Chapter 15: The Fake Marriage Begins to Feel Real
1111 Words
By the next morning, the entire internet seemed to be talking about one thing.
The photo.
It had spread across every business blog, social media platform, and news site overnight. Headlines flashed across screens everywhere.
“WeiTech CEO Liang Wei’s Secret Romantic Dinner!”
“Cold CEO Finally Falls in Love?”
“Power Couple of the Business World?”
In the lobby of WeiTech Tower, employees whispered excitedly while checking their phones.
“I told you their marriage wasn’t just business.”
“No way. Look at that photo. They were definitely about to kiss.”
“They actually look good together.”
Inside the executive elevator, Huo Zhen stared at his phone and shook his head.
“This is insane.”
Across from him, Zhang Mei stood with her arms folded, reading the same headlines.
Her expression was calm, but her eyes showed clear annoyance.
“They’re exaggerating,” she said.
Huo Zhen raised an eyebrow.
“Are they?”
She shot him a look.
He coughed awkwardly.
“Anyway… the situation is bigger than we expected.”
The elevator doors opened onto the executive floor.
Huo Zhen continued speaking as they walked toward Liang Wei’s office.
“The photo has already reached over twenty million views.”
Zhang Mei sighed.
“Of course it has.”
When they entered Liang Wei’s office, he was already reading the news on his tablet.
He looked up as they entered.
“Public opinion is shifting,” he said calmly.
Huo Zhen nodded.
“Yes. And surprisingly… it’s good for WeiTech.”
Zhang Mei frowned slightly.
“What do you mean?”
Huo Zhen turned the tablet toward her.
Comments flooded the screen.
“They look amazing together.”
“The CEO and his genius wife! What a power couple.”
“If she’s standing beside him, maybe the scandal rumors aren’t true.”
Zhang Mei blinked.
“They’re… supporting us?”
Liang Wei nodded.
“For now.”
He placed the tablet down.
“Which means we need to control the narrative.”
Zhang Mei immediately understood.
“You want to use this.”
“Yes.”
Huo Zhen added, “The board also agrees. Investors feel more confident when they see stability at the top.”
Zhang Mei crossed her arms.
“So now our fake marriage has to look real.”
Liang Wei met her gaze calmly.
“Exactly.”
For a moment, she studied him.
Then she sighed.
“Fine.”
Huo Zhen smiled.
“Good. Because we already scheduled a press conference.”
Zhang Mei turned sharply.
“You what?”
He winced.
“In… two hours.”
Two hours later, the WeiTech press hall was packed.
Dozens of reporters filled the room, cameras flashing constantly. The viral photo had created enormous curiosity, and everyone wanted answers.
On the stage, two chairs waited behind a long table with the WeiTech logo.
The room buzzed with anticipation.
Then the side door opened.
Liang Wei walked in first.
His presence immediately silenced the room.
Zhang Mei walked beside him.
For a brief moment, the cameras flashed even more rapidly.
They looked exactly like the headlines described them.
Powerful.
Elegant.
Untouchable.
Liang Wei pulled out a chair for her before sitting down himself.
The simple gesture immediately sent another wave of whispers through the reporters.
Zhang Mei noticed it and almost smiled.
So this is the performance, she thought.
Liang Wei leaned toward the microphone.
“Thank you for attending.”
His voice was calm and controlled.
“I know many of you have questions regarding recent events.”
A reporter immediately raised her hand.
“President Liang, is the viral photo from last night real?”
“Yes.”
More camera flashes exploded.
Another reporter spoke quickly.
“Does this mean the two of you are truly in love?”
Zhang Mei nearly laughed.
But Liang Wei answered first.
“My wife and I share mutual respect.”
The vague answer only made the reporters more curious.
Zhang Mei leaned slightly closer to him.
Her shoulder brushed his.
Another wave of camera flashes erupted.
One reporter asked loudly, “Miss Zhang, how do you respond to accusations that your presence at WeiTech is damaging the company?”
Zhang Mei didn’t hesitate.
“My presence is strengthening the company.”
Her voice was confident and steady.
“I’ve already helped expose internal corruption within WeiTech.”
Several reporters exchanged surprised glances.
“That’s true,” one whispered.
Another reporter spoke up.
“President Liang, are you concerned that your marriage is affecting investor confidence?”
Liang Wei calmly reached for Zhang Mei’s hand.
The entire room froze.
The cameras flashed like lightning.
Zhang Mei looked at their joined hands for a split second, surprised.
But she didn’t pull away.
Liang Wei spoke calmly.
“My personal life does not weaken WeiTech.”
He squeezed her hand slightly.
“If anything, it makes us stronger.”
The reporters erupted into excited chatter.
The “Power Couple” narrative was growing stronger by the second.
Zhang Mei leaned slightly closer to the microphone.
“WeiTech is entering a new phase,” she said.
“And we will not be intimidated by false accusations or corporate attacks.”
Her confident tone impressed even the skeptical journalists.
Several nodded while taking notes.
For a moment, the atmosphere felt completely under control.
Then a voice came from the back of the room.
A male reporter stood up slowly.
His expression was sharp.
“Miss Zhang,” he said.
The room quieted slightly.
“Yes?” she replied.
He adjusted his glasses.
“There’s something many people have been wondering.”
Zhang Mei remained calm.
“What is it?”
The reporter’s voice became louder.
“Three years ago, your own family accused you of corporate betrayal.”
A few reporters gasped.
The room instantly grew tense.
The reporter continued.
“Your father publicly disowned you. Your company collapsed. Your reputation was destroyed.”
Every camera in the room turned toward Zhang Mei.
The reporter looked directly at her.
“So tell us…”
His voice cut through the silence like a blade.
“Why did your own family accuse you of betraying them?”
The entire press hall fell silent.
Even the sound of cameras stopped.
Zhang Mei felt the old memories slam into her like a storm.
Her father’s angry voice.
The boardroom accusations.
The humiliation.
For a moment, the room waited.
Every reporter leaned forward.
Every camera focused on her face.
Beside her, Liang Wei slowly tightened his grip on her hand.
The world seemed to hold its breath.
Waiting for her answer.
- Writer
