Chapter 114: Truth Without the Need for Games (2)

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Seeing Zhao Lei still working, Mei Ning snatched his phone away. "Lei, can’t you just put down work for a moment and enjoy life?"

Zhao Lei frowned, remaining silent.

“Stone Lei, I know the truth—you already have a family, don’t you?” Mei Ning asked casually. “Alright, alright, you don’t have to answer. I don’t want to know. Don’t be nervous. If there’s anything, we have the boss and Brother Lin here. You don’t have to carry the burden alone.”

Zhao Lei was clearly surprised that such words came from Mei Ning, who was usually so carefree. He thought he’d kept it well hidden—even Brother Ling had never found out.

Mei Ning patted the stunned Zhao Lei. “Lei, I only overheard your call by chance. I understand you want to protect your family. It’s okay; we’ve got your back.”

Zhao Lei looked at Mei Ning’s sincere smile and sighed, feeling somewhat relieved. “Thank you. Actually, I know you were wronged back then.”

Well, Mei Ning hadn’t expected to be comforted by Zhao Lei in return. She bumped his bottle with a carefree grin. “What’s there to it? I’ve already forgotten it all. Let the past drift away—those who are clear remain clear.”

They exchanged helpless smiles. Though they had worked together for years, only tonight did they reveal a glimpse of their true selves.

“Pei Xi, don’t just stand there. Come relax. Stop being so tense,” Lin Zhiwei called to Pei Xi. She really didn’t know how intimidating Ling Ziheng could be to have trained Pei Xi like some secret agent, utterly detached from the world.

Pei Xi glanced at his master. Seeing Ling Ziheng nod, he took a bottle of wine and sat properly to the side.

“Ling Ziheng, how terrifying are you normally? Look at Pei Xi. Tsk tsk tsk,” Lin Zhiwei nudged the man beside her, protesting on Pei Xi’s behalf.

“Am I?” Ling Ziheng frowned, confused.

“Absolutely not. Director Lin, don’t joke. It’s just my personality is more introverted,” Pei Xi lowered his head, wishing the ground would swallow him.

“Just joking, don’t mind it. Relax, our all-capable steward,” Lin Zhiwei laughed heartily, waving her wine glass at Pei Xi.

Though dressed in men’s clothes, at this moment Lin Zhiwei’s uninhibited laughter reflected in Pei Xi’s eyes as something incredibly warm. He then raised his glass. “Thank you, Director Lin.”

Thank you, Director Lin. It is your presence that gives the young master motivation...

Though those words slipped down with the wine, they brought genuine joy within.

At the rooftop lounge of the newly opened Bulgari Hotel in S City.

“Master Chu, don’t bully us so much. Sasha is still me—you have to choose one tonight,” a beauty in a low-cut dress coquettishly teased.

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Chu Chuo lightly sipped whiskey and waved his hand. “Fine, if I win this round, you both come together. Pick a game.”

“Really? Master Chu, you’re a man of your word. Then let’s play dice. The loser chooses truth or dare,” the two beauties’ eyes lit up, hoping that if Chu Chuo lost, they could dare him to take them home.

“Have I ever broken my word?” Chu Chuo raised his sword-like brows, instantly tightening the two women’s hearts as they became utterly captivated.

After rounds of drinking and three games,

“Ah... Master Chu, you won again. Can’t you give us a break?” Sasha pouted, displeased.

“Heh, but you have to win me first.”

Sasha and Ai Li exchanged glances and decided to go all out this time.

Yet once again, Chu Chuo won.

Both women drank miserably. Sasha, bolder, asked bluntly, “Master Chu, are you dissatisfied with us?”

Chu Chuo shook his head indifferently, snapped his fingers to order another Manhattan.

Sasha tried speaking again but was stopped by Ai Li. “Don’t upset Master Chu. If he wins, so be it. We can find another chance when he’s in a better mood.”

Sasha bit her lip and nodded in agreement. Both nodded respectfully toward Chu Chuo and left the booth.

After the two beauties awkwardly left, the lounge grew quiet. Only Chu Chuo and a waiter waiting at a distance remained.

Chu Chuo lowered his brows and smiled faintly. Why did two glasses of whiskey make him feel a little dizzy? He tugged at his collar and murmured to himself, “Heh, want to hear the truth?”

“Lin Zhiwei, why do you think there’s still hope for me... and why haven’t you come to save me?”

He whispered the name softly, eyes closing as he clutched the ever-present red agate pendant.

In the luxury villa district of S City.

“Yun Jie, we’ve secured the Romo perfume endorsement,” assistant Zhu Gualing reported excitedly to Ye Linyun.

“That’s more like it,” Ye Linyun replied while soaking in the bathtub, a facial mask on. “When’s the negotiation?”

“In two months,” Zhu answered cautiously.

“Two months?!” Ye Linyun opened her eyes in alarm, glaring at Zhu. “Isn’t there a chance someone else will snatch it?”

“Don’t worry, Yun Jie. This endorsement is ours to lose. Mr. Smith, no actress in China has your beauty and status. Rest assured,” Zhu declared firmly.

“That’s good,” Ye Linyun shot a sidelong glance at her. “If you mess it up, I’ll skin you alive.”

“Y-yes,” Zhu retreated fearfully, leaving Ye Linyun alone in the massage tub.

Steam from the bathtub filled the bathroom. Leaning gently against the wall, she traced the name she had whispered hundreds of times in her heart: Ling Ruoyu.

How ridiculous, right? Everyone thinks I’m a joke, wasting myself on a man who hasn’t even glanced my way. Everyone’s laughing at me.

But so what? Those sycophants only covet my status; not one truly respects me. Only he—only he—remains aloof and solitary.

In his eyes, I’m just an ordinary person, a stranger.

But so what? Ordinary or stranger, at least... I am a person, not a toy for men.

Her mind replayed the first time she met Ling Ruoyu, years ago at a star-studded gala where both she and Ling Ziheng appeared as newcomers.

Back then, she was insignificant, everything was new and unfamiliar. She didn’t know what to do, only dared to secretly observe the seniors, even almost sitting in the wrong group and causing a scene.

It was him—Ling Ruoyu—who rescued her from embarrassment with a simple “The ‘Phoenix Blossoms’ crew’s seats are this way.”

Only he never drew near despite her rising status, always distant and aloof. The more he kept away, the more she wanted him.

Ling Ruoyu, even if it’s like a moth to the flame, I have to try to know...

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