Wen Ying had no clue she’d need to invite Xie Qian to Longtan Lake.
Lin Lin and Chen Li had it all figured out behind her back.
With Boss Qin set to take on Yu Wenhao, Wen Ying was in high spirits today!
She’d always doubted Deng Shangwei could handle Pan Li and Yu Wenhao’s schemes—after all, he’d fallen for it in her past life. But with Yu Wenhao’s interest in Qin Jiao exposed, Boss Qin had to step in.
With Qin’s help, Deng Shangwei’s odds were solid!
Once Yu Wenhao was dealt with, Qin Jiao could stop living in fear. No girl would feel okay knowing a sleazy, vice-ridden old man had his eyes on her.
To Xie Qian, Wen Ying’s excitement was palpable—she might as well have “thrilled” stamped on her face, barely containing it.
He didn’t get it. How could she be so cheerful every day?
Was life really that full of joy?
She was like a hamster—small brain, short memory, quick to forget anything unpleasant…
Math tutor Teacher Liang also noticed Wen Ying’s high energy and countered it by calling on her relentlessly. When she stumbled over tough questions, her buzz finally dimmed.
She shot Liang a resentful look.
Liang was unfazed. He’d tamed wilder students than her.
As the old saying went, he’d eaten more salt than she’d eaten rice!
After class, Wen Ying, fishing for something to say, chatted up Xie Qian. “Don’t you think Teacher Liang’s starting to like me? He’s clearly paying more attention to me.”
Xie Qian’s look said it all—words weren’t needed.
Why do you think a tutor’s zeroing in on you? No self-awareness at all?
His disdain was too obvious. For once, Wen Ying read him perfectly and laughed. “If you don’t object, I’ll take that as agreement.”
Xie Qian stood, packing his books, but couldn’t hold back. “When you can score over 120 on a math quiz, maybe then Liang will actually like you.”
Liang loved pop quizzes—short, 30-minute tests with fewer questions than a full exam but heavy point values. You either knew it or you didn’t. A couple wrong answers, and Wen Ying’s score would dip below passing.
Meanwhile, Xie Qian aced every one.
Wen Ying casually stuffed her quiz into her bag, channeling the thick skin she’d honed as a lawyer in her past life. “You can’t just ignore the obvious truth out of jealousy,” she said earnestly.
“…”
Xie Qian’s expression? She didn’t bother checking. She grabbed her bag and bolted downstairs.
The Jiang family’s nanny, Aunt Wang, was tidying the living room.
Wen Ying waved cheerily. “Aunt Wang, see you this afternoon!”
Aunt Wang couldn’t help but smile.
Wen Ying’s sweet tongue had won her over. Whenever she prepped snacks or drinks for Xie Qian, Wen Ying got a share too.
The caution she showed around Xie Qian vanished with Wen Ying—she found her too adorable.
Humming a tune, Wen Ying headed home.
Xie Qian got the “male god” treatment everywhere—constant fawning. When would he see her as a friend? A little teasing, some playful jabs—small doses kept things lively without crossing his lines. It could even bring them closer.
She ate lunch happily, but at the table, Chen Li dropped a bombshell.
“What?!”
Chen Li glared. “Why the fuss? You heard me—invite Xie Qian to the Longtan Lake barbecue. Teacher Lin’s helped so much with your tutoring. Even if your midterm scores hit the provincial key school’s adjusted line, you might need her help with class placement later. She’s not asking for fees—just pure kindness. Now she’s got this small request. Can we say no?”
The logic made sense. Wen Ying got it.
But Longtan Lake wasn’t just a casual outing—it was a trap to lure the snake out!
Wang Shuang and the others were part of the plan. If they suddenly bailed, leaving just her and Qin Jiao, it’d look odd, and Yu Wenhao might get suspicious.
Adding Xie Qian last-minute, though… Wen Ying didn’t agree right away. “It’s Qin Jiao Jie’s friends’ event. I need to check with her first.”
She’d already decided to claim Qin Jiao’s group said no after tutoring, but Chen Li wasn’t having it. “Call her now. I’ll talk to her.”
“…”
Under Chen Li’s watchful eye, Wen Ying dialed Qin Jiao and brought up inviting Xie Qian.
“Wen Ying, do you want this friend to come?” Qin Jiao asked.
With Chen Li staring, Wen Ying couldn’t say no. “Yeah,” she forced out.
Qin Jiao, trusting her, agreed without hesitation.
Chen Li beamed. “Your uncle’s always praising how well Boss Qin raises his kids—both his son and daughter are so generous. It’s true!”
They’re all young—strangers now, friends after hanging out.
Xie Qian joining could mean more than a lakeside barbecue—he might make some peers, easing Lin Lin’s worries about him isolating.
Perfect, perfect.
What could Wen Ying say?
“As long as you’re happy, Aunt.”
But there was still Xie Qian.
Knowing his personality, he’d likely refuse.
Wen Ying stayed optimistic.
She swore she didn’t want him there—not because she feared Li Mengjiao chasing him early, but because she genuinely didn’t want him at risk!
In her past life, Xie Qian’s early death was a fishbone stuck in her throat. She tried not to dwell on it, but it still stung when she swallowed.
—
Wen Ying figured Xie Qian would say no.
Given his nature, that’d be the expected outcome.
But she wasn’t the only one who knew him—Lin Lin did too.
While Wen Ying ate and napped, Lin Lin broached it with Xie Qian, avoiding orders and keeping it gentle.
“Wen Ying wants to invite you but is too shy, afraid you’ll turn her down.”
Xie Qian nodded. “She’s right.”
He’d refuse.
Lin Lin faltered.
“Don’t overthink it. Wen Ying’s not chasing you—she just sees you as a friend. She’s honest and shares fun stuff with you.”
Honest?
An “honest” girl wouldn’t hire a PI to catch an elder’s affair.
Xie Qian realized Wen Ying wore different masks for different people.
Oddly, Lin Lin saw her as sincere and reliable. Even Aunt Wang at the Jiangs’ favored her.
Wang always added little touches to Wen Ying’s snacks—her apple was bigger, her grapes redder.
Xie Qian had noticed but didn’t care enough to mention it.
Seeing him silent, Lin Lin sighed. “I wonder if Grandma’s bored up in Qingcheng Mountain. I’d love to take her around Rongcheng’s outskirts. Longtan Lake’s got great scenery—I was hoping you’d scout it out first.”
Was she set on him going?
Xie Qian suspected she’d keep nagging if he didn’t agree.
“…Let me think about it.”
