Chapter 85
The restaurant had a pleasant atmosphere, and the food was delicious, but Lin Shuangzhi couldn’t enjoy it. She stared at the steak before her, her thoughts, however, on the takeout they often ordered during their overtime sessions, and Li Wan’s exaggerated expressions as she ate curry fish balls.
She had been frequently visiting the provincial government lately, rarely returning to the station, unable to openly explain her activities to her colleagues. Li Wan, while concerned about her, had also been covering for her at the station.
Although they hadn’t discussed it directly, Lin Shuangzhi could sense the tension between them easing since that night, Xiao Wan’s attitude gradually softening.
“I’m not interested in your past relationship, and I certainly wouldn’t waste my time dwelling on it today. After all, yesterday’s meal is just… waste.” Lin Shuangzhi chuckled dismissively.
“As for now, my relationship with Xiao Wan is none of your business, but if you must know, then I’ll tell you frankly, I’m completely serious about her. And I also trust her.”
Zhuo Cheng’s carefully constructed facade of a suave gentleman crumbled, revealing his jealousy and anger. Not only had Lin Shuangzhi stolen Li Wan, but she was also mocking his past relationship with such a condescending tone.
“Two women, what kind of genuine feelings can there be? Even intimacy… there’s no pleasure to be found, it’s just self-deception.” Provoked, Zhuo Cheng’s words turned crude and vulgar.
Speaking of intimacy, their first time hadn’t exactly been pleasant, she hadn’t paid much attention to such things before, relying purely on instinct and fumbling around in the dark, Li Wan also inexperienced, they had stumbled along, with only fleeting moments of pleasure amidst the pain.
It had been an awkward night, so much so that the usually meticulous Team Leader Lin had anxiously apologized to Li Wan the next morning. She had then tried to make amends, trimming her nails, keeping them short ever since, even reading relevant articles online, mentally correcting her mistakes from that night.
It was just a shame she hadn’t had a chance to… rectify them.
She looked down at her hands, then smiled confidently. “Whether it’s pleasurable or not is for us to decide, who understands a woman better than another woman?”
Zhuo Cheng was furious, unable to provoke Lin Shuangzhi, his own composure crumbling instead, seeing her confident smile, the mockery and disdain in her eyes, it had been a long time since he had been looked at like that. The familiar feeling of inadequacy resurfaced, his usual calmness gone.
Men were easily irrational, especially regarding women, and now, with his rival being a woman, it was even more unbearable for the proud Zhuo Cheng.
He took a deep breath to calm himself down, his voice low and menacing, “Don’t be so smug, Xiao Wan is just lonely, we were the perfect couple in university, together for years, she was so happy with me, she enjoyed every moment.”
Zhuo Cheng’s delusions seemed to have intensified, even making up such lies. However, Lin Shuangzhi couldn’t tolerate him slandering Xiao Wan like this, such a pure, noble, and proud woman, how could she be subjected to such vulgar fabrications from a disgusting ex?
Was a woman’s reputation so worthless?
Lin Shuangzhi’s attitude shifted, she rarely showed open hostility, but this time was different, she had to retaliate.
“If you brought me here to listen to your delusional ramblings, then I’ll be going, I know a few good doctors, I can help you jump the queue if you want to seek professional help.”
“What, feeling uncomfortable, so you want to leave?” Zhuo Cheng leaned back in his chair, a smug look on his face. “My request is simple, leave Xiao Wan, and I’ll delete the photos.”
“You’re threatening me with those photos?”
“Not a threat, I’m doing this for your own good. After all, as an outsider in Meng City, it wasn’t easy for you to reach your current position, right? Connecting with Xiao Wan was indeed beneficial for your career, but not everyone can handle the consequences.”
Zhuo Cheng’s words stemmed from his own deep-seated insecurities, this was how he had felt back then, which was why he had strived to improve himself, to be worthy of Li Wan.
If initially, Lin Shuangzhi had felt a pang of jealousy, knowing Zhuo Cheng and Li Wan had been together, now she understood clearly that someone like him could never truly be with Xiao Wan, she felt a sense of pity for her, for her past heartbreak and the sadness she had felt after graduating.
That girl, who had interned under her guidance, always so energetic and dedicated at work, Lin Shuangzhi had also seen her lonely and heartbroken, secretly crying in a corner.
Perhaps that was when her feelings had started to develop.
“I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed, a photo won’t change my feelings for Xiao Wan, and I can tell you frankly, I love her, so her family background, or any other external factors, won’t change my mind. As for my career, you don’t have to worry about that.”
Lin Shuangzhi stood up and left. Zhuo Cheng, surprised by her seemingly unconcerned demeanor, couldn’t believe she was just leaving like that.
