Xie Qian naturally took Wen Ying’s suitcase. Neither Xiao Ni nor Zou Weijun said anything. Peng Guoqing eagerly stepped forward to show filial piety, “Aunt Zou, let me take it, let me take it. Sister Ni, give me your suitcase too.”
A young man of eighteen or nineteen was brimming with energy. Peng Guoqing not only carried two suitcases with ease but also cracked jokes to lighten the mood, drawing Zou Weijun and Xiao Ni’s attention, giving Xie Qian and Wen Ying a chance to talk alone.
Say what you will, Peng Guoqing might lack academic talent, but his emotional intelligence was top-notch, far surpassing Wang Shuang’s tact.
With Peng Guoqing clowning around to create a private moment for them, Wen Ying’s ears still flushed as she walked side by side with Xie Qian.
Before seeing him, Wen Ying had a ton of things to say, but now, face-to-face, those words vanished.
Over the past 21 days of separation, she and Xie Qian had spoken on the phone daily. She’d told him everything about her time in Rongcheng, her clashes with Liang Dan’s group, and he was fully in the loop.
But what Xie Qian had been doing in Shanghai these 21 days? Wen Ying had no clue.
He always gave her advice.
Did he ever face troubles himself?
He never mentioned them.
The young man seemed to have changed somehow.
Two years ago, during the summer at Lin Lin’s villa, Wen Ying met Xie Qian for the first time in this life. Back then, he was aloof, almost ethereal. Now, he seemed more grounded, not slick or worldly, but like a celestial being from the heavens experiencing mortal life. Beneath his cool exterior, there was a depth that felt unfamiliar to Wen Ying. She was curious about his recent days, but Xie Qian hesitated briefly.
Should he tell the hamster?
This seemed like a good opportunity.
She’d find out about Jiaxin Film Company sooner or later.
But in that moment of hesitation, his phone rang.
“Sister Tang?”
Peng Guoqing’s ears perked up, and he zipped over to Xie Qian, dragging the suitcases.
It was Xie Tang, asking if they wanted to have dinner together since she hadn’t seen Zou Weijun in ages.
Xie Qian checked with Zou Weijun, who nodded, “No problem, let’s have dinner. Has Xie Tang decided to settle in Shanghai for good?”
“She really likes Shanghai,” Xie Qian said.
Zou Weijun smiled, “That’s perfect. When you kids come to Shanghai for university, you can look out for each other.”
Despite Xie Jinghu’s infidelity, Zou Weijun didn’t hold it against the rest of the Xie family. Blood ties endure, and she didn’t want Xie Qian to be without sibling support.
Xie Tang’s call interrupted Xie Qian’s thoughts, and he decided not to mention Jiaxin.
The company was in shambles, not ready to be shown to the hamster.
To Wen Ying’s questions, he vaguely replied, “Just busy with company stuff, nothing worth mentioning. You’re only staying three days in Shanghai for the signing?”
The question shifted her focus, and Wen Ying nodded, “Yeah, I’ve got three other cities to visit. I’m a bit nervous about how many readers will show up for the signing.”
Writing novels, blogging, even filming promos or judging contests didn’t involve facing readers directly. *Teen Idol*’s royalties had been paid for three quarters, yet Wen Ying still felt her popularity was unreal.
She’d dealt with tough clients before, but never met readers face-to-face.
Before coming to Shanghai, Li Mengjiao had shared her “cabbage theory” with Wen Ying, advising her to treat readers at the signing like cabbages. Signing and shaking hands with thousands of people might be nerve-wracking, but signing for thousands of cabbages? No big deal.
Wen Ying laughed and thanked her.
“Does Li Mengjiao think I’m like her, expecting thousands of readers at a signing? That’s absurd!”
Absurd?
Xie Qian urged her to prepare mentally, “Don’t underestimate your influence. Shanghai’s huge, it can handle your thousands of readers. Besides locals, people from nearby cities might come too.”
Since Wen Ying had never done events, her first signing would likely see a surge in attendance.
Her heart fluttered at his words, torn between hoping for the grand scene he described and fearing a sparsely attended event that would look embarrassing.
Soon after settling into the hotel, Xie Tang arrived.
“I heard from Xie Qian you’re holding a signing. Congrats!”
Wen Ying blushed, “I was just telling him I’m not sure if anyone will show up.”
Xie Tang cheered her on, “What are you scared of? Your book’s selling like crazy in Shanghai!”
After congratulating Wen Ying, Xie Tang turned to Zou Weijun and froze.
Third Aunt had changed so much.
It was like a rebirth.
Would Third Uncle Xie Jinghu regret it if he saw her?
Xie Tang hadn’t met Xie Jinghu’s mistress abroad, but to her, Zou Weijun was now a woman at her peak. Xie Jinghu didn’t quite measure up.
