Free Web NovelChapter 229: Chapter 229: Ling Zhen
Ling Zhen was also a student at Huaguo Communication University. She later graduated and became a reporter, making her both a senior alumna and a professional mentor.
That’s right, Ling Zhen was four years older than Yu Zhengqing.
That’s why in her past life, Yu Zhengqing and Ling Zhen’s relationship had been one between an older woman and a younger man.
Ling Zhen graduated and started working before them. When Yu Zhengqing started his internship, she was the one who mentored him.
Ling Zhen was highly capable, with a straightforward and righteous personality. She never held back, and she took good care of the interns, always looking out for them.
The interns all idolized Ling Zhen, secretly considering her the template for their ideal girlfriend or wife. Yu Zhengqing was no exception.
Su Li knew far more about Ling Zhen than the present-day Yu Zhengqing did. Her feelings, one could say, ran deeper, which made her emotions all the more complicated.
After Yu Zhengqing made the introduction, he noticed Su Li’s gaze was a little too fervent. She looked as if she were about to cry, and he stared back, his eyes full of confusion. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Ling Zhen felt an immediate connection with Su Li as well. Hearing what Su Li called her, she laughed. "You certainly get friendly fast."
She pointed at Yu Zhengqing. "Thanks to you, Yu Zhengqing became the first intern to report on-camera before even graduating. He did an excellent job, and the higher-ups are very impressed. If all goes well, the station will likely make an exception and hire him ahead of schedule."
Then she pointed to herself. "And thanks to you, I got some recognition for mentoring him. A major follow-up field report like this..."
She shrugged. "So, thank you."
She patted Su Li on the shoulder. "You have sharp instincts and you’re bold. You’ve got what it takes to be a great reporter."
Hearing himself praised and seeing Ling Zhen affirm Su Li so strongly, Yu Zhengqing beamed and chimed in with a laugh.
"Su Li, Sister Ling Zhen rarely compliments anyone. It’s a real honor to get praised by her like that."
Su Li grinned, nodding enthusiastically.
Ling Zhen laughed too and checked the time. "Su Li, you haven’t eaten yet, have you? Come on, I’ll take you two out for a good meal. My treat, to reward you both properly."
"Thank you, Senior."
"Thank you, Sister Ling Zhen." Yu Zhengqing and Su Li both accepted without hesitation.
Even if this hadn’t happened, Su Li would have found a way to meet Ling Zhen eventually. She wasn’t about to pass up such a perfect opportunity, so she eagerly followed along.
Ling Zhen liked their frankness. With a cool wave of her hand, she said, "Hop in!"
Everyone had a wonderful time at dinner.
In her past life, Ling Zhen, Su Li, and Yu Zhengqing had always gotten along well, and this life was no different.
"Ah, talking with you young ones is so refreshing. No beating around the bush. I really enjoyed this meal, but I should probably get going." ƒгeewёbnovel.com
Ling Zhen glanced at her watch. "My fiancé will probably be here to pick me up any minute."
The words were barely out of her mouth when a pleasant male voice called out.
"Zhenzhen."
A man of medium build with a gentle, honest face walked in. He had slightly full lips, his hair was combed perfectly, and his shirt was buttoned neatly to the top.
His gaze toward Ling Zhen was filled with gentle, doting affection.
"Zhijie, you’re here." Ling Zhen turned to see him and immediately broke into a wide grin.
She stood up to introduce him to Su Li and Yu Zhengqing. "This is my fiancé, Lu Zhijie. He’s a doctor at First People’s Hospital."
"Hello, Doctor Lu." Yu Zhengqing gave him a curious glance and quickly stood up to greet him.
Su Li was a beat behind, merely giving a slight nod without a word.
Ling Zhen didn’t notice anything was amiss. "I have to go, so I can’t see you two out. Yu Zhengqing, you’re responsible for getting Su Li home safely."
"Okay," Yu Zhengqing nodded at once.
"Be careful on your way home! Goodbye." Ling Zhen waved, then linked arms with Lu Zhijie and walked away.
The usually bold and outspoken woman transformed, showing a rare, demure side now that Lu Zhijie was here. She laughed and chatted, occasionally leaning her head against his shoulder.
