Fame doesn’t change daily life much. Wen Ying now has a blog to manage, but otherwise, her routine remains the same, much like Li Mengjiao, who, despite being a big star, still frets over exam results.
Fame doesn’t make teachers go easy on Wen Ying; instead, they demand more, leaving her no chance to daydream in class.
Xie Qian is pleased. He used to be the only one nagging Wen Ying about her studies, but now the teachers are helping, making it impossible for her to slack off. If her grades don’t improve, it’d defy logic!
Wen Ying’s fame hit Wang Shuang hard.
Wang Shuang’s circle is full of overachievers. Xie Qian and Qin Jiao dominate with brains and grades, Li Mengjiao’s a star, Tang Yifeng and Geng Xiao excel academically. Wen Ying used to be the “ordinary” one, keeping Wang Shuang company as the underdog. But now, Wen Ying’s revealed as a “young writer” and “young screenwriter,” leaving Wang Shuang as the lone “weakling,” feeling isolated.
For the first time in her teens, Wang Shuang, with tears in her eyes, mustered the resolve to study hard, determined to conquer her exams.
After school, the four ate fried skewers at the gate. As usual, Xie Qian avoided the “not spicy at all” skewers Wen Ying and Li Mengjiao loved. Girls are odd, always complaining about their weight, vowing to diet, yet devouring fried food like it’s nothing.
Li Mengjiao, free from Yuan Fenghui’s watchful eye, dropped her star persona, battling a plate of fried potatoes.
Wen Ying, never burdened by an idol image, didn’t notice the chili on her lips.
Her red lips moved, paired with her round face, making her look like a chubby hamster.
Xie Qian forced himself to look away, focusing on Wang Shuang:
“Keep this up until the college entrance exam, and you’ll get into a first-tier university.”
“Just a regular first-tier?”
Wang Shuang was miffed, feeling underestimated.
At their top provincial school, getting into a first-tier university is standard; failing would be the real embarrassment.
Xie Qian gave Wang Shuang a meaningful look.
Ambition is good.
Wang Shuang’s not dumb, just lazy, never fond of studying.
Her family didn’t expect her to get into a first-tier university on merit, planning to spend big to send her abroad for a degree before taking over the family business.
Wen Ying, wiping her mouth, laughed. Wang Shuang’s really stepping up, no longer content with just a regular first-tier university.
Under Wang Shuang’s pestering, Xie Qian relented:
“Fine, I’ll adjust my expectations to a 211 university.”
Just a 211?
The self-inflated “slacker” Wang secretly aimed for a 985.
Not a top 985 or a popular major, but she figured she could make it.
Xie Qian didn’t know Wang Shuang’s lofty dreams. If he did, he’d want to pin her down and scold her—expecting a 211 was tough love to push her toward a better 985, not some obscure major at a lesser 985. What a slacker!
Only Wen Ying likely sensed Xie Qian’s true expectations for Wang Shuang.
Soon, Yuan Fenghui sent someone for Li Mengjiao, who had a performance class. She left, Wang Shuang followed, leaving Wen Ying and Xie Qian at the skewer stall. Xie Qian told Wen Ying:
“Zhao Dong’s starting the bidding.”
“…?!”
Big shot, is a skewer stall the place for such big talk?
Xie Qian clearly thought it was fine.
Talking about Zhao Dong here wrongs the stall, not Zhao Dong.
He waited until Wen Ying finished eating, as mentioning Zhao Dong earlier might’ve ruined her appetite.
“You’re all prepared?”
Wen Ying checked with Xie Qian, who nodded slightly, “I’ve made some arrangements in secret, mostly thanks to Uncle Jiang’s help.”
Xie Qian lacks the clout to face Zhao Dong directly; his high school status limits him, and Zhao Dong doesn’t care about his academic prowess. But when Jiang Xuekun speaks, it carries weight, as Zhao Dong’s long wanted to partner with him.
Seeing Xie Qian’s confidence, Wen Ying’s heart raced with worry.
Deep down, she wanted Zhao Dong to take a hit, as he’s Xie Jinghu’s lackey, and hurting Zhao Dong could affect Xie Jinghu.
But if Xie Qian trips Zhao Dong up, Wen Ying fears both his failure and the backlash if he succeeds.
Her influence is still too small.
Despite some success in writing and earning money, her personal impact remains limited.
—Xie Qian has it tough.
The worst is Xie Jinghu!
If he hadn’t cheated, kept a mistress, or had an illegitimate child, Xie Qian wouldn’t face this mess.
Wen Ying mulled it over and finally voiced her question:
“Do you think Aunt Zou’s considering divorce?”
She’d thought it through. Her subtle hints and influence on Xie Qian weren’t enough. Another way is for Zou Weijun to face her failed marriage, divorce Xie Jinghu early, and split their assets.
Once finances are clear, whether Xie Jinghu promotes his mistress or her kids get family approval, they’d only get his share.
Even if Xie Jinghu gives nothing to Xie Qian, it’s fine.
Xie Qian can earn his own money and build his career, at least safe from harm.
Once divorced, Zou Weijun’s assets would be untouchable by Xie Jinghu, his ex, or his other kids.
Xie Qian hasn’t discussed this with Zou Weijun.
Even if she wants a divorce, without Xie Yuping and Old Lady Xie’s support, she’d struggle to secure her share.
That’s the harsh reality.
But if Zou Weijun chooses to walk away with nothing just to be free, Xie Qian would respect that.
Until she decides, Xie Qian won’t speak for her or let Xie Jinghu’s mistress benefit from Zou Weijun’s share.
“I’m waiting for my mum to figure it out. I’m her son, I’ll protect her until then.”
Xie Qian spoke calmly but firmly.
This boy, meant for the clouds, has matured early under family turmoil.
Wen Ying ached for his premature growth but was proud of his brave, responsible nature.
Life is full of setbacks. If you don’t want to lie down and let enemies trample you, you fight back with all you’ve got!
