The Zheng-Ning Husbands Land on the Trending List

The stylists arrived early the next morning. Zheng Ye's mother sat at the dressing table, with makeup artists and stylists gathered behind her, showering her with compliments until she could not stop smiling.

Zheng Mother really was beautiful. Time had been kind to her, and her excellent bone structure and striking features made her a classic beauty.

Zheng Ye was up as well. Dressed in a simple white shirt and black trousers, he sat at the dining table eating breakfast.

He carried himself with cool reserve, his posture straight, his elegance and refinement entirely effortless. Even watching him eat was a pleasure.

Ning Shile came downstairs yawning.

"You're awake, Shile?" Zheng Ye's mother genuinely liked Ning Shile. The moment she saw him, she beckoned him over. "Come here. Let's get our Shile styled too."

"Huh?" Ning Shile hurriedly waved his hands. "No, I don't need that."

"No need to stand on ceremony with me." As she spoke, she sent the stylist beside her over to him.

Unable to refuse, Ning Shile was pressed into a chair and made to cooperate.

As soon as he sat down, several stylists gathered around him, surrounding him on all sides. They studied his face for a long while, liking what they saw more and more.

His face was simply stunning. He was even better-looking than celebrities! His skin was so delicate that they could not even see his pores. With curled lashes, a dainty nose, and round, bright eyes, he looked sweet and beautiful.

"What do you usually do for skincare?" The makeup artist held his chin and studied him for a while before finally abandoning foundation, deciding to simply define his features with a little contour. "Your skin is amazing. Not a single blemish."

"Oh... I don't really do skincare." The praise left Ning Shile a little embarrassed. He sat obediently at the dressing table with his head raised, letting the makeup artist work on his face.

"Really? I get cosmetic treatments all the time, and my skin has never looked this good." The makeup artist was genuinely envious.

Ning Shile had such a good foundation to work with that even a simple styling session made him strikingly handsome.

With a little bow tie fastened around his neck, he looked as refined as a wealthy young heir. The stylists felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment just looking at him.

Once the hair and makeup were done, the three members of the Zheng Family drove to the event together with Ning Shile.

Half the business world's big players had been invited to this launch event, along with plenty of reporters to draw attention.

Word was that the Cheng Corporation's latest project had undergone unprecedented changes in both its scope and business model. It even involved partnerships across several countries, all aimed at building a commercial empire belonging to the Cheng Corporation.

Many industry heavyweights had come on the strength of that reputation.

Still, when the Zheng Family appeared at the entrance with Ning Shile, everyone was startled.

The Zheng Family had even managed to invite them? The Cheng Corporation's project must really be something.

At the sight of them, reporters swarmed over.

They had no interest in business projects. What they wanted was gossip!

The Zheng Family had only held the engagement banquet yesterday, and today they were already attending an event with their son-in-law. Wasn't this a declaration of his standing in the family?

The reporters shared a single target. Armed with cameras of every size, they snapped furiously at Ning Shile. The dazzling flashes frightened him into freezing on the spot.

Wait, what is going on?

The reporters did not dare offend the Zheng Family, but Ning Shile was merely a future son-in-law who had not even married into the family yet. What was there to fear?

Marriages between wealthy families always attracted attention. If they could get a clear shot of Ning Shile's face, they would meet their quota for the day!

"Make way!"

"Everyone, make way!" The security guards at the entrance stepped in to stop them, but they were not trained for crowd control, and their words carried little weight. No one listened.

Instead, the more the guards tried to stop them, the more brazen the reporters became.

Some even shoved cameras right up to Ning Shile's face. Shutters clicked incessantly beside his ears. His mind went blank, and his bewildered, frightened expression was captured on camera.

The reporters behind him jostled one another. Someone lost their footing, and a camera struck the back of Ning Shile's head.

“Ugh!” The impact sent Ning Shile stumbling a step forward, sucking in a sharp breath.

That hurt...

Zheng Ye turned around to find Ning Shile trapped in the crowd, squeezed so tightly he could barely stay on his feet.

He was holding the back of his head, his eyes helpless and his expression pitiful.

The crowd shoved Ning Shile from side to side, while the reporters behind him kept pushing forward. He lost his footing, his balance gave way, and he pitched straight ahead.

