Chapter 19: Seeking a Powerful Ally

Ling Ziheng sat across from Lin Zhiwei, his expression calm and composed, a faint smile playing on his lips. He spoke in a low voice, “Lin Zhiwei, you never cease to surprise me.”

Lin Zhiwei was momentarily confused, then suddenly realized what he was referring to—her altered appearance. Flustered, she stammered, “Uh… If I say I just had cosmetic surgery… would that be a bit sudden?”

Oh heavens, in her haste a moment ago, all she’d thought about was that the most crucial link in her plan for the day after tomorrow involved Ling Ziheng. She’d called him out in such a rush that she’d completely forgotten about her dramatically changed looks.

“It’s all right. If it’s inconvenient to explain, you can tell me another time,” Ling Ziheng replied naturally as he sipped his water, watching the girl across from him fidget with amusement. It was a rare sight to see her so ill at ease.

“Heh, thank you… It involves the boss, so I’ll just leave it for now. If he’s in a bad mood and gets rid of me, I can’t bear the blame,” Lin Zhiwei laughed nervously. She certainly couldn’t say that her brother had given her a drug to make her ugly, as some sort of test or torment.

As much as she wanted to slam the table and curse Lin Qiongjiu, blaming him for ruining her luck in love and dooming her life, she knew better. Courage had to be measured against reality; if the boss got upset and made her revert to her old appearance, the back and forth would probably land her in the emergency room.

“It’s just that my original plan had to change because of this, you understand,” Lin Zhiwei said helplessly, pointing to her face. “And today, I discovered that Xue Yuanyuan is connected to some underground forces in the Nameless Domain. I’m afraid my evidence alone won’t be enough.”

“Besides, this happened so suddenly. If I can’t prove myself, I might easily get framed instead. So… I need your backing,” she finished, biting her lip and looking at Ling Ziheng with hope. After all her careful calculations, she hadn’t expected to be tripped up at the last moment by Lin Qiongjiu.

She couldn’t very well stand before the arbitration council and say that the lord had given her a drug, turning her into an ugly duckling for years, only to restore her beauty on a whim before the council convened…

Ling Ziheng watched her anxiously furrow her brows and responded unhurriedly, “You’re more than welcome to make use of me. It’s an honor.”

Lin Zhiwei’s eyes lit up instantly—my God, a savior!

She was so moved that she blurted out, “Boss, thank you! When we return to Huaguo, I’ll serve you with utter devotion, even risk life and limb, do anything for you!”

Ling Ziheng lowered his head, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth with a touch of helplessness. Where did this girl come up with such phrases—one after another.

Seeing him smile, Lin Zhiwei’s heart skipped a beat and her mind went blank for a second. No, no, she couldn’t keep looking at him—he was too dazzling. Seeing that smile a few more times would give her heart palpitations. He really was an actor: even the slightest smile could make someone lose their senses.

She quickly pulled herself together and started planning. Now all she needed to do was get in touch with Zhao Qianlu tomorrow and combine their evidence—then everything would be perfect.

Thank goodness she was like an indestructible cockroach: even after enduring Lin Qiongjiu’s hellish torment, she still had a chance at survival.

She shot Ling Ziheng a grateful glance. Both of them were good-looking, but the actor was so much better—gentle, kind, meticulous, the very picture of a dream man.

In comparison, Lin Qiongjiu was a devil, a Satan. If not for their blood relation, if she didn’t have to call him brother, she’d truly believe she was repaying a debt from a past life by suffering under him in this one.

“Boss, let me treat you to dessert. I’m a bit short on cash lately, but I really want to show my appreciation, so please don’t mind,” Lin Zhiwei offered with the most sincere smile she could muster.

“All right, but don’t call me ‘boss’ anymore—use my name,” Ling Ziheng replied, leaning forward slightly.

Lin Zhiwei propped her chin on her hand, troubled. “That feels disrespectful. I’m working for you and relying on your support.”

“If that’s the case, since you’re the future successor to the lord of the Nameless Domain, shouldn’t I call you Young Mistress Lin?” Ling Ziheng shot her a sidelong glance.

“No, no, I wouldn’t dare…” Lin Zhiwei waved her hands, her heart in turmoil. How terrifying! All she wanted now was to escape the responsibility of taking over the Nameless Domain and save her own skin. Maybe one day Lin Qiongjiu would let her off the hook. She immediately became obedient and called softly, “Ling Ziheng.”

Ling Ziheng nodded in satisfaction. The soft, clear sound of his name, though not loud, wound its way into his heart, lighting up the softest place like a blazing sun.

This strange, inexplicable feeling circled through his mind, but he quickly brushed it away. It must be that she had surprised him so many times lately that he’d lost his composure for a moment—surely that was it.

He took a sip of water, lowering his eyes as he tried to calm himself.

Lin Zhiwei, on the other hand, paid it no mind as she started ordering, calculating the prices as she went. She couldn’t help it—her little savings card was still with her father, so everything she spent now came from her own hard-earned stash.

Her heart ached at the thought, but considering how loyal Ling Ziheng was in letting her rely on him, she pinched her own thigh and decided it was worth it—just a little sacrifice.

She’d have to work for him in the future anyway. With his intelligence, looks, and capabilities, the days of becoming a rich woman surrounded by handsome men weren’t far off. Instantly, her motivation was restored, and her face lit up with excitement.