Chapter 43: Holding Something Back

After the meeting dispersed, only Pei Xi, Lin Zhiwei, and Ling Ziheng remained in the conference room.

Lin Zhiwei called out to Pei Xi, “Manager Pei, please draw up three contracts for me, each corresponding to a different identity.”

“Three contracts? Why so many?” Pei Xi asked in confusion.

Ling Ziheng instantly understood her intention and interjected, “Just in case.”

Lin Zhiwei shot him a glance—typical Ling Ziheng, ever the master strategist, he’d already deduced her plan.

“But why three?” Pei Xi persisted, still puzzled.

Lin Zhiwei laid out three photographs along with three names, explaining, “All three are me. Aside from the male disguise, you’ve seen the other two before. I just want to keep a backup plan. If something unforeseen happens in the future, you know how it is.”

Pei Xi nodded immediately. “Understood.” He was now fully aware of Lin Zhiwei’s foresight. Suddenly, he recalled her words to him upon arrival, when they’d spoken of their true purpose.

“I won’t be your enemy.”

He remembered the sincerity in her eyes then. So she really had kept something in reserve—perhaps it would come in handy someday.

Pei Xi left the room to prepare the contracts.

Lin Zhiwei slumped over the table and let out a long sigh of relief. “Well, the first big matter is settled.”

Ling Ziheng leaned closer and asked softly, “Are you tired?”

She shook her head, then straightened up quickly, waving her hand. “Not at all—not in the least. This is nothing, just the beginning.”

Ling Ziheng rubbed his forehead. Winning this girl over was proving to be a Herculean task. It seemed her only interest these days was work. He pressed on, “Is there anything you need arranged for your daily routine?”

Lin Zhiwei paused for a few seconds, then declared resolutely, “Martial arts training. Since firearms are forbidden in Huaguo, I don’t have to worry about that. But I have a feeling my skills shouldn’t get rusty. I’m no match for Lin Qiongjiu, of course, but around here I should be able to handle the small fry.”

“All right, I’ll have Pei Xi make arrangements,” Ling Ziheng said gently.

Lin Zhiwei turned to him, suddenly aware something was off. Who was the boss here? Was she giving orders and Ling Ziheng following them? Heavens, was she going to get fired?

She gave a self-deprecating smile. “That’s really not necessary. I can just find a martial arts gym myself.”

“Once the studio officially launches you, you’ll become a focus of media attention, so…” Ling Ziheng replied smoothly, eyes gleaming.

Lin Zhiwei nodded vigorously, like a pecking chick. She’d been careless—Ling Ziheng had thought of everything. She really would be half a public figure.

Damn, she still couldn’t fully inhabit her role—so unprofessional!

“Zhiwei, be cautious of Chu Chuo,” Ling Ziheng’s expression turned cold and he reminded her sternly. Based on what he knew of Chu Chuo, the mere appearance of a new assistant would prompt him to take swift action. What’s more, Lin Zhiwei would be in disguise, concealing her true identity—a veritable minefield.

Lin Zhiwei nodded. “I understand. But he’ll have to beat me first, and that weakling…” She realized she was being arrogant and quickly added, “What I mean is, I’ll be careful. Don’t worry.”

Ling Ziheng wasn’t convinced. If he’d known this girl would keep him up at night with worry, he’d never have let her come to Huaguo. Yet that matter was a thorn in his heart for years, and perhaps only Lin Zhiwei could help him. Chu Chuo, perhaps, was the key.

Lin Zhiwei noticed his concern and patted him comfortingly. “Hey, don’t fret. Worst comes to worst, I’ll call for backup. My sister-in-law dotes on me—if I go to her for help, she’ll surely come to my rescue. And Lin Qiongjiu won’t be able to resist—no hero can withstand a damsel in distress.”

Ling Ziheng couldn’t help but laugh. So this girl understood the power of feminine charm.

“Oh, right! I have a bodyguard. Almost forgot about him—damned Nanyu.” Lin Zhiwei took out her phone, grinding her teeth as she uttered his name.

That scoundrel Nanyu—when he heard she was coming to Huaguo, he changed his phone number instantly and vanished without a trace.

She’d gone to great lengths to track down his secondary WeChat account, even sending heavily edited photos of beautiful women just to get him to accept her friend request.

Now she called him directly, and he answered at once:

“Hello, little fairy, this is Nanyu. Where are we going for dinner today?”

Lin Zhiwei took a deep breath, struggling to contain her fury. “Nanyu, you rascal—if you hang up on me again, I’ll post your baby photos and all those embarrassing sleeping pictures onto the Handsome Guys and Pretty Girls forum in the Anonymous Zone!”

There was a brief pause, then he instantly pleaded for mercy. “Boss, I’m sorry—I’ll never do it again. I must have been out of my mind.”

“Then pack your things and come here at once.”

“Yes, boss, right away!”

Lin Zhiwei hung up, realizing Ling Ziheng was still present. She immediately slipped back into her gentle persona. “Hehe, that guy is impossible without a good scolding.”

Ling Ziheng smiled faintly, nodding without the slightest surprise.

“He’s a hacking expert—we’ll need his skills,” Lin Zhiwei explained, eager to save face.

Ling Ziheng merely nodded, his expression unchanged.

It was over—her fearsome side had been exposed. Internally, Lin Zhiwei cursed Nanyu. That little brat, just wait until he arrived—he wouldn’t get off so easily.