The basketball team captain gave Wen Ying tickets to the semi-finals, and Wen Ying wanted to watch the game together with Xie Qian.
Zhendan’s Richest had recommended gourmet restaurants to Wen Ying, and right in front of him, Wen Ying said she would go taste them with Xie Qian.
In that instant, the richest senior experienced the heartbreak of “Rukawa Kaede”.
Junior Sister Wen really knew how to stab little knives into people’s hearts!
The richest senior’s eyes were filled with resentment.
Wen Ying comforted him, “Senior, you’re such a good person. I believe in the future there will definitely be a girl willing to accompany you to check in at those gourmet restaurants.”
There were plenty of good girls. Without Wen Ying, there would be others.
The earth would keep turning without anyone. Wen Ying did not think her position in the richest senior’s heart was irreplaceable.
Sooner or later, he would meet a girl whose eyes were full of only him, who would not let down his enthusiastic recommendations.
Wen Ying packed up her computer and left the study room.
A friend came over and patted Zhendan’s Richest on the shoulder, “Looks like there’s really no chance. Her attitude is very firm; she hasn’t left any room for fantasy for any of you. Alas, there are plenty of fish in the sea. Without Junior Sister Wen, there are other juniors, or you could change your target and go for seniors.”
With the conditions of “Zhendan’s Richest”, he shouldn’t hang himself on one tree!
The richest senior smiled and drank the milk he had prepared for Wen Ying himself.
“You don’t understand.”
Everyone thought that rich second-generations had priority in choosing partners and wouldn’t worry about finding girlfriends.
That was indeed the case.
If they didn’t care about education or the girl’s family background, rich second-generations could even find very beautiful girlfriends!
But what meaning was there in that?
Rich second-generations who could get into Zhendan University were no fools. Beauty depreciates, while their wealth appreciates.
Exchanging ever-increasing wealth for depreciating beauty was, no matter how you looked at it, not a profitable deal.
There were plenty of beautiful girls, but ones with talent like Junior Sister Wen were rare.
Zhendan’s Richest had originally been attracted by Wen Ying’s external qualities, and since many people were pursuing her, he felt chasing Wen Ying had become a “competition”. He was not one to give up easily!
But just now.
Wen Ying had rejected him without ambiguity, seriously telling him that in the future there would be a girl willing to accompany him to check in at gourmet restaurants… Wen Ying’s blessing was sincere, and she even praised him for being a good person.
The richest classmate received a “good person card” for the first time.
He was not dejected. Instead, he experienced intense emotional fluctuations.
Wen Ying’s image in his eyes suddenly became three-dimensional.
No longer just a bestselling author, no longer just a beautiful campus celebrity, no longer merely the junior sister others competed to pursue.
This girl handled emotions decisively, without dragging her feet. Her statements were clear, leaving no room for fantasy for the opposite sex. Compared to those green tea girls who clearly had boyfriends yet still kept backups, the straightforward Wen Ying was like a clear spring.
“You have such good conditions. Keeping a few backups, what harm could it do?”
“The existence of backups could even give that Xie Qian a sense of crisis, making him不敢 easily neglect you.”
After all, if Xie Qian ever slacked off, the backups would have their chance!
Having the conditions to keep backups yet choosing not to, Wen Ying was genuine. She was someone worth befriending.
The richest classmate’s heart beat faster than usual. He murmured, “You might as well not have rejected me.”
What a sin. Being decisively rejected by Wen Ying actually made him truly fall for her!
…
Wen Ying was completely unaware.
Even with Xie Qian’s 745-point college entrance exam intelligence, he could not have calculated that while the potential rivals at Jiaotong University were not yet resolved, another one had sprung up at Zhendan, like bamboo shoots after rain.
Wen Ying had just used an excuse to make the situation clear to “Zhendan’s Richest”. She did not actually plan to have a big meal with Xie Qian. The basketball league started at two o’clock. Wen Ying tossed her computer back in the dorm, grabbed a quick bite, and took a taxi to Jiaotong University.
Xie Qian would arrive a bit later, so Wen Ying stood waiting at the school gate.
Several students passed by, frequently glancing at her.
These students all felt Wen Ying looked familiar.
Wen Ying pulled her hat brim down lower.
At Zhendan University, classmates were already used to having “Fish Against the Current” as a fellow student. Today, coming to Jiaotong to watch the game, Wen Ying still wanted to keep a low profile.
She was accustomed to occasionally being photographed by passersby. Being a celebrity meant these things were unavoidable.
But Xie Qian was not a public figure. He did not like being exposed in the media spotlight, especially in his current state. Wen Ying really did not want Xie Qian to end up in the news because of her.
Xie Qian was just in a wheelchair. Wen Ying herself did not mind, but others would inevitably gossip.
Wen Ying felt she had practically扣 the hat onto her face. Sure enough, the passersby stopped looking at her. She was feeling smug when someone called her name from behind.
“Wen Ying?”
Wen Ying turned and saw it was Song Shao.
“Class monitor!”
Wen Ying checked her watch, “Didn’t you say there was a lecture at your college today?”
Song Shao had always been enthusiastic, and it remained so in university.
Wen Ying had little time for school activities, but Song Shao was different. He had both the energy to study and actively participate in all kinds of school events.
Planning the freshman party, organising various lectures. Song Shao’s abundant energy made Wen Ying envious!
Envy aside, Wen Ying was not surprised.
The Song Shao in her memory was just like this. He shone wherever he went.
“Something unexpected came up. The lecture has been postponed to next week.”
Wen Ying envied Song Shao’s energy, and Song Shao felt Wen Ying looked very spirited too. Running into each other early as old classmates, they inevitably chatted about recent situations.
