“This, this… her…???”
Jiang Youjia stammered.
Knowing Wen Ying was “Upstream Fish” was one thing, but seeing her transformation in person was a wholly different shock. After the scandal of Deng Shangwei and Pan Li’s “affair” broke, Chen Li’s family moved out of the neighbourhood, so Wen Ying had no chance to visit the Jiangs.
Jiang Youjia hadn’t seen her in ages.
At first glance, if the promo hadn’t labelled her name, he wouldn’t have recognised her.
“Why’re you stuttering?”
Lin Lin, unimpressed by her husband’s superficiality, said, “This is called a girl’s transformation, understand? If you hadn’t brought it up, I’d almost forgotten who said last year Wen Ying wasn’t fit to be friends with Xie Qian—”
“Not me, I didn’t, don’t make things up!”
Jiang Youjia nearly leapt off the sofa.
Women were terrifying, always digging up old dirt.
Last year was last year, this is now. He couldn’t predict the future, so how could he know that in just a year and a half, the chubby little girl studying at their house would turn into this?!
Jiang Youjia denied it vehemently but was inwardly amazed.
Comparing the current Wen Ying to Zhao Dong’s sister, Zhao Qian, Wen Ying seemed more like a polished, wealthy beauty, with looks, temperament, and confidence—she didn’t lose to anyone!
No, at the same age, Zhao Qian wasn’t even in Wen Ying’s league.
Zhao Qian was just born lucky.
Wen Ying’s transformation was all her own doing… Jiang Youjia muttered, “Three minutes on Hunan TV, prime ad slot. The publisher must’ve spent a fortune on this girl!”
“Not much from the publisher, I heard Tianjiao Film covered most of it.”
Lin Lin, close to Zou Weijun, knew the real story.
This time, Jiang Youjia held his tongue.
Whether it was the publisher or the film company, spending so much on Wen Ying’s promo wasn’t just because she was pretty. No profit-driven company spends money without expecting bigger returns!
Wen Ying could make money for the publisher and the film company—that was the only truth.
…
Jiang Youjia wasn’t the only one shocked.
Wen Dongrong made countless calls, ensuring no relative escaped his Versailles-style bragging, including cousin Wen Kai in Beijing and the Wen family back home—none were spared.
In Beijing, Wen Kai watched Wen Ying’s debut on the cafeteria’s wall-mounted TV.
Pushing up his glasses, he smiled softly, “Little Ying’s really made it.”
There was no jealousy in his tone, only joy.
No one succeeds overnight.
Having been Wen Ying’s “mobile library” for so long, Wen Kai knew how much she loved reading. When someone passionately loves something, spending years building a foundation, their success in that field is only natural!
Someone patted Wen Kai’s shoulder, “What’re you watching? Come on, let’s grab a late-night snack!”
It was his roommate, a wealthy Beijing local who didn’t look down on small-town kids like Wen Kai and often invited him out.
But nine times out of ten, Wen Kai declined.
The rich roommate never let him pay, but Wen Kai didn’t want to freeload. Splitting bills every time would strain his living expenses. Here, no one knew his cousin was a bestselling author, and even if they did, it wouldn’t change things. Wen Kai wouldn’t dream of leeching off Uncle Wen Dongrong or asking Wen Ying for money.
Coming to Beijing for university showed him how many brilliant and wealthy students there were. A kid from an ordinary southwest town family, what could he compare with?
Limited living expenses were one reason he avoided going out with his rich roommate.
More importantly, Wen Kai wanted to stay in Beijing, to take root in the capital, and that meant doubling his efforts!
Declining the invite, he returned to the dorm to study.
The dorm was empty except for him and another rural student, both reading quietly.
Only the sound of turning pages filled the room.
Neither spoke nor asked why the other stayed in.
Meanwhile, the rich roommate wasn’t upset by the refusal. Others, however, stirred trouble, thinking Wen Kai was ungrateful.
“Why keep inviting that guy? Look at his timid act, what’s he ever going to achieve?”
The rich roommate stayed silent.
Timid?
Hah.
Better than these leeches mooching off him.
They ate his food, spent his money, and thought they were his equals?
Wen Kai and that rural kid were far clearer-headed.
Was university for partying? For someone like him, with family backing, he could play as he liked—his future didn’t depend on a degree. But for ordinary kids who didn’t study hard, the gap would show after graduation.
Hard workers might not get rich, but their odds of success were far higher than slackers!
The rich roommate respected Wen Kai but didn’t tell his hangers-on.
He wasn’t a saint, no need to enlighten anyone—they might not even appreciate it!
…
Compared to Wen Kai’s studious life, Qin Jiao’s university days were far more vibrant.
After starting uni, she joined three clubs and quickly stood out among freshmen.
A goddess is a goddess anywhere. For a family like the Qins, Qin Jiao had to study hard, but not just book knowledge—social skills and networking were their own lessons.
Seeing Wen Ying’s promo, Qin Jiao was thrilled and called to congratulate her.
“I’m almost regretting coming to Beijing, it feels so far from you all. If I were still in Rongcheng, I’d definitely be part of this!”
Wen Ying laughed, “Jiao-jie, don’t joke! Rongcheng’s too small to hold you. Beijing’s your stage.”
True friends don’t drift apart with distance.
Wen Ying wouldn’t use friendship to tie people down. Working together makes friends, but so does not working together, as long as everyone has a bright future!
Qin Jiao’s heart warmed.
Last year’s Wen Ying, this year’s Wen Ying—only her appearance changed, not her core.
How could Little Ying be so adorable?
Qin Jiao’s roommate returned, saw her on the phone, and whispered, “Chatting with your boyfriend?”
Hanging up, Qin Jiao said seriously, “No, a dear friend, far more important than a boyfriend.”
Boyfriends? Pfft!
They wouldn’t protect her in danger.
Love comes and goes, but friendship lasts.
Her roommate gave a thumbs-up, “No wonder you reject all those suitors without blinking.”
