Lin Xinyan turned to gape at him speedily and asked, “Was it that obvious?”
“No, your intention was perfectly disguised. It’s just that I know you too well.” Zong Jinghao grinned from ear to ear and continued, “Perhaps we’re connected spiritually?”
Lin Xinyan was rendered speechless.
A few moments later, she regained her composure and commented, “I can tell that Su Zhan still has feelings for Qin Ya.”
“His heart has remained loyal to her since the beginning. He did a mistake in the past, that’s all.” Zong Jinghao spoke up for his buddy and carried on, “Please talk to Qin Ya.”
“I can’t see through her.” Lin Xinyan answered plainly. Honestly speaking, I’ve wished that someone could take care of Qin Ya for a lifetime, and Su Zhan just happened to be the ideal candidate. Even though he made some mistakes previously, he has learned his lesson already. However, she was too frigid towards him, and it doesn’t seem like she’s gonna give him any chance. Also, it’s not like I lied about wanting to celebrate Shen Peichuan’s promotion. He performed well enough to be qualified for this position. Thus, I took this chance to invite them to the villa. Ahem… To create an opportunity for Su Zhan and Qin Ya.
“Everyone has their own path. You don’t have to worry too much.” Zong Jinghao didn’t want her to be too absorbed into the lives of others.
Lin Xinyan understood his intention, “I won’t meddle too much. I’ll just do whatever little things I can to create a chance for them. If they managed to rekindle their relationship, that’s for the best. Or else, we can only say that they’re not meant to be together. I won’t say anything to Qin Ya. If she still has feelings for him, she’ll see the good in him somehow. Otherwise, there’s nothing we can do about it.”
“I’m glad you understand.” Zong Jinghao agreed with her totally.
He didn’t like to get involved in other people’s relationships, so he hoped that Lin Xinyan wouldn’t interfere too much either, as they were all adults with their own thoughts. It was fine if what she did was just a little push, but shoving her ideas down their throats was unacceptable for him.
The car arrived in the underground parking lot of the office as they talked. After Zong Jinghao parked the car, he got out of the vehicle and walked towards Lin Xinyan’s door. Meanwhile, she had already exited the car by herself. So he took her hand as they headed toward the elevator.
Lin Xinyan struggled, “Won’t it be bad for us?”
After all, there was a rumor about them that went viral online before, and there was a heated discussion that she was some unpopular celebrity. As much as she couldn’t care less, being criticized and faced with public backlash wasn’t exactly a pleasant feeling.
Zong Jinghao eyes met with hers, “What’s so bad about it?”
In the first place, they were legitimate husband and wife. Neither was Lin Xinyan having an affair with him nor was he her secret lover. If they were open about their relationship, it’d be harder for people to make false accusations.
Lin Xinyan could never dissuade him, so she allowed him to hold her hand as they entered the elevator willingly.
After the rumor went viral, the company staff greeted them more passionately than before whenever they were seen together.
When the elevator reached the destination floor, they exited together after the door slid open. As Zong Jinghao passed by the secretary’s seat, he asked, “Are you thirsty?”
Lin Xinyan nodded, “I’m famished.”
Her stomach was rumbling with hunger as she had eaten nothing since morning.
“What would you like to eat? I’ll have the secretary to get it for you.”
“Crispy fried pumpkin with salted egg, Sachertorte, caramel custard, and Dorayaki.” Lin Xinyan named a few sweet snacks. Oh, snap! I’m drooling just by thinking of them!
Zong Jinghao turned to stare at the woman who requested nothing but sweet stuff. I guess I’ve got no choice since she likes them.
Without any delay, he ordered his secretary, “Get a cup of fresh juice as well.” Then, he added, “Fresh orange.” Sweet food can feel greasy if eaten too much. The sourness of oranges is a great help to balance the taste.
At once, the secretary responded, “I’m on it. By the way, the Chief of Public Relations came looking for you this morning and asked me to ping her when you arrive. Should I summon her now?”
