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Wen Zhiyu believed that, given Wen Jiu’s personality, she shouldn’t be able to let go of Jian Yue so easily—otherwise, she wouldn’t have left Beijing for Gangcheng in the first place.
Her actions could be summed up in one word—escape.
Escape, so she could completely let go of her feelings for Jian Yue. Escape, so she wouldn’t soften and go back to him because of a moment of weakness.
But this kind of healing shouldn’t rely on another person or another relationship to achieve.
“Ge,” Wen Jiu immediately understood Wen Zhiyu’s underlying meaning and showed an exasperated expression:
“I broke up, not became a widow. Am I supposed to stay chaste for him or something?”
“And Jian Yue betrayed me. Why should I feel sad for losing him? Why would I hurt an innocent person over him?”
“The way I was raised never taught me to keep longing for a cheating jerk. So!!!” Wen Jiu emphasized, “I really have zero feelings left for him.”
“Leaving Beijing was just because I wanted a change of scenery and to have some fun. If it has anything to do with Jian Yue, it’s that I didn’t want to give him the chance to pester me and disgust me again.”
“Does that make sense to you?”
When Wen Jiu was with Jian Yue, she truly gave him all her feelings and trust.
But the moment she decided to end it, she could cleanly and decisively take those feelings back.
Indecisiveness was never her style.
“I get it,” Wen Zhiyu said. He should’ve felt relieved knowing Wen Jiu wasn’t lying to them.
But when he thought of Jiang Yanci being involved with her, that relief turned into unease.
Compared to Jian Yue, Jiang Yanci was far more dangerous.
Or perhaps it was more accurate to say—Jian Yue wasn’t even in the same league.
A flower nurtured in a greenhouse could never compare to one that fought for survival in blood and soil.
After comforting her overly worried brother, Wen Jiu found an excuse about being hungry and hung up.
Once Wen Zhiyu’s voice disappeared, the empty room was filled again only with the sound of her own breathing.
She let out a soft sigh.
Should she ask Jiang Yanci and Qi Qin about this?
Would it be too abrupt?
As she hesitated, her fingers had already opened her chat window with Qi Qin:
[You there? What are you doing?]
Qi Qin, with messy bedhead, stared blankly at the message. Why was this beautiful girl messaging him?
Still confused, he replied:
[Just woke up.]
Wen Jiu: [I want to ask you something.]
Qi Qin: [Go ahead, I’ll tell you everything I know.]
[Someone’s been following me lately. But they suddenly disappeared yesterday. I want to know… did you help me take care of them?]
Huh?!
Qi Qin immediately sat upright like a fish flipping in water—someone had been tailing Wen Jiu?!
He frowned, quickly guessing the truth.
Aside from Jiang Yanci, no one would care about Wen Jiu this much.
He replied:
[Wasn’t me, but I think it might’ve been Yanci-ge. Even if it wasn’t, he can definitely find out for you. Want to ask him?]
Wen Jiu stared at the message in silence. Ask Jiang Yanci directly?
Not a bad idea.
She was already planning to. She just asked Qi Qin first because he seemed more approachable.
Just as she was about to send a message to Jiang Yanci, Qi Qin called her.
“Hello?” Wen Jiu answered. Qi Qin’s voice came through:
“So, Yanci-ge might be a bit busy today and might not reply right away.”
“I was going to see him anyway. Want to come with me?”
Did that even make sense?
If Jiang Yanci was so busy, why would he have time for her?
She voiced her doubt.
Qi Qin slapped his forehead. His brain really wasn’t working this early.
He cleared his throat:
“Even if he’s busy, he’ll still make time to see you.”
Then softly added: “So… wanna go?”
That sentence was not subtle at all.
Wen Jiu pretended not to catch the implication:
“Sure, can you come pick me up?”
Objective achieved, Qi Qin threw on some clothes and ran out the door:
“I’m on my way now.”
And hung up immediately.
Wen Jiu stretched and opened the curtains, stood by the window to take in the air, then turned to the bathroom to wash up.
Knowing Qi Qin might arrive quickly, she didn’t get too dressed up.
Sure enough, just as she finished changing, he arrived.
Not one to keep people waiting, Wen Jiu quickly put on her shoes and went downstairs.
Once she got in the car, Qi Qin noticed she hadn’t put on makeup today.
He was stunned:
“You’re this pretty even bare-faced?”
Wen Jiu smiled: “Natural beauty.”
She saw no reason to be modest about her strengths.
Qi Qin nodded—he had nothing to say to someone so self-aware.
Half an hour later, the car arrived at the Jiang family’s old estate.
The grand double doors opened slowly, revealing a wide stone path that could fit three cars side-by-side.
Wen Jiu’s eyes fell on either side of the road. Winding pavilions stretched out in elegant lines. A pebble path ran alongside, leading all the way to the main residence.
A large, traditional-style villa stood facing the rising sun—low-key, yet luxurious.
After parking, they still had to walk some distance. Along the way, Wen Jiu caught a faint whiff of sandalwood a few times.
The Jiang family, a true old-money household, was clearly not to be underestimated.
Neither the Wen family in Beijing nor her true family had this kind of deep-rooted heritage.
As they reached the villa entrance, they saw an elderly man in a traditional Tang suit embroidered with the character for “blessing,” half-bowed at the door. Beside him, a man in his thirties was kneeling.
Wen Jiu glanced over with mild curiosity but didn’t pry.
Qi Qin stopped in front of the elderly man and nodded:
“Old Zhao.”
“Ah, young Qi Qin,” Old Zhao forced a smile, “Here to see A-Yanci?”
“Yes, I have something to talk to him about.”
Qi Qin casually explained while noting Zhao’s pale lips and the sweat on his nose.
“We’ll head in now.”
“Go ahead.” Old Zhao nodded. His gaze drifted to the girl beside Qi Qin—he was surprised.
He remembered that the Qi family’s boy didn’t have many female friends besides Mu Ling.
Who was this young lady? If Qi Qin brought her to see Jiang Yanci, her background must be significant.
As he pondered Wen Jiu’s identity, he didn’t notice the stiff expression of his kneeling grandson.
Zhao Zhexin finally understood why Jiang Yanci had suddenly made a move against their family—it was because of her.
But hadn’t she only met Jiang Yanci once? Why would he stand up for her?
Could it be… Qi Qin liked her?
Or worse—it was Jiang Yanci who liked her?!
That thought chilled him. He quietly tugged on his grandfather’s sleeve.
“Grandpa, I think I know why Jiang Yanci’s targeting our family.”
Old Master Zhao was flustered: “Quick, tell me!”