A guilty adult would typically be wary of another adult.
But when that same guilty adult encounters a naive, bumbling minor, wouldn’t it be a waste not to take advantage? Most people judge intelligence by age—when they can’t outsmart their peers, they turn to picking on someone younger. And in most cases, this logic holds true. The nation’s flowers, untested by the harsh realities of society, don’t fall for traps because they’re stupid; they simply lack experience.
At least, that’s what Lili thought. Wen Ying seemed like a silly little fool stumbling right into her hands. After baking under the sun outside Deng Shangwei’s company for half a day, how could Lili not seize this opportunity?
When Wen Ying heard Lili doubt her, she grabbed Lili’s hand, eager to drag her inside. “My uncle’s the boss of this company! If you don’t believe me, come ask anyone inside. Any deal you make with me, I can call the shots!”
Her teenage indignation flared, her face flushing at being questioned.
Lili, of course, wouldn’t actually follow Wen Ying in to verify. Nor did she think Wen Ying would dare spin a lie so easily debunked.
Lili tucked a strand of hair behind her ear—a gesture that, when performed by a beautiful woman, could charm anyone, regardless of gender. The little fool Wen Ying seemed mesmerized, her breathing slowing, her gaze turning vacant.
Lili chuckled lightly. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not here to talk business with your company.”
Beauty has its privileges, and those who wield it can bend the rules.
Especially when a good-looking person extends an olive branch to someone average, be it a man or a woman, the recipient often feels flattered beyond measure.
This little trick was second nature to Lili, rarely failing her.
Sure enough, when she said she wasn’t there for business, Wen Ying’s face crumpled with disappointment.
“Oh… oh, really? Sorry, I got it wrong!” Wen Ying’s expression fell.
Lili smoothly pivoted. “Your uncle, Deng Shangwei, and I… we’re friends. I was passing by today and thought I’d drop in to see him. Is he at the company?”
“Huh? You’re my uncle’s friend?” Wen Ying blinked in surprise. “He’s not here today—he’s off handling something at the Industrial and Commercial Bureau.”
“No worries, I just swung by on a whim without letting him know. You said your name was Wen—”
“Wen Ying! ‘Wen’ as in ‘闻一多,’ and ‘Ying’ as in cherry blossoms.”
“Got it, I’ll remember that. Can you step away from the company right now? There’s a milk tea shop across the street—how about I treat you to a drink? Consider it thanks for bringing me water.”
Lili played her cards effortlessly, and the naive little Wen Ying nodded eagerly.
A friend of her uncle, plus the favor of a pretty older sister—those two factors were enough to disarm a teenage girl.
Wen Ying remembered to tell Sister Fang first.
When Sister Fang heard it was just a quick milk tea run across the street, she told Wen Ying to watch for cars and let her go.
But was that young woman at the entrance really Deng Shangwei’s friend?
Sister Fang couldn’t help but take another look.
She’d focused on the woman’s outfit earlier, barely glancing at her face. Now, studying her closely, a sense of familiarity tugged at her.
“Strange, she looks like…” Sister Fang muttered.
An employee sidled up, whispering conspiratorially, “I think she kinda looks like the boss’s wife!”
Sister Fang’s realization hit like a thunderbolt.
As a veteran employee who’d been with Deng Shangwei since the company’s founding, she knew Chen Li well. Chen Li used to visit often, though her trips had dwindled to two or three times a month in recent years.
Sister Fang was so familiar with Chen Li that she hadn’t immediately made the connection. Prompted by the employee, she smacked her forehead.
She really did resemble the boss’s wife!
But younger, slimmer—Chen Li, after two kids, had fuller cheeks.
A young woman who looked like the boss’s wife, lingering at the company entrance, unknown to Wen Ying—unlikely a relative of Chen Li’s family—claiming to be Deng Shangwei’s “friend.”
Why did this feel so off?
A heavy weight settled in Sister Fang’s chest, though she kept her suspicions to herself. The gossiping employee, however, couldn’t hold back, practically buzzing with excitement. “Sister Fang, do you think she might be… I feel like something’s up.”
“Shut it! I’ve followed Deng Shangwei for years—don’t I know what kind of man he is? Among the men I know, when it comes to loving his wife, Deng Shangwei’s second to none. No one else dares claim first. Keep your mouth shut. If this gets around the company and reaches Deng Shangwei or Chen Li, causing trouble between them, you’ll be out looking for a new job!”
Sister Fang hissed her reprimand, and the gossipy employee slunk off.
As Deng Shangwei’s trusted confidante, Sister Fang held sway—no one dared cross her.
But the employee inwardly scoffed at her lecture.
A man could love his wife and still stray.
Wasn’t there a saying—red flag at home stands firm, while colorful flags flutter outside?
When Deng Shangwei mingled with other bosses, they all had mistresses on their arms. Deng Shangwei was the odd one out—how embarrassing.
This mistress just lacked tact, showing up at the company.
Was she declaring war?
After shooing off the gossip, Sister Fang’s own mind churned.
If Deng Shangwei had betrayed Chen Li, and this woman dared come to the company, she must have some leverage. Chen Li wouldn’t tolerate a speck of dirt in her eye—if the couple clashed, would the seafood company survive?
Publicly, Sister Fang didn’t want her livelihood threatened.
Privately, having known Chen Li for years, she didn’t want Deng Shangwei to wrong her.
Sister Fang suddenly slapped her thigh—oh no, Wen Ying, that silly girl, had gone across the street for milk tea with her! Her heart raced as she imagined the worst: the woman learning Wen Ying’s identity, deliberately spilling secrets to her. A teenager like Wen Ying wouldn’t hold back—she’d rush home to tell Chen Li.
Wouldn’t that play right into her hands?
Sister Fang dashed out the door but stopped short.
As an employee, she couldn’t confront Deng Shangwei about this. It was all speculation from her and the staff.
What if they’d gotten it wrong?
Better to hear what the woman said to Wen Ying first.
Yes, keep Wen Ying close, and things would stay under control.
Sister Fang fixed her gaze on the milk tea shop across the street. Just one road away, the blue umbrella and Wen Ying’s distinctive figure stood out—she wouldn’t vanish in a blink. Sister Fang eased her worries slightly.
—
Little fool, silly Wen.
Wen Ying wouldn’t acknowledge those labels, nor would she mind if she knew.
Being seen as a fool was perfect—no one guarded against a fool.
Wen Ying felt she’d earned every penny of Deng Shangwei’s few thousand yuan. For the sake of his family’s harmony, she’d stomach her disgust, play nice with the vixen, and sip calorie-laden milk tea. One cup meant days of boiled veggies to compensate!
Lili offered to treat her, but Wen Ying generously insisted on paying. She pulled a wad of cash from her pocket, grinning sheepishly at Lili. “Pocket money from my uncle. Sister, let me treat you!”
Lili’s eyes gleamed.
A few thousand in casual pocket money for a niece—Deng Shangwei was loaded!
