Chapter 25: I Should Call You Darling

Lin Zhiwei turned her head to signal to Butler Li, then obediently got into Ling Ziheng’s car. If you’re going to put on a show, you have to see it through. With such a supportive boss, as an employee, she naturally had to cooperate fully.

Inside the car, silence reigned, the atmosphere slightly awkward.

“Vivi,” Ling Ziheng called as he turned to her.

“Huh? What?” Lin Zhiwei was still in a daze, not reacting at first. When she turned to see Ling Ziheng’s deep, mesmerizing eyes, her mind went blank again, completely missing the fact that he had changed how he addressed her.

“What should you call me in a moment?” Ling Ziheng smiled, finding her stunned look utterly endearing, and pressed her for an answer.

“Ziheng?” Lin Zhiwei replied easily after a moment’s thought. Wasn’t this simple? The two of them were now a package deal; using an intimate form of address was only natural.

Ling Ziheng’s lips curved up slightly as he gently shook his head. The light in his eyes danced brilliantly, making his already striking features even more captivating. In a soft voice, he said, “You should call me darling.”

Lin Zhiwei felt as if she’d been hit by a thousand shockwaves—internal injuries, at that.

But she wasn’t the only one stunned. The driver and Pei Xi, sitting in the front seats, both froze as well.

Was the young master… flirting? This was a once-in-a-millennium sight.

Lin Zhiwei clearly sensed the change in the car’s speed. She realized the two up front were just as shocked as she was. Thank goodness—she wasn’t the only one thrown off. Regaining her composure, she replied, “Wouldn’t that be a bit much…?” forcing a rather awkward smile.

“If we’re putting on a show, let’s go all the way. Consider it a test of your acting skills,” Ling Ziheng returned to his usual calm, his tone as composed as ever.

Lin Zhiwei finally breathed a sigh of relief. Her own nerves had just been too weak. If she wanted to keep up with a best actor, she had to follow his lead. He wasn’t wrong.

She nodded slightly to herself, already making plans. With such a high-profile introduction handed to her, she had to make full use of it.

She turned to look out the window, calculations running through her mind.

Ling Ziheng watched her thoughtfully, feeling a touch of pride at almost having startled her just now.

He was certain that this girl wouldn’t disappoint him. After all these years of restraint, when it came to acting and putting on a front, probably no one could outdo her.

Half an hour later, the car came to a smooth stop at the entrance to the Arbitration Committee.

Lin Zhiwei’s palms were slightly damp with sweat. She’d prepared herself mentally, but this was still her debut performance—she had to hold her own.

The car door opened and sunlight poured in, dazzling her eyes.

The sudden brightness made her feel a little lightheaded, until a hand reached out to her.

Ling Ziheng had jumped out, holding the door with his left hand, his head lowered as he gazed at her.

As Lin Zhiwei moved to get out, her eyes met his radiant ones in the sunlight—such brilliance, it felt as if she would be swallowed up.

Ling Ziheng nodded at her, the corners of his mouth lifting as he extended his right hand.

Lin Zhiwei took a deep breath and took his hand. For some reason, she trusted this man before her—as if, with his guidance, she’d always have direction.

As she jumped out, Ling Ziheng shifted his grip so she held his arm, then glanced back at the girl beside him. Gone was the slightly shy face from inside the car.

Now, she radiated poise and confidence. Her red lips curved gently, her smile warm yet as dazzling as the sun.

Inside, though, Lin Zhiwei was reeling—faking a smile was exhausting; her face was stiff after less than a minute.

Whispers from those around her began to reach her ears.

“Who is that? They’re like a golden couple.”

“That handsome guy must be Ling Ziheng from the Ling family. He’s rarely seen in public. Who’s the girl? She’s gorgeous—I’ve never seen her before…”

“They look like they’re together, judging by how close they are.”

“Sigh, beautiful people are such a treat for the eyes, but isn’t today’s main character supposed to be Lin Zhiwei? Where’s that ugly girl? Why hasn’t she shown up yet?”

“I can’t wait to see her get put in her place.”

From a distance, Zhao Qianlu spotted the girl in a pale blue dress, narrowed her eyes to study her for a while, then, as if recalling something, rushed over in her towering heels, afraid she was mistaken.

Once she caught up, it really was Lin Zhiwei. And the man she was holding onto—a sharp intake of breath. Apart from the lord, she had never seen a face so striking.

“Lin… Lin Zhiwei,” Zhao Qianlu called out hesitantly in a low voice.

Lin Zhiwei recognized the familiar voice, but kept her forced smile in place so as not to ruin the image she’d just established. She replied softly, “Wait for me inside.”

Zhao Qianlu nodded, stealing glances at the man beside Lin Zhiwei. She sidled up and muttered under her breath, “Nice catch. Where’d you find such a big shot? After this, you have to sleep with him… With that face, you’d be a fool not to. Good luck…” With that, she sashayed away.

Lin Zhiwei nearly bit her tongue. Zhao Meimei… If you can’t say anything proper, just don’t say anything at all. She didn’t dare glance at Ling Ziheng—having an ally like that was mortifying. She could only hope he hadn’t heard.

She sneaked a look at Ling Ziheng out of the corner of her eye. He seemed unfazed. Thank goodness—for an employee who hadn’t even started work, she needed to maintain her image.

“Ling Ziheng!”

Just as Lin Zhiwei had pulled herself together, she heard a miserable shout from behind.

She saw Liang Qisheng stumble toward them, his voice lowered but his face furious as he yelled at Ling Ziheng, “Ling Ziheng, you didn’t tell me you were picking up the fairy! You—you—you’re so sneaky, so shameless, so underhanded!”

Lin Zhiwei found Liang Qisheng’s face familiar and was about to ask when Ling Ziheng suddenly slipped his arm around her waist, leaned in, and said, “Darling, let’s go.”

Lin Zhiwei wanted to turn back and ask more, but was whisked away by his arm around her waist.

What? What’s going on? The boss is really getting into character fast.

“Hey, who are you calling darling? I’m not your darling! You’re using work for personal gain! And where are you putting your hand, Ling Ziheng, damn you…” Liang Qisheng muttered, hopping in place behind them.

“What’s his problem…” Once they were a distance away, Lin Zhiwei asked in a low voice.

“He’s just having a fit,” Ling Ziheng replied calmly.