Su Li watched their retreating backs, her gaze lowering as a murderous glint flashed in her eyes.
Yu Zhengqing, oblivious to Su Li’s reaction, said, "Let’s go, Su Li."
"Mm."
As Yu Zhengqing walked Su Li home, he told her all about his reporting work over the past few days, his eyes alight with excitement.
"...I originally thought I’d be lucky to get an on-camera report within six months of graduating. I never thought it would happen so soon! I called my parents, and they were ecstatic. They practically wanted to throw a banquet to tell the whole world."
Su Li laughed. "You’ve gained a lot of new fans at school, too. You’re a role model for the younger students now."
Yu Zhengqing chuckled. "It’s just luck. And it’s thanks to you, really."
He lowered his voice. "If I really do get hired early, I’ll owe you big time. I’ll have to thank you properly."
After they shared a laugh, Yu Zhengqing hesitated for a moment before finally asking the question that had been on his mind.
"Su Li, are you married? If you don’t mind me asking."
Su Li nodded. "It’s not a secret. You probably heard most of it downstairs earlier."
Seeing the conflicted look in his eyes, Su Li smiled. "But that’s not the real question you want to ask, is it?"
’He saw how Wu Sheng was acting, then heard I was Tang Yuanxiao’s wife. He must be so confused.’
Yu Zhengqing gave a wry smile and didn’t deny it.
Su Li thought for a moment before explaining to Yu Zhengqing, "I didn’t have a great childhood. My mother favored my brother over me. The only reason I was even allowed to finish middle school was so I could cook for him. He wasn’t a good student and didn’t get into high school or a trade school, so he just quit. After that, I wasn’t allowed to continue my education either."
"After dropping out, as soon as I came of age, my father arranged for me to marry Tang Yuanxiao. A lot of things happened after that, and I decided I didn’t want to live that way anymore..."
"So I started studying on my own, earned my own money, and took the college entrance exam. I also divorced Tang Yuanxiao..."
Seeing the look of relief wash over Yu Zhengqing’s face, Su Li had to stifle a laugh. "For various reasons, and because it’s a sensitive time, the divorce hasn’t been announced publicly. Wu Sheng knows, though."
Yu Zhengqing nodded. "Oh, I see. I was... pretty shocked earlier."
He collected himself. "Su Li, don’t worry. I’ll take your secret to my grave. I won’t tell a single soul."
"I know. I trust you," Su Li nodded.
She had unwavering faith in the character of both Yu Zhengqing and Ling Zhen.
"Alright, this is me. You should head back."
After saying goodbye to Yu Zhengqing, Su Li went home. She stared at the note on her table and let out a deep sigh.
The note had Ling Zhen’s contact information.
She had written down her home phone number and her number at the TV station, telling Su Li to call her if she ever needed anything.
Su Li had given Ling Zhen her number as well.
Sometimes, people just click. Su Li and Ling Zhen were like that; they clicked from the start.
That’s why Ling Zhen, after just one meal with a person she’d just met, had already given Su Li all her contact info and made plans to hang out again.
Just like with Yu Zhengqing, by meeting her earlier in this timeline, Su Li saw that this Ling Zhen was much younger and more innocent than the one she knew in her past life.
And because she had yet to suffer the accident and the betrayal of her fiancé, she was brimming with happiness and positive energy.
That’s right—Ling Zhen and Yu Zhengqing hadn’t started out as a couple.
Initially, she was with her childhood sweetheart, Lu Zhijie. They had gotten engaged two years ago and were planning to get married at the end of the year.
But in the end, that wedding never happened.
Because one week before the wedding, Ling Zhen had an accident.
Afterward, Lu Zhijie—the man who had been so good to her you could call him the perfect, doting fiancé—broke off the engagement.
Thinking of what happened to Ling Zhen made Su Li’s heart ache with anger. And as for Lu Zhijie, she hated him so much she could grind her teeth to dust.
’Sister Ling Zhen, I swear I’ll protect you in this life. I won’t let you get hurt! And I’ll help you see that scumbag Lu Zhijie’s true colors as soon as possible!’
Su Li’s eyes were filled with resolve.
