Chapter Eighty-Seven: Gathering Information

Song Wan'ning paused mid-step, turning back to look at her. So her real purpose was just to ask about the relationship between herself and Wen Jingxing?

In the novel, Song Wan'ning was nothing more than cannon fodder, with very few scenes, and only because she was set up as Wen Jingxing’s fiancée did she even have a family background introduced. As for Song Xin, the cannon-fodder younger sister, her presence in the plot was even more negligible.

All that was known was that on the day of the original protagonist’s engagement party with Wen Jingxing, Song Xin fell for her future brother-in-law at first sight. One had to admit, Song Xin had some nerve—of all the people to fall for, she chose her own brother-in-law.

Seeing how anxious Song Xin was, rushing over to question her as soon as she got the chance, even putting on the act of a sweet, obedient sister, Song Wan'ning couldn’t help but want to tease her.

She deliberately lowered her head, feigning shyness, her ears tinged red as she said, “Yes, I only recently realized that Wen Jingxing is actually a really wonderful man. He’s not only attentive and gentle, but also handsome and wealthy. I must have been blind before to always find fault with him.”

Song Xin’s mind buzzed, the world spinning around her. If her sister really ended up with Wen Jingxing, what place would there be for herself in the future?

She and her mother had spent so long coaching Song Wan'ning, brainwashing her, until Song Wan'ning finally started to pick at Wen Jingxing’s faults. Yet now, after just a short time together on the show, their relationship seemed even better.

Back then, when she objected to Song Wan'ning joining the show, her mother had assured her that since Song Wan'ning was so flawed, letting her live with Wen Jingxing would just expose her true colors and give him reason to break off the engagement.

But now, everything was the opposite of what she’d envisioned!

In her panic, she blurted out, “Sister, have you forgotten Mother’s warning? There’s no such thing as a good man. You have to be extremely selective to find one who’s truly good to you. How can you let your guard down around Young Master Wen so easily?”

Song Wan'ning’s expression froze. So it was this mother and daughter who had always been inciting the original protagonist, pushing her to nitpick Wen Jingxing at every turn.

She was about to reply when an outraged voice suddenly rang out, “So it really was you two!”

Song Wan'ning stiffened, looking up to see Wen Jingxing standing there, holding something she couldn’t quite identify, his face thunderous as his gaze locked onto Song Xin.

Oh no! Why was Wen Jingxing here?

When had he arrived? And how much had he heard of what she just said? If she’d known, she never would have teased Song Xin!

Now she’d really shot herself in the foot.

If Wen Jingxing had heard everything, wouldn’t everything be completely misunderstood?

Song Xin’s face drained of color. “That’s not it, Young Master Wen! My sister is still young, and Mother just worries she might be deceived by someone else.”

Wen Jingxing didn’t believe a word, but he wasn’t so childish as to make threats on the spot about what he’d do to the Song family or to her.

He simply said coldly, “Get out of my sight immediately! Otherwise, I’ll come to the Song house myself to demand an explanation for today.”

Song Xin wanted to explain herself further, to salvage her image.

But she was terrified that Wen Jingxing might really come knocking. If her father found out, neither she nor her mother would escape unscathed.

With no other choice, she covered her face with her hands and ran out of the lakeside park, sobbing all the way.

Meanwhile, in the livestream, Song Xin’s words had once again sent the comment section into a frenzy.

“I knew it was right to slack off at work today—this is my first time catching high-society gossip live, and it’s just different!”

“Song Xin and her mother are really something! How could they say that to Song Wan'ning?”

“Young Master Wen shielding Song Wan'ning and driving Song Xin away—he’s the perfect protective husband! So cool!”

“This storyline is so fake. Of course Song Wan'ning has trouble and Young Master Wen just happens to show up? Directors, could you at least put as much effort into the script as you do into wrenching my heart?”

“Almost ended up taking out an ally by mistake.”

Song Xin was, after all, a frequent trending topic. Naturally, her defenders jumped in to explain.

“Any mother would put her child first. Song Xin only said what she did because her mom was worried about her daughter, okay? How can you criticize her for that?”

“How would her own daughter not benefit from joining the Wen family? Why would they ever teach Song Wan'ning to treat Wen Jingxing badly? It’s clearly a problem with Song Wan'ning’s character—stop blaming Song Xin!”

“Oh please, who teaches their daughter like that? Enough of the nonsense above!”

“And you still call yourselves her fans? Seriously!”

“Song Xin’s true colors have been revealed. Fans, you need to face reality.”

…

Song Wan'ning had only been pretending to be shy a moment ago, but now she truly felt embarrassed.

“So, um… how much did you hear just now?”

Wen Jingxing’s eyes were unreadable. “How much do you wish I’d heard?”

He answered with a question of his own.

Song Wan'ning paused. “...Preferably none of it.”

“You wish I hadn’t heard? Were you lying to her?”

“Why would I lie to her? You really are attentive, gentle, considerate, rich, and handsome!”

Without missing a beat, Song Wan'ning showered Wen Jingxing with praise.

“I heard about half of it, but not very clearly.”

Hearing her say that, Wen Jingxing’s expression softened a little.

He had a way with words—just by rearranging them, the meaning completely changed.

If he had said he hadn’t heard very clearly and only heard half, Song Wan'ning would have known he’d caught part of the conversation. But Wen Jingxing said he’d heard half but not clearly, leading most people to subconsciously think he hadn’t heard the first half, and the second half wasn’t clear either.

“Oh, that’s good then…”

Song Wan'ning breathed a small sigh of relief.

“What do you mean, that’s good?” Wen Jingxing looked at her.

[Haha, Song Wan'ning is killing me—she praises Wen Jingxing behind his back but can’t admit it to his face.]

[She’s so adorable! What’s so hard about admitting that?]

Song Wan'ning quickly changed the subject. “Didn’t you say you were going to complete a task? Why did you come over here?”

Wen Jingxing reached out and handed her something.

Song Wan'ning took it. It was several small white paper bags, with three big characters on them: “Warm Baby.”

She looked puzzled. What were these things?

“You don’t know how to use them? I’ll show you,” Wen Jingxing said, noticing her confusion. It never occurred to him that Song Wan'ning simply didn’t recognize the product.

He tore open the packaging, took out one, and said, “Lift your coat a bit.”

Though still clueless, Song Wan'ning did as she was told.

The next moment, she felt something warm pressed against the small of her back.

Her eyes lit up. “It’s warm!”

“Yes. When it gets cold, you can replace it yourself, or ask someone to help.”

“By the way, what made you think to bring this for me?” Song Wan'ning took the other warmers Wen Jingxing handed her.

“The weather will stay cold for a few days, and the temperature difference between day and night is big. You seem sensitive to the cold, so I asked the staff to get you a few.”

(End of chapter)