After Jiang Qiongyin’s explanation, Zang Ling understood the situation.

It turned out that Jiang Qiongyin had dropped a necklace while shopping, which was a wedding anniversary gift from Zang Xiuming. She was quite anxious.

The necklace was picked up by Han Lanmeng, and although Jiang Qiongyin wanted to give her some money as a thank-you, Han Lanmeng refused to accept it. Afterward, they chatted for a while, and Jiang Qiongyin felt that Han Lanmeng was a good person. Seeing that she was still looking for a job, Jiang Qiongyin recommended her to Tianhai.

Noticing the complicated look on Zang Ling’s face, Jiang Qiongyin asked, “What’s wrong, Lingling? Is there something wrong with Han Lanmeng?”

“Mom, did you tell her who you are?”

“No, I just told her that I know people in Tianhai and could help introduce her.”

So that’s quite a coincidence?

Zang Ling thought for a moment and briefly explained, “Han Lanmeng guided Yan Feng to spread rumors about Yan Wenshu in the company.”

Jiang Qiongyin seemed very surprised and frowned, “I didn’t expect her to be that kind of person. She seemed so kind back then. I thought she was just an ordinary young girl.”

“But why would Han Lanmeng spread rumors about Xiao Yan? Do they have any conflicts?”

Zang Ling shook her head and waved her hand, “According to her, she and Yan Wenshu were very close when they were kids. They were friends, so I don’t understand what her motive is for doing this…”

She paused for a moment, then added, “Wait a minute, maybe I’ve figured it out.”

“It’s probably because of Yuan Haolang. He’s always wanted me to break up with Yan Wenshu, and Han Lanmeng is his girlfriend. Mom, did you know? Yesterday, he shamelessly told me that after marrying him, I could only have children for him and couldn’t work! What kind of idiot thinks like that in this day and age?”

“The real question is, why is he so confident that I’ll be with him?” Zang Ling was genuinely confused.

Zang Xiuming couldn’t help but interject, “Haven’t we already rejected Yuan Corporation? Why is he still causing trouble in Tianhai? I’ll go talk to Yuan Chengde. If he can’t manage his son, he shouldn’t blame others for stepping in!”

Jiang Qiongyin frowned, “Yuan Haolang has a girlfriend but is still clinging to you. Yuan Corporation really should give him a warning.”

“As for Han Lanmeng, I was thinking of making her my goddaughter before, but now that I think about it, I don’t know what I was thinking back then to find her so endearing. We only met once. I’m glad I didn’t say anything at the time.”

Zang Ling found this a bit strange as well. Her mother wasn’t the kind of person to become overly familiar with people, and even those she helped wouldn’t make her think of adopting them as goddaughters.

Besides, they hadn’t had any interaction before.

She couldn’t think of any specific reason and could only tell her parents, “You should keep your distance from Han Lanmeng. If you happen to run into her, please hold back any thoughts you might have, and we can talk about it when I get back, or you can call me.”

Jiang Qiongyin and Zang Xiuming nodded. Although they didn’t fully understand, they trusted their daughter’s judgment.

“But Lingling, when are you going to officially bring Xiao Yan over?”

Zang Ling replied, “He’s a bit shy. I’m afraid you might scare him.”

Hearing this, Zang Xiuming wasn’t too pleased and muttered, “It’s not like we’ve never met him. You’re already protecting him, and you’re not even married yet.”

Jiang Qiongyin glanced at him, and Zang Xiuming immediately said, “Lingling, feel free to bring him over whenever you want. We’ll welcome him warmly!”

Zang Ling thought about the events of the past few days and pondered, “Let’s wait and see. I’ll bring him over when we’re more stable.”

——

Three days later

Zang Ling hurried to the high-speed rail station with her luggage. At the entrance, she immediately spotted Yan Wenshu. He stood out in the crowd, his handsome face and tall figure making him the center of attention wherever he went.

Some people around her, seeing Zang Ling walking straight toward Yan Wenshu, sighed and shifted their gaze. Beautiful people like that are always taken, especially someone so good-looking. There’s no chance.

“Yan Wenshu, thank you for waiting for me!”

Yan Wenshu naturally took the luggage from her, walking while saying, “No problem, I just got here too.”

They arrived with 20 minutes to spare before departure. Zang Ling looked at the bustling waiting area, then suddenly turned to Yan Wenshu and said, “I’m going to the supermarket.”

Yan Wenshu nodded, thinking she must be hungry and wanted to buy something to eat. After she left, he stood there in a daze, looking around. His mind was blank, as if everything in the world had nothing to do with him.

Suddenly, something was shoved into his arms.

He froze for a moment and looked down at the various snacks in his hands, “…For me?”

Zang Ling replied, “Yes! Just a quick snack. We’ll have a proper meal once we’re on the train.”

She had noticed a long time ago that Yan Wenshu had a big appetite and got hungry easily. It was already nearly 10:30, so he was probably starving.

Yan Wenshu didn’t know what emotions were running through him. He quietly murmured a “thank you.”

At that moment, the system suddenly said: [Host, shouldn’t you speed things up? The next time the male lead’s first love returns, it will be your next plot point.]

The next plot point was when Han Lanmeng discovered that Yuan Haolang was using her as a stand-in, and with great pain, she broke up with him. Yuan Haolang, feeling humiliated, suppressed Han Lanmeng, and with no other option, Han Lanmeng decided to turn to her childhood friend, Yan Wenshu.

