Checking in with “a good deed a day” left Wen Ying refreshed and energised as she returned to school.
With one block still to go, Wen Ying asked the driver to pull over. “I will walk the rest of the way.”
Visiting the set differed from returning to school.
For the set, Wen Ying needed some presence. She had worried Luo Hao might pester Shui Mingyue if she could not handle him, so she deliberately had Tianjiao’s driver send her.
Unexpectedly, the presence was not used on Luo Hao but on Pei Yiyi.
Pei Yiyi was a clever girl. Four years in the industry meant she had seen pigs run even if she had not eaten pork. She knew the dark sides of entertainment better than Shui Mingyue. Wen Ying’s reminder to Pei Yiyi was for Shui Mingyue’s safety and also for Pei Yiyi’s own.
Wen Ying was not idly meddling with excess energy. She suspected Shui Mingyue’s retirement from writing and Pei Yiyi’s quitting to marry stemmed from the same incident. Then the drama was shelved for five years before airing. Something major, still unclear to Wen Ying now, lay behind it.
Returning to school required no such display. At Zhendan, she was simply a freshman.
Over two months since enrolment, besides attending classes on schedule, Wen Ying’s free time went to two things: writing the second book in the Jiuding series, “Exploring Jing”, and various acts of “meddling in others’ affairs”.
This left her barely recognising classmates’ faces after two months. Some she still could not match names to.
Fortunately, the matters Wen Ying intervened in had not worsened so far.
Before reaching the school gate, Wen Ying received a call from Pang Jinglong.
Pang Jinglong told her that after the divorce judgement took effect, his father had finally cooperated with property transfers after all this time.
“My mum finally has what she deserves…”
At that moment, countless emotions surged in Pang Jinglong’s heart.
The court had issued the judgement, but given his father Pang Zhigang’s character, sweet words might hide delays. Lawyer Liao said forced execution was possible, but it would be too troublesome. Mother and son would waste endless energy on that scumbag. Fortunately, Lawyer Liao followed up, calling Pang Zhigang daily to remind him after the judgement. Pang Zhigang avoided the calls, but Lawyer Liao was unafraid, using other methods to reach him.
The bigamy charge had not been withdrawn yet!
If Pang Zhigang refused property transfer, Lawyer Liao thought he could spend months in jail first, then cooperate after release.
After such prolonged tug-of-war, the assorted properties awarded to Zhang Liqun in the divorce now truly belonged to her!
On the phone, Pang Jinglong’s voice brimmed with youthful vigour. “Mum says she cannot spend too much. She wants me to manage these assets, but I refused. He Zhen can start a business without family help. I already feel bad taking 5 million Mum saved frugally for my venture. In future, I want to follow He Zhen’s example and not take more from Mum. I want to see how far I can go alone.”
The young man eagerly shared his life plans with Wen Ying.
Not long ago, Pang Jinglong’s future seemed unclear.
He Zhen pulled him into entrepreneurship, lighting a lamp in his dim path. The lamp flickered in thick fog, threatened by his own inner demons.
Wen Ying helped his mother Zhang Liqun divorce, removing those demons and clearing the mist!
The moment the divorce judgement arrived, Pang Jinglong’s world turned blue skies and clear waters, filled with birdsong and flowers.
Many wanted to resume friendship with him. Pang Jinglong recognised only He Zhen as true friend.
Many girls sent comforting messages. Pang Jinglong ignored them all. He did not want to deal with those girls. He only wanted to talk with Wen Ying.
Unfortunately, Wen Ying was truly busy.
Pang Jinglong could only contact her actively every couple of days, starting conversations.
After all, Wen Ying had so many friends. Pang Jinglong feared infrequent presence would let others push him aside.
At this stage, Pang Jinglong’s thoughts remained simple. He followed instinct to draw close to Wen Ying, without deeply examining what drove him.
Wen Ying fully approved. “You absolutely should try on your own.”
Wen Ying had heard a saying: do not fear second-generation rich indulging in pleasures. Fear them wanting to start businesses! Pleasures cost little. Unless trapped in gambling schemes, mere indulgence rarely squanders family fortunes. Entrepreneurship differs. Failure can cripple. Worst is addiction, repeated defeats yet battling on, single-handedly dragging the family down. But fearing failure and never trying is choking over a gnat!
