Zhao Dong’s driver was an honest man, quiet and unassuming, with a presence so low it was barely noticeable. Zhao Dong found him reliable and convenient to have around. If the driver wasn’t under suspicion, Zhao Dong was reluctant to replace him.
For a businessman, life was too busy. Having a few capable assistants made both work and daily life so much easier!
The news of Zhao Dong hiring Song Fuxiang to ghostwrite his autobiography quickly reached Xie Qian.
However, Xie Qian wasn’t certain about Zhao Dong’s intention to approach Zou Weijun through Song Fuxiang. It was hard for most people to follow the logic of someone like Zhao Dong.
Xie Qian was still slightly surprised.
Zhao Dong had been back in the country for so long, throwing money around without knowing which doors to knock on, unable to break into Rongcheng’s local circles. Had he finally figured it out?
Song Fuxiang, a prominent figure, was the editor-in-chief of a magazine under Rongcheng Publishing Group and held considerable influence in the local literary scene. Even within the publishing group, his position was much higher than Zou Weijun’s.
Though they worked in different departments—Zou Weijun in the editing and publishing department, and Song Fuxiang in the periodical development center—Song’s role as magazine editor-in-chief placed him in the group’s mid-level leadership.
More importantly, Song Fuxiang’s daughter, Song Chan, had won first prize in the New Concept Essay Contest alongside Wen Ying. Just a few days ago, Zou Weijun had used Song Chan’s book as an example. Xie Qian couldn’t help but think the world was small.
During a break, Xie Qian shared this with Wen Ying, who gasped, “That dog Zhao Dong! Writing an autobiography is just a pretext. He’s probably trying to get close to Aunt Zou…”
Wen Ying was anxious. Why was Xie Qian so calm?
This was Zhao Dong!
While others might sell their conscience for money, Zhao Dong was different—he’d sell his soul and body too. Wen Ying wasn’t worried about Zhao Dong seducing Zou Weijun, but rather that he had no moral底线.
If Xie Jinghu offered Zhao Dong benefits, he’d eagerly become Xie Jinghu’s pawn!
What if Xie Jinghu asked Zhao Dong to provoke Zou Weijun?
Could Zou Weijun’s condition withstand such provocation?
Though Zou Weijun appeared normal, even more driven than most, that was only on the surface.
Depression wasn’t so easily cured.
It could seem better temporarily but flare up again.
Zou Weijun might look fine, but if she were truly recovered, why did she never mention Xie Jinghu?
Wen Ying had confirmed this with Xie Qian.
Rongcheng, far from the capital, was a safe place for Zou Weijun. The Xie family forbade Xie Jinghu from bothering her, allowing her to slowly reach out, explore the world, and rediscover life’s joys.
Zou Weijun would discuss work with Xie Qian, even talk about the Xie family, and had no issue buying property in Shanghai for younger family members. But she never mentioned Xie Jinghu.
This wasn’t independence.
It was a wound in her heart that hadn’t healed.
Zou Weijun lacked the courage to face Xie Jinghu and confront her failed marriage.
Wen Ying’s face was full of worry, but seeing her like this, Xie Qian’s own anxiety faded.
“Of course I’m worried too,” Xie Qian reassured her. “I’ve considered the possibilities you’re thinking of. But what good is worrying? If my dad really wants to do something, he won’t just use Zhao Dong. Anyone could be a messenger of malice. You can’t guard against everyone.”
While Zou Weijun was recovering at home, she was in a vacuum, safe from hurtful words as long as phone contact was cut off.
Xie Qian had tried this approach, but it did nothing for her condition.
Once Zou Weijun stepped out into the world, that vacuum dissolved.
Xie Jinghu didn’t even need to call or meet her to deliver malice—it was impossible to guard against completely!
Jumping to intervene the moment Zhao Dong showed signs of approaching Zou Weijun was pointless. It was Zhao Dong now, but what about Wang Dong or Li Dong later? Could Xie Qian block them all?
“Wen Ying, I want to try something,” Xie Qian murmured. “I know it’s risky, but I want to try. My mom’s developed some resilience. When colleagues try to steal her credit at work, she fights for it instead of avoiding it. If someone tied to my dad tests her, or even tries to hurt her, and she can fight back, then…”
Xie Qian’s tone was unusually hesitant as he spoke of trying.
If it were just himself, he’d take the gamble.
But this was Zou Weijun.
It was a risk.
It could make her stronger or worsen her condition.
“If Aunt Zou can fight back, then next time, she’ll have the courage to face your dad directly. Is that what you’re thinking?” Wen Ying asked.
Xie Qian nodded, his earlier hesitation turning to resolve.
Wen Ying couldn’t help but want to applaud. Xie Qian was so decisive!
“Then let’s give Aunt Zou some confidence,” Wen Ying said cheerfully, easing off to avoid pressuring Xie Qian further. She shifted the topic, “Speaking of which, I met Song Chan’s dad in Shanghai. He seemed like a cultured man. I didn’t expect Zhao Dong to hire him to ghostwrite an autobiography.”
Sigh, even lofty cultural figures bend for money.
It wasn’t unheard of for writers to ghostwrite autobiographies, but for someone with Song Fuxiang’s reputation to write for someone like Zhao Dong was a step down!
Wen Ying used this to remind herself to earn more money. Only with enough wealth could she confidently refuse such degrading tasks in the future.
Li Mengjiao walked into the classroom, heading straight for Wen Ying’s seat.
“What are you two whispering about so secretively… ugh, never mind. Wen Ying, check this out.”
Since suspecting Wen Ying and Xie Qian were secretly dating, Li Mengjiao had grown used to their closeness. As a good friend, she not only kept their secret but often covered for them. She felt she’d gone above and beyond for their friendship.
Li Mengjiao was holding a few newspapers.
Wen Ying took a look. The articles were about Xu Mei.
The first said Xu Mei’s Taiwan idol drama had wrapped filming.
The second reported rumors of a romance with the drama’s male lead.
The third claimed the male lead and second male lead were vying for Xu Mei’s affection, with Taiwan entertainment reporters saying that while the two male characters revolved around the female lead in the drama, both actors were smitten with Xu Mei off-screen, suggesting she had a knack for charming men.
Both the male lead and second male lead were handsome, promising idols in Taiwan’s entertainment industry, and the papers speculated on who Xu Mei would choose.
The final article noted that after filming, Xu Mei returned and was spotted at Hunan Airport with a mysterious man picking her up, their demeanor intimate, hinting he might be her real boyfriend.
So, Xu Mei went to Taiwan to film and conquered the entire cast?
Though Wen Ying disliked Xu Mei, she didn’t think Xu Mei was that kind of person.
The drama hadn’t even aired, yet the rumor mill was already churning—typical entertainment industry PR tactics.
Wen Ying picked up one newspaper, “This mysterious man at the airport, that’s Young Master Cao, right?”
