The lackey Aunt Tang’s reliability with her mouth no longer concerned the female secretary. The female secretary had borne two sons for Boss Pang and had no intention of being kicked aside by him at this age.
Boss Pang now refused to divorce. How could the female secretary possibly agree!
Successfully divorcing Boss Pang was now not only the goal of the original wife Zhang Liqun, but also that of the mistress, the female secretary.
What the female secretary envisioned was for Boss Pang to divorce. After the divorce… she would make her plans slowly. With two sons in hand, Boss Pang would not easily shake her off!
On his side, Boss Pang was still analysing why he had failed.
He had clearly changed, yet his wife Zhang Liqun remained cold-hearted. Even his in-laws were unmoved by soft or hard tactics.
Everything felt so illogical.
The lawyer, having handled many cases, knew a housewife would not undergo such a drastic change overnight.
Zhang Liqun’s transformation was so profound that someone must be advising her from behind the scenes.
“Putting other things aside, your wife’s proxy lawyer is not someone an ordinary person could hire. I looked into Liao Shiyan’s background. He usually takes cases in the southwest region.”
The lawyer did not suspect Wen Ying. A legal illiterate nouveau riche like Boss Pang would never take a young girl seriously.
Boss Pang suspected Zhu Xiao and Dong Runfang the most.
These two women had suddenly appeared. Wherever his wife Zhang Liqun went, these two followed. They must be the ones giving Zhang Liqun ideas!
Secondly, Boss Pang suspected the He family.
Boss Pang had seen He Zhen in court.
He Zhen, a young man, did not have much capability himself. It was likely that hypocrite He Zhinian pulling strings behind the scenes.
“He Zhinian, oh He Zhinian. I treated you as a friend, yet you act so dishonourably!”
Boss Pang cursed loudly.
This hearing did not result in a divorce judgment because the luxury items of Zhang Liqun needed appraisal for authenticity. The next hearing might well grant it.
Boss Pang told the lawyer to find a way. The lawyer thought seriously and said they should first eliminate the factors encouraging Zhang Liqun to divorce.
“Lawyer Liao cannot be driven away. The others can be tried.”
Boss Pang gritted his teeth. “Good. I will have people investigate those two women. I will personally talk to He Zhinian!”
Whether to divorce or not was his and Zhang Liqun’s business. What did it have to do with He Zhinian?
If He Zhinian insisted on meddling in his family affairs, could he be having an affair with his wife?
Regardless of whether there was an affair or not, Boss Pang decided to use this accusation to force He Zhinian to stop helping!
One after another, they wanted to oppose him, Pang Zhigang. Did they not consider that if he were easy to provoke, he could have built such a vast enterprise?
On the way back, Boss Pang’s vicious gaze made even the lawyer tremble with fear.
Hey, hey, hey, hey. The elimination I meant was not that kind of elimination. Has Boss Pang misunderstood?!
…
Wen Ying had observed the first hearing and knew the divorce case was largely settled. She shed her mental burden and prepared to report to school.
Seeing the time was about right, Wen Ying bid farewell to everyone, hailed a taxi, and left with a wave.
She departed so carefree. Zhang Liqun and the others watched the taxi disappear down the street.
“We have not properly thanked little Wen yet. These days, she has been running around tirelessly.”
Zhang Liqun’s eyes grew moist.
The elderly Zhang couple agreed deeply, nodding emphatically.
“Little Wen helped enormously!”
Without Wen Ying’s reminder, Old Zhang felt he would certainly have been deceived by Pang Zhigang.
Pang Jinglong reluctantly withdrew his gaze. “It is fine. She cannot run away. There will always be opportunities to thank her later.”
Wen Ying had invested in He Zhen’s startup. With this connection, Pang Jinglong would have plenty of chances to thank her.
Wen Ying now had fame and money. She seemed to need no help from others. But life is long, and everyone encounters bumps. Pang Jinglong believed he would have a chance to “repay the favour”.
He Zhen felt his childhood friend’s gaze towards Wen Ying was somewhat unusual.
He wanted to remind Pang Jinglong but did not know where to start.
Wen Ying was indeed a girl with great personal charm.
Pang Jinglong was in difficulty. Wen Ying descended from the heavens to help him escape it. It was normal for Pang Jinglong to develop romantic thoughts.
He Zhen did not mention Wen Ying. Instead, he reminded Pang Jinglong, “Your father will not agree to divorce so easily. I heard that when he first started business, he was ruthless. He once sent a group of workers to smash someone’s factory.”
He Zhen had already spoken quite tactfully.
Pang Zhigang had not only smashed a factory. In that conflict, the opposing factory owner’s family member was severely injured.
The environment back then was different from now. Afterwards, the workers claimed it was spontaneous. Pang Zhigang compensated a little money and faced no further consequences.
The factory owner involved with Pang Zhigang was frightened. Unable to provoke him, he could only avoid competition in the same business.
He Zhinian had heard of this matter, but Pang Zhigang never admitted it outright. This time returning to the country, He Zhinian specifically warned He Zhen.
Lawyer Liao pondered. “This does indeed require caution. He stands to lose so much money. It is normal for him to be unwilling.”
Lawyer Liao had handled cases where someone killed their wife to avoid divorce.
Logically, as the party with major fault, Pang Zhigang meant Zhang Liqun could claim more property. After learning Pang Zhigang’s character, Lawyer Liao still advised Zhang Liqun to settle for an equal split of joint marital property.
Claiming more would not yield much extra. Securing half the property and severing ties with Pang Zhigang was better than anything.
