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Wen Di wasn’t in a good mood tonight. On the way back from Xiao Donghan’s villa, her spirits plummeted. The muggy air made her numb, while the car’s air conditioning brought her back to consciousness.
Then she ran into Yan Heyu, who told her she had been “playing” for two years.
Before opening the door, she adjusted her expression, putting on a smile for her older cousin.
The house was quiet. Her older cousin wasn’t playing games; he was reading in the living room.
“Is Xiao Donghan’s villa far from here? Why did it take you so long?”
He was worried but didn’t show it, going to the kitchen to pour her some water.
Wen Di changed her shoes and came in. In Beijing, traffic jams were the perfect excuse.
She said matter-of-factly, “There was a traffic jam for a while.” She casually mentioned an intersection where two cars had a minor fender bender.
Her older cousin believed her, handed her the glass of water, and looked at her forehead. “What’s wrong with you?” He now had severe paranoia. “Is someone following you?”
Wen Di smiled. “...Are you bored after your exams, so your mind is wandering?”
“It’s all because of Xiao Zhengtao.”
“How did your mom tell you all this?”
“Not my mom, my dad told me.” He added, “He only told me after the exams.”
He knew everything about his mom’s company’s financial chain issues. His dad said he was an adult now and should know a little about how hard it was for his parents to earn money.
Wen Di first went to the restroom to remove her makeup. Feeling refreshed after washing her face, her mood lightened slightly.
She sat down next to her cousin. “So you were going to pick me up at Xiao Donghan’s, and you didn’t play games all night?”
Her older cousin didn’t say anything, just turned the pages of his book.
Wen Di patted his arm. “It’s okay.”
Her older cousin flipped through a few more pages. He wasn’t interested in novels, so he closed the book. “Are you and Xiao Donghan like this because of my mom’s company business?”
Wen Di shook her head, picked up the water her cousin poured for her, and drank.
“I’m not a child; you don’t need to hide things from me.” Her older cousin said, “You’re afraid that if this continues, it will implicate more people in the family.”
His tone was very certain.
“Not entirely, there are also my own reasons.”
Her older cousin put the book aside. With nothing else to do, he took a snack from the snack tray, tore it open, and began to eat.
“Sis, if you want to be with him, just be with him. Don’t hesitate.” Don’t be like him, who still hadn’t confessed to the girl he had liked for so long.
Wen Di smiled. “I’m not hesitating.”
Her older cousin: “You even made a show based on him. You must appreciate his abilities. He should be able to protect you well.”
“He does have a way, otherwise I wouldn’t be dating him.”
As Wen Di said this, she took a few sips of water.
“It’s just that some things are beyond our expectations. And some things are out of our control. It’s hard to explain in a few words.”
Wen Di stood up, rubbing his head. “Go to bed early.”
She took her water cup back to her room and sent a message to Xiao Donghan: [I’m home. Goodnight.]
Xiao Donghan: [Goodnight. No more melatonin.]
Wen Di agreed verbally, then asked him: [Video conference over?]
[Just finished.]
[Now it’s not just Xiao Zhengtao; your several paternal uncles are also starting to target you. Be careful.]
[No need to worry about me not being able to handle it. I’m not memorizing famous quotes or reading those incomprehensible books anymore. You’re not by my side either, so I have plenty of time to deal with them.]
Wen Di said goodnight to him again. She trusted he had the means to deal with it, but she was still worried about him. She hadn’t expected that her appearance would make those people in his family treat her like a formidable enemy.
She thought that even if the Xiao family’s internal struggles were fierce and rotten, she could just stay away from them, like Shen Tang.
But that wasn’t the case.
Initially, Old Mr. Xiao granted shares to Shen Tang with the sole condition that Shen Tang must ensure the balance of power against Xiao Donghan and prevent Xiao Ning Group from disintegrating.
In the Xiao family, Shen Tang and Jiang Chengyu were the only ones capable of containing Xiao Donghan. The reason Jiang Chengyu could smoothly enter the Xiao Ning Group’s board of directors was because all the Xiao family members strongly supported him.
