Chapter 20: Bad News Travels Far

After parting ways with Ling Zi Heng at the dessert shop, Lin Zhi Wei politely declined his offer to drive her home and wandered alone by the sea. From the moment she regained her appearance until now, just a few hours had passed.

Only now did she slowly realize that she was finally beginning to get used to this face.

Ling Zi Heng got into the car and instructed the driver not to leave yet. Through the window, he quietly watched Lin Zhi Wei's figure. This area was right beside the harbor, with a viewing platform along the shore. She hadn't gone far; she stood still on the platform.

The sea breeze gently swept through her long hair, softly teasing the strands and caressing her cheeks, while she stood motionless, lost in thought.

Ling Zi Heng could only vaguely see her profile, her head bowed, with long lashes overlapping, concealing every emotion.

A faint ache rose in his heart, a sudden urge to say something to her. Lin Zhi Wei’s profile seemed tinged with sadness. He couldn’t help but feel for her—after all these years, enduring endless doubts and ridicule, yet she bore it all in silence.

Now she must accept a self she barely recognizes. The pressure was unimaginable, and with the arbitration coming the day after tomorrow...

Feeling the stuffiness in the car, he lowered the window. Cool, gentle sea air rushed in, filling his lungs, and the distant figure appeared serene as a painting, yet so fragile it inspired pity.

He was considering whether to comfort her when a voice rang out nearby:

"That freak Lin! If I ever eat or drink anything you give me again, I'll be the king of fools!"

He waved his fist, stormed off, leaving behind tourists who had been enjoying the view, startled by the sudden outburst.

This girl, so lovely, yet apparently insane...

Ling Zi Heng shook his head helplessly, mocking himself inwardly. He’d been about to comfort her—how foolish. He had underestimated the twists and turns in that girl's mind.

"Let's go back," he instructed the driver.

The driver hesitated for a moment, then started the car, puzzled by his young master’s unusual behavior.

Still muttering and cursing, Lin Zhi Wei kicked a can along the roadside, fuming with nowhere to vent. If not for Lin Qiong Jiu, the arbitration would have been straightforward, but now she had countless hidden troubles.

If you’re going to return my appearance, couldn’t you do it properly? Would it kill you to have some style?

Grumbling aside, she dialed Zhao Qian Lu’s number.

“Zhao Beauty, I miss you. Come out and keep me company, and let’s talk about preparations before the battle.”

On the other end, Zhao Qian Lu was getting her hair done. Hearing Lin Zhi Wei’s tired yet dejected voice, she jumped up, ignoring the stylist still fussing over her, and shouted, “Lin Zhi Wei, you finally answered me! I’ve been messaging you all afternoon—do you even check your messages?”

Lin Zhi Wei glanced at her phone—twenty messages from Zhao Qian Lu.

“I was busy this afternoon, didn’t see them. Sorry.”

“It’s all over the place here. That loudmouth Liang Qi Sheng from the Liang family is saying you changed your face and all sorts of wild stories... What’s going on?”

So, the fool who barged into her house this morning was the second son of the Liang family. Lin Zhi Wei still didn’t understand why he suddenly appeared at her door or what he wanted, but clearly, he had spilled the news about her drastic change in appearance.

As the saying goes, good news rarely travels far, but bad news spreads like wildfire.

Damn Liang Qi Sheng—what grudge, what feud? Had she ever wronged him?

“Come find me at SOO club soon, I’ll be done here in twenty minutes. Hey, are you listening?”

“I’m here, I’m alive. On my way, princess.” Lin Zhi Wei hung up and immediately hailed a cab to the club.

She could hardly imagine what Zhao Qian Lu’s reaction would be. So far, the most composed response had come from Ling Zi Heng; compared to her parents and everyone else, he was the calmest.

Of course, not many people had seen her today—there was always a higher mountain.

SOO Club was a branch of the Zhao family’s exclusive high-end private club, catering to society’s elite women. Not only was it lavishly decorated, but every detail was designed for perfect photos—so beautiful it was like a fairyland.

When Lin Zhi Wei entered, only Zhao Qian Lu was inside, anxiously watching the door, clearly unsettled.

Lin Zhi Wei took a deep breath, forced herself to look calm, and reminded herself that this scene would play out again and again. She braced herself—let the storm come.

As expected, the moment she entered and sat down, Zhao Qian Lu was stunned, coffee cup held aloft, unable to take a sip, eyes fixed, unblinking.

Lin Zhi Wei thought, another one in shock, no different from her parents.

“Zhao Beauty, you’ve been holding your coffee forever—aren’t your hands tired? Your new manicure will break,” Lin Zhi Wei broke the silence, lounging carelessly, utterly indifferent to appearances.

That sort of thing had vanished long ago, along with her once-lost beauty.