front entrance, he saw Du Xinyan sitting right in the middle of the lobby.

Dressed in a long red gown with her hair swept up and diamond-like rhombus earrings dangling from her lobes, Du Xinyan looked as though she had just stepped out of an upscale banquet—exquisite and noble.

Yet this exquisite and noble person was currently sitting on an ordinary office chair, surrounded by a dozen burly men in black suits.

Remembering the crowd Xiao Chen had mentioned over the phone, Zhao Fan understood why the security guards hadn't dared to act.

With that many people, any physical confrontation could easily result in the destruction of the entire office.

"Ms. Du."

Zhao Fan called out, walking straight toward her.

Du Xinyan was looking around, but hearing his voice, she turned her head, and in the next second, a bright smile bloomed across her face.

Even though Zhao Fan disliked Du Xinyan, he had to admit at that moment that her face was truly breathtaking.

At the very least, that single smile left even Zhao Fan momentarily stunned.

Quickly, Zhao Fan suppressed the thought.

"What brings Ms. Du here?"

Du Xinyan tilted her head. "Guess why I'm here?"

As soon as Zhao Fan appeared, her entourage cleared the surrounding area, leaving only Zhao Fan and Du Xinyan standing alone in the center.

After a minute of silence, Zhao Fan said, "I don't have time to guess."

"President Zhao is so unromantic. I am a woman, after all. Shouldn't you be more considerate toward a pretty girl?"

Zhao Fan glanced at her. "You are indeed very pretty, but that's about it."

A person who betrayed her best friend and still felt completely justified—it was best to stay as far away from such a person as possible.

Du Xinyan pouted, pressing her right index finger against her lips. "What do you mean by 'that's about it'? Does President Zhao dislike me?"

A subtle glint crossed Zhao Fan's eyes. "Ms. Du certainly possesses a high degree of self-awareness."

The onlookers: "..."

Was their President Zhao always this ruthless when talking to pretty girls?

Unaware of the spectators' thoughts, Zhao Fan took a few steps back as Du Xinyan leaned in close to him.

"Stay away from me."

Du Xinyan blinked, suddenly closing the distance again and lowering her voice. "No way, President Zhao. Aren't you afraid that if you treat me like this, I'll get angry and have the Du family deal with you?"

"Using something you've already done as a threat just shows how small-minded you are."

"What are you talking about? That was merely a test for you. How can you call it a threat?"

"A test?"

Zhao Fan was almost laughed to fury. The 'test' in Du Xinyan's mouth had nearly torn his company apart, and now she was running here to say such things. It was truly...

"You wealthy aristocratic families are truly disgusting."

Zhao Fan had no idea how the Du family had managed to pull strings and influence him all the way in Yangcheng, but since they had made their move, the moment he found an opening, he would definitely pay them back in full.

"No matter how disgusting we are, we're still better than you."

Du Xinyan blinked again, her stunning face managing to pull off a rather playful expression.

"Stay away from me."

The exact same phrase he had uttered earlier escaped Zhao Fan's lips once more.

Because the two of them were speaking in low voices, the surrounding people couldn't hear their conversation. Seeing Zhao Fan retreat with an expression of utter disgust, they were all left somewhat dazed.

Had President Zhao been provoked into anger once again?

In the next instant, Du Xinyan suddenly lunged forward, and before he could react at all, she kissed him on the cheek.

A distinct red stain of lipstick was left clearly printed on Zhao Fan's face, making his expression look even uglier.

"Chen Jianyu."

"Ah, coming!" Chen Jianyu sprinted over from the back. "President Zhao, what are your orders?"

"Throw her out."

Du Xinyan tilted her head. "Why throw me out?"

"Throw her out."

"I'm going to be the lady boss of Feiteng in the future. Do you dare throw me out?"

The veins on Zhao Fan's forehead twitched uncontrollably. The lady boss?

"Anyone in the world could possibly become the lady boss of my Feiteng Company, but you, Du Xinyan, never will."

"Oh my, who can predict the future? Maybe you'll change your mind in a few days. Look, I'm actually here today to talk business with you. Give it to him."

The last two sentences were directed at the man standing beside her.

"Yes."

A file folder was handed over to Zhao Fan.

Du Xinyan said, "You can refuse, of course, but the contents of this folder can take Feiteng Supermarket a step further."

She had said Feiteng Supermarket, not Feiteng Company.

Noticing the subtle distinction, Zhao Fan ultimately took the folder.

He had already experienced firsthand the formidable influence of the Du family, so he decided to see what Du Xinyan was plotting this time.

Just then, Du Xinyan chimed in, "Is this how Feiteng Company treats people who come to discuss business?"

"Let's go."

Du Xinyan followed with a giggle. "I know you hate me, but I don't hate you. Zhao Fan, you are well-suited to be my husband."

The foot he was about to lift into the elevator suddenly hovered in mid-air. Startled, Zhao Fan turned back to look at her. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"It's not nonsense. Look at me—you're a self-made young talent, and I'm the second young lady of the Kyoto Du family. Although I don't have much of my own right now, my status matches yours. The Du family can help you with far more than you can possibly imagine."

"Not interested."

The elevator doors closed, cutting off Zhao Fan from Du Xinyan.

Du Xinyan was like a scorpion; on the surface, she didn't seem terribly threatening, but the moment you let down your guard, she could deliver a fatal strike. Yang Yuqing was a prime example.