Сhарtеr 9: Their Daughtеr, I Will Нave Нer for Surе
Тhе mаn in а tаilorеd suit, with а rеfined аnd elеgant aррeаranсе, nоw resеmblеd a wаking wоlf king, bеginning tо rаdiаtе an undisguisеd, pоwеrful aura of the hunt.
Хu Kаng cоuldn’t hеlр but shivеr.
No wondеr they sау thаt whеn an оld housе catсhеs firе, it’s unstорpаble.
A yоung lаdу likе thе young mistress, inехрeriеncеd in the waуs оf thе wоrld, would definitеlу be no mаtch for this big bаd wоlf disguisеd аs a gеntlеman.
The slender, gracеful figure grаduаllу disарpеared from sight until it wаs cоmplеtelу gone.
Only then did Cen Zhou reluctantly withdraw his gaze.
He crossed his legs and leaned back in his chair, his deep phoenix eyes flickering with a dangerous chill. “Are the Qiao family still pursuing investments in those overseas port projects?”
“Yes,”
Xu Kang replied. “I heard that to secure these projects, they’ve increased their initial investment by nearly three times. If all goes well, they should be able to secure them this time.”
Cen Zhou lowered his gaze slightly and suddenly chuckled softly.
“If the Qiao family offers three times, then I’ll offer six times.”
He slowly removed the gold-rimmed glasses from his high-bridged nose, casually twirling them in his hand, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips. “Take them all.”
In the game of business, the Cen Group was the undisputed ruler of the world.
Once the Cen Group made a move, no matter who the opponent was or how much effort they put in, they could only concede defeat.
Xu Kang was taken aback.
Although these overseas projects were considered lucrative opportunities by many, for the Cen Group, which already stood at the pinnacle, they were merely insignificant small investments, hardly worth the effort to compete for.
But for the Qiao Group, which was developing port trade, losing these projects meant losing a crucial stepping stone.
Xu Kang blinked, and another realization dawned on him.
He understood now.
Someone was holding a grudge and quietly seeking revenge on behalf of his young mistress.
Though he often played the role of a goofy golden retriever in public, when it came to work, he was the most capable assistant.
Xu Kang immediately took out the small notebook he always carried with him. “Understood, President Cen.”
“Also, tell them—”
Cen Zhou raised his eyes, his previously lazy expression suddenly turning sharp and menacing, radiating an aura of absolute dominance from within.
“Their daughter, I will have her for sure, and I will protect her for sure.”
“If they dare to harass her or make her unhappy again, I won’t hesitate to reshuffle the entire Qiao family and replace them with more obedient leaders.”
She was his only bottom line.
Anyone who dared to cross it would pay a heavy price.
Even her own family wouldn’t escape unscathed.
Following the check-in information, Qiao Zhiyang quickly found her room.
“Beep.” The card swiped, and the sensor door opened.
The interior was clean and bright, with all the necessary amenities and facilities.
The luggage she had sent ahead was neatly arranged on the floor beside the sofa.
Qiao Zhiyang circled the room with a sense of novelty and satisfaction, her face filled with anticipation for her future life of freedom.
This would be her own little nest from now on!
No more overbearing discipline, no suffocating control, no oppressive demands.
A comfortable life, with the freedom to order takeout as she pleased.
She was here!
Qiao Zhiyang’s eyes curved into a smile as she eagerly took out her phone and opened her contacts.
She copied the number Cen Zhou had given her earlier and pasted it into the “Add Friend” section on WeChat.
Soon, his WeChat profile appeared on the screen. His profile picture was a simple solid white, and his username was the abbreviation “CZ.”
Her red lips couldn’t help but curl into a smile.It seems all CEOs have a consistent style.
They all prefer solid-colored profile pictures and name abbreviations.
“What should I set as the nickname?”
Qiao Zhiyang stared at the nickname field, suddenly recalling a book she had read before, Daddy-Long-Legs.
The Daddy-Long-Legs in the book was just like Mr. Cen—mature and gentle.
When she was lost, he offered warm encouragement, giving her the courage to embark on a new journey.
Her eyes curved into a smile as she changed the nickname to—Daddy-Long-Legs.
“Buzz—”
The moment she clicked “Add,” the other side instantly accepted.
It was as if he had been staring at his phone, waiting for her friend request.
The speed was so fast that Qiao Zhiyang blinked before reacting, quickly typing earnestly on the screen.
[Yang Miemie]: Third Brother, I’ve already arrived at the room. Thank you for bringing me here -ˋ( ”)ˊ-
Just as the WeChat message was sent, a notification dot from her best friend popped up.