Oh no, I'm done for!

Ning Shile struggled to regain his balance, but it was no use.

Help!

If I fall now, I'll get trampled, won't I?!

Unable to save himself, Ning Shile could only squeeze his eyes shut and resign himself to his fate.

But the pain he expected never came. Instead, a strong hand caught him and pulled him over.

The man was a little taller than Ning Shile. His gaze fell to Ning Shile's shoulder as he smoothly swept him into his arms.

An arm locked around his waist.

Startled, Ning Shile instinctively struggled.

“Don't move.” Zheng Ye's voice came from above his head.

Ning Shile went rigid and stopped moving.

They were pressed very close together. With the crowd packed so tightly around them, the man even tightened his hold.

Pinned against Zheng Ye's chest, Ning Shile could hear the man's powerful heartbeat beside his ear, his scent filling his nose.

Ning Shile pressed his lips together. He thought the man smelled rather nice, like incense burning in a temple—rich and steady, reassuring...

Shielding Ning Shile's face with one hand, Zheng Ye glanced sideways at the reporter who had hit him with the camera.

That single look sent a chill through the reporter, who did not dare come any closer.

Other quick-fingered reporters captured that moment too.

And just like that, they landed on the trending list: [Zheng Ye pictured with his fiancé]

Only after they finally squeezed into the hall did Zheng Ye release Ning Shile.

“Thank you... for what you did back there,” Ning Shile said politely.

Zheng Ye lowered his eyes to the fluffy little whorl of hair on his head. After a long moment, he replied, “No need.”

Just then, Ning Shile spotted a young man coming toward them.

He was young, seemingly around Ning Shile's age: Cheng Yang, the Cheng Family's young heir.

Oh no! Don't come over, don't come over!

Ning Shile quietly shifted position, trying to hide behind Zheng Ye.

Unfortunately, Cheng Yang had already spotted him. He approached with a confused expression. “Ning Shile? Why are you here?”

Ning Shile sighed and poked his head out from behind Zheng Ye. "Why can't I be here?"

Cheng Yang folded his arms. "Your family wasn't sent an invitation to this launch, was it?"

So what if we weren't invited? As if I wanted to come!

Zheng Ye raised his eyebrows slightly. These two knew each other?

Damn you, Cheng Yang! You just won't leave me alone!

Why do I see him everywhere I go? Elementary school, middle school, high school, and even college—why is he always there?! What kind of cursed fate is this?!

"Is that so?" Ning Shile huffed. "Mrs. Zheng invited me."

"Huh?" Cheng Yang looked at Zheng Ye beside him, his expression freezing for an instant. Then his whole face scrunched up as he looked Ning Shile up and down several times. "You really... entered a marriage alliance with the Zheng family?"

What's with that look?! So annoying!

Ning Shile inwardly lost his mind, taking several deep breaths before finally consoling himself.

Forget it! Since your girlfriend cheated on you with your dad, I'll let it slide!

What?!

Zheng Ye's parents glanced at Cheng Yang. Something so disgraceful had actually happened?

Meanwhile, as though he had sensed something, Cheng An approached with a broad smile to greet Zheng Ye's parents.

Cheng An had not expected the Zheng family to honor them with their presence. Both of Zheng Ye's parents had come—did that mean the Zheng family was interested in the project too? The thought gave him a boost of confidence. He walked up to them, extended his hand, and dipped his head slightly. "Chairman Zheng, forgive me for not greeting you sooner."

A long moment passed after he spoke, but neither Zheng Father nor Zheng Mother responded. Confused, Cheng An looked up to find them staring at him strangely.

Huh?

What was that supposed to mean?

"Mr. Cheng," the female secretary beside him stepped forward. "The reporters have arrived as well."

"Good." Cheng An patted her back with a smile, his hand unconsciously sliding down to wrap around her waist.

The secretary startled and shot Cheng An a flustered look. Blushing, she pushed at him. "The reporters have a few questions for you."

"All right." Cheng An's gaze was practically smoldering as he stared at her face. Her coy, bashful look delighted him to no end.

Shameless! Carrying on so openly in front of all these people!

Zheng Ye's parents nodded.

Absolutely shameless! A man his age should know better!

