My Ares Son-in-Law

Old Mrs. Zhou knew exactly what was going on:

As long as the Zhou family can secure a contract from this project, even if the amount is small and they are only responsible for some minor tasks, it will be enough for the Zhou family to accumulate huge wealth and achieve a qualitative leap in the family's status.

To completely escape the current embarrassing situation of "having power but no money".

It should be noted that the Zhou family in the capital city still holds some influence in the martial arts and political circles of the Dragon Kingdom, thanks to the connections and resources left by their ancestors. They can barely control the Zhou family branches throughout the Dragon Kingdom.

However, in terms of wealth, they are not as wealthy as the Zhou family branch in the provincial capital of the western region... The Zhou family in the provincial capital has accumulated a lot of wealth through years of cultivating the local business community, while the Zhou family in the capital city maintains its status more through reputation and connections.

Therefore, they will not miss this opportunity to make money, no matter what, and they will seize it firmly even at great cost.

Zhou Guihua immediately gave the order without hesitation:

Tonight, an emergency family meeting will be held at the Zhou family's old residence in the provincial capital. All core members of the Zhou family will be summoned to discuss how to seek a breakthrough and secure cooperation opportunities from Dansheng Group's new project.

His tone was firm, leaving no room for excuses; anyone who dared to be absent was disregarding the family's interests and would be severely punished.

As night fell and the city lights began to illuminate the night, darkness descended.

The Zhou family mansion in the provincial capital was brightly lit. The courtyard, which was usually rather quiet, was now bustling with activity and people. Core members from various branches of the Zhou family had arrived as scheduled, each with a look of solemnity and anticipation on their face...

Everyone knew that tonight's meeting would determine the future of the Zhou family.

Zhou Keying was no exception; she went to the old house with her parents.

Before setting off, she felt a vague unease. She knew Zhou Guihua's temperament all too well... domineering, snobbish, only caring about interests, and extremely concerned about family background. She might take the opportunity to cause her trouble.

More importantly, Xiao Chen is by her side. Given the old lady's temper, she will most likely look down on or even make things difficult for Xiao Chen.

To be on the safe side, and also to have someone to rely on, Zhou Keying specifically asked Xiao Chen to accompany her. She knew that as long as Xiao Chen was by her side, even if Zhou Guihua really made things difficult, she wouldn't dare to go too far.

Xiao Chen naturally understood Zhou Keying's thoughts and did not refuse.

He had already planned it out in his mind:
The purpose of the meeting convened by Old Madam Zhou was quite clear: to gather wisdom from all quarters and utilize the connections and resources of the entire Zhou family to carve out a slice of the large pie that belonged to the Zhou family from the Dansheng Group.

If this old Mrs. Zhou is sensible, humble, and doesn't cause trouble or make things difficult, he wouldn't mind allocating some insignificant business from the Dansheng Group's projects to the Zhou family, out of respect for Zhou Keying.

After all, he and Zhou Keying had always had a pretty good relationship, so helping her out wouldn't hurt.

But if this old lady is rude, looks down on him, dares to belittle him, or even makes things difficult for Zhou Keying, then he wouldn't mind taking some action...

Directly support Zhou Keying to replace the current head of the Zhou family and become the highest authority in the entire Dragon Kingdom, so that those snobbish guys can see what real strength is.

The car slowly drove into the gate of the Zhou family's old mansion. Just as they stopped and the two reached the entrance, a discordant voice rang out. Zhou Keying's cousin, Zhou Hao, was leaning against the vermilion doorframe, arms crossed, a mocking and disdainful smile on his lips, as he sarcastically remarked:

"Oh, isn't this Xiao Chen, our Zhou family's 'honorary member'? What a rare guest!"

"What? You've got some nerve! This is a family meeting of the Zhou family to discuss core interests, and you, an outsider, have the nerve to show up and crash it? Do you really think the Zhou family is a place where just anyone can walk in?"

Zhou Hao's voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for the Zhou family members who were arriving one after another to hear clearly. Many people cast curious yet disdainful glances at Xiao Chen, pointing and whispering among themselves.

Zhou Keying's pretty face instantly turned cold. Her brows furrowed, and she looked at Zhou Hao with icy eyes, saying in a cold voice:

"Zhou Hao, watch your mouth! Xiao Chen is my friend, I invited him here, this is my home, I can invite whomever I want, it's none of your business to interfere!"

Zhou Hao scoffed, making no attempt to hide the contempt and disdain in his eyes. He took a step forward, looking down at Xiao Chen, his tone becoming increasingly sarcastic:
"Friend? I think he's just a spineless gigolo! He has nothing, no power or influence, and he doesn't even take a good look at himself in the mirror. He dares to try and climb up to the Zhou family and marry one of our women?"

"Don't think that just because Zhou Keying is protecting you, you can act arrogantly in the Zhou family! Let me tell you, even if Zhou Keying doesn't have a high status in the family, her marriage is still subject to the family's command, and she has no say in it!"

"A man as useless as you isn't even qualified to carry shoes for the Zhou family, yet you dare to dream of such things?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen's lips did not show any anger; instead, a faint, cold, mocking smile appeared on his face.

He couldn't be bothered to lower himself to the level of such a clown. In his eyes, Zhou Hao, a good-for-nothing who abused his family status, didn't even deserve to anger him.

Zhou Keying was startled and her face turned pale instantly.

She knew Xiao Chen's abilities and personality all too well... He seemed gentle, but in reality, he was ruthless and decisive. When his temper flared up, it wouldn't be a matter of teaching Zhou Hao a lesson or even killing him; it would be a matter of a single thought.

She wasn't feeling sorry for Zhou Hao, but rather worried that things would escalate and become difficult to manage, since Zhou Hao came from the main family in the capital.

If Xiao Chen had injured her at the old house, it would have inevitably caused conflict between the main family and the branch family, and would have given Zhou Guihua an excuse to target her.

Thinking of this, Zhou Keying quickly tugged at Xiao Chen's hand, squeezing it firmly to signal him not to act impulsively, and then said as calmly as possible:

"Forget it, Xiao Chen, don't bother with him. He's just a brainless idiot. Let's go inside first, so the old lady doesn't get impatient and she doesn't find another excuse to make things difficult for us."

Xiao Chen nodded slightly, following Zhou Keying's lead, and ignored Zhou Hao, who was still smugly standing to the side, giving him a disdainful glance.

As if watching a clown, he then took Zhou Keying's hand and walked straight into the old house, completely leaving Zhou Hao's provocation behind.

As Zhou Hao watched the two figures walk away side by side, the mockery and smugness on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a deep gloom and resentment. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails almost dug into his flesh, and sneered inwardly:
Xiao Chen, Zhou Keying, you just wait! You'll see what happens at the meeting later! I want to see how long you can keep up your arrogance in front of the old lady! (End of Chapter)