I'm a Villain! Why Are You Trying to Date Me? - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Shang Chan – “Among you, there are people not welcome in the Zhao family!”

Strictly speaking, Lin Tian had no right to attend an event of this level.

At most, he was merely a manager in the investment department of Xinghai Group—barely qualifying as a retainer of the Zhao family, and even that was just in name.

Gazing at the banquet hall before him, constructed entirely of special transparent glass and spanning three stories, Lin Tian let out a faint sigh.

This is the power of wealth and influence.

He came to a halt, a formulaic smile appearing on his face, and said to Shang Chan, “Presid… Shang Chan, I’ll stop here. With my status, I don’t think I’m qualified to go in.”

Lin Tian didn’t feel particularly sorry for himself, nor did he have any regrets. After all, he had transmigrated into the body of a minor villain—what could he really do?

Maybe during some of his interactions with Shang Chan, he had vaguely developed feelings he shouldn’t have. But the moment he saw this grand banquet hall, he abandoned those fantasies and returned to reality.

Staying far away from these powerful families and lying low—that was the true path to survival.

As for Shang Chan…

Lin Tian frowned slightly, an inexplicable sting rising in his nose.

Entering a cage is like sinking into a vast sea. Once she falls into Jiang Yifeng’s hands, Shang Chan probably won’t have any strength to resist… So why do I feel so damn uncomfortable?

Shang Chan turned around. She noticed the faint crease between Lin Tian’s brows and heard the inner voice echoing in her ears.

She pursed her lips slightly and said softly, “No, Lin Tian. You’re going in with me.”

“Huh?”

“You forgot?” she said. “I told you—I prepared a gift for you today.”

“W-What gift?”

Lin Tian suddenly had a bad feeling, but then Shang Chan gave him a bright smile.

The thoughts in this man’s heart… they seemed to be shifting.

From the determination to stay away, to pitying her, to cursing Jiang Yifeng, and now… discomfort?

Shang Chan could sense the change in Lin Tian.

And if he wasn’t present tonight, how could she give him the gift?

She paused for a moment and said, “This gift… you might not like it. But I hope after seeing it, you’ll reconsider whether you still want to resign.”

Taking a deep breath, her expression turned cold again. That familiar air of detachment and calm returned—this was the true face of the Zhao family heiress and the president of Xinghai Group.

“Come on. My father is waiting for us.”

Lin Tian met Shang Chan’s expectant gaze and, after a moment, let out a quiet sigh.

【Forget it. Worst case, I’ll just hide in a corner and keep my mouth shut… Damn it, having to watch Jiang Yifeng bask in the limelight with my own eyes is seriously disgusting! But… after today, I probably won’t get to see her again anyway.】

Shang Chan gave a faint smile, but a cold gleam flashed through her eyes.

After Lin Tian nodded, Shang Chan raised her chin ever so slightly, walking into the banquet hall like a true queen.

And Lin Tian, following behind her, didn’t draw anyone’s attention—nor did anyone try to stop him.

…

Inside the banquet hall, the moment Shang Chan appeared, all eyes turned toward her.

There were at least three hundred guests present—from the business world, politics, military elite, members of other powerful families as observers, even celebrities.

And of course, quite a few of the Zhao family’s own blood relatives.

Without a doubt, tonight’s center of attention was Shang Chan.

News had spread from various channels that she would be offering the first incense at this year’s Zhao family ancestral rites—a position that signified she was now the chosen heir, the one the Zhao clan would be supporting from this day until the elder Zhao Zhong’s passing.

The last person to offer the first incense had been Zhao Dongyun—the current head of the Zhao family.

So when Shang Chan entered the hall, every gaze turned her way, ensuring that no one noticed Lin Tian walking quietly behind her.

Lin Tian understood this very well. His best move right now was to find a quiet corner and observe. No matter what happened at the banquet tonight, it had nothing to do with him.

When Jiang Yifeng stepped into the spotlight, the best move would be to go hide in the restroom for an hour—out of sight, out of mind.

With that thought, Lin Tian made a beeline for a nearby banquet table stacked with an array of exquisite dishes, wine, and cigars. He helped himself to some meat, grabbed a cigar, and retreated to the lounge area in the corner to sit quietly.

