Chapter 22: What a coincidence

Wen Ya had initially asked her question as a joke, but the more she thought about it, the more it seemed like it might actually be true.  

She had once asked someone to look into Ji Ming’s behavior. He was known to be serious and disciplined in everything he did. He never frequented entertainment venues, nor had he ever been seen dating a woman. And if anyone thought he might not like women—well, he hadn’t dated any men either. That’s why the rumors about him and Wen Ya had spread so quickly.  

Why would someone like him show such special interest in her?  

And those meals she supposedly owed him—was Ji Ming really the type to care about a few free meals? Plenty of people would jump at the chance to treat him, so why was he so insistent on her paying him back?  

As she reflected on his actions and the way he had spoken to her during their last meal, she realized something. At the time, she hadn’t noticed, but now, looking back, it all seemed a little… ambiguous.  

While Wen Ya was lost in her thoughts, Ji Ming’s reaction was something like this: O__O”  

He was usually calm and collected, but at this moment, he felt a flicker of panic.  

However, he quickly regained his composure, staring at the words on his phone repeatedly. Slowly, a smile spread across his eyes.  

The little girl was so straightforward and adorable—he liked her.  

Just as Wen Ya thought the other person had fallen asleep, her phone buzzed. When she opened it, there was only one word: Yes.  

Now it was Wen Ya’s turn to be stunned. The other party’s directness left her unsure how to respond.  

After some thought, she sent a “hahaha” emoji, trying to dodge the topic.  

But Ji Ming wasn’t going to let her off the hook this time. After receiving her emoji, he immediately typed: “What do you think of me?” He had asked this question before, but Wen Ya had cleverly avoided it then.  

The first time Ji Ming had asked, it had been somewhat impulsive, almost a joke. But after that, he had reflected on his feelings. He realized that spending time with Wen Ya never felt boring or awkward. Gradually, he found himself paying more attention to her.  

He began to notice that the eldest daughter of the Wen family, known as the most beautiful woman in South City, was nothing like the rumors suggested. She wasn’t arrogant or spoiled. Instead, she was filial, strong, responsible, and decisive.  

There was also something intriguing about her. She had a certain fierceness in her actions, a strong sense of ownership. She was protective of what was hers, as if she had grown up in a highly competitive environment—something that didn’t quite match her identity as the Wen family’s eldest daughter.  

If Wen Ya knew what Ji Ming was thinking, she would have been amazed by his perceptiveness.  

As an orphan, she had learned early on to rely on herself. The warm, loving relationships between children in orphanages only existed in TV shows and charity events. In reality, they were constantly competing for limited resources.  

For example, if you were slow during meals, you wouldn’t get enough to eat. Older kids would sometimes steal from you when the caretakers weren’t looking. To avoid going hungry, you had to protect your food. Similarly, if you wanted nice things and didn’t want to be bullied, you had to be tougher than the others.  

A girl as pretty as Wen Ya faced even more dangers, so she had learned to act aloof and gradually became more ruthless. Most of the boys at school were afraid of her.  

Her upbringing was vastly different from that of her original body, so her personality was naturally different too. In fact, after transmigrating into this world and inheriting the memories of her original self, her behavior and speech had changed significantly. It was just that Ji Ming was particularly observant.  

If he had initially been surprised by her boldness in discussing business with him, he was now genuinely drawn to her qualities. Of course, he couldn’t deny that her appearance was also appealing—she was exactly his type.  

Ji Ming had never been one to hesitate. Once he realized his feelings for Wen Ya went beyond mere admiration, he began creating opportunities to get closer to her. However, he hadn’t expected her to confront him so directly.  

Ten minutes passed, and Ji Ming still hadn’t received a reply from Wen Ya. Narrowing his eyes, he decided to call her directly.  

Just as Wen Ya was pondering how to avoid the question, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen—it was Ji Ming.  

The phone in her hand suddenly felt like a hot potato.  

Should she answer? Or not?  

Before transmigrating, she had spent all her free time in high school and college working. When you’re struggling to make ends meet, romance feels like a luxury.  

Even after graduating and starting her internship, her salary was barely enough to cover rent, food, and student loans. She had no energy left for love.  

By the time she finally considered dating, she found it hard to meet someone reliable and easy to get along with.  

Ji Ming was flawless in both looks and stature—a true male god. His family background was impeccable, and his character, academics, and abilities were all outstanding. His perfection left Wen Ya feeling a little overwhelmed.  

Her mind raced as she gritted her teeth and answered the call.  

She had experienced something as extraordinary as transmigrating into a book. How could she be intimidated by a man?  

“What do you think?” Ji Ming asked directly.  

“What do you mean, ‘what do I think?’” Wen Ya replied with a soft laugh. “Boss Ji, this isn’t how you chase a girl.”  

“Then how should I do it?” Ji Ming asked, genuinely puzzled.  

Wen Ya rolled her eyes. “If President Ji is only this sincere, you won’t win me over.”  

“So Xiao Ya agrees that I can pursue you? I’ll do my best,” Ji Ming said seriously.  