This was how it was described in the original text.

He remembered it clearly.

Yan Wenshu lowered his eyelids, looking at the hands that the two of them were holding. No matter what, he needed to find a way to make Zang Ling like him more.

After a four-hour journey, they finally arrived at their destination—S City.

Yan Wenshu’s family home was in a village in Qingyang County, and it would take another hour by bus from the city to get there.

While waiting for the bus, Yan Wenshu suddenly spoke up, saying, “Zang Ling, you’d better not go. Just stay at a hotel in the city, and I’ll come find you later.”

Zang Ling was surprised. “Why don’t you want me to go?”

“The bus ride will be very tiring.”

“It’s okay, we’re almost there, how can we stop halfway? Yan Wenshu, don’t underestimate me. I’m not some fragile girl who can’t endure a little hardship.”

Yan Wenshu turned to look at Zang Ling’s serious expression. If she knew where she was heading, would she still be so relaxed?

…Wait, what was he thinking? Yan Wenshu’s eyes suddenly narrowed, and he quickly looked away. This was something she had to face, it had nothing to do with him.

After getting on the bus, Zang Ling was proven wrong. It was her first time riding a bus, and she didn’t expect the smell inside to be so unbearable. The windows wouldn’t open, and the strange smell kept lingering around her nose. After sitting for so long, the constant swaying of the bus made her feel a wave of nausea, and she almost wanted to vomit.

Her good upbringing prevented her from vomiting in public, so she fought back the urge, trying to distract herself, but the discomfort only made her feel worse.

Yan Wenshu handed her his headphones. “You can listen to music. If you’re really uncomfortable, just sleep. It will help a lot.”

Zang Ling put them on, resting her tired head on his shoulder. Her face was pale, her lips slightly dry, and she didn’t even have the energy to speak, afraid that she would vomit if she said anything.

She closed her eyes, trying to sleep.

Yan Wenshu watched her, looking drained and weary, but said nothing.

He quietly turned on the music, finding a soothing instrumental playlist and played it on loop.

The calming, light music filled her ears, drowning out the sounds of the car’s movement and the chatter of other passengers. Gradually, Zang Ling’s furrowed brows relaxed, and she drifted off to sleep, still somewhat drowsy.

“Zang Ling? Wake up, we’re here.”

“Zang Ling?”

…

Zang Ling groggily opened her eyes. Yan Wenshu’s face appeared in front of her, his stunningly handsome features giving her a huge shock, instantly waking her up.

“…Hmm? Have we arrived?” She raised her head and looked around the bus, realizing that only the two of them were left inside.

The bus driver, seeing her figure in the rearview mirror, called out loudly, “Hey, kid! Your girlfriend’s awake. You two should get off. I need to head back to pick up the next group of passengers.”

“Thank you, driver.”

Yan Wenshu helped Zang Ling, who still didn’t quite understand what was happening, off the bus. Zang Ling took a long time to process it, “So we arrived quite early, but you told the driver not to leave?”

“Yeah, we didn’t arrive too long ago, but you were still asleep, and the driver was getting a bit impatient, so I woke you up.”

Zang Ling smiled and turned to look at his profile, “So, what did you tell him?”

“I said… my girlfriend has severe motion sickness, just slept for a little while, and asked the driver to wait for a bit.”

When Yan Wenshu said this, his gaze was fixed directly on Zang Ling. She met his eyes, and her heart skipped a beat, unable to resist saying something embarrassing, “Yan Wenshu, your eyes are so beautiful. I want to keep them…”

Yan Wenshu was stunned, bending slightly to take her hand and place it on his eye, “Here, feel them.”

Zang Ling felt his long eyelashes gently brushing her palm, like they were sweeping over her heart. A fuzzy feeling spread through her, and her drowsiness suddenly faded.

“Here.”

Then, Zang Ling watched as he gently guided her finger to his eyebrows, then to his nose.

“Here, and here…” He gazed at her intently, then placed her finger on his lips, decisively saying, “They’re all yours.”

Zang Ling’s heart screamed in panic, quickly pulling her hand back, pretending to be unaffected as she turned away, her heart racing, “Oh… I get it.”

Her fingertips were still warm, seemingly retaining the heat from his lips.

When did this man become so… impressive?

He’s clearly younger than her.

Yan Wenshu’s gaze lingered on the back of her fair neck, which had a faint blush, looking… incredibly beautiful.

The system, unable to see the situation clearly, glanced between Yan Wenshu and Zang Ling, and puzzled, asked, [You’ve reached the village entrance, why aren’t you going in? It looks like someone’s watching you.]

Zang Ling also noticed the gaze from afar. Taking a deep breath, she turned around and boldly grabbed Yan Wenshu’s hand, “Let’s go!”

Yan Wenshu watched her small figure, a smile slipping into his eyes. But when his gaze shifted to the village and saw the people gathered at the entrance, the smile on his lips slowly faded.

His dark eyes grew heavy like still waters, and a surge of hostility rose within him. He had returned here.

A disgusting place.

“Yan Wenshu, why aren’t you moving?”

Yan Wenshu paused, then put on a proper smile, “It’s nothing, I just remembered something, that’s all.”