Chapter 35: Beware the Perils of Idle Rumors

After a long night of bustling about, Lin Zhiwei showed up at SOO Club with dark circles under her eyes, looking so ghastly that Zhao Qianlu nearly jumped out of her skin. She let out a dramatic howl, “Lin… Lin Zhiwei, are you suffering from insatiable desire or are you just completely drained?” Her face was full of disdain.

“Zhao Beautiful, mind your language,” Lin Zhiwei snapped, dropping herself onto a chair.

Perhaps realizing she’d been a bit too dramatic, Zhao Qianlu shooed the attendant away, admired her newly manicured nails, and twisted her waist seductively, saying, “Listen, about that Ling Ziheng—you’d best keep your distance.”

Lin Zhiwei finally lifted her eyelids, signaling for her to continue.

“I’m telling you straight: he and his father are arch-enemies. His dad stays in Country A, counting on him to take over the family business, but he refuses, stubborn as a mule. Isn’t that ridiculous?” Zhao Qianlu waved her hand, expressing her incomprehension. Then she reconsidered, “Well, maybe not. You two are a perfect pair—you don’t want to inherit your family business either.”

“Oh, please, you call that a family business? It’s more like a tiger’s den. Go on, what other issues does he have?”

“Issues? I wouldn’t know. The Ling family’s always been shrouded in mystery—they don’t expand in the Nameless Domain, nor linger in China, and all they’ve produced is that oddball Ling Ziheng. Granted, he’s quite handsome,” Zhao Qianlu recalled his striking features with the slightest hint of longing.

Lin Zhiwei propped her chin in her hand. “So you haven’t dug up anything?”

“Don’t rush me, the Ling family’s affairs aren’t easy to uncover. Maybe there’s some minor connection to the old Wudao Sect, but unless the leader speaks up, it probably won’t matter much. In truth, the Ling family is the real dark horse, above the four great clans, but they’re so low-key we can’t reach them.” She cast Lin Zhiwei a sidelong glance, noting how tightly her eyebrows were knit.

“Mysterious, indeed. Wudao Sect—that’s the one that fought Lin Qiongjiu and suffered a crushing defeat,” Lin Zhiwei muttered.

Zhao Qianlu replied, “Exactly. The Nameless Domain was formed by alliances between martial arts families, an independent confederation apart from any nation, pledged not to use their martial skills to upset society’s balance. Wudao Sect was the group of ambitious traitors who rebelled and fled.”

“Ling family? Wudao Sect? That seems unlikely,” Lin Zhiwei shook her head in confusion.

The Wudao Sect is ancient history; any remnants have been thoroughly eradicated. What secrets could possibly remain?

“That’s not so easy to say,” Zhao Qianlu’s gaze flickered. “Anything’s possible.”

“Oh, right, right. I’ll be heading to China in a couple of days, you know what that means,” Lin Zhiwei tossed her a flirtatious wink.

Zhao Qianlu rolled her eyes. “I know, I know. My Zhao family’s Star Entertainment Media awaits your orders, young master.”

“Oh, don’t flatter me. By the way, do you know anything about Chu Chuo?”

Hearing the name, Zhao Qianlu nearly dropped her macaron. “No one cares about him in the Nameless Domain, but in China, who doesn’t know? Chu Chuo’s a walking reproductive organ—seduces all genders and always plays dirty. I only have four girls under my wing; he’s taken two already…”

“Truly scum.”

“Hey, I’m warning you, be careful out there. I’ve heard he’s got quite the way with women,” Zhao Qianlu nudged Lin Zhiwei.

“Isn’t Ling Ziheng still around?”

“Oh, right. Chu Chuo has always been wary of Ling Ziheng, but neither can outmaneuver the other.”

“Wait,” Lin Zhiwei suddenly remembered, “Does Chu Chuo have ties to anyone here? Elders or clans?”

“I haven’t heard anything. Chu Chuo’s name holds no weight in the Nameless Domain—you know, the clans here are either buried in making money or immersed in martial arts.”

Lin Zhiwei’s brows furrowed. That was odd—Ling Ziheng had mentioned something and she sensed it too.

“Zhao Beautiful, I’m indebted to you,” Lin Zhiwei quickly expressed her gratitude—thank goodness for the Zhao family.

Star Entertainment wasn’t a giant in China, but its footing in film and television was solid.

“I don’t know why Ling Ziheng is seeking you out. Maybe he wants to use you against Chu Chuo,” Zhao Qianlu speculated.

“That wouldn’t be surprising. Anyway, I’ve got another appointment at noon. Zhao Beautiful, don’t rely on hearsay. Once I’m in China, I’ll get to the bottom of things myself,” Lin Zhiwei stood to leave.

“Shen Qian, right? I bet it’s him,” Zhao Qianlu said, blinking confidently.

Lin Zhiwei nodded. “I’m off. Come visit me in China sometime—I’m all alone out there.”

“Oh, when you’re chasing after handsome men, you don’t seem so lonely. Blinded by lust, aren’t you?” Zhao Qianlu dabbed on her foundation, checking her reflection in the mirror with a disdainful snort.

Lin Zhiwei waved dismissively. She still couldn’t unravel the tangled logic between Chu Chuo and Ling Ziheng, but the heart of the matter was clear: these two were irreconcilable, both eager to eliminate the other.

In any case, she had already chosen Ling Ziheng’s side, which meant Chu Chuo would never accept her in the future.