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Chapter 25: He’s Actually a Substitute!

Lin Keying had only ever seen this kind of scene in Hong Kong dramas from the 80s and 90s—large-scale confrontations, crowds of people—it looked exactly like a gang fight was about to break out!

At this moment, it would’ve been fitting to play The Greedy Superstar.

As a law-abiding citizen, her first instinct was—run as far away as possible, and don’t get caught in the crossfire!

Oh, wait—everyone’s here because of her!

Running away now would be even more inappropriate!

An elderly couple, supporting each other, were persuaded by police officers and gestured to move toward Hongsheng Entertainment Company.

Dr. Xiao Huo in his white coat, along with Ah Qiang, also tried to enter, but they were stopped by Cheng Wanting and his convoy of three cars.

Tall, black-clad bodyguards completely surrounded the entrance of Hongsheng Entertainment, even keeping the police outside.

Lin Keying’s eyelid twitched. Young Master Cheng, I asked you to help, not to cause a full-blown siege!

Yang Minghui cleared the way for Cheng Wanting as the two headed into the building. When the leading officers stepped forward to negotiate, Cheng Wanting didn’t budge an inch. “I’ll speak with your Superintendent Jiang directly.”

The Cheng family wielded significant influence in both the legal and underground worlds of Hong Kong. Hearing Cheng Wanting mention a high-ranking officer, the police could only back off. “Young Master Cheng, just don’t let things get violent. If a fight breaks out, we’ll all be dragged into it.”

With too many gangs in Hong Kong, the police were exhausted from constantly dealing with violence. These days, they preferred to de-escalate situations. If this standoff could end peacefully, everyone would be happy—and get off work early.

Cheng Wanting nodded politely and strode straight in.

Lin Keying heard Cheng Wanting’s exchange with the police and thought, At least my fiancé is still rational and willing to listen to reason. But then he walked in, the door closed behind him, and he went straight to the point—completely skipping any polite or diplomatic opening.

“President Wang, I’m taking my person with me,” Cheng Wanting said without wasting a single word. “And whoever pointed a gun at her earlier, I’m taking him too.”

Lin Keying: “…?”

Brother, that’s a bit too bold, don’t you think?

Hongsheng Entertainment looked like a legitimate film production company on the surface, but it actually had deep underworld ties—something most people didn’t know. Now facing this aggressive “guest,” several of their bodyguards tensed up, waiting for orders.

The cigar in Wang Weiliang’s mouth stopped shaking. He took it out casually and squinted at the man before him, then chuckled dryly. “I’ve heard that the future head of Huanyu, Young Master Cheng, never meddles in the entertainment industry. Looks like something’s changed?”

“If Hongsheng Entertainment is trying to coerce people into signing contracts, then I don’t have a choice but to be interested,” Cheng Wanting replied coldly. Though much younger than Wang Weiliang, his presence was stronger, and he showed no fear.

Wang Weiliang was a smart man who always knew how to read the room. Seeing how firm Cheng Wanting was, he realized they must have messed with someone they really shouldn’t have.

But the woman in question didn’t seem like a member of the Cheng family—nor was she Cheng Wanting’s only sister. Could she be…

If she really was his woman, then they had indeed made a serious enemy.

“Well, since Young Master Cheng has spoken, we’ll take this as a fault on our part today.” Wang Weiliang, ever the womanizer, naturally understood the sentiment. “Miss Lin, take your leave. Another day, I’ll personally visit and treat all three of you to a meal. As for Tang Qiankun, pointing a gun at Miss Lin was indeed impolite… That arm of his ought to be wasted.”

With that, Wang Weiliang raised a gun and aimed it at talent scout Tang Qiankun’s right arm, ready to pull the trigger.

“—Wait!” Lin Keying, having lived a quiet life of studying and working, was just an ordinary office worker. Seeing a man about to lose an arm in front of her, she instinctively cried out, “President Wang…”

“What is it?” Wang Weiliang smiled, a bit confused. “Is Miss Lin not satisfied? Would you prefer his life instead?”

Lin Keying: “…”

Meanwhile, Tang Qiankun was already frantically apologizing, his attitude a complete reversal from earlier.

Lin Keying thought for a moment. “President Wang, pointing a gun at me was indeed disrespectful, and he should be punished… but how about making him copy the lyrics to Below the Lion Rock 500 times instead?”

Wang Weiliang, with his underworld background: “…”

The talent scout who nearly lost an arm: “…”

Tang Qiankun didn’t wait for either boss to respond. He immediately chimed in: “Thank you, Miss Lin! I’ll do it—I’ll copy it 1000 times!”

…

Lin Keying finally left Hongsheng Entertainment with Aunt He and Tingting, followed by Cheng Wanting and Yang Minghui.

When the situation first broke out, Ah Qiang had followed Lin Keying’s instructions and called Cheng Wanting, who was out in Yuen Long handling business.

