Chapter 129: Seeking Separate Conversations (Part 1)

On the way back, Lin Zhiwei was leaning against Ling Ziheng, drowsy, when she noticed her beloved still engrossed in the documents. Hastily, she snatched them away. “If you keep working like this, you’ll become immortal.”

Ling Ziheng saw the displeasure on her face and quickly surrendered. “Alright, I won’t look anymore.” He gently stroked her cheek, feeling a profound sweetness in his heart. If not for this girl, he wouldn’t have had to work so hard. But given the current situation...

A chill crossed his face. Far away, someone was pulling the strings behind it all. If they truly wanted to destroy him, it wouldn’t be so easy.

Just then, his phone rang. Ling Ziheng glanced at the caller ID and answered.

“Have you gotten home yet?” came Liang Qisheng’s muffled voice over the line.

“Almost.”

“I’m downstairs. I need to talk to you.”

“Okay.”

Ling Ziheng hung up and met Lin Zhiwei’s curious gaze. “It’s Ah Sheng. He wants to talk later.”

“Really? That’s strange. Nanyu also said he wants to talk to me. Are they both coming out publicly? No way, they’ve only known each other for a short time.” Lin Zhiwei glanced at Pei Xi in the passenger seat and immediately added, “Don’t worry, Manager Pei, I still support you and Nanyu as a couple. If he brings this up, I’ll make sure he regrets it—what a playboy, always leaving a trail of heartbreak.”

Lin Zhiwei spoke indignantly while Pei Xi sat there looking helpless. “Director Lin, what kind of imagination is this? I’m innocent.”

Ling Ziheng smiled softly, staring at his little lady with a look that said, “How is my wife so adorable?”

“Master, don’t betray your subordinate like this,” Pei Xi silently pleaded.

Back at their residence, Nanyu and Liang Qisheng were already pacing below.

Lin Zhiwei was utterly shocked. No way—she had just mentioned it casually, and these two were really going to come out?

When they saw the group return, both men stepped forward. Nanyu spoke first. “I have something to tell you,” and then pulled Lin Zhiwei upstairs.

Liang Qisheng was not to be outdone and addressed Ling Ziheng with a serious expression. “Let’s go. I have something to tell you too.”

“See you later, darling,” Lin Zhiwei said as she walked, not forgetting to blow a kiss back at Ling Ziheng.

“Damn it, Xiao Linzi, have you no shame?” Nanyu complained beside her.

“You wouldn’t understand, you single dog,” Lin Zhiwei rolled her eyes.

Back inside, Lin Zhiwei grabbed two bottles of cola and tossed one to the sullen Nanyu. It was rare to see him take things so seriously.

She then flopped onto the sofa. “So, what’s the matter? Just say it.”

Nanyu cleared his throat. “Xiao Linzi, be honest. Are you serious about Ling Ziheng?”

Lin Zhiwei closed her eyes, resting briefly. “Of course I’m serious.”

“I’m seriously asking you,” Nanyu said, clearly displeased.

Lin Zhiwei opened her eyes and sat up straight. “I said I’m serious.”

“Alright. Have you ever thought that maybe Ling Ziheng is just using you as a shield? That he lured you into the Chinese entertainment industry to cover his own tracks?” Nanyu’s tone was urgent and tense.

Lin Zhiwei glanced at him calmly. “I knew from the start that he needed to use my identity as a cover. As for coming to China, it was my idea. You could say I competed for the position myself.”

“You brought it up yourself?” Nanyu was surprised. “Well, even if that’s true, how can you be sure he’s sincere? He’s an acting emperor—maybe it’s all just a game to him. Once he’s done, he’ll toss you aside.”

Lin Zhiwei narrowed her eyes, pondering carefully. Then she tilted her head lazily. “Then I’ll just let him use me. Worst case, I’ll win him back later.”

Nanyu’s eyes widened, shocked to his core. What kind of drug had this Xiao Linzi taken? So soon, and she was already falling for him, utterly ignoring whether he was sincere.

“You must be out of your mind. Do you know who his enemies are? I heard he’s ruthless since childhood, not the elegant gentleman you see. He might be a scoundrel behind the scenes,” Nanyu fretted like a moth on a hot pan.

“I don’t want to know,” Lin Zhiwei blinked, expression serene. “Nanyu, I know you’re genuinely worried. I know his enemies are formidable, and he’s no pushover. Just as you said, he might deceive me, use me, then leave me.”

“Then why do you still choose to continue?”

“At this moment, I think he’s good. It’s him. He loves me, protects me. I see it all clearly. Nanyu, have you ever wondered why, after returning to the country, he spends every day at Ling Corporation and is even considering retiring from acting?”

“That’s because he’s preparing for his future fight against his nemesis,” Nanyu answered confidently.

“Exactly. If he only wanted to use me, why would he plan so much? With his current strength, he could bring me to negotiate support with Lin Qiongjiu. Why linger in China?” Lin Zhiwei asked plainly.

“Because...” Nanyu hesitated. That was a good point. He knew Ling Ziheng was trying hard to persuade Xiao Linzi to stay in the Chinese entertainment industry, though it didn’t help his own battle.

“Because he’s thinking about how to protect me,” Lin Zhiwei continued immediately, her certainty evident. Nanyu couldn’t deny it. She knew her beloved wanted to prove to Lin Qiongjiu that he was strong enough to defeat her and keep her safe.

“Nanyu, people can fake it, but genuine concern can’t be faked. Like you said, if one day he deceives me, uses me, and leaves me, then fine—we’ll part on good terms. If that day comes, we’ll deal with it then. After all, there’s still Lin Qiongjiu. Why should I worry?”

“Look at your lord. Does he look like someone who would really push me into the fire?”

Nanyu immediately shook his head. Even if the whole world wanted to hurt Xiao Linzi, the lord would be the first to fight back. That’s right. Since the lord had sanctioned this, it meant Ling Ziheng was trustworthy. He was just overthinking.

“Nanyu,” Lin Zhiwei sighed and looked at him earnestly, “I know each of you hides things from me. I know. You don’t need to deny it. But I know you all care about me. I appreciate it. So it’s okay.”

Nanyu felt his heart pierced by those clear, bright eyes and lowered his head shyly. “As long as you know.”

“Enough, it’s fine. Since we’re not fighting alone, what’s there to fear?” Lin Zhiwei patted Nanyu's shoulder firmly. Rarely had Nanyu seen such a sentimental moment from her. She must have real concerns. Since he had secrets he wasn’t ready to share, she chose to respect that.

“Alright. With me around, everything will be taken care of,” Nanyu said proudly, raising his head.

“That’s more like it. Come, I’ve got some snacks here. I’m starving. Let’s split them now, and then we’ll go upstairs to eat.”

“Hurry, hurry, bring out whatever you’ve been hiding. I’ve been waiting downstairs for two hours. I’m starving beyond words.”