A Cheating Scandal Among the Wealthy

"I wonder who the poor unlucky soul is, having to marry the Zheng Family's son who's in a vegetative state!"

The remark snapped Ning Shile out of his thoughts.

He shook his head, looking a little dazed.

Just moments ago, his mind had suddenly awakened, and the entire plot of a novel had flooded into it. The sheer amount of information made his head ache.

"Unlucky? Please, let me be that unlucky," said the waiter standing by the door. "That's the Zheng Family! The wealthiest of the wealthy! The richest family in Imperial City, worth hundreds of billions! If I could marry into that family, forget a man in a vegetative state—I'd even marry his father!"

The Zheng Family?

A son in a vegetative state?

Ning Shile looked around. The banquet hall was lavishly decorated, and the upper-class guests, all dressed in expensive finery, chatted over drinks, occasionally raising their glasses toward the couple at the head table.

The two seated there were Zheng Father and Zheng Mother. Today was their son Zheng Ye's engagement banquet.

Ning Shile clapped his hands in realization. Wasn't this the plot of I Love You More Than Him?

The novel opened with a marriage alliance between the Zheng Family and the Su Family.

"What are you standing around for? Go make yourself known to the Zheng Family." Ning Father took a glass of champagne from the waiter and held it out to Ning Shile.

Ning Shile blinked at his father.

The novel hadn't said much about his own family, only that the Ning Family came from a long line of merchants, had fallen on hard times, and wanted to use the Zheng Family to climb back up.

Unfortunately, the Zheng Family didn't think anything of the Ning Family, who eventually suffered a crushing defeat in a business war and went bankrupt.

In short, he was nothing more than an insignificant extra in this novel.

Ning Shile took the champagne and walked toward the head table.

Knowing the plot, he thought being an extra was pretty good. At least he wouldn't have to get mixed up in the main characters' twisted love affair.

"Hello, Uncle, Auntie." Ning Shile approached the Zheng parents. He wore a white suit, his soft hair resting against his temples. When he smiled, his bright, round eyes curved into crescents, making him look like a pretty house cat.

He had exactly the sort of sweet, well-behaved face that elders loved.

Naturally, Zheng Father and Zheng Mother took a liking to him too. They lifted their glasses to clink with his. "Hello to you too."

Noticing the enormous diamond ring on Zheng Mother's hand, Ning Shile let out a soft "Huh?"

Didn't Zheng Mother lose that ring?

The sudden voice left both Zheng Father and Zheng Mother momentarily stunned.

Who was speaking? Were they hearing things?

Oh, no, no. She didn't lose it. Zheng Father took it to show his female secretary, and the secretary stole it!

Zheng Mother's expression shifted at those words. She narrowed her eyes and looked at Zheng Father.

Zheng Father's throat tightened, and he guiltily averted his gaze.

His female secretary had wanted to see his engagement ring and had brought it up several times, so he had decided to take it over and show her.

But when he finished his work, he discovered the ring was gone. He couldn't find it anywhere.

It was a limited-edition ring custom-made by the head designer—the only one of its kind in the world.

Afraid Zheng Mother would find out, Zheng Father had secretly commissioned a replica and put it back in its place.

He had been extremely careful. Even Zheng Mother didn't know. How did this young man know?

"Young man, you shouldn't make careless accusations." Zheng Father cleared his throat in warning.

Ning Shile looked bewildered.

I didn't say anything.

Zheng Father really is getting old. He's even hearing things now.

Zheng Father was about to rebuke him when something suddenly occurred to him.

Just now, he hadn't seemed to... see Ning Shile's mouth move?

Startled, Zheng Father looked blankly at Zheng Mother.

Zheng Mother was shocked too. She had also noticed that Ning Shile hadn't opened his mouth, so how could they hear his voice?

The two of them looked around in unison. None of the other guests seemed to notice anything unusual; they were still chatting and laughing.

So only the two of them could hear Ning Shile's voice?

Could these be his thoughts?

