Mu Fan’s creative state had returned.
When Mu Fan stopped overly pursuing literary depth and no longer twisted himself into knots, he returned to his peak.
“Returned to his peak”—those four words were the editor’s exact phrasing.
Moreover, Mu Fan not pursuing literary depth deliberately did not mean his books lacked it.
Literature does not belong solely to critics, nor is it only highbrow art.
The editor said Mu Fan’s books had become engaging again, with something new and different from before. The “themes” Mu Fan wanted to express were still there, but he had switched to more accessible descriptions, no longer deliberately showing off profundity.
“This will make more readers willing to accept it!”
The editor was truly thrilled.
Before Xie Qian returned to the country, Mu Fan had little time to boost his favourability with Wen Ying. A major reason was that writing his new book consumed most of his energy.
During that period, everything else had to make way for creation.
Without that focus, Mu Fan could not have produced this new work that the editor called “returned to his peak”.
People always gain some and lose some. His creative state had returned, but the chance to increase Wen Ying’s affection was probably lost forever.
Many people fail to understand this principle.
One cannot be too greedy in life. You cannot have it both ways.
Mu Fan could regain his form because he had never stopped writing. He had only been confused about his creative direction. When he let go of that “have it both ways” greed, he easily returned to his former state.
Relationships are different.
A broken mirror cannot be restored to its original state.
Someone who has been greedy in love, even if they want to turn back, is worthless!
Taking advantage of the second court session, Xie Jinghu still came to visit Xie Qian. Xie Qian had just finished rehabilitation and was about to return to school from the hospital when Xie Jinghu cornered him there.
This was the father and son’s first meeting since Xie Qian’s car accident.
Before the accident, Xie Jinghu and Zou Weijun had not yet divorced. Back then, Xie Qian and Xie Jinghu’s relationship was already very poor. Now, Xie Qian was polite to Xie Jinghu, seeming somewhat better than before the divorce—at least on the surface, and provided Xie Jinghu did not adopt a superior attitude this time.
From Xie Qian’s perspective, both he and his mother Zou Weijun had cut ties with Xie Jinghu. Why get angry over an unrelated person?
With a calmer mindset, he naturally became polite towards Xie Jinghu.
Xie Jinghu did not understand this. Seeing Xie Qian willing to speak civilly, he felt genuine delight. Xie Jinghu was still litigating against Sara Zhuo, who refused to return the money pleasantly. This made Xie Jinghu view even Zhuo Chen unfavourably.
Towards Xie Qian, Xie Jinghu unconsciously felt two parts appeasement and three parts compensation.
Xie Qian’s polite attitude led Xie Jinghu to believe his insistence on pursuing Sara Zhuo for the gifts had pleased Xie Qian.
Xie Jinghu even thought that not only Xie Qian could be won over, but Zou Weijun would surely be happy about it too.
Since the divorce, Xie Jinghu had been wondering how to reunite.
Even Assistant Qi could see that “reuniting” was merely Boss Xie’s delusion. Zou Weijun had finally escaped this scumbag. She would run as fast as possible, afraid of being slow. How could she turn back?
But Boss Xie, Boss Xie did not think that way!
Xie Jinghu was appeasing and compensating Xie Qian. Poor Assistant Qi was forced to stand aside, listening to Xie Jinghu inquire about Zou Weijun’s recent situation, wishing he could dig a three-bedroom apartment with his toes on the spot!
How could Boss Xie be so shameless?
How could such a shameless person be his boss?!
Assistant Qi was deeply saddened.
Assistant Qi did not know when his double-agent life would end. He could clearly earn two salaries with less risk than before, yet he found it increasingly unbearable… Thinking it over, perhaps it was because the boss was too foolish?
Assistant Qi listened to Xie Jinghu and Xie Qian making small talk, then shamelessly having the driver follow Xie Qian to school.
Boss Xie was not embarrassed. Assistant Qi’s cheeks burned hot.
At the gate of Fudan University.
Xie Jinghu watched eagerly as Xie Qian got out of the car.
He saw a girl come out from the school and naturally push Xie Qian’s wheelchair towards the campus.
