Yang Xi did not despise Xiao Liang.
Cases like his, where both he and his girlfriend were not yet of legal marriage age but she became pregnant, were all too common.
When young people carelessly created a life, it was hard to pin the blame solely on one side.
Everyone was young. Xiao Liang had been raised by his grandparents, with no one to teach him proper physiological hygiene knowledge.
Before, “Hush, Little Secrets” had been very popular, but that was within schools. For a little thug like Xiao Liang, no one would go out of their way to recommend books to him!
Xiao Liang’s family was at the urban bottom, and so was his girlfriend’s.
Compared to Xiao Liang, his girlfriend at least had parents.
Her parents only ensured their daughter had enough to eat and stay full. Since she could not concentrate on studies, they let her be… One could not say they were unfit; that was simply their level of insight. Sex education for their young daughter was nonexistent.
When emotions ran deep, the young couple could hardly restrain themselves, and thus his girlfriend became pregnant.
The sole reason Yang Xi did not despise Xiao Liang was this: the mistake had already been made, and Xiao Liang at least had responsibility.
He did not abandon his girlfriend and run away like other little thugs, nor send her to some shady clinic for an abortion. Instead, he gritted his teeth and faced her parents’ “fierce storm”!
Xiao Liang’s shoulders were still immature, yet he shouldered the duty of providing for a family.
Wen Ying listened very attentively.
Xiao Liang was just an ordinary person.
Ordinary people’s lives also had their waves and upheavals.
Wen Ying turned to Xie Qian, “Everyone is living seriously, aren’t they?”
Xie Qian’s eyes were full of gentle light, “Yes.”
Yang Xi subconsciously rubbed her arms.
Good heavens, these two were incredible. Yang Xi even got goosebumps!
But Yang Xi agreed with Wen Ying’s words. Rich or poor, one had to live seriously.
Xiao Liang was already working very hard, yet he still had little money. All his wages were sent back to support the child.
Xiao Liang had discussed with his girlfriend that in a few months, once the child was weaned, she would come to Modu too. The two young people would work together, earning double wages. When the child was old enough for school, they would bring him to their side. They had not studied much themselves, but their child’s future had no limits. As long as the child kept up with studies, Xiao Liang said he would strive to provide.
The family happiness Xiao Liang never had, he could give to his child.
Thinking that those who lived seriously would not be betrayed by life, Yang Xi suddenly felt great joy.
Yang Xi recommended several new dishes to Wen Ying and Xie Qian.
“Lemon chicken feet, you must try them. The flavour is absolutely divine. When first launched, they were in such demand; every table ordered them. And this pineapple lychee pork, sweet and sour without any spice. It’s been a huge hit in several Modu stores.”
Yang Xi mentioned one, Wen Ying noted one.
Just hearing about them made her mouth water.
Song Shao arrived ten minutes early and found Wen Ying and Xie Qian heads together studying the menu.
The two were so close, fully absorbed in the menu, that they did not notice Song Shao’s arrival immediately.
Song Shao coughed lightly to remind them. Wen Ying and Xie Qian looked up together, and Wen Ying’s forehead bumped Xie Qian’s chin.
It did not hurt, but Wen Ying’s hair brushing Xie Qian’s jaw gave him an unusual tingling sensation in his heart.
Song Shao looked at Wen Ying, then at Xie Qian, and smiled, “Have you ordered? Today you’re on my turf. Don’t stand on ceremony with me, and definitely don’t try to save money for me.”
Song Shao was not as wealthy as these two.
But he was not short of money either.
His family was comfortable; he did not worry about tuition fees. Moreover, Song Shao had won scholarships continuously since high school. He had no great material desires and little major spending usually. Treating to a meal was effortless for him.
Wen Ying handed the menu to Song Shao, “Who treats isn’t important. We were studying the menu but hadn’t ordered yet. Class monitor, what dishes do you like?”
Wen Ying had no idea of Song Shao’s tastes.
Xie Qian had just noticed this key point.
So Xie Qian was in a great mood.
Song Shao took the menu and quickly checked two dishes, very familiar with it, “I often come here with classmates. Their various dry pots are very authentic. Wen Ying, you can handle spice fine. What about Xie Qian?”
Xie Qian did not eat spicy food!
Before Wen Ying could speak, Xie Qian nodded, “I’m fine with anything.”
Wen Ying: ???!
Wen Ying was full of questions. Xie Qian did not meet her gaze. She could only say she wanted to try the new items and insisted on adding the pineapple lychee pork Yang Xi had recommended earlier.
The three chatted for a while, and dishes began arriving from the kitchen one after another.
Bright red dry pots took up most of the table. Xie Qian ate several pieces without changing expression.
Wen Ying was truly shocked.
Song Shao noticed fine sweat on Xie Qian’s forehead and thoughtfully asked if the indoor air conditioning was too high. Xie Qian nodded, “…It’s a bit hot.”
Song Shao did not expose Xie Qian’s bravado.
As he lowered his head to pick food, amusement filled Song Shao’s eyes.
Even the smartest boys became foolish when in love.
But it was good this way.
That kind-hearted but foolishly bullied “Wen Pushover” had not only become outstanding but found a boy who liked her very much. Perhaps this was heaven’s compensation for “Wen Pushover”?
Wen Ying and Song Shao’s conversation was completely normal throughout.
They talked about Teacher Kang, about past classmates.
For Wen Ying, these were all from her previous life.
