The Temptation of CEO's Pregnant Ex-Wife
Chapter 88 My Wife, Cheng Zhiwei

Chapter 88: Chapter 88 My Wife, Cheng Zhiwei

"Zhou Lin, I don’t want to go." Cheng Zhiwei looked up at Zhou Lin, she couldn’t believe that he was unaware of the consequences of doing so.

Or perhaps, it was because Lin Yu had forcefully sent Seo Zhenzhen away, and Zhou Lin was taking it out on her.

Zhou Lin’s face was expressionless as he glanced over her exposed, fair shoulders and signaled for the clerk to bring over a shawl, which he personally draped around her.

His tone was neither hurried nor slow, casual yet cutting, "With my mom backing you up, what’s there to panic about?"

It was indeed because of the incident with Seo Zhenzhen being sent away.

"Moreover, didn’t you say no one knows you’re Young Madam Zhou? After today, the whole Yucheng will know, Cheng Zhiwei, your goal has been achieved." Zhou Lin pinched Cheng Zhiwei’s cheek, "Cheer up a bit."

"Zhou Lin." Cheng Zhiwei looked at him gravely, "I didn’t know about Seo Zhenzhen being sent away beforehand."

Zhou Lin no longer needed any explanation, "Let’s go, don’t be late."

Cheng Zhiwei’s steps were heavy, she didn’t want to go, yet she had to.

Because she had to be obedient.

The moment Cheng Zhiwei stepped into the venue, she immediately attracted the attention of the majority.

Looks of scrutiny, inquiry, and various murmurs of gossip came flooding in.

Some were even speculating whether Cheng Zhiwei was Zhou Lin’s new favorite, since Bai Zhuzhu had always been by Zhou Lin’s side before.

Cheng Zhiwei didn’t want to come, but now that she was here, she wouldn’t let herself be intimated. With a faint smile on her face, she looped her arm through Zhou Lin’s and navigated through the crowd.

Every time someone tentatively inquired about Cheng Zhiwei’s identity, Zhou Lin would smile and introduce her, "My wife, Cheng Zhiwei."

My wife... Cheng Zhiwei’s heart ached. She had once longed for him to introduce her like this, but now, each time he did, she felt only the weight of another shackle.

Within a few minutes, the news that Cheng Zhiwei was the Young Madam of the Zhou Family had spread to everyone’s ears.

She tried to maintain a calm smile, exchanged pleasantries with strangers, and calmly faced everyone’s scrutinizing gaze.

But in the end, she still felt a headache coming on.

Finding an excuse, she went to the restroom.

As soon as the door shut behind her, voices outside began murmuring, "That Young Madam Zhou, why haven’t we seen her before?"

"Seems like we haven’t."

"There it is, look at the group chat, it’s gone viral."

"Hurry up and tell."

"They say she stole her best friend’s boyfriend, and even caused her best friend to become disabled, my god, she looks so pretty, how could she be such a person?"

"No wonder they’ve been married for three years and he’s never dared to bring her out, this is really shameful."

The gossip continued endlessly, without a conclusion in sight.

Cheng Zhiwei heard every word that filtered into her ears, she had been mentally prepared before coming, but actually hearing others talk about her behind her back still made it unbearable.

Perhaps this was the outcome Zhou Lin wanted to see.

She took a deep breath, straightened her demeanor, then pushed the door open.

The voices outside ceased abruptly, and several women in evening gowns looked incredibly awkward, calling out one after another, "Young Madam."

No matter how loud the gossip was behind her back, everyone fell silent in front of Cheng Zhiwei.

Cheng Zhiwei just glanced at them indifferently and left, gossiping is human nature, and besides, she couldn’t silence so many mouths.

All she could do was to maintain the last of her dignity.

As soon as Cheng Zhiwei came out, she ran into He Lanzhi.

He Lanzhi, with his hair dyed a dark grey, was wearing a floral shirt, holding a glass of wine, and looking at Cheng Zhiwei with less than friendly eyes.

