Chapter 670   - I Don’t Need Your Help (2)

Li Yuanyi was satisfied that finally, his father had given him a go signal to cooperate with Zhang Jiren. He knew that even though the old man refused to admit it, their father still cared about Li Meili. The fact that Zhang Jiren was able to overturn the table against his older brother by being acquainted with his sister told Li Yuanyi that Zhang Jiren had earned his father's favor because of her.

Still, that was better than signing a collaboration with Zhang Liang. Li Meili might be able to dodge the bullet for now, but who could tell what Zhang Liang plans to do in the future? Zhang Liang didn't give up once and was very persistent. Li Yuanyi could only keep an eye on him for now.

Li Meili had a better mood now that she had eaten. However, she refused to stay at the party with her family much longer. When she voiced her intention to go home alone, Chairman Li took the opportunity to set her up with Zhang Jiren.

"CEO Zhang, do you mind sending our daughter back home? You see, she arrived with her brother tonight and didn't bring her own people with her. Since you and Meili are friends, I hope you wouldn't mind granting this old man's request."

Li Meili g.r.o.a.n.e.d and tried so hard not to roll her eyes. Couldn't her father be more obvious? What now? Did he want to set her up with Zhang Jiren as per their agreement before Tang Beixuan's death?

Zhang Jiren looked at the pair of father and daughter who were clearly not on good terms, but he didn't think there's any reason for him to deny Chairman Li's request.

"Of course. Shall we get going, Miss Meili?" He asked the Black Nightingale, extending a hand for her to take.

Li Meili's lips pressed into a thin line before glaring at her father. She then eyed the hand Zhang Jiren was offering to her.

"Fine." Li Meili placed her hand in his larger one and slowly rose to her feet. She now regrets coming here with her brother. She wasn't even allowed some privacy even for a while because her father was anxious to set her up with someone?

"Bear with it a little." She heard Zhang Jiren's whisper next to her ear discreetly. "Rest assured that I'm not plotting anything against your family." He added.

Zhang Jiren then bade goodbye to the Lis before leading Li Meili out. She didn't bother to say any parting words to her parents, but gave her brother a nod.

When the two appeared together at the main ballroom where the party was being held, arm in arm, the other guests stopped whatever they were doing to look at Zhang Jiren and Li Meili. Hushed words were passed around, but neither of them paid attention to it. Even Liu Ruoyan, who was at the same party, scowled when she saw Zhang Jiren with Li Meili.

Tang Moyu had seduced Feng Tianyi and now Li Meili was trying to trap Zhang Jiren? What a bitch! She sneered inwardly.

As Liu Ruoyan was not aware that the Black Nightingale was intending to withdraw from the upcoming competition, she swore that she wouldn't allow Li Meili to win it. She wouldn't allow Li Meili to beat her this time.

Once Zhang Jiren and Li Meili were out of everyone's sight, Zhang Jiren released her hand and buried his hands in his side pockets as they waited for his car to arrive. Li Meili kept a safe distance away from him and wrapped her arms around her torso, the chilliness of the night caught her off guard.

Seeing her trembling with cold, Zhang Jiren muttered under his breath and shed his outer coat, throwing it to Li Meili.

"W-What?" She was able to catch it before it fell to the ground, holding the material close to her c.h.e.s.t.

"Use it for the meantime." He didn't bother to explain and chose to ignore her. If she started to cry right now, Zhang Jiren wouldn't know how he would deal with her.

"I don't need your help. I never asked you for it." Li Meili spat out, her eyes flashing with defiance.

"I know." Zhang Jiren replied. "But I don't want you getting sick under my watch. It's already bad enough that Zhang Liang took a liking to you." He said nonchalantly.

Li Meili scoffed at that. She knew better than to believe those lies. Since they were both Zhangs, it was only natural that she had to be wary of them. The Zhang family was bad news. They had a consistent track on devouring or utilizing other families and companies' resources. Since the Li Group of Companies was a massive one, it was only natural that Zhang Liang would target her.

"And you think I should be thankful to you? Do I need to express my gratitude for your help now?"

"Did I misunderstand you, Miss Li? I thought you, like Tang Moyu, wouldn't allow your prejudice to blind you. Because I'm a Zhang, you treat me like I have offended you? If I made a mistake and disrespected you, I apologize, but to treat me like an enemy just because I come from the Zhang family, then forgive me, Miss Li, I cannot choose the family I was born into."

Finally, the car arrived, instantly putting an end to their conversation. Zhang Jiren's shoulder looked stiffer than usual, his strides were quick as he went straight into the car.

Li Meili sighed and bit her inner cheek and looked away in shame. Every word Zhang Jiren just uttered was right. The man hadn't done anything out of line and yet she was treating him with animosity. She hadn't thought that her words would slice him and would offend him. No matter what Tang Moyu felt about the Zhang family, it was unfair to blame him for it.

She chewed her lower lip and looked at his back. How could she make up for her mistake?