Chapter 29

"This is fake! It's forged! I never said those words." Ruan MiaoMiao explained in a panic, her small face gradually changing from flushed to deathly pale.

Most of the people around her were her fellow entertainers, plus some of her close friends in the circle; at this moment they all cast doubtful glances at her.

Ruan MiaoMiao turned her head to look at Zhou Yinhe, tears continuously falling, her face full of a wronged expression.

"Senior, these words really weren't spoken by me; surely someone forged them to frame me, certainly out of jealousy of my relationship with you, so they came up with this scheme to harm me." Ruan MiaoMiao tried to step forward and grab Zhou Yinhe's hand.

Zhou Yinhe stepped back one step; he could tell whether those words were forged or not.

After hearing the recording of Ruan MiaoMiao insulting Wen Ling, his gaze toward her became hateful and vicious, as if looking at an enemy, and he shouted sternly: "What relationship do we have?"

Ruan MiaoMiao froze upon hearing that; she had intended to hint to Zhou Yinhe that today's scheming against her was Wen Ling's doing, but who knew Zhou Yinhe's focus was actually on this?

Wen Ling stood to the side, barely able to hold back her laughter.

She lowered her eyes and stayed silent for a moment; once the laughter subsided, she softly said: "Cousin, that day's incident happened suddenly, and few people nearby could hear your insults toward me. Why not check whether among those present there's anyone you've offended?"

"What nonsense are you spouting? When did I ever insult you? Those words are forged, aren't they—you!" Ruan MiaoMiao, infuriated by Wen Ling's insinuating speech, no longer cared about the bystanders, strode forward angrily and seized Wen Ling's wrist, demanding: "Was it you who did this? Since you returned, I've known your motives aren't pure—what exactly do you want?"

Wen Ling struggled, her eye sockets reddening, her gaze full of grievance: "Cousin, you've misunderstood me; your grip hurts me."

Zhou Yinhe flicked away Ruan MiaoMiao's wrist, shielding Wen Ling behind him, and snapped angrily: "Don't act like a mad dog, biting indiscriminately."

Wen Ling clung to Zhou Yinhe's arm, coyly biting her lip, her two wet, big eyes looking pitifully at Zhou Yinhe as she said: "It really wasn't me; surely Cousin offended someone, which is why they secretly recorded it."

Zhou Yinhe lowered his eyes to look at her; upon meeting her moist gaze, his heart involuntarily softened, and he gave a soft hum.

Ke Chengyu crossed his arms and watched the show; from the moment the recording was played, he knew it was Wen Ling who had pulled the strings.

By staging a white lotus act before everyone, she made these people doubt her usual gentle image; although the method is simple and crude, it can ascertain whether Zhou Yinhe, this love‑addled brain, still can't forget her—killing two birds with one stone, what a scheming move.

But Ruan MiaoMiao has the heroine's halo; even if those people harbor doubts, it's only suspicion—this little trick is just petty squabbling. To truly make Ruan MiaoMiao abandoned by all is still far off, and Wen Ling naturally understands that.

She linked arms with Zhou Yinhe, revealing just right the red mark on her wrist left by Ruan MiaoMiao's grip, and the crowd began to murmur.

"Truly, one can know a person's face but not their heart; on the surface she looks like a little white flower, yet behind the scenes she's like this."

"But isn't the timing of releasing this recording too coincidental?"

"There is some truth to that, but this recording can't possibly be fake, can it?"

"Maybe it's someone else forging it to frame Ruan MiaoMiao."

"That also makes sense, but everyone says Ruan MiaoMiao likes the Fifth Young Master of the Zhou family; looking at the Fifth Young Master's reaction, he seems closer to that girl, and hardly acquainted with Ruan MiaoMiao at all."

"Yeah, the Fifth Young Master of the Zhou family said it himself—he and Ruan MiaoMiao have no relation."

