Yu Wenhao didn’t even glance at Wen Ying, smiling as he asked Deng Shangwei:
“I’ve long heard Boss Qin raises his kids well—both his son and daughter are outstanding. This must be his daughter, right?”
Deng Shangwei nodded.
Yu Wenhao didn’t linger on it, switching topics. “No need to see us off—head back to your room. It’s been ages since you came out to have fun. Didn’t expect to bump into you here. Let’s catch up another day.”
With that, he led his noisy crew away.
Deng Shangwei felt uneasy.
Wen哥 had paused specifically to ask about Qin Jiao, brushing Wen Ying aside.
Sure, Wen Ying’s family wasn’t in Rongcheng’s business circle, but Wen哥’s attitude still irked him. It boiled down to his own modest success—if he had half of Boss Qin’s wealth, no one would overlook Wen Ying in a situation like this!
Deng Shangwei returned to the private room, weighed down by thoughts. Wen Ying being ignored stung him more than if it’d been him.
The adults cleared out, leaving Qin Jiao and Wen Ying alone. Qin Jiao whispered, “Wen Ying, why’d you step in front of me earlier?”
Wen Ying shrugged. “I didn’t like how Wen哥 looked at you. He’s shady—steer clear if you see him again.”
That sounded oddly familiar.
Back in the room, Qin Jiao had warned Wen Ying off the playboy Wang Shuang, worried she’d be naive to his tricks.
Qin Jiao felt protective—Wen Ying was younger, new to this crowd, unaware of Wang Shuang. It was natural to look out for her.
But Wen Ying had instinctively shielded her without a second thought… A warm trickle flowed through Qin Jiao’s heart.
—God, Wen Ying was adorable!
Back in the room, Qin Jiao’s fondness for Wen Ying grew noticeably.
As the dinner wrapped up, they set a meet-up for 10 a.m. tomorrow at the mall. On the drive home, Boss Qin, watching the girls cling together reluctant to part, chuckled and asked Qin Jiao:
“You’ve only met Wen Ying twice, and you already like her that much?”
Qin Jiao explained earnestly, “It’s not about how many times we’ve met. Some people, I could see twenty times and feel nothing. Wen Ying’s great—being friends with her feels easy.”
This friendship had started at Boss Qin’s nudge.
Now, with him teasing, Qin Jiao rattled off details—how Wen Ying had pulled her back to shield her.
“Dad, shouldn’t you talk to Uncle Deng? That Yu Wenhao doesn’t seem decent—we both dislike him.”
Boss Qin had just been bantering, but Qin Jiao’s praise for Wen Ying, especially amplifying that protective move, shifted his mood.
He straightened up, focus sharpening.
“He stopped outside to compliment you specifically?”
Qin Jiao nodded. “…His look made me uneasy.”
Boss Qin’s face darkened.
With a driver at the wheel, he sat shotgun while Qin Jiao was in the back, oblivious to his grim expression.
At seventeen, Qin Jiao was blossoming—a bud yet to unfurl.
Forget middle-aged men eyeing her—even boys her age chasing her made Boss Qin want to sack them up and thrash them.
He didn’t think Qin Jiao and Wen Ying were overreacting. Teens could sense malice. Qin Jiao misreading it was one thing—but Wen Ying too?
Boss Qin took it seriously, softening his tone:
“Jiaojiao, you’re a young lady now. When you’re out with friends, I’ll assign you two bodyguards. Don’t worry—they won’t get in the way. They can even carry your bags after shopping. Sound good?”
Bodyguards while shopping?
If her schoolmates knew, they’d make a fuss.
But with Wen Ying… Qin Jiao hadn’t asked, yet felt Wen Ying would get it.
“Fine. I’m shopping with Wen Ying tomorrow—let’s try it.”
Boss Qin nodded, pleased. “That Wen Ying’s sharp, got good instincts. I’m at ease with you two as friends.”
Yu Wenhao!
Boss Qin mentally filed the name. Deng Shangwei’s ties with him weren’t his business.
But if Yu Wenhao dared eye Qin Jiao, he’d make him regret it!
…
The Qin duo always spoke their minds.
On Wen Ying’s end, Deng Shangwei drove her home, her mind on Qin Jiao’s advice.
Should she confront her uncle outright?
Deng Shangwei, sneaking glances at her, was overthinking too.
Little Ying befriending Qin Jiao—she wasn’t insecure now, but others only saw Qin Jiao. Over time, wouldn’t that weigh on her?
Both stewed in silence.
A text from Detective Luo mid-drive sealed Wen Ying’s resolve.
“Got Pan Li’s pregnancy report.”
Late as it was, Luo was still working.
Wen Ying asked him to bring all photos and the report to Deng Shangwei’s neighbourhood.
“I’m confronting my uncle tonight.”
“???”
Luo fired back question marks.
The evidence wasn’t airtight—why couldn’t she wait?
Wen Ying texted she had a plan—just bring the stuff. A minute later, Luo replied, “Okay.”
She stashed her pager. Nearing the neighbourhood, she told Deng Shangwei to pull over.
“Uncle, can we talk?”
His eyes darted. “Little Ying, I haven’t sorted it out yet.”
Wen Ying laughed lightly. “Sorted when? When Lily’s kid’s born and calling you daddy? Will you pay Pan Li off to raise it with Aunt? Or shell out more to make her abort, keeping it from Aunt forever?”
Deng Shangwei slammed the brakes, stunned.
“Little Ying!”
“Uncle, don’t lie—you promised the truth. I’m done with fakes. Talk or not—it’s your call.”
Her tone was icy, alien to him.
He couldn’t believe she’d speak with such biting coldness.
How did she know?
Parking roadside and killing the engine, he racked his brain. Only one answer fit—the one he dreaded: Chen Li knew about Pan Li. Wen Ying knew because of her. Even her sudden summer job at the company—Chen Li’s idea!
He was finished.
Chen Li wouldn’t forgive him.
Eyes red, Deng Shangwei clutched his head in anguish.
Wen Ying sighed from the backseat, sitting still, watching his breakdown with cool detachment.
Men—can’t handle the fallout, so why not think before screwing up?
Half an hour later, Luo roared up on his motorbike. Wen Ying waved. “Here—get in, we’ll talk!”
Deng Shangwei, dazed, didn’t react as Luo climbed in.
Luo expected Wen Ying crying, accusing Deng Shangwei. Instead, Deng Shangwei was the one sobbing… The vibe was downright bizarre!