Xie Jinghu frowned. “Isn’t that the one…?”
Assistant Qi’s heart pounded.
Boss Xie had recognised Wen Ying.
Once, when Wen Ying held a book signing in Beijing, Xie Jinghu had deliberately gone to see her.
At that time, Xie Jinghu had not believed Wen Ying was Xie Qian’s girlfriend. Seeing this scene now, Xie Jinghu realised his judgment had been wrong.
Actually, Zhao Dong had not sent false information.
Wen Ying was indeed the person Xie Qian liked… But now, even knowing this, Xie Jinghu’s first reaction was not to cause trouble for Wen Ying.
The situation had changed!
Previously, feeling he had no shortage of sons, he was annoyed just seeing Xie Qian.
Now, this son Xie Qian had become precious again. Xie Jinghu was worried about how to repair their relationship. How could he dare cause trouble for Wen Ying?
Assistant Qi inwardly roasted Xie Jinghu for poor thinking, but actually, this man’s intelligence was not always offline. How could a complete idiot build “Jinhu”?
When Xie Jinghu’s intelligence came online, he thought of trying “circuitous salvation” through Wen Ying.
Xie Jinghu wanted to show goodwill towards Wen Ying.
Wen Ying was stunned by Xie Jinghu’s operation. Holding the text message on her phone, she asked Xie Qian, “During class, I got a call from an unknown number. I missed it, and he sent a text saying he is your father… He said thank you for taking care of you.”
Was this tone really Xie Jinghu?
Wen Ying suspected she had encountered telecom fraud!
Xie Qian glanced at the number and frowned. “It really is him. You don’t need to respond. If he calls again, just block him.”
Wen Ying indeed had no intention of dealing with Xie Jinghu.
Xie Qian and Zou Weijun no longer cared about the company shares in Xie Jinghu’s hands. Wen Ying would not presumptuously maintain any relationship on behalf of the mother and son. Doing things others hated under the guise of “for their own good” was something Wen Ying despised.
So Wen Ying did as Xie Qian suggested.
Xie Jinghu waited and waited, but received no reply from Wen Ying.
He waited again, and when he called Wen Ying once more, he discovered his treatment in her eyes was identical to when calling Zou Weijun.
Xie Jinghu could not believe it.
“How can she be so ill-mannered?”
Assistant Qi thought: Why Wen classmate acted this way—did Boss Xie truly have no self-awareness at all!
This time, it was not entirely Xie Jinghu’s fault.
Half of Xie Jinghu’s confidence in approaching Wen Ying came from Zhang Nan, and the other half from other girls who liked Xie Qian.
Including Zhang Nan, the girls who liked Xie Qian would call him “Uncle Xie” enthusiastically and obediently upon meeting Xie Jinghu!
Wen Ying actually ignored Xie Jinghu!
How dare she?
She truly did not care at all?!
Xie Jinghu was furious.
What made him even angrier was that he had no way to deal with Wen Ying.
Not to mention now, when he was mindful of Xie Qian and dared not do anything to Wen Ying… Even if he did not need to consider Xie Qian… he still could not do anything to her.
He could not shout threats at Wen Ying over such a trivial matter as her ignoring him.
“Jinhu” was indeed a large company, but no company could cover the sky with one hand. Readers loved Wen Ying’s novels. Xie Jinghu could not stop them from buying her books.
That was Wen Ying’s greatest confidence.
Realising this, Xie Jinghu grew even angrier, his face changing colours.
Assistant Qi watched Xie Jinghu’s face twist in anger, taking several deep breaths to forcibly swallow his rage. “Fine, I won’t stoop to a little girl’s level!”
Assistant Qi quickly flattered. “Your time is too precious to waste on such trivial matters. Moreover, the most important thing now is the lawsuit.”
Yes.
The important thing was the lawsuit!
Assistant Qi offered Xie Jinghu a way out.
Unexpectedly, Xie Jinghu tripped on this step—the second court session still did not reach a verdict. Sara Zhuo had hired an expensive and formidable lawyer at great cost. Sara Zhuo herself no longer appeared, fully delegating the case response to this lawyer.
This lawyer was none other than Du Li.
