Chapter 361: Chapter 361: True Love Always Ends Up as a Joke

Cheng Zhiwei was completely exhausted. "Just drop me off and that’ll be enough."

She didn’t want to deal with anything else.

When Zhou Lin drove her to the entrance of the restaurant, he still said before she got out of the car, "Do you need my help with Uncle’s issue?"

He was investigating, but he couldn’t openly mention it without Cheng Zhiwei’s permission.

She would think he was meddling.

Sure enough, Cheng Zhiwei said, "You’re also very busy, don’t waste your time on me."

Zhou Lin fell silent for a few seconds, self-mockingly smiled, got out of the car, and handed her the keys, "Drink less."

Cheng Zhiwei paused, her lips pursed as she asked him, "Is Qiqi doing okay?"

She always worried about Zhou Ruoki, wanting to visit him but afraid that he still harbored hate for her.

Zhou Lin, however, thought this was a good opportunity for reconciliation, his stern expression softened, "He’s with my mom and not doing too badly. If you want to see him, bring Cheng Yang and Cheng Xing along."

Hearing him say this, she nodded, "Then tomorrow, after Xingxing and Yangyang get out of school, I’ll take them over."

She missed Zhou Ruoki deeply.

"Mhm."

When Cheng Zhiwei arrived in the private room, most of the people had already arrived.

Wen Yi was idly playing with her phone. As soon as she saw Cheng Zhiwei enter, she immediately sat down beside her, "Cheng Zhiwei."

That was a bit impolite.

Cheng Zhiwei wasn’t angry, simply turned to look at her calmly, "What is it?"

"Are you and Big Brother He planning on getting married?"

"I don’t know." Cheng Zhiwei didn’t really want to discuss this topic.

If He Ye’s family were simpler, and if their relationship had developed naturally, marriage would be a possibility. But now that He Ye had become the wealthy son of a rich family, and since his family clearly didn’t like her, Cheng Zhiwei felt that marriage was unlikely.

She didn’t want to add more complications to her life.

Moreover, once Cheng Shang and Cheng Zhiyin returned from their hometown, she would likely choose to leave Yucheng.

She initially returned with determination, but now, she just wanted to escape.

She didn’t know how to face the Cheng Family.

While thinking about all this, Wen Yi leaned in to whisper, "If you marry He Ye, you’ll be family with He Mingzhu, oh, and also your ex-husband. You would actually become one family."

Cheng Zhiwei didn’t understand the implication behind Wen Yi’s words, met her gaze with a nonchalant smile, "You knew I had an ex-husband?"

Wen Yi proudly said, "I’m very well informed. I know not only about your ex-husband but also that he is planning a marriage alliance with He Mingzhu."

Marriage alliance?

Cheng Zhiwei’s expression stiffened, a look of surprise flashed through her clear eyes. Zhou Lin had just brought her here, and he hadn’t mentioned anything about an arranged marriage.

"Where did you hear this?" Cheng Zhiwei asked nonchalantly while sipping tea.

"Everyone knows about it," Wen Yi shrugged, seemingly not impressed by how shocking the news was.

"Let me tell you, marriage alliances are really the way to go in their circles. It’s much easier to make money together than it is to struggle on your own," Wen Yi casually commented, "True love eventually becomes a joke anyway."

Cheng Zhiwei listened to her, her gaze lowering as she responded quietly, "Is that so?"

"That’s what I think," Wen Yi yawned nonchalantly, "Your ex-husband, Zhou Lin, coming from such a top family, was bound to end up in an arranged marriage."

"That’s why I think your marriage to He Ye isn’t a good thing. His sister isn’t easy to get along with, not to mention his mother, tsk tsk, all hair and no smarts. Marrying him and dealing with these strange people, not to mention becoming your ex-husband’s sister-in-law... It’s quite a twisted fate."

Cheng Zhiwei’s face remained calm, not showing any irritation because of these words, "Indeed, it’s giving me a headache to think about, but what you said might not be true."

Wen Yi seemed offended by the doubt, "Our family is... my sister is Wen Ya, the big director, and as her sister, do you think I would lie to you?"

Cheng Zhiwei was actually just making an offhand comment. From this short interaction, it was clear that Wen Yi knew a lot about He Mingzhu, indicating that she came from a notable background.

He Ye walked in and saw Wen Yi sitting next to Cheng Zhiwei, taking the spot that was supposed to be his.

The person sitting on the other side of Cheng Zhiwei quickly moved to make space, and He Ye sat down, "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing much, just chatting."

"We were talking about your sister and her planned marriage alliance with her ex-husband," Wen Yi said bluntly.

He Ye’s expression turned slightly stern, tension apparent, "Zhiwei, they are them, and we are us."

Cheng Zhiwei smiled reassuringly, "I know."

He Ye sighed with relief.

The waiter began serving dishes, and the atmosphere livened up again.

Wen Yi ate off and on, her gaze occasionally darting between Cheng Zhiwei and He Ye.

He Ye knew exactly what Cheng Zhiwei liked to eat. He chatted and took care of her naturally.

Wen Yi pursed her lips, not familiar with the others and unwilling to make small talk, she ate slowly by herself.

Every now and then, Cheng Zhiwei would talk to her, asking some technical questions, and Wen Yi answered all of them.

Cheng Zhiwei knew that not only did Wen Yi come from a good family, she was also capable.

After the meal, He Ye had had some drinks, and Cheng Zhiwei escorted him downstairs.

He Ye didn’t get out of the car; a faint scent of alcohol lingered in the air.

"Zhiwei." His voice was hoarse, extremely gentle, "I’ll find a way to handle the situation with the studio."

"Does He Mingzhu intend to acquire the studio for sure?"

Though they were siblings, the studio being folded into the He Family Company was, essentially, an acquisition.

"She wants me to come back and help merge the studio into the company and develop that sector."

The entertainment industry was always lucrative, and He Ye was doing quite well in this circle, giving the company a head start.

Cheng Zhiwei didn’t respond; He Mingzhu was indeed ambitious.

He Ye leaned against the window, resting his head on his hand, "I initially went into business to avoid competing with her, but now she keeps forcing me."

It was rare for him to show displeasure towards his sister, He Mingzhu.

From meddling in his romantic relationships to interfering with his studio, she was becoming more and more overbearing.

"Have a good talk about it. The studio is your creation after all. If it really comes down to it, I can step back." Cheng Zhiwei’s fingers were slightly pale.

She had been planning to leave anyway.

It would be perfect to leave everything to He Ye.

"Don’t be like that, Zhiwei," He Ye said anxiously, tightening his grasp on her hand, "Don’t give up so easily."

"But..."

"We haven’t reached that point yet, let’s keep holding on."

His gaze was exceptionally determined.

Cheng Zhiwei silently watched for a while, then smiled.

"Okay."

She would wait a bit longer, especially since there was still no news from Cheng Zhiyin.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read