"Looks like someone's coming," Ning Shile said, glancing up at the approaching figure.

The newcomer had a distinguished air, slightly long hair, aloof features, and a red mole on the bridge of his nose.

The mole was perfectly placed, drawing the eye to his striking bone structure.

Ning Shile found him familiar. He seemed to have just seen this person in the book.

Zheng Mother couldn't stop smiling when she saw him. She went over and took his hand. "I thought you weren't coming."

"How could I not?" The newcomer smiled faintly, though he looked a little tired. "Today is my engagement banquet with Zheng Ye. Of course I had to come."

"This is asking a lot of you," Zheng Mother said. "Are you truly willing to marry Ye? There's still time to change your mind."

He shook his head and said earnestly, "I won't regret it."

Moved by his words, Zheng Mother took the man's hand and was about to introduce him to everyone when another voice came from behind her:

Oh, oh, oh! So this is that part!

At the sudden voice, Zheng Mother's eyebrow twitched.

What part?

Ning Shile couldn't help feeling sorry for them.

So this is Zheng Ye's fiancé, Su Jin? Poor Zheng Family, getting someone like him as a son-in-law. Absolutely shameless!

Zheng Mother turned to give Ning Shile a somewhat displeased look.

The Zheng Family and the Su Family had arranged this marriage when the children were young.

Three years ago, Zheng Ye had been left in a vegetative state after a car accident. Years of treatment had shown no signs of him waking up.

Zheng Father and Zheng Mother knew it was unfair to ask someone else's child to marry a man in that condition. When they were preparing to call off the engagement with the Su Family, Su Jin had stepped forward and agreed to the marriage himself.

Zheng Mother had seen how devoted Su Jin was to them.

He was also meticulous in his care for Zheng Ye.

They were lucky to have such a son-in-law. What did he mean, shameless?

Judging by the timing, it should be starting soon! I need to find a good spot to watch the drama!

This time, even Zheng Father couldn't help frowning at Ning Shile.

Meanwhile, Ning Shile strode right past them and planted himself in the middle of the hall, craning his neck in anticipation.

It should happen right about now. Su Jin's boyfriend is coming to crash the party!

Let's see. Which one is he?

Boyfriend?

Zheng Mother froze, swallowing the introduction she had been about to make.

Su Jin had already straightened his clothes, ready to face everyone as the Zheng Family's future son-in-law. He hadn't expected Zheng Mother to suddenly stop talking.

Confused, he looked at her. "What's wrong, Auntie?"

Zheng Mother paused, feeling that she was being unfair.

Su Jin had done so much for the Zheng Family. How could she start doubting him over a couple of stray remarks?

She took Su Jin's hand again and spoke. "Everyone—"

Honestly, Su Jin, two-timing like this. What a scumbag!

"Cough, cough...!"

Ning Shile's voice rang out again, and Zheng Mother nearly choked.

He's about to get engaged to the Zheng Family's son, and he told his boyfriend he was going to work! Hmph. You're about to get caught red-handed!

It should be happening now! Where is he? Where is he?

Ning Shile rose onto his toes and peered into the crowd.

Soon, his gaze settled on a man.

The man was tall and wore a black suit. He was frowning at Su Jin from across the crowd.

As though unsure whether it really was Su Jin, he took a couple of steps to get a better view.

At that moment, Su Jin was thoughtfully pouring tea for Zheng Mother and patting her back to ease her coughing.

Zheng Mother took the cup and had a sip.

Su Jin took the cue, accepted the cup back, and returned it to the table. When he finally raised his head, his gaze met the man's across the room.

Their eyes locked.

Su Jin froze for a second. His expression instantly changed, and he lowered his head in panic.

The man opposite him frowned and walked over.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!

Ning Shile screamed internally.

Here he comes! Here he comes! Here comes the poor guy getting cheated on!

Zheng Father and Zheng Mother also looked up to see a man heading straight toward them.

He stopped in front of them, first smiling in polite greeting, then looking hesitantly at Su Jin. "Jin? Didn't you say you had work?"