He hurried after her, catching up to her in a few strides. “You really don’t care about your scandal being exposed?”
“Our love is pure and genuine, there’s no scandal, and I appreciate you letting me know about the photo, but I’ll make sure it never sees the light of day.”
Lin Shuangzhi’s expression was chilling, colder than the winter air, Zhuo Cheng couldn’t accept being defeated by a woman, not like this.
He grabbed her arm, insisting she explain herself, and during their struggle, a car suddenly swerved towards them, separating them.
They both fell to the ground, and the driver, startled, stumbled out of the car, the strong smell of alcohol reaching Lin Shuangzhi even from a distance.
She closed her eyes, wincing, What an unlucky day.
**
Li Wan, rushing to the hospital after receiving the news, her heart pounding, was relieved to hear their injuries weren’t serious.
“What happened? Getting injured on your way to a meeting?” Looking at Lin Shuangzhi’s bandaged hand, Li Wan’s eyes reddened, but her tone was still sharp.
Lin Shuangzhi smiled at her good-naturedly, waving her injured hand slightly. “It’s nothing serious, just a few scrapes, the doctor said I just need a few days of rest.”
Li Wan carefully held her hand, her gaze as if trying to see through the bandages.
“Even minor injuries hurt, what happened? Don’t you know how to take care of yourself?” She had been on edge these past few days, constantly worrying about Lin Shuangzhi.
Now, knowing it was just an accident, she still couldn’t relax.
Another figure appeared behind them. Zhuo Cheng, whose injuries were more serious than Lin Shuangzhi’s, a fractured wrist, had just been treated.
“It’s my fault, if I hadn’t asked Team Leader Lin out for lunch today, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Li Wan turned around and glared at him.
Such a pest, so persistent, not only bothering her, but now harassing Lin Shuangzhi as well.
Li Wan took a deep breath and said to him, “Come with me, I need to talk to you.”
The clicking of her high heels on the hospital floor echoed in the hallway, her crossed arms unable to fully conceal her anger.
Finally stopping at the end of the hallway, Li Wan opened a window slightly, the air feeling a little too stuffy.
“Zhuo Cheng, what do you mean by this? Why did you go looking for the team leader?”
“Because of you.”
Zhuo Cheng’s affectionate words were nothing but a clown’s performance to Li Wan now, she didn’t want to see him for another second. At this point, there was no point in hiding anything anymore, it was better to make it clear, so he would finally give up.
“Since you’ve brought it up, I’ll be frank, there’s nothing between us anymore, and there never will be, so stop bothering the people around me.”
Zhuo Cheng, ignoring the throbbing pain in his wrist, said indignantly, “Are you all out of your minds? So many excellent men in this world, and you choose to be with another woman, what’s the point?”
“The point? There’s no ‘point,’ I just… love her, whether she’s a man or a woman, I love her.”
Li Wan was stunned by her own words, she hadn’t expected to confess her feelings so openly and resolutely, and Zhuo Cheng was even more shocked, although he had anticipated this.
Having said what she needed to say, Li Wan didn’t want to stay any longer, she was still worried about Lin Shuangzhi’s injuries.
Walking away, she saw Lin Shuangzhi’s figure not far away and hurried over, her tone filled with displeasure. “You’re injured, and you’re still running around!”
Lin Shuangzhi waved her hand dismissively, “It’s my hand that’s injured, not my legs.”
Li Wan glared at her, her tone softening slightly, “You’re so stubborn, if it doesn’t hurt, then don’t complain.”
Lin Shuangzhi lowered her head slightly, the smile playing on her lips, the joy in her heart almost overflowing, she had been worried Zhuo Cheng might harass Li Wan, so she had followed them, she hadn’t expected to actually hear Xiao Wan confess her love.
This gave her immense courage; the person she loved so deeply, reciprocated her feelings.
**
Qin Qianrou and Shen Yiqiu visited Lin Shuangzhi at home, finally becoming the second group of visitors. Entering the apartment, they saw Li Wan bustling about, seemingly very familiar with the place, taking charge of everything, like the lady of the house.
And the true “injured” owner of the house had been ordered to sit quietly on the sofa, only allowed to eat or watch TV, not to do any chores.
Qin Qianrou glanced at Lin Shuangzhi’s hand, “Team Leader, how long will your injury take to heal?”
Lin Shuangzhi said nonchalantly, “A week at most.”
Li Wan, bringing them freshly brewed tea from the kitchen, corrected her, “The doctor said a week before her next check-up.”
Lin Shuangzhi obediently shut up.
Shen Yiqiu instinctively also looked at Lin Shuangzhi’s hand. Ever since discovering that amazing online forum, its contents had become ingrained in her mind, and “hands” were a frequently mentioned and essential… tool.
