Chapter 31: Darling, He Said I Seduced Him

Lin Zhiwei swept her gaze across the entire hall and spoke slowly, “I have finished presenting my own evidence. I trust that the chairman and the judges can make their own judgments.” Her clear voice instantly commanded the attention of everyone present.

“No, no, no, it’s not like that. You did seduce Qi Heng and Shen Qian—that’s a fact... And it’s also true that you’re short of money. All your cards were... were confiscated by your parents, I’m not lying...” Xue Yuanyuan stood up, attempting to rush at Lin Zhiwei, but was restrained by a judge at her side. Her emotions were in turmoil, her tone losing all composure.

Everyone in the audience shook their heads. At this moment, looking again at Xue Yuanyuan, she seemed nothing more than a detestable schemer. There was nothing left to say.

“Yuanyuan’s not wrong. Lin Zhiwei tried to seduce me as well,” Zhou Yiran stood up, straightening his collar, casting a mocking glance at Lin Zhiwei, his tone dripping with ridicule.

Even without evidence, he thought, he could still smear Lin Zhiwei’s name. With his status and looks, surely someone would believe him. He wasn’t afraid to sling more mud.

Lin Zhiwei turned her head to look at Ling Ziheng, blinking as she spoke softly, “What should we do, darling? He says I tried to seduce him.”

Ling Ziheng stood up, skillfully wrapped his arm around her waist, took her hand, and pressed a kiss to it before turning to face the crowd.

A collective gasp of astonishment swept through the audience. What an arresting face—those sparkling, captivating eyes seemed almost electric, threatening to steal souls.

He raised an eyebrow with disdain. “My fiancée would have to stoop so low as to seduce you?”

The words “my fiancée” hung in the air, stunning not only the crowd but nearly causing Lin Zhiwei herself to stumble in shock.

Boss, you’re really playing for high stakes... What a dramatic move...

She’d just earned the title of girlfriend—now she was a fiancée?

The entire hall fell silent. All eyes were fixed on the golden couple standing together on the dais. With such a fiancé, why would she ever need to chase after anyone else?

Would she have to be blind?

Liang Qisheng opened his mouth, feeling rooted to the spot as if sealed in place. Fiancée? Ling Ziheng!!!

You’re abusing your power for personal reasons!!!

Lin Zhiwei quickly regained her composure. At this critical juncture, had Ling Ziheng not made such a declaration, it would have been hard to truly silence Zhou Yiran.

Sure enough, Zhou Yiran was now completely thrown off. His plan to sow seeds of doubt had backfired spectacularly, leaving himself open to public scorn and ruining his own reputation.

He and Xue Yuanyuan instantly became the focus of everyone’s contempt.

“Zhou Yiran and Xue Yuanyuan are truly disgusting, colluding like partners in crime...”

“Exactly, Lin Zhiwei is actually quite pitiful, slandered like this...”

“Thinking back, Lin Zhiwei always wore disguises just to keep a low profile. It must have been Xue Yuanyuan’s resentment that led to all this.”

“That’s right, Lin Zhiwei really raised a snake in her bosom. She probably had no choice but to reveal her true face.”

“True, otherwise everyone would have been more inclined to believe Xue Yuanyuan.”

...

Unable to bear the public’s pointing and whispering, Zhou Yiran left the hall without a second glance at Xue Yuanyuan in the witness stand.

“Well... the movie star is truly a movie star—stepped right into the role without missing a beat,” Lin Zhiwei tried to free her hand from Ling Ziheng’s grip, hastily offering him some praise.

“Likewise,” Ling Ziheng held her even tighter, his smile growing more mischievous.

Ling Ziheng found that the word “darling” rolled off her tongue so naturally that it made his heart melt. Now, he was even more reluctant to let go. The girl looked a little flustered, her cheeks flushed as she avoided his gaze.

Down in the audience, Liang Qisheng nearly threw his chair. Damn Ling Ziheng—couldn’t he see the fairy was trying to refuse him? Still, he wouldn’t let go. He’d have to challenge him to a duel...

But on second thought, he probably wouldn’t win...

Once they left, he decided, he’d definitely confess to the little fairy!

He muttered bitterly to himself: damn Ling Ziheng, such a beast!

“Upon review by the Arbitration Council, it has been determined that Lin Zhiwei has indeed been falsely accused and is exonerated of all charges. The witness, Xue Yuanyuan, is found guilty of fabricating evidence, making malicious accusations, and displaying particularly egregious conduct. She is to be disciplined, with details of the disciplinary action to be announced in the coming days. Court is adjourned.” Elder Qiu, after consulting with the judges, read out the final verdict.

Xue Yuanyuan, seemingly unable to accept the outcome, staggered toward the bench, only to be restrained by the judges. Her hair was disheveled, her face streaked with tears, as she shouted, “I’m innocent, I’m innocent! It’s all Lin Zhiwei, it’s all her!”

“Lin Zhiwei, may you never find peace. You ruined me, it’s all your fault...”

At that moment, Lin Qiongjiu, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, suddenly stood up and waved his hand. Instantly, the entire hall fell silent as death. With the lord rising to his feet, everyone instinctively held their breath.

The judges understood at once and promptly dragged the cursing Xue Yuanyuan away.

Elder Qiu and the other judges nodded politely, preparing to exit. The crowd quietly dispersed, realizing the lord was already displeased and it was best not to linger. Stifling their urge to gossip, they hurried out.

In an instant, the vast hall was left with only three people: Lin Zhiwei, Ling Ziheng, and Lin Qiongjiu.

Lin Qiongjiu glanced at his watch—a single hour, not bad, over quickly—then rose to leave.

As he passed Lin Zhiwei, he shot Ling Ziheng a cold look and said, “You certainly know how to find allies.”

Lin Zhiwei felt a sudden chill, sneezing as if a cold wind had swept by. Indeed, wherever Lin Qiongjiu went, the temperature seemed to plummet.

Ling Ziheng nodded politely, neither servile nor overbearing, showing not a hint of timidity.