Wen Ying, who was being privately discussed by Zhao Dong and Xie Jinghu, was indeed in Jingcheng at the time.
The Jingcheng book signing had concluded, with enthusiastic feedback from readers on-site.
At the thank-you banquet that evening, the shrewd bookseller was all charm, trying to persuade Wen Ying to hold another signing in Jingcheng.
Zou Weijun initially refused the idea of adding a last-minute signing.
The Jingcheng bookseller was eloquent, stating that Jingcheng, as the national hub of politics, economy, and culture, made a signing here far more impactful than three in other cities. His words were polished and sincere, noting that another signing would boost Wen Ying’s influence and benefit the bookseller too. He made no effort to hide the latter.
“Editor-in-Chief Zou, if Xiaoyu agrees to one more signing, just name your conditions!”
An appearance fee?
No problem!
A bigger, better venue?
Easily arranged!
The bookseller would handle the tedious organisation, and Wen Ying only needed to show up.
At the banquet, Wen Ying’s arm twitched involuntarily at the thought, but Zou Weijun didn’t outright refuse.
Each signing sold thousands more copies of *Galaxy and You*.
The impressive signing data was a testament to Wen Ying’s talent.
Zou Weijun had always wanted Wen Ying to be a pure writer, while Yuan Fenghui pushed her toward being a “celebrity author.” Wen Ying could do both. After attending signings in four cities, Zou Weijun had to admit Wen Ying handled such promotional events with ease.
Interacting directly with readers let them feel Wen Ying’s charm beyond her creative talent.
Her radiance couldn’t be hidden.
So why play the villain?
“Xiaoyu’s schedule is tight,” Zou Weijun said, disappointing the bookseller. But then she added, “Holding a second signing in Jingcheng isn’t impossible, but time is short. You need to provide a complete plan for organisation and promotion. If the turnout is too low, I’d rather not hold a second signing.”
A single signing could sell thousands of copies of *Galaxy and You*. Holding a second in the same city so soon risked low attendance, which could diminish Wen Ying’s “value.” As for the appearance fee the bookseller offered, Zou Weijun didn’t care—Wen Ying wasn’t short of money.
With Zou Weijun’s approval, Wen Ying had to grit her teeth and agree. While the bookseller prepared the second signing, Wen Ying enjoyed two days exploring Jingcheng.
This summer, not only did Qin Jiao stay in Jingcheng for her “Shrimp King” business instead of returning to Rongcheng, but Wen Ying’s cousin Wen Kai also stayed.
Qin Jiao was there for business, Wen Kai for life.
Zhu Meiqun’s fruit shop was thriving. Before the summer break, Wen Kai was eager to book a ticket home, planning to spend the entire vacation helping at the shop to ease his parents’ burden.
A wealthy second-generation classmate close to Wen Kai, upon learning his plan, offered another option.
“Do you want to stay in Jingcheng after graduation?”
Of course, Wen Kai wanted to stay.
The classmate handed Wen Kai a cigarette. Wen Kai held it but didn’t smoke. The classmate didn’t mind, casually glancing at him, “Want to stay? Then ask yourself what makes you better than others. I’m only telling you this because you’re filial. Mechanical, repetitive labour is the least valuable. You got into a university in Jingcheng—learn to use your brain.”
Going home to help at the fruit shop?
What a mistake.
Was a university student’s summer so cheap?
The same went for handing out flyers or tutoring—none of that helped build core competitiveness.
If Wen Kai’s family were so poor they couldn’t eat, the classmate wouldn’t have bothered, but from what he knew, Wen Kai’s family could afford his education. Wen Kai shouldn’t put the cart before the horse.
Time is money, more valuable than money. Most people didn’t get that, but the classmate saw potential in Wen Kai’s character and was willing to guide him.
Through the classmate’s introduction, Wen Kai landed an internship as a “summer worker” at a Jingcheng company.
The pay was low, barely covering meals and transport, but as his classmate said, interning there kept Wen Kai’s mind racing. If he applied himself, he learned more in a day there than in a week at school.
When Wen Ying invited Wen Kai for a meal, he treated her to beef noodles at a place near his company.
“When I make money, I’ll treat you to something fancy!”
The steaming noodles arrived quickly, the heat blurring Wen Kai’s young face.
Wen Kai ate rapidly, busy as a spinning top, only able to chat with Wen Ying during lunch.
Seeing the work badge on Wen Kai’s chest, Wen Ying gave him a thumbs-up, “Kai-ge, keep it up. It won’t be long before you’re treating me to that big meal!”
Wen Kai finished his bowl in a few bites, wiping sweat from his face, “It’s a rare opportunity. Without my classmate’s help, I wouldn’t even qualify for this summer job. I have to seize it.”
He never forgot the debt of gratitude owed to Wen Ying’s father, Wen Dongrong, or to his rich classmate.
Who doesn’t owe a few favours in life?
A dormmate from a poor mountainous area, less resilient than Wen Kai, had turned down a similar internship. Wen Kai respected his choice, and the classmate didn’t push.
Wen Ying sighed, “Kai-ge, you’re really lucky… no, it’s not luck. It’s your good character earning others’ recognition, so your classmate helped you.”
In her past life, Wen Kai didn’t study in Jingcheng for his undergrad, only getting there for grad school.
Some opportunities truly depended on the platform. Without attending Jingcheng Aerospace University, how could Wen Kai meet such influential and insightful classmates?
Wen Kai was already interning at a major company. Even if he became a coder, he’d be a high-level one, destined to do better than in his past life.
Wen Ying was thrilled for him and wanted to thank the classmate who helped, but Wen Kai was adamantly against it, “Stay away from him! He’s loyal, but he’s a pro at eating, drinking, and playing around. He’s had several girlfriends at school. I don’t want him meeting you.”
The Wen family’s little girl had become a swan.
Wen Kai owed a favour but wasn’t about to repay it with his cousin.
His protective stance amused Wen Ying, who laughed while handing him a tissue to wipe his sweat.
Across the street, a car was parked quietly. Xie Jinghu watched through the window, scrutinising Wen Ying from head to toe—her hair, appearance, clothing, and behaviour. Nothing about her satisfied him.
His thin lips pressed into a line. His assistant, Qi, felt uneasy: Mr. Xie was getting creepier, stalking a young girl.
