Wen Dongrong handled the matter openly.
This issue originally had nothing to do with Wen Ying. She had stepped in purely out of righteousness to help, so there was no conflict of interest with Wen Dongrong. He mentioned it to his leader quite straightforwardly.
This leader had brought Wen Dongrong from Rongcheng to this place and thought highly of him.
If unaware, fine. But once aware, he certainly had to inquire.
If it was a false accusation, help clear the major taxpayer’s name.
If not… handle it as it should be handled.
The leader was quite interested in Wen Ying. He had long known Wen Dongrong had a daughter who was a bestselling author but never had the chance to meet her.
In the past, if the leader showed even slight interest, Wen Dongrong would not care whether Wen Ying wanted to or not. He would drag her before the leader to gain face. Over these three years since her rebirth, Wen Ying had “competed” openly and subtly with Old Wen so many times. She had finally corrected some of his bad habits. At least now, before pushing Wen Ying to appear before the leader, Old Wen knew to ask her opinion first instead of deciding for her!
No choice.
Black-hearted Cotton was, after all, black-hearted. If unwilling and forced to appear, she might deliberately sabotage before the leader, embarrassing everyone. What then?
Wen Dongrong spoke seriously to Wen Ying about it. “If you do not want to meet, that is fine. I will say you have already returned to Modu. You are a university student. Saying you need to attend classes is perfectly normal…”
Wen Dongrong feared outright rejection, so he offered her an out.
Wen Ying held back laughter. “Then let us meet. It is no big deal.”
Old Wen had merely mentioned it, and the leader was willing to intervene. This filled Wen Ying with goodwill towards him.
Not everyone was willing to “meddle”. Outside one’s direct responsibilities, intervening might not yield thanks and could easily lead to more mistakes.
Ignore it, pretend not to know.
Intervene, bear responsibility!
Rare for Black-hearted Cotton to be so cooperative. Old Wen’s lips curved upwards. “Let me tell you. When meeting, be polite. Answer what is asked. Do not babble on about unasked things. Curb your desire to perform. Of course, do not be timid either.”
Wen Dongrong knew Wen Ying had seen much of the world since becoming a bestselling author. Timidity was unlikely. He mainly feared her becoming overconfident.
Wen Ying laughed inwardly.
Old Wen thought she had no experience dealing with leaders, teaching her how to behave. Little did he know she had interacted with Uncle Xie. Well, Uncle Xie was so amiable, probably for Xie Qian’s sake.
Wen Ying adjusted her mindset, listening earnestly to Old Wen without retort.
This made Old Wen uneasy instead.
Had the leaky little cotton jacket suddenly been sewn up by someone?
He had not recently offended Black-hearted Cotton. She would not deliberately sabotage him, right?
With this unease, Wen Dongrong called Wen Ying over. “We are on the 16th floor. Come up. I will wait at the elevator.”
Unexpectedly to Wen Dongrong, Wen Ying performed exceptionally before the leader.
Not a bit too lively, nor too dull.
Proper and poised.
She spoke of daily university life, shared amusing anecdotes and minor troubles from writing, making the leader laugh heartily. The stifling atmosphere from days of inspections across places vanished.
If not for another meeting on the schedule, the leader seemed willing to chat longer.
“When free, come to Jinling more. See where your father works. Let him show you around. You writers should travel widely. Gathering material aids creation.”
“Yes, I will. Thank you!”
The leader spoke politely. Wen Ying appeared expectant.
Old Wen was dazed.
So convincingly acted!
After seeing Wen Ying off, the leader praised her repeatedly.
Praised her poise, envied Old Wen’s fortune.
Not just envying such an outstanding daughter, but also their harmonious father-daughter relationship.
Wen Dongrong: ??!
How was the relationship harmonious?
It was all fake! All acting!
The leader glanced at him. “Your daughter is hard to manage, right? At a glance, this child has strong opinions. Most girls would not get involved in such matters. She dares. She arrived yesterday. We last night. Meaning, with or without your help as father, she would act chivalrously, correct?”
Wen Dongrong admitted reluctantly. “…Yes.”
The leader smiled. “So I guess you usually struggle to control her. With such firm ideas, she likely opposes you at home. Good. Opinionated children achieve greatness.”
No wonder he was leader. After one meeting with Wen Ying, it was as if he had installed cameras in Wen Dongrong’s home, seeing clearly the dynamics between Wen Ying and the couple.
Hard for Wen Dongrong to refute.
Dare he say Wen Ying lacked promise, Versailles before the leader? The leader, unlike Old Li, would not indulge him!
But good father-daughter relationship? Hardly!
The leader sighed. “If the child spars wits with you, that means deep bond. True estrangement means no communication. Surface obedience, but parents clueless about child’s thoughts.”
Wen Dongrong felt the leader spoke as one experienced, but tactfully did not pry.