Snapping out of it, Xie Tang linked arms with Zou Weijun, resting her head on her shoulder, “Third Aunt, I missed you so much. You don’t come to Shanghai often. Can I visit you in Rongcheng?”
“Anytime, just arrange your schedule,” Zou Weijun replied.
Like the rest of the Xie family, Xie Tang had always condemned Xie Jinghu’s betrayal. During her depression, Zou Weijun couldn’t feel or accept their concern. Now, feeling better, she could interact with Xie Tang as a normal elder.
Even after divorcing Xie Jinghu, Zou Weijun was still willing to stay close to the Xie family.
Having been Xie Tang’s Third Aunt for years, watching her grow from a tiny girl into a graceful young woman, that bond wouldn’t fade easily.
Zou Weijun patted Xie Tang’s shoulder, “Alright, you’re too old to be this clingy.”
Xie Tang had long wanted to thank Zou Weijun in person for helping her buy a house in Shanghai.
With so many people around, she didn’t mention the house, just leaned in playfully, full of affection.
Peng Guoqing watched, entranced. Xie Tang was fierce when fighting, yet adorably coy when acting cute. Her fierce side wasn’t rare, but this coyness was. If she ever acted cute with him, he’d give his life for her!
His reverie lasted a moment before his mood soured.
That jerk Tai Xiaowu had followed Xie Tang to Shanghai. If Peng didn’t step up, would Tai steal her away?
At dinner, Peng Guoqing fussed over Xie Tang, eyeing every dish she touched, worried she’d go hungry.
Xie Tang didn’t notice, but Wen Ying was stunned and tugged Xie Qian’s sleeve, “Look at Peng Guoqing with Sister Xie Tang…”
Xie Qian, prompted, also sensed something off.
Recalling Xie Tang’s ex, Yan Yuchuan, a completely different type from Peng Guoqing, Xie Qian stayed calm, “Every toad has dreams. We don’t have to support it, but we should respect it.”
Pfft—
Calling Peng Guoqing a toad dreaming of a swan?
No wonder Xie Qian was usually so sparing with words. If he didn’t hold back, the pandas in the mountains would starve!
Wen Ying stifled her laughter through the meal.
She found Peng Guoqing’s fawning over Xie Tang amusing, unaware that to Xiao Ni, she and Xie Qian were whispering like a couple too. These young folks, openly flirting under their elders’ noses! It got to Xiao Ni, and near the end of dinner, she excused herself to the restroom and slipped into the hallway to call Zheng Zhihe.
Usually busy with their careers, they rarely got this mushy. Zheng Zhihe set aside his work to indulge in a long phone call.
After nearly ten minutes, Xiao Ni was reluctant to hang up when someone bumped into her.
“Sorry.”
A curt male voice rushed past. Xiao Ni looked up, catching only a few backs.
This restaurant was popular in Shanghai, and Xie Tang had struggled to book a table.
“What’s wrong?” Zheng Zhihe asked over the phone.
Xiao Ni laughed, “Nothing. I should hang up. It’s rude to keep talking while Zou and the others are at the table.”
The person who bumped Xiao Ni was someone Wen Ying and Xie Qian knew.
What a coincidence.
Xie Qian had been in Shanghai for 21 days without running into Zhao Dong. Yet, the day Wen Ying and Zou Weijun arrived, they ended up at the same restaurant as Zhao Dong.
With Zhao Dong was none other than He Zhen’s family!
Zhao Dong spotted Xie Qian first, but Dai Chenglan recognized Zou Weijun.
He Zhinian noticed his wife’s unease and asked with a look. Dai Chenglan whispered, “That’s Boss Xie’s wife over there.”
He Zhinian’s face burned with embarrassment.
His company, Kangnian Biotech, had secured investment from Xie Jinghu. Running into Xie Jinghu’s wife in a restaurant, courtesy demanded a greeting.
But how did that investment come about?
Through Dai Chenglan’s connection to Xie Jinghu’s mistress, a favour born of nepotism. He Zhinian still had some sense of shame. How could he face Zou Weijun as if nothing was wrong?
This whole thing was just too improper!
If Kangnian Biotech hadn’t hit a bottleneck, and He Zhinian hadn’t been desperate to save years of effort, he’d never have agreed to let Dai Chenglan secure investment through Xie Jinghu’s mistress.
He Zhinian was mortified, unsure whether to approach and greet her.
Wen Ying was equally awkward.
Wasn’t He Zhen studying in the UK? Why did she keep running into him in Shanghai?
Her gaze drifted, and Xie Qian’s eyes swept over Zhao Dong, He Zhinian, and Dai Chenglan, landing on He Zhen.
That strange feeling surged in Xie Qian again: what was the hamster’s deal with this family? She always acted off around them!