"Why..." The man glanced at Zheng Mother, his eyes shifting as he struggled to suppress his emotions. "Why are you here?"

Su Jin's gaze darted around. His lips parted slightly, but he had no idea how to answer.

The man's brows drew lower and lower, his expression growing uglier. If Zheng Father and Zheng Mother hadn't been sitting there, he probably would have dragged Su Jin outside and demanded an explanation already.

After all, Su Jin had always presented himself to the man as a recent college graduate from the countryside.

He was usually awkward and well-behaved, always calling him "big brother." Even when the man merely treated him to a meal, Su Jin would thank him endlessly.

Feeling sorry for him, the man had bought him a house and a car, and had even called in favors to find him a job, hoping to give him a sense of belonging in the city.

But now Su Jin was standing beside Zheng Mother? And acting so close to her?

The man wasn't an idiot. He knew today was the Zheng Family son's engagement banquet.

Even as the heir to a corporate group, he had needed connections to get an invitation, barely managing to gain entry to this high-society event. So in what capacity was Su Jin attending?

Zheng Mother glanced at Su Jin. "You know each other?"

Su Jin pressed his lips together, then finally nodded.

"Aren't you going to introduce him?" Zheng Mother asked coldly, looking at Su Jin.

The Zheng Family was, after all, a distinguished household. With a single look and a few words, Zheng Mother exuded all the bearing and authority of its matriarch, commanding respect without raising her voice.

Su Jin stared blankly at her, his lips pale.

"I... I..."

He stammered for ages without getting any further.

Ning Shile helpfully filled in the blanks.

I'm his boyfriend.

"He..."

He and I are a family.

"The two of us..."

The two of us are truly in love!

Zheng Mother: "..."

Zheng Mother took several deep breaths, then couldn't resist shooting Ning Shile a look.

Why did this child have so much running through his head? Couldn't he be quiet for a moment?

Su Jin thought for a long time but still couldn't figure out how to explain.

Meanwhile, Ning Shile was getting impatient watching him.

Let me think. How does he explain this...?

Oh, right. In the book, Su Jin says this is his big brother, who's helped him a lot.

Finally getting his words together, Su Jin said softly, "This is my big brother. He's helped me a lot..."

Ning Shile couldn't help snickering when he heard that. It was exactly what the book said.

I didn't expect to run into him here today. He's surprised too.

"I didn't expect to run into him here. I'm surprised too."

Zheng Mother: "..."

Were they comparing answers?

Please excuse me while I catch up with my big brother.

"Auntie, please excuse me while I catch up with my big brother." Su Jin bowed slightly in apology.

Zheng Mother's expression turned cold. She was just about to expose Su Jin when Ning Shile's voice rang out again.

Isn't the next part that famous scene where Su Jin and his boyfriend get it on in the restroom? Meanwhile, the clueless Zheng Father and Zheng Mother are praising their wonderful son-in-law to the guests with tears in their eyes. Tsk, tsk. What a drama!

Zheng Mother closed her eyes, forcibly swallowing the accusation she had been about to make.

She turned slightly and listened carefully.

The Zheng Family is so pitiful. Their future son-in-law is sneaking off to cheat in the restroom on the day of the engagement.

Zheng Father and Zheng Mother think so highly of Su Jin that they even give him shares.

After that, Su Jin keeps carrying on his illicit relationship with his boyfriend. Come to think of it, that son of the Zheng Family really lives up to being in a vegetative state—he's practically sprouting a cuckold's horns.

At those words, Zheng Mother nearly passed out from fury.

Did the Zheng Family look like a bunch of doormats? Were they supposed to support someone else's lover?

With one phone call, Zheng Mother had all the reporters waiting outside the banquet admitted.

They hadn't announced Su Jin as their future son-in-law yet, anyway. It wouldn't be the Zheng Family losing face.

If he wanted to create a scandal, she would make it a huge one!

Let the whole country enjoy the show!