Zou Weijun had returned home!
The news stunned Xie Jinghu for a moment.
As the editor-in-chief of Chengdu Literary Publishing House, Zou Weijun had come to Beijing to accompany their star author for a book signing, diligently handling every detail like a nanny. Despite being in Beijing for days, she showed no sign of returning to the Xie family. Xie Jinghu had assumed she’d pass by like Yu the Great, who ignored his home while taming floods.
Xie Jinghu held no expectations, yet Zou Weijun suddenly returned to the Xie family.
Unable to discern her motives, Xie Jinghu faced pressure from Old Lady Xie, who urged over the phone, “Jinghu, are you listening to your mother? Unless it’s something critical, drop it and come back quickly. Weijun… everyone’s waiting for you!”
Her joy was palpable through the phone, tinged with a hint of warning.
Zou Weijun had gone from ignoring the Xie family to agreeing to contact them, and now she’d stepped through their door, actively easing tensions. To Old Lady Xie, this was a chance for Xie Jinghu to mend his marriage. If he didn’t seize it, she might truly disown her son!
Xie Jinghu knew his mother’s temper and, after a brief consideration, decisively agreed, “There’s nothing too important at the company today. I’ll come back right away!”
“Good, good, good!”
Old Lady Xie hung up, pleased.
In the confined car, Assistant Qi clearly overheard the call. For some reason, the phrase “luring the tiger from the mountain” flashed through his mind.
Clearly, Qi wasn’t alone in his suspicions; Xie Jinghu shared them.
A book signing was underway, yet Zou Weijun, instead of staying at the event, had gone to visit Old Lady Xie at the Xie family?
That was odd, especially with so many other times she could’ve chosen.
Xie Jinghu mused, “I need to go home. You stay here and keep an eye on things for me.”
What could Qi say? He patted his chest, assuring he’d handle it.
After Xie Jinghu’s car left the signing, Qi stood alone on the street, gazing at the venue with concern.
Miss Zhang Nan’s temper wasn’t exactly mild.
Learning out of the blue that Young Master Xie had a girlfriend… though Xie Qian denied it vehemently, even Qi found it hard to believe, let alone Zhang Nan.
Would the two girls fight at the signing?
Public hair-pulling or face-scratching wouldn’t be dignified!
Even without a fight, if Zhang Nan’s temper flared and she berated Wen Ying at the event, it’d harm Wen Ying’s reputation as a public figure.
—Xie Jinghu’s actions were truly deplorable!
Xie Jinghu paid Qi well, but at this moment, even money’s power couldn’t quell the shame rising in Qi.
Qi envied Zhong Yong, whose salary was far lower but whose boss was reliable. Mr. Xie Senior wouldn’t make Zhong Yong do anything unethical, so Zhong Yong probably slept soundly at night.
Sigh!
Qi fretted, but the signing’s atmosphere wasn’t what he’d imagined.
No hair-pulling, no shouting matches.
Xie Jinghu, a middle-aged man, couldn’t quite grasp the mindset of teenage girls—a generational gap!
Zhang Nan had a fiery temper, sure, but did that mean she didn’t care about poise?
In her teenage angst, Zhang Nan feared Wen Ying was truly Xie Qian’s girlfriend and, worse, that she’d lose face in front of her.
Despite her anger and frustration, she only wrote, “Are you Xie Qian’s girlfriend?” on the book’s title page. To act like a shrew and hassle Wen Ying publicly? Zhang Nan would rather crash into a wall.
The forceful writing betrayed her emotions. Wen Ying looked up, meeting Zhang Nan’s gaze.
What a pretty girl!
Wen Ying wasn’t surprised.
Xie Qian was practically divine in looks, with a brilliant mind and privileged background. Most girls crushing on him wouldn’t dare show it, opting to be fangirls on his Tieba forum. Those bold enough to express their feelings openly had standout qualities.
What are you staring at!
Zhang Nan tilted her chin, like a haughty swan.
Wen Ying stifled a laugh and, with a flourish, signed the book: *What’s it to you?*
“You know who I am…”
The swan’s slender, pale neck visibly flushed with anger.
Wen Ying wrote again: *I know, you’re Zhang Nan. Got something to say? Wait till after the signing. Don’t make me look down on you~*
Handing the book back with a sweet smile, she said, “Thanks for your support. Want a photo?”
Wen Ying’s demeanor was flawless, treating Zhang Nan like any other reader.
Tai Wu and friends, queued behind Zhang Nan, feared she’d hurl the book at Wen Ying. Instead, Zhang Nan, though fuming, took the book and gritted out, “See you after the signing. Whoever backs out is a coward. Don’t make me look down on you!”
Wen Ying beamed, “Congrats on making the right choice.”
Causing a scene at the signing was a bad idea. If Zhang Nan tried, security would swarm her—after the Shanghai incident, Zou Weijun prioritized event safety. If Zhang Nan ended up pinned to the ground, the proud swan would turn into a flopping goose, a picturesque scene.
Zhang Nan clutched the book and stormed off. Tai Wu and friends, urged by the queue, reluctantly got their books signed by Wen Ying.
Wen Ying acted as if she didn’t know who they were.
All were guests, contributing to her book sales. She welcomed them.
When Tai Wu and friends caught up, Zhang Nan was kicking the curb in frustration. Tai Wu sighed, “Nan, I told you, she’s a tough opponent!”
Wen Ying was indeed pretty and accomplished.
More importantly, she was confident.
Xie Tang’s ex, Yan Yuchuan, lacked confidence, easily shaken by others’ doubts.
But Wen Ying was different—steady, unafraid of Zhang Nan’s challenge or others’ skepticism.
Zhang Nan didn’t break the curb but hurt her toes. She stopped, flipping open the book, “She knew who I was. Xie Qian must’ve told her!”
Her eyes sparkled.
So she mattered to Xie Qian.
Tai Wu cautiously raised a hand, “Maybe it was Peng Guoqing. I called him this morning but couldn’t get through, so I texted him.”
Zhang Nan glared, “Shut up. If you can’t speak sense, be mute!”
Zhang Nan, Tai Wu, and their friends lingered outside, not leaving. Across the street, Qi was puzzled.
No fight?
Qi quickly reported the situation to Xie Qian, who wasn’t surprised.
Xie Qian knew that, outside academics, his hamster was sharp in other areas. Zhang Nan had no chance against her in a direct confrontation!
—With the hamster safe for now, back at the Xie family, Zou Weijun was about to face off with Xie Jinghu.
