Chapter 13: When Did You Lose Your Sight?

All day long, Lin Zhiwei stayed at home, anxious and fidgety, muttering to herself incessantly. Her father and mother were too afraid to speak to her, thinking she might be possessed.

“Honey, is Weiwei overworked from training? Her mind seems off. She’s acting so strange today, mumbling non-stop—I can’t even make out what she’s saying,” her mother asked nervously.

“Nonsense, what could be wrong? She’s just at that age—young girls have a lot on their minds,” her father replied, reading his newspaper with a relaxed air, unconcerned.

“But I really think something’s not right…”

The phone rang for quite a while before Lin Zhiwei, jolted from her daydream, finally answered.

“Lin Zhiwei, you’re so slow—I’ve already called twice!” Zhao Qianlu’s impatient voice came through the receiver.

Lin Zhiwei collected herself and replied, “My lady, I was deep in thought about the meaning of life.”

“Hahaha, you, pondering the meaning of life? Don’t make me laugh.”

“What’s up?”

“I was just about to ask for your advice. Qi Heng has been waiting outside my house every day lately. I can’t even leave my place,” Zhao Qianlu said, her voice tinged with helplessness.

Oh? Interesting. Lin Zhiwei’s curiosity was instantly piqued. “Not bad at all—he’s come to make peace. And how do you feel about that?”

“I’ve been thinking about what you said last time. I really don’t think a man like that can be trusted,” Zhao Qianlu admitted.

Lin Zhiwei nodded in approval. “Well done, Zhao the beauty. You’re learning fast.”

“Don’t tease. But our families have been close for generations; I can’t let things get too tense. What should I do now?”

“In a few days, I’ll be going to the Arbitration Committee. Why don’t you come with me? I’ll help you out of your predicament,” Lin Zhiwei offered, marveling at her own brilliance—sometimes good fortune just falls into your lap.

“Sure, no problem.”

“But let’s be clear—this time it won’t be free.”

“I know, I know. Whatever help you need, just say the word.”

“Thanks.”

After hanging up, Zhao Qianlu sipped her champagne as she picked out a dress for the evening banquet. She found herself genuinely admiring Lin Zhiwei—such a remarkable and mysterious woman, the more she got to know her, the more unfathomable she seemed, and yet she couldn’t help wanting to follow her. It was a strange, subtle kind of influence.

On Lin Zhiwei’s end, she hummed a cheerful tune, feeling much lighter at heart. Saving a life truly is worth more than building a seven-story pagoda, she thought. If Zhao Qianlu hadn’t come knocking that day, she wouldn’t have had the chance to take the initiative.

A second call interrupted her blissful humming. She was about to curse whoever had such poor timing, but when she saw it was Ling Ziheng, she instantly deflated—future boss, patron, this was important. She answered quickly.

“What can I do for you, boss?”

Ling Ziheng was momentarily taken aback by her tone, then cleared his throat to ease the awkwardness. “Just wanted to let you know your residence and work arrangements in Huaguo are all set.”

Impressive. Lin Zhiwei wanted to praise him, but kept her reply measured. “Thank you, boss. I’ll be sure to serve with utmost dedication.”

Ling Ziheng chuckled lightly—when it came to wit, no one could outmatch Lin Zhiwei. “I’m hardly your boss. Looking forward to working with you. I’ll see your performance at the arbitration in two days.”

“What? You’ll be at the Arbitration Committee too?” Lin Zhiwei was so startled she dropped her cookie.

“Family representative. I have to be there.”

“Oh, well then, looks like I’ll have a few allies in the room. Excellent, very good. Once I recruit another ally tomorrow, my team will be formidable indeed.”

After saying this, Lin Zhiwei wondered if calling herself “the king” was a bit too arrogant. Yet with Ling Ziheng, she found it all too easy to let down her guard, as if she could say anything. She questioned where this feeling came from.

Ling Ziheng shook his head helplessly, as if he could picture that spirited girl on the other end of the line. Though he couldn’t see her animated expression, she always made others want to know more.

“Ziheng, are you heading back to Huaguo soon?” Liang Qisheng asked, admiring a sculpture of a young girl.

Ling Ziheng hung up the phone, glanced at him with a sense of relief, and nodded. At that moment, he had removed the lower half of his facial disguise, revealing softer, more elegant features accented by enchanting eyes.

He was unmistakably striking—his brows and gaze held a natural charm, his skin as fair as jade, his handsome profile tinged with a slight aloofness and unruliness. His dark, deep eyes could seduce anyone who looked too long.

If Lin Zhiwei were there, she would surely say: this is truly a gift from heaven.

Liang Qisheng blinked and shook his head. “No, no, don’t look at me like that. I finally understand why your fans are always causing a fuss. You’re a real heartbreaker.” He flopped down across from Ling Ziheng, continuing to pry, “Who were you talking to just now? Your tone was so gentle, your expression so soft—unbelievable.”

Ling Ziheng turned his phone to show him three words: Lin Zhiwei.

“My god, Ziheng, are you blind? Should I take you to a doctor?” Liang Qisheng quickly grabbed a pillow and shrunk into the corner.

That ugly Lin Zhiwei… Wasn’t she the one from the Shen family banquet?

He felt it was his duty to rescue his friend’s taste. Sitting down beside Ling Ziheng, he patted him sympathetically on the shoulder. “Ziheng, I know you’ve had it tough in the entertainment industry, seen too many beauties, and now you’re numb to looks. But—and this is important—you really should…”

Ling Ziheng brushed his hand off and got up to leave, ignoring him completely.

“Hey, hey, Ziheng, don’t go! Listen to me, there are millions of women in this world…” Before Liang Qisheng could finish, Ling Ziheng was already gone.

Damn, I absolutely cannot let Ziheng fall for that ugly girl. Out of brotherly duty, Liang Qisheng resolved to go to the Lin family tomorrow and have a word with her himself.