…
Wen Dongrong had already transferred to work in Jinling. During this period, following his leader everywhere, even with reduced distance, he was too busy to accompany Wen Ying to school registration. Chen Ru had time to come, but Wu Chunqin persuaded her not to bother.
“It is just registration. Wen Ying is such a grown girl. Can she not handle this small matter? Besides, there is me.”
If Wen Ying were attending another university, Wu Chunqin might not dare guarantee. But Wen Ying chose Fudan. Wu Chunqin was extremely familiar with it.
Chen Ru thought it made sense.
Other out-of-town students had parents accompany them for registration. Half the reason was lack of experience far from home. The other half was parents wanting to see the university their child got into.
Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong had long visited Fudan’s campus. Wen Ying was very familiar with Shanghai. She did not even need to transport luggage from afar. Indeed, parental accompaniment was unnecessary.
Thus, Chen Ru entrusted Wen Ying’s freshman registration to Wu Chunqin.
Wen Ying had paid the down payment. Chen Ru bought two apartments in Shanghai. Both were currently rented out. Chen Ru thought to reclaim one from renting so Wen Ying could stay on weekends.
Wen Ying found it troublesome. “I cannot stay Monday to Friday anyway. I would still need someone to clean. Forget it. Keep renting them out. I may not even go on weekends.”
Not only Fudan University, almost all universities in Shanghai required freshmen to live on campus.
For special circumstances not living on campus, an application to the school was needed.
Wen Ying had no intention of seeking special treatment for now.
Monday to Friday, she had no need for off-campus housing. On weekends, she either had activities or needed to handle company matters. Most likely, she would remain a frequent hotel guest.
Hearing Wen Ying say this, Chen Ru’s thoughts diverged to other reasons. She immediately dropped the idea of reclaiming a house for Wen Ying to live in.
Wen Ying’s registration was straightforward. Wu Chunqin knew the process well. They completed the procedures quickly.
Some people recognised Wen Ying. They greeted her. A couple asked if she could sign autographs, speaking politely and restrained.
Wu Chunqin smiled warmly. “Are you not a little disappointed? Your classmates are not enthusiastic enough about chasing stars.”
“Very good. This is exactly the campus life I want.”
Wen Ying did not mind her fellow students’ lack of enthusiasm. She feared too much enthusiasm.
If blocked daily for signatures, with crowds screaming wherever she went like at a signing event, Wen Ying estimated she would drop out before graduating.
This was why Li Mengjiao applied to Shanghai Theatre Academy.
With Li Mengjiao’s fame, normal university life was impossible.
This year, Shanghai Theatre Academy registration was two days earlier than Fudan. Two days ago, when Li Mengjiao handled enrolment, media and fans guarded the school gate. Tianjiao arranged many security personnel to let Li Mengjiao enter safely.
Afterwards, Li Mengjiao repeatedly exclaimed, “Too scary.” Such a situation would never happen at the provincial key high school in Rongcheng.
Li Mengjiao found it strange.
At the provincial key school, fans would wait at the gate hoping for an encounter with Li Mengjiao, but never in large media groups squatting.
“Is it because I am more famous now?”
“No. Because you are an adult now.”
University differs from high school.
High school students are minors needing protection.
Li Mengjiao always maintained a good student image. Media dared not swarm the provincial key school in Rongcheng. “Studying is most important” is the consensus in China.
University is different.
University offers more freedom. Li Mengjiao is no longer a minor. Media will no longer give her special treatment.
Wen Ying recounted Li Mengjiao’s lively registration to Wu Chunqin. Wu Chunqin merely smiled. “University is a very important period. You will all change. This is just the beginning. I hope you all remain true to your original intentions.”
Wen Ying felt she would not change her original intentions. This was her second time attending university!
But her friends were experiencing university for the first time.
Like Wang Shuang, who had matured considerably over just one summer.
Li Mengjiao too would certainly change during university.
After completing procedures, Wen Ying received a call from Xie Qian.
Xie Qian did not come for registration today.
Wen Ying was unsure how Xie Qian handled it.
Delayed registration or immediate leave of absence?
Would the school agree?!
“I asked my cousin-in-law to help handle it. He will negotiate with the school. The outcome should not be too bad.”
For the school, Xie Qian could no longer use the excuse of discussing projects abroad to skip registration. No matter how high his gaokao score, he could not challenge school rules with it.
But if severely injured in a car accident abroad requiring delayed enrolment… with Xie Qian’s gaokao score of 745, negotiation was possible.
Wen Ying’s imagination ran wild. “If this were an idol drama, you would surely descend from the sky at the last moment and appear before me. Hahaha!”
Xie Qian: “…”
Descend from the sky how?
Lying on a hospital bed, lowered by rope from a helicopter onto the school field?!
Xie Qian pictured the scene and shocked himself senseless.
“Idol dramas are fantasy. Life is reality.”
Xie Qian tried convincing Wen Ying to abandon such unrealistic fantasies. Halfway through, he could not help confirming with Wen Ying. “You do not really like idol drama lifestyles, do you?”
Xie Qian personally rejected them.
But if the hamster liked it, he probably, perhaps, might cooperate with the hamster’s special hobby.
Wen Ying shuddered herself. “I do not like it. I prefer keeping my feet on the ground!”
Some say when girls say “no”, they mean “yes”. It is girls’ duplicity, a little romantic fun between lovers.
Xie Qian breathed a sigh of relief. The hamster was not an ordinary girl. She had no habit of saying one thing and meaning another.
Thinking this, Xie Qian remained somewhat uncertain.
