Wen Ying, with the potential to be a god-tier screenwriter, is now just Student Wen.
For Wen Ying’s convenience, Wu Chunqin deliberately chose a restaurant near the hotel where the film crew was staying.
No matter how many halos surround her, they all vanish before Wu Chunqin. Though Wu Chunqin has no memories of the previous life, to Wen Ying, she is “Aunt Wu,” the one who witnessed all the hardships when Wen Ying first arrived in Shanghai to make her way in her past life.
In front of Aunt Wu, there’s no lofty Lawyer Wen, only the “Little Wen” who just joined the law firm.
Then there’s Wu Chunqin’s husband, Professor Shen, whom Wen Ying was also very familiar with in her past life!
Wen Ying also met Wu Chunqin and Professor Shen’s only son, Shen Huan.
In 2006, Shen Huan was a little tyke in overalls, with chubby cheeks. When Wu Chunqin told Shen Huan to call Wen Ying “sister,” the little tyke obediently complied.
So well-behaved.
There was no sign that, 13 years later, he’d turn into a little rascal.
Shen Huan’s brand of mischief was different from Deng Jie and Deng Hao’s.
Thinking of the outrageous things Shen Huan did in her past life, Wen Ying couldn’t help but pinch his chubby cheeks.
“Aunt Wu, Brother Shen Huan is so adorable!”
Wu Chunqin and Professor Shen both laughed.
“If you think he’s adorable, come visit us more often.”
With only children in families now, Shen Huan has no older sister, and Wen Ying has no younger brother. Chen Ru and Wu Chunqin are friends, and Wu Chunqin hopes their friendship can extend to the next generation, encouraging Wen Ying and Shen Huan to grow close.
“Sure thing!”
Pinching Shen Huan’s chubby cheeks, Wen Ying realised the best way to repay Wu Chunqin was to prevent Shen Huan from becoming a rascal.
But teaching a child was something Wen Ying had no experience with, and she didn’t know where to start.
With his cheeks pinched, Shen Huan’s eyes began to water.
—Wow, my face hurts, this big sister is so scary!
Seeing she’d almost made Shen Huan cry, Wen Ying awkwardly let go, “Brother Shen Huan is really adorable!”
The current Shen Huan wasn’t a rascal yet; he could still be saved. She shouldn’t prejudge him and bully him.
Trying to mend the first impression she’d left on Shen Huan, Wen Ying offered him the ice cream in front of her, but Shen Huan, having finally escaped her clutches, stayed far away from her all evening, refusing to come near. Wen Ying had to eat the ice cream herself.
To lose weight, Wen Ying hadn’t eaten sweets in ages. As the ice cream melted in her mouth, she squinted in bliss.
Shen Huan, eating his own ice cream, secretly watched Wen Ying.
Is it *that* delicious?!
Hmph, what’s so great about writing books? A writer’s hand pinches really hard.
That was little Shen Huan’s thinking.
While keeping his distance, he couldn’t help but eavesdrop on Wen Ying’s conversation. Children’s thoughts are always so contradictory.
That evening, Wu Chunqin told Wen Ying a lot about Shanghai, subtly encouraging her to apply to a university there. Wen Ying nodded frequently, unable to resist confiding in Wu Chunqin, “Aunt Wu, I really love Shanghai. If nothing goes wrong, I’ll go to university here!”
“Well—”
Wu Chunqin was about to press further when Professor Shen interrupted, “Alright, the food’s getting cold. Let’s eat first. Wen Ying isn’t heading back to Chengdu right away; there’s time to talk about this later.”
When Wen Ying went to the restroom, Wu Chunqin teased, “Why didn’t you let me finish?”
Professor Shen shook his head, “Haven’t you noticed? This girl has her own mind. She won’t accept a life arranged by her parents, let alone by others. From small things like what clothes to wear to big decisions like which university to attend or what major to choose, she has her own ideas.”
Suggestions are fine, but forcing her could cause problems.
Before meeting Wen Ying, Professor Shen thought he’d encounter a girl lost in her fame. Instead, he found that, apart from becoming prettier and more confident, Wen Ying hadn’t changed much at her core.
“Clarity” is easier said than done!
Wu Chunqin thought about it and had to admit her husband was right, laughing, “I thought Chen Ru was overthinking, but it turns out I am too.”
With such a gem in front of them, who could remain unmoved?
They just hoped such an outstanding girl could shine brightly for a long time, so they worried for her.
But on second thought, what adults choose might not be what the girl wants!
Not being open-minded enough, Wu Chunqin raised her glass and drank a toast as self-punishment.
Professor Shen joined her, and the couple shared a smile.
Though married for many years, their bond remained strong. They didn’t meet in their youthful years, but they deeply appreciated each other. Even with their child in primary school, their affection only grew stronger.
Shen Huan pouted.
At times like this, little Shen Huan felt like a third wheel.
His parents loved him, but they loved each other more.
Little Shen Huan jumped off his chair to play in the restaurant.
That writer big sister who liked pinching cheeks had been in the restroom for so long—why hadn’t she come back?
—Could she have fainted in there?!
…
Wen Ying didn’t know she’d been cursed by little Shen Huan.
But she was indeed close to fainting now.
Wen Ying leaned on the sink with one hand, breathing heavily, her chest heaving, beads of sweat on her forehead.
What was the heavens thinking, arranging such a scene? She was just here to eat with Aunt Wu’s family. With so many restaurants in Shanghai, why did she have to run into He Zhen’s girlfriend?
Wen Ying went to the restroom, and so did Rebecca.
They met at the sink, and Wen Ying froze.
Rebecca was here.
So He Zhen was here too?
She’d seen him before and was mentally prepared, but meeting again, Wen Ying still instinctively resisted.
It was just resistance, not enough to throw her off. It was a small scene!
Even if she ran into Rebecca or saw He Zhen, so what? He Zhen didn’t know her anyway.
Since their last chance encounter, Wen Ying had realised she and He Zhen could never rekindle things in this life. She’d mentally “broken up” with him.
As an adult facing an ex after a breakup, you keep doing what you need to do. No need to flee in a panic.
With that thought, Wen Ying had nothing to worry about and prepared to pass by He Zhen calmly.
But the heavens wouldn’t let her stay calm.
At that moment, a sharp pain shot through her lower abdomen, and her face instantly paled.
This… that ice cream she ate!
During her monthly period, she’d been so caught up revising the script that she forgot and recklessly ate a big cup of ice cream.
The pain was unbearable. He Zhen’s girlfriend, Rebecca, kind-hearted and beautiful, asked with concern if Wen Ying needed help.
The young lady, worried Wen Ying might not understand English, gestured while using simple Chinese words.
“Thank you…”
Wen Ying was so embarrassed she could’ve clawed out a three-bedroom flat with her toes.
There was no one else in the restroom, and Wen Ying really needed Rebecca’s help. In 2006, most public places didn’t have thoughtful signs in women’s restrooms saying, “In case of emergency, call the front desk.”
Wen Ying had no choice but to ask Rebecca for help.
They were both girls; they could understand each other.
Besides, Rebecca didn’t know her!
Before Wen Ying could muster the courage to ask, she heard He Zhen’s voice.
“Rebecca?”
He Zhen was at the door, in the corridor!
Now, it wasn’t just clawing out a three-bedroom flat—she might manage a villa with a bit more effort.
Even with Wen Ying’s thick skin, she was close to tears.
What terrible timing!
—Heavens, who would save her?!
