Volume Ten: Those Few Years After She and I Broke Up
The Recording
Being a star paid well; Wen Nuan had known that for a long time. But now, looking at the payment that had already arrived in her account, she stood frozen on the spot.
In just one short month, she had already earned five million.
This was the cleanest money she had ever earned. There was no ass-kissing, no fawning smiles, no shady shortcuts.
She had diligently participated in the work scheduled by the company, so she had earned it cleanly, with a clear conscience.
“What’s wrong? Did the amount shock you?” Zhai Yi asked, seeing Wen Nuan staring blankly at the bank card in her hand.
Wen Nuan tightened her grip on the card and sneered. “I just find it laughable.”
“What’s laughable?”
Wen Nuan lit a cigarette, gazed at the streetlights flickering on, and sighed. “For the first time… I feel like money is this easy to make.”
Zhai Yi hated people who smoked, but Wen Nuan’s cigarettes had a unique scent—not foul, not acrid. “The entertainment industry is a highly profitable business. It’s filled with people chasing dreams, but also people chasing money and fame.”
She sniffed the air and held out her hand. “Let me have one.”
Zhai Yi wasn’t a smoker, but Wen Nuan had piqued her curiosity.
Wen Nuan pulled one out of her pocket for her. “Weren’t you guys the ones telling me smoking was bad for me? Cong Hui and An Siya just asked me for a few packs yesterday.”
“I don’t know why, but your cigarettes are very special,” Zhai Yi said, lighting it and taking a drag.
The smoke swirled, lingering faintly in her mouth.
She exhaled slowly, feeling as if all the impurities in her body were expelled with the smoke. “Where do you buy these?”
“You want some?”
Zhai Yi nodded. “I do.”
Wen Nuan shrugged. “I make them myself. If you want some, I can give you a few packs. But smoking is bad for you in the end, so you all should smoke less.”
Zhai Yi hadn’t expected Wen Nuan to make them herself. She replied calmly, “Alright. My self-control is pretty good.”
“The last person who said that to me was An Siya,” Wen Nuan said, exhaling a puff of smoke. “And a little while ago, she and Cong Hui ganged up on me and snatched a pack.”
“…” Zhai Yi took another drag.
She felt her self-control starting to waver.
“How are you planning to spend this money?”
Wen Nuan toyed with the card, replying nonchalantly, “I don’t know.”
“Cong Hui and An Siya are planning to go skiing in Sweden. Are you going?” Zhai Yi asked.
“No, I have a role coming up. I have to join the production in a couple of days, and the shoot is expected to last half a month, so I can’t go.” The members of their band all worked separately; they only got together for the year-end concert. “What about you?”
Zhai Yi shook her head. “I’m not going either. I have to be a musical mentor on a variety show in J City tomorrow.”
“Impressive. Already a mentor.”
Zhai Yi held the cigarette between her teeth. “I may be a newcomer in the entertainment industry, but in the music world, I’m their senior.”
Wen Nuan was hit with the full force of Zhai Yi’s confidence, though she had to admit Zhai Yi had every right to be that self-assured.
“I know about that show you’re in. Isn’t it that S+1, big-budget historical political drama?”
Wen Nuan nodded. “Yeah.”
“What role are you playing?”
Wen Nuan sighed. “The huakui2 of a qinglou3.”
A smile touched Zhai Yi’s lips. “Suits you.”
The huakui, a beauty without equal. It was a perfect fit for Wen Nuan.
“…..” Wen Nuan was speechless. “Is that a backhanded insult? I don’t even know how to act like a courtesan.”
Zhai Yi offered a sincere suggestion. “Just tone it down a bit.”
Wen Nuan: “…..”
I feel like you’re insulting me, and I can prove it.
The system stroked its chin: 【I think she has a point.】
Wen Nuan: “…..”
Fuck!
Cong Hui and An Siya left quickly, rushing to the airport first thing in the morning. Zhai Yi was also preparing to fly to J City for her show, leaving Wen Nuan all alone in the large dorm.
Ever since she and Yi Jing had parted on bad terms that day, Yi Jing had been ignoring her again.
Wen Nuan stared at the bank card on the table, her gaze gradually deepening.
Her phone on the table suddenly rang. Wen Nuan looked at the caller ID and was surprised to see the name “Wen Xiuning.”
Wen Nuan answered the call, but the other end remained silent. The two of them were in a standoff, neither willing to speak the first word.
“Royal Hotel4, third floor. Yi Jing and I are having a family dinner. Would Miss Wen be interested in joining?” Wen Xiuning was the first to break.
Wen Nuan raised an eyebrow. “Are you deliberately provoking me, Mr. Wen?”
“Weren’t you the one who started this, Miss Wen?” Wen Xiuning said through gritted teeth. “Did you think I didn’t know you’d already gotten close to Yi Jing?”
