Wen Ying and Xie Qian exchanged glances when they received Professor Fang’s invitation to talk.
“Is Professor Fang dead-set on protecting Pan Li? Did Pan Li slip her some kind of charm potion? Why’s she so protective?” Wen Ying muttered.
If Fang were a man, Wen Ying might understand, but as a woman, it was baffling.
Xie Qian said calmly, “It’s tied to her profession. Pan Li was her student. Pulling a wayward student back to the right path gives Fang a sense of accomplishment.”
Xie Qian understood the mindset.
Understanding didn’t mean agreeing.
He wasn’t a saint—Fang’s fulfillment meant nothing to him. He cared more about Wen Ying’s feelings and even considered Li Mengjiao a friend, though not as close. That didn’t mean he’d tolerate anyone harming her. Fixing damage after the fact was a hassle; better to snuff out threats early.
“Let’s hear what Fang has to say,” he said.
Fang arranged the talk in a lounge. Xie Qian entered first, noting Fang seated with Pan Li standing behind her. Seeing nothing amiss, he signaled Wen Ying to follow.
“Close the door,” Fang said, wanting privacy.
Neither Wen Ying nor Xie Qian moved. Pan Li, biting her lip, shut it herself.
Fang gestured to Pan Li, who stepped forward and bowed deeply to Wen Ying. “What I did hurt your family. I’m sorry. I’ve realized my mistakes and left Chengdu to start over. I hope you’ll treat me as a stranger and let me be.”
Pan Li’s apology was coached by Fang.
Fang believed that, however tough Wen Ying and Xie Qian were, they were just teens. At that age, students were often brash. If Pan Li humbled herself, their anger might find an outlet, reducing their hostility. If Pan Li steered clear, they’d likely ignore her.
Fang’s logic was sound, but she didn’t account for Wen Ying’s reborn perspective or Xie Qian’s mature intellect. Pan Li’s apology stirred no emotion in either.
Wen Ying thought Fang had likely been duped.
Had Pan Li reformed?
No.
She left Chengdu because Deng Shangwei “went bankrupt,” leaving her nothing to gain—not out of remorse.
If she were sorry, she’d have apologized to Chen Li.
Had Pan Li, before leaving, revealed Yu Wenhao’s plot to Deng Shangwei or admitted the child she claimed was his was Yu Wenhao’s, clearing the rift between Deng Shangwei and Chen Li, Wen Ying might believe her intent to change.
She hadn’t.
If Wen Ying hadn’t seen through Yu Wenhao’s scheme, Pan Li’s calculated seduction could’ve shattered Deng Shangwei and Chen Li’s marriage, destroying a happy family. Pan Li would’ve lived lavishly off her gains, laughing at Chen Li’s “stupidity” as a defeated rival. Even now, having failed, she likely resented Deng Shangwei for not taking the bait.
Yu Wenhao was the mastermind, but most people, like Pan Li, bullied the weak and feared the strong, hating the good for not yielding rather than the wicked.
Wen Ying’s scorn stayed hidden.
“Why apologize to me? If I say I don’t forgive you in front of Professor Fang, won’t I look petty?” she said.
Fang frowned. “Why so snarky?”
“Isn’t this private talk just moral blackmail? If you can do that, can’t we speak plainly?” Xie Qian cut in, facing Fang head-on.
Fang’s headache returned.
Wen Ying added with a smile, “We’re only in Hunan for a day. Barring surprises, we won’t cross paths again. This time, I can pretend Pan Li doesn’t exist, provided she behaves and doesn’t scheme against me or my friends. If I catch her, I’ll deal with whatever she tries, and no one’s pleas will stop me. I’m a minor—I’m not afraid of making a scene.”
Her words, delivered with a smile, chilled Pan Li and jolted Fang.
Others’ threats might be empty; Wen Ying’s were likely to be acted on.
Suppressing her unease, Fang said, “Pan Li, you heard her. They’ve made their stance clear. You need to do the same. In Hunan, act like strangers. If you mess up again, I won’t protect you.”
Pan Li quickly promised compliance, but Wen Ying and Xie Qian remained unmoved.
Fang only wanted Wen Ying’s word to avoid a public clash that could embarrass her. Whether Wen Ying forgave Pan Li was irrelevant.
Wen Ying left the lounge first. Xie Qian lingered, glancing at Fang. “Keeping a venomous snake is your hobby. Getting bitten is your choice. But if your snake slithers out and bites others, you’ll bear some responsibility.”
Fang nearly exploded with anger.
Chengdu TV’s Producer Yan loved Xie Qian, but Fang thought Yan hadn’t seen his sharp tongue.
After they left, Fang’s tone with Pan Li soured. “You heard them. I’m catching flak because of you. If you don’t make me proud—”
“Professor, don’t worry. I’ve truly changed. I just want them to leave me alone—I wouldn’t dare trouble them,” Pan Li said, her words partly sincere.
She loathed Wen Ying and Xie Qian for her expulsion, but she wasn’t bold enough for outright villainy. Sneaky plots were her style, but openly retaliating scared her—she feared getting caught.
She’d once hoped to use Yu Wenhao’s influence against Wen Ying, but he refused to complicate things, and she didn’t dare act alone.
Her hatred persisted, but with Wen Ying’s group outnumbering her, Pan Li feared they’d expose her past in Hunan, ruining her “fresh start.” For now, she didn’t dare provoke them.
Revenge could wait, she told herself, burying her resentment.
Soon, Pan Li learned Wen Ying wasn’t just Li Mengjiao’s friend but also knew Qin Yi. She cursed her luck.
This meant Qin Yi was off-limits too—targeting him would invite Wen Ying’s interference.
Before the live broadcast, Pan Li overheard staff gossiping in the break room about a midday spat between Li Mengjiao’s and Xu Mei’s entourages. Her ears perked up.