Without several attempts, one cannot recognise one’s abilities.
Even if ultimately unsuccessful and unsuited to business or management, at least it builds skills and broadens vision, preventing easy deception later.
Pang Jinglong was thrilled by Wen Ying’s agreement. “I will not take money from Mum. I encourage her to spend it herself. Aunt Zhu and Aunt Dong took her shopping for days. At first she enjoyed it. These past couple days she secretly told me shopping too much feels boring. She wants to do something… What do you think she could do?”
This was not Pang Jinglong making conversation. He genuinely sought Wen Ying’s advice.
Wen Ying’s suggestions might not surpass what Pang Jinglong or Zhang Liqun thought themselves, but Wen Ying’s path would not lead mother and son astray.
Wen Ying considered carefully. “If I were Aunt Zhang, I would divide assets into portions for professionals to manage. But if Aunt Zhang wants to do something herself, that should be encouraged. This question is too rushed for me now. Let me think. In a couple days when we gather for dinner, invite Aunt Zhang. Let everyone share opinions and inspire her. What do you think?”
Pang Jinglong thought it excellent!
Next gathering spot secured, and filial duty fulfilled!
Pang Jinglong wanted more casual chat with Wen Ying, but she had reached the school gate.
Wen Ying had the Tianjiao driver park far away to avoid standing out among Zhendan classmates.
Clearly, others had no such concerns.
A luxury car stopped at the gate. Wen Ying spotted an old acquaintance alighting. This time she confirmed. No mistake last time.
It was Zhao Qian!
What was Zhao Qian doing at Zhendan University?
Wen Ying’s view of Zhao Qian remained her lack of scholarly pursuit. Hard to link her with a prestigious institution like Zhendan.
… Wait, could Zhao Qian be studying at Zhendan too?!
Wen Ying recalled Zhao Qian’s overseas Chinese status, guessing her admission path.
Zhao Qian turned and met Wen Ying’s eyes.
In that instant, shame and annoyance surged in Zhao Qian. She recalled being tricked by Zhuo Yue into attending Wen Ying’s lucky reader meetup, forced into “Searching for Yong” merchandise to cheer for Wen Ying. Utter humiliation!
Yes, even more humiliating than Xie Qian rejecting her advances!
Wen Ying saw Zhao Qian but showed no fear.
Sara Zhuo’s current focus should be countering Xie Jinghu’s lawsuit. With Xie Qian and Zou Weijun protected by those four clauses, Sara Zhuo and Zhang Zhijun could not easily scheme short-term.
So why was Zhao Qian at Zhendan?
China had so many universities. Why choose Zhendan… Was Zhao Qian still not over Xie Qian, or did Zhao Dong cling to Sara Zhuo as ally?
As Wen Ying thought this, Zhao Qian bent to speak into the back seat. When the door opened again, Wen Ying saw the long-unseen Boss Zhao.
Summer 2004, Zhao Dong arrived in luxury car seeking Wen Ying, offering to fund overseas study if she yielded “Xie Qian friend” spot to sister Zhao Qian.
Wen Ying thought him delusional then.
No, Zhao Dong was not just delusional. Likely poisoned by foreign aristocracy films and high society airs. He approached arrogantly, affected.
Initially, Zhao Dong stayed in the car, sending driver to invite Wen Ying aboard.
Wen Ying refused to indulge such lunacy, forcing reluctant Zhao Dong out to speak.
Three years passed.
Perhaps social beatings humbled Zhao Dong’s pretence, or Wen Ying’s risen value made him willing to move his precious rear this time upon seeing her.
Zhao Dong stood by the car, staring intently at Wen Ying, clearly wanting words.
Wen Ying… gazed straight ahead, passing the Zhao siblings as if unseen.
Zhao Qian fumed. “Hey, are you blind? My brother wants to ask you something!”
Wen Ying ignored her. Zhao Dong rebuked Zhao Qian. “Where are your manners and upbringing? Speak politely to others. Classmate Wen Ying, we meet again. Interested in chatting with me?”
Zhao Dong quickened steps, circling to block Wen Ying’s path.
Wen Ying finally looked squarely at the scum. “What could Boss Zhao possibly discuss with a nobody like me?”
Zhao Dong smiled amiably. “We have much to discuss. Xie family matters, Zhang family matters… Things concerning Xie Qian. Not interested at all?”