Song Shao mentioned Xiao Ni coming to Modu.
“I heard Deputy Editor Ni has already submitted her resignation. Once she leaves, my uncle won’t stay in Rongcheng either. You know my uncle. He never had much enthusiasm for work anyway. Before, he forced himself to persist for Song Chan’s schooling. Now…”
Wen Ying continued Song Shao’s words, “Now your uncle’s “Elopement at Dawn” is selling too well. It’s already on its fourth reprint, totalling 1.2 million copies?”
Song Fo Xiang’s “Elopement at Dawn” was not favoured initially, with only 50,000 copies in the first print, priced at 28 yuan per book, signed with an 11% royalty contract.
Wen Ying helped promote it a bit on her blog, and the book exploded in literary criticism circles, back-killing its way into the reader market.
The “scumbag confession style” went viral. From the first reprint of 200,000, to the second of 300,000, third of 350,000, and fourth of 300,000… This all happened within a year of release. Song Fo Xiang earned over three million in royalties from this book alone.
Song Fo Xiang was still the second author signed by Tianjiao. Royalties were just one way he made money. He turned his blog into an emotional advice blog, becoming an emotional guru in the hearts of countless lovesick men and women.
TV stations vied to invite Song Fo Xiang on programs.
Newspapers interviewed him.
Song Fo Xiang was also invited nationwide for meet-and-greets and lectures.
The triple titles of poet + writer + emotional guru were very effective. Wen Ying estimated that in just this short year, the great poet Song had amassed several million in net worth.
This money was more than enough for Song Chan to complete undergraduate and even graduate studies abroad!
As Song Shao said, with several million in his pocket, the great poet Song no longer wanted to work.
He had to work because Xiao Ni was pressuring him.
Xiao Ni was the magazine’s deputy editor, and Song Fo Xiang had transferred to publishing. This did not affect Xiao Ni’s continued authority over him.
Xiao Ni had received an invitation from Zou Weijun and was preparing to resign.
Song Fo Xiang was just short of setting off firecrackers to celebrate.
Since Xiao Ni was quitting anyway, Song Fo Xiang could rightfully stop working too!
Song Shao was worried about this, “The family’s opinion is that having a job can still restrain him a bit. Without one, who knows if he might poke a hole in the sky.”
Wen Ying felt everyone needed work, but work was not limited to clocking in at an office.
The Song family hoped a unit could constrain Song Fo Xiang. Wen Ying thought Song Fo Xiang was already in his forties. Now he could live well through publishing novels and running his blog. There was no need to force him to clock in.
No one could wipe someone’s butt forever. Adults should take responsibility for their own choices.
“How about you try letting go?”
Wen Ying dared not suggest Song Fo Xiang join Zou Weijun’s new cultural company.
Song Fo Xiang would probably be very willing, but Wen Ying was not!
Even when Zou Weijun was not divorced, Song Fo Xiang dared to write love poems. If he learned Zou Weijun was divorced, Song Fo Xiang could instantly become a wild horse off the reins!
Song Shao actually thought similarly to Wen Ying. Those against Song Fo Xiang’s “early retirement” were the rest of the Song family.
Before Song Shao could speak, a car pulled up by the roadside.
With the driver’s help, Xie Qian got out smoothly.
Even if Wen Ying wore a hat, or wrapped herself like a silkworm cocoon, Xie Qian could recognise her.
So he was just a bit late, and Wen Ying had already started chatting with Song Shao?!
Xie Qian’s sense of crisis surged.
A good wheelchair glided silently on the ground. Xie Qian wheeled himself right to Wen Ying’s side.
“Song Shao, long time no see.”
Song Shao turned, quite surprised, “What happened to you…”
“Just a minor injury. It’ll be fine after some recovery.”
Song Shao, after all, was the old class monitor Wen Ying had once written about in her diary. Xie Qian appeared calm on the surface, but he had always set Song Shao to the highest alert level.
Song Shao was an outstanding young man.
This outstanding quality had nothing to do with appearance or wealth. It was his unique personal charm.
Spending a lot of time with such an outstanding young man, friendship turning to love was very normal!
Moreover, Song Shao was particularly open and upright.
Xie Qian had dealt with many in the business world and knew what they were thinking. As long as he made them feel they had gained an advantage, Xie Qian could control the direction of cooperation.
But Xie Qian could not control Song Shao.
Because Song Shao was an exceptionally pure person.
Song Shao’s motivations were not for profit. His purity made him impeccable.
Like now, Xie Qian had already schemed eight hundred ways, but Song Shao seemed oblivious. He expressed concern for Xie Qian’s injury, checked his watch, “Good that it’s nothing serious. The game is about to start. I won’t hold you up. Go watch it.”
“Don’t forget dinner tonight!”
Wen Ying reminded him. Song Shao nodded, “Alright, six o’clock at ‘Xia Wang’. See you there or be square.”
Qin Yi had initially promoted “Xia Wang” in Modu by targeting areas near universities. There happened to be one near Jiaotong University.
Song Shao left. Xie Qian asked how they ended up chatting at the gate. Wen Ying did not think much of it, “Their college lecture was postponed. He had nothing this afternoon… Oh no, I forgot. I should have invited him to watch the game with us!”
Xie Qian reminded her, “We only have two tickets.”
The basketball game did not restrict entry for students from the school. Such sports events thrived on popularity. However, the best viewing seats required tickets for assigned seating.
Wen Ying regretted, “I should have asked for one more ticket.”
Song Shao indeed held a place in Wen Ying’s heart.
Xie Qian watched Song Shao’s retreating figure, feeling a twinge of sourness inside, but he smiled on his face, “There will be opportunities in the future.”
