Relationships between people are always evolving and changing.
As individuals constantly change throughout their lives, these internal shifts affect close relationships.
For instance, Wen Ying deeply regretted losing Deng Yaomei as a friend in her previous life. This was partly due to objective reasons, such as Chen Li and Deng Shangwei’s marriage breaking down, which ended Deng Yaomei’s employment with them. However, the main reason was the growing gap between Wen Ying and Deng Yaomei.
Wen Ying became an elite lawyer, while Deng Yaomei remained a working-class woman.
Wen Ying’s mind was consumed with completing client assignments, whereas Deng Yaomei thought about which morning market had cheaper vegetables, whether to enrol her child in tutoring, or how her husband’s salary was 500 yuan less this month than the last. When old friends reunited, they had no common topics to discuss, making it hard to maintain even the closest friendships.
In this life, Wen Ying has been encouraging Yaomei to try jobs with more technical value beyond being a “nanny,” hoping not to lose this dear friend again!
Comparing Deng Yaomei to Xie Qian might seem inappropriate, but upon reflection, there’s little fundamental difference.
When a friend moves too fast or too high, the other can easily lose track!
At this moment, Wen Ying felt quite confused looking at Xie Qian.
Xie Qian was still Xie Qian, yet somehow not the same Xie Qian.
She had encouraged Xie Qian not to accept unfair treatment, whether regarding family inheritance or otherwise.
When Xie Qian actually did so, and faster and better than she expected, Wen Ying should have been happy for him. Yet, for some reason, a flood of other thoughts surged within her.
In her previous life, without her interference, Xie Qian was still dazzling. Had it not ended in tragedy, he would have shone even brighter.
Xie Qian was radiant, and Wen Ying never doubted that.
He wasn’t her puppet. She fought hard to steer him away from a tragic fate. The one who survives is Xie Qian, but it might be a “Xie Qian” she’s unfamiliar with.
But so what?
Change is change. As long as Xie Qian is alive, she hasn’t betrayed her initial resolve.
In an instant, the confusion in Wen Ying’s eyes cleared. She realised she needed to adapt and keep up with the changes in her friends and family.
Xie Qian’s transformation, He Zhen’s differences, even her parents were changing.
“I heard the script written for Jiaxin is Teacher Zhang’s most satisfying work to date. It’s hard to say how much money the drama will make, but it will definitely earn Jiaxin a good reputation.”
When Wen Ying shed her confusion and adjusted her perspective, her thoughts were always clear. After all, a hesitant or indecisive person couldn’t be a good lawyer.
Jiaxin is different from Tianjiao.
Tianjiao is a new company. To keep running and establish itself in the industry, it must pursue profitable projects.
Jiaxin is an established company with survival needs, but more importantly, it must restore its tarnished reputation and regain industry recognition.
Once its reputation turns around, making money will follow quickly. Even a sinking ship has some salvageable parts, and Jiaxin isn’t even at rock bottom!
Drawing on her knowledge, Wen Ying analysed Jiaxin’s strengths.
Dongfang TV has a decent market share, Zhang Guangzhen’s script is quality-assured, and even Xu Mei, signed by Jiaxin, is a highly topical artist. Xie Qian’s first project leading Jiaxin is sure to be a “great start.”
“Ah!”
Li Mengjiao covered her mouth and whispered, “You’re not angry anymore?”
Wen Ying laughed, “Why would I be angry? Alright, I was a bit surprised earlier because everyone knew about Xie Qian’s film company except me, which made me feel left out. But now that I think about it, everyone had a reason to know, so I’m not upset.”
No wonder Zhang Nan couldn’t outshine Wen Ying. Wen Ying had a rare open-mindedness for a girl her age!
Peng Guoqing suddenly understood why Wen Ying was the core of their small circle.
With such a generous heart, there’s no one she couldn’t win over if she wanted to!
Peng Guoqing kept sneaking glances at Xie Qian.
Xie Qian should be pleased now, right? Wait, Xie Qian was frowning!
With such a magnanimous girlfriend, Xie Qian, you’re still not satisfied? That’s a bit ungrateful.
Not even Peng Guoqing understood Xie Qian’s reaction, nor did Xie Qian himself.
Today, Xie Qian’s treat at the skewer shop ended rather abruptly. Tianjiao’s driver came to pick up Li Mengjiao, and Wen Ying hitched a ride. She waved goodbye to Xie Qian and Peng Guoqing, but Xie Qian instinctively called out to her.
“What’s up?”
“…Nothing, just remember to ask about Shen Huan’s textbook version.”
“Sure!”
Wen Ying ducked into the car.
Xie Qian stood watching the car start and disappear into the flow of traffic.
Something felt off.
Today’s conversation shouldn’t have gone this way.
Li Mengjiao’s interruption threw everything off Xie Qian’s control.
…
“You really aren’t angry?”
On the way home, Li Mengjiao cautiously probed Wen Ying’s mood.
Wen Ying’s brows were relaxed, her eyes lively, showing no trace of anger.
“I meant what I said. I’m really not upset.”
Wen Ying stressed, and Li Mengjiao, looking her over, finally gave a thumbs-up. “Good, that’s the spirit!”
What’s so special about a male idol?
Keep putting him on a pedestal, and he’ll lose himself, get cocky, and forget his own name!
You have to be like Wen Ying, not taking the idol too seriously, to be his girlfriend, hehe.
Li Mengjiao’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and grumbled, “It’s that fool Wang Shuang texting me again. I swear he’s at a fake 211 university. Doesn’t he have classes? Sending me so many messages! Annoying, I don’t want to reply!”
Now it was Wen Ying’s turn to give a thumbs-up.
Why Wang Shuang kept messaging Li Mengjiao, Wen Ying knew. Young Master Shuang, having gone to Shanghai for university, feared losing his presence in Li Mengjiao’s heart, so he spammed her with texts to stay relevant.
When Wen Ying first met Wang Shuang, he was so carefree, a playboy changing girlfriends often.
Back then, Wang Shuang and Li Mengjiao were frenemies. He saw her as a friend, while she had budding feelings for him.
Now, the situation had completely flipped.
Wang Shuang was still Li Mengjiao’s friend, but did she still like him?
Wen Ying wasn’t sure.
For ordinary girls, their world is narrow, focused on studies, a few friends, and boys they like.
Li Mengjiao’s world was vast now. Beyond studies, she had her celebrity career and so much to think about. She could fit in a few close friends but might not care about those youthful feelings anymore, leaving Wang Shuang anxious.
Those who are favoured can afford to be fearless.
At her neighbourhood entrance, Wen Ying got a call from Zou Weijun.
When Zou Weijun first returned to Beijing, she often called Wen Ying. After starting work at Jinhu, busy outsmarting Xie the jerk, her contact with Wen Ying lessened.
Wen Ying really missed Zou Weijun and worried about her.
“Auntie Zou, how’s work going lately?”
On the phone, Zou Weijun’s voice was cheerful. “Work always has challenges, but I’ve met great colleagues who warmly guided me and taught me a lot. I’m finally not as flustered as I was at the start!”