He had clearly heard Wen Nuan’s voice on the phone that morning.
It proved that Yi Jing and Wen Nuan had been together that morning.
The sounds that came through were suppressed and vaguely intimate, leaving no doubt that something was off.
“A family dinner?” Wen Nuan sneered. “Are you trying to tell me that you and Yi Jing are about to get engaged?”
“Of course. If you have the time, Miss Wen, you are also welcome to attend our engagement party. And if you have even more leisure time, you can come to our wedding ceremony as well.”
“Wen Xiuning, what are you afraid of?”
Wen Xiuning paused, feigning composure. “What are you talking about, Miss Wen?”
Wen Nuan picked up the bank card, tapping its edge against her fingertip. “In my experience, Mr. Wen has never been so rash.”
“Why? Did Yi Jing say something to you?”
“Like, for instance, calling off the engagement?”
The line went dead silent, as if the connection had been cut. After a moment, Wen Xiuning finally spoke slowly, “Miss Wen, I just feel sorry for you being all alone in S City with no family or friends. We were classmates once, after all. Out of consideration for our old friendship, I wanted to invite you to our family dinner. Don’t mistake a kind heart for ill intentions.”
Wen Nuan lowered her eyes, a complex mix of emotions swirling within them. “Fine. Since Mr. Wen is so graciously inviting me, I have no reason to refuse.”
“Excellent. I’ll be waiting,” Wen Xiuning said, hanging up abruptly.
His haste and panic were so obvious that Wen Nuan caught on immediately.
Staring at the bank card in her palm, her gaze darkened, becoming as deep as a bottomless chasm.
【What is this?】 the system spoke up. 【The male lead openly provoking you?】
【What are you going to do?】
Wen Nuan stood up and walked out, her figure gradually melting into the night.
“The fish are willing to take the bait. Let’s just see if the fisherman’s hand is steady enough to reel in a big one.”
Yi Jing had thought it was just her grandfather wanting to have a private meal with her, but she was surprised to find he wasn’t the only one at the table.
“Yi Jing, you must be incredibly busy with work lately. I think you’ve gotten thinner,” Auntie Wen5 said, holding Yi Jing’s hand and looking at her with pity.
Yi Jing offered a polite smile and subtly withdrew her hand. “I’m fine. Thank you for your concern, Auntie Wen.”
Grandpa Tan6 smiled. “The company is flourishing under your management, Yi Jing. I’m very pleased. Young people should gain more experience. However, you really have lost a lot of weight recently. Grandpa has hired a nutritionist and a maid for you. Why don’t you let them go to your place to take care of you?”
“That’s not necessary,” Yi Jing politely declined. “Grandpa, I’m fine. You know I don’t like having other people in my house.”
Grandpa Tan paused. “Alright, as long as you’re happy. If you need anything, just let Grandpa know.”
Yi Jing nodded. “Okay.”
Uncle Wen7 glanced at Grandpa Tan, then said to Yi Jing, “This is a busy season. Once you’re done, we should start discussing the wedding arrangements for you two.”
“Yes, yes, we should discuss it,” Grandpa Tan said with a loud laugh.
Yi Jing’s brow furrowed slightly, her expression cool and indifferent.
Auntie Wen looked at Yi Jing, her face beaming with an unstoppable smile. “I’ve already prepared everything. We’re just waiting for Yi Jing to marry into our Wen family.”
“I’ve picked out a few auspicious dates. Grandpa Tan, perhaps you could help us look them over?” Auntie Wen said.
Grandpa Tan nodded. “Of course, of course.”
“Auntie Wen, Uncle Wen, I think we should reconsider the matter of the engagement,” Yi Jing interrupted their enthusiastic discussion.
Her words made the three of them freeze, and the atmosphere grew stiff.
The door to the private room opened, and Wen Xiuning stared at Yi Jing in shock. “…Yi Jing?”
Yi Jing picked up a napkin to dab at the corner of her mouth, then stood up. “Auntie Wen, Uncle Wen, I see Xiuning as a good friend. I have never had any feelings for him beyond friendship.”
“I know you’ve both been very good to me, treating me like your own daughter. While I am endlessly grateful for that kindness and affection, I don’t want to repay it with my love. I hope you can understand.”
Uncle Wen’s face was grim. He said nothing.
Grandpa Tan frowned, gave Yi Jing a long, deep look, and sighed heavily.
Auntie Wen grabbed Yi Jing’s hand, bewildered. “Yi Jing, what’s wrong? Did Xiuning do something to upset you? Tell me, and I’ll teach him a lesson for you.”
Yi Jing patted the back of Auntie Wen’s hand. “It’s nothing like that. It’s my fault. I don’t have romantic feelings for Xiuning. If I were to force myself to marry him, it would be unfair to him.”
