Xie Qian didn’t doubt his mother Zou Weijun’s ability; he was worried she wasn’t fully prepared.
How to handle it?
Zou Weijun had been away from Beijing for two years, not returning once in that time. If not for accompanying Wen Ying to Beijing for the book signing, she still wouldn’t have come back. Of course, Zou Weijun wasn’t avoiding forever; she had planned to return to the Xie family for the New Year at the end of the year. Now, it was just half a year earlier, and Zou Weijun felt it was fine.
That said, the thought of facing Xie Jinghu head-on made her grip the phone tighter.
“Don’t worry, I can handle it.”
As a mother, she couldn’t let her son fight alone.
As an editor-in-chief, she had to protect her authors!
In that moment, boundless fighting spirit surged within Zou Weijun. When Xie Qian asked her plan, she thought for a moment, “I can’t directly stand up for Wen Ying; I have to act like I don’t know about this. If I defend her, Xie Jinghu will latch onto her and cause endless trouble. I need to find a way to divert his attention, so he has no time to focus on Wen Ying.”
As she spoke, Zou Weijun formed an idea and instructed her son, “Give Wen Ying a heads-up to prepare her. She’s been dragged into this because of us. Xie Qian, this is also a reminder for you. Don’t forget what I told you before.”
There was a long silence on the other end of the line.
“I want to come back to Beijing…”
“No!”
Zou Weijun firmly refused, “If you return to Beijing, what was originally false will become true. Not only should you not come back, but you need to keep a low profile in Shanghai. Whatever you were planning, hold off for now!”
Why had Xie Jinghu suddenly noticed Wen Ying?
Zou Weijun suspected Zhao Dong.
Detective Luo had found that the person who bribed the reporter to cause trouble was Zhao Dong’s sister. Xie Qian was about to deal with Zhao Dong and the reporter when Xie Jinghu learned of Wen Ying’s existence. Could it be such a coincidence?
Hearing his mother’s analysis, Xie Qian didn’t argue, as he thought the same.
The two incidents had to be connected!
His dislike for Zhao Dong, previously at seven out of ten, now shot up to twelve.
Knowing Zhao Dong was behind it, Xie Qian couldn’t act immediately. If he did, Xie Jinghu would be even more certain of Wen Ying’s importance to him.
The same applied to the troublemaking reporter; they had to wait out the storm.
Xie Qian took two deep breaths to suppress his roiling emotions, “I’ll call Wen Ying. I know what to say. I won’t return to Beijing. Sorry to burden you.”
Zou Weijun chuckled, “I don’t feel burdened. Wen Ying is my signed author. But you—”
“Wen Ying is my friend. Of course, I care about her safety.”
Xie Qian cut in, and Zou Weijun laughed louder, “You’re right, friendship is always precious!”
Feeling teased by his mother, Xie Qian quickly hung up.
He spent a long time preparing what to say to Wen Ying. When mentioning “Zhang Nan,” he felt a rare embarrassment. When Wen Ying sharply questioned him, his mouth denied faster than his brain could process, “She has nothing to do with me. We just happened to be classmates!”
Beijing’s social circle was small. Attending the same kindergarten, primary, and middle school wasn’t unusual. With their parents knowing each other, they’d meet outside school, naturally becoming so-called “childhood friends”—at least, that’s how Zhang Nan described it. Xie Qian didn’t deny it. He often ended up with inexplicable “friends” he’d met once or twice or had some distant connection. Compared to them, Zhang Nan calling herself a childhood friend wasn’t too far-fetched.
Being childhood friends was fine, but her clingy gestures like serving food or soup were not. Xie Qian wasn’t naive; he could tell what Zhang Nan was after!
Despite his quick denial, Wen Ying felt a subtle twinge of emotion.
When she first heard Xie Jinghu thought she was Xie Qian’s girlfriend, her ears burned. Before she could curse Xie Jinghu for twisting their friendship, Xie Qian mentioned Zhang Nan might cause trouble, and her ears cooled instantly. She thought she knew Xie Qian well, but apparently not enough.
If not for this, she wouldn’t have known about “Zhang Nan”!
“If she wants to come for me, let her. I’m upright and unafraid of trouble.”
Zhao Xi was the first, Zhang Nan the second, and there might be a third, fourth, or even nth in the future. When she became friends with Xie Qian, Wen Ying had anticipated all sorts of scenarios. A girl causing trouble was trivial!
“Is Aunt Zou ready to return to the Xie family?”
Wen Ying, along with the others, had been in Beijing for days. Zou Weijun had received calls from the Xie family, but she cited being busy with the book signing as an excuse to avoid them. She hadn’t returned to the Xie family or met any of them. Now, her sudden decision to go back, face the Xie family, and confront Xie Jinghu directly made Wen Ying both worried and proud.
Those unfamiliar with depression couldn’t imagine the resolve it took for Zou Weijun to overcome it.
Zou Weijun was rolling up her sleeves for battle, and Wen Ying was filled with enthusiasm, “Whether it’s Zhang Nan or Li Nan, let them come. I’m not afraid!”
Wen Ying’s optimism lifted the weight from Xie Qian’s heart.
—His hamster was always like this, never blaming him for causing trouble but facing it with him.
Xie Qian couldn’t help but add, “Zhang Nan has a spoiled temper but isn’t bad. If she comes looking for trouble, don’t confront her directly. Push it onto me, and she won’t make things too hard for you. Plus, she’s not as smart as you and easily distracted.”
Wen Ying translated his words: Zhang Nan had a big temper and was naive, so Wen Ying could easily lead her in circles if she wanted.
…Alright, Wen Ying was now sure Xie Qian had no feelings for Zhang Nan. Otherwise, that was too harsh—who calls a girl they like naive!
After the call, Wen Ying waited for Zhang Nan to show up. The second book signing, organised by the bookseller, was progressing well with a great reader response. Both Wen Ying and Zou Weijun agreed to hold it in Beijing. Wen Ying had a hunch that if Zhang Nan was coming for her, it would be at the signing!
Though she claimed not to care, Wen Ying couldn’t help but pick out two pretty dresses.
She wasn’t Xie Qian’s girlfriend, but as his friend, she couldn’t embarrass him!
…
The day before the second signing, Xie Jinghu summoned Assistant Qi to his office, “Have you notified Zhang Nan?”
Qi nodded, “I’ve passed on the message. Miss Zhang Nan has been calling me these past two days, asking about Wen Ying. I heard Wen Ying is holding two signings in Beijing, the second one tomorrow. Miss Zhang Nan will definitely go.”
Xie Jinghu was satisfied, “Good. Now find a way to leak to Xie Qian that Zhang Nan will cause trouble at the signing.”
Qi’s scalp tightened.
Did Mr. Xie know he’d turned traitor?
“What do you mean—”
Xie Jinghu smiled, “I want to see if Xie Qian will show up to save the day.”
If he did, it would confirm Zhao Dong’s judgment: Wen Ying was indeed Xie Qian’s girlfriend and had a significant influence on him!