Zong Jinghao murmured a short reply, “Okay.”
Immediately after, he held her hand while entering his office, and his secretary noticed his gentleness toward her. To think that those netizens were spouting nonsense they knew nothing about was so laughable.
When they were in the office, Lin Xinyan informed, “Do whatever you need to do. I’ll be waiting for you at the lounge.”
Since Zong Jinghao had a few tasks to accomplish, he agreed to let her wait, “You may take a short nap on the sofa if you’re feeling tired.”
Although Lin Xinyan acknowledged, she was reluctant to do so, seeing that it was an inappropriate sight. Hence, she took a book to read while chilling on the couch.
After some time, someone knocked on the office door, so Zong Jinghao lifted his head from the documents he was reading and ordered, “Come in.”
In no time, the Chief of Public Relations came in after pushing the door open, and then she caught sight of Lin Xinyan, who was sitting on the sofa. With a smile on her face, she greeted, “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Zong.”
As Lin Xinyan wasn’t used to this title, she hurriedly forced a stiff smile and nodded lightly in response.
“What’s the matter?” Zong Jinghao put down the documents in his hands and leaned his back against the chair.
“Have you heard about the news regarding yourself lately?” She started the conversation without beating around the bush.
Zong Jinghao responded in agreement.
“Our official account has been flooded with questions. I think you might need to explain yourself.” She remarked.
Zong Jinghao frowned at her remark. What does the official account have to do with me? Besides, it’s the account of the company, not my personal one.
“What’s wrong?”
She explained, “Are you aware that the amount of our official account’s followers has reached seventy million?”
As Zong Jinghao leaned against the chair casually, he commented, “Isn’t that the job of your department?”
She answered with a smile, “Indeed, that’s our responsibility. However, a company can hardly attract so much attention in such a short time frame.”
“What’s your point?”
“To gain more followers, we’ll usually post photos of the company’s boss.” She clarified truthfully. “Needless to say, these followers aren’t following our account for more contents of the company but the person behind it. Following the news updates of what we do here is just the icing on the cake.”
Zong Jinghao threw a glance at her. Hmm… Indeed, I seldom pay attention to her department, seeing that she’s a capable woman. I do visit our Weibo official account occasionally, but it’s always the usual stuff.
After hearing her clarification, he scrolled through some of the latest posts on the official account and was shocked to see nothing but his photos.
“Your pictures are more attractive than the news of our projects. So please treat them as a means to advertise our company.” She assuaged.
Zong Jinghao rubbed his brows at the sudden revelation, “So, you’re responsible for my recent troubles?”
Yet, she replied calmly, “Certainly not. I just think that this might be the perfect opportunity to reveal the identity of your wife. When that happens, our staff will finally have the chance to attend your wedding.”
Zong Jinghao raised his head to look down while uttering in a sarcastic tone, yet there was a bright smile on his face, “Are you listening to yourself? Or should I give you thanks?”
“If you feel that I’ve been a great help, please distribute red packets to us during your wedding day.” As an observant person like her, she had noticed that Zong Jinghao wasn’t angry at her. Hence, she continued, “You were a bachelor then. Thus, a sudden announcement of you having a wife would naturally attract much attention. However, there have been many negative comments about Mrs. Zong’s identity seeing that the public has heard no news of your wedding before. Of course, there are some positive views, but the bad ones are really harsh. So I think it’s time you give your wife a proper standing.”
The last part of her words was told from a woman’s perspective. Although she could tell that Zong Jinghao had been treating Lin Xinyan well, speculations were inevitable without a rightful identity.
In fact, all that she said had been troubling his mind for the longest. Yeah, I think it’s about the right time too. But too many things have happened until now, and she’s in the middle of pregnancy. Hmm…
“I got what you said. You may go back to work now.” Zong Jinghao said, clearly accepted her opinion.
