The county was so small that a taxi from the hospital to the hotel wouldn’t even exceed the starting fare.
Neither Wen Ying nor Xie Qian suggested taking one. They walked back together.
It felt almost magical. On a midsummer night in 2004, she was strolling through a small county’s streets with Xie Qian… Without being reborn, this plot twist would’ve been unthinkable.
Pu County’s nights lacked Rongcheng’s vibrancy. A small place like this rarely saw someone as striking as Xie Qian. Earlier at the hospital, a nurse had even asked if he was a celebrity.
The entertainment world could never cultivate Xie Qian’s noble air.
Still, for the nurse, “Are you a star?” was the grandest praise she could offer.
Wen Ying couldn’t help but smirk.
Sensing Xie Qian’s gaze, she reined in her amusement and said earnestly, “Thanks so much for today. And… sorry. I should’ve told you some things before asking you to Changtan Lake.”
Xie Qian had already figured it out.
The boat capsizing at Changtan Lake wasn’t an accident.
Those rowdy youths on the jet ski seemed to have rammed them on purpose.
Their troublemaking had nothing to do with Xie Qian, but he suspected Wen Ying had prior intel.
This meant the Changtan Lake invite wasn’t her idea.
Wen Ying, a girl who’d hired a private detective to dig into her uncle’s affair, wasn’t a standout student but was mature beyond her years in dealing with people. Otherwise, Cousin Lin Lin and the Jiang family’s nanny, Aunt Wang, wouldn’t adore her.
Being mature, she’d know what mattered.
If she knew the trip was risky, why invite him?
With Xie Qian’s sharp mind, it clicked.
Likely, Cousin Lin Lin, wanting him to socialise more, had “borrowed” Wen Ying’s name to extend the invite.
So Wen Ying’s hesitation yesterday wasn’t about asking him—it was about how to say no.
Xie Qian wasn’t mad. Experiencing “wishful thinking” for the first time was kind of intriguing.
What surprised him more was her candor—she laid it all out.
Most people loved playing clever, riding misunderstandings, treating others like fools, thinking their lies were invisible. On this alone, Wen Ying’s honesty outshone 99% of the world.
Xie Qian shook his head, “It’s fine. My cousin put you in a bind. Next time something’s awkward, just tell me straight.”
Wen Ying exhaled in relief, keeping her face calm while inwardly screaming: A considerate god like him—she could stan for two lifetimes!
Worried he’d overthink, she added, “If Changtan Lake wasn’t risky, I’d have invited you myself—no need for Teacher Lin to nudge.”
Xie Qian gave a soft “Mm,” his mood unreadable.
He wasn’t chatty by nature. With the air cleared, they walked back to the hotel in quiet harmony.
At the hotel stairs, about to part, Xie Qian suddenly said, “This mess—will it trouble you? If you need help, let me know.”
Wen Ying paused, then beamed, “Xie Qian, you see me as a friend, right? Not the self-appointed kind—I mean you actually accept me!”
Xie Qian glanced at her and stepped out of the elevator.
Wen Ying stood there, grinning like a fool.
Today was unforgettable and meaningful.
She and Xie Qian might’ve saved Wang Shuang, who’d died young in her past life.
A living soul shouldn’t perish so carelessly in Yu Wenhao’s schemes. Whether Wang Shuang’s view of her shifted didn’t matter.
The Changtan Lake trip didn’t just change Wang Shuang’s fate—it might’ve kickstarted averting Xie Qian’s tragedy. He’d called her a friend!
She’d met Xie Qian early, shamelessly sticking close, hoping to wedge into his life’s trajectory.
Before this trip, she’d been pessimistic, feeling her efforts were futile, that she and Xie Qian were parallel lines, unable to alter his future.
Now, with his acknowledgment, her gloom lifted, replaced by boundless drive!
As friends, even after summer when Xie Qian left Rongcheng, she could stay in touch. Friends messaging or calling occasionally was normal.
She didn’t want much—just that when Xie Qian transferred to Rongcheng in his sophomore year, they’d still be friends.
Friendship could be nurtured. Her goal was to become “good friends” before he left Rongcheng.
The kind who shared life plans.
The kind who wouldn’t ghost her after going abroad!
Wen Ying giggled in place for two minutes before heading to the suite Boss Qin had booked.
As she entered, Boss Qin and Deng Shangwei turned to her in unison.
