Long lashes covered the thoughts in his eyes, but the hand gripping so hard that even the knuckles turned white revealed Qin Zan’s emotions. He watched as that man carried Zanzan and entered Wen Xian’s room.
Even after he left last night, that man didn’t come out again, until this morning when they came out of the room together.
Which means that man stayed inside Wen Xian’s room for an entire night.
The video had already played to the last second. Just as Qin Zan was about to close the video, he saw the man in the video raise his eyes and glance in the direction of the surveillance, as if looking at him through the screen.
Qin Zan couldn’t hold back and smashed the cup.
That man, with just one glance, Qin Zan recognized who he was.
Mingcheng Shen Group, Shen Lingge.
Two years ago, when he went to Mingcheng, he had seen Shen Lingge at a meeting.
How could he be by Wen Xian’s side? Could it be that he is the person Wen Xian mentioned? But then how did he and Wen Xian get to know each other?
Countless questions Linggered in Qin Zan’s heart.
Thinking like this, Qin Zan called Wen Xian. The call rang for a long time.
The voice on the other end was still sweet and soft: “Qin Dage.”
Qin Zan spoke in a calm tone: “After the ship docks, I’ll take you home.”
She hesitated for a moment before saying: “Qin Dage, someone is coming to pick me up and take me back. No need to trouble you. Tomorrow, I’ll go to the Qin family myself to explain last night’s matter to Grandpa Qin. Thank you…”
She seemed to smile a little: “Thank you for helping me so much.”
Qin Zan’s heart suddenly softened. She was still the same as before; she hadn’t changed.
It was he who had changed. The greed in his heart made him become greedy, also made him become anxious and uncertain.
He seemed to sigh: “Alright, I’ll wait for you at home tomorrow.”
Because the Xian Nu Hao had accelerated its sailing speed, before noon the cruise ship docked. Wen Xian took the chance while there were few people to bring Shen Lingge off the ship.
She carried Zanzan, Shen Lingge held her bag in his left hand and carried Qiuqiu in his right.
At this moment, Xu Chuwei was also walking to the ship’s exit with friends, and happened to see those two people walking one behind the other under the sunlight. Her steps suddenly stopped, she looked at that man’s back in disbelief.
By her ear was her friend’s puzzled voice: “Chuwei, what’s wrong?”
The woman next to Xu Chuwei followed her line of sight and looked over. She instantly recognized Wen Xian. She thought Xu Chuwei was reacting this way because of Wen Xian, so she consoled: “Chuwei, anyway, from now on Wen Xian won’t have anything to do with this circle anymore. Don’t put her in your heart.”
Xu Chuwei at this moment had no thoughts at all. She just stared blankly at that man walking farther and farther away.
Four years ago, she had once followed her father to Mingcheng. At that time, the Xu family wanted to start a project in Mingcheng, so they used connections to attend a business banquet. It was at that banquet that she saw Shen Lingge.
At that time, Shen Lingge had only graduated for one year, yet he was already in charge of Shen Group.
She sat below the stage, raising her face to look at that man on stage holding a microphone.
His appearance seemed like it was cast by the gods, but there was not the slightest sharpness between his brows and eyes. In a calm tone, he spoke about Shen Group’s recently expanded industries.
This was the first man in Xu Chuwei’s life who made her heart move at first sight.
At that time, he was a star in the sky, while she was as small as dust.
That was why she temporarily decided to apply to Mingcheng University. Shen Lingge also graduated from this university. Every time there was an excellent alumnus returning to give a speech, she would attend.
But she never saw him again.
Some people, once seen, cannot be forgotten.
Just like this moment—even though Xu Chuwei only saw a back figure, she recognized Shen Lingge. Four years ago she disregarded Wen Xian and insisted on going to Mingcheng. The reason now appeared by Wen Xian’s side.
Xu Chuwei clenched her teeth tightly.
As expected, everything she wanted would always be taken away by Wen Xian.
Whether in the past, or now.
In that instant, Xu Chuwei completely abandoned the last trace of softness in her heart toward Wen Xian. She would forget all the feelings between them in the past; the incident at the auction would never happen again.
She discarded the past self, both true and false, together with Wen Xian.
—
Wen Xian followed Shen Lingge and stopped in front of a Bentley with local plates. She looked at it suspiciously and asked: “Gege, is this the car your boss gave you?”
Shen Lingge began to lie with open eyes: “Mm, Mr. Chi also has assets in Licheng. Just in the garage alone, there are dozens of cars parked. He told me to pick any one to drive.”
As he spoke, he opened the passenger-side car door. After Wen Xian bent over and got into the car, she took Qiuqiu from his arms.
She still didn’t quite believe it: “I always feel like you’re lying to me.”
After Shen Lingge settled Zanzan, he got into the car. He tilted his head and glanced at Wen Xian, speaking in a light tone: “Then what do you think is the reason? Even if I went to the club, I couldn’t earn that much money in such a short time.”
Wen Xian furrowed her brows in thought, then nodded: “That’s true.”
Shen Lingge gave a light hum, then started the car.
While they were on the road, Wen Xian took out Lawyer Jiang’s private number. She hesitated for a moment but still dialed it. Not long after, the call was picked up. He seemed a little surprised: “Miss Wen?”
Wen Xian was slightly startled. She didn’t expect he still saved her number.
Wen Xian pressed her lips together: “It’s me, Lawyer Jiang.”
Lawyer Jiang’s voice was slightly deep: “Miss Wen, is it about the matter Mr. Wen entrusted me with four years ago that something has gone wrong?”
Wen Xian quickly explained: “No, I just have some questions I want to ask you face-to-face.”
