Terrifying!
In the blink of an eye, his net worth had tripled.
Wen Ying’s impression of Mu Fan kept changing.
She had been far too naïve.
The reason Mu Fan no longer cared about novel sales was not only because he now sought higher artistic standards, but also because his properties all over the country had basically already granted him financial freedom!
When you have more than enough money anyway, of course you do whatever you want.
The obsession with buying property wasn’t limited to Mu Fan; Shui Mingyue loved it too.
Shui Mingyue’s voice remained soft and gentle, yet her words were extremely practical. “Just because readers like my books now doesn’t mean they always will. Apart from romance I can’t write anything else, so sooner or later my royalties will shrink. I’m really quite slow-witted and not good at other jobs, so I have to prepare a fallback plan for myself.”
Shui Mingyue liked buying property, but not residential flats; she preferred shop units. Her retirement plan was to become a landlady collecting rent.
Of course, because she had bought the units early, Shui Mingyue’s assets were also steadily appreciating.
Since both Mu Fan and Shui Mingyue had spilled their secrets, everyone turned in unison to look at Wen Ying.
Last year Wen Ying had ranked third on the “Writers’ Wealth List”!
With all that money earned, how on earth had Wen Ying arranged hers?
Thinking of Wen Ying’s age, Mu Fan boldly guessed, “Did you hand it all over to your parents? Most of my royalties went into property, and more than half of that was because of my mum’s influence.”
No.
I secretly used my royalties to buy shares in Tianjiao. Surprised?
Wen Ying didn’t want to publicly recount how she had defied her parents, so she answered vaguely, “Something like that. I followed my parents’ advice and made some investments. So far they’ve appreciated too…”
There was no class that evening, the perfect chance for everyone to bond. The gossip arena had already shifted from the canteen to the lounge area of the dormitory building.
Everyone still wanted to pry more about Wen Ying when her phone rang.
Wen Ying stepped aside to take the call.
It was Zhang Nan, who complained that Wen Ying was being unfair. “You came to Beijing and didn’t even tell us?”
“Even if I didn’t say anything, with your sources skills you’d still find out!”
Why hadn’t she told Zhang Nan?
Because Xie Qian was wary of Zhang Zhijun, of course.
She couldn’t say that reason aloud. Fortunately Zhang Nan was easy to placate. As soon as Wen Ying praised her for being well-informed, Zhang Nan became smug. “Of course, my sources are unbeatable. Actually I do need to talk to you about something. The gaokao results are coming out soon, and I wanted to know… never mind, I’ll tell you in person when I see you!”
Zhang Nan asked Wen Ying for her location and said she wanted to come over and hang out.
Wen Ying explained she had classes all day. Zhang Nan, ever carefree, replied, “Then I’ll come in the evening. I definitely won’t disturb you.”
Fine. If Zhang Nan insisted on coming, Wen Ying couldn’t stop her.
To Wen Ying’s surprise, barely ten minutes after hanging up, the gate guard announced someone was looking for her.
Wen Ying was stunned. Had that silly swan Zhang Nan arrived that fast?!
“Sorry everyone, a friend is here to see me. I’ll be back soon.”
The group was deep in conversation and told her to hurry back.
Wen Ying went out of the campus gate but saw no sign of Zhang Nan. A man stood quietly beneath a streetlamp. When Wen Ying recognised him she froze.
The gate guard double-checked with her. “You do know this person, right? Leaving campus after dark requires registration. You must return by ten thirty, otherwise I’ll have to inform your teacher!”
Wen Ying nodded. “Yes, I know him.”
Knowing him was one thing; being familiar was another.
The visitor was not Zhang Nan, but Zhong Yong.
Wen Ying had first heard the name “Zhong Yong” from Xie Qian. The first share transfer document from Xie Jinghu had been delivered to Rongcheng by Zhong Yong, who happened to run into Yue Shanshan bringing people to extort Wen Ying.
Xie Qian had dealt with the matter, and Zhong Yong had been obliged to do the same.
Xie Qian had said Zhong Yong was exceptionally capable and meticulous.
Later, when Xie Jinghu and Song FoXiang got into a fight, it was Zhong Yong who had escorted Xie Jinghu to the hospital to apologise to Song FoXiang. So Wen Ying had not only heard of Zhong Yong, she had met him in person.
Now the question was: why had Zhong Yong come looking for her?!
Zhong Yong smiled warmly. “Student Wen, do I need to introduce myself?”
Wen Ying shook her head. “No need, Secretary Zhong. What brings you here?”
Zhong Yong pointed across the road. “There’s a tea house over there. Shall we talk inside?”
Zhong Yong was Xie Yuping’s secretary. Even Xie Qian had praised his competence. Xie Yuping had always firmly supported Xie Qian. Wen Ying could think of no reason why Zhong Yong would want to harm her.
She followed him openly into the tea house opposite.
Zhong Yong led her to a quiet private room where a middle-aged man was already seated.
The man had stern features, neatly trimmed hair of moderate length, an old-fashioned watch, and a short-sleeved white shirt. This style of dress was all too familiar to Wen Ying. Ten or more years later, netizens would call it “bureau-level swagger”.
Old Wen was a devoted fan of “bureau-level swagger” dressing, although right up until Wen Ying’s rebirth he had never actually reached bureau level. That never stopped him wearing the look year after year.
Just because Old Wen never made it didn’t mean the middle-aged man in the room hadn’t.
The man tried hard to appear approachable. “Xiao Wen, isn’t it? Sit down first and we’ll talk. Secretary Zhong didn’t interrupt anything by calling you out, did he? Oh yes, I haven’t introduced myself yet. Do you know who I am?”
Wen Ying took a deep breath. “Hello, Uncle Xie. I know who you are.”
Why hadn’t Zhong Yong told her Xie Yuping was here?
Even Xie Qian hadn’t given her a heads-up.
For someone as busy and powerful as Xie Yuping to suddenly want to see her, Wen Ying naturally felt nervous.
Xie Yuping could sense her unease.
And that was already very good!
Despite her nerves, Wen Ying sat down calmly and openly. Many people became stiff in his presence; Wen Ying was already remarkably composed.
Xie Yuping smiled. “It seems Xie Qian talks about family matters with you quite often. I’m here for no other reason than to meet you and hear how Xie Qian has been getting on while studying in Rongcheng. That’s all right, isn’t it?”
That was all?
Wen Ying nodded without hesitation. “Of course, Uncle Xie. Whatever you’d like to know, as long as I’m allowed to say it, I’ll tell you everything.”
Xie Yuping’s smile grew wider.
Wen Ying was not only a talented young woman, but a bold one too.
She would speak freely about what she could, and never reveal a single word she shouldn’t?
To say she was completely unaware of Xie Yuping’s status would clearly be wrong.
Her own father worked in the system; she had grown up surrounded by it. Wen Ying couldn’t possibly be clueless.
Precisely because she understood, yet still adopted this attitude, Xie Yuping wanted to laugh. Regardless of anything else, feelings are mutual. Xie Qian valued this girl, and the girl protected Xie Qian just as fiercely!
True to his word, Xie Yuping chatted with Wen Ying for half an hour, speaking only about Xie Qian, with the occasional concerned enquiry about Zou Weijun.
Towards the end, Wen Ying relaxed her guard a little. Suddenly Xie Yuping asked, “Xiao Wen, have you thought about your future plans? I know you’re already very successful now, but you still have a long life ahead of you…”
