Xie Jinghu said he wanted to visit Xie Qian.
Fearing Xie Qian might refuse, Xie Jinghu’s excuse was to discuss the “betting agreement” the father and son had previously signed.
Xie Jinghu meant that the agreement could be scrapped.
Xie Qian did not appreciate the gesture.
The “additional clause” from Xie Jinghu and Zou Weijun’s divorce had already restricted Xie Qian and Xie Jinghu from competing for management rights over “Jinhu”.
Since Xie Qian could no longer be the decision-maker for “Jinhu”, he did not care when he exercised his shareholder rights.
Moreover, even if Xie Qian wanted to exercise his shareholder rights in “Jinhu”, he did not need his scumbag father’s “mercy”.
“Although the term of the betting agreement has not yet expired, since you mentioned it, I will have someone send you Jiaxin’s financial reports.”
After taking over Jiaxin, the only drama Xie Qian had independently produced was “Alley Folks”, scripted by Zhang Guangzhen, which had made Xu Mei a star.
But that was not all of Jiaxin’s achievements!
Recently, for instance, Jiaxin had acquired the film and television adaptation rights to eleven of Shui Mingyue’s novels and signed the promising newcomer Pei Yiyi.
Earlier, after “Alley Folks” aired, Jiaxin had collaborated with Mingzhu TV on two projects.
After Xie Qian met Mr Ran, Jiaxin had invested in two films.
These dealings had all been kept relatively low-key.
If Xie Jinghu wanted to play the good guy, Xie Qian was too lazy to acknowledge the favour. He directly threw out Jiaxin’s accomplishments, leaving Xie Jinghu speechless.
With no excuse left, Xie Jinghu felt too embarrassed to press further about meeting Xie Qian.
Xie Jinghu did ask about Xie Qian’s injury. Xie Qian gave the same answer, unsure if Xie Jinghu believed it.
After negotiations with the university, Xie Qian’s class schedule was arranged to avoid clashing with rehabilitation times. For example, today his rehabilitation was in the morning, with classes concentrated in the afternoon and evening.
Wen Ying had one class in the morning and was free after 10 o’clock. Wanting to have lunch with Xie Qian, she asked if she could meet him at the hospital.
Xie Qian was drenched in sweat when he received the call.
He actually did not want Wen Ying to see the rehabilitation process.
Dr Joseph, overhearing the conversation from an assistant, clicked his tongue. “The power of love is immense. True love can create miracles. You should agree to let her come to the hospital.”
Xie Qian wanted to stuff all the Sichuan peppercorns he had picked out of last night’s dishes into Joseph’s mouth.
Wen Ying had already heard clearly and coughed lightly. “Was that Dr Joseph speaking? I think he very much agrees with me going to the hospital. Why do you disagree? Xie Qian, you were not telling lies last night, were you…”
Which part was a lie?
Every word, even the punctuation, could not have been truer!
“You can come.”
Wen Ying did not arrive empty-handed. She brought a large bag of fruit and asked the medical staff to take good care of Xie Qian.
She also brought two basketball league tickets.
“From Rukawa Kaede?”
“Mm. Sunday afternoon. Do you want to go watch?”
Xie Qian took both tickets. “Why not? We cannot waste someone’s kind intention.”
Since they would go together anyway, Xie Qian kept both tickets.
Glancing at the semi-final venue printed on the tickets, he remained impassive. “This semi-final is at Jiaotong University. I remember you said Song Shao was recommended there, right?”
“Yes. Class Monitor Song is at Jiaotong University. We can even invite him for dinner after the match!”
As Wen Ying shared her plan, the curve of Xie Qian’s lips showed he was in an excellent mood.
Watching a basketball game and meeting Song Shao – perfect!
Although Xie Qian had not interacted much with Song Shao, the latter had left a deep impression on him.
What did “Rukawa Kaede” count for?
He posed far less threat than Song Shao!
Song Shao was a clever person. He would surely notice the subtle change in Xie Qian’s relationship with his little hamster… Xie Qian was very much looking forward to the weekend game and dinner.
Dr Joseph directed Xie Qian to continue rehabilitation.
Walking without the wheelchair was no easy feat for Xie Qian. With Wen Ying watching, he refused to show any pain.
Sweat soaked his hair and training clothes.
Wen Ying’s heart ached, of course, but she simply accompanied him quietly. Whenever Xie Qian turned to look, she smiled at him.
Xie Qian was exhausted.
Dr Joseph kept encouraging him.
Knowing Wen Ying was right there, within reach, gave Xie Qian boundless energy.
When Xie Qian completed all of today’s rehabilitation exercises, he looked as though he had been fished out of water.
This was hardship Wen Ying could not fully imagine.
She truly hated the mastermind behind the car accident!
