After Boss Qin’s explanation, Deng Shangwei realized he might just be a stepping stone. How Yu Wenhao planned to use him to target Boss Qin, though, was still unclear to him.
Boss Qin had several theories, but they’d depend on Yu Wenhao’s next move.
The danger lay in secrecy. If Deng Shangwei had hidden his “honey trap” predicament out of embarrassment, Boss Qin might’ve only seen Yu Wenhao’s interest in Qin Jiao as a personal matter. Deng’s openness, however, broadened Qin’s perspective.
“Don’t tip him off on your end. Keep stalling as you planned. I’ll handle Yu Wenhao myself,” Boss Qin said.
Deng Shangwei flushed with shame. “This is my fault—careless and sloppy, nearly letting someone exploit me. If Yu Wenhao succeeded because of me, even dying wouldn’t make up for your loss, Big Brother Qin.”
Boss Qin patted his shoulder. “You were just the one he picked. He’s scheming with or without you. I’m glad he chose you as his pawn.”
At least Deng hadn’t kept it from him.
Qin chuckled. “Your niece spotted the honey trap first, didn’t she? You—what can I say? Outsmarted by a little girl.”
“Wen Ying stumbled onto it by hiring a private detective to check on me,” Deng Shangwei said, embarrassed.
Stumbled? Maybe not.
Though Boss Qin hadn’t interacted much with Wen Ying, her sharpness and decisiveness left an impression. If it wasn’t luck, he wondered how she’d caught wind of Yu Wenhao’s plot when even Deng hadn’t noticed.
An idea formed. He asked Deng to wait and called Qin Jiao to the study about twenty minutes later when she got home.
“Uncle Deng’s here too?” Qin Jiao assumed it was about Yu Wenhao.
Boss Qin saw her unease and reassured her. “It’s fine. Your Uncle Deng knows. We talked, and I realized I might’ve misjudged things. Yu Wenhao targeting you likely ties to profit, not just personal interest.”
Profit?
Wen Ying had said Yu Wenhao was a shady character. Was it kidnapping? Oddly, Qin Jiao felt less scared than on the ride home.
“Wang Shuang and the others invited me and Wen Ying to Longtan Lake for a barbecue. Dad, should I still go?”
She recalled Wen Ying’s words.
Boss Qin exchanged a glance with Deng Shangwei, hesitating. “We know Yu Wenhao’s up to something, but not what exactly. Longtan Lake could be risky.”
A father knows his daughter. Qin Jiao caught his subtext.
“So, Dad, you’re hoping we stick to the plan and go?”
Deng Shangwei wavered. “Big Brother Qin, maybe not. It’s still dangerous for them…”
Boss Qin ignored him, focusing on Qin Jiao. “Jiao Jiao, what do you think? Are you brave enough?”
Qin Jiao gritted her teeth. “I am!”
Yu Wenhao’s gaze made her skin crawl. Catching him would end her constant fear.
Boss Qin clapped. “Good! Worthy of being Qin Xianming’s daughter—gutsy!”
Qin Jiao blushed, sheepish.
She trusted her dad wouldn’t harm her. Without a plan, he wouldn’t let her go.
Wen Ying had nailed it again—predicting the trip wouldn’t be canceled.
Boss Qin gave instructions: stick to the Longtan Lake plan, but don’t tell Wang Shuang and the others. They might slip up and scare Yu Wenhao off.
“What about Wen Ying?” Qin Jiao reminded him. “She’ll figure it out—she already guessed you’d support the trip.”
Boss Qin smiled. “She can know. Invite her over tomorrow for dinner. I’ll talk to her myself.”
He wanted Wen Ying there to ease Qin Jiao’s nerves and keep her natural. He checked with Deng Shangwei first, offering to exclude Wen Ying if Deng thought it too risky.
Deng Shangwei gave a wry smile. “I’m her uncle, but I can’t force her. She’s got her own mind now—she’ll go to Longtan Lake.”
Qin Jiao grinned. “Don’t worry, Uncle Deng. I’ll look after her.”
—
Deng Shangwei got home past midnight. He wanted to talk to Wen Ying, but her lights were out.
The next morning, he caught her before she left, relaying Boss Qin’s invitation.
Wen Ying figured it was about Yu Wenhao. “What did Uncle Qin say about tomorrow’s Longtan Lake barbecue with Qin Jiao Jie and the others?”
“He supports you all going.”
Wen Ying got it instantly. “Great!”
Chen Li overheard. “You’re going to Longtan Lake tomorrow?”
Wen Ying nodded. “Yep, with Qin Jiao Jie and her friends.”
Had she forgotten their bet?
Yesterday, she’d been frantic to earn money, typing all day for manuscript fees. Now, skipping tutoring to hang out? Chen Li already doubted Wen Ying could win, but giving up after one day left her exasperated.
After Wen Ying left for tutoring at the Jiangs’, Chen Li dropped off some fruit at Lin Lin’s, casually mentioning the Longtan Lake trip. Offhand for her, but Lin Lin perked up.
Lin Lin had paired Xie Qian with Wen Ying for tutoring at their grandma’s behest—to give Xie Qian peers. Hearing Wen Ying and her age-mates were going, Lin Lin considered sending Xie Qian along.
“Chen Jie, do you think it’s okay if Xie Qian joins them?” Lin Lin asked.
“Huh?!” Chen Li was startled, then backpedaled. “Of course it’s fine. I just worry Xie Qian might not want to.”
Lin Lin knew her cousin’s temperament—quiet, sedentary, averse to hassle. Getting him to socialize proactively was a pipe dream.
“Could Wen Ying invite him? I’ll nudge him too—he might agree. Chen Jie, you’ve probably noticed my cousin’s a bit cold. I worry he’ll isolate himself. He’s here for two months, living with me—I can’t help but fret. If it’s inconvenient, forget it.”
Her words struck Chen Li. Wen Ying staying with her meant constant care—more than for her own kids. Lin Lin’s concern hit home, making refusal hard.
It should be fine, right?
Qin Jiao’s group had boys and girls—Xie Qian wouldn’t be alone with Wen Ying. Just a bunch of teens. Adults shouldn’t overthink it.