"Congratulations, Cheng Zhiwei, from now on, when you step outside, everyone will have to call you Young Madam Zhou."

His tone was mocking and sarcastic.

Cheng Zhiwei turned her head, ready to leave.

But like an insistent plaster, He Lanzhi followed, saying with a smile, "Cheng Zhiwei, lusting after something that isn’t yours will have consequences. For instance, how Young Madam Zhou snatched her best friend’s boyfriend and caused her best friend to become disabled—these things will eventually come to light."

A warning, or perhaps a deliberate provocation towards Cheng Zhiwei.

Cheng Zhiwei suddenly understood and, lifting her eyes, looked at He Lanzhi coldly, "It’s you."

It was He Lanzhi who had spread those rumors.

He Lanzhi took a sip of wine and laughed roguishly, "Everyone knows Ah Lin and I are close like brothers. When they ask me, I simply tell the truth. What’s wrong? Is telling the truth not allowed now?"

As he spoke, he called out with a raised hand, "Ah Lin, over here."

With that shout, not only did Zhou Lin hear, but also the circle of people around them, as various subtle gazes were cast their way.

Zhou Lin walked over with a frown, his handsome face extremely cold. He glanced at Cheng Zhiwei indifferently before looking at He Lanzhi, "What’s up?"

He Lanzhi slung an arm over Zhou Lin’s shoulder, laughing wildly, "Here’s the thing, Cheng Zhiwei is quite unhappy with me for revealing her betrayal of her best friend. Ah Lin, weigh in for me, can’t I speak the truth?"

While speaking, he even threw a flirtatious wink.

Zhou Lin’s gaze fell on Cheng Zhiwei, who was clenching her fingers, pinching the hem of her dress, her pale face full of coldness and defiance, with only her tightly drawn lips betraying her emotions.

She was angry, but she held back.

A soft sneer escaped her lips, and Zhou Lin chuckled, admiring her self-control, as if she had been greatly wronged.

"All right, go drink over there," said Zhou Lin, holding his glass with composure.

He did not acknowledge it, but it was as good as if he had.

Cheng Zhiwei’s face instantly turned pale as disdainful looks drowned her, along with whispered gossip that was nothing short of nasty, calling her shameless and someone who climbed the ranks by stepping on others.

It was the same scenario as three years ago when everyone had accused her.

Her forehead throbbed painfully, as the lights around her suddenly seemed blurry. Possessed by some unknown courage, Cheng Zhiwei raised her voice, "He Lanzhi, you like her, don’t you?"

Who that ’her’ was, both acquaintances and strangers knew alike.

The carefree smile on He Lanzhi’s face vanished in an instant. He turned and walked back, glaring at Cheng Zhiwei with a dark expression, "Say that again if you dare."

Cheng Zhiwei’s eyes and brows were filled with a piercing coldness, "Coveting the woman your brother fancies, what’s the difference between you and me? Where’s your nobility now?"

He Lanzhi looked at her expressionlessly, "Cheng Zhiwei, I don’t hit women, but you’re pushing me to make an exception."

He fiercely raised his hand.

"Lanzhi, that’s enough," Zhou Lin interjected, grabbing He Lanzhi’s wrist with a warning glance at Cheng Zhiwei, signaling her to stop talking.

He Lanzhi’s forehead veins bulged as he stared at Zhou Lin, "You’re taking her side?"

Zhou Lin replied indifferently, "Today is a company gathering, and my parents are also here."

He Lanzhi fell silent for a few seconds, gave Cheng Zhiwei a vicious stare, and turned away.

Zhou Lin gave Cheng Zhiwei a deep look before following suit and leaving.

Cheng Zhiwei stood still, knowing that she shouldn’t display any emotion in such a setting, but she couldn’t help her eyes reddening. Still, her last shred of pride stopped her from shedding tears.