Chapter 123: The Woman with Unfathomable Hostility

At this moment, quite a few people were already trying to move closer to Wen Jingxing. The men hoped to establish business connections with him, while the women, lacking much to say to Wen Jingxing, turned their attention to Song Waning. Perhaps, they thought, if they managed to get along well with this beautiful woman, their own husbands might have a chance to connect with Wen Jingxing in the future.

In everyone’s hearts, it all boiled down to two words: personal gain.

Some people who were already somewhat acquainted with Wen Jingxing came up directly to greet him. For instance, the elegantly dressed woman before him, who introduced herself as Mrs. Gu, looked to be in her late thirties or early forties and sat across from Wen Jingxing with a broad smile. She made no effort to be formal, greeting him and immediately taking a seat, even addressing him affectionately as “Little Jing.”

“Little Jing, what brings you to a gathering like this? It’s truly a surprise for your auntie. It’s been ages since I last saw you. What have you been up to lately? Did you know my daughter is about to return from abroad? Yuan Yuan has been talking about you constantly these past few years. Now that you’re in the capital and she’s coming back soon, you two should meet.”

Wen Jingxing’s interest in the conversation was visibly lacking.

“Hm.”

“I had things to do in another city recently.”

“I’m not really familiar with your daughter. Best not to meet.”

Wen Jingxing’s straightforward responses amused not just the onlookers but also Song Waning.

Song Waning didn’t know this woman, and Mrs. Gu, since sitting down, hadn’t looked at her directly or greeted her at all. Song Waning didn’t mind, sitting quietly and eating her food. After all, it was just as well that no one recognized her.

Li Weiwei had mentioned that whoever won today’s game would receive a heart-shaped gold necklace, carefully crafted and presented by the organizers as a symbol of true love. As long as one person in a pair wasn’t recognized, they could claim victory. The message had been posted in their group chat.

It was a genuine gold necklace.

Song Waning was quite broke at the moment, and she dearly hoped she could win this game.

But as luck would have it, things didn’t go her way.

Suddenly, Mrs. Gu asked, “Where’s your fiancée? Isn’t she here?” Before Wen Jingxing could reply, Mrs. Gu continued on her own, “If you ask me, you two should break off the engagement sooner rather than later. I never thought it would work out. Everyone says the Song family doesn’t have a good reputation. Who knows what kind of daughter they’d raise? And for her to marry you is honestly marrying above her station…”

Song Waning wasn’t listening at all; she was busy enjoying a little pastry, marveling at how delicious and tender the cute, pink bunny-shaped dessert was—sweet but not cloying, melting in the mouth with a lingering floral fragrance.

But there were only three of these pastries on her plate. She glanced around the other tables, hoping to find more.

There were many tables and sofas around the hall for guests to rest, and in a shaded corner stood a long table piled high with drinks and sweets for guests to help themselves. But after looking around, Song Waning realized all of those pastries had been taken—the last plate was right in front of Wen Jingxing.

She eyed the pastries hopefully, then looked at Wen Jingxing.

Wen Jingxing, already uninterested in conversing with Mrs. Gu, immediately noticed Song Waning’s gaze. Without hesitation, he pushed the plate of pastries toward her.

“I don’t have a sweet tooth. You go ahead and have them.”

Wen Jingxing, worried she might feel awkward, had even prepared an excuse for her.

But while Wen Jingxing had no objections, Mrs. Gu certainly did. “Young ladies shouldn’t eat so many sweets! If you get fat you’ll become unattractive, and then no man will want you.”

Song Waning, suddenly targeted, looked confused. “What I eat is my own business, isn’t it?”

“Oh my, I was only trying to help. Why can’t I offer a little advice?” Mrs. Gu covered her mouth, hiding a laugh, as if mocking Song Waning’s bluntness and lack of manners.

“Then let me give you a little advice too, ma’am. If you don’t have anything better to do, it’s best not to laugh. All those wrinkles bunching up on your face are really quite terrifying!”

With that, Song Waning calmly picked up another pastry and popped it in her mouth.

Mrs. Gu was left fuming. “How can you be so rude, young lady! Little Jing, who is this woman? How can you associate with someone like her? Auntie Gu is really worried you’ll fall in with the wrong crowd.”

Wen Jingxing didn’t even look up as he replied, “You kindly advised her not to eat so many sweets, and she kindly advised you not to laugh too much to avoid wrinkles. How is that rude? Or is it that only you get to speak your mind, but no one else can speak theirs?”

“And as for who she is? She’s the very Song Waning you just mentioned—the one you think isn’t good enough for me, my fiancée!”

The online spectators, watching from the front row, immediately rallied in support.

[Who is this woman, and why is she so hypocritical!]
[Our Wen really knows right from wrong.]
[Exactly, Song Waning’s response was more than fair!]
[I get the feeling this woman doesn’t mean well.]
[Is a feeling needed? She’s openly disparaging Song Waning.]
[Isn’t she trying to set her daughter up with Wen?]
[Ugh, people like this are the worst—belittling Song Waning to make her own daughter look better, when Song Waning is clearly wonderful!]

Mrs. Gu’s movements froze. “She’s Song Waning? She’s really Song Waning?”

Song Waning frowned and muttered under her breath, “Jingxing, why did you have to tell her? With her loud mouth, now all the guests know. Doesn’t that mean we’ll lose the game and I won’t get the gold necklace…”

Sitting beside Wen Jingxing, only he and the audience caught her words.

Wen Jingxing, helpless, replied, “After all that, you’re still thinking about the necklace?”

“Pride isn’t edible…” Song Waning pouted. If she didn’t get money soon, how would she ever repay Wen Jingxing for everything he’d given her?

“I’ll just ask the director to give you a pair.”

“Is that really okay?” Song Waning’s eyes lit up.

“These necklaces—I paid for them in the first place.”

His casual tone left Song Waning speechless. The rich truly did live differently.

“Never mind, then…”

“Just take it. I’m the reason you missed out on the prize anyway.”

Oblivious to anyone else, the two continued their discussion. Across from them, Mrs. Gu was seething. She had been right about Song Waning—her looks were as seductive as ever, and her skill at ensnaring men undeniable. To dare seduce Wen Jingxing right in front of her!

(End of chapter)