The next morning, Wen Ying, Qin Jiao, and Xie Qian went to the hospital to visit Wang Shuang.
Wang Shuang was physically fine by then. Before Wen Ying arrived, he’d been arguing with his dad about leaving, only to be firmly shut down by Boss Wang.
As the trio approached the ward, they overheard Boss Wang coaxing Wang Shuang to stay longer, “Little one, you’re not exactly a genius to start with. They say too long unconscious and oxygen deprivation messes with your brain. How can I relax if you leave so soon?”
“Dad! That’s enough—where am I not smart?”
“Studies, for one. It’s pretty clear all around.”
“…”
Wang Shuang clammed up, fuming.
Wen Ying stifled a laugh. Boss Wang spotted them and called them in.
Wang Shuang wanted to bolt from the bed.
“Just stay put—don’t worry Uncle Wang,” Qin Jiao said, and Wang Shuang reluctantly sank back down.
Boss Wang’s face darkened, “Wang Shuang, got any manners?”
Wang Shuang felt humiliated.
How had he been so unlucky to get snagged by that net yesterday?
He’d bragged about his swimming, ready to play “hero saves the beauty.”
Instead, he didn’t save Qin Jiao—tons of people had to dive in for him.
“Xie Qian, Wen Ying, thanks for saving me yesterday. I’m really grateful!”
Xie Qian, Fang Long, and Geng Xiao saving him was one thing, but Wen Ying, the supposed brown-noser, getting credit too… His dad had briefly explained that yesterday’s mess had deeper layers—Wen Ying sticking by Qin Jiao was Boss Qin’s arrangement, not her sucking up. Still, apologising to her? Wang Shuang’s face turned monkey-butt red, words stuck in his throat. He settled for thanks.
Teenagers and their pride—admitting he’d misjudged Wen Ying was excruciating.
Red-faced or not, he got the gratitude out.
Wen Ying, mentally twice his age, wasn’t about to nitpick. She accepted his thanks cheerfully.
Though Wang Shuang dropped his bias, doubts lingered.
If Wen Ying wasn’t a suck-up, why did standouts like Qin Jiao and Xie Qian befriend her?
He hadn’t spotted her brilliance yet, but once discharged, he’d have plenty of time to figure her out. They’d be at the same school—run from the monk, not the temple. He held off his curiosity for now.
After some chat, Boss Wang called the trio outside.
Qin Jiao bowed deeply to him, “Uncle Wang, I’m sorry. Wang Shuang got dragged in because of me. Yell at me, hit me, whatever—just don’t be mad at my dad, okay?”
Qin Jiao’s maturity threw Boss Wang off, leaving him sheepish.
What did this have to do with her?
She was a victim too!
Yesterday, hearing his son had nearly drowned and was in emergency care, Boss Wang blamed Boss Qin’s “secrecy.” Luring the snake out was fine, but ensure every kid’s safety! Qin Jiao got rescued fast, while his son suffered. That grudge still simmered—he’d hung up on Boss Qin’s calls.
Now Qin Jiao stepped up to apologise for her dad. How could Boss Wang snap at her? Years of friendship and trust in Boss Qin’s character softened his anger. He mumbled, “Your dad’s your dad, you’re you. Tell him to come pour me tea and apologise himself—then I’ll think about forgiving him.”
Qin Jiao nodded with a smile, “Got it, Uncle Wang. What tea do you like? I’ll help prep it.”
Boss Wang’s temper fizzled out completely.
Knowing Wen Ying and Xie Qian were heading back to Rongcheng, he pulled out three paper bags from the ward, “You wouldn’t take the red envelopes, fine. But you’ve got to take these little gifts. Your phones got soaked saving Wang Shuang—here’s three new ones. Use them.”
Wen Ying balked. Her old Xiaolingtong was a hand-me-down from Chen Li. Boss Wang’s new phones were surely pricey. Her phone still worked (barely), and even if it didn’t, it wasn’t tied to saving Wang Shuang.
She and Xie Qian declined, but Qin Jiao grabbed the bags, “Thanks, Uncle Wang! I won’t stand on ceremony then!”
She whispered to Wen Ying that Boss Wang owned plenty of businesses, including a big phone store on Taisheng South Road in Rongcheng. A few phones were nothing to him.
Wen Ying’s gaze at Boss Wang grew complicated.
Rongcheng folks who hadn’t been ripped off buying phones on Taisheng South Road were rare. *So this is you, Boss Wang.*
He couldn’t read her look. Seeing her hesitate, he clarified, “One phone each. Wool comes from the sheep—take them guilt-free. Someone’s footing the bill.”
*Wool from the sheep?*
Yu Wenhao and son, no doubt.
Fair enough—Yu Wenhao had orchestrated the boat crash. A new phone per person was due compensation!
Wen Ying took hers, “Thanks, Uncle Wang! If you weren’t so sharp, where’d this ‘wool from the sheep’ come from? Those guys are more like wolves. I’m just thanking you.”
Boss Wang roared with laughter.
Wang Shuang yanked a pillow over his head in the ward.
*…Not a brown-noser, huh? Then quit with the sweet talk!*
With Qin Jiao and Wen Ying accepting, Xie Qian didn’t refuse.
A new phone was trivial to him. He hadn’t meant to be Wang Shuang’s “savior,” but if taking it eased Boss Wang, he’d oblige.
Seeing Wen Ying glee over her new phone, Xie Qian shook his head inwardly.
*This hamster’s so carefree.*
Had that private detective she hired found anything on her uncle Deng Shangwei’s mistress?
Deng Shangwei was ready to pay 35万 to hush her up, and Wen Ying was still clueless.
Xie Qian usually kept gossip to himself, but watching her grin so carelessly, he wavered.
*Should I hint at it?*
*Just a nudge—great if she catches on, no biggie if not?*
He still hadn’t decided by the time they boarded the car back to Rongcheng.
That afternoon, Boss Qin arranged a ride for Wen Ying, Xie Qian, and Qin Jiao to head back, while he and Deng Shangwei stayed in Pu County.
Wen Ying noticed Xie Qian glancing at her a lot, wondering if her face was dirty.
“You—”
“Xie Qian!”
They’d held back, then spoke at once.
Wen Ying nearly touched her face but held off, letting him go first.
Xie Qian eyed the driver Boss Qin had sent, “You first.”
Wen Ying cleared her throat, “Classmate Xie Qian, I’d like to invite you to be my taste-tester. Willing?”
Before he could reply, Qin Jiao snorted, “Taste-testing’s just taste-testing—why’s it sound like a movie proposal coming from you?!”