“It’s your choice whether you pursue me or not. It’s late, so get some rest. Good night.” Wen Ya hung up, suddenly finding Ji Ming rather endearing. Maybe giving him a chance wasn’t such a bad idea.  

Ji Ming stared at his now-dark phone, his heart racing. Was this what it felt like to have your heartbeat quicken?  

The next day at work, Wen Ya received a large bouquet of roses along with a card featuring a short poem expressing admiration.  

Ji Ming: “Did you get it?”  

Wen Ya: “Who taught you this? It’s a bit tacky.”  

Ji Ming glanced at Xiao He. “Your method didn’t work. She thinks it’s too cheesy.”  

“But don’t girls like cheesy things?” Xiao He protested. “All women love flowers. How is it tacky?”  

“Xiao Ya is different,” Ji Ming replied thoughtfully.  

Xiao He was speechless. He hadn’t expected his wise and powerful boss to act like this when in love.  

Ji Ming gave Xiao He another look. It seemed he couldn’t rely on him—he’d have to figure this out on his own.  

…  

It was a sunny day, and Wen Ya had the house thoroughly cleaned. She opened all the doors and windows in her parents’ room to let in fresh air.  

“Have these quilts been sun-dried?” Wen Ya asked Aunt Wang.  

“Don’t worry, they’ve been in the sun for three full days. Feel how warm and fluffy they are.”  

“Okay.” Wen Ya touched the quilts and found them soft and cozy.  

Dad Wen loved the fresh scent of quilts washed with soap and dried under the sun. This was something Mom Wen had repeatedly reminded him of, and Wen Ya made sure not to forget it.  

“Are all the machines installed? Have you checked everything? Is there anything missing? If so, I’ll have someone buy it right away,” Wen Ya asked the doctor standing beside her as she inspected the medical equipment.  

“Everything is already very complete,” the doctor replied, looking around the room. He couldn’t think of anything that was missing.  

Today was the day Wen’s parents were moving back home. After arranging everything at the house, Wen Ya went to the hospital to pick them up.  

“Qihua, we’re going home,” Mom Wen said gently to Dad Wen.  

Wen Ya’s heart ached slightly as she watched her mother. She had someone carefully carry Dad Wen to the RV and then drove them home slowly.  

When they arrived, Mom Wen took Dad Wen’s hand again and whispered softly, “Qihua, we’re home.”  

Several nurses carefully carried Wen Qihua up to the second floor. Mom Wen looked around the newly renovated house and said, “You’ve worked hard, little girl.”  

“I just gave directions—it wasn’t hard at all. Mom, go take a shower and change your clothes. Then we can eat.”  

“No rush. I need to talk to your dad first so he can adjust to the new environment,” Mom Wen shook her head. The house had been renovated, and she wanted to make sure Dad Wen felt comfortable.  

“That was my oversight. You talk to Dad first, and I’ll go help Aunt Wang,” Wen Ya said, leaving the two of them alone.  

Without Dad Wen, this dinner wouldn’t feel like a proper family reunion and would always feel incomplete.  

Now that her parents were back home, Wen Ya no longer had to rush between the hospital and home after work. She suddenly found herself with a lot more free time.  

“The second son of the Wang family is getting engaged tomorrow. You can go with your father on my behalf,” Mom Wen said casually as she arranged flowers.  

“The second son of the Wang family? Wang Chenxi?” Wen Ya frowned. Wang Chenxi and the original host had been natural enemies since childhood. They competed over everything—clothes, jewelry, friends, and even boyfriends. In high school, they had both fallen for Gu Chengze, and their rivalry had intensified.  

Compared to the original host, Wang Chenxi was more cunning. She had framed the original host multiple times. In high school, the original host had wanted to teach the school beauty a lesson, but things escalated, and the girl ended up disfigured. The original host had boldly admitted to it, which led to her being sent abroad. The two hadn’t seen each other since.  

Thinking back, Wang Chenxi had killed two birds with one stone. She had not only dealt with the school beauty but also eliminated her rival, Wen Ya. Unfortunately, she hadn’t expected Gu Chengze to fall for an ordinary woman or for him to get engaged to Wen Ya. Wang Chenxi had made a scene, but her family had sent her abroad to cool off. She had only returned this year.  

“No.”  

Wen Ya wasn’t interested in attending. Wang Chenxi was the book’s scheming female antagonist, the one who plotted against the heroine until the very end. Wen Ya had no intention of getting involved.  

“You two used to fight and quarrel as kids. Why are you still holding a grudge? It’s a good opportunity to meet people and reconnect with old friends,” Mom Wen urged, believing Wen Ya should socialize more.  

“Forget about Wang Chenxi. Your daughter and she are sworn enemies,” Wen Ya said firmly, refusing to go.  

Hearing this, Mom Wen sighed and shook her head. “Fine, if you don’t want to go, then don’t. But what about Old Mr. Ji’s 80th birthday party? You have to attend that.” Seeing Wen Ya hesitate, Mom Wen added, “As the company president, you need to be present at such events.”  

But the timing of these two events felt too coincidental. Wen Ya muttered to herself before finally agreeing, “Alright, I’ll go to the Ji family’s event.”