What was with those gleeful looks—did they strike gold?
Wen Ying coughed, “Uncle Deng, Uncle Qin, I ran into Yu Wenhao at the hospital.”
What’s so funny about that?
Deng Shangwei checked his watch—he had half an hour before meeting Yu Wenhao.
Boss Qin chuckled, “Did Wang Shuang’s dad offer you red envelopes? Did you take one?”
Wen Ying shook her head, “Uncle Wang did, but none of us accepted.”
It stung a bit to refuse, but compared to Xie Qian’s approval, the红包was trivial.
Boss Qin nodded inwardly.
Wang Jun wasn’t stingy. Wen Ying declining was wise—Wang Jun would repay this favor later, and a red envelope’s worth couldn’t compare to what she’d gain!
It wasn’t just Wang Jun who owed her—Boss Qin felt grateful too.
Words of thanks were too light; he’d show it through action. But now wasn’t the time to say it. He nudged Wen Ying toward Qin Jiao, “She’s asked about you a few times. You girls get each other. Leave the rest to us adults.”
Wen Ying didn’t play smart, offering to plot against Yu Wenhao.
With Yu Wenhao’s intentions clear, a self-made man like Boss Qin had plenty of ways to handle him!
Boss Qin wasn’t dumb to grow his business this big.
Yu Wenhao won in her past life by catching them off guard. This time, with Deng Shangwei and Boss Qin ready, losing to him would make Yu Wenhao some “chosen one”—nonsense! If he were that brilliant, he wouldn’t have gambled away his fortune in Macau!
At heart, Yu Wenhao was a lucky gambler who’d seized the moment to amass wealth, but lacked the vision to keep it. Money flowed in fast and out faster.
Wen Ying entered the room.
Qin Jiao wasn’t asleep—she was reading, though the pages hadn’t turned in a while, clearly distracted.
“Wen Ying.”
Qin Jiao’s eyes lit up, “Did you just come from the hospital? How’s Wang Shuang?”
“Xie Qian and I planned to visit his ward, but we ran into Yu Wenhao and his son at the entrance. Uncle Wang chewed them out, so we came back. Jiao Jie, don’t worry—while we were at the restaurant, Uncle Wang got a call saying Wang Shuang woke up. Li Mengjiao, Geng Xiao, and Tang Yifeng were picked up by their families, and everyone’s in good spirits!”
Knowing Qin Jiao’s concerns, Wen Ying hit the key points.
Sure enough, Qin Jiao gritted her teeth at Yu Wenhao’s name but relaxed hearing Wang Shuang was awake and the others safe.
“Wang Shuang got dragged into this because of me,” she murmured.
Wen Ying cut in, “Jiao Jie, don’t punish yourself for someone else’s wrongs! The culprits are Yu Wenhao and his son—not you. You’re a victim too! If you talk about dragging people in, I’d be too ashamed to face you. If my uncle didn’t know Yu Wenhao, he wouldn’t have targeted you through him to play savior and scheme against Uncle Qin.”
Wen Ying’s logic was airtight, shattering Qin Jiao’s self-blame.
Qin Jiao couldn’t wallow even if she tried.
Right—it was Yu Wenhao and his son’s fault!
They were the ones hurting her and her friends.
Qin Jiao clenched her fists, “I hope Dad and Uncle Deng figure out how to deal with Yu Wenhao soon. He’s a venomous toad—gross and spewing poison.”
“They will. Uncle Qin, Uncle Deng, all of us know his game now, and he doesn’t realise he’s exposed. We’ve got the edge. We can’t help much against him—just stay safe and not burden the adults.”
Wen Ying figured she and Qin Jiao should lay low in Rongcheng for a bit.
As long as they didn’t roam, Yu Wenhao’s nasty plans had little chance to work.
Qin Jiao agreed.
“I heard from Uncle Deng you bet with your parents to earn tutoring fees, high school tuition, and living expenses this summer? If I can help, don’t hesitate!” Qin Jiao said, assuming it was about fostering independence.
Wen Ying didn’t want sympathy over her family rift, so she replied vaguely, “Yeah, that’s the deal. The catch is no money from others, but I’ve got some ideas. I’ll start in Rongcheng.”
Qin Jiao’s curiosity sparked, “How’re you planning it?”
Wen Ying grinned, “It only bans cash help—not friends pitching in. Jiao Jie, you really can help!”
