Xie Yan definitely wanted to follow her.
But Xu Mian had warned him, so he didn’t dare.
Her footsteps hit the bus steps, and the vehicle slowly started moving.
The driver laughed up front, encouraging him, “Young man, you’ve got to keep up the effort.”
Later, Xie Yan stood in front of Wang Zhen and took out his phone. “I don’t know if this is too forward, but I want to sit in this spot. How much do you think is fair?”
Wang Zhen froze.
She wanted to say the seat Xu Mian had just vacated was empty anyway.
Then it dawned on her.
Xie Yan wanted the whole row to himself.
Wang Zhen, being watched by the handsome guy, couldn’t help blushing. She pushed up her glasses and moved back. “The bus is empty. I’ll just sit further back.”
Wang Zhen heard the handsome guy murmur softly, “Thank you.”
The tone was calm and neutral, completely different from the gentle softness he had used with Xu Mian.
Wang Zhen sat down behind him, watching Xie Yan take the seat Xu Mian had occupied, mimicking her posture and looking at the same view she had seen.
When Xu Die returned home, she deliberately glanced inside the villa.
Housekeeper Li smiled indulgently and took Xu Die’s bag. “The little troublemaker hasn’t come back yet. Hurry in Li has made you something delicious.”
Xu Die smiled as she changed her shoes. “What is it?”
Li took out a pot of premium stewed bird’s nest. “Eat quickly. A young lady like you needs to stay fair and tender so you can find a good husband later.”
Xu Die was pampered.
Everything had to be the best bird’s nest, fish maw, shark fin.
She was chauffeured around in luxury cars.
The impression was so grand that all of Lincheng’s nobles thought the Xu family only had one eldest daughter.
Xu Die sipped the premium bird’s nest, thinking about Xu Mian going to Shengming Hospital today. She smirked slowly and called Li Lai.
“How’s my sister? Didn’t make a fool of herself today, did she?” Xu Die asked.
Li Lai laughed. “Not really, but no one wants her there. A high school dropout in a hospital? What a joke!”
Xu Die lightly smiled. “Really? That’s rather pitiful.”
“Pitiful? You’re too kind. This isn’t even your real sister why are you personally calling to ask?”
Xu Die sipped her bird’s nest. “It’s not about being a real sister. The entire Xu family belongs to her. You know how ruthless her mother is. Once the trust fund kicks in, Mom and I will have to live at her mercy.”
Xu Die sat down and sighed. “You don’t know… I even gave up the master bedroom.”
Li Lai exclaimed, “But you’re not well! Xu Mian can’t even consider your health? Besides, no matter how capable she was before, now it’s your mother with your father. Doesn’t she care about him at all?”
Xu Die gripped her spoon. “Her? How capable is she? Walking around the house holding her mother’s portrait, my father doesn’t dare say a word. Now, in this house, she calls the shots.”
Li Lai was exasperated. “You’re way too soft. Don’t worry I won’t let her have it easy at the hospital!”
At that moment, the sound of a key turning at the door was heard. Xu Die pretended to be tense: “Enough talking. She’s back.”
Li Lai said, “Mm.” Then added, “Xu Die, you know? A really handsome guy came to the hospital today. I think I’ve fallen for him.”
After saying this, a photo appeared on Xu Die’s phone. Li Lai whispered in the call, “I took it secretly. Isn’t he handsome?”
Xu Die opened her phone and froze.
In the photo, the man wore an elegant suit. Light fell on his broad shoulders. His peach-blossom eyes sparkled faintly. Xu Die couldn’t imagine how handsome he would be if he smiled.
She looked carefully.
This man… looked somewhat familiar.
She saved the photo and told Li Lai, “Hm… not bad. But such an outstanding man, why go back to a place like Shengming?”
Li Lai laughed. “Don’t know. Anyway, I’m