Song Shao’s expression was so natural when he said this, not forced at all.
Wen Ying chuckled.
No surprise—this was Song Shao.
When he could help, Song Shao didn’t hesitate, but only if the person was worth it. He wasn’t a pushover; he had his own standards.
So, Song Shao approved of her now?
Wen Ying was thrilled but could only appreciate his kindness: dealing with Shu Lu was one thing—Song Shao could handle that—but Shu Lu’s antics were backed by Zhao Dong.
Asking Song Shao, a high schooler, to face a petty villain like Zhao Dong? Wen Ying couldn’t bear it!
She dodged the topic vaguely, “The police already know Shu Lu’s link to Yue Shanni. They’ll find more evidence, and with proof, it’ll be easy.”
Proof would be great.
Yue Shanni got expelled; Shu Lu wouldn’t fare well either.
Song Shao wasn’t planning anything illegal. By “catching” Shu Lu, he meant solidifying evidence… Wait, did Wen Ying not want him involved?
Song Shao realized belatedly and dropped the subject.
He and Wen Ying weren’t that close.
His earlier offer slipped out in excitement over her post-exam transformation.
For a self-reliant classmate, Song Shao wouldn’t hold back help.
If Wen Ying didn’t want it, he couldn’t ignore her plight entirely.
But no need to tell her that.
Song Shao moved on. They wandered the Provincial Library, borrowed books, and he said goodbye, though he couldn’t resist adding, “Don’t go it alone. Asking for help isn’t weakness. If I can’t help, your parents can. Listen to their advice on this.”
Song Shao refused to believe Wen Ying’s parents would let Shu Lu scheme. Relatives or not, they couldn’t matter more than their own daughter!
November in Rongcheng was cooling, feeling like winter. At the library entrance, Wen Ying felt warm inside.
“I know!”
Song Shao headed to the bus stop, backpack on.
“Call if you need me. I won’t shirk if I can help.”
He paused, smiling, “If Teacher Kang saw you now, she’d be thrilled.”
Teacher Kang was their junior high homeroom teacher.
In Wen Ying’s first year, Kang, fresh from college, taught math. By second year, she became their homeroom teacher. Passionate, she favored Song Shao but cared for others too, even invisible Wen Ying.
In her past life, as a lawyer, Wen Ying helped Kang through trouble without hesitation.
Song Shao’s mention of Kang lifted Wen Ying’s spirits.
“I’ll visit home for winter break. Want to see Teacher Kang together?”
Song Shao flashed an OK sign as his bus arrived, and he boarded.
Wen Ying lingered at the stop. With Song Shao gone, the early winter wind turned chilly.
She tucked her neck in, and a figure blocked her view.
Xie Qian.
Wen Ying’s eyes lit up, “You’re here!”
Xie Qian nodded, “Just arrived.”
He glanced around, looking like he’d just shown up. “Your classmate left already?”
Wen Ying, unsuspecting, nodded, “We strolled the library, and Song Shao headed back. He’s really great, still so helpful, even offered to help me nail Shu Lu.”
Xie Qian thought of the boy he’d seen.
Polite, well-mannered, gentle but with resolute eyes, confident yet understated, with a unique charm.
Even from a small city, this guy was bound for success.
No wonder Wen Ying cut off other junior high friends but stayed in touch with him.
Xie Qian hadn’t met Song Shao up close, but from afar, even he felt a spark of liking.
Liking aside, hearing Song Shao wanted to help Wen Ying with Shu Lu, Xie Qian’s first thought was: Are they *that* close?
“You agreed?”
His tone was neutral. Wen Ying shook her head, “No way! Shu Lu and Shu Guobing are small fry; the real issue is Zhao Dong behind them. Getting Song Shao involved would just drag him into trouble.”
Zhao Dong was petty.
A returned overseas businessman targeting a high school girl like Wen Ying could easily target a high school boy too.
Xie Qian nodded slightly.
“You’re right. We’ll handle Zhao Dong ourselves—no need to drag innocents in. Speaking of which, you’re innocent too. This mess is my fault.”
