“I am coming right away, very soon. Listen to me. Do not panic now. As soon as you hang up my call, report it to the police. What? You cannot report it? Nonsense. You can always report to the police in any situation. The police deter bad people and are an important way for you to save yourselves when in trouble… Yes, you must report it. The police will get there faster than me.”
Only after receiving a firm affirmation from the other side did Wen Ying hang up the phone.
Earlier, it seemed someone wanted to speak to her?
A tall person holding a basketball.
Oh, never mind. That is not important. There are more urgent matters now!
Wen Ying hailed a taxi at the school gate and got in.
The caller ID on Wen Ying’s side showed “Pei Yiyi”, but the person who made the call was Pei Yiyi’s assistant.
The assistant said Pei Yiyi was in trouble.
At such a time, the assistant’s first reaction was to call Pei Yiyi’s agency, but the manager’s phone was turned off. Pei Yiyi’s assistant was utterly desperate. Not long ago, the manager had personally dropped Sister Yiyi here. How could the manager turn off the phone during such a dinner?
Pei Yiyi said the manager was unreliable and that what was happening might be tacitly approved by the manager and the company!
In despair, Pei Yiyi thought of Wen Ying.
Honestly, in this situation, Wen Ying probably could not help much, could she?
Wen Ying was just a writer, after all.
A bestselling writer could make money and have popularity, able to influence casting in film and TV dramas to some extent.
But that was all.
Pei Yiyi did not want to drag Wen Ying into trouble.
But what if Wen Ying really could help?
Wen Ying had said that girls should protect themselves well and could call her for help when needed… Pei Yiyi thought, why not try?
That day on set, Wen Ying had a dedicated car picking her up, looking quite influential.
With no time to think further, Pei Yiyi instructed the assistant to seek help from Wen Ying and to tell the truth!
The assistant was panicking too. When the call to Wen Ying connected, she stammered out the situation. Only after Wen Ying instructed her to report to the police immediately did the assistant remember to mention that Shui Mingyue was also at the dinner.
Wen Ying was truly shocked by this sentence, her scalp tingling.
The taxi driver asked Wen Ying where she was going, and she instinctively gave the address of Tianjiao.
Fearing the assistant might weigh pros and cons and abandon reporting, Wen Ying called the police herself. She described the situation as very serious, repeatedly emphasising it was not a false alarm and that the parties’ phones might not stay connected.
Wen Ying’s concern proved justified.
After reporting, when she called Pei Yiyi’s phone again, she only heard the prompt “The number you dialled is switched off.”
Wen Ying called Shui Mingyue next. Shui Mingyue’s phone was not off, but no one answered.
Wen Ying had considered that Shui Mingyue’s retirement from writing, Pei Yiyi’s withdrawal from the industry, and that drama’s five-year delay in airing might be connected, but she had not imagined the two would encounter trouble together!
Even with prior caution, could she still not change these two girls’ fateful paths from their previous lives?
Wen Ying’s heart ached for Shui Mingyue and for Pei Yiyi. She even thought of Xie Qian abroad.
Though Shui Mingyue and Pei Yiyi’s trajectories had nothing to do with Xie Qian, Wen Ying’s thoughts inevitably spread. She did not know what happened to Shui Mingyue and Pei Yiyi in their previous lives; she only knew their later “outcomes”. Similarly, she still did not know what Xie Qian experienced in his previous life; she only knew the “endpoint” of his fate.
These emotions left Wen Ying despondent.
“Hey, your phone is ringing!”
The driver’s words snapped Wen Ying back. Her phone was indeed ringing.
The caller was Xie Qian.
Xie Qian usually did not call Wen Ying at this time. He had flexible hours abroad, while Wen Ying had classes and writing in China. He always followed her schedule.
Wen Ying attributed this call to some mystical connection.
After connecting, before Xie Qian could speak, Wen Ying briefly explained the situation.
Hearing that Wen Ying had already reported to the police, then Pei Yiyi’s phone was off and Shui Mingyue’s unanswered, Xie Qian sensed the gravity.
From the most rational standpoint, Xie Qian should advise Wen Ying not to go.
Pei Yiyi and Shui Mingyue were young women, and so was Wen Ying!
But Xie Qian did not advise her against going.
Putting himself in her shoes, if it were Wang Shuang or Peng Guoqing, those two fools, in danger, Xie Qian could analyse pros and cons rationally but could not calmly direct from afar without going to the scene himself.
So, he could not persuade Wen Ying, nor did he want to.
Xie Qian’s mind raced. “You cannot go alone. You need someone with you. Who do you want to find?”
“I want to find Teacher Yuan. She knows the ins and outs of the industry.”
Yuan Fenghui knew far more than just the twists in the circle; she had likely seen too many similar situations.
Wen Ying was heading to Tianjiao by taxi for this reason. She planned to explain on the way and set off with Yuan Fenghui immediately upon arrival.