Thinking along those lines, Black-hearted Cotton indeed rarely communicated before… Compared to the formerly silent, non-opinionated Wen Ying, Old Wen preferred ongoing wits-sparring with Black-hearted Cotton!
Wen Ying had brushed face for her father before his superior.
Returning to her floor, Wen Ying mentioned nothing of Old Wen’s role.
Shui Mingyue’s parents were too enthusiastic. Shui’s mother seemed ready to kowtow. It frightened Wen Ying. Mention Old Wen in the hotel, nothing could stop enthusiastic Shui mother.
Truly, parental love is pitiable.
Yuan Fenghui beckoned Wen Ying. “Pei Yiyi’s agency sent back the termination contract, signed and sealed. Pei Yiyi is now free. You all staying here is unsuitable. You have classes. Pei Yiyi and Shui Mingyue should leave. Even if media catch wind and come, without seeing them, we control narrative easier.”
Yuan Fenghui urged Wen Ying to leave early tomorrow.
Wen Ying did not object. She cared about another matter. “Teacher Yuan, do you think this drama can air on schedule?”
“Why not? Filming nearly done. At most reshoot some scenes. No overall delay… Oh, you fear investor trouble implicating Luo Hao, tainting the drama before broadcast?”
Wen Ying nodded then shook head. “Should not implicate Luo Hao. He is no good man, but law cannot convict scheming. Hard to catch his handles. I want the drama to air. It holds many people’s efforts. Yet I do not want Luo Hao to rise from it. Such a person should not become famous.”
If Luo Hao escapes punishment yet rises from the drama.
Shui Mingyue escaped Luo Hao, but other girls might fall into his gentle traps.
Such a person should have no chance at fame. Already troublesome without fame or money. With them, his harm would double!
Wen Ying did not want Luo Hao famous.
Contradictorily, Luo Hao was male lead. Unless shelved, he would not only rise but five years earlier than previous life… Just thinking enraged Wen Ying.
But now what?
Filming nearing end. Replacing Luo Hao now wastes prior investment.
Reshoot entirely? Company cannot bear cost!
Cut Luo Hao’s scenes?
A good drama fragmented. Shui Mingyue’s work ruined.
Yuan Fenghui chuckled. “Quite greedy. Want both substance and face. Shui Mingyue dares not even ask!”
Wen Ying, thoughts exposed, grinned cheekily, palms together. “I believe in Teacher Yuan’s ability. Only you can balance both!”
“Scram, scram. I cannot either.”
Gong Sheng absent, Yuan Fenghui needed no flattery competition. She shooed Wen Ying irritably.
Wen Ying thick-skinned, endured sour face, left smiling.
Shui Mingyue dared not demand, too preoccupied!
Next day, Wen Ying greeted Old Wen, checked out with Shui family and Pei Yiyi.
Pei Yiyi’s assistant stayed hospitalised.
Little Ma drove them back to Modu personally.
Wen Ying had afternoon class, no time to accompany Pei Yiyi to Jiaxin. Shui Mingyue volunteered.
“I will go with Yiyi. I know Jiaxin well.”
On way to school, Wen Ying received Xie Qian’s call. Utterly unprepared.
Xie Qian asked where she was. She said returning to school.
“This time, Gong Sheng truly helped greatly…”
Wen Ying had much to say to Xie Qian.
Without Xie Qian, Gong Sheng would not have run around. Ultimately, Xie Qian valued it.
She feared Shui Mingyue cheated of rights by Luo Hao. Xie Qian bought all Shui Mingyue novel adaptations without hesitation.
Shui Mingyue and Pei Yiyi in trouble, unrelated to Xie Qian. Abroad, he still followed progress.
Wen Ying knew oceans separated them, yet sometimes felt Xie Qian never left, accompanying in his way.
Wen Ying reached school gate mid-call.
This time, “Rukawa Kaede” waited two days, finally caught Wen Ying, handed Modu university basketball league semi-final ticket.
“Wen Shimei, you must come watch.”
“Rukawa Kaede” mistook Wen Ying’s shock for shyness. He blushed, heartbeat racing, forgot planned cool moves. Kindly noted, “Best viewing spot for semi-finals.”
Even oblivious Wen Ying could no longer be blind.
This somewhat familiar senior seemed courting her?
Wen Ying suddenly guilty.
Ah, she had not hung up Xie Qian’s call. Did he hear?
Just thinking, Wen Ying heard Xie Qian. “Basketball league ticket? Can you get one more? I can accompany Wen Ying to the match.”
Xie Qian’s voice from receiver, echoing all around, enveloping Wen Ying. She could not distinguish reality from illusion.
Wen Ying stiffened.
“Rukawa Kaede” stunned, stared blankly behind Wen Ying.
What do you mean another ticket, accompany Wen Ying?
Where did you appear from?
Who are you!!