Lawyer Jiang agreed very readily: “I have time tonight. In the afternoon I need to prepare materials for next week’s court session, and next week I might not be able to answer your call. Would tonight be convenient for you?”
Wen Xian hadn’t expected to arrange a meeting with Lawyer Jiang so quickly, so they set a meeting at eight in the evening at a quiet, secluded private teahouse.
After taking Qiuqiu and Zanzan back home, Wen Xian took Shen Lingge out to eat. Having been away from home for two days, the vegetables and fruits in the refrigerator weren’t very fresh anymore. After eating, they would go to the supermarket.
Shen Lingge rarely went into shopping complexes. When he entered Shen Group’s malls, it was always in a cleared situation. He wasn’t very used to walking in places with so many people. Today happened to be the weekend, too.
Wen Xian knew Shen Lingge was picky with food, so she found a restaurant where the average spending per person was over a thousand.
Who knew that as soon as the food entered his mouth, he frowned and said in a low voice: “Not as good as eating at home.”
Wen Xian curved her lips in a smile: “After we finish eating, we’ll go to the supermarket, and have dinner at home.”
Shen Lingge put down his chopsticks after just a few bites. He lowered his head and replied to the message sent by Assistant Xiao Song, while Wen Xian was the only one eating earnestly.
While Shen Lingge was sending messages, he suddenly heard conversation coming from the table next to them. Even though their voices were pressed very low, in such a quiet restaurant it was still very obvious.
Male voice: “Baby, look, what’s the use of looking good? Isn’t he still just playing with his phone by himself while letting his girlfriend eat alone?”
Male voice: “Baby, I’ll peel shrimp for you.”
Male voice: “Baby, after we finish eating, let’s go watch a movie.”
Female voice: “Husband, you’re the best.”
Shen Lingge’s hand paused. He raised his eyes and glanced at Wen Xian, who had her cheeks puffed up. She was chewing the food in her mouth in small bites. When she saw him looking over, she even gave him a questioning look in return.
Not a trace of unhappiness on her face.
Shen Lingge placed his phone on the table, suddenly asked: “Do you want to watch a movie?”
Wen Xian: ?
Seeing that she didn’t respond, Shen Lingge directly said: “I want to watch a movie.”
Wen Xian: “……”
Hearing this, Wen Xian sped up and swallowed the food in her mouth. In front of her, Shen Lingge was looking at her, with a trace of willfulness in his black eyes. He simply wanted to watch a movie.
She thought for a moment; since giving birth to the cub, she hadn’t watched a movie yet either, so she agreed: “Then let’s go watch a movie first, then go to the supermarket. Another day I’ll make up for your first… birthday?”
Shen Lingge: “……”
He frowned: “When is my birthday?”
Wen Xian looked as if it was only natural: “Of course, it’s the same day as my birthday. I created you that day. By next year, you’ll be two years old.”
When Shen Lingge’s resistance was fruitless, he could only reluctantly agree to Wen Xian making up a birthday for him. But he absolutely would not celebrate a one-year-old’s birthday—he was a normal adult human.
After paying the bill, Shen Lingge and Wen Xian rode the escalator up to the top floor.
Standing on the escalator, Wen Xian wasn’t very well-behaved. Her big eyes kept turning, looking everywhere. When she saw a girl with twin ponytails and her buzz-cut boyfriend, she couldn’t help showing a bit of envy.
They didn’t look very old. That buzz-cut boy naturally carried the girl’s small school bag on his back, his other hand resting on the girl’s shoulder. His face looked indifferent, yet when looking at the girl, it softened with tenderness.
Wen Xian was caught in a daze for a moment, so much so that she didn’t notice when the escalator reached the top.
Shen Lingge frowned and picked up the little girl, wrapping his arm around her waist and placing her to the side: “Wen Xian, how can you not even stand on the escalator properly? What were you looking at?”
When her body was lifted off the ground just now, Wen Xian had already come back to her senses. She pouted: “Sorry, I forgot.”
Shen Lingge’s face stayed cold and didn’t say anything. He stepped forward and walked ahead.
Wen Xian jogged to follow behind him, grabbing onto the hem of his shirt and quietly explaining: “Gege, don’t be angry. If I were alone, I definitely wouldn’t have forgotten. Now… now that you’re by my side.”
Hearing that sentence, Shen Lingge’s footsteps suddenly stopped. Wen Xian couldn’t brake in time and bumped into his back.
She gave a light “tss” sound, covering her forehead. When she raised her eyes, she saw Shen Lingge lowering his gaze to look at her. He said in a low voice: “Wen Xian, I can’t be by your side forever.”
Wen Xian was slightly dazed. Then she countered: “Why can’t you be by my side forever?”
Shen Lingge didn’t know how to answer her. He simply turned around: “Let’s go, to watch the movie.”
But the little girl didn’t give up, chattering non-stop next to his ear: “Gege, where are you going?”
“Are you not coming home anymore in the future?”
“Are you going to stay in Mingcheng forever?”
“Gege, then what about me?”
Shen Lingge didn’t dare lightly promise her anything. After all, life was still long ahead. The only thing he could currently ensure he could do was to protect her, and protect her secret.
He held her wrist, speaking in a low voice: “I’ll tell you about this later.”
The little girl wasn’t too willing, and hadn’t quieted down for long before she muttered again in a small voice: “Anyway, you’re mine. Even if you’re the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, I’m not afraid, because I’m Tang Monk.”
Shen Lingge: “……”
What Wen Xian said wasn’t wrong. After all, she could summon him at any time and place, and he had no way to do anything about it.
No matter how you think about it, he’s the one at a loss.