Wen Ying had a deep impression of He Zhen’s mother.
In the first two years of her relationship with He Zhen, neither had met the other’s family.
Wen Ying’s relationship with her own family was strained at the time, and she wasn’t keen on introducing He Zhen to her parents. As for He Zhen, he felt their relationship was still too new for meeting parents.
He Zhen was methodical in everything he did, whether confessing his feelings or moving the relationship forward, each step carefully timed.
By the third year, He Zhen believed their relationship was stable, their lifestyles well-aligned, and he proposed to Wen Ying—naturally, she didn’t accept. But since He Zhen had marriage in mind, the He family could no longer ignore Wen Ying, and she formally met He Zhen’s mother.
He Zhen’s mother wasn’t the stereotypical domineering matriarch from TV dramas, wielding her power to break up the couple, nor did she offer Wen Ying a cheque to leave He Zhen. On the contrary, at their first meeting, she was kind and refined, with impeccable taste and cultured speech, showing no trace of nouveau riche crassness.
The entire meeting was harmonious and pleasant, and Wen Ying initially thought He Zhen’s mother must be quite satisfied with her.
At that point, Wen Ying had established herself in Shanghai, a rising star among young female lawyers in the industry. She had been featured in magazine interviews, her annual income exceeding seven figures. Though she received no support from her family, her parents were at least not a burden, and she was attractive, giving her significant options in the marriage market. At thirty, Wen Ying had finally transformed into this version of herself, and she was understandably confident—yet after the meeting, He Zhen’s mother revealed her dissatisfaction.
And yet, He Zhen’s mother showed no vulgarity in her disapproval of Wen Ying marrying He Zhen. She handled it with such grace that she gave Wen Ying an easy way out.
She said Wen Ying and He Zhen were both still young, especially Wen Ying, who was younger than He Zhen, and should focus on her career!
As for marriage, there was no need to rush, better to take things slowly.
Kind words, but pointedly raised after He Zhen’s proposal, Wen Ying understood: she was deemed unworthy of He Zhen, and their marriage was not approved.
When He Zhen proposed the first time, Wen Ying hadn’t accepted. She wasn’t sure if she and He Zhen, though suited for dating, were suited for marriage.
Even people in love don’t always find happiness in marriage.
Even so, He Zhen’s mother’s words left Wen Ying deeply uncomfortable!
Wen Ying had strong self-esteem, and building a life in Shanghai on her own was a source of great pride. Yet, the independence she cherished seemed insignificant in the eyes of He Zhen’s mother.
The He family had been wealthy for two or three decades, moving in elite circles of wealth and status. He Zhen’s mother knew plenty of younger people far more accomplished than Wen Ying, with not just talent but family backing. Wen Ying, a small-town girl who had fought her way to Shanghai, could hardly compare to the “Shanghai socialites” who were He Zhen’s equals!
“Wen Ying?”
Lost in thought in the hotel lobby, Wen Ying was brought back by Xie Qian, who first noticed her distraction.
Wen Ying snapped out of it, smiling sheepishly, “It’s nothing, I mistook someone. Where were we?”
Indeed, she had mistaken someone.
In this life, she and He Zhen might not even meet, so He Zhen’s mother was even less relevant to her.
Wen Ying had always thought her inability to contact He Zhen, who was far away in the UK, was because she hadn’t tried. But now, staying in the same Macau hotel as He Zhen’s mother, Wen Ying could no longer deceive herself.
If she truly wanted to reach him, she could find a way. There’s always a solution if you try hard enough. If the He Zhen in the UK now was the one she’d dated for three years, with shared memories, Wen Ying would have found a way to contact him.
Though she didn’t know He Zhen’s contact details, she knew which UK university he attended!
She could call the school to inquire or save up to fly to the UK herself.
Why hadn’t Wen Ying tried either?
Because what was the point of finding He Zhen!
He didn’t know her, didn’t remember her. He was now in love with another girl, and Wen Ying couldn’t accept that reality—
“We were talking about how to openly spend the money you won at the casino.”
Was it really a mistake?
Wen Ying’s expression just now wasn’t right.
Xie Qian glanced again at the woman checking in at the front desk.
He didn’t recognise her either, and given her attire, Wen Ying shouldn’t know her.
Wen Ying scratched her head, “How about I say the twenty-odd thousand is profit from ‘Shrimp King’?”
None of the three spoke, their eyes fixed on Wen Ying, their expressions clearly saying, “Didn’t expect you to be so skilled at lying to your parents,” and “So this is the real Wen Ying.”
Wen Ying gave a dry laugh.
Xie Qian thought about the laptop excuse they’d used before, maybe a second time wouldn’t hurt…?
Two of the three were ‘Shrimp King’ shareholders, the other a franchisee, and most importantly, all were Wen Ying’s friends. They wouldn’t rat her out to her parents. With the twenty-odd thousand won at the casino, Wen Ying shopped generously, buying gifts big and small with care, ensuring no one close to her was left out.
She bought a fountain pen for her cousin Wen Kai.
She also picked out a gift for Xie Qian but, since he was with her, planned to sneak back to the shop later to buy it, quietly noting the store’s location.
Unexpectedly, that afternoon, back at the hotel, she saw He Zhen’s mother again.
This time, He Zhen’s mother was in the lobby, talking with someone, a woman with her back to the entrance, her chestnut wavy hair long, glossy, and smooth, like a shampoo ad star.
Such beautiful hair!
Only wealth and leisure could maintain such silky, perfectly curled hair, with not a hint of frizz, thanks to high-end salon care.
Without even seeing her outfit, Wen Ying knew the woman chatting with He Zhen’s mother was wealthy.
That was normal.
The He family was rich, and those who associated with He Zhen’s mother were equally well-off.
Xie Qian, carrying a pile of shopping bags, followed Wen Ying’s gaze and also spotted He Zhen’s mother.
Why this woman again?
Wen Ying kept focusing on her but claimed not to know her—odd.
The chestnut-haired woman flicked her hair and turned her head, her fleeting charm leaving Wen Ying stunned.
So feminine!
Xie Qian paused.
Looking at the woman’s back, she seemed to sense something and turned to look at Xie Qian.
Such a captivating woman was unforgettable after one meeting.
The same went for Xie Qian—whoever met him once would recognise him the second time. With his striking looks, he could cure face blindness. In that moment, Xie Qian and the wavy-haired woman recognised each other, their expressions sour. The woman even half-stood from her chair, thought of something, and sat back down as if nothing had happened.
Xie Qian was angry!
Without cursing or raising his voice, Wen Ying could still sense his mood shift.
Wen Ying wanted to say something, but Xie Qian turned his head, “Let’s go upstairs first.”
