Chapter 81: I Am Lin Zhiwei, For the Second Time

Early the next morning, Liang Qisheng began banging on the door with a racket. Nan Yu, sporting two dark circles from a night of gaming, was forcibly dragged out of bed, seething with irritation. “Seriously, my good man, are you in a rush to give birth? It’s only seven o’clock! Even your little fairy isn’t up yet.”

“I was so nervous I didn’t sleep a wink, plus I’m still jet-lagged. No, we have to leave now. Worst case, I’ll wait for the little fairy downstairs—I’m perfectly happy with that,” Liang Qisheng said, his face alight with excitement, showing no sign of sleeplessness.

You little brat, Xiaolin, where did you find this fool to torment me… Nan Yu was nearly driven mad, storming off to wash up and change. If he didn’t agree to this idiot’s demands, the guy might just tear the house down.

All but dragged downstairs to Lin Zhiwei’s building, Nan Yu yawned incessantly, eyes brimming with tears, while the idiot beside him was so excited he resembled a hyperactive husky, his eyes nearly bulging, tongue practically lolling—if ever there was a textbook lovesick puppy, this was it.

At Lin Zhiwei’s door, Nan Yu was about to ring the bell when Liang Qisheng, suddenly nervous, blocked him. “Wait, let me see—do I look alright? Still dashing? Heroic?”

Nan Yu rolled his eyes, responding testily, “You’re the most handsome. Go on, ring it.”

Only then did Liang Qisheng give a little cough and, hands trembling, press the doorbell. Nan Yu, face dark with disbelief, thought: Seriously, dude? If you’re this scared to ring a doorbell, what’ll happen when you see her in person—need a defibrillator?

“Coming,” came a cool voice. Liang Qisheng tensed up instantly—the moment of meeting his little fairy had arrived!

Lin Zhiwei happened to be up early that day, scheduled at eight to inspect the stage setup at the station. She was already dressed in men’s clothes, had run a hand through her hair, and was about to have breakfast when she heard the doorbell ring so early—odd, she thought, but as soon as she opened the door, the strange scene outside stunned her: the sleep-deprived Nan Yu and the wildly excited Liang Qisheng.

The sight of the man who’d been so close to Lin Zhiwei the day before left Liang Qisheng stammering, “You, you, you—yesterday… you, you, you’re that adulterer!”

Lin Zhiwei explained helplessly, “Young Master Liang, I really am Lin Zhiwei—this is the second time I’ve told you.”

“I, I, I… you, you, you…” Liang Qisheng could barely speak.

“Come in, both of you. I made some sandwiches—want some?” Lin Zhiwei turned back to the living room, leaving Liang Qisheng frozen in place.

Nan Yu nodded, stepped around the human lamppost that was Liang, and entered the apartment, thinking to himself: With nerves like these, with skills like these, Xiaolin would have to be insane to fall for him.

While Nan Yu and Lin Zhiwei chatted over breakfast, Liang Qisheng finally crept in, closed the door, and sat beside Lin Zhiwei, listlessly gnawing on a sandwich as if life held no more meaning.

“My dear fellow, if you can’t even keep up with Xiaolin’s pace, how do you expect to win her? With brains like yours, you’re destined for a lifetime alone,” Nan Yu taunted, munching his sandwich.

“Nan Yu,” Lin Zhiwei cut in, then looked seriously at Liang Qisheng. “Young Master Liang, I’m touched you came all this way, but it really isn’t necessary.”

“Necessary or not, that’s for me to decide,” Liang Qisheng replied, his eyes dull but his heart blazing with indignation. Damn that Ling Ziheng—if he hadn’t kicked me when I was down, would I be in this sorry state?

Lin Zhiwei shook her head in resignation. “Young Master Liang, I’m here strictly for work, not to be Ling Ziheng’s servant.”

“Do you really like that sly fox Ling Ziheng?” Liang Qisheng put down his sandwich, eyes brimming with tears—this was his first love, about to be ruined by that damn schemer.

Nan Yu, now wide awake, enjoyed the unfolding drama, pulling out his phone to message Pei Xi:

Nan Yu, little angel: Don’t say I didn’t give you a heads-up—there’s a fool here pestering your boss lady.

Pei Xi: Message received, thank you.

What the—are you some automated reply service? “Message received, thank you”… not even a hint of interest.

Lin Zhiwei, face buried in her palm, felt utterly defeated. If she’d known, she’d never have opened the door—what a mess, so early in the day. She was just about to explain when the doorbell rang again.

Nan Yu’s eyes lit up, springing to his feet. “I’ll get it, you two carry on.”

So soon? Brother-in-law Ling really is lightning fast.

When Lin Zhiwei saw the face at the door, she wished the ground would swallow her. Ling Ziheng strode in with languid elegance, impossibly handsome today—his shirt’s top two buttons undone, a hint of his firm chest showing, exuding effortless confidence while paying no heed to Liang Qisheng. With a faint flicker of his beguiling eyes, he sat directly to Lin Zhiwei’s left.

Seriously, acting like I don’t exist? Liang Qisheng cursed inwardly, nearly crushing his sandwich, but maintained a graceful smile for the sake of appearances in front of his little fairy.

Ling Ziheng, you may be ruthless, but I’m not afraid of you. Today, I’ll say everything I mean to say.

“Zhiwei, I know we don’t know each other well, but I’m serious. I truly want to marry you. Everything the Liang family owns will be yours,” Liang Qisheng declared earnestly, convinced his grand confession was flawless.

Nan Yu shook his head, clapped his hands. Rich boy—impressive.

Ling Ziheng calmly poured himself some water and remarked coolly, “Your old man is still alive—you don’t get the final say.”

“You! She’ll be mine sooner or later,” Liang Qisheng retorted.

Ling Ziheng: “You still have five older brothers.”

…

Liang Qisheng instantly wilted, head bowed as if struck from behind. Damn, we agreed never to mention that.

“Fine, putting that aside, let’s talk about sincerity. I’m willing to do anything for the little fairy,” Liang Qisheng insisted, lifting his chin. When it comes to dedication, I can match anyone!

“She likes motorcycles, extreme sports. You’re afraid of heights, have no sense of direction, and can’t even drive,” Ling Ziheng replied languidly, sipping his tea, a mocking smile on his lips, his dark eyes fathomless.

Nan Yu clicked his tongue in admiration. Total wipeout—Ling Ziheng versus Liang Qisheng: KO!

Liang Qisheng—out!

Liang Qisheng was left speechless, but he refused to give up. “So what? I can learn—I’m a quick study.”

“National college entrance exams—Spanish: F, World History: F, Italian: F. Shall I go on?” Ling Ziheng looked up, listing each item methodically.

“Damn you, Ling Ziheng!” Liang Qisheng slammed the table, his eyes blazing with murderous intent.

Lin Zhiwei, on the sidelines, was on the verge of collapse—these two were like a pair of squabbling children.

Nan Yu, meanwhile, was thoroughly entertained, wishing he had a scoreboard and whistle to keep track.