"Boss?"
The middle-aged man still clung to a last shred of hope, wishing that the caller wasn’t Leon Zheng.
But soon, even that last bit of hope was completely shattered.
"Old Chen, come back. Head to Finance and settle your salary."
On the other end, Leon Zheng’s voice was soft—no hint of anger. But that flat tone, with not a single word of blame, chilled the middle-aged man to the bone.
True anger is never hysterical.
"Chairman Zheng..."
The middle-aged man’s voice trembled; he suddenly didn’t know what to say.
But the call was already cut off. The busy tone echoed straight into his heart.
"Dad?"
Lynn Chen watched her dad’s face change over and over, feeling something was off. Instinctively, she grabbed his sleeve. "Dad, say something! What’s wrong?"
"You look terrible. Don’t scare me."
Lynn’s heart raced with panic.
"Little Lynn, let’s go home."
He took a deep breath, his face flickering with emotion. After several changes, he glanced at his daughter—a flash of anger crossed his eyes, then faded into deep exhaustion and helplessness that washed over him.
"Dad, what do you mean, go home?"
Lynn sensed trouble and pressed him for an answer.
But the middle-aged man just shook his head, walked over to Lily Zhong, and respectfully handed her his phone with both hands.
"I’m sorry... Miss Zhong, I didn’t know it was you..."
His voice broke—a forty- or fifty-year-old man, unable to keep even a steady tone in front of a young woman. Everyone present was stunned by the scene.
"Uncle Chen?"
Ryan Wu stepped forward and had just opened his mouth.
Bang!
Without warning, Uncle Chen spun around and punched Ryan Wu square in the face, sending him flying across the floor.
"I can’t bear to punish my own daughter, but I can punish you!"
Uncle Chen’s eyes were bloodshot, full of rage.
"Dad, what are you doing!"
Lynn jumped in shock and tried to pull him back.
Ryan Wu’s mind buzzed from the punch, barely able to react before the middle-aged man strode over and kicked him hard.
The kick landed right in Ryan’s stomach, making his face go pale with pain.
"Ryan Wu, go tell your dad to teach you some manners!"
The middle-aged man took a deep breath, turned, nodded to Lily Zhong, then walked straight toward Evan Lin.
Everyone knew that the main reason Lily Zhong was so closely tied to the Zheng family was because of that young ‘Master Lin from Seacrest.’
Master Lin’s mother was from the Zheng family—everyone inside the Zheng businesses knew this, but few had ever actually seen the legendary Master Lin.
After all, Evan Lin had basically never visited the Zheng family’s companies.
Most people had only heard rumors.
But now, even a fool could instantly realize the identity of this calm young man in front of them.
In all of Oceanport, aside from Master Lin from Seacrest, who else could make Angel Epoch’s Chairwoman Zhong wait here so quietly, all by herself?
And just now, that call Lily Zhong made—she only did it because this young man asked her to.
"I’m sorry—it’s my fault for not teaching my daughter better and causing you trouble."
Without a moment’s hesitation, the middle-aged man bowed deeply to Evan Lin.
"Isn’t he a Zheng company executive? Why is he bowing to that kid?" One flight attendant was still reeling from the punch and kick he gave Ryan Wu, now full of questions seeing him act so respectful to Evan.
"He’s probably just trying to suck up to Lily Zhong. Didn’t you see how she’s totally unapproachable with everyone else but treats that guy differently? Maybe he’s her little brother, or... her boyfriend, who knows."
The flight attendants all stared in amazement at the scene unfolding before them.
After Uncle Chen latched onto the Zheng family, he became one of those upper-crust figures from another world to people like them.
But no one expected that, after just one phone call, the man’s attitude would do a complete 180.
For Angel Epoch’s Lily Zhong, calling the Zheng family chairman was nothing unusual to them.
"Dad! What are you doing? You hit Brother Wu, and now you’re apologizing to this kid? For what?!"
Seeing this, Lynn’s face filled with grievance. She ran over and glared angrily at Evan Lin.
"Your daughter doesn’t seem very bright."
Evan Lin glanced at Lynn, then looked at the middle-aged man and spoke calmly.
"You!"
Hearing Evan’s words, Lynn was about to lose it.
She was a bit afraid of Lily Zhong now, but not of Evan.
But before she could speak...
"Shut up!"
The middle-aged man barked at her, scaring her so much her face turned pale, her body trembled, and she pursed her lips, not daring to make a sound.
She had never seen her father this angry before.
"You’re right. If a child isn’t taught, it’s the father’s fault. I’ll make sure to discipline her properly from now on."
The middle-aged man looked at Evan Lin again, his voice growing even more humble. He even lowered himself, bending slightly as he spoke.
"Everything that happened today is my fault. I brought this on myself. I’ll return to the company soon and resign to Chairman Zheng. Also, please accept my apology."
He bowed again, his voice complicated but sincere.
Gone was any trace of confidence from before.
"If you knew today would come, why make those choices back then?"
Evan shook his head. "I’m not one to hold grudges—handle it yourself."
With that, Evan and his crew bounced from the scene.
Queenie Tong, Yvette Locke, and the others followed at his side.
The whole group marched out like a boss.
Ryan Wu clutched his stomach, still sprawled on the ground in pain, glaring at Evan’s retreating back with a face full of resentment.
He simmered with anger but had nowhere to vent it.
"Thank you, thank you."
The middle-aged man listened to Evan’s last words, murmuring repeatedly.
His back was already drenched in cold sweat.
Evan had given him a chance, but he didn’t cherish it. Now he’d only lose his job, but if Evan were truly dissatisfied, his whole family might not be able to survive in Oceanport.
So he thanked Evan, even though that phone call meant losing his job for good.
"Dad, who is that guy, really...?"
After Evan and his group left, Lynn finally spoke up, her voice shaky and quiet.
"He... he’s someone I can’t afford to offend."