Chapter 17

Without exaggeration, the moment she heard that, Song Cheng’s anxiety about Wen Xiangyi immediately overshadowed her youthful melancholy.

She was all too familiar with this trick.

She would never forget that it was exactly this kind of maneuver that led to her falling into Wen Xiangyi’s hands in the first place.

When Song Cheng had just started college, she took a part-time job with her classmates. Because of her decent appearance, she was assigned by the hotel supervisor to serve at an important evening banquet when there weren’t enough staff.

A simple and honest college student, she had no idea when Wen Xiangyi had noticed her.

Anyway, as soon as Song Cheng turned with a tray of drinks, Wen Xiangyi bumped into her. The glass shattered on the floor, and the wine splashed all over both Song Cheng’s shirt and Wen Xiangyi’s champagne-colored evening dress.

At that time, Song Cheng’s only thought was, “It’s over. My wages are going to be docked.”

Wen Xiangyi didn’t seem angry at all about the spilled wine on her dress. Instead, she appeared amused and maintained her smile throughout.

Under the glow of the banquet’s crystal chandeliers and the champagne tower behind her, Wen Xiangyi’s smile was dazzling, like a dream bathed in soft light. The jewelry she wore paled in comparison to her. It was only then that Song Cheng realized the woman who had bumped into her was not only extremely young but also somewhat familiar—oh, it was Wen Xiangyi.

Meeting a high school classmate in such a situation, where one was a distinguished guest and the other was a waitress working for a living, was quite awkward. Song Cheng, feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed, had no intention of acknowledging Wen Xiangyi, and Wen Xiangyi likely didn’t want to greet her either. Song Cheng thought she would just apologize and leave.

The supervisor rushed over, ready to reprimand Song Cheng, but Wen Xiangyi intervened first, saying, “It’s okay.”

She then turned to Song Cheng, “Right? Old classmate.”

Song Cheng was surprised that Wen Xiangyi spoke to her in front of everyone. Even after accompanying Wen Xiangyi to her car to change clothes, she still felt a bit sentimental. She thought, no wonder Wen Xiangyi had such a good reputation in high school, everyone liked her; her temperament was really quite nice.

Song Cheng was lost in her thoughts as Wen Xiangyi, holding up her excessively long skirt, inquired about her current situation—what school she was attending, her major, why she was working part-time, and if she was with classmates, among other questions.

Encountering a high school classmate in a strange city, even if they weren’t close in high school, inevitably felt somewhat familiar. Song Cheng unguardedly shared her situation.

When they reached the car, and Wen Xiangyi was turning her back to her while getting in, Song Cheng hesitated and said, “Wen Xiangyi, could you talk to the supervisor for me?”

Wen Xiangyi didn’t turn around, responding softly, “Hmm?”

Song Cheng said, “I don’t want my wages to be docked.”

Usually, Song Cheng would keep her struggles to herself. She’d earn the money she needed and wouldn’t complain. But recently, with her scholarship still pending and her living expenses running low, and with Wen Xiangyi being such an understanding old classmate, she felt embarrassed and exposed by revealing her difficulties.

“I was just saying that,” Song Cheng added, feeling a deep sense of shame and vulnerability.

“Of course,” Wen Xiangyi said as she settled into the car, looking at Song Cheng’s face with a smile. “Song Cheng, this is a small matter.”

Wen Xiangyi then asked the driver to go back to the hotel and talk to the supervisor.

Watching the driver leave, Song Cheng sighed with relief. Wen Xiangyi was truly kind.

“Thank you, Wen Xiangyi,” Song Cheng said as she backed away. “You go change. I’ll head back—”

Wen Xiangyi’s hand covered the back of Song Cheng’s hand as she was about to close the door. Song Cheng stopped and looked up at her.

In the dimly lit car, Wen Xiangyi looked down with eyes filled with autumn-like sadness and said, “I’m feeling a bit unwell and want to go home to rest. Song Cheng, can you drive?”

At that moment, Song Cheng hesitated. She still had work to do, and the driver would be back soon, so she didn’t need to take over. But seeing Wen Xiangyi looking frail and her hair sticking to her slightly flushed face, it was evident that she wasn’t well.

Unlike herself, who would continue working despite being ill and just take a couple of pills, Wen Xiangyi, coming from a privileged background, should be used to being well taken care of. Refusing to help her seemed like a betrayal, especially after she had just helped her out. Helping her with the driving was the least she could do, and the supervisor wouldn’t blame her.

Song Cheng didn’t hesitate long. She nodded and headed to the driver’s seat.

At that moment, she had no idea that this decision would turn her life upside down.

Unexpectedly, back in high school, in the small convenience store, Song Cheng found herself reliving the scene that had changed her destiny.

She felt a mix of anger and frustration.

Wen Xiangyi was still in high school now; she thought Wen Xiangyi must have always been full of tricks from a young age.

Song Cheng’s guard was up to the maximum: “You could buy fewer items.”

Wen Xiangyi replied, “I’ve already paid for everything.”

Song Cheng said, “Then make two trips.”

Wen Xiangyi was puzzled: “?”

Song Cheng’s face was all “Is this so difficult?”—cold and unfeeling. After being rejected twice, Wen Xiangyi didn’t want to bother anymore.

Her sudden softness was met with Song Cheng’s unreasonable attitude. Wen Xiangyi didn’t have the patience and decided to leave Song Cheng at the convenience store.

She stopped looking at Song Cheng, lowered her head to rearrange the bags, and regretted buying so many random items just to find an excuse. Now, she really couldn’t carry them all.

A young male employee in the convenience store, who had been observing for a while, finally couldn’t hold back and, seeing Wen Xiangyi being refused, stepped forward and offered, “I’m leaving too. It’s quite heavy. I can help you carry it a bit.”

Wen Xiangyi declined, “Thank you, but no—”

Before she could finish, the young man reached out and swiftly lifted the two large bags from the counter.

Wen Xiangyi’s gaze shifted slightly.

Song Cheng withdrew her cold stare from the young man’s face and, as their eyes met, stepped forward decisively, leaving behind a curt remark, “Can you handle the rest?”

Wen Xiangyi picked up the shopping bag, which only contained a few loaves of bread and was light compared to the heavy items with Song Cheng. She followed Song Cheng out of the convenience store, and the wind rushed into her collar. After waiting for the wind to pass, she said slowly, “Wasn’t I supposed to make two trips?”

Song Cheng wasn’t very inclined to respond.

She had felt a bit of regret right after rejecting Wen Xiangyi in the store and mentally reconciled with herself as she walked. Wen Xiangyi was only in the second year of high school; what could she possibly understand at her age?

As an adult, even though she needed to reasonably avoid becoming an object of amusement, she should still look after Wen Xiangyi a bit within her capacity. She couldn’t overdo it.

How could Song Cheng relax knowing Wen Xiangyi was out late? What if she didn’t go home after leaving the convenience store?

Song Cheng was still a bit annoyed and only remembered to ask Wen Xiangyi, “Which way are we going?”