Zhao Dong was very sincere.
In America, even elections could be manipulated by capital; anything in this world could be bought with money.
Those who say money can’t buy family, friendship, or love are deluding themselves—it’s not that it can’t be bought, it’s that the price isn’t high enough… With money paving the way, Zhao Dong faced no obstacles. This approach worked wonders abroad, but after returning to China, he noticed a difference.
After hitting a few walls, Zhao Dong realised the importance of networks in China.
America is a money-driven society, while China is a favour-driven one. Sometimes in China, you can’t even find a way to give a gift, but a word from a friend or acquaintance can smooth things over effortlessly.
Still, considering Wen Ying’s age, Zhao Dong didn’t think she could resist his “sincerity.”
Wen Ying had just finished her morning run and was about to grab breakfast when a black car slowed to a stop beside her. The driver asked her to get in, and Wen Ying bristled with caution.
“Kidnapping a minor is against the law.”
“…”
The driver looked exasperated.
Kids these days watch too many dramas—always jumping to kidnapping.
Who’d kidnap someone in a luxury car in the middle of a busy district?
“Mr. Zhao, this—”
The rear window rolled down, Zhao Dong revealed his identity and invited Wen Ying into the car again.
Sure enough, after she’d told off his sister yesterday, the brother showed up today.
Wen Ying wasn’t getting in.
What if Zhao Xi’s brother was a nutcase who drove her to some deserted spot and beat her up to avenge Zhao Xi? Who’d she turn to for justice then?
“I don’t get into strangers’ cars.”
Wen Ying stood firm, and Zhao Dong laughed in frustration, “Do you really think you’re that likely to be kidnapped?”
Wen Ying answered him earnestly, “I think it’s pretty likely. I’m young and healthy, even if my family’s poor and can’t pay much ransom, my organs could fetch a decent price on the black market.”
“…”
Zhao Dong realised something—though Wen Ying was young, she had a knack for controlling the situation. One slip, and you’d be led astray by her train of thought.
That must be one of her strengths.
Zhao Xi didn’t have that ability, no wonder she’d come home crying after Wen Ying got to her yesterday.
With Wen Ying around, Zhao Xi would never stand a chance at catching Xie Qian’s attention.
This first encounter prompted Zhao Dong to quickly revise his prepared “sincerity.”
He simply got out of the car and walked alongside Wen Ying on the street.
“Let’s keep this short. Xi Xi really likes Xie Qian, and your presence is getting in the way of her bonding with him.”
Zhao Dong paused, then made it blunter:
“I had someone look into your family background. For someone like you, it’s rare to be friends with Xie Qian and a few of Rongcheng’s rich kids. But if you’re smart, you’ll realise that when you’re young, people might overlook family differences and mess around together. The older you get, the more practical your ‘friends’ will become. Unless your family leaps several rungs in the next decade, the gap between you and your ‘friends’ will widen. You think you’re one of them, but really, you’re just briefly crossing paths.”
Wen Ying had worried she wasn’t good enough to keep up with Xie Qian, to maintain their friendship, to influence him, to change his tragic fate.
But she’d never really thought about their family differences.
Matching family status only matters when it’s time to talk marriage… What was this Zhao Dong thinking, insulting her pure friendship with Xie Qian?
Wen Ying suppressed her anger, “So what’s your brilliant idea, Mr. Zhao?”
If Zhao Dong said she wasn’t qualified to be Xie Qian’s friend, Wen Ying wouldn’t spare him any face.
Someone Xie Qian himself said he “didn’t know” had no right to dictate who Xie Qian could befriend!
“I’d like to sponsor you.”
Zhao Dong’s words caught Wen Ying off guard:
“If you’re willing, I can fund your studies abroad. Improving your family takes your relatives’ effort, but improving yourself is easier. If you become exceptional, you might actually break into the circle your ‘friends’ belong to. Then, you’d share their topics, their mindset, and no one would look down on you for a less wealthy or powerful family.”
Wen Ying couldn’t help giving Zhao Dong a second look.
This Zhao Dong was odd.
Arrogant one moment, yet treating her like someone capable of making her own decisions, breaking down the harsh realities adults face—
“If I go abroad, it gives your sister Zhao Xi the chance to take over my friend group?”
Zhao Dong didn’t hide it, “Exactly. It’s an open scheme you can see through. A better future requires some sacrifices—it’s up to you to choose.”
So it wasn’t a threat, but a bribe.
Wen, the great lawyer, felt oddly valued.
Strange as it was, since her rebirth, those around her had noticed changes. Uncle Deng Shangwei spoke to her more as an equal, no longer treating her like an ignorant minor.
Boss Qin liked her.
Mr. Wang admired her.
Detective Luo took her advice.
But none of them treated her as fully independent, unlike Zhao Dong, who was discussing life-altering choices with her… Being recognised by a potential villain felt bizarre.
Bizarre or not, Wen Ying flat-out rejected Zhao Dong’s offer:
“It sounds nice, but Mr. Zhao, you’re investing so much—it’s not just about supporting your sister’s crush, is it? I hear you’re a businessman. Every penny you spend on me, you’d expect to claw back from Xie Qian. Your open scheme? I’m not interested. I hope you and your sister stay out of my sight.”
Wen Ying was genuinely furious.
Xie Qian was too perfect.
So perfect that fangirls gathered online, building a Tieba forum in his name just to have a place to gush.
So perfect that, years later, hearing of his death out of the blue still gripped Wen Ying’s heart.
She could accept people liking Xie Qian, even lots of people liking him at once. Something so wonderful shouldn’t be appreciated by her alone, nor should it be hers to hoard!
But people approaching Xie Qian to calculate what they could gain from him? That, Wen Ying couldn’t stomach.
Zhao Dong wanted her to stay away from Xie Qian… Ha, in his dreams. She’d be a stinking, stubborn rock, planted by Xie Qian’s side, blocking out every schemer.
As long as she was around, the Zhao family could forget about getting near Xie Qian!
Zhao Dong could sense Wen Ying’s simmering rage.
She stormed off, leaving Zhao Dong standing there.
The driver asked where to go next.
Zhao Dong gave an address, settling back into the car, muttering to himself, “This girl’s sharp and tough, but not remotely likable. With her around, Xi Xi won’t succeed.”
The driver cautiously glanced at Zhao Dong’s expression in the rearview mirror.
—Mr. Zhao knows China’s a society under the rule of law, right?
Of course Zhao Dong knew China operated under the law. He had no intention of harming Wen Ying. Since she wouldn’t take the open scheme, he’d have to resort to a hidden one.
A clever little girl like her, trapped at the bottom her whole life, living a predictable, dead-end existence—wouldn’t that be painful?
Good, it should be.
People who overestimate themselves, regardless of gender or age, need a wake-up call.
