Wen Hongyan and Shu Lu’s grumbling aside, in Shanghai, Zhao Qian was utterly baffled.
She spent money—how could it have no effect?
This went against everything Zhao Qian had been taught growing up!
Money was supposed to solve all problems.
Yet her money was useless. Some random old guy published an article, and public opinion flipped completely. How bizarre!
Zhao Qian wasn’t convinced. She’d blown through her allowance with no results, even borrowing from her aunt in the U.S. to double down. But she ran headlong into Old Fu’s supporters, who unified online and offline narratives. Her hired trolls could only keep the competition trending, powerless to shift the tide again.
Still fuming, Zhao Qian’s actions finally caught her brother Zhao Dong’s attention.
Zhao Dong was speechless.
“You paid people to post online?”
“Brother, I’m upset. I just want to bash her!”
“…”
Bashing was fine. If paying for it worked, Zhao Dong wouldn’t just allow it—he’d back her fully.
But Zhao Qian’s campaign not only failed but indirectly boosted Wen Ying’s book sales. One side lost, the other gained. Zhao Dong’s head throbbed with frustration.
“You’re handing Zhao family money to others!”
The Zhao family’s wealth didn’t fall from the sky; it was two generations’ hard-earned savings abroad. Spending on family was fine, no matter the amount. But on others? Zhao Dong saw it as squandering.
His sister needed serious discipline.
“Tonight, I’m meeting Mr. He from Kangnian Biotech. You’re coming.”
Zhao Qian pouted, reluctant, but Zhao Dong had a trump card: no attendance, no allowance!
“I’ll tell Aunt to stop giving you money, and I won’t either.”
That was brutal. Zhao Qian had burned through her allowance on trolls. Without more, would she live like a pauper?
No way.
Information spread slower back then. Zhao Dong’s past was exposed in Rongcheng, but not in Shanghai. After transferring schools, Zhao Qian maintained her rich-girl persona. If Zhao Dong cut her allowance, she had no choice but to grudgingly join him for the dinner.
That evening’s dinner included not just Mr. and Mrs. He but their only son, He Zhen.
It was late December 2005, another Christmas season. Rebecca didn’t return to China with He Zhen. Unlike Zhao Qian, dragged by her brother, He Zhen attended willingly.
At 20, He Zhen, unlike most rich kids who could wait until after college to join the family business, had no such luxury.
He had something to protect.
His mother Dai Chenglan’s “persuasion” had once troubled him. The thought of parting with Rebecca pained him. To safeguard their relationship, 20-year-old He Zhen had to step out of the ivory tower and face the real world early.
There had to be a way to balance everything!
Yet to be seasoned by society’s harsh realities, He Zhen was brimming with confidence in his and Rebecca’s future.
With this mindset, even during holiday visits home, he actively engaged in his family’s business socials.
He Zhen wasn’t strikingly handsome but exuded confident charisma. Confidence is magnetic, and Zhao Qian couldn’t help comparing him to Xie Qian—a high schooler versus a college student, their vibes distinct. Xie Qian was aloof; He Zhen wasn’t. He was sharp, vibrant, and approachable, a charm irresistible to young girls. After repeated setbacks, Zhao Qian sought a confidence boost elsewhere. Initially reluctant, meeting He Zhen changed her mood.
He Zhen didn’t let Zhao Qian feel ignored, engaging with every topic she raised. By the end of the meal, she was calling him “Brother He Zhen.”
Dai Chenglan set down her chopsticks, smiling elegantly. “Qianqian, first time meeting our He Zhen, right? You grew up abroad, and He Zhen’s studying there. You two should have plenty to talk about. Exchange contact info.”
Zhao Qian eagerly pulled out her phone. “Great! Brother He Zhen, what’s your number?”
He Zhen didn’t think much, casually sharing his number. Just a high school girl tagging along with her brother. After the dinner, they’d likely not stay in touch.
Even if they did, it was just polite socializing, which he didn’t mind. He knew Zhao Dong was a key partner for Kangnian Biotech. To learn the family business, Zhao Dong was unavoidable.
He Zhen didn’t overthink it, but Zhao Dong did.
While Zhao Dong forbade Zhao Qian from chasing Xie Qian, He Zhen… didn’t meet his expectations for his sister.
The He family’s status was too low.
The best match would be someone from a family like the Xies, with clout.
Even a step below would do.
The He family, reliant on Xie Jinghu’s investments, had modest wealth and little influence. Zhao Dong could only “cooperate,” not lean on them.
Zhao Qian couldn’t shift her sights to He Zhen.
Zhao Dong mulled this over, his face betraying nothing. Suddenly, Zhao Qian’s phone rang. She stepped outside the private room to answer. It was a troll leader asking if she wanted to keep posting.
Zhao Qian snapped, “No more! I’m broke. Stop calling!”
She hung up.
The troll leader was dumbfounded.
She’d been so bold at the start, now claiming she was out of cash when they’d prepared new material.
As Zhao Qian headed back, He Zhen was in the corridor, on a call, his voice light and warm, talking to Rebecca in the UK. Zhao Qian playfully tapped his shoulder.
“Hey!”
He Zhen said a few more words, hung up, and raised an eyebrow. “Why aren’t you inside?”
“Brother He Zhen, who were you talking to? Your girlfriend?”
Zhao Qian answered her own question.
He Zhen admitted it openly.
Zhao Qian’s eyes gleamed. “You met her abroad, right? Is she pretty?”
Rebecca was, of course, beautiful.
He Zhen was honest. “Beyond ordinary beauty—she’s goddess-level.”
Rebecca wasn’t just stunning but a top student, captivating in both looks and soul. He Zhen was just stating facts, but Zhao Qian felt a twinge of defiance.
Goddess-level? The term felt overused.
In that moment, for reasons unclear, Zhao Qian pulled out her phone, showing He Zhen a photo. “Is she as pretty as her?”
He Zhen glanced casually, his gaze passing over before snapping back, even taking her phone to study it closely.
“…Who is she?”
The photo Zhao Qian showed was a screenshot from Hunan TV’s competition promo, capturing Wen Ying’s face.
