Chapter 968: Zhao Fei Wants to Deliver Dumplings

Xu Shaochen hadn’t picked any wildflowers for a long time.

It wasn’t that he was being virtuous, nor that he’d reformed and turned over a new leaf.

Simply put, he hadn’t come across anyone who piqued his interest. In other words, his standards had risen.

After all, as people say, it’s okay to make compromises for others, but not for yourself.

With money in his pocket, he certainly had no reason to lower his standards.

Now that fate had brought someone who made him excited, to put it bluntly, he felt it was only natural to try and strike while the iron was hot.

Deng Tianwen was quick to act.

He soon arranged for a party, scheduled for tonight.

Many were already speculating on why Deng Tianwen would organize a party at this critical moment in the conflict between the Deng Family and the Zhao Family.

Could he be looking for help? Trying to win over some allies?

Driven by such thoughts, everyone who received an invitation decided to attend in the evening.

In fact, Deng Tianwen was being wrongfully accused.

He really wasn’t scheming anything; he just wanted to use the party as an opportunity to introduce Xu Shaochen to someone, so he wouldn’t end up spending the night alone.

Meanwhile, at the Zhao Family residence.

Zhao Chen and Zhao Lianghe stared at the invitation in their hands, their brows furrowed.

“Dad, what do you think Deng Tianwen is plotting? How could he think of holding a party at this moment?”

Zhao Chen was racking his brains, but he still couldn’t figure out the reason behind Deng Tianwen’s gathering.

With a cold laugh, Zhao Lianghe remarked, “Deng Tianwen must have some ulterior motive. Tonight, you should attend the party and see what card he’s holding.”

He didn’t know Deng Tianwen’s plans either, but he was certain that whatever the reason, it had to be important. Tonight’s party would be crucial.

(Deng Tianwen: “Darn it, can’t people just take things at face value? I’m really just trying to play matchmaker, nothing more.”)

“Boss, young master, second young master is back.”

At this moment, a bodyguard stepped in.

Before the bodyguard could finish, Zhao Fei walked into the living room, coldly stating, “Since when do I need someone to announce when I return to my own home?”

“Xiaofei, you misunderstood. It was my instruction, just so everyone knows when you’re back. Dad’s been quite worried about you, after all.”

Zhao Chen quickly replied in a gentle tone. In his heart, however, he couldn’t be more fed up with Zhao Fei, this useless troublemaker who never seemed to learn.

If it weren’t for Zhao Lianghe’s opinion, Zhao Chen would have already driven him out of the Zhao Family.

Now that Zhao Chen’s status had risen, everyone increasingly believed he would inherit the Zhao Family. Over time, he’d come to see himself that way too.

More and more people treated him with respect and deference, yet Zhao Fei still had the audacity to act so brazenly toward him.

While it was fine at first, after several instances, it was starting to really annoy Zhao Chen.

But he was smarter than Zhao Fei. He never showed his displeasure, always appearing tolerant of Zhao Fei’s antics.

Zhao Chen knew that’s what his father wanted to see.

So, he’d play along, acting just as his father expected.

Then, when the time came for him to seize full control of the Zhao Family, he could kick this fool out with any excuse, and that would be the end of it.

Out of sight, out of mind.

“Hmph!”

Zhao Fei snorted at Zhao Chen’s pretense and then sat down on the couch. “Dad, I’m going to the party tonight too.”

“Great, you can go with your brother and see what Deng Tianwen is up to.”

Zhao Lianghe nodded, pretending not to notice Zhao Fei’s earlier misbehavior. In truth, he was excessively lenient with this son.

“Xiaofei, follow my lead, and see what tricks Deng Tianwen is planning. Whatever he tries, we’ll make sure it fails.”

Zhao Chen spoke confidently, vowing silently to uncover every one of Deng Tianwen’s schemes that night.

Zhao Fei’s eyes flickered with mockery, but he quickly hid it.

After hearing about the party, Zhao Fei had already called Deng Tianwen to ask what was going on.

Like Zhao Chen, Zhao Fei initially thought Deng Tianwen might be making a move against the Zhao Family.

But Deng Tianwen had simply told him this was just about setting up Xu Shaochen with some women, nothing more.

Now, watching Zhao Chen’s baseless scheming, Zhao Fei couldn’t help but find it ridiculous.

Suddenly, an idea crossed Zhao Fei’s mind, and he said, “Brother, this party requires a female companion. Should I introduce someone to you?”

“No need. Your sister-in-law has time,” Zhao Chen replied indifferently. He wouldn’t risk taking someone introduced by Zhao Fei.

Zhao Fei’s eyes briefly glimmered with satisfaction. He stopped talking and picked up his teacup, pretending to sip as he hid his thoughts.

“Xu Shaochen seems to like women, doesn’t he?”

Before marrying Zhao Chen, his sister-in-law had been a renowned beauty in their circles. After getting married, she only grew more charming with a sensual allure that couldn’t be concealed.

To be blunt, even Zhao Fei had thought about ‘having some dumplings’ with her but had never had the opportunity or courage to make a move.

Tonight was all about creating an opportunity. Whether Xu Shaochen could seize it or not was entirely up to him.

Honestly, a younger brother like him, going out of his way to find someone to put a green hat* on his own older brother, was truly hard to come by.

For a moment, Zhao Fei was even moved by his own actions.

While Zhao Chen was idly playing with his phone, he suddenly felt a chill at the back of his head. Maybe it was time he got a new hat to keep warm.

“By the way, make sure nobody leaks anything to Pan Quan. If Deng Tianwen hears about it, he’ll just buy new steel from somewhere else.”

Zhao Lianghe suddenly warned, mostly directing his reminder at Zhao Fei, as this son was just too unreliable.

Zhao Chen smiled confidently, “When it’s time to start, the Deng Family won’t have any steel, and it will be too late to find new sources. I’d like to see what they’ll do then.”

He couldn’t wait for that day to come.

Zhao Fei nodded without showing much emotion, but inside, he was laughing at his brother’s naivety.

Something didn’t feel right to Zhao Chen. Zhao Fei was too quiet.

In the past, he would have already been chattering away with his childish ideas.

But today, he just kept drinking tea, not saying a word.

“Brother, why are you staring at me? Do I have something on my face?”

Feeling Zhao Chen’s scrutinizing gaze, Zhao Fei awkwardly smiled, his tone laced with a bit of dissatisfaction.

“It’s nothing.”

Zhao Chen relaxed slightly. Maybe he was overthinking things. There’s no way this idiot could have gotten smarter overnight. This fool wore all his emotions on his face — how could someone like him ever be a threat?

Zhao Chen had never taken him seriously at all, nor had he ever viewed Zhao Fei as a rival.

But it’s often due to such disdain that Zhao Fei had been forced to take more extreme measures, opting for a risky path.

One should never underestimate anyone. The ones most often overlooked could turn out to be the game changers in the end.