Wen Xuxue stammered, “It’s, it’s from my ex-boyfriend.”
Jiang Jing’s expression grew slightly serious, worried that Wen Xuxue might have been deceived. She asked in a low voice, “Who exactly is your ex-boyfriend? Why did he give you so much money?”
“Ah, ah.” Wen Xuxue grew a bit flustered, unsure of how to explain.
She didn’t want to reveal her relationship with Zhou Shijing, not even to her best friend.
After hesitating for a long while, she drew out her words, calling out to Jiang Jing in a soft, sweet voice, “Darling—”
“Just don’t worry about it,” Wen Xuxue said gently, continuing, “All you need to know is that from now on, I’ve got your back. If you ever run out of money, just tell me, and I’ll go squeeze some out of him for you to spend.”
Jiang Jing was deeply moved.
Jiang Jing also felt like laughing.
But in the end, Jiang Jing was still worried. “I’m just concerned about you. I’m afraid you might be deceived. Why don’t you tell me the man’s name? I’ll look into him and vet him for you.”
Wen Xuxue flatly refused. “No.”
Jiang Jing’s eyes shifted as she tried another approach. “Then how about you find a time to bring him out, and we can all have a meal together?”
“Just think of it as letting me get to know another person. Look, since he’s so rich, he must also have power and connections. Who knows, he might even be able to help my career.”
Afraid that Wen Xuxue would refuse, Jiang Jing piled on more persuasion.
Wen Xuxue fell silent for a moment, finding it hard to refuse outright. She finally said, “Well, I’ll have to ask him if he’s willing to come out for a meal. If he doesn’t want to, there’s nothing I can do.”
Jiang Jing said, “Okay.”
The two best friends chatted a bit more before hanging up the phone.
As soon as the call ended, Jiang Jing urgently found her brother’s number and dialed.
It rang several times before the other side picked up.
Zhou Shijing’s voice was cool and detached. “What is it?”
Jiang Jing said, “Brother, are you really unable to find the account holder information for that bank account number I sent you last time?”
Zhou Shijing toyed with the pen in his hand, his thin lips moving slightly. “Why do you want me to look into it again?”
Jiang Jing wore a worried expression. “It’s because of that old man. Last night, he transferred another 3 million to my best friend. I’m really afraid she’s being deceived.”
Zhou Shijing’s face darkened, his eyes flickering with an inscrutable light as he coldly bit out the three words, “Old man?”
“Is that what your best friend told you?”
He asked again, his tone heavy as ink, his mood almost stern.
“No,” Jiang Jing said, not picking up on the unusual emotion in his words. “That’s what I think.”
Zhou Shijing’s thin lips tightened.
Jiang Jing continued to explain, “Think about it. A man who can casually throw around 10 million, 3 million like that—how could he possibly be a young, rich second generation? He must be a middle-aged, successful old man. My best friend is in the prime of her youth right now. How can she get involved with such an old man… Ugh, I’m worried sick.”
Zhou Shijing grew increasingly irritated by her repeated use of “old man” and spoke coldly, “What does someone else’s business have to do with you? Don’t meddle so much.”
“What do you mean ‘someone else’?” Jiang Jing retorted excitedly. “That’s my best friend! My closest friend! And she’s incredibly loyal and treats me really well.”
Zhou Shijing’s eyes held an ambiguous light as he slowly asked, “How does she treat you well?”
Jiang Jing said with a smile, “As soon as that old man transferred her 10 million, she immediately gave me 5 million. Last night, she transferred me 3 million, and this morning, she sent me another 1.5 million.”
Clang—
A sudden metallic clatter echoed from the other end of the phone.
Jiang Jing frowned. “Brother, what happened?”
Zhou Shijing calmly stared at the pen that had fallen to the floor, its ink splattered everywhere, and replied nonchalantly, “I accidentally dropped my pen.”
“Oh,” Jiang Jing said before continuing to praise her friend. “See how great my friend is? Do you know what else she said?”
Zhou Shijing’s voice carried a suppressed, icy chill as he spoke word by word, “What did she say?”
Jiang Jing’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “She said if I ever run out of money, I should just tell her, and she’ll go squeeze that old man for money to spend on me.”
The atmosphere suddenly froze.
It felt as if the temperature had instantly dropped to freezing point.
This strange tension seemed to transmit through the phone to Jiang Jing’s end. She shivered uncontrollably, her smile fading as confusion and fear crept in. “Brother… what’s wrong?”
Zhou Shijing said, “Nothing.”
The next second, he hung up the phone without hesitation.
He slammed his phone onto the table with a thud, yet his expression remained unchanged.
Little heartless one.
Zhou Shijing sighed helplessly.
He pressed his fingers to his temples and ultimately chose to forgive.
She’s still so young. Choosing her friend over a man, not being love-struck—it’s actually quite commendable.
Even if that man is me.
Zhou Shijing picked up his phone again, scrolled through his contacts, and sent a message to “Shen Yuheng”: 【Let’s grab dinner tonight.】
Shen Yuheng was originally a major client of his company. Through repeated business collaborations, the two had gradually grown familiar and developed an excellent relationship.
He had even attended Shen Yuheng’s wedding, presenting the newlyweds with an extravagant gift.
Shen Yuheng was sparing with his words: 【Time and place?】
Zhou Shijing: 【After work. That high-end private club on Nanjing Road.】
Shen Yuheng replied with an OK gesture.
Wen Xuxue’s first day at work was incredibly joyful and relaxed.
She even voluntarily stayed behind to work a little overtime.
“Hey, Xiao Xue, aren’t you leaving yet?”
The speaker was a senior colleague, a warm-hearted older sister who got along well with everyone.
Wen Xuxue smiled and said, “I just started, so I’m still a newcomer. It’s only right for me to put in some extra hours.”
“No need, no need,” the older sister said with a grin. “Even the big boss left early today. I think you should pack up and head out soon!”
Wen Xuxue was slightly taken aback.
Big boss.
Was that Zhou Shijing?
She couldn’t help but glance up at the ceiling.
He… left work already?
He didn’t look for me, didn’t send me a message, didn’t say a single word to me all day.
Yes!
Wen Xuxue cheered silently in her heart.
Looks like I don’t have to go to his place tonight.
She immediately picked up her phone and messaged Jiang Jing: 【Baby, I’m off work. Let’s go out and have some fun.】
Jiang Jing replied instantly: 【Sure, where to?】
Wen Xuxue thought for a moment: 【Isn’t there a comic convention on Nanjing Road today? I remember there’s also a high-end private club nearby. How about we check out the convention and then go there for dinner?】
Jiang Jing agreed readily: 【Sounds good.】
Wen Xuxue immediately grabbed her bag from her desk and headed toward the elevator: 【Then come pick me up. I’ll go home to change, and we can head out right away!】
She wore a white shirt today, paired with a pencil skirt made of suit fabric underneath, looking pure and beautiful, exuding the full vibe of a city sophisticate.
This outfit wouldn’t be out of place for a meal.
But for a comic convention, it was a bit too plain.
While waiting for a ride on the roadside, Wen Xuxue’s mind raced, pondering which cosplay outfit to wear.
She also wondered whether to add a… tail.