When she first reborn, recalling being bullied by Yue Shanni and others made her unhappy. Now, she felt nothing special.
What healed Wen Ying was not just time, but more her own growth in strength.
Wen Ying could now mention Yue Shanni and others calmly.
Song Shao, however, stayed in contact with Yue Shanni, “Her scores were mediocre, so she chose a second-tier university in the province. But last time she said she wants to take postgraduate exams for a better school. Not sure if she’ll succeed.”
Yue Shanni’s college entrance scores had already shocked many.
Now in her first year, she set ambitious postgraduate goals. Wen Ying was surprised, “I really didn’t expect that!”
Wen Ying had helped Yang Xi and Deng Juan, changing their fates.
She had not helped Yue Shanni.
Unexpectedly, through a series of coincidences, Yue Shanni had taken a completely different path of effort from her previous life.
Song Shao smiled, “Don’t mention her. Her change, though significant, has traces. Your change is the truly massive one.”
In others’ eyes, Wen Ying had transformed in just three years, unaware she had a rebirth cheat.
Xie Qian wiped the thin sweat from his forehead and picked up Song Shao’s thread, “Whether Yue Shanni’s change has traces I don’t know, but Wen Ying’s absolutely is step by step. Her scores, her writing, all bloomed from sweat.”
Even including her weight.
A balanced, slender figure everyone desired.
Fighting bad habits and appetite truly required great willpower.
The hamster had paid so much for everything now. Yue Shanni’s efforts paled in comparison.
Wen Ying did not know whether to laugh or cry. She hid under the table texting Xie Qian: Can you handle such spicy dry pot?
Xie Qian said nothing, clipped another dry pot rib, proving with actions he could!
This meal was more effective than last night’s friend gathering.
Xie Qian felt Song Shao was very smart and tactful, with comprehension far surpassing Peng Lvmao and Wang Shuang, those two fools.
The only side effect was Xie Qian’s throat and stomach burning like fire.
On the way, Wen Ying asked several times; Xie Qian said he was fine. After sending Wen Ying back to school and returning home, he immediately asked Aunt Liu for stomach medicine.
Zou Weijun closed her book, “Wen Ying told me you ate several spicy dishes tonight. Why did you do something so foolish?”
“The meaning of life is to try more things. Besides…”
Besides, how could he lose face before a potential rival?
Moreover, the hamster loved spicy food. If he did not adapt in advance, with them always eating together, the dishes could not always be clearly divided!
Xie Qian tried hard.
Xie Qian failed.
Eating spicy was a high mountain Xie Qian struggled to climb!
Like those games Wang Shuang repeatedly invited him to, which Xie Qian never conquered.
Zou Weijun, thinking of something, put down the book and laughed heartily, “So you’re this childish!”
Xie Qian ignored his mother’s mockery.
He could have skipped the medicine.
But he had promised Wen Ying to visit Yan Yuchuan’s startup tomorrow. He worried discomfort would affect the trip.
That night, Wen Ying finally realised belatedly and texted Xie Qian: You forced yourself to eat spicy because of Song Shao?
Why?
Jealousy.
Once these two words appeared, Wen Ying could not suppress them.
Xie Qian was jealous of Song Shao?
Wen Ying could understand jealousy over basketball captain Liu Zifeng, but over Song Shao made no sense!
Hm, thinking about it, Xie Qian seemed to always mind her contact with Song Shao.
Wen Ying’s reaction arc was truly long. She recalled when she and Song Shao reconnected and first met at the provincial library in Rongcheng, Xie Qian chose that day to take her home to see the “share transfer agreement”.
At the time, Wen Ying truly thought nothing of it.
Such an important share transfer naturally had to be viewed at Xie Qian’s home.
Xie Qian not only invited her to see it but said he would stop by the provincial library to borrow books.
“Borrowing books” was abnormal for Xie Qian.
For books he could buy, Xie Qian generally did not borrow.
He had mysophobia!
Provincial library books had been borrowed by so many; others’ reading habits might not match his. Eating while reading was common, with food stains, hand sweat… all unacceptable to Xie Qian.
So, Xie Qian was jealous back then, right?
Wen Ying sent the text and rolled in bed under her blanket.
Xie Qian liked her that early?
Wen Ying guessed Xie Qian would not admit it.
Yes, he would not only deny but calmly give a reasonable explanation, telling her not to overthink.
Before Xie Qian replied, Wen Ying sent another: Pretend I said nothing. Next time, don’t force yourself. Order what you like; no need to accommodate our spicy preference.
“Our” meaning who and who? The hamster and Song Shao?!
Xie Qian did not like this concept and skipped the first text, replying to the second: I just wanted to try spicy, to know if I could handle it. But it won’t affect our outing tomorrow.
He tried.
He truly could not.
The medicine helped somewhat, but his stomach still felt very uncomfortable.
Xie Qian placed a hand on his stomach, using the other to send Wen Ying goodnight.
That night, Wen Ying dreamed with smiles.
Xie Qian, stomach uncomfortable, did not sleep well.
Another sleepless person was Yan Yuchuan.
The startup partners had a long meeting at the company, all about raising investment.
Yan Yuchuan’s head ached listening, “No need to fabricate stories. I don’t think Gong always buys that.”
All along, Yan Yuchuan dealt with Gong Sheng.
He knew Xie Qian and Gong Sheng had ties, but not that Xie Qian was the big boss behind Gong Sheng!
