After a brief shock, Wen Ying wanted to laugh at herself.
She was still too naive—forgetting Comrade Wen Dongrong’s knack for playing both sides. What he said didn’t always match what he thought. With a crowd of relatives around, of course he’d play the enlightened dad. Lies rolled off his tongue, and she’d nearly bought it!
Blimey, how many times had she fallen for it and still almost got duped?
Barely a few days reborn, and her mind was slipping toward teenage gullibility. Realising that, she broke out in a cold sweat.
After dinner, the relatives tidied up and left. The Wen living room was down to Wen Ying, her parents, and Chen Li. The four sat discussing her summer English tutoring.
Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong were convinced she’d flunked the exam—didn’t even want to wait for results. They were set on shipping her to Rongcheng for lessons now.
To them, a daughter who’d bombed the exam didn’t deserve a breather.
Others got a holiday for doing well—flop, and you’ve the cheek to slack off?
Chen Li frowned. “Most English crash courses start in July—it’s only June, too early. Besides, results aren’t out yet, and you’re already writing her off—that’s a bit—”
A bit too harsh on Wen Ying’s pride.
Unlike Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong’s assumptions, Chen Li trusted Wen Ying’s own take.
Her niece never talked big.
Chen Li opened her mouth to defend her, but Wen Ying cut in quick. “Auntie, I reckon it’s smart to start early, whatever the score. If I did well, I’d still prep for high school—don’t want to lag at a top Rongcheng school. Too many sharp kids there, and I’m from the sticks!”
Wen Ying didn’t care about tutoring—her mind was on Uncle Deng Shangwei. If she didn’t get to Rongcheng soon, she’d miss her chance to stick close to him.
Years of clashing with her parents had taught her their buttons. She’d tailored her words for Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong—they beamed with approval and relief.
For the first time since the exam, they looked at her without scowling.
Chen Li faltered.
Glancing at Wen Ying, she caught a pleading signal.
It clicked.
She was taking Wen Ying to Rongcheng for the summer anyway—earlier was better. Chen Li switched tack. “English classes haven’t started, but we’ll find a private tutor in Rongcheng. I’ll ring Old Deng—he knows heaps of people. Nabbing a high school English teacher’ll be a doddle.”
One-on-one beats group lessons any day.
Wen Dongrong and Chen Ru nodded, chuffed. Chen Ru fetched an envelope from the bedroom and thrust it at Chen Li. “You and Shangwei sort it—make sure it’s a teacher from a top school. Me and your brother-in-law are entrusting Wen Ying to you two.”
Chen Li didn’t count the cash—just stuffed it in her bag.
Not taking it would rile Chen Ru, and she couldn’t be arsed arguing. Besides tutoring fees, she’d cover all Wen Ying’s costs in Rongcheng.
She never skimped on her niece.
Chen Ru wanted them off tomorrow, but Wen Ying piped up, “It’s only just past eight, and Auntie’s got the car. Why not head to Rongcheng tonight? Get settled early, and I can dive into studying.”
That hit Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong’s sweet spot again.
Wen Dongrong, secretly chuffed, put on a stern face to chide her for not considering Chen Li’s night drive.
Chen Li brushed it off. “Tonight’s fine—grab a few clothes, and we’re off.”
She’d been home a week and missed her boys in Rongcheng—getting back a night early suited her.
Wen Ying dashed to her room, chucked a couple of outfits in her backpack, and followed Chen Li downstairs. Chen Ru nagged her to behave in Rongcheng and not trouble Chen Li or Deng Shangwei. Wen Ying nodded along.
As Chen Li drove out of the complex, she chuckled. “Feels like you can’t stand a day at home— that scared of your parents’ nagging?”
“I miss Jie and Hao—want to see them soon. Uncle promised to take me out too.”
That’s what she said, but inside, she thought Chen Li was sharp. She really didn’t want a day at home. To others, she’d just been in hospital a few nights away from her parents. For her, pre-rebirth, it’d been two years since she’d been back—she dreaded being alone with them.
But if Chen Li could pick up on her vibes, how’d she miss the oddness with Deng Shangwei?
Was it blind trust in her husband, or had she clocked it and played dumb?
Either way, Wen Ying’s heart ached for her.
She couldn’t help replaying He Zhen’s words from last life… After Deng Shangwei’s mess came out, Chen Li had ended the marriage too hastily.
If it were Wen Ying, she wouldn’t forgive either—she’d always admired Chen Li’s decisive divorce. But it left her aunt gutted, shadowed for years. Though she got nearly all the assets, money didn’t bring joy.
Deng Shangwei didn’t fare well either. When Wen Ying was at uni, he’d called loads, begging to meet for a meal. She’d loathed him then—ignored his pleas. He’d even sobbed on the phone, a grown man.
Back then, her world was black-and-white. Hearing him cry, she’d thought he deserved it.
Now, she wondered if she’d been too harsh.
Even if his marriage to Chen Li crashed, ending his role as her uncle, he’d doted on her for over a decade.
His business kept him busy—when Deng Jie or Deng Hao were sick, he rarely stayed all night. Yet for her hospital stay, he’d watched her IV without a wink.
Maybe she should give him a chance.
Before Chen Li twigged anything, get him to sort his mess. If he couldn’t alone, she’d help.
She mulled it over the whole drive, piecing things together.
When Chen Li pulled into Rongcheng and they spotted that familiar old Santana at the gate, Wen Ying even smiled.
“Uncle’s car!”
Chen Li saw it too.
She rolled down her window to wave, but the Santana U-turned and sped out of the complex.
Chen Li blinked, stunned. “Has your uncle got eyes for decoration? Didn’t see my car this close?”
Wen Ying’s stomach dropped.
Was it too dark to spot?
The real question: it’s 11 p.m.—where’s Uncle driving off to?