Worried about her, Ah Qiang also contacted Dr. Xiao Huo—who had once pursued Lin Keying—for help. Then, by coincidence, he ran into Uncle Da and Aunt Feng at a dessert shop, and after some questioning, they rushed over too.

Ah Qiang even called the police, deliberately exaggerating the situation—claiming there was a gang fight and complete chaos!

Now, looking at the crowd of vehicles and thugs outside Hongsheng, high schooler Ah Qiang was nearly speechless.

Did I really bring all these people here?

The He family reunited and tearfully embraced. Ah Qiang and his father, He Huasheng, came over to thank everyone.

At this point, Dr. Xiao Huo, who had been kept out by the bodyguards, rushed over. “Keying, are you okay? I heard you were in danger and came immediately—but they wouldn’t even let me in.”

Dr. Xiao Huo was familiar with Ah Qiang and Tingting—they had wandered through many parts of Hong Kong together. As soon as he heard from Ah Qiang that Lin Keying was in trouble, he rushed over without hesitation.

But Young Master Cheng had been too domineering, even blocking the entrance with bodyguards!

“I’m fine, Dr. Xiao Huo. Sorry for troubling you, and thank you,” Lin Keying replied, then turned to see Uncle Da and Aunt Feng approaching with disapproving expressions.

Uncle Da glared at the impolite Cheng Wanting and told Lin Keying, “Keying, your Aunt Feng and I came to help, and we were blocked at the door. You be the judge—was that right?”

Aunt Feng also grumbled, “We’re here to help too. What, he’s got some special privilege?”

Cheng Wanting ignored their complaints and stood his ground. “There’s no need for any of you to worry—this is my fiancée’s business. Thank you for your concern.”

Dr. Xiao Huo: “…”

Uncle Da and Aunt Feng: “…”

Aunt Feng grabbed Lin Keying’s hand and looked at the sweet, well-mannered girl fondly. Over time, they had grown to like everything about her.

Now, provoked by Cheng Wanting’s arrogance, Aunt Feng immediately declared, “Keying, your Uncle Da and I have no children. We’ve really taken a liking to you. How about we adopt you as our goddaughter? You can call him Godfather and me Godmother.”

Let’s see if that arrogant fiancé dares challenge a godfather and godmother!

Marriage can end in divorce. But once you become family through godparenthood, that’s for life!

Lin Keying hadn’t expected this twist at all, but she agreed in a daze.

After all, she had transmigrated into a completely unfamiliar novel world with no relatives or friends. Having a few close friends and now godparents was truly heartwarming.

Besides, Uncle Da and Aunt Feng were kind and easygoing. Naturally, she was willing.

Uncle Da and Aunt Feng even entered Hongsheng afterward. The elderly man smiled as he said, “Wang Weiliang, I used to brawl side by side with your father back in the day—we’ve exchanged more than a few moves.”

Wang Weiliang finally recognized the elder before him—it was none other than the long-retired “King of Junk,” a legendary figure who had dominated both legal and illegal spheres in his youth, risen to fortune, and then withdrawn from it all in middle age.

“Uncle Da, my father often mentions you and hopes to see you again someday.”

“I no longer meddle in fights and bloodshed,” Uncle Da waved his hand in a calm, collected manner. “Buying land, building buildings, making money—it no longer interests me either. But today, my goddaughter was ‘invited’ here by you. Let’s chalk it up as a misunderstanding. If there’s ever a ‘misunderstanding’ like this again…”

“There absolutely won’t be,” Wang Weiliang interrupted, his heart pounding in panic. The rising star he had taken a liking to—Miss Lin, whose looks rivaled that of a Miss Hong Kong—turned out to not only have a close connection with the heir of the Cheng family, but also to be Guo Changda’s goddaughter.

He had no choice but to repeatedly express his deference.

—

Outside the Hongsheng Entertainment building, the matter was peacefully resolved.

No one was more thrilled than the two carloads of police officers—thank goodness there was no fight! No gunfire either!

Long live peace!

Driving their patrol cars away, the officers were visibly relaxed, letting out long sighs of relief.

However, Cheng Wanting, watching the bustling scene at the building’s entrance, had a stiff expression on his face.

Lin Keying was practically surrounded—Mr. and Mrs. Guo were holding her hands, discussing the date and ceremony for officially becoming godparents. That annoying intern doctor was offering restaurant suggestions, the He family of four stood nearby constantly thanking her…

Noisy, chaotic, and extremely annoying.

“Minghui, ask Miss Lin to get in the car,” Cheng Wanting said, striding back to the silver Rolls-Royce.

Yang Minghui, understanding the mission, charged into the crowd and raised his voice: “Miss Lin, it’s time to go. Young Master Cheng is already waiting in the car.”

Lin Keying bid her farewells and expressed her thanks to everyone, then got into the car—only to wonder why the air conditioning was blasting so cold in late summer.

