Lin Lin deliberately brought up the Zhao siblings in front of Granny Xie.
Granny Xie had someone investigate, and soon the Zhao family’s background was uncovered.
Lin Lin had been subtle, but in reality, the Zhao family had sent their daughter to Beijing, enrolling her in several high schools—one of which was the school Xie Qian planned to attend.
How could the Zhao family’s intentions escape the sharp Granny Xie?
“Some people these days have no shame!” she exclaimed.
Always trying to ride others’ coattails, unwilling to work hard themselves.
A widow raising four sons, Granny Xie had gritted her teeth and persevered.
Even her least dependable third son was someone others fawned over. After venting about the Zhao siblings, Granny Xie sighed heavily and consulted Xie Qian’s eldest uncle, “Xie Qian’s been bright since he was little, loved by the whole family. This time, it really hurt him.”
Uncle Xie pondered, “When Xie Qian returned to Beijing, he discussed with me. He hopes his father and mother will divorce.”
Granny Xie was shocked. “No way! In a family like ours, divorce? It’d be a laughingstock, and it wouldn’t look good for you three brothers either!”
A divorce for the third son would involve splitting assets.
Granny Xie wasn’t reluctant to let her daughter-in-law take half her son’s wealth, but such a massive division would draw attention. Having lived proudly, with one foot in the grave, she couldn’t bear the family becoming a spectacle.
Uncle Xie didn’t want the divorce either.
He adored his nephew Xie Qian.
If Xie Qian’s parents split, he’d likely follow his mother, leaving the Xie family. Though the Zou family had declined compared to the Xies, Xie Qian was close to them.
Uncle Xie thought carefully. “Father wronged Mother in this. To preserve their marriage, you must be firm. You can only pick one side—Xie Qian or the other two. Choose Xie Qian, and don’t pity the others. I, Xie Yuping, only recognize Xie Qian as my nephew. If Father keeps messing up, I won’t even acknowledge him as my brother. If it comes to it, let Father go—keep Xie Qian and Mother!”
Granny Xie felt troubled by her eldest son’s words.
Her third son’s actions had disgraced the family.
Though such things were increasingly common, Granny Xie held traditional values, craving family harmony.
Xie Yup soybean’s harsh words offered a way to mend the rift.
Weighing it, she had four sons—she could do without the third.
But her grandson, Xie Qian, was her treasure.
Her heart tipped toward Xie Qian. Gritting her teeth, she nodded. “Yuping, I’ll follow your lead. We’ll do as you say!”
—
Xie Qian didn’t yet know his grandmother and uncle, after deliberation, chose to stand by him, even at the cost of sidelining his father, to keep him in the family.
This wasn’t what he wanted.
Sometimes, he wished for a simpler background, like Wen Ying’s, to act freely on his desires.
Thinking of Wen Ying, he couldn’t resist and called her that night.
The first call—Wen Ying hung up.
Xie Qian had never been hung up on. He tried again—hung up again!
He was stunned.
Using a landline, the Beijing area code should’ve shown. Wen Ying could guess it was him.
So why hang up?
As the one at fault, he dialed a third time—still disconnected.
Imagining all sorts of scenarios, nearly calling the police, Wen Ying finally called back.
“Xie Qian?”
“…It’s me.”
Xie Qian didn’t know what to say. He wanted to ask how angry she was, but he’d never comforted a girl. With his looks, from kindergarten on, girls had always comforted him.
“Sorry, I couldn’t pick up earlier,” Wen Ying’s voice came, not upset but excited. Before he could ask, she spilled why: “Tonight was the Super Girl 20-to-10 match. I was at the venue—Li Mengjiao advanced again!”
Li Mengjiao had made it through.
Qin Yi’s girlfriend, Xu Mei, also reached Rongcheng’s top ten.
Wen Ying was thrilled for her friends. Li Mengjiao’s stage presence had improved—she was born for the spotlight, shining brighter with bigger crowds. This was another change from her past life. Back then, Li Mengjiao joined 2005’s Super Girl, but with Rongcheng’s fierce competition and her weaker form, she didn’t even break out of the division.
This life was entirely different.
Wang Shuang didn’t drown.
Li Mengjiao entered Super Girl a year early, poised to dominate Rongcheng’s division.
Wang Shuang and Li Mengjiao’s “fates” had shifted, trending positively. Surely Xie Qian’s tragedy could be reversed too!
Wen Ying’s joy was overflowing.
Xie Qian was surprised.
He’d expected complaints, sulking, or questions about his silence.
But Wen Ying mentioned none of it!
No grievances, no Zhao Dong, just pure excitement over Li Mengjiao’s success.
The weight on Xie Qian’s heart was lifted by her straightforward cheer.
If everyone had Wen Ying’s openness, life would have fewer worries.
“Wen Ying, thank you.”
Xie Qian couldn’t help but smile. Before she could ask why, he hit her with, “Have you scored over 80 in physics yet?”
Wen Ying huffed over the line, “What’s so hard about 80?”
She valued promises.
Xie Qian had vowed to join her for another match if she hit 80 in physics.
Though she watched tonight’s match alone, his call after days of silence felt like he hadn’t broken his word.
Before hanging up, Wen Ying didn’t ask why he’d rushed back to Beijing. She only asked if this landline could reach him.
His reply was direct: “Tomorrow, I’ll buy a new phone and reactivate my number. It won’t change.”
Satisfied, Wen Ying slept soundly, her mood light.
Xie Qian didn’t sleep well. The next morning, he told Lin Lin, “Cousin, I want to transfer to Rongcheng.”
“Transfer? Wait, you’re serious?” Lin Lin glanced upstairs, whispering, “If you go to Rongcheng, what about your mom?”
Xie Qian, after a night of thought, had decided: “I’ll take her with me. Home is where I am. If she’s unhappy here, we’ll find somewhere else. I like Rongcheng’s vibe—its relaxed pace suits her recovery.”