Auntie Wen was about to say more, but Wen Xiuning cut her off urgently. “I don’t care. As long as you marry me, I don’t care if it’s fair or not.”
Yi Jing sighed, her indifferent eyes looking straight at Wen Xiuning. “Xiuning, you once asked me if I would ever follow the tracks of an overturned cart again8.”
Wen Xiuning avoided her gaze and said stubbornly, “I don’t remember. That has nothing to do with us getting married.”
“It does,” Yi Jing said, sighing as if in compromise. “Xiuning, I can’t lie to myself.”
“I did say that I would never follow the tracks of an overturned cart again with anything or anyone…”
“Except her, right?” Wen Xiuning pressed, reading her silence as a confession.
His eyes reddened, and he clenched his fists, grinding his teeth. “You’re going to give me up for someone who hurt you like that?”
“No. I never had you, so how could I give you up?”
Wen Xiuning’s heart felt as if it had been pierced through, the pain causing cold sweat to bead on his forehead.
Yi Jing lowered her lashes, her voice filled with guilt. “I’m sorry. I know you’re good to me, but that’s never what I wanted.”
“If you still want to be friends, then we can still be good friends.”
“If you want us to be strangers, I can agree to that as well.”
Yi Jing added one more time, “I’m sorry.”
Wen Xiuning lowered his head and took a deep breath. “Fine. Since you want to draw a line between us, I have one last request. Can you grant it?”
Feeling a pang of guilt, Yi Jing agreed. “Okay.”
Wen Xiuning looked up, his eyes moist. “I want to hug you. Can I?”
Yi Jing bit her lip, finding it difficult. “Xiuning…”
“It’s my only request. Can’t you even grant me this one thing?” Wen Xiuning pleaded, his eyes full of hope.
“…” Yi Jing hesitated for a moment. “Alright.”
Wen Xiuning’s lips curved into a smile. “Thank you for agreeing.”
With a quick glance to the side, he strode toward Yi Jing.
Yi Jing braced herself against the uncomfortable feeling of being touched at the waist by someone else and opened her arms to embrace him.
Suddenly, Wen Xiuning wrapped an arm around Yi Jing’s waist, tilted his head, and lunged for her lips.
Yi Jing’s pupils constricted. She jerked her head aside.
Wen Xiuning’s kiss landed on her cheek, barely a finger’s width from her lips.
Anger flared in Yi Jing’s heart. Just as she was about to shove him away, she saw Wen Nuan standing in the doorway of the room.
A smile was on Wen Nuan’s face, but it was utterly glacial.
She raised her hands and began to applaud them. “Congratulations, congratulations. You two are truly a case of well-matched doors and households9, a match made in heaven10.”
The moment Grandpa Tan saw Wen Nuan, his eyes flashed with disbelief and panic.
Just as Yi Jing was about to explain, the hand on her waist tightened its grip.
“Thank you,” Wen Xiuning spoke first. “Thank you, Miss Wen, for your blessing.”
“Wen Xiuning!” Yi Jing was furious.
Wen Nuan took out the bank card. “There are five million here, Miss Yi. Our account is settled.”
She glanced at Wen Xiuning and gave a self-deprecating laugh. “There’s no need to send me an invitation when you get married. I’m not in your league.”
“Wen Nuan!?”
Yi Jing tried to push Wen Xiuning away, but the man’s strength was too great.
“WEN XIUNING, LET ME GO!” Yi Jing roared.
Wen Nuan gave Yi Jing one last, deep look, then turned and left.
Yi Jing wanted to chase after her but could only watch helplessly as Wen Nuan walked away.
The restraint on her waist finally loosened. Yi Jing raised her hand and slapped Wen Xiuning across the face.
His head snapped to the side from the force. He sneered. “Did you see that!? She can’t wait to get away from you. Do you really have to keep chasing after her?”
“Wen Xiuning, you’ve interfered between me and Wen Nuan time and time again. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to!” Yi Jing’s eyes were red with rage.
“Because I love you! I love you more than anyone,” Wen Xiuning said, pointing in the direction Wen Nuan had left. “I love you more than she does, and I’m more suitable for you. She doesn’t love you at all! While she was with you, she was messing around with other men. She’d leave you for a mere five million. Aren’t you afraid she’ll do it again for another five million?”
Yi Jing gritted her teeth. “I have plenty of money. I have ways to make her stay. I don’t need you to meddle in my business.”
“Right, you have money. You can use it to keep her. But what will you do when her appetite grows bigger and bigger?” Wen Xiuning took out his phone and played a recording.
Yi Jing clearly heard Wen Nuan’s voice coming from the phone.
“Wen Xiuning, I want the Hanwen Group. Can you afford it?”
In that instant, Yi Jing felt the chill of winter’s arrival.
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