“Finding Teacher Yuan is right. How about this? I will call Gong Sheng and have him accompany you. Gong Sheng used to be a broker and knows all sorts from various walks. He can help. For the rest… you go first. I will call Secretary Zhong too.”
Xie Qian’s thinking was clear, his voice calm. These arrangements deserved full marks!
Even Wen Ying did not know that Xie Qian was actually anxious inside.
For the first time, Xie Qian regretted deciding to go abroad for treatment.
He went abroad to take troubles away from Wen Ying, hoping to clarify the chaotic situation.
Troubles had indeed moved away from Wen Ying, but he had become her “phone friend”.
In today’s matter, if Xie Qian had not called by chance, Wen Ying might have told him only after resolving it. This was not Wen Ying’s fault; it was because he was too far away. He did not want Wen Ying to worry, and she similarly avoided making him worry.
A bitter ache spread in Xie Qian’s heart.
In this sense, he was actually inferior to the basketball team captain at Shendan University who pursued Wen Ying, the rich second-generation student, and the talented guy from the journalism department.
At least when Wen Ying was in trouble, these three suitors could come at a moment’s notice.
They might not truly help, but accompanying her through these matters was support in itself!
Xie Qian suppressed the bitterness and said calmly, “Contact Teacher Yuan first. I will call Gong Sheng. We stay in touch. Tell me any new developments promptly.”
“Okay!”
Wen Ying called Yuan Fenghui, who was indeed still at the company.
Wen Ying briefly explained. Yuan Fenghui sneered coldly, “Some beasts are like that. Fair trades are not thrilling enough, so they prefer forcing others. Good timing. When you asked me to check Luo Hao, I also looked into the investors for Shui Mingyue’s drama. Come over. I will ask around first.”
Xie Qian had enlisted Gong Sheng and planned to contact Zhong Yong.
Yuan Fenghui knew the investors and could gather information.
Though Pei Yiyi’s phone remained off, Wen Ying felt less panicked.
With so many people mobilising, something could surely change!
Just as Wen Ying arrived downstairs at Tianjiao, Gong Sheng called her proactively. After confirming the address, Gong Sheng said he would head there first. Based on the assistant’s information, the location was over two hours’ drive from the capital.
“I have a few friends there. I will ask them to go first.”
“Thank you, really, thank you so much!”
Oh, what is there to thank for?
Gong Sheng later vaguely realised why Xie Qian had spent hugely to buy two riverside penthouses at once!
So, aside from his own sense of justice, Gong Sheng knew he was helping the future lady boss. He truly wished to exert all his efforts.
Wen Ying took the elevator upstairs. Yuan Fenghui had already assembled the team.
Little Brother Ma from security puffed out his chest, followed by several strong security personnel.
“Let’s go. We will take a minivan. I understand the rough situation. I will explain slowly on the way.”
Yuan Fenghui’s expression was somewhat grave. Wen Ying nodded. “Talking while moving saves time. Xie Qian has also found people to help.”
Wen Ying and Yuan Fenghui, plus Little Brother Ma’s security team, perfectly filled a seven-seat minivan.
Little Brother Ma drove personally.
Driving was a skill Little Brother Ma learned only after joining Tianjiao.
Normally, Wen Ying would encourage him, but today she was in no mood.
“Teacher Yuan, what exactly is the situation there? Tell me quickly.”
…
Abroad.
Xie Qian made several calls in a row.
Gong Sheng and Zhong Yong were the ones he needed. For the first time, Xie Qian proactively called President Peng.
From Zhang Liqun’s divorce, it was clear President Peng knew the local chamber of commerce president and had considerable connections there.
When Xie Qian sought help, Peng Ningkang did not hesitate or think it excessive.
After all, if Xie Qian mobilised so much for other friends today, he could do the same for Peng Guoqing tomorrow.
“I will have someone check the situation immediately.”
With Peng Ningkang’s promise, Xie Qian felt slightly relieved.
Xie Qian lay on the hospital bed, thinking quietly for a brief dozen seconds, then made his decision.
He picked up his phone to text Wen Ying. After drafting and editing, all his emotions turned into simple words: Do not panic. I am here.
He pressed send, then called his mother Zou Weijun and the rehabilitation doctor over.
“I plan to return to China.”
Zou Weijun was surprised. “Now?”
Xie Qian nodded. “Yes, right now. The sooner the better.”
“Your body…”
Something urgent must have happened.
Zou Weijun had no time to ask details. The doctor objected first.
The doctor said Xie Qian’s rehabilitation was going well. This was a critical period and absolutely could not be interrupted.
Xie Qian said rehabilitation could continue in China. The doctor shook his head. “Xie, it is different. If others take over my plan, they might modify it. Or even without modifying, execution would vary. You are recovering well. Give me two more months, and you will surely walk and jump like a normal person!”
Xie Qian largely agreed with the doctor’s analysis. After so long adapting and coordinating, he did not want to change doctors.
“So, I would like to invite you to go to China with me.”
Doctor: ???
Why should I go to China for this patient!!