Ning Shile looked back at Cheng An and could not help shaking his head with a tut. Then he gave Cheng Yang a pitying look. Forget it. He's been cheated on badly enough. I'll cut him some slack!

Perhaps Ning Shile's gaze was too obvious. It gave Cheng Yang goosebumps, and he could not help asking, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Ning Shile sighed. "You poor fool. Ignorance is bliss."

Cheng Yang: "..."

What was he even talking about?

Whatever. I have something important to do today.

I just hope...

The look in Cheng Yang's eyes changed slightly as he watched Ning Shile, taking on a trace of some unreadable emotion.

Lele won't hold this against me afterward...

Cheng Yang sighed, pulled up his hood, and turned to squeeze into the crowd.

Is our dear Mr. Cheng Yang about to make his move?

Ning Shile's interest was piqued. Watching Cheng Yang sneak backstage, he rubbed his chin in thought.

In the original novel, Cheng Yang planned to replace the USB drive containing the video for the project's opening ceremony with hard evidence that Cheng An had abused his mother and subjected her to prolonged psychological manipulation, driving her to depression and suicide.

At that thought, Ning Shile grew emotionally invested. His expression shifted through a range of emotions as he folded his arms and clicked his tongue.

Come to think of it, Cheng An really is a piece of shit!

He cheated on Cheng Yang's mother while psychologically manipulating her. And on the night she killed herself, he knew about it well in advance, but he did nothing. He just quietly waited for her to die, then called the funeral home.

Afterward, he presented himself to the public as a devoted husband and profited off his wife's death. His company's share price multiplied several times over during that period!

And the truth? He'd been sleeping with his secretary behind everyone's backs for ages! She's even carrying Cheng An's baby right now!

What?!

Shocked, Zheng Ye's parents looked at the secretary's stomach. They had not noticed before, but now that they looked, she seemed to be showing a little.

Honestly, Cheng Yang has it so rough! Imagine having a father like that!

Zheng Father and Zheng Mother nodded. Yes, yes. The poor boy.

Listening to Ning Shile and watching the indignation on both his parents' and Ning Shile's faces, Zheng Ye found it somewhat amusing.

Unfortunately, it didn't work. The secretary told Cheng An about Cheng Yang's plan, and the launch went ahead as usual. The project proceeded normally too.

As for Cheng Yang, his father beat him half to death and sent him abroad to fend for himself.

Ning Shile pressed his lips together. Although he and Cheng Yang did not get along particularly well, Cheng An was clearly the one in the wrong here.

He had to help Cheng Yang.

The secretary had been watching Cheng Yang the entire time. Once she saw him go backstage, she kept sending messages, her brow furrowing deeper and deeper. Then she began anxiously searching for Cheng An.

Ning Shile beat her to it, walking up to Cheng An. "Hello, Mr. Cheng."

Cheng An glanced at Ning Shile and found him vaguely familiar. Assuming he was a reporter from some media outlet, he replied, "Hello. Can I help you?"

"Well," Ning Shile said, "I've looked over this project, and parts of its business model seem to overlap with a project the Ning Corporation won the bid for. May I ask what your thoughts are on that?"

The Ning Corporation?

Cheng An scoffed. "Although the Ning Corporation's project has its merits, its vision is far too limited. Its goals are confined to that small patch of territory in Asia. By comparison, our project at the Cheng Corporation—"

"Mr. Cheng." The secretary came over, her voice tinged with urgency. "Mr. Cheng, something's come up. I..."

"Wait a moment." Cheng An raised his hand to interrupt her and continued holding forth. "By comparison, our project at the Cheng Corporation is much more mature and far-reaching. We have already confirmed joint development in multiple regions, including Europe and the Americas. I'm confident that in the near future, we'll be able to build a commercial empire centered on the Cheng Corporation."

Ning Shile nodded, putting on an admiring expression. "Oh, I see."

"Indeed." Looking rather pleased with himself, Cheng An suddenly remembered something and asked, "Which media outlet are you with?"

"Oh, I'm not a reporter."

"Then you are...?" Cheng An looked at his outfit. If he was not a reporter, could he be some family's young heir?

Ning Shile answered with a smile. "I'm Ning Shile, the son of the Ning Corporation's chairman."

Cheng An choked on his words. "..."