Chapter 106: She Said I Am a Pure Soul!

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After leaving Lin Xuan, Wang Zheng did not go to find his second target, Liao Tong, because he knew Bai Bing would definitely be there. Going there would only be walking into a trap. Based on the last piece of "intelligence," Wang Zheng headed to the television center’s cafeteria to have dinner first before making any moves.

The TV station was a media outlet but also a profit-driven organization, and a highly lucrative one at that. Especially the major station six, which, with political backing, was guaranteed to make profits without losses.

As the home of Jinghua City’s TV station, the Jinghua Television Center boasted the best hardware and software facilities. The dishes in the cafeteria were no exception; their aroma alone revealed the hand of a master chef.

"Two servings of braised lion’s head meatballs!" Since it was free, Wang Zheng didn’t hesitate to indulge.

“Please show your work ID!” the aunt serving food in a white coat said to Wang Zheng.

“ID? What ID?”

“The TV station staff card! What, you’re not one? Then you have to pay!”

After some inquiry, Wang Zheng realized the cafeteria was free only for those with TV station work IDs. Outsiders still had to pay high prices. Otherwise, relatives and friends of staff could freeload here all day and ruin the station.

Damn it. That guy said it was free last time? Damn!

Not taking advantage of a free meal is a fool’s fault. Wang Zheng was frustrated that he missed the deal, and his mood directly affected his appetite. Even as he sat down to eat, his eyes glared fiercely at the food-serving aunt.

Then suddenly, Wang Zheng’s eyes lit up. As the saying goes: truth is stranger than fiction! Liao Tong actually appeared here, holding a tray and serving herself rice at the buffet. And Bai Bing? Had that woman stormed off in anger? Wang Zheng stayed calm, pretending not to notice, but raised his head slightly so she could see him.

“Oh? Mr. Wang?” Liao Tong looked surprised. Seeing Wang Zheng in the newsroom was normal; meeting in the cafeteria was a matter of fate.

“Oh? Miss Liao? What a coincidence!” Wang Zheng feigned surprise and glanced around before saying, “Miss Liao, alone? What a coincidence. I’m alone too. Shall we eat together?”

“Sure!” Liao Tong smiled and nodded, then sat opposite Wang Zheng. Looking at her tray, her three dishes and soup seemed much humbler compared to Wang Zheng’s three meats, three vegetables, and one soup. After sitting, she glanced at his abundant meal and smiled, “Mr. Wang, you have such an appetite—so enviable.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Just some acquired skill,” Wang Zheng replied modestly. Liao Tong’s presence immediately lifted Wang Zheng’s spirits. He wished he could order more dishes, preferably with Liao Tong paying, so he could save some money.

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“Mr. Wang, you’re used to lavish meals and delicacies. How do you find our food here? To your taste?” Liao Tong asked.

“Tastes good!” Wang Zheng smiled.

They were not very familiar, just acquaintances, so after the initial few words, their conversation was sporadic. What caught Wang Zheng’s attention most, besides Lin Xuan’s graceful eating, was the ring on her hand—a platinum band etched with a pattern like winding vines or a map. Though less dazzling than a diamond, it was exquisitely delicate and beautiful. To Wang Zheng, it felt vaguely familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before.

“Miss Liao, may I ask something rather bold? I’m not sure if I should,” Wang Zheng suddenly said.

“Of course, Mr. Wang, please ask,” she smiled.

“Well, I’ll ask then. Hope you don’t mind!” Wang Zheng grinned. “I really want to know why such an outstanding woman as yourself is still unmarried. Is it that your standards are too high, or is your boyfriend blind?”

Mature, composed, elegant, with an outstanding temperament and gentle demeanor, with no negative rumors at the station—she was every man’s dream woman. Yet she was still single. According to Su Xue, she was about thirty, though she looked much younger.

A workaholic? That excuse was hard to believe. Wang Zheng had learned from Bai Bing’s files that she was someone who knew how to enjoy life. Could she be a lesbian? But there was no mention of any close female relationship. Boyfriend? Apparently not. People who lost both parents usually craved family warmth. Such an exceptional woman living in solitude was hard to understand.