Jiang Chengyu was chosen by other Xiao family members to deal with Xiao Donghan. Now they felt that because of her appearance, Jiang Chengyu would eventually make peace with Xiao Donghan, and they began to feel uneasy.
In fact, even if she and Xiao Donghan got married someday, Shen Tang and Jiang Chengyu would not make peace with Xiao Donghan on the matter of Xiao Ning.
Since Shen Tang had promised Old Mr. Xiao, she would definitely fulfill it. Taking advantage of someone and then stabbing them in the back was something neither Shen Tang nor Jiang Chengyu would do.
However, the Xiao family didn’t trust Shen Tang. They themselves were people who went back on their word for profit and assumed others were the same.
Now, not only Xiao Zhengtao, but several of Xiao Donghan’s paternal uncles also regarded her as a thorn in their side.
Xiao Donghan constantly dealing with them must be exhausting.
Wen Di tossed her phone onto the bedside table, twisted open the medicine bottle. She couldn’t sleep without medication.
She took the medicine with warm water, then realized she hadn’t showered yet.
After taking a bath and lying in bed, she still wasn’t sleepy.
Wen Di fumbled for her phone and sent a message to Xiao Donghan: [I’ll take you to the airport tomorrow.]
Xiao Donghan: [Why aren’t you sleeping yet?]
[I’m about to sleep.]
[You don’t like seeing me off at the airport, do you?]
[I like it now.]
________________________________________
The next morning, Wen Di left a note for her older cousin on the dining table. She drove to Xiao Donghan’s villa; he was already in the car, waiting for her.
She parked her car and got into his.
Xiao Donghan’s first words to her were still, “Didn’t you say you don’t like seeing people off at the airport? Why force yourself if you don’t like it?”
Wen Di said, “I didn’t force myself. Fewer pickups, so more drop-offs to make up for it.”
Xiao Donghan instructed the driver to start the car. He held her hand. “When I couldn’t sleep last night, I thought, I lost you again.”
Wen Di shook her head. “Not at all.”
Xiao Donghan squeezed her hand tighter. “I lost you.”
A moment of silence.
“You’re different from other women I’ve been with. You don’t want my money. The only thing you might want is, after we date, if we get along well, you want to see if I’d eventually be willing to give up something for you, to stay away from the Xiao family’s conflicts and live a peaceful life with you.”
Even if she went to London with him now, what she ultimately wanted, he still couldn’t give her.
So, she wouldn’t go.
So, he also gave up on asking her to go.
Xiao Donghan turned his face to look at her. “I’m starting to guess your psychology now. I wonder if I’m right.”
Wen Di smiled, not speaking.
Xiao Donghan said, “I’ve probably guessed pretty close.”
Perhaps at the beginning, he shouldn’t have made an exception for himself. He shouldn’t have fallen in love. After being blinded, his efforts to deal with the Xiao family this time consumed too much energy, causing him to be a bit overwhelmed when competing with Yan Heyu domestically.
She was that leaf that temporarily obscured his view of the situation.
Perhaps he saw clearly, but his mind was on her, and he became complacent and didn’t pay much attention to other things.
When he put aside group matters and ran off to Costa Rica to pick pink pineapples for her, he was already on a very dangerous edge, but he still wanted to walk the tightrope.
If only one could control and regulate their emotions.
He stared at her eyelashes. “No makeup today?”
“No. Time was a bit tight; I just rushed here after washing up.”
Xiao Donghan loved to see her eyes without makeup. It was her bare face that first captivated him.
He leaned down, approaching to kiss her, a very light kiss on her eyelashes.
He spoke about the airport drop-off again. “I’ll still come to see you.”
Wen Di looked up at him. “You don’t have to drag out the breakup for my sake.”
Xiao Donghan: “Not for you, for myself. I want to drag it out until my birthday.”
Wen Di didn’t argue with him. Let it be whatever he said.
Xiao Donghan regretted it a little when he said it, because his birthday wasn’t far off.
But once the words were out, he didn’t retract them.
He didn’t like this dull atmosphere, saying, “I’ll come to China often in the future, and to Jiangcheng too. Xiao Ning has a factory in Jiangcheng, have you forgotten?”
