Even after sighing in relief, Wen Dongrong’s brows remained tightly furrowed.
If it’s not a bribe, this isn’t simple either!
“Who’s giving you such a hefty gift?”
Wen Ying hesitated, and Wen Dongrong exploded, “You don’t trust me, yet you’re asking my opinion?”
Is this treating him like a father?
Or just a problem-solving tool?
“I trust your judgment, not your integrity.”
Wen Ying clearly had her concerns. She hadn’t decided whether to accept the shares, and what if Old Wen betrayed her to Manager Chen?
Her expression screamed, “You should reflect on yourself,” making Wen Dongrong laugh in exasperation.
“Fine, you don’t have to say who it is, but at least tell me why. They’re giving you such a big gift, they must want something. It can’t just be because you’re cute—though that’s not the point. The point is, without knowing why, I can’t advise you!”
Wen Dongrong was used to showing off in front of others.
He wasn’t the type to be unaware of his own charm, and Chen Ru wasn’t unattractive either. Their daughter couldn’t possibly be plain.
Even when Wen Ying looked scruffy before, Wen Dongrong wasn’t worried. As Chen Ru said, a young girl didn’t need to be too polished. If she stood out too much, even if she wasn’t distracted by early romance, boys would come chasing. Scruffy was fine—a protective armor for focused studying!
That said, Wen Ying had controlled her diet, exercised, slimmed down, and glowed up. Chen Ru couldn’t exactly slap dark foundation on her to dull her back down.
Still, Wen Dongrong had to admit, knowing his daughter wouldn’t be plain was one thing, but seeing Wen Ying transform into this confident, poised, clean, and adorable girl was truly pleasing to the eye—
That’s not the point!
The point is, why did he blurt out the truth?
Calling Wen Ying cute to her face felt awkward.
Being good-looking was an asset, but you couldn’t rely on it alone. Neither Wen Dongrong nor Chen Ru ever commented on Wen Ying’s appearance at home. Besides, how could this scheming girl be called cute? Other families had soft, sweet, coquettish daughters—his could outwit her own dad!
Wen Dongrong wasn’t the only one feeling awkward; Wen Ying was uneasy too.
They were discussing serious matters—why bring up her being cute?
Was Old Wen angling for more pocket money?
One comment doesn’t justify a raise—dream on!
Good grief, she nearly got sidetracked. Wen Ying steered the conversation back, finding the right words:
“They think I helped them greatly and want to thank me—that’s one reason. They also believe in my future potential and want to build a closer relationship through this gift—that’s the second. Both reasons seem equally weighted; it’s hard to say which is more important.”
Wen Ying knew she might have changed Wang Shuang’s fate from a premature death in her past life.
But only she knew this. Wang Jun didn’t, and she’d never claim credit for it.
Wang Jun’s idea of her help was saving Wang Shuang from drowning, though it was actually Xie Qian who pulled him out… Saving Wang Shuang from drowning and saving his life were different. If Xie Qian hadn’t acted, the Qin family’s bodyguards would have. This life differed from the last, where no preparations were made against Yu Wenhao’s schemes. This time, they were ready.
Wang Shuang would likely have been saved anyway, just with more suffering.
Wen Ying never intended to claim credit from the Wang family. Now, as Wang Shuang’s friend, she was even gladder she’d altered his fate.
For this reason, she didn’t want Wang Jun’s “thank-you gift.”
She’d nearly made her decision, and Wen Dongrong’s words pushed her further:
“Gratitude is fine, but banking on your future? That’s an investment. If it were me, I wouldn’t take it. Not to act high and mighty, but it’s unnecessary. If someone believes in you so much, don’t you believe in yourself? Taking their gift means you’ll have reservations in future decisions, constraints. When you succeed, you might doubt whether it was your own effort or their ‘investment.’ With your personality, that’d bother you, right?”
Wen Dongrong didn’t know Wang Jun was offering Tianjiao shares, as Wen Ying withheld key details. He assumed it was the publisher.
Were they offering benefits to tie Wen Ying closer?
Having dealt with Zou Weijun once and found her decent, Wen Dongrong still didn’t support binding Wen Ying to the publisher.