Liao Tong smiled faintly, her usual elegance intact, and said to Wang Zheng, “I don’t have a boyfriend yet. As for why I’m still single... perhaps every man who’s approached me so far has had ulterior motives.” She paused, then playfully smiled at Wang Zheng, “Let me tell you a secret—I have eyes that can see through a man’s heart. When they stand before me, I know exactly what they’re thinking—sleazy, filthy thoughts and despicable schemes!”

Wang Zheng laughed softly, surprised she would say such a thing. Her elegance was actually quite endearing. “Where there are beautiful women, there are fantasies; where there are fantasies, there are scoundrels. You’re so beautiful, you can’t blame them. In fact, when they don’t have such thoughts, you might find it dull. By the way, can you tell what I’m thinking now?”

Liao Tong lifted her head, looking at the man across from her. His face bore a smile, yet his eyes were serious—hard to read.

“Eyes are the window to the soul. Mr. Wang, your eyes are bright and clear, without a trace of impurity. That means your heart is just as pure!”

Pure? Despite all the answers Wang Zheng had considered, this was one he never dreamed of. Liao Tong was truly a woman full of surprises. Thinking of the word “pure” in her mind, Wang Zheng couldn’t help but laugh heartily.

“Hahaha!” He laughed loudly and joyfully, his smile genuine and unrestrained.

His hearty laughter immediately caught the attention of everyone in the cafeteria. But for someone once revered by hundreds of millions, these gazes meant nothing.

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“Mr. Wang, why are you laughing? Did I say something funny?” Liao Tong looked at him with a cute, questioning expression.

“Well... this is the first time someone has called me ‘pure.’ It’s not funny—I’m happy!” Wang Zheng said, still chuckling. “Thank you, Miss Liao, for thinking so highly of me. I’ll strive to uphold the glory of purity.”

Wang Zheng somewhat regretted ditching Bai Bing. Liao Tong’s words just now should have been heard by Bai Bing—to show that the girl who kept calling him “scoundrel” and “rogue” was actually held in such high regard by others.

“The honorable task of preserving the world’s purity is yours now!” Liao Tong feigned seriousness as she looked at Wang Zheng. His laughter naturally brought them closer. Even the dignified Liao Tong was joking with him. When his laughter finally died down, she returned to her usual grace and said, “I’m serious—if I had met an outstanding man like you earlier, I might not be single now!”

Wang Zheng smiled slightly, unsure if she was serious or joking. This time, he took her words at face value and half-jokingly replied, “Well, it’s not too late to meet now. Like you, I’m single too!”

“Really? Then it truly is fate.” Liao Tong looked surprised but said no more, lowering her head to continue her meal.

Not ordinary. This woman was extraordinary! Watching Liao Tong across from him, Wang Zheng wondered what she meant by “fate.” Was it a hint? Or something else? Was she waiting for him? She spoke so naturally under his gaze, looking so perfect... so perfect that even knowing the danger, one would still be willing to fly into the fire like a moth.

There is no such thing as perfection in this world. What we call perfection is merely a well-crafted facade. Wang Zheng hadn’t interacted with Liao Tong much, but even those few encounters left him with an impression beyond mere perfection.

Liao Tong, are you really perfect?

After finishing their work meals, Wang Zheng and Liao Tong headed upstairs. The two tasks for the day were progressing faster than Wang Zheng expected, so he arrived early at the newsroom to wait for Su Xue and Chu Jun.

As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, he saw Bai Bing standing frostily outside the newsroom studio. Upon noticing Wang Zheng, she immediately rushed over, ready to scold him. But upon seeing Liao Tong behind him, the curses she had ready to unleash were swallowed back down. She forced a calm expression and asked Wang Zheng, “Where did you go?”

“I had a work meal with Miss Liao!” Wang Zheng said with a triumphant smile.

Bai Bing’s gaze shifted to Liao Tong, puzzled: Already hooked up so fast? That’s too quick! Had she missed something important again?

Damn it!