“Didn’t forget. I won’t have time to pick you up then. I need to make money.”
Xiao Donghan laughed. “Once you make a lot of money from investing, your mind won’t be on romance anymore. Nothing is more fulfilling than conquering the world.”
He released her hand and found the famous quotes Secretary Lu had printed for him. “You’re a boss now, so I’ll give you two quotes.”
“Didn’t you say you don’t read these anymore?”
“Last time.”
Xiao Donghan turned to the second page and read to her: “‘People see profit but not harm; fish see bait but not hooks.’ Remember not to invest blindly in the future.”
Wen Di: “Got it.”
He pointed to a few handwritten words on the title page. Wen Di couldn’t help but smile after seeing them. He had written ‘Limited Edition’, and below it, ‘Collector’s Edition’.
He planned to collect these famous quotes like treasures.
The road to the airport today seemed unusually short; it was there in the blink of an eye.
Xiao Donghan didn’t allow her to see him inside; he also disliked goodbyes.
After getting out of the car, he said, “You go straight back.”
Wen Di still got out. There was so much she wanted to say, yet not a single word would come out.
Xiao Donghan put on his suit jacket, then took it off. He chuckled to himself, “Foolish, wearing a suit in August.”
He reached out and hugged her. “Film your drama well. In the future, no matter what award your drama wins, I’ll donate a sum of money to charity.”
Wen Di tried to smile, not wanting to be too sentimental. “Thanks for the good wishes. I hope my drama becomes a big winner at major awards in the future.”
When parting, no matter how long the time, it always felt too short.
Xiao Donghan opened the car door, telling her to get in.
He watched the car drive away.
He had known Wen Di for over two years; time passed too quickly.
________________________________________
In the evening, Wen Di received a call from Zhou Mingqian, who said there were still some inappropriate parts.
She met Zhou Mingqian at their usual coffee shop, accompanied by his assistant and her own assistant.
As soon as they met, Zhou Mingqian curiously asked, “Did you change boyfriends?”
Wen Di didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Did Qin Xing say that?”
“Yeah, he thought that since I’ve been meeting you frequently to discuss the script lately, I’d know something, and he didn’t dare ask you directly.”
“In their eyes, I’m a party animal now.”
Zhou Mingqian felt that Qin Xing’s words weren’t very reliable. “You haven’t changed, right?”
“What do you think?”
“If you ask me, definitely not. You’re under so much pressure right now; you wouldn’t look for extra baggage.”
“......”
Wen Di took a sip of coffee. The emotions from seeing him off at the airport lingered, still not having subsided.
Zhou Mingqian asked her what made others misunderstand that she had a new boyfriend.
“My cousin came to visit.”
Zhou Mingqian knew her cousin was visiting. Last time, when she came to discuss the script, she called her cousin and said she’d be home late.
However, there was another reason that could have led Qin Xing and the others to misunderstand: there was a problem between her and Xiao Donghan.
“He doesn’t want to authorize anymore?”
Wen Di suddenly burst out laughing. “Your train of thought is quite something.”
She said, “No. He and I are quite good, just not too good.”
Zhou Mingqian understood a little, but not entirely.
He comforted her, “It’s nothing to break up. It’s a good time to focus on your career.”
Wen Di sighed wistfully, “I’m okay, I’ll adjust slowly. It’s mainly my grandma. She says it’s fine, but she’ll start worrying again, thinking I’m unhappy.”
Zhou Mingqian: “Tell Grandma that you can’t have everything. Heaven has given you so much; it’s already favoring you. If your love life was smooth sailing too, would that be fair?”
Wen Di laughed. “My grandma understands everything; she just worries in her heart.”
She worried about her, worried about her second aunt. Not to mention if she broke up, even if she married Xiao Donghan and they argued someday, Grandma would still think she was unhappy and not doing well.
“Elders might think that after you were hurt by Yan Heyu, all your current happiness is just a pretense.”
“That’s exactly it; no matter what I say, I can’t explain it to her.”
Wen Di opened the script. “Let’s not talk about this.”
Zhou Mingqian’s words were always direct and sharp. He directly pointed out that even after she revised three versions, the spark between the female and male leads in terms of competition and emotional conflict was still insufficient. Some scene settings were not good enough and failed to move people.
