After the Strategy Mission Was Exposed, the Childhood Friend Became a Sinister Male Ghost - Chapter 20

Did he see through the trickery between her and Di Yu? Was he testing her on purpose?

Ling Luo’s fingers trembled, and she instinctively gripped her phone tighter.

“President Di is a very cold person. Aside from asking me some questions about new energy, he did not ask anything else. He took a few calls and left in a hurry without making any small talk with me.”

Observing the woman’s composed demeanor, Lin Zhouci retracted his gaze, hiding his skepticism. If he could see the face of Di Yu’s mysterious girlfriend just once, he would know if Ling Luo resembled that woman.

“Do you have no other siblings?” Lin Zhouci asked again.

A chill ran down Ling Luo’s spine, and she immediately replied, “No.”

Damn it! The male lead really does suspect me!

The System let out a yawn. 【Do you remember what happened at the Qingyun Art Gallery?】

Ling Luo was delighted. “System, are you well-rested?”

The System’s voice sounded somewhat weak. 【Mhm.】

“The Qingyun Art Gallery… Was it then that the male lead began to suspect me?”

【Those wealthy young masters mentioned that you looked like the villain’s mysterious girlfriend. He suspects you might have a twin sister. At the moment, it is just a test, so do not worry.】

“If he finds out, won’t he explode?”

Ling Luo glanced at her wristwatch. “The meeting is about to start, President Lin.”

“Let us go.” Lin Zhouci gave a slight smile, as refreshing as a spring breeze.

Ling Luo followed behind him. The 200-million-dollar project that Lin Zhouci had previously negotiated had successfully concluded. They chose the Magnificent Heaven Palace for the victory banquet.

Lin Zhouci was the protagonist, yet he was the last to arrive. As he and Ling Luo entered the elevator, a familiar voice drifted in from outside.

“Wait! Wait a moment!”

Zhou Wangxing hurried over, looking flustered. Lin Zhouci greeted him politely, “Young Master Zhou, what a coincidence.”

“Hey! What a coincidence indeed!” Zhou Wangxing’s tone was light. “Are you two here for business entertainment?”

“My company is holding a victory banquet here.”

“Which floor? I will drop by to join the fun once I am finished on my end.” Zhou Wangxing stood with one hand in his pocket, tilting his head to glance at Ling Luo.

Lin Zhouci shifted slightly, blocking the other man’s unfriendly gaze. “It is on the eleventh floor. You are welcome to visit anytime, Young Master Zhou.”

Zhou Wangxing said to Ling Luo, “Beauty, help me press the button for the fifteenth floor.”

Ling Luo nodded, reached out, and pressed the number 15.

Zhou Wangxing took a call, his voice impatient. “I am almost there, stop nagging me!”

Lin Zhouci and Ling Luo remained quiet. When they reached the eleventh floor, they stepped out first. They had booked the entire floor. As soon as the doors opened, the sound of party poppers erupted.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Countless sparkling sequins drifted down from the air. Following behind Lin Zhouci, Ling Luo was startled by the noise, her face turning pale. Lin Zhouci noticed her reaction. His eyes darkened as he looked at the people inside.

“Congratulations, President Lin! The project has been successfully completed!”

“Congratulations!”

“Congratulations!”

Voices of celebration rang out one after another. The private room was filled not only with department managers but also with the entire staff of the President’s Office. Lin Zhouci stepped onto the sequins, paused, and looked at the four men holding the party poppers.

Sensing President Lin’s cold expression, everyone immediately wiped the smiles off their faces.

“Sorry, President Lin. We just wanted to celebrate and use the party poppers to liven up the atmosphere. We did not mean to startle you.”

Lin Zhouci’s tone was mild. “Sweep the floor clean.”

“Yes, yes!” The men bowed and apologized profusely.

Ling Luo sat down beside Lin Zhouci. Many managers came forward to offer toasts. Before Ling Luo could step in to block the drinks for him, Lin Zhouci picked up a cup of tea himself.

“I will use tea instead of wine.”

“Of course, of course.” The managers quickly finished their drinks in one gulp.

Lin Zhouci took a sip of tea and then poured a glass of apple juice for Ling Luo. “Relax. This is our own company’s banquet.”

“Thank you.” Ling Luo nodded.

Lin Zhouci leaned back into the sofa, looking relaxed. This was his home turf; he did not need to flatter anyone or drink excessively to secure a project. Ling Luo took a sip of her apple juice, her gaze wandering. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the man had fallen silent.

“President Lin, are you tired?” she asked softly.

Lin Zhouci’s drifting gaze refocused. “No.” After a moment, he added, “I am going out for a moment.”

“Oh… okay.” Ling Luo did not follow him.

Lin Zhouci went outside, took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lit one, and felt his anxiety slowly fade.

Zhou Wangxing came down from upstairs, still grumbling as the elevator reached the eleventh floor. Lin Zhouci looked toward the sound and saw a woman inside the elevator with Zhou Wangxing.

She looked so familiar.

Lin Zhouci’s heart stirred, and his body moved faster than his mind. But as he neared the elevator, he skidded to a halt. No. My status is not yet worthy of her.

But she was being treated poorly.

During the few seconds Lin Zhouci hesitated, Zhou Wangxing stepped out of the elevator. The woman inside bit her lower lip, her eyes brimming with tears, looking utterly pitiable and about to cry. As the elevator doors closed, she looked up and caught a brief glimpse of Lin Zhouci.

Lin Zhouci’s heart tightened.

Zhou Wangxing walked toward him. “Why are you smoking alone? Isn’t it a victory banquet? You look unhappy. What happened?”

“What were you just doing, Young Master Zhou?” Lin Zhouci stubbed out his cigarette.

“It makes me angry just thinking about it. When I was leaving the elevator, this woman rushed in and nearly knocked me over with her brute strength. I scolded her a bit, and she started crying! It made it look like I was the one at fault! I am so done; I hate ‘Little White Flowers’ the most.” Zhou Wangxing’s tone was disdainful.

“I see.” Lin Zhouci looked back at the elevator and said to Zhou Wangxing, “Young Master Zhou, I have something to handle. Go inside and sit for a while; I will be back soon.”

“Is that Assistant Ling of yours inside?” Zhou Wangxing licked his lips.

“She will take good care of you.”

Leaving those words behind, Lin Zhouci went to another elevator. It happened to stop on this floor, and he went straight down to the first floor.

Zhou Wangxing pushed open the door and entered. Slow-paced music was playing, and the atmosphere was harmonious. Many people looked over, seeing only a stranger.

“I am a partner of your President Lin. My last name is Zhou.” Zhou Wangxing kept one hand in his pocket, looking casual.

Ling Luo immediately stood up. “President Zhou, please have a seat over here.”

Zhou Wangxing looked her up and down, finally resting his gaze on her exquisite face. “You are truly beautiful. The more I look at you, the more familiar you seem.” Zhou Wangxing leaned toward her bossily. “Lin Zhouci told you to entertain me. Do you know what to do?”

“Would you like wine, tea, or juice?”

“I will have wine.”

“Certainly.” Ling Luo immediately poured him a glass of champagne.

Suddenly, Zhou Wangxing reached out, wanting to grab her wrist. Ling Luo’s pupils shrank, and she instinctively dodged. “President Zhou!”

A calculating look flashed in Zhou Wangxing’s eyes. “Your bracelet looks very beautiful. Can you take it off and let me see it?”

Ling Luo’s fists tightened.

Suddenly, the System’s voice rang out: 【The male lead went to find the female lead! Oh my god! Why are the male lead and female lead meeting ahead of schedule?! Damn it! Holy crap!】