Her fiancé sat stiffly on the left side of the backseat, looking far from the fierce and wild man he’d just been at Hongsheng Entertainment.

“Young Master Cheng, weren’t you being a bit too aggressive back there?” Lin Keying asked, genuinely worried. “I really thought you guys were about to have a gunfight.”

And gunfights are dangerous!

Cheng Wanting answered mildly, “With people like them, if you’re not tough from the start, they’ll just walk all over you. You have to make them realize right away who they can’t mess with.”

Even though he was tossing out such harsh words, Cheng Wanting didn’t look ferocious. On the contrary, his sharply defined jawline outlined a cold, striking profile—he looked undeniably handsome.

So handsome, in fact, that it felt like a verb rather than an adjective.

“Oh,” Lin Keying nodded, a look of realization on her face. “You’re right.”

As the car sped down the highway, the unfamiliar scenery made Lin Keying frown. “Where are we going? This isn’t the way back to the Mid-Levels villa.”

“Yuen Long,” Cheng Wanting replied lazily, glancing at her. “I left a business meeting halfway to come get you. I need to go back and finish. Since you clearly can’t be left alone, you’re coming with me.”

Lin Keying: “…”

I feel like you’re being passive-aggressive, but I have no proof…

—

Sanwei Restaurant, Yuen Long.

Bored out of her mind, Lin Keying sat in a private room, guarded by bodyguards outside, while Cheng Wanting conducted his meeting next door.

After a long day of intense negotiations and near-gang-brawls involving multiple vehicles full of people, Lin Keying was starving.

Cheng Wanting had ordered an extra meal for her before he left, so by 3:00 PM, she was happily devouring a full table of food.

By the time Cheng Wanting finished his meeting at 5:00 PM, Lin Keying got in the car with him, hoping to finally go home—or at least window-shop a little. Instead, he dragged her back to Huanyu Group.

“Young Master Cheng, you’re going to work. What am I supposed to do there?” Lin Keying was already bored at the restaurant—now Huanyu? Even worse.

Cheng Wanting turned to look at her deeply. “You dared charge into Hongsheng on your own, and now you don’t even want to come to Huanyu with me?”

Lin Keying: “…”

I suspect you’re throwing shade, but I can’t prove it!

As night fell, the Huanyu Group CEO’s office was filled with only the sound of pen scratching against paper.

In the middle of his work, Cheng Wanting occasionally glanced at the sofa. He watched as Lin Keying went from flipping through magazines to dozing off, eventually slumping over in sleep.

The peaceful office was soon filled with the soft, steady rhythm of her breathing.

They didn’t leave Huanyu until 9:30 PM. As Lin Keying yawned and climbed into the car, streetlights flashed by like falling stars, lighting up the darkness.

Her eyelids grew heavier by the second. Even though she had napped a bit earlier, she was still exhausted.

And then, the man who had remained silent finally spoke: “Hongsheng’s hidden connections run deep. Wang Weiliang is the illegitimate son of the Yonglong Gang’s boss. He looks like a smiling tiger, but he’s actually vicious. And yet you dared go alone…”

Lin Keying’s brain activated a little—just a little—but her fiancé’s nagging was keeping her from fully drifting off to sleep. She just wanted him to stop.

“I know he’s dangerous, but you’re even more powerful! That’s why I told Ah Qiang to call you in advance—I knew you’d beat them!” Her voice got sleepier and softer. She leaned to the side, her eyes drooping. “With you here, I’m not afraid of anything…”

As she nearly nodded off, her sweet words of praise came out on reflex—pure muscle memory built over the past few months.

Cheng Wanting’s expression softened. As she started to slump toward him, he gently caught her and guided her head to rest on his shoulder.

His broad palm gently covered her hand—warm, tender—like he was holding everything, and yet nothing at all.

Just before she completely fell asleep, Lin Keying murmured, “You make me feel so safe… Songxian-ge…”

SCREECH!

The silver Rolls-Royce let out a sudden screech as the driver slammed on the brakes in shock.

In the front seat, Yang Minghui’s eyes were wide as saucers. Did I hear that right!?

Did Miss Lin just call Young Master Cheng… Songxian-ge?!

He cautiously glanced at the rearview mirror—only to meet his boss’s dark, unreadable eyes. But Cheng Wanting didn’t seem surprised at all. In fact, he looked used to it.

Even more astonishing, after the jolt from the sudden stop, he gently guided Lin Keying back against his shoulder—like it was the most natural thing in the world.

But that gaze he gave Yang Minghui? Full of warning.

In that split second, it all clicked for Yang Minghui. He had always thought that his boss was merely ignoring the fact that Miss Lin was originally Young Master Chen’s child bride—and was pursuing her anyway.

But now…

As he shakily restarted the engine, Secretary Yang’s heart was a stormy sea.

My upright, domineering, confident, invincible, arrogant and proud Young Master Cheng—

You’re… you’re actually willing to be a substitute?!