Starting as the President of a Billionaire Group Chapter 1134: 1109: A Subtle Emotion Arises

Mrs. Zhao halted her tasks abruptly, frozen right there.

She had obviously heard her daughter's call coming from downstairs and noticed an unfamiliar man embracing her daughter.

Any person would assume that this stranger was a villain harassing her daughter.

However, Zhao Ziwei stopped her mother from summoning the police. What was the story behind it? Was there something more?

“Ziwei, what's really going on here? You scared Mom half to death,” Mrs. Zhao said with deep concern.

Zhao Ziwei glanced at Ye Chen, whose hair was full of vegetable scraps, and spoke remorsefully, “Ye Chen, I'm truly sorry. I've caused my mom to misunderstand you. I'll make it up to her for you.”

Ye Chen wore an embarrassed look as he shook the leaves from his head and grinned, “It's fine. The way we appeared just moments ago, it's natural for auntie to get the wrong idea.”

Regaining her composure then, Mrs. Zhao suggested, “Let's head inside to chat.”

She ushered Ye Chen into the home, brimmed with regrets, and served him a cup of tea.

“Ziwei, can you explain to Mom what happened now?” Mrs. Zhao questioned, fixing her gaze on her daughter.

Since Zhao Ziwei had arrived in her hospital gown, face bandaged heavily, tears flowing, Mrs. Zhao realized something terrible had struck her daughter.

Though worried sick, she wasn't sure where to begin inquiring.

She figured she'd allow Zhao Ziwei to settle first, then went shopping for ingredients to prepare her beloved dishes.

Mother-daughter talks flowed better over meals anyway.

Observing the man present, Mrs. Zhao instantly grasped that her daughter's distress linked directly to him.

Still, Zhao Ziwei had never brought him up before.

With everyone together now, she intended to uncover every detail.

Zhao Ziwei bowed her head, nibbling her lip, and admitted, “Yesterday I was kidnapped, and he saved me.”

This news jolted Mrs. Zhao, paling her complexion noticeably.

“Kidnapped?”

That word struck fear into hearts, all the more for those gentle souls without foes.

Why would kidnappers target her daughter?

“Ziwei, what happened out there to make enemies?” Mrs. Zhao probed anxiously.

Ye Chen spoke up to clarify before Zhao Ziwei could respond.

“Auntie, I'm so sorry. Ziwei just stood up for me, and that's why they bore a grudge. But rest easy—with me protecting her, Ziwei won't face harm again. I guarantee it,” Ye Chen conveyed sincerely.

Genuine emotion shone on his face as he promised.

His words deeply touched Zhao Ziwei.

Mrs. Zhao picked up from Ye Chen's explanation that an uncommon connection existed between her daughter and this young man.

“I understand now. I didn't believe Ziwei would cause trouble for no cause,” Mrs. Zhao sighed in relief.

Next, she inquired, “What's your name, and what's your tie to my daughter?”

Without a second's delay, Ye Chen replied, “Auntie, I'm Ye Chen, and I'm Ziwei's boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend?”

Mrs. Zhao had asked her daughter about boyfriends previously, yet Ziwei always denied having one.

Suddenly a boyfriend emerges, and one so strikingly handsome with refined poise.

Mrs. Zhao liked him more the longer she observed.

Zhao Ziwei never imagined Ye Chen would declare that, particularly seeing her disheveled. Other men would shun her, so why claim the bond?

“Ye Chen, Ziwei never spoke of you before?” Mrs. Zhao asked curiously.

“Auntie, Ziwei and I haven't been acquainted long; I'm still in the trial phase,” Ye Chen said, rubbing his head bashfully.

He shot a look at Zhao Ziwei and added, “Am I correct, Ziwei?”

“Yes, exactly as Ye Chen says, Mom,” Zhao Ziwei replied, her face turning red.

Noting her daughter's bashful demeanor, Mrs. Zhao confirmed her fondness for Ye Chen.

Furthermore, his rescue from peril must have sparked emotions between them.

Mrs. Zhao felt completely pleased with Ye Chen as a potential son-in-law.

Good thing it was just a false alarm, with all confusion resolved.

Sternly then, Mrs. Zhao warned, “You young folks need to stay cautious. Hanging by the entrance like that—if anyone spotted you, it would look improper. Be mindful, but not so recklessly, alright?”

Zhao Ziwei and Ye Chen nodded awkwardly at her words.

“Fine, you two relax; I'll start cooking,” Mrs. Zhao gathered her newly bought groceries and proceeded to the kitchen.

Inside the kitchen, a pleased smile appeared on her face, delighted by Ye Chen's true devotion to her daughter—it meant her girl finally had someone reliable to look after her.

Even after her own passing, she could depart without worry.

All at once, a sharp ache gripped Mrs. Zhao; she wiped sweat from her brow before resuming the vegetable chopping.

The Zhao residence was compact, so living room conversations easily carried to the kitchen.

After some thought, Zhao Ziwei led Ye Chen into her bedroom.

Zhao Ziwei proposed, “Ye Chen, let’s go inside to talk.”

Ye Chen frowned. “Ziwei, let’s talk right here; it doesn’t feel proper to go to your room.”

At first, Ye Chen turned down the suggestion, as being alone in a room with a woman felt wrong.

On top of that, he didn’t wish for Mrs. Zhao to see him as some careless playboy.

However, with Zhao Ziwei’s persistent urging, he had no option but to give in.

Once they stepped into the room, Zhao Ziwei’s eyes turned red. “Ye Chen, why did you come searching for me?” she asked.

The question stunned Ye Chen, leaving him clueless on how to respond.

After a brief pause, Ye Chen stated, “Ziwei, you need to return to the hospital with me for more treatment, or else your injuries won’t mend.”

Zhao Ziwei choked up. “Ye Chen, no need to keep deceiving me. My face won’t improve; I’m disfigured for good this time.”

She restrained her sobs, worried that her mother might fret.

“That won’t be the case—trust me, I swear your face will heal completely,” Ye Chen reassured her.

Biting her lip, Zhao Ziwei said, “Ye Chen, thanks for putting on that show for my mom earlier. I’m truly thankful, but we shouldn’t meet again.”

It seemed in that moment she had come to a tough resolve.

“Ziwei, I wasn’t pretending—please believe me, my words came from the heart. You got hurt because of me. You’re a kind girl, and I won’t abandon you,” Ye Chen responded swiftly.

Gazing at Ye Chen, Zhao Ziwei declared, “I don’t want your pity or sense of obligation. Ye Chen, I know there are no real feelings from you, so don’t fool yourself.”

Ye Chen found himself unable to refute the girl’s words.

He truly lacked romantic affection for her, yet seeing her risk everything in that forsaken warehouse to console him during his moment of dread over potential harm ignited an unclear sentiment deep in Ye Chen’s heart.

This sentiment proved elusive for Ye Chen to describe precisely.