Chapter 037: Lending a Hand

Zhao Zhen and Zhao Ting were momentarily stunned.

Zhao Ting was the first to recover, and she hurriedly chimed in, “Yes! Yes, yes! Third Brother will always be the head of the family!”

Internally, Zhao Feng sneered at how adept this family was at shifting with the wind.

With that thought, Zhao Feng’s expression turned disdainful, even a bit contemptuous. In truth, Zhao Feng could hardly be blamed; he was now too lazy even to pretend.

He waved his hand impatiently, “Enough! No more nonsense. Just tell me why you’re here.”

Zhao Zhen and Zhao Ting immediately looked awkward.

Zhao Ting nudged Zhao Zhen with her elbow.

Zhao Zhen blinked, “What is it?”

Zhao Ting winked and whispered, “Sister, hurry up and say it!”

“Oh, oh!” Zhao Zhen straightened her clothes, then placed several boxes of cheap milk on the table. “I didn’t bring anything special, just some good milk. Have some at home.”

“Hmph!” Zhao Feng snorted, “Such expensive milk—Aunt, you’d better take it back with you!”

“Haha!” Zhao Zhen forced a laugh. “What are you saying, Xiaofeng? Once something’s been brought out, how can we take it back?”

With a dismissive snort, Zhao Feng said, “We’re not blessed enough to drink such precious gifts! My parents always get an upset stomach from this sort of thing.”

“And as for me, it’s even worse! If I drink it, I’ll be sick all over. Aunt, are you trying to harm us?”

“This—this—” Zhao Zhen grew flustered and could hardly speak. “We’re not!”

Zhao Feng was about to say more, but Zhao Jun interjected.

Zhao Jun waved his hand, “That’s enough, Xiaofeng!” He shot Zhao Feng a sharp glare. Zhao Feng rubbed his nose and didn’t retort.

Zhao Jun straightened his clothes. “Zhao Zhen, Zhao Ting, just tell us what you came for.”

Zhao Ting broke into a broad smile.

She was inwardly delighted; this was what she had been waiting for—Zhao Jun to ask so she could state her purpose.

She tittered, “Third Brother, I heard you’ve paid back that one million?”

Zhao Jun, not thinking much of it, nodded. “Yes.”

She rubbed her hands together, “Third Brother, where did you get so much money?”

Zhao Jun glanced at Zhao Feng, who sat there with a composed air.

Zhao Jun rubbed his nose. “To be honest, I don’t know myself. But Xiaofeng told me that a friend of his lent it to him.”

Beside him, Chen Lan and Zhao Feng’s mother both rolled their eyes. Zhao Jun had many virtues, but lying was not one of them.

Zhao Ting’s eyes lit up at once. “Borrowed?”

“Yes.”

“Who? Who would lend Xiaofeng so much money?”

Zhao Jun shook his head. “That I don’t know.”

Zhao Zhen and Zhao Ting exchanged knowing smiles.

Zhao Ting’s smile grew more eager. “Third Brother, you don’t know—Xiaofeng borrowed it from the local big shot in Huaian County!”

Zhao Jun was shocked. “Xia Lin?”

Zhao Ting nodded. “That’s right, Xia Lin!”

Zhao Jun was utterly taken aback.

But Zhao Jun wasn’t the only one—Zhao Feng was equally astounded.

He stared at Zhao Ting in disbelief.

In an instant, Zhao Feng’s handsome face turned cold.

His eyes sharp, he fixed Zhao Ting with a piercing look. “How do you know this?”

Zhao Ting avoided the question, laughing lightly. “Just admit it, is it true or not?”

Zhao Feng sat down, his tone icy. “Who told you?”

Intimidated by Zhao Feng’s presence, Zhao Ting shrank back, unable to meet his gaze.

He stared at her until she began to tremble, then asked, “I’ll give you one chance. Tell me—who told you?”

“I… I…” Zhao Ting stammered, “It was—it was Young Master Xiang…”

Zhao Feng’s face remained icy, his fists clenched. “So, Xiang Tao, you’re in everything, aren’t you?”

He stood slowly, his gaze fixed on Zhao Ting. “Looks like you’re getting tired of living. Why did he send you here?”

Zhao Ting shook her head frantically, “He didn’t send us!”

“Then what is it?” Zhao Feng unleashed his spiritual power and used Lion’s Roar.

Zhao Ting’s mind faltered, startled by the force.

She stammered, “Your cousin knows Young Master Xiang’s driver. They were drinking together, and after a few too many, the driver let it slip by accident. After your cousin told me, I thought, since you know Xia Lin, maybe you could recommend a job for your cousin. That’s all.”

“That’s all?” Zhao Feng asked.

Zhao Ting nodded quickly, “That’s right, that’s all!”

Zhao Feng’s expression softened a little, though he was still far from friendly.

He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Do you have any way to arrange a meeting with Xiang Tao’s driver?”

Zhao Zhen and Zhao Ting blinked in confusion.

Zhao Ting asked suspiciously, “Why do you want to meet Young Master Xiang’s driver?”

Zhao Feng gave a cold laugh. “No reason. Just want to have a drink with him.”

“Well…” Zhao Ting hesitated. “I’ll have your cousin try.”

Zhao Feng waved his hand impatiently. “Just get to the point—what do you really want? Say it all at once.”

Zhao Ting scratched her head awkwardly. “Xiaofeng, your second aunt came to ask if you could lend her some money.”

Zhao Feng laughed in disbelief. “And what makes you think I have money? I’m not even eighteen yet!”

Zhao Ting was visibly embarrassed. After all, borrowing money from a junior was hard to justify.

Zhao Feng simply waved her off. “No.”

Zhao Ting was even more embarrassed.

She rubbed her hands together and tried again, “Xiaofeng, if you can’t lend the money, could you at least help your cousin find a job?”

Zhao Feng laughed. “Second Aunt, if I’m not mistaken, you still owe our family a hundred thousand, don’t you?”

Zhao Ting’s voice caught in her throat, like a duck being strangled.

She stammered, unable to reply.

Just as Zhao Ting was at a loss, Zhao Zhen spoke up.

She smiled warmly. “Xiaofeng, it’s just a hundred thousand. Your second aunt is holding onto it for you. When you get married, she’ll give it to you.”

Zhao Ting seized on this lifeline. “Yes, yes! When you get married, I’ll give it to you!”

Zhao Feng nearly laughed aloud at their thick-skinned response.

He shook his head. “Let me be clear: there’s no money to lend, and it’s impossible for me to get your cousin a job. He has hands and feet—let him figure it out himself.”

At that, Zhao Ting grew desperate. “Why can’t you just help your cousin?”

“Yes! Why not help your cousin? We’re all family!” Zhao Zhen shamelessly added.