[Huan Bao]: Sweetie!! Did you make it safely to the hotel!! I heard the Qiao family sent people to catch you. Are you okay!!?
[Huan Bao]: Ugh, if I’d known they sent people, I wouldn’t have gone on that island vacation. I would’ve picked a few tall, strong guys to protect you right away!
[Huan Bao]: Sob sob, is my sweetie okay? (╥╯^╰╥)
[Huan Bao]: Don’t worry! Mama’s coming to save you!!!
Looking at the stream of caring messages on the screen, Qiao Zhiyang felt a warmth in her heart, and the smile on her face deepened.
[Yang Miemie]: Don’t worry, I’ve made it safely to the hotel.
[Yang Miemie]: Little Sheep Snuggles.JPG
Below, she sent a sticker of a fluffy little sheep affectionately snuggling against an arm, playfully seeking closeness.
Cen Jinhuan, who had been anxiously waiting on the other end, breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving the message.
Thank goodness.
She’s okay.
This was the best friend she had fallen in love with at first sight back in the boring etiquette class.
She had been eagerly waiting, counting the days, for her to finally come to Jingbei.
If she had been caught and taken back, Cen Jinhuan would have immediately taken her private jet, stormed the Qiao family to rescue her, and eloped with her!
Just as she was about to reply, another notification dot from the other side popped up.
[Yang Miemie]: Actually, I almost got caught earlier, but luckily, I met a kind-hearted brother who helped me escape safely.
Cen Jinhuan: ?
Oh?
A kind-hearted brother?
Who is he?
Within one minute, she needed to know everything about him!
With her gossip-loving soul burning fiercely, Cen Jinhuan immediately made a voice call. “Quick, quick, tell me—is this guy handsome? Tall? Big eyes? Sharp nose? Thin lips? And most importantly, does he have double doors?!”
Qiao Zhiyang: ?
The other’s excited barrage of questions left her utterly confused. “What are double doors?”
“Hehehehe~”
Cen Jinhuan sounded like a mischievous older sister explaining new knowledge to an innocent child. “Double doors refer to a man with super broad shoulders, huge pecs, and a sexy physique that even clothes can’t hide!”
At her words, Qiao Zhiyang’s mind involuntarily replayed the scene of her being pressed close against his chest.
From that proximity, she could clearly see how his white shirt stretched over his well-defined chest, rising and falling slightly.
With each gentle breath, it moved resiliently and firmly against her palm, exuding the powerful presence of a mature man.It looks like it would feel especially nice to bury one’s face in it…..
Ah!!!
Help!!!
What strange thoughts are running through her mind again?!
Where’s the wooden fish?
Quick, let her knock on it a few times!
The temperature in her cheeks rose sharply.
Qiao Zhiyang couldn’t help but raise her hand and fan her face, “Ahem, calm down, I only see him as an elder, definitely no other thoughts.”
Elder?
Cen Jinhuan grew even more excited.
She slapped her thigh hard, “Older men are good, older men are mature and steady, and they know how to take care of people.”
As if suddenly remembering something, she frowned and immediately changed her tone, “Huh, no, there are exceptions too. My grumpy little uncle is an exception!”
Qiao Zhiyang: ?
“There are so many people in the family who know how to make money, so what’s wrong with me being responsible for spending it? He likes being a workaholic, I like being a lazy little slacker, what’s it to him!”
“All day long, he’s like Judge Bao, never showing a single pleasant expression. Today, he even inexplicably cut my allowance for this month in half again!”
“I asked him what I did wrong this time, and guess what he said? He said he suddenly finds me annoying! Don’t you think he’s too much!”
Cen Jinhuan gritted her teeth, “With his nasty personality, I doubt any young girl would ever fall for him. He’ll just have to wait to be a lonely old bachelor for the rest of his life!”
“….”
Qiao Zhiyang listened, feeling dazed.
She opened her mouth, wanting to explain, “But the person who saved me at the airport just now was….”
Before she could finish, the other person suddenly exclaimed, “Sweetie, my car is here, gotta go for now. Once school starts, I’ll take you out and welcome you properly~”
With that, she hung up in a whirlwind.
Qiao Zhiyang shook her head helplessly.
With Huanbao’s personality, even if she told her the truth now, she’d just treat it as a joke.
It seemed this misunderstanding would have to wait until they met after school started to clear up.
Qiao Zhiyang returned to the WeChat page, just as Cen Zhou’s notification popped up.
Huh?
Her finger paused, and a huge question mark appeared above her head.
Wasn’t his profile picture pure white just now?
Why did it suddenly change to a fluffy gray big wolf, matching the style of her little sheep avatar?!