Upon hearing that, Ruan MiaoMiao felt as if she had grasped a lifeline; she seized Wen Ling's hand, forced a smile, and explained: "Older sister, just now I was too hasty, I misunderstood you—sorry."

Wen Ling's eyes flickered slightly; she shook her head and said softly: "It's fine, cousin; go quickly find out who did it."

Ruan MiaoMiao lowered her eyes to conceal the darkness within, nodded lightly, and whispered: "Then older sister, please don't hold a grudge against me."

Wen Ling turned her hand to grasp hers, comforting: "We're family; how could I bear a grudge against you?"

Ruan MiaoMiao gave a faint smile, nodded slightly, looked at Zhou Yinhe and explained: "Senior, I misspoke, causing you trouble—sorry."

Zhou Yinhe glanced sideways, too lazy to look at her; Wen Ling, however, began to view Ruan MiaoMiao with new respect.

Capable of yielding and standing firm—no wonder she's managed to reach her current position.

Seeing his lack of reaction, Ruan MiaoMiao felt a bit disappointed and had no choice but to turn and go look for Director Chen.

Wen Ling lowered her eyes to look at her wrist, lightly touched it, and hissed in pain; Zhou Yinhe finally reacted, gently cupping her hand, seeing the red mark grow more pronounced, he hoarsely asked: "Shall we go?"

Wen Ling pressed her lips together and hummed in a tone of grievance.

The two walked out together; Ke Chengyu glanced around at the people gradually dispersing, shrugged, and turned to follow.

They hadn't asked the driver to pick them up when they arrived, so Zhou Yinhe went to drive the car, leaving Wen Ling to wait alone at the entrance; Ke Chengyu curled his lips, approached, and stood beside Wen Ling.

"Miss Wen, you really have quite the means."

Wen Ling tilted her head to look at him, an innocent expression: "Young Master Ke, what are you saying? I don't understand."

Ke Chengyu chuckled lightly: "You released the recording without really intending to scheme against Ruan MiaoMiao; you summoned Xiao Wu merely to use the recording to let those in Sijiucheng who don't know the truth realize that Xiao Wu and Ruan MiaoMiao have no connection."

"Do I?" Wen Ling said, looking puzzled.

Ke Chengyu's smile faded slightly, his tone carrying a hint of threat and warning: "I don't know what you ultimately want to do; I'm just advising you to consider him when you act."

Wen Ling gave a light laugh, about to speak, when Zhou Yinhe, driving the car, had already stopped in front of the two.

Wen Ling had no choice but to drop it; Zhou Yinhe lowered the car window, furrowed his brows, and asked: "What are you two talking about?"

Hearing his somewhat sour tone, Ke Chengyu became even more speechless, no longer hoping Zhou Yinhe would give him a ride; he rolled his eyes again and left alone, without even saying goodbye.

Wen Ling got into the passenger seat, hesitating as she asked: "Where to?"

"The hospital." Zhou Yinhe seemed like a different person, his tone turning cold.

"No need to go to the hospital; can you take me home instead? I have ointment at home."

Zhou Yinhe remained silent; Wen Ling tilted her head to look at him, noticing his slightly cold expression, and wondered: "What's wrong with you?"

"What were you and Ke Chengyu just talking about?" His voice grew more sour with jealousy; Wen Ling, brows curved, explained: "He said to treat you better."

Only then did Zhou Yinhe's complexion improve a bit, but his tone remained cold: "It's unnecessary; anyway, we already have no relationship."

Wen Ling furrowed her brows, not understanding why Zhou Yinhe's attitude changed so quickly; just moments ago at the banquet he had been somewhat gentle with her, and now he's speaking coldly again.

She involuntarily sighed in her heart, but offered no explanation; she gave the address of Lang Po Wan and turned her head to look out the window.

Zhou Yinhe knew his own fluctuating mood was utterly contradictory; seeing Wen Ling silent, he felt an indescribable discomfort welling up inside.