At least they didn’t move him.
“Your previous works, everyone who read them praised them. Now, something is missing.”
He added, “These scene settings of yours aren’t impossible. It’s just that I have higher expectations for you. I want to see you reaching the level of empathy with the characters in the script that you used to have.”
Wen Di looked at it and said, “Anyway, there’s still time; I’ll revise it again.”
“Although this is a realistic business war drama, if the sparks between the male and female leads aren’t strong enough, it will detract from your entire story.”
Wen Di knew this, so when writing the emotional scenes, she tried her best to empathize and create in an immersive way.
She flipped back and discussed other existing problems with Zhou Mingqian.
They didn’t break up until nine in the evening.
She told Zhou Mingqian that if there were any problems in the coming week, they would communicate via video, and she would go out for a walk.
Zhou Mingqian: “You really should go out for a walk.”
He asked, “Where are you planning to go? I can recommend some fun and less-known places.”
Wen Di had her own plans. “First, I’ll go to a temple.”
“Going to a temple to pray for good fortune for the filming?”
“Not exactly. To get a peace charm.”
________________________________________
The day before his birthday, Xiao Donghan received a gift.
Secretary Lu brought it in, telling him it was brought from China.
The person who delivered it was likely Chairman Wen’s driver; Chairman Wen was on a business trip here and brought it along.
Without a doubt, it was Wen Di’s birthday gift for him.
Xiao Donghan opened the wrapping paper; it was a very exquisite gift box.
Two gifts: a peace charm sachet and a pair of cufflinks.
There was also a card in the box.
[Happy 31st Birthday. May your remaining life be peaceful and joyful. —Wen Di]
Xiao Donghan silently read that line of blessing, word by word, several times in his heart.
He took off his glasses and pressed the bridge of his nose.
He lowered his hand, then pressed again a few seconds later.
He picked up his phone and called her.
It was night where Wen Di was, and she was revising her script in front of the computer.
Xiao Donghan cleared his throat. “I received the gift.”
“Just a small gift. I’m glad you like it.”
“The most precious.” He paused, collecting himself before speaking. “You said no wishes or blessings. But you specifically went and got one for me.”
“I believed it again. I think it will come true.”
Xiao Donghan chatted with her about other things. “Where are you now?”
“At home. In a few days, my second aunt is hosting a celebration dinner for my two cousins’ university admissions. After that, I’ll go to Beijing. There’s a lot to do before filming starts.”
Xiao Donghan heard the sound of her mouse clicking, unsure if she was looking at the script or just idly clicking. “Wen Di, you get busy. If you need anything, call me. This number of mine won’t change.”
“Okay.”
Xiao Donghan waited for her to hang up, then he turned off his screen.
Secretary Lu waited until his boss put the gift in the safe before reporting that Xiao Ning’s revenue in the East China region had dropped by 3% last month.
Xiao Donghan put on his glasses, all emotion hidden. “Let’s directly compete with Yan Heyu.”
Yan Heyu was previously afraid that if he acted too harshly, Wen Di would be unhappy.
He was previously afraid that if he resorted to unscrupulous means, Wen Di would think he was deliberately suppressing her ex-boyfriend.
Now, neither of them had any more reservations.
________________________________________
Since that day, Wen Di never again received travel updates from Xiao Donghan.
They were like people from two different worlds, each busy with their own affairs.
Her grandparents never mentioned Xiao Donghan, not a word, nor did they ask why she broke up again.
The only change was that the pink pineapples were no longer seen in the house.
Perhaps they were hidden away, fearing they might trigger painful memories for her.
After the admission banquet, she booked a high-speed train ticket back to Beijing for the next day.
This time, her mother drove her to the high-speed train station. Before she left, her grandparents packed some snacks for her in a box, saying she wouldn’t need to buy them fresh if she wanted some.
They still treated her like a child.
On the way to the station, Zhao Yueling took her daughter’s hand, pretending to admire her newly done nails, and gently patted her daughter’s hand. “If you’re upset, tell Mom.”
