The car returned to the old mansion.
After turning off the engine, Shang Jing got out of the car first.
Before getting out of the car, Wen Zhi didn't forget to thank Shang Hexing. Shang Hexing turned his head, their gazes meeting. He calmly said, "The person picking you up was Shang Jing."
Wen Zhi pursed her lips, "The car belongs to Mr. Shang, but if Mr. Shang had not agreed, Shang Jing wouldn't have made such a decision on his own."
Shang Hexing's gaze settled on Wen Zhi's face, "You know this car is mine."
Faced with such a direct question, Wen Zhi felt no need to play dumb, "In the entire Shang family, the only person who would drive this car is Mr. Shang."
A smile appeared at the corner of Shang Hexing's eyes, and he unexpectedly asked, "How many times have we met before?"
Wen Zhi was slightly taken aback.
How many times had they met...
Although Wen Zhi felt put on the spot by the question, she still responded seriously, "Not counting today, three times."
Shang Hexing then asked, "Which three times?"
This time, Wen Zhi responded with a question instead, "Doesn't Mr. Shang remember?"
She naively thought that by asking this, Shang Hexing wouldn't continue questioning her, but that was just what she assumed.
Shang Hexing spoke emotionless, "I don't remember, that's why I'm asking you."
Wen Zhi was momentarily speechless.
Shang Hexing withdrew his gaze and after a long while, said, "You should go inside first."
Unable to fathom Shang Hexing's profound thoughts, Wen Zhi nodded slightly and got out of the car sideways.
Shang Jing, who had already got out of the car, was leaning against the front of it. Seeing Wen Zhi getting out, he slightly lifted the corners of his lips, "Isn't it my car I drove? Why don't you thank me?"
Wen Zhi turned around upon hearing him and seeing Shang Jing leaning against the front of the car, she raised a faint smile, "Thank you, brother, for coming to pick me up."
Shang Jing watched her, "Your attitude is normal now."
His tone was mocking, hard to miss, but she was in good spirits and kept her smile, "Who holds a grudge while saying thanks? Does brother usually do that? I certainly don't."
Shang Jing ground his back teeth, "If big brother hadn't agreed, I definitely wouldn't have come to pick you up today."
"I know," Wen Zhi sincerely replied, "I've inconvenienced you, brother."
"…"
Shang Jing laughed derisively, "Silly girl, do you even realize your current situation?"
Wen Zhi's lips tightened.
Shang Jing pronounced each word, "Right now, you are nothing but a pitiful creature who can't even return home."
Wen Zhi's face turned pale.
She was certainly aware of her situation and knew that Shang Jing was making her feel embarrassed.
On the car ride, before bringing up who her father was, Shang Jing was just somewhat cold towards her; after mentioning her father, Shang Jing started to disdain her outright.
Wen Zhi felt somewhat powerless, "I..."
"Shang Jing."
Shang Hexing's voice came from inside the car, interrupting what Wen Zhi was about to say next.
Shang Jing, hearing the warning in that tone, changed his attitude and said to Wen Zhi, "Sorry, you go inside first."
Wen Zhi looked at the car, then at Shang Jing, before turning and walking inside.
Once Wen Zhi was far away, Shang Hexing got out of the car.
Shang Jing moved aside, scratching his head and guiltily explained, "Big brother, it's because she provoked me with her sharp tongue that I couldn't hold back my words. I didn't intend to say what I did."
Shang Hexing's expression was frosty, "Shang Jing, you are twenty-four, not fourteen."
"I know, it won't happen again," Shang Jing said, his expression tight, his voice slightly defiant.
Shang Hexing glanced at him, reminding him, "Recently you've just started to make a name for yourself. Do you know how many eyes are watching you from inside and out? Even some trivial words, if they come from you, could eventually be used by others to bring you down."
Shang Jing was stunned.
The somewhat defiant attitude he initially held was immediately adjusted after hearing Shang Hexing's words, "I was wrong, I will be more cautious with my words and actions in the future."
Shang Hexing withdrew his gaze and said indifferently, "Find a suitable occasion to apologize to her."
Shang Jing was taken aback and suddenly looked up, "What?"
...
It took Wen Zhi several minutes to walk back to the house.
Indeed, the Shang family's estate was vast. The wealth accumulated over generations covered thousands of square meters, which was impressive.
After entering the house, she closed the door, casually took off her glasses, pushed back her thick bangs, and went to the dressing room to change into a neat outfit.
Standing in front of the full-length mirror, the young girl's figure was graceful, her skin was fair, and her eyes sparkled with vivacity. Her thick, curly hair reached her waist, and she looked stunning yet languid.
This was the real appearance of Wen Zhi.
Knock, knock, knock,
The sound of knocking came through.
Wen Zhi slowly put on her glasses and restored her thick bangs before going to open the door.
"Aunt Qin."
"Did Miss Wen enjoy going out today?" Zhao Qin asked gently.
The visitor was Zhao Qin, and she had come over immediately after knowing Wen Zhi had returned.
Wen Zhi replied, "I met a friend whom I haven't seen for a long time, it was very pleasant."
Zhao Qin smiled, "Madam also said that you should go out more often to avoid feeling gloomy staying indoors every day."
Wen Zhi returned the smile, "I will."
"Are you busy right now?" Zhao Qin suggested, "If you're not, come with me to the front hall. There's a family banquet today, and madam is waiting for you in the front hall."
Wen Zhi nodded, she asked no further questions and obediently followed Zhao Qin to the front hall.
It was still early, and the main hall was almost empty.
Sitting on the sofa, Chong Wanyin smiled and waved at Wen Zhi as soon as she saw her, "Wen Zhi, come here."
Wen Zhi quickened her steps.
With a beaming smile, Chong Wanyin patted the empty space beside her, "Sit next to me."
Wen Zhi sat down gracefully, and Chong Wanyin immediately asked her, "Have you been comfortable these last few days?"
Wen Zhi nodded, "I'm used to it, thank you for your concern, madam."
"Good to hear, I was afraid you might not be comfortable." Chong Wanyin held Wen Zhi's hand and suddenly felt melancholic, "The day after tomorrow..."
Wen Zhi lowered her eyelids.
Seeing Wen Zhi's reaction, Chong Wanyin stopped, "Let's not talk about it."
The day after tomorrow was the anniversary of Wen Zhi's mother's death, and indeed, Wen Zhi did not want to mention it in front of others.
While lowering her gaze, Wen Zhi noticed that Chong Wanyin was not wearing the Buddha Beads she had given her, only the original Xiuyu Bracelet. She immediately asked, "Do you still like the South Sea Pearwood beads, madam?"
Chong Wanyin was startled, then her face lit up with a smile, "I do like them. The South Sea Pearwood is elegant and pure, with great density and luster, and they are indeed a rare find. I really like them."
Of course, they are rare.
These were the Buddha Beads left to her by Wen Zhi's mother; there were two strands.
As long as Wen Zhi wore one strand and gave the other to someone else, she could visit that person's dreams at night.
That was Wen Zhi's secret, known only to those closest to her.
The reason she had given the Buddha Beads to Chong Wanyin was because she had been introduced into the Shang family by Chong Wanyin; if Chong Wanyin ever became unhappy with her, she would have to pack up and leave at any moment. Uncertain how long this dependent and insecure life would last, Wen Zhi decided to give Chong Wanyin the Buddha Beads so she could enter Chong Wanyin's dreams to investigate and cater to her preferences, thus pleasing her in the future.
However, now, Wen Zhi was more worried that Chong Wanyin wasn't wearing the Buddha Beads.
Because, for the dream visit to happen, both parties needed to be wearing the Buddha Beads...