Light pooled in the center of the banquet hall, where elegantly dressed guests moved about, exchanging pleasantries.

Where Lin Tian sat, however, was nearly deserted. It was as if he were completely isolated from the rest of the world.

…

As Shang Chan made her way forward, everyone she passed looked at her with kindness. Those who were familiar with her gave a slight nod and greeted her.

Those who weren’t still smiled warmly and offered, “Miss Shang, you look stunning tonight.”

At the front of the hall, on the stage, Zhao Dongyun and Zhao Mengmeng stood quietly, watching Shang Chan approach.

Zhao Mengmeng leaned in and asked softly, “Father, are we really going to tear things open with Second and Third Uncle tonight? Jiang Yifeng is a major shareholder in Fengchen. If we truly anger him, I’m afraid even after stripping away Second and Third Uncle’s resources, we might not have enough to take him on.”

Zhao Dongyun’s expression remained calm, his gaze steady.

He smiled faintly and replied in a low voice, “It’s fine. If your sister wants to burn that bridge, then let it burn. Even if she didn’t, I would’ve had to do it sooner or later anyway…”

Zhao Dongyun looked at Shang Chan, then glanced at Zhao Mengmeng beside him, nodding with satisfaction.

“You two sisters have grown up. I still have thirty years to shield you both, but the moment your sister offered the first incense, the Zhao family became hers… Just like your grandfather said—our family hasn’t been passed down for long, we don’t have any so-called ‘since ancient times.’ Whatever the future looks like, that’s up to your sister now.”

Zhao Mengmeng nodded obediently.

She looked at Shang Chan, who was surrounded like the moon among the stars, and suddenly noticed the man who was always by her sister’s side was nowhere to be seen.

“Where did he go?” Zhao Mengmeng murmured under her breath. Zhao Dongyun looked at her curiously.

“Who?”

“A man named Lin Tian. He’s been with Sis the whole time.”

“Lin Tian?”

Zhao Dongyun was slightly stunned. Wasn’t that the ‘plant’ he had placed inside Xinghai?

Though he called it a “plant,” in truth, it was more of a formality to appease the Zhao family members. Over the years, the majority of the information Zhao Dongyun received from Lin Tian wasn’t about Xinghai Group at all—it was about whether Shang Chan was doing well.

Come to think of it, the last time he met Lin Tian was also a few years ago.

Zhao Dongyun didn’t dwell on the matter. A few seconds later, he stepped aside with a smile in his eyes, clapping warmly and proudly as he invited Shang Chan to take center stage.

“Hello, everyone. I’m Shang Chan.”

She didn’t stand on ceremony and spoke into the microphone in a cool, calm tone. A wave of enthusiastic applause instantly rose from the crowd below.

After a brief pause, Shang Chan continued.

“Welcome to the Zhao Family Ancestral Tribute Banquet. Traditionally, this is the part where I’d say a few polite clichés, then invite everyone to witness the Zhao family’s ancestral rites. However, today’s situation is a bit special. Before inviting you to the ceremony, there’s something I’d like to deal with first.”

The smiles on the faces of the guests below gradually faded.

Everyone present wasn’t just anybody—they were far from fools. It was clear to all that this might be the biggest moment of the entire Zhao Family Ancestral Tribute.

In the audience, Bai Bing’er lightly pressed her red lips together and turned her head slightly toward the man beside her, Bai Ze.

“Father, I think my actions against Xinghai may have been exposed. You might need to step in and handle things from here.”

It wasn’t that Bai Bing’er lacked the capability to handle it herself—but with her father here, why should she bother taking action personally?

This woman’s thoughts were impossible to predict.

“Oh?”

Bai Ze’s gaze sharpened momentarily, but he nodded without hesitation.

On stage, Shang Chan slowly swept her gaze across the crowd and spoke with solemn weight.

“There are some among you whom the Zhao family does not welcome!”

In the corner, Lin Tian was happily munching on the gourmet food, completely detached from the drama unfolding in the banquet hall.

Little did he know, something monumental was about to happen.