Wen Di curved her lips. “I’m fine. Mom, you don’t need to worry.”
How could Zhao Yueling not worry? “I just worry that in the future, you might never want to fall in love again.”
Wen Di prepared her mother mentally. “I actually do have that thought. I don’t plan to waste time on relationships. While I’m young, I want to make more money.”
Zhao Yueling didn’t force her daughter’s relationships or marriage. As long as she wasn’t depressed, focusing on her career was fine. “If you’re short on money, tell Mom.”
“I have money. If it’s really not enough, I’ll ask you for funding.”
At the station, as they parted, Wen Di hugged her mother. “Mom, I’m sorry.”
“Why say sorry to Mom?”
“Always making you worry.”
“You’re already very easy to care for, actually.” In Zhao Yueling’s eyes, all her daughter’s flaws were insignificant.
Sitting on the high-speed train heading north, Wen Di found her earphones, plugged them into her phone, put a slow song on repeat, and took out an eye mask from her bag to put on.
Her heart felt empty.
Nothing could fill it.
Yesterday, her older cousin sent her an email titled “Insomnia Buster.”
She opened the attachment; it was a collection of Olympiad math problems.
This kid.
He deserves a beating.
________________________________________
The first to know about Wen Di’s breakup was Shen Tang, then Qin Xing.
Qin Xing initially didn’t want to tell Yan Heyu, but this wouldn’t be kept secret for long. He asked Yan Heyu, [Do you know Wen Di broke up?]
Yan Heyu didn’t know, but he had a premonition. Because during this time, Xiao Donghan had been aggressively seizing market share in the East China region.
He wanted to confirm whether they had broken up, but then dismissed the idea.
Not wanting to burden Qin Xing, he said, [I know.]
Qin Xing: [That’s good then.]
Immediately, another message came: [I don’t know anything else.]
It was to tell Yan Heyu not to inquire about any other news about Wen Di; he wouldn’t disclose it.
Yan Heyu didn’t reply.
He stared at Qin Xing’s message for two seconds, then grabbed his car keys and walked towards the courtyard.
“Hey, bro, where are you going? Dinner’s ready soon.”
“You all eat first.”
He didn’t look back.
Yan Heyu started the car, and before he even reached the courtyard gate, he suddenly slammed on the brakes, and his body lurched forward.
He didn’t know where to find Wen Di.
He and she were like any other strangers, with no contact information, not knowing when or where they might meet, or perhaps, they never would.
He shifted into reverse, and the car backed all the way to the parking spot.
Yan Heyu parked the car and reached into the armrest box for cigarettes.
Qin Xing had left two packs in there when he drove his car previously.
There were cigarettes and a lighter. He opened a pack.
Only a few small ground lights were on in the courtyard, the light dim.
White smoke curled upwards, and outside the car window, the cigarette tip glowed red.
Yan Heyan stood nearby for a while. “Hey.” She ambled over.
Yan Heyu tilted his head. “It’s hot outside.”
“You know it’s hot too.”
The car was off, and the air conditioning wasn’t on.
Yan Heyu said, “I’ll go down after I finish smoking. You go inside first.”
Yan Heyan leaned against the rear car door. The car body, having been exposed to the sun all day, was still warm.
She was eating a cold drink, so the stifling heat in the courtyard was bearable for now.
“Did Wen Di and Xiao Donghan get engaged?” Otherwise, her brother wouldn’t have lost control like this, suddenly rushing out, then driving back.
“They broke up.”
“Huh?”
Yan Heyan snatched the cigarette from his hand and stubbed it out on the stone. “Then why are you smoking? Don’t smoke anymore; Wen Di doesn’t really like the smell of smoke.”
Yan Heyu pushed open the car door and got out. After taking a few steps, he turned back, opened the car door again, and bent down to take all the cigarettes from the armrest box.
Wen Di probably wouldn’t ride in his car again, but he still took the cigarettes away.
Yan Heyan went back to the living room first. Dad was home today, finally getting two days off.
“Dad, I’ll have a drink with you tonight.”
“Go ahead, tell me what you want Dad to sponsor you for.”
“I’ll save it for later; haven’t thought of it yet. I’m happy tonight.”
