"Mr. Shang knew you would ask, so he asked me to tell you that you met last night," the caddy said.
Last night...?
The Mr. Shang she had met last night, who else could it have been but Shang Hexing?
He had actually come to the Red River Bank as well.
But when had he arrived?
And when had he seen her?
Moreover, why was it such a coincidence that he was here today as well...
"Miss Wen, please follow me this way," the caddy urged.
Wen Zhi nodded: "Alright, lead the way."
After all, she did not want to meet Liang Yin, he was too despicable, always finding various ways to upset her.
...
The rest area.
Under the sunshade, Wei You and Shang Hexing were sitting at the same table.
"Hexing, do you know that young lady from the Wen Family?" Wei You asked after sipping his coffee.
Shang Hexing's expression had not been good since he arrived: "I do not."
Wen Zhi, who had followed the caddy, happened to hear those three words from Shang Hexing—"I do not."
Wei You looked up and saw Wen Zhi's figure, eyed her a few times, and then chuckled quietly without changing his expression.
He put down his coffee and looked at Shang Hexing: "You're meddling in these trifles while claiming not to know her, could I take it that you have other intentions?"
Shang Hexing glanced at the talkative Wei You from the corner of his eye: "It seems the matters of Huaqing are not troubling your mind enough."
Wei You straightened his clothes and sat upright: "Enough, enough, really enough."
After speaking, Wei You tilted his chin and said, "I have brought the person."
Shang Hexing looked back, saw Wen Zhi standing not far away, and his expression unconsciously softened a bit: "Come here."
This tone didn't sound different, Wei You really could not guess what was going on in Shang Hexing's mind, so he decided to quietly observe, trying to discern some clues.
Wen Zhi slowly walked over, standing in front of Shang Hexing.
Shang Hexing asked her: "Is your leg feeling better?"
Wen Zhi herself had not taken the knee injury seriously, unexpectedly Shang Hexing still remembered. She felt an indescribable feeling in her heart, and nodded back to him: "It's much better now, thank you, uncle, for your concern."
Uncle...
Shang Hexing furrowed his brows, his expression inscrutable.
Wen Zhi wondered if Shang Hexing's expression meant he disliked her attempt to establish familial closeness, or just the term 'uncle' itself?
Meng Fan had told her to address him this way, she felt it was somewhat inappropriate, but hearing him say "I do not" earlier, she had felt a sudden constriction in her chest and without thinking, she had called him 'uncle.'
But he did not respond.
Wen Zhi then asked, "Uncle, when did you get here?"
Calling him 'uncle' with every mention, she sounded increasingly familiar.
Shang Hexing lifted his gaze to meet Wen Zhi's, his tone cold: "I wasn't aware that the Shang family had any familial ties with your Wen Family."
In that glance, Wen Zhi could see that he was angry.
She clumsily explained: "I heard Meng Fan call you that..."
Shang Hexing interrupted her: "Everyone should mind their own titles."
Wen Zhi looked at him for a few seconds, her heart inexplicably rebellious, and not knowing what was provoking her, she asked defiantly, "Then how should I address you?"
She even used a term of respect on purpose.
Shang Hexing seemed less angry, his tone somewhat gentler: "What would you like to call me?"
Wen Zhi bit her lip lightly: "Brother?"
Shang Hexing's eyes flickered slightly, he did not respond, but the corners of his lips subtly carried a trace of a smile.
Wei You, who was sitting on one side watching the excitement, nearly cracked a smile that reached the back of his head. He had felt something was off from the beginning, for someone whom he couldn't have called no matter how much he pleaded had rushed over nonstop as soon as he heard that the young Wen Family girl was here.
Looking back at Shang Hexing's dissatisfaction with that form of address just now.
Indeed, it was not usual.
"Sit down," Shang Hexing motioned for Wen Zhi to sit and talk.
Wen Zhi had long been feeling sore from standing too long, and in addition to the injury on her knee, she even thought that if Shang Hexing didn't speak soon, she would just sit down herself.
Wei You considerately moved the chair next to Shang Hexing.
Wen Zhi glanced at it and sat down confidently. She subconsciously stretched out her hand to rub her sore shins but accidentally touched the wound on her knee, causing her to inhale sharply from the pain.
Shang Hexing noticed this: "Why aren't you staying at home resting properly?"
Wen Zhi's brows furrowed, "The weather was good today, and the madam said she would take me out to distract me."
Shang Hexing, "So the way to distract yourself is to first hit someone with a car, then pick up a ball for them?"
Wen Zhi was surprised. He knew about it?
But what's with that tone? Was he planning to interfere?
The waiter brought three cups of tea, ordered by Wei You. Shang Hexing didn't like coffee, usually drinking only tea or water, and it had to be strong tea, full-flavored. But today, with Wen Zhi here, Wei You ordered three cups of light tea.
Shang Hexing picked up the tea on the table, took a sip, and asked her, "Who did you see?"
Wen Zhi didn't lie: "Liang Yin."
Shang Hexing put down his teacup: "Do you know each other?"
Wen Zhi nodded: "We went to the same high school before."
"How long has it been since you saw each other?"
"Five years."
Wen Zhi didn't understand why he was asking so thoroughly yet was surprised that she answered every question, quite frankly.
She looked down in vexation, intermittently massaging her sore calf.
Shang Hexing glanced at her: "If it's inconvenient or you don't want to go out, then don't. If you can't bear the pressure, you can tell me."
Wen Zhi suddenly looked up at him.
When he said that, his expression was too stern, like an exalted Buddha looking down at her struggling in the mire.
It seemed compassionate.
"Look, they've come looking for someone," said Wei You, his gaze fixed on the distance.
Liang Yin came over, accompanied by Chong Wanyin.
Wen Zhi was intent on avoiding these two people and quickly placed her hand on Shang Hexing's elbow, calling out to him softly, "Brother..."
She was asking for his help.
Shang Hexing's gaze lowered a few inches, resting on her slender hand back; he saw her fingertips gradually clench tighter, her pink fingers whitening from the force, darkening his eyes a bit.
"I don't perform acts of charity," he said, his tone unrippled.
Wen Zhi was puzzled, uncertain. If he didn't perform acts of charity, why say what he did before? It gave the illusion of being reliable when it was anything but.
"Don't criticize me in your heart," Shang Hexing countered, grabbing her wrist and pulling her up to stand: "I may not perform acts of charity, but you can be an exception for now."
Wen Zhi was stunned. What?
"Let's go."
Shang Hexing took Wen Zhi with him and, before leaving, spoke to Wei You.
Wei You immediately stood up: "Hexing, with your status, Liang Yin wouldn't dare to mess around. His father would have to nod and bow when seeing you."
Shang Hexing lowered his gaze, eyeing the young girl beside him: "If she wants to leave, let her."
Wen Zhi stayed silent, her mind entirely filled with Shang Hexing's words from just before—she could be an exception for now.
Wei You glanced at the demure girl snuggling up to Shang Hexing's side, unable to understand what sort of charm she possessed from top to bottom that actually made Shang Hexing bend for her.
Of course, it was also possible that this young girl was useful to Shang Hexing in some way, so he felt the need to protect her.
Still, Wei You felt that something was off.