Chapter 26: Is It Lin Zhiwei Herself?

Lin Zhiwei followed Ling Ziheng gracefully into the Arbitration Committee building just as Xue Yuanyuan stepped out of a car, arm-in-arm with Zhou Yiran. Today, Xue Yuanyuan had reverted to her usual pitiful, delicate persona, dressed in a simple pink dress. Her eyes were red, clearly from crying, and Zhou Yiran lowered his head gently to comfort her as the two shamelessly flaunted their affection.

Anyone witnessing Xue Yuanyuan's fragile appearance would believe she had suffered an immense injustice. Lin Zhiwei, today is the day you’ll be crushed beneath my feet without the slightest hope of rising again, Xue Yuanyuan exulted inwardly. Don’t think that ruining my plans on the terrace that night means I’ll let you go. It’s not so simple. Someone like you—do you really deserve it?

When Lin Zhiwei entered the tribunal hall arm-in-arm with Ling Ziheng, every gaze was drawn to them, and murmurs rippled through the crowd.

“Who are they? Did they walk onto the wrong set?”

“Are they here to register for marriage next door?”

“Exactly!”

…

Lin Zhiwei looked up and immediately saw Lin Qiongjiu seated at the main table, head propped on hand with eyes half-closed, radiating a forbidding, icy aura. Her heart skipped a beat. Damn it, Lin Qiongjiu really did come just to watch the spectacle…

Lin Qiongjiu heard the surrounding whispers, lifted his eyes slightly, and upon seeing Lin Zhiwei, his dark gaze flickered but his expression remained impassive. In Lin Zhiwei’s eyes, it was as if he were arrogantly declaring: Let’s see how you defend yourself today.

Lin Zhiwei suppressed her irritation and quietly reminded herself: First, you can’t beat him; second, you can’t out-debate him. Some people are simply unbeatable. Smile. Smile conquers all.

She then flashed Lin Qiongjiu a dazzling smile, hiding sharpness behind her grin, determined to strike him down with her laughter.

Ling Ziheng squeezed her hand, thinking she was nervous, and whispered, “It’ll be over soon.”

Lin Zhiwei replied with a mischievous smile, “No, no, let’s take our time. This is my very first lesson in the entertainment industry.”

Under the scrutiny of the crowd, the two took their seats at the tribunal table with poised elegance. Lin Zhiwei smoothed her skirt and sat with utter composure in the chair marked with her nameplate: “Lin Zhiwei.”

Instantly, the crowd erupted in discussion.

“Who is she?”

“Why is she sitting in Lin Zhiwei’s seat?”

“Is she crazy?”

…

A nearby security officer signaled to Lin Qiongjiu, asking if he should intervene, but Lin Qiongjiu waved it off. The little girl’s boldness today was clearly inherited from him. His attention shifted to the handsome young man beside her; he frowned slightly and glanced out the window.

Ling Ziheng, huh? He had to admire the girl’s taste—they complemented each other perfectly in looks, height, and presence.

When Xue Yuanyuan entered the hall and saw a completely unfamiliar figure seated in Lin Zhiwei’s chair, she rubbed her eyes in disbelief. Judging by the outfit and long, wavy hair, it clearly wasn’t Lin Zhiwei. Her usual frizzy hair and poor sense of style could never achieve such elegance…

Could she have found someone to fill in for her last-minute, too scared to show up herself?

A sneer and mockery played across Xue Yuanyuan’s face. Secretly, she was convinced she would win this round. With the smug confidence of a victor in her eyes, she took her seat.

The members of the arbitration committee filed in, faces solemn. The chairman, Elder Qiu, tapped his gavel and announced, “Everyone, please be quiet. The arbitration hearing is about to begin.”

He glanced at Lin Zhiwei, startled—who was that sitting there, if not Lin Zhiwei? Yet, seeing the lord present and silent, he assumed there must be a reason, and refrained from immediate action, choosing to observe.

The hall quickly fell silent. Everyone craned their necks to see the main table, their minds filled with questions but their attitudes that of spectators to a drama.

Elder Qiu cleared his throat and began, “We will now commence the hearing for Case No. 342 of the Nameless Domain. The respondent—where is Lin Zhiwei?”

Lin Zhiwei raised her eyebrows, stood slowly, and replied coldly, “Present.”

The hall erupted instantly:

“Stop joking!”

“Who are you?”

“Pretending to be Lin Zhiwei, are you?”

“Step down, impostors are subject to punishment.”

…

“Silence!” Elder Qiu rapped his gavel and swept his gaze across the crowd.

The shouts ceased abruptly.

“Everyone knows Lin Zhiwei, but how will this lady prove she is truly Lin Zhiwei?” Elder Qiu’s eyes locked on Lin Zhiwei, his tone authoritative and impartial.

Lin Zhiwei calmly retrieved documents from her folder, displaying each with careful precision, turning them to show all sides, and spoke quietly, “Here are my birth certificate from the Nameless Domain, identity card ID, fingerprint verification, family photos… Chairman and judges may inspect them.”

An attendant delivered the materials; all information was clear and, upon verification, accurate—it was indeed her.

Elder Qiu nodded, noting her preparation, though he cared little for the secrets or disguise of Lin Zhiwei herself.

After a thorough review, Elder Qiu straightened.

“Upon committee verification, this is Lin Zhiwei herself; identity and fingerprints match.” Elder Qiu’s resonant voice echoed through the hall.

The crowd was left dumbfounded. This…this can’t be possible!

But the face was completely different—how could this make sense?