Xiao Ning was unsure whether she should cry on cue for the occasion. Zou Weijun explained, “I just asked Wen Ying to persuade Xie Qian to return to the capital with me. Wen Ying has already agreed.”
Ah, so Xie Qian was going back to the capital too?
No wonder Wen Ying looked on the verge of tears. Even Xiao Ning, as a bystander, could see how close the bond between Wen Ying and Xie Qian truly was.
“Sister Zou…”
Xiao Ning had barely uttered the words when Zou Weijun stopped her with a fierce wink. Xiao Ning was first puzzled, then suddenly understood: this was fake news. Xie Qian was not actually going back.
Then why had Sister Zou said it?
Oh, to tease Wen Ying, of course!
Xiao Ning felt three parts sympathy for Wen Ying, but seven parts thrilled to fan the flames. She eagerly joined in. “Then Wen Ying must persuade him well. Do not let Xie go through with the transfer in a bad mood. Friendships from one’s youth are precious. The futures of young people matter even more!”
Wen Ying understood the principles well enough; she needed no chicken soup from Xiao Ning.
Yet the course of each person’s fate does not always follow reason. This world is not one where having the right argument guarantees victory. Villains have their own logic too. It all depends on whose “reason” holds the upper hand.
Neither Zou Weijun nor Xiao Ning knew of Xie Qian’s tragedy from his previous life. Wen Ying did, and she bore all the pressure alone. As she left the publishing house, her shoulders slumped, her entire being radiating dejection, like a mushroom with its cap drooping low.
Song Fotang spotted Wen Ying in the corridor and greeted her warmly. Wen Ying’s smile was exceedingly forced. “Hello, Editor Song.”
Gazing at Wen Ying’s retreating figure, Song Fotang pondered thoughtfully. He quietly asked Xiao Ning, “Was not the signing event a great success? Could it be the feedback on the new serial ‘Seeking Yong’ is poor?”
Xiao Ning rolled her eyes. “Editor Song, do not speak nonsense. Do you not know how many reader letters ‘Seeking Yong’ has received since starting serialisation in the magazine? The signing was a hit, and the feedback on ‘Seeking Yong’ is excellent too!”
“Then why does she seem unhappy?”
Song Fotang muttered. Xiao Ning lowered her voice. “Because Sister Zou is leaving the company. Wen Ying cannot bear to part with her!”
“Leaving is just leaving. What is the big deal… Wait, who is leaving?”
“Editor-in-Chief Zou.”
Xiao Ning had pitied Wen Ying earlier. Now she pitied Song Fotang.
Song Fotang might be oily, but his feelings for Zou Weijun were unwavering. Learning of her resignation struck him like a blow he could not withstand.
He chased after Xiao Ning with questions, wanting to know why Zou Weijun was leaving. Had she found a better position elsewhere?
Were the terms offered by Rong City Publishing Group insufficient?
They could apply to the group for a raise.
Zou Weijun’s performance was outstanding. The bestsellers she managed and the magazine she launched had brought profits to the group. Such talent deserved a high salary to retain her!
“It is not poaching from a rival. Sister Zou is leaving publishing altogether. As for more details, Editor Song, best not to pry further!”
Xiao Ning knew only a little of Zou Weijun’s family matters, and no one else at the company did. She would not spill too much of Zou Weijun’s privacy to Song Fotang.
Song Fotang felt as if struck by lightning. Refusing to accept this reality, he inquired around. No one knew Zou Weijun’s next move, only that she would leave Rong City.
Song Fotang’s heart shattered into pieces. He followed in Wen Ying’s footsteps, becoming the second dejected mushroom.
This time, Editor Wan did not trick Song Fotang out of his treasured liquor. Instead, he gritted his teeth and footed the bill for a meal.
With eight parts wine in him, Poet Song’s poetic muse surged. He improvised several modern poems on themes of “heartbreak” and “parting”, insisting on reciting them with a thick tongue to his friend Editor Wan.
In the bustling restaurant, Editor Wan felt his cringe cancer had reached terminal stage.
Done for. He could never show his face here again for a meal. Better eat more today. Editor Wan buried his head and devoured. Song Fotang grabbed his collar. “Old Wan, tell me, how are these poems of mine? Good or not?”
“Good!”
Editor Wan thrust up a thumbs-up. “One can tell they spring from genuine emotion. Old Song, we have been friends for so many years. Let me speak from the heart. Forget that Editor-in-Chief Zou is married. Even if she were not, is she someone we could reach? She is a vision graceful as a startled swan, lithe as a roaming dragon!”
Editor Wan quoted from “Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River”.
“Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River” was Cao Zhi’s tale of encountering the Luo goddess by the Luo waters. The piece brimmed with ornate diction and delicate feeling, embodying the author’s lingering affections.
The “Luo goddess” was Cao Zhi’s invention, a figure nonexistent in reality. By calling Zou Weijun a “Luo goddess”, Editor Wan meant to rouse Song Fotang from his illusory, impractical infatuation!
Song Fotang sighed deeply. “You do not understand! I long ago gave up any designs on Little Zou. Just letting me gaze at her from afar satisfies me. Loving need not mean possessing; loving means blessing more. But that husband of hers… he does not deserve her!”
“I do not understand, nor do I wish to. Come, come, enough of this. Let us have two more cups.”
Editor Wan had no desire to discuss emotions with Song Fotang. He resolved to drink him under the table. A drunkard could still rant only because the drunkenness was incomplete.
Middle-aged men might drown sorrows in wine, but Wen Ying could not.
She returned home in dejection, only to find her mother Chen Ru changing clothes.
“Mum, are you going out?”
Chen Ru nodded as she slipped on her shoes. “Xie Qian’s mother is resigning and heading back to the capital. Your Auntie Dong suggested we see her off.”
Chen Ru knew Xie Qian’s mother, knew Mrs Wang, knew Zou Weijun, and knew Mrs Qin.
Wen Dongrong had infiltrated the circle of Qin Xianming and Wang Jun. Chen Ru had her own circle of mothers, with Mrs Wang her closest confidante.
Mrs Wang was an especially likable person, often organising events in the mothers’ circle. This farewell gathering for Zou Weijun had been her idea too.
Just before heading out, Chen Ru recalled something else. “Xie Qian’s mother is returning to the capital. Will Xie Qian go too? You lot seem close. He often tutors you all, does he not?”
Her birth mother unwittingly plunged another knife into Wen Ying’s heart.
Wen Ying replied listlessly. “Auntie Zou hopes Xie Qian will go back to the capital with her. I do not know what Xie Qian himself thinks. We do not want him to leave either. With him here, Li Mengjiao’s and my grades have a guarantee.”
Chen Ru frowned. “There are no shortcuts in studies. Xie Qian tutoring you is icing on the cake. Without him, would you two fall apart?”
Wen Ying dared not utter a word.
With Chen Ru rushing out, she did not nag further.
Now alone at home, Wen Ying pulled out her phone and stared at Xie Qian’s number for ages. Finally, she mustered the resolve to dial.
“You have something?”
Xie Qian’s voice was as pleasant as ever. After two years, she had not tired of it. Another twenty, and she probably still would not.
Wen Ying probed. “I heard about Auntie Zou resigning and returning to the capital. Auntie Zou says she wants to take you back too…”
“Oh. And then?”
Over the phone, Wen Ying could not see Xie Qian’s face, nor discern his mood from his tone. She simply steeled herself. “I want you to stay and not go back to the capital!”