Xie Qian had grown accustomed to it and tried to appear relaxed in front of Wen Ying.
“Wait for me to shower and change. Then we can go eat.”
“Alright.”
Wen Ying nodded with a beaming smile.
While Xie Qian showered, Wen Ying cornered Dr Joseph.
She asked if Xie Qian’s rehabilitation schedule was too intense.
Dr Joseph replied seriously, “Everyone’s physical condition and willpower differ. I assessed Xie’s body and formulated the current plan only because he can persevere. You must trust Xie and respect his determination.”
Doctors in China often deferred to family opinions, but Joseph prioritised the patient’s own wishes.
Xie Qian could certainly request a lighter load – no one would force him – but he would need to raise it himself with Joseph.
If Xie Qian did not speak up, and Joseph believed his body could handle it, the plan would not change!
“That is not what I meant. I fully respect Xie Qian’s perseverance and your professional expertise. It is just… you know, sometimes it is hard to balance reason and emotion.”
Reason understood, but emotion could not bear it.
Joseph laughed. “No need to explain. I know!”
This was love!
Xie Qian wanted to stand sooner for the girl he liked.
The girl he liked hoped he would not push so hard, even if recovery took longer – she could wait.
Joseph waved his arms emotionally. “Perhaps the analogy is not perfect, but you two remind me of O. Henry’s story ‘The Gift of the Magi’!”
Wen Ying felt embarrassed by Joseph’s words.
Xie Qian emerged from the shower in fresh clothes and found Wen Ying talking with Dr Joseph.
“What were you chatting about?”
“Nothing much. I am hungry. Let us go eat quickly!”
Wen Ying feared Joseph would mention “The Gift of the Magi” again and hurried Xie Qian off to dinner.
Xie Qian appeared relaxed after rehabilitation, but Wen Ying noticed his wrist trembling slightly when picking up food.
She pulled his plate towards her. “Courtesy demands reciprocity. What do you want? I will get it for you.”
Xie Qian wanted fish.
There happened to be a steamed grouper on the table, boneless.
“Fish then. High-quality protein.”
Wen Ying cleared away the scallions and ginger from the top of the steamed grouper.
Xie Qian knew Wen Ying disliked whole peppercorns. Naturally, Wen Ying knew his tastes too.
Xie Qian did not eat spicy food.
He disliked fried items.
Nor heavy seasonings.
To put it this way: Xie Qian could accept scallions in egg fried rice for aroma, but he would not eat a single piece!
Similarly, scallions and ginger in steamed fish were normal for removing fishiness and adding fragrance, as long as none stuck to the flesh when he ate it.
Such picky eating habits would annoy Wen Ying in others, but with Xie Qian, she found them perfectly reasonable.
They were simply his preferences.
When dishes suited him, he ate more. When they did not, he never complained.
He never troubled others with his finicky tastes.
Though no dessert was served, the fish tasted sweet in Xie Qian’s mouth.
After eating, the two headed to university together.
Wen Ying escorted Xie Qian to his classroom door.
Along the way, many people looked at them. When meeting acquaintances, Wen Ying greeted them openly.
Apart from mobility issues, Wen Ying was not worried Xie Qian would struggle with university life.
Though he had missed nearly three months of classes, catching up would not be difficult if he wished.
Wen Ying planned to go to the study room to write for a while, but midway received a call from Manager Chen.
Manager Chen first asked about Wen Ying’s earlier hotel encounter with Old Wen. Unsure how much Old Wen had shared, Wen Ying briefly recounted the incident. Chen Ru did not blame Wen Ying for meddling but reminded her that next time, she could call Old Wen first.
“He is your dad. If you face difficulties, he must help you. If you let him off easy, his excess energy might go to helping those ungrateful wolves again!”
Wen Ying agreed wholeheartedly and immediately admitted her mistake. “I will not forget next time!”
No mother enjoys constant arguments with her daughter. Chen Ru was pleased with Wen Ying’s quick understanding and voluntarily brought up the stocks.
“I have gradually sold off those short-term shares. This year’s stock market is truly insane. The index has risen to over 6100 points!”
Chen Ru could not predict if 6000 was the peak, but she had sold out of fear.
The market was far too abnormal now!
People who never traded stocks before, whether knowledgeable or not, were rushing in waving cash.
Everyone wanted to make a fortune.
Chen Ru heard stock talk everywhere – at work, commuting, even at the vegetable market.
When her usually honest sister-in-law Zhu Meiqun called asking how to buy stocks, Chen Ru truly panicked.
Chen Ru’s further studies were not just for credentials – she was genuinely learning.
History repeats itself remarkably. Ups and downs are cycles that have occurred before. When even the old ladies at the vegetable market know stocks can make money… a bear market is probably approaching soon!
