Chapter 66: Memories Come Flooding Back

After Lin Zhiwei retreated to her room to rest, Ling Ziheng sat alone in the living room, pouring himself a glass of pure martini and dropping in a cube of ice.

The icy burn that seared his throat brought him a fleeting moment of clarity. As long as Lin Zhiwei was near, he could not tear his gaze away, unable to suppress the urge to draw closer to her.

Now she was so near, yet his tongue seemed clumsy as ever, unable to articulate what he felt. Besides, that iron-willed girl cared only for making money, for outsmarting others, and not even the charms of a handsome man could sway her.

Ha—what kind of actor was he? In that moment, he had no performance at all.

Weiwei, what have you done to me? I am utterly helpless before you.

He pushed open the door softly. The girl was already asleep, her makeup washed away. The night was hazy, moonlight like flowing silk, illuminating her delicate face, the room suffused with romance. Yet she frowned in her sleep.

Lin Zhiwei had said she always slept lightly, plagued by dreams, never truly resting.

He imagined she was dreaming yet again of saving a damsel in distress.

Ling Ziheng gently pulled the fallen blanket over her. In the moonlight, his profile was uncharacteristically tender, as serene as a blooming lotus in still waters. His burning gaze reflected only the sleeping girl, nothing else.

“Ling Ziheng,” the girl murmured softly.

“What is it?” He sat at the edge of the bed, worried she might be uncomfortable.

She made no reply, still asleep, her words mere fragments of dreams. When she shifted, he realized it was only sleep-talking. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and whispered low, “Good night, Weiwei.”

In his eyes, stars filled the sky. He knew, this was the girl he loved. These years, he seemed to live in brilliance, but it was only loneliness and calculation. He had thought his heart was long dead, never expecting to meet her.

Lin Zhiwei possessed a strange magic. From the moment he met her, she planted a seed in his heart, slowly taking root, entwining in hidden places until, when he turned back, he was utterly wrapped, powerless to resist.

Ah, patience. He had been too impulsive. Now was not the time for her to know. Too early, and she might be in danger. Ling Ziheng closed the door, the light in his eyes dimming. If one day… let him handle it himself.

Lin Zhiwei vaguely sensed someone tucking her in, that faint fragrance coming closer and closer, soothing her into deeper sleep, then drifting away. Unconsciously, she shifted and sank again into dreams.

Ling Ziheng returned to the living room, wide awake. Only that carefree girl could sleep so soundly, while he was restless, his heart burning, the beauty so near yet he could only keep lonely vigil in an empty room.

He lifted the violin gently, slowly wiping it. His expression could no longer hide the pain, as music and laughter from the past echoed in his mind.

His mother’s face in memory remained beautiful and vivid, but always tinged with sorrow.

Beneath the locust tree, she played the violin, the wind lifting her worn skirt. She appeared embarrassed, yet her beauty was undeniable. Passersby sometimes paused, some tossed coins as they left. The woman always maintained a noble, graceful smile, nodding her thanks. That cold, proud face was the only warmth of his childhood.

Fragments of memory flashed by. Half drunk, Ling Ziheng saw Lin Zhiwei’s smiling face before him, his hand tightening, eyes swirling with turbulent thoughts.

Weiwei, I will never let you be in danger.

But he was not the only one losing control tonight. Elsewhere, Chu Chuo, who had sent two messages, was surrounded by a circle of alluring models, yet he drank in silence, saying nothing.

The bar was noisy, crowds swirled, deep shots followed one after another, games and teasing never ceased.

A life of dissipation, wine and meat, the midnight bar staged these scenes every night.

“Chu, come dance!”

“Yeah, why drink alone?”

“Come on, join us!”

A girl with long straight hair, clad in a tight off-shoulder leather outfit, pressed herself against him, unleashing a barrage of flirtatious glances. On the other side, a wavy-haired girl refused to relent, determined not to let her rival gain the upper hand.

Everyone knew Chu Chuo had a habit of leaving with a girl after the party. Who it would be depended on who tried hardest tonight.

Chu Chuo waited in vain for a reply, knowing Lin Zhiwei hadn’t cared and would likely not show up.

Though expected, it irked him, the hot music of the bar making it harder to calm himself.

The beauties around him redoubled their efforts, but all he could picture was that bold, reckless girl, utterly indifferent to everything.

He had only met her once, dressed as a man, yet her soft but audacious voice was unmatched.

Compared to her, the others seemed dull and monotonous, faces beautiful yet full of desire, faces he sometimes could not even remember the next day.

He had grown used to leaving the hotel before dawn; those faces, pure or coquettish, vanished from his mind by morning.

But Lin Zhiwei’s sharp, mischievous gaze lingered in his mind these days.

He released the hands of the girls trying to get close, preparing to leave the bar.

The models watched him in confusion, sensing he was behaving unusually, as if troubled. Yet, due to his temperament, none dared to ask, so they stood awkwardly, exchanging glances.

Chu Chuo pulled out a cigarette, clamped it between his lips, his face indifferent. “Carry on, put it on my tab.”

He pushed open the door and left the bar.

The young models, though reluctant, quickly sought new patrons at other tables. To them, as long as they achieved their goals, the identity of the benefactor mattered little.

“Chu, are you heading back now?” The man in black at the door greeted him respectfully, surprised at his early departure.

“No,” Chu Chuo lit the cigarette, blew out a ring of smoke, feeling some relief. The stuffy atmosphere had left him short of breath, making him think of Lin Zhiwei—he must have lost his mind.

He smiled wryly, just about to leave when Ye Linyun’s call came through.

“Where are you tonight, why not at Moonlight?”

“Not interested.”

“Oh, so even Chu can have no interest—unheard of! Is it because Yin Mi’er slipped away and you’re upset?”

Chu Chuo frowned, unwilling to deal with this crazy woman. “If you have something to say, say it.”

“Don’t forget to investigate that director for me. Linlin’s already kept you company.”

“I know.”

He hung up irritably. His plans, once as fluid as clouds and water, were proceeding step by step. Soon, he could pass all of Lin Zhiwei’s personal information to Ye Linyun.

With her temperament, she would not rest until the matter was settled.

Yet tonight, for some reason, receiving no reply, he felt for the first time a desire to delay the plan. He wanted to see more.

Under the neon lights, Chu Chuo stubbed out his cigarette, the coldness on his face making him appear even more handsome and aloof.

A girl passing by glanced at him, cheeks flushed, stealing looks as she walked, whispering to her companion, “Isn’t that Chu Chuo? He’s even more handsome in person.”

“Of course. I saw him inside just now—no wonder he’s called King Chu. Too bad he’s such a playboy.”

“Well, what handsome guy isn’t a playboy…”