Then, her gaze traveled down to Lin Shuangzhi’s fingertips, she had seen them before, but she hadn’t thought much of it at the time, now, looking closer, she noticed something different.
Her nails were short, rounded, and neatly trimmed, perfectly matching the requirements emphasized in the forum posts.
Shen Yiqiu discreetly looked down at her own nails, they were about the same length as Lin Shuangzhi’s, seemingly meeting the standards.
The other three were discussing the Dongsheng matter, not paying attention to Shen Yiqiu’s thoughts.
Qin Qianrou mentioned the recent hot topic online, “I don’t know which passerby posted that photo of the team leader and Zhuo Cheng struggling by the roadside, but now everyone online is accusing Dongsheng of bullying.”
Li Wan also found it strange how someone had uncovered Zhuo Cheng’s identity and managed to turn public opinion against Dongsheng.
Lin Shuangzhi remained silent, listening quietly.
Qin Qianrou seemed lost in thought. “Although the online exposure isn’t exactly positive, it’s undeniable that the station is finally taking this seriously.”
Li Wan agreed. “My father said the city government is also looking into it, they’ve even inquired about the station’s restructuring and Dongsheng’s advertising investment.”
What had initially been just a photo of a man and a woman in a physical altercation had unexpectedly sparked a heated online discussion about the television station’s restructuring.
And somehow, the discussion had shifted to Dongsheng Group, a company that rarely advertised on television, yet had been unusually generous this year, investing a substantial sum, then someone mentioned that it was thanks to this advertising revenue that the advertising director had become a strong candidate for deputy station director.
With everyone adding their own speculations online, a seemingly plausible, albeit somewhat absurd, narrative had quickly formed, attracting even more attention, and the discussion hadn’t died down.
“This is good, at least it’ll delay the restructuring.” Li Wan sighed, they had been working tirelessly, frantically trying to find a solution, and the promotion list was almost ready for public announcement.
Qin Qianrou said calmly, “There might still be a turning point, the station might not care, but higher management will definitely pay attention to public opinion, it’s just… it’s implicated the team leader.”
After all, the usually low-profile Lin Shuangzhi had been the subject of online discussions for days, and that photo hadn’t been flattering, recalling Zhuo Cheng’s despicable actions that day, Li Wan’s anger flared, she had wanted to confront him several times, but Lin Shuangzhi had stopped her.
She had said, “Xiao Wan, there’s no point arguing with a mad dog, just consider it bad luck and avoid him in the future.”
But Li Wan also felt that the team leader had become even gentler towards her since the incident, always accommodating, always listening to her, doing whatever she asked.
She didn’t know what Zhuo Cheng had said to Lin Shuangzhi that day, but her own feelings had become even clearer after Lin Shuangzhi’s injury, compared to her, Zhuo Cheng was just… slightly more substantial than air, and only because of his repulsive stench.
As they spoke, Qin Qianrou and Li Wan exchanged glances, then looked at Lin Shuangzhi.
“Team Leader, could it be that you…?”
Qin Qianrou was always perceptive, and if not for knowing Lin Shuangzhi’s personality, she wouldn’t have taken so long to realize this.
Lin Shuangzhi didn’t deny it, and Li Wan, her anxiety flaring, lightly patted her shoulder, “Was it really necessary to go to such lengths? First injuring yourself, now risking your reputation, what are you trying to achieve?”
Li Wan had heard Lin Shuangzhi mention returning to Yong City if she lost her position at the station, and now, more than ever, she wanted Lin Shuangzhi to stay.
But after this incident, she might not be able to.
“The injury was truly an accident, and I didn’t know about the photo initially, only after seeing it online did I decide to use it to our advantage.”
Working in the news industry, they both knew the power of public opinion, however, it was a double-edged sword, if not handled carefully, it could backfire spectacularly.
Li Wan understood, but she still felt distressed for her. “This was too risky!”
Lin Shuangzhi, however, seemed more carefree than before. “At this point, what do I have to be afraid of? I’ve already gone to the provincial government so many times, do I really care what the station thinks of me?”
Shen Yiqiu, who had been quietly listening, although she hadn’t spoken, sensed their unwavering determination.
On their way back, Qin Qianrou, seeing her still silent and subdued, thought she might be upset at being ignored.
“Jiejie, I think you’re both amazing.”
Qin Qianrou chuckled at her use of the word “amazing.” “Why do you suddenly say that?”
“You’re both willing to do this, knowing it won’t benefit you personally, and you persist, unwavering in your convictions.”
Qin Qianrou was silent for a moment, then said, “Actually, it’s also for our own benefit. Everyone is a part of society, we’re just trying to do our job well.”
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