Chapter Forty-Four: Not Going Anymore

Song Xin and her mother were furious, often cursing her in private for being immoral. The gist of their complaints was that even if she didn't like Wen Jingxing, she insisted on hogging the position and refusing to let go. Old Master Song was stubborn as well—since it was agreed that Song Wannin would marry into the Wen family, he absolutely refused to switch the bride.

“Why? Does that person know me?” Wen Jingxing asked doubtfully. But if they really knew each other, what was there that prevented them from meeting?

Song Wannin replied, “Of course she knows you! In fact, she has a crush on you!”

As their conversation continued, Song Wannin unwittingly revealed Song Xin’s motives. Having said so much, she couldn’t be bothered to care anymore.

“Oh? Who is it?”

“What, are you interested? I could introduce you,” Song Wannin said with a smile, though Wen Jingxing could clearly sense she wasn’t truly happy.

The chatroom was in an uproar.

[Look, the vinegar jar has tipped over!]
[Song Wannin is acting just like my girlfriend. The other day, I was walking down the street, and a few pretty girls tried to chat me up. My girlfriend gave me the cold shoulder for a whole day.]
[Yeah, right, keep making things up.]
[They were just holding hands! Did something happen last night that took their relationship to the next level!?]
[Huh? Did I miss something yesterday? Someone please fill me in.]
[Yesterday they agreed to meet up in their room for something.]
[What? Meeting in a room in the middle of the night?]
[What? They spent the whole night together!?]
[Are you saying they didn’t sleep all night? How do you know!? Tell us!]
[The comments are getting weird… Fantasizing is getting out of hand.]

Wen Jingxing touched his nose and chuckled softly.

“What’s so funny…” Song Wannin turned her face away.

Wen Jingxing, a hint of helplessness in his eyes, said, “I thought you looked like you were being bullied, so I wanted to stand up for you.”

Song Wannin paused. “What are you thinking? Who could possibly bully me?”

“Alright, let’s drop it. Weren’t we going to a party? It’s almost time,” Wen Jingxing said, deftly changing the subject since she refused to admit anything.

Unexpectedly, Song Wannin suddenly said, “I don’t want to go.”

“Hm? Why?” Wen Jingxing didn’t press, just asked why she changed her mind.

Song Wannin pointed at the row of vendors by the seaside. “Because I suddenly feel like it’s better to snack and play. I don’t know anyone at that party, and instead of feeling awkward there, I’d rather enjoy myself out here.”

“Then why did you want to go on the yacht?” Wen Jingxing couldn’t make sense of it—women’s logic always baffled him.

“Because the yacht is huge, and I’ve never been on one. I want to experience it.”

That sort of thing was out of reach for ordinary people. No matter how wealthy the Song family was, chartering a yacht for a night cost a fortune, and besides, that money no longer had anything to do with Song Wannin.

This time, Wen Jingxing fell silent.

When Song Wannin noticed the somber look on his face, his eyes as dark as the abyss and somewhat intimidating, she hesitated. “Why are you suddenly so…”

But in the blink of an eye, Wen Jingxing’s expression was once again calm and indifferent, as if that earlier flicker of coldness hadn’t come from him at all.

He smiled lightly. “What do you want to eat? I’ll take you.”

“Hmm…” Song Wannin lowered her head as if deep in thought, as though she were genuinely considering her options. Then she suddenly lifted her head and pointed, “That one!”

“?”

Wen Jingxing looked over and saw the sign: “Grilled Cold Noodles.”

“I’m treating you to dinner today. Are you sure you want just this?” he asked.

Song Wannin nodded emphatically. “Yes, that’s what I want! And make sure there’s lots and lots of pork floss on top!”

She grinned widely.

Seeing her so carefree, Wen Jingxing finally felt his own gloom lifting.

“Alright, whatever you want, it’s on me.”

[Honestly, Song Wannin can be pretty adorable sometimes.]
[I agree. I don’t understand why everyone used to be so hostile toward her.]
[Wen Jingxing treating her is so cool! But why does Song Wannin want to eat that stuff? Why not go for something fancy?]

All along the way, Song Wannin ate with great delight, sampling only a bite or two from each vendor before moving on to the next.

In the end, after a full circuit, Wen Jingxing found himself carrying an armful of snacks.

A man who looked so distinguished and elegant not only strolled through the snack market but ended up laden with food as well.

The contrast was so striking that passersby couldn’t help but glance back again and again.

Song Wannin walked ahead, snickering, while Wen Jingxing trailed behind, looking helpless and resigned.

After eating their fill, Song Wannin wandered over to the beach and even managed to join a small soccer game nearby.

Most of the players were children, though there were some adults. Among them was a pretty girl in a red dress, about seven or eight years old, who was often singled out, missing several goals and getting scolded by her teammates.

Song Wannin repeatedly helped the little girl and eventually led the whole team to victory.

When viewers tuned in for the second part of the livestream, they arrived just in time to see Song Wannin and her team win the game.

Everyone cheered, as if they themselves had taken part in the match.

After the excitement died down, Song Wannin and Wen Jingxing sat on the rocks by the beach to rest and watch the sunset together.

Occasionally, a wave would roll in, washing over their ankles.

The two of them—one breathtakingly beautiful, the other strikingly handsome—were bathed in the golden glow of the evening sky.

The sight of them sitting together was pure poetry, so picturesque that passersby kept turning to look.

Surrounded by all the snacks she’d bought that day, Song Wannin, feeling a bit hungry again, picked one up to eat.

Just then, Wen Jingxing grabbed her wrist. “Wait, these are all cold now. Don’t eat them, you’ll get a stomachache. I’ll take you to get something else.”

Song Wannin shook her head, speaking casually, “It’s fine. They’ve only been out for an afternoon. How could they possibly go bad? I once ate a pastry that had been sitting around for days, even growing green fuzz, and nothing happened.”

She was recalling something from her previous life—she used to eat like this as a child and nothing ever went wrong, so she spoke without thinking.

Wen Jingxing frowned deeply. “Food left out for days? That’s bound to make you sick. No, you can’t eat this.”

“But it’s wasteful to just throw it away…” Song Wannin protested.

“It’s fine. I’ll have Cheng Mu take it back and heat it up. I’ll eat it.”

At first, when Wen Jingxing hadn’t finished speaking, Song Wannin thought it sounded a little pitiable to be his subordinate.

But after he finished, it was Song Wannin’s turn to be shocked.

“I’ve already eaten these. How can you eat them?”

Wen Jingxing paused for a moment, then said quietly, “It’s not like I haven’t before…”

But the sea wind was strong and his voice low, so Song Wannin didn’t catch it. “What did you say about before?”

When she asked again, Wen Jingxing wouldn’t repeat himself. “I said the yacht party is about to start. Let’s head over.”