My Ex Told Me She’s Still In Love With Me - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: The Cruelty of Society

Cheng Yi returned to her senses, her gaze fixed dazedly on the research data in her hands.

I like her. I like her so much.

Nie Qiuyu, standing nearby, was bewildered by Cheng Yi’s strange behavior. However, seeing the professor’s expression, she didn’t dare ask anything and simply shrank back like a timid quail.

Cheng Yi lowered her head, once again feeling a piercing ache at this realization. She really liked her—liked her so much it hurt.

…

On the other side, after hanging up on Cheng Yi, Meng Qingwu immediately called Cheng Zhan. This time, the call finally connected.

“Hello—” Cheng Zhan’s voice sounded somewhat cold.

Meng Qingwu arched an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with you?”

Cheng Zhan choked on her question. What’s wrong with me? She has the nerve to ask? His tone carried a hint of resentment. “You don’t know what’s wrong? What exactly are you hiding from me?”

He thought back to the frantic call he’d received earlier from Liang Siming, who had agitatedly accused him of not making it clear that Meng Qingwu liked women! After being scolded by Liang Siming, Cheng Zhan was speechless—he hadn’t known she liked women either!

Then his thoughts shifted: If she likes women, why doesn’t she like my sister?! Though he wasn’t particularly close to Cheng Yi, he couldn’t deny she was exceptional.

Meng Qingwu was caught off guard by his interrogation. Thinking it over, she realized she hadn’t hidden much from him—except for her history with Cheng Yi.

“What do you know?” she asked.

Cheng Zhan almost laughed in frustration. “You’re still not willing to tell me at this point?”

Hearing that tone, Meng Qingwu was certain. “Is it about your sister?” She rubbed her forehead, not expecting the secret to be exposed so quickly. And did he find out from Cheng Yi?

Cheng Zhan took a breath and couldn’t help but ask, “Tell me, what was the real reason you helped me?” He couldn’t understand it; he was supposed to be the one doing the deceiving, so how did he end up being the one deceived?

Meng Qingwu found it somewhat funny. She had called to ask about Cheng Yi’s condition, but it had turned into a full confession session. She laughed softly and asked nonchalantly, “Where did you find out?”

“Does it matter where I found out?” Cheng Zhan snapped.

Given his tone and her understanding of him, she guessed he had gotten a confirmation from Cheng Yi. Leaning back in her car and watching a hanging ornament, her red lips parted: “Then do you know your sister dumped me back in college?”

There was a stunned silence on the other end. Then, Cheng Zhan frowned and asked uncertainly, “You and Yi-yi were actually… together?”

When Cheng Yi said they ‘weren’t together,’ did she just mean they weren’t together right now? Cheng Zhan felt like he had been played by a word game.

“You didn’t know?” Meng Qingwu countered. Did Cheng Yi really not tell him they had been a couple? Was she that unwilling to even admit they were together?

Cheng Zhan: “…She just said you weren’t together.”

Now he realized she really was just speaking in the present tense. He had to marvel—even though his parents pampered her, Cheng Yi was incredibly sharp. A simple linguistic trick had fooled him completely.

Meng Qingwu let out a light sneer. “Now you know why I agreed to help you, right? With a sister like yours, how could I not let her experience the cruelty of society?”

Cheng Zhan: “…”

Thinking of his sister’s cold face and how she had lied to him without blinking, he nodded in agreement. He could guess the rest of the plan. “So, you wanted to use me to create the image of you becoming her sister-in-law?”

Meng Qingwu hummed a brief acknowledgement.

Cheng Zhan: “…” He had to admit, this plan was savage… But! It was unexpectedly satisfying!

Meng Qingwu asked a few more questions about Cheng Yi’s condition. Confirming she was truly okay, she said calmly, “Fine. I don’t want to owe her a favor. Do you know if she’s lacking anything lately?”

The question stumped Cheng Zhan. He thought for a moment. “A car? Her old one had issues, but she never got it fixed or bought a new one. She’s still driving an old family hand-me-down.”

Meng Qingwu nodded. Before hanging up, she remembered one more thing. “Our real relationship—you didn’t tell her, did you?” If Cheng Yi knew they were faking it and Meng Qingwu was still acting in front of her, it would look like she was mentally ill.

Cheng Zhan shook his head. “I didn’t say anything. Since it involves both of us, I should get your consent before saying anything, right?”

Satisfied, Meng Qingwu hung up. On the other end, Cheng Zhan rolled his eyes, suddenly thinking that Meng Qingwu and Cheng Yi were actually a great match. One seemed gentle but was actually cold and distant; the other was stunningly beautiful but looked down on everyone. They’re a perfect match. They should just stay locked together and not go off to ruin other people.

…

There was a knock on his office door. Cheng Zhan looked up to see Tan Li. “Come in,” he said with a smile.

Tan Li entered and handed him a file. “I didn’t get the land.” Cheng Zhan took it casually. “I know the situation. You don’t need to feel guilty. What are your thoughts on that plot?”

Tan Li said calmly, “The development period is too long. It’s viable if acquired at a low price, but at a high price, it’s not worth holding a piece of land that won’t create value for who knows how long.” Currently, the government’s focus was on the High-Tech Zone and the Free Trade Zone.

“I agree!” Cheng Zhan laughed. “So, we didn’t necessarily need it.” Besides, letting Zhou Zheqiang buy it for 2.3 billion was more satisfying than winning it himself!

Tan Li didn’t want to chat further. “Time to sign, President Cheng.” Cheng Zhan: “…” Is my interest not obvious enough? Why doesn’t she feel anything for me? He couldn’t help asking, “Vice President Tan, do you have someone you like?”

Tan Li’s expression didn’t change. “President Cheng, that is a private matter.” Cheng Zhan: “…” Am I not making it obvious enough… Tan Li: “President Cheng, it’s working hours.” (Meaning: No personal talk.)

…

After hanging up with Cheng Zhan, Meng Qingwu had no intention of returning to Shuiyang International. The thought of that tacky “wall of roses” confession downstairs made her want to stop breathing. She even began to wonder—did this person love her or hate her? Were they trying to cause her “social death”?

She drove to the office building in the High-Tech Zone. The renovations were finished, and they were just waiting for the smell to fade before moving in. However, she wasn’t there to check the office; she was looking for Cui Lanyu.

But when she reached Cui Lanyu’s floor, she discovered something extraordinary. Who was that woman with the wavy hair pinning someone against the wall and kissing them?

If her eyes weren’t failing her… was that Jin Le?