Chapter 9: "I Have a Wife to Honor My Manhood"

Jing Zhuo strode calmly into the living room. He scanned the room but didn’t see the person he wanted to meet. Then he glanced upstairs.

“Oh, A Nian is back,” Jing Rong said joyfully, pulling him over. She introduced him to the woman in the cheongsam: “This is my eldest son, 28 years old, healthy in body and mind, no romantic history. You two can chat and get to know each other.”

Jing Rong turned to her son and said, “This is the matchmaking candidate I arranged for you, Chen Mengxi. Isn’t she beautiful?”

Jing Zhuo furrowed his brows slightly and lowered his voice. “Mom, you tricked me into coming back for a blind date again.”

“A lifelong matter like this isn’t trickery,” Jing Rong replied, displeased. Her gaze landed on his hands. “Oh, you even bought a little cake, and it’s green grape flavor! Hurry and open it to offer to Mengxi.”

Jing Zhuo didn’t move but said, “He Ning likes this.”

Holding the cake, he called out to Aunt Wang, “Aunt Wang, call her down.”

Aunt Wang smiled gently from the side. “Sir, Miss He Ning went out to play. She’s not home right now.”

“With her close friend?” Jing Zhuo asked.

“Yes, they went to chase their idol. It’s her second brother’s press conference today, and they went to be some kind of fan leaders.”

It seemed they had gone to follow Zhang Hexing.

Jing Zhuo had seen some recent videos of Zhang Hexing, pushed to him by big data algorithms. He only remembered the second brother’s fans were quite crazy, blocking him at the airport, constantly calling him husband and baby. There were even photoshopped wedding pictures a few times. The grandparents at home thought Zhang Hexing had gotten married and happily shouted about wanting grandchildren.

Song Xi was one of his fans?

Jing Zhuo clenched the cake string, recalling words Zhang Hening had said to the second brother not long ago.

“If you want to date, date my close friend. I’m telling you, she’s great, beautiful, unbelievably cute, and knows everything about you. How could I harm you?”

“Don’t let outsiders benefit. Second brother, if you don’t make a move now, it’ll be too late—you won’t even get a chance.”

“If I were a man, I’d marry her myself. What business is it of yours?”

...

“Hi?”

Jing Zhuo was lost in thought when the woman in the cheongsam took the initiative to greet him.

She was carefully made up today, with light natural makeup and long straight hair. Every smile and frown showed shyness and affection. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and her eyes sparkled—she clearly liked him.

“This cake shop is famous in the capital. What a coincidence! Green grape cake is my favorite too. We’re really fated,” she said.

Jing Zhuo paused for a moment and then looked at her.

“Sorry, I’m married.”

Chen Mengxi was stunned.

Jing Zhuo spoke apologetically, calmly and evenly, “I just got my marriage certificate and haven’t had time to tell my family yet. I’m sorry for the misunderstanding and trouble. I have a wife and must remain faithful. I can’t go on this blind date with you. I hope you understand.”

Jing Rong was even more speechless.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Jing Zhuo turned back and said, “Mom, every word is true. You don’t need to worry about me anymore.”

The sudden news stunned everyone in the He family living room.

Seeing their own family so confused, Chen Mengxi was extremely embarrassed. Without staying another second, she stood and left.

After half a month of blind dates, she finally met a man who met all her conditions. She had even taken special photos for the occasion, hoping to win him over...

But unexpectedly, she almost became the other woman.

Damn it, the biggest fool was herself!

Chen Mengxi stormed out, her high heels clacking loudly. Jing Rong tried to stop her several times but failed. Unintentionally hurting the young woman, she glared angrily at Jing Zhuo.

“If you don’t want to date, can’t you at least be polite? Why did you have to say you’re married? How am I supposed to find you matches in the future?”

“Mom, I’m married.”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

Jing Zhuo simply took out his phone, opened his album, and showed her the photo of the marriage certificate.

“This is my wife. I really got the certificate. I’m not lying.”

Jing Rong leaned in to look and burst out laughing.

“Isn’t this He Ning’s little close friend?”

“You’ve gone bad! You’re using photoshopping tricks to fool me now? Downloading her pictures from the internet and using AI to generate them? I’ve seen that trick before!”

Jing Zhuo was speechless.

Song Xi was a minor internet celebrity.

She once posted her own ID photo online for self-promotion. Because of her striking looks, many fans photoshopped her image.

Jing Zhuo couldn’t explain it all at once, so he just handed back his phone and said four words:

“If you don’t believe it, forget it.”

He put the cake into the fridge and turned to leave.

Jing Rong called after him, “Where are you going again?”

“To settle my lifelong matter.”

“...” Him? Settle anything? He was just making excuses to slip away again!

Jing Rong was too angry to respond and turned back to her room.

Jing Zhuo left, sat in his car, and dialed Zhang Hexing’s number. Shortly after, an assistant answered.

“Hello, Zhang Hexing Studio, who’s this?”

“This is Jing Zhuo,” he said. “Where is Zhang Hexing’s press conference? Send me the address.”