If she rashly signed away rights to her next ten books, it’d be a huge loss!
Zou Weijun was reliable, but she might not stay at Rongcheng Literature Press forever.
If Wen Ying gained fame but the publisher floundered, wouldn’t she be stuck dragging it along?
No way, absolutely not!
Wen Dongrong firmly opposed it.
Having navigated government circles for years, his thinking differed from Xie Qian’s. Xie Qian, confident in his abilities, wasn’t afraid of early investments. Wen Dongrong feared being locked in by accepting one.
Neither was inherently right—they differed in age, experience, and their relationship with Wen Ying, leading to opposite advice.
This was tied to Wen Dongrong’s limited information, but his advice was enough for Wen Ying.
“Alright, I know what to do. Thanks for the advice!”
The scheming girl discarded her tool-dad. Wen Dongrong shouted after her, “Do you really know, or are you faking it? I’m warning you, don’t make such a big decision and then let your mom blame me!”
“I know…”
What’s wrong with taking the blame?
There’s a reward for it—pocket money doesn’t come easy.
Wen Ying slipped into her room, later unable to resist pulling out a mirror from her drawer, studying her face.
“That cute, huh?”
Round eyes, small round face, acne marks nearly gone, fair and soft skin—honestly, pretty cute.
Wen Ying’s lips curved, then she quickly covered her mouth.
Tch, why’s Old Wen spouting truths? Her cuteness is a fact—he doesn’t need to flatter her!
Once decided, Wen Ying didn’t dawdle. The next day after school, she asked Xie Qian to accompany her to see Wang Jun, with Xie Qian as a witness.
“So, have you thought it through? I really just want to thank you both…” Wang Jun said with a warm smile.
Wen Ying smiled brightly, “Uncle Wang, I know you mean well, and no one can say you’re wrong, but I can’t accept your kindness.”
Wang Jun’s smile froze, looking at Wen Ying in confusion.
Xie Qian rejected the shares.
Now Wen Ying too.
Could he not secure either of them?
But that’s not what Xie Qian said that day.
Wang Jun shot Xie Qian a pleading look, but Xie Qian denied his earlier words, “Uncle Wang, I respect Wen Ying’s decision. If she wants to take it, she will. If not, she won’t.”
Lad, you’re not from Rongcheng—why act like a henpecked husband? Show some backbone!
With that face, just smile at a girl, and she’ll do anything you say!
Wang Jun’s resentful gaze wished he could coach Xie Qian on using his looks to charm Wen Ying dizzy.
But Xie Qian missed Wang Jun’s signals, caring more about Wen Ying’s own thoughts.
He was a bit surprised.
He knew Wen Ying valued his opinions.
For small matters, she usually followed his lead.
This time, though, she chose the opposite.
Surprising, yet somehow expected.
Hamsters have their own minds, their own personalities—she wouldn’t always follow him.
The surprise was slight, overshadowed by an indescribable pride: this was Wen Ying!
With both Wang Jun and Xie Qian watching, Wen Ying stayed focused, “Uncle Wang, not taking the shares doesn’t mean I don’t want to be friends with Wang Shuang. On the contrary, I value him as a friend and believe our friendship will stand the test of time. You doing this behind Wang Shuang’s back is your way of protecting him, but I think he wouldn’t like it. He’d think you’re buying friends for him with money!”
Wang Jun looked a bit sheepish.
He did have that intention, just not so bluntly put. Being called out by Wen Ying was awkward.
As he searched for diplomatic words, Wen Ying shifted tone, her smile radiant with undeniable confidence:
“I won’t take the shares as a gift, but I do want Tianjiao shares from you. Could I ask you to hold onto these 4% for now, with a one-year deadline? By then, my independently written script should be aired. Whether it matches *The Princess’s New Clothes* will be clear. Once I prove my worth, I’ll buy into Tianjiao. That way, I’ll feel at ease, and it won’t taint my friendship with Wang Shuang. Plus, most importantly, by then I’ll have the money to buy your 4%—or even Uncle Li’s or Uncle Qin’s shares. If I can afford it, why limit myself to just 4%?”
