The Temptation of CEO's Pregnant Ex-Wife
Chapter 220: Self-Deception

Chapter 220: Chapter 220: Self-Deception

"Today after all is for welcoming me back." He Lanzhi raised a smile, "Give me some face and stay for another half hour, then I will let you go."

Cheng Zhiwei didn’t know why He Lanzhi was hostile towards her, but since he was Zhou Lin’s close friend, she decided to save face, so she gently tugged at Zhou Lin’s hand and whispered, "Then shall we stay for another half hour?"

Zhou Lin responded with a "Hmm," and the two sat down.

He Lanzhi lifted her glass, "Come, come, come, everyone recognize Ah Lin’s wife, our Ah Lin will be under her control from now on. You all must show some respect when you see her in the future, otherwise, if she whispers in his pillow, those collaborations and projects you want might just slip away."

If her previous ironic tone was somewhat playful, these words were a straightforward affront, explicitly accusing Cheng Zhiwei of being ignorant.

Many people were sizing up Cheng Zhiwei.

Zhou Lin had a secret marriage for three years, and later, Zhou Chenyuan and his wife publicly took Cheng Zhiwei to various events, announcing her identity as the Young Madam of the Zhou family. Not long after that, several scandals about her broke out. Everyone thought Zhou Lin would definitely divorce her, but unexpectedly, less than two months later, not only did they not divorce, but the Zhou family even issued strict warnings in private, forbidding anyone to talk about those matters, or else they would face the Zhou family’s retaliation.

Some people didn’t believe it and deliberately mocked Cheng Zhiwei, but within three hours, it was said that the company of the person’s family went bankrupt, and that family also disappeared from Yucheng.

Afterward, in front of Cheng Zhiwei and the Zhou family, no one dared to bring up those past incidents again.

What everyone saw was Zhou Lin and the Zhou family’s protection of Cheng Zhiwei, no matter whether this protection was real or fake, no one dared to provoke Cheng Zhiwei anymore.

He Lanzhi was the first person to dare to confront her.

Cheng Zhiwei smiled gently, said nothing.

Zhou Lin handed her a drink while whispering, "Drink less, it’s not good for your health."

He completely ignored He Lanzhi’s provocation.

Of course, his attitude was the best response to He Lanzhi’s words.

He Lanzhi’s expression darkened, and she sneered, "Don’t be disgusting in front of me."

Cheng Zhiwei nodded, "I’m going to the restroom."

As soon as Cheng Zhiwei left, Zhou Lin said expressionlessly, "He Lanzhi, don’t go too far."

He Lanzhi said sarcastically, "Deceiving oneself."

At that moment, the door of the private room was pushed open. A slender woman stood in the doorway against the light of the corridor, her medium-length curly hair, exquisite makeup, wearing a white down jacket, and stepping on a pair of brown leather boots.

"Sorry, I’m late."

"Zhenzhen is here, come on in," He Lanzhi warmly invited her to sit next to her, conveniently right next to Zhou Lin.

When Seo Zhenzhen saw Zhou Lin, her expression paused, but she quickly returned to normal and nodded slightly in greeting, "President Zhou."

Very polite.

Seo Zhenzhen’s surgery was very successful. After two months of rehabilitation, she could walk normally again. She rejected Zhou Lin’s offer to support her for life, instead expressing her desire to be self-sufficient, so she asked for the resources Zhou Lin offered to help her enter the entertainment industry.

She said she wanted to fulfill her sister’s wish to become the top stream singer.

Zhou Lin agreed, but afterward, everything was handled by a professional, and he hadn’t shown his face after learning her surgery was successful.

This was the first time they had seen each other in three months.

He Lanzhi poured a drink for Seo Zhenzhen, her smile unrestrained, making sure everyone could hear, "Originally, the three of us were the best of friends, just a few months without seeing each other, why so formal and restrained."

Seo Zhenzhen gripped her glass, her face showing a restrained smile. She raised her glass, "Lanzhi, welcome back to the country."

He Lanzhi beamed with joy, "It’s Zhenzhen who has a conscience."

Seo Zhenzhen sipped her drink, her gaze unconsciously drifting to the spot opposite Zhou Lin. Though the seat was empty, a woman’s handbag was placed there. She lowered her gaze, wondering whether the owner of the bag might be Cheng Zhiwei.

She hadn’t seen Zhou Lin for three months, but there was no shortage of rumors about him and Cheng Zhiwei.

By now, everyone knew that Zhou Lin had a wife he cherished deeply.

The word "wife"... Thinking of it made Seo Zhenzhen mad with jealousy; she had ultimately lost to Cheng Zhiwei.

However, the outcome wasn’t decided until the very end.

Just then, Cheng Zhiwei returned. She was slightly surprised to see another woman sitting next to Zhou Lin, giving them a few extra glances, though her expression remained calm as she took her seat beside him.

Zhou Lin grasped her fingers and stood up to leave.

He Lanzhi leaned back on the sofa, swirling her glass as she casually said, "Ah Lin, Zhenzhen’s leg isn’t comfortable, and she came all this way to see me; it wasn’t easy. Could you help me by sending her home?"

Seo Zhenzhen lowered her gaze, her tone indifferent: "No need, I’ll just hail a taxi."

"It’s late, and hailing a taxi isn’t safe. It just so happens that Ah Lin has a car and a driver; he can just give you a lift."

Seo Zhenzhen looked up at Zhou Lin, meeting his dark eyes. She bit her lip and turned her gaze away.

The look of deep grievance in her eyes was surely noticeable.

The atmosphere was about to freeze.

Suddenly, Cheng Zhiwei spoke up, "It really isn’t safe so late, Ah Lin, let’s take her home."

Only then did Zhou Lin agree, "Alright."

This agreement hurt more than if he had refused.

Seeing Seo Zhenzhen’s face turning pale, He Lanzhi rolled her eyes at Cheng Zhiwei and said, "Cheng Zhiwei, you wait here for Ah Lin; he’ll come back for you after dropping Zhenzhen off."

Sima Zhao’s intentions are known to everyone.

Cheng Zhiwei was indifferent; about to agree with a "fine", Zhou Lin almost immediately said, "No."

Seo Zhenzhen’s eyes were slightly red, her hand clutching the strap of her bag as she trembled, sounding like she faced a great humiliation, "No need, I can take a taxi back by myself."

"But your leg hasn’t fully recovered," He Lanzhi said, glancing at Cheng Zhiwei. "Can some people stop being so petty? It’s just a ride."

Cheng Zhiwei was utterly confused, feeling that He Lanzhi was being unreasonable. She had agreed already; it was Zhou Lin who did not consent, and yet he was still sarcastically targeting her.

Was there some deep hatred between her and him?

"Your driver is downstairs," Zhou Lin said, frowning.

"I sent him home already."

Cheng Zhiwei shook Zhou Lin’s hand again, softly persuading, "Ah Lin, shall we take her together?"

Zhou Lin looked deeply into Cheng Zhiwei’s eyes, silent for a few seconds before he agreed.

"Zhenzhen, let’s go back. Get some rest early." He Lanzhi lifted Seo Zhenzhen up, "I told you not to come."

"You went abroad for me; how could I not come when you returned?" Seo Zhenzhen’s eyes were teary, her expression somewhat pitiful, "It seems I’ve troubled you."

"Go back."

He Lanzhi personally escorted Seo Zhenzhen to Zhou Lin’s car, which Cheng Zhiwei was driving. Zhou Lin sat in the passenger seat, with Seo Zhenzhen in the back.