Wen Ying rolled her eyes, “What’s with that talk between friends? We’re both unlucky—you got a greedy leech, I got two ungrateful relatives. Without Zhao Dong, the Shu family wouldn’t turn good; they’d just keep pretending, waiting to stab me later. I don’t blame you, so don’t say that again!”
Xie Qian nodded obligingly, “Got it, won’t mention it.”
Old classmates and close friends were different.
You couldn’t trouble classmates, but you could face issues with friends.
Xie Qian checked his watch, “It’s getting late. Let’s head to my place.”
Wen Ying was eager to see the share transfer agreement.
But hadn’t Xie Qian just arrived?
“You’re not borrowing books?”
“Nah, I stopped by a bookstore on the way and bought what I needed.”
His excuse was seamless, and Wen Ying didn’t think twice.
Every weekend, Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong attended English classes, frazzled by the language. Wen Ying had free rein, and Chen Ru wouldn’t notice her visiting a classmate.
Recalling Chen Ru’s early dating suspicions, Wen Ying didn’t want trouble and planned to inform her.
Song Shao’s advice to consult her parents was for a sixteen-year-old. Mentally mature, Wen Ying didn’t report everything.
Visiting a friend was trivial for an adult.
Still, first visits called for courtesy. Wen Ying brought fruit.
She seemed calm, but inside, she was thrilled.
—Visiting her idol’s home? How many fangirls got that chance?
Xie Qian and his mother’s Rongcheng home was a quiet oasis amid bustle. A block from a busy commercial street, past old houses, lay a serene enclave.
A lane lined with ginkgo trees held small buildings, free of urban clamor, exuding calm.
The house looked old and less grand than Jiang’s villa, but its charm was inside.
Beyond a nostalgic gate and outer rooms lay a stunning garden.
The main residence was a small building behind it.
An old park behind the building blended its greenery with the garden’s view.
Such a home was hard to buy, even with money.
“This place is amazing!”
Wen Ying’s praise was genuine, envious but not jealous.
She might not afford this, but she’d do better than her past life’s four-million-yuan riverfront flat.
Reborn Lawyer Wen was a bit cocky, confident in building wealth.
The housekeeper, Aunt Liu, overheard and glanced at Wen Ying.
Not condescending, she found Wen Ying discerning and candid, a straightforward girl.
No surprise—if she weren’t decent, Xie Qian wouldn’t have invited her.
Since transferring to Rongcheng, Wen Ying was Xie Qian’s first guest.
Aunt Liu had drinks and snacks ready. Seeing Wen Ying’s fruit, she made a fruit platter.
It was Saturday, but Zou Weijun wasn’t home. A printing issue with the book series sent her to the factory that morning.
Xie Qian knew but didn’t tell Wen Ying, letting Aunt Liu mention it.
Wen Ying was oblivious to his tactic.
Not slow, she just didn’t overthink.
Xie Qian’s idol aura dulled her, even after two lives.
“Will Aunt Zou be back for lunch?”
Aunt Liu glanced at Xie Qian and shook her head, “Not sure, but she told me to make sure you stay for lunch.”
She’d prepped the meal.
It was welcoming but not overly formal, perfectly balanced.
Xie Qian set down his glass.
“Thanks, Aunt Liu, for lunch. Wen Ying and I are heading to the study.”
To see the share transfer agreement!
Wen Ying was here for it, buzzing with excitement.
Xie Qian had her wait in the study while he fetched the agreement from the safe.
“Take your time, no rush. Aunt Liu needs at least an hour for lunch.”
The 2% Jinhu Group share transfer agreement wouldn’t take long to read.
It was straightforward, but Wen Ying focused on the additional clauses.
Since Xie Qian was under 18, he couldn’t exercise shareholder rights. The 2% shares, though in his name, were managed by Xie Jinghu, who’d transfer annual dividends to Xie Qian’s account as “living expenses” for his Rongcheng studies.
Compared to a typical high schooler’s allowance, the dividends were astronomical. Even rich kid Wang Shuang couldn’t match Xie Qian’s discretionary funds.
But against Jinhu Group’s total value, the dividends were pocket change.
Wen Ying scrutinized it—no major issues.
Once Xie Qian turned eighteen, he’d be a full shareholder.
—So, did this contract exist in her past life?!
