Cupid On Duty

Chapter 10: The Loaded Question

The Zhao Corporation press conference was the kind of event where every detail sparkled. The backdrop gleamed with the company’s logo, journalists filled the rows with cameras ready, and Zhao Ling stood at the podium like she was born for it—calm, elegant, precise.

From backstage, Zhao Sera peeked through the curtains, munching on a pilfered cookie. “My sister looks amazing. If this were a drama, she’d be the CEO goddess lead and I’d be the comic relief cousin who gets kidn*pped in episode three.”

[Accurate.]

“Not helping,” Sera hissed at the system.

The speech ended flawlessly, applause ringing. Then came the Q&A session.

“Miss Zhao,” a journalist stood, flipping open his notebook. His voice was polite, but his eyes glinted. “There are rumors that Zhao Corporation’s collaboration with the Lin family has stalled. Does this mean Zhao Ling lacks the ability to maintain investor confidence?”

A ripple of tension swept the hall.

Sera nearly choked on her cookie. Oh, you sneaky snake! That’s not a question—that’s a trap question! Answer ‘yes’ and Ling looks incompetent. Answer ‘no’ and she acknowledges fake rumors. Curse you, Evil Barbie!

She darted her gaze toward Lian Mei in the audience. Sure enough, Mei sat with serene grace, eyes lowered modestly, like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth.

But Zhao Ling didn’t falter.

She smiled faintly, adjusting the mic. Her voice was steady, cool, confident.

“Zhao Corporation does not respond to groundless rumors. What I can confirm is this: our collaboration with the Lin family is progressing exactly as planned. In fact, we will be unveiling our first joint project within the quarter. You’ll find the details in the press kit at your seat.”

Gasps rippled through the room. Journalists scribbled furiously, investors murmured with excitement.

The loaded question had flipped into a headline victory: Zhao–Lin Collaboration Stronger Than Ever.

From backstage, Sera clutched her cookie like it was holy. YESSS, queen! Show them how it’s done! Take that, sneaky snake trap!

Victor Jin, seated among the front row, gave a single approving nod, his expression unreadable. Lin Han’s gaze lingered on Zhao Ling, his usually impassive face softening almost imperceptibly.

And Lian Mei’s smile froze for just half a second before returning to perfection.

When Ling finally exited the stage to applause, Sera practically tackled her with starry eyes.

“You were amazing!” Sera gushed. “Like—like a lawyer with lipstick! Like an elegant swordswoman cutting down peasants—no, wait, not peasants, evil peasants! You get what I mean!”

Ling sighed, smoothing her jacket. “You were supposed to stay quiet backstage.”

“I did! Mostly. Except for the part where I nearly choked to death on a cookie from the snack table.”

Ling gave her a long look. “You’re impossible.”

“I’m supportive,” Sera corrected proudly. “And by the way, that question was so planted. Evil Barbie fingerprints all over it.”

Ling’s lips pressed together, but she didn’t deny it.

As the crowd dispersed, Victor appeared briefly backstage. His eyes flicked from Ling to Sera.

“You handled it well,” he told Zhao Ling simply.

Then, to Sera: “Try not to choke on snacks in public.”

Sera spluttered. “I was emotionally stress-eating!”

His lips curved faintly. “Entertaining.” Then he was gone.

Sera flailed at her sister. “See?! Even the human iceberg thinks I’m entertaining!”

Ling ignored her.

Meanwhile, Lin Han lingered a moment longer. His words were quiet but firm: “Don’t take questions from her again.”

Ling blinked. “…Her?”

His gaze flicked toward where Lian Mei still mingled with guests, polite and perfect. “She’ll try again.”

Ling’s pulse quickened, though her face stayed calm. “…Noted.”

Sera squealed inside her head. Yes! Protective Lin Han unlocked!

That night, the system chimed.

[Mission Progress: +20%.]

Sera rolled around her bed, hugging her pillow. “We’re killing it! Ling crushed the Q&A, Lin Han got protective, Evil Barbie got owned—what a day!”

[Correction: Progress due to Zhao Ling’s composure and Lin Han’s reaction.]

“Yeah, yeah,” Sera muttered, kicking her blanket happily. “But admit it—I was the emotional support cookie in the background. No cookie, no victory.”

[…]



“Don’t give me that ellipsis!”