Chapter 18: She Is Disguised

Liang Qisheng barely paused for a moment as he rushed to the Ling residence. He flung open the car door before the vehicle had come to a full stop, startling the driver so much he nearly pressed the wrong pedal.

He dashed into the house at the speed of a sprinter, raced upstairs, and opened Ling Ziheng’s bedroom door without hesitation, disappearing from sight in a flash before the astonished eyes of the servants and the housekeeper.

All they saw was a blur of blue streak past like the wind. After a brief moment of consideration, they surmised it must be the young master of the Liang family, and quietly returned to their work.

“Zi... Ziheng... I have... I have... big, big, big news!” Liang Qisheng was panting heavily, collapsing onto the sofa with an air of solemnity, as if he had something of great importance to announce.

Ling Ziheng had just finished his workout and showered, preparing to get dressed. Droplets still clung to his hair, his tall frame with its well-defined muscles and V-shaped lines exuding an impatient aura.

Liang Qisheng paid no mind to whether his timing was appropriate. He gulped down some water from the table, caught his breath, and said, “Ziheng, that Lin Zhiwei—the ugly girl…”

Ling Ziheng, upon hearing the name, guessed that Liang Qisheng was about to ramble nonsense again. He slipped on his shirt, dried his hair, and prepared to leave the room.

“Don’t, don’t, don’t go! I mean it, something’s up. That girl was wearing a disguise!” Liang Qisheng, seeing him about to leave, blurted it all out in one breath.

Ling Ziheng paused, seeming to hesitate for a few seconds, then continued downstairs.

Liang Qisheng hurried after him. No way, could Ziheng already know?

He grabbed Ling Ziheng’s arm, excitedly saying, “You knew all along? So you made your move first? Come on, you really don’t treat me like a brother. After all I’ve done for you…”

Ling Ziheng impatiently shook his hand off and replied with composure, “I don’t know anything.”

“That’s impossible! Are you telling me you had no idea Lin Zhiwei was in disguise?”

“I didn’t know.”

“So you have no idea what she actually looks like?”

“I don’t know.”

“Is that all you can say? ‘I don’t know’? Can’t you say anything else? You’re driving me mad!”

Liang Qisheng was nearly jumping with frustration. Why was Ziheng so unmoved? Was he blind?

Ling Ziheng looked at him calmly, still showing no reaction.

“That Lin Zhiwei, actually... her real face is stunning, absolutely gorgeous!” Liang Qisheng swallowed hard, gesticulating for emphasis.

Ling Ziheng’s lips curled slightly—interesting. It seemed Pei Xi’s prediction was spot-on.

“And, and... it’s the kind of beauty that’s otherworldly. Do you know the term ‘goddess’? She’s ethereal, sacred, so... I don’t even have words for it. You know what, why don’t you introduce me to her?” Liang Qisheng finished, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Ever since he saw her earlier, the image of her lingered in his mind, impossible to shake off.

Ling Ziheng ignored him, heading downstairs and instructing, “Uncle Liu, prepare the car.”

“Yes, young master.”

As Ling Ziheng walked away, Liang Qisheng remained lost in his daydream for a long while before snapping out of it. Huh? Where’s Ziheng?

Damn, he’s definitely no friend. Not only does he refuse to introduce me, he ignores me completely. Maybe he wants to keep the goddess to himself. Dream on. I won’t let him have his way, even if he’s a movie king and attractive—I won’t give up.

During his workout, Ling Ziheng had received a message from Lin Zhiwei.

Cuahua Cutie: Boss, please let me rely on you.

Ling Ziheng: When?

Cuahua Cutie: Now!

Ling Ziheng: Where?

Cuahua Cutie: Fushi Plaza, ZZZ Dessert Shop.

Ling Ziheng: I’ll be there in half an hour.

When Ling Ziheng received the message, he had no idea what had happened to Lin Zhiwei. He showered quickly, preparing to leave, and after Liang Qisheng’s words, his curiosity only deepened.

Lin Zhiwei, just what have you become?

When Ling Ziheng arrived, the dessert shop had only one figure inside, slumped over the table, chewing on her pen and occasionally scribbling a few words, her face clouded with worry.

Her long hair was a bit tousled. He paused for a moment—indeed, as Liang Qisheng had said, the Lin Zhiwei before him was worlds apart from the one he’d seen at the banquet. If the old Lin Zhiwei was plain with a touch of liveliness, the current her was a butterfly poised to soar and be reborn.

She radiated brilliance; every movement, every smile exuded charm.

Even after years in the entertainment industry, he rarely encountered such beauty. It was clearly just an ordinary tracksuit, her face bare of adornment, her hair slightly rumpled in a casual way, yet her allure seemed innate—enchanting, multifaceted.

Most striking were her eyes, sparkling—was it spirit, was it tenderness, or were a thousand secrets hidden in their depths, stirring the heart.

Lin Zhiwei sensed someone watching her. She looked up and saw Ling Ziheng, her heart skipping a beat. She must have been called out in a hurry today, without time to disguise herself, and her vividly beautiful face was impossible to ignore.

She recalled scenes of him in period dramas—domineering, gentle, heroic—they flashed before her eyes. He could be a gentleman warm as jade, a decisive CEO, or a king who would rage for his beloved...

Truly, he was the movie king Ling Ziheng; that presence, those looks, he embodied the very essence of a star.

Ling Ziheng quickly regained his composure and walked over to where Lin Zhiwei was seated.

The waitress nearby was instantly captivated by their extraordinary appearance, completely forgetting to greet them.

Heavens, today she was witnessing a goddess and a god in person—and they were a pair! Not only did they look perfect together, the way they glanced at each other was like the most electrifying moment from a romance drama.