Yan Hongjin was easygoing. “Alright, keep it in mind.”
Yan Heyan poured three glasses of wine and a glass of warm water for her brother.
The family sat down at the dining table. Yan Hongjin looked at his son’s water glass. “Still having stomach pain?”
Ye Minqiong: “Not stomach pain. He hurts everywhere now.”
Yan Hongjin wasn’t teasing his son; he was genuinely concerned. “If it’s really bad, go get a cardiac ultrasound.”
Yan Heyan chuckled. “Dad, his heart is a tiny bit closer to recovery, but it’s hard to say. What if she doesn’t agree to him, and his heart just shatters?”
Yan Heyu shot his sister a glance. “Speak properly.”
Considering she used to care about him often, he said nothing else.
Ye Minqiong looked at her daughter. “What do you mean?”
Yan Heyan happily took a sip of wine. “Wen Di and Xiao Donghan broke up.”
Yan Hongjin finally understood why his daughter wanted to open a bottle of wine to celebrate.
After Yan Heyan’s last remark, the dining table fell silent.
Yan Hongjin spoke earnestly to his son, “It’s been years, and you still haven’t gotten over this hurdle. If you want to pursue her, then pursue her. Your mom and I won’t interfere. If we interfere too much, you’ll have a lifelong regret. Who knows if there’s a next life?”
Ye Minqiong interjected, “The key isn’t whether he pursues her or not.”
Yan Hongjin: “I know, it’s that he can’t catch her.”
He knew a little about how much effort his son had put into Jiangcheng these past two years, but the girl just wouldn’t turn back.
“If you’re willing to go all out, then go for it, but I think, even going all out might not work.”
“......”
Yan Heyan was overjoyed, and after her glee, she still said a few words for Yan Heyu: “Dad, my brother has changed a lot now. There should still be some hope.”
Yan Hongjin nodded, jokingly saying, “After changing, he’s a bit like me.”
“Haha.”
Yan Heyan laughed, almost spitting out the wine in her mouth.
Yan Heyu didn’t say another word afterwards, eating in silence.
He didn’t know what state Wen Di was in now, or if she was very upset.
________________________________________
The next evening, he worked overtime until seven. Since it was still early today, he passed by the film and television company building, and the lights in Qin Xing’s office were still on.
He told his driver to turn there.
Qin Xing was studying the script, his eyes almost blind.
His office door was never closed. Hearing footsteps at the doorway, he looked up.
“Brother Yan, aren’t you busy today?”
“Finished.”
Qin Xing stood up, about to pour him water.
Yan Heyu said, “I’ll get it myself.”
Qin Xing didn’t stand on ceremony and sat back down.
Yan Heyu frequently came to his office to sit. From September last year until now, whenever he was in Beijing and wasn’t working overtime or attending social events, he would come over.
Sometimes he would sit for ten or twenty minutes, sometimes for an hour or two.
He looked down on the books in Qin Xing’s bookshelf and even bought a few himself to bring over. Every time he came, he would read to pass the time.
He knew that Yan Heyu was trying to run into Wen Di.
But in a year, he hadn’t met her once.
Today, he perfectly missed her again.
Wen Di had just left half an hour ago.
Yan Heyu poured a glass of water and went to the bookshelf to read. These few books were ones he had found in a used bookstore in May, brought here to Qin Xing’s, and had read one and a half of them intermittently.
He picked up the book he had only half-finished last time and sat back on the sofa.
“Did you touch my book?”
Yan Heyu looked up at Qin Xing.
Qin Xing was confused. “No. Why?”
Yan Heyu said, “Last time I was about halfway through, now the bookmark is on page 28.”
Qin Xing blinked. There was only one possibility. “That was Wen Di reading. She came to the company to see me today. I was in a meeting at the time, and she probably got bored and found a book on the bookshelf to read.”
Because he never read books, Wen Di assumed the bookmark was just randomly placed in the book.
Yan Heyu didn’t move the bookmark. It was still on page 28. He flipped back to find where he had stopped reading.
After so long, his only connection with her might be this book, this bookmark.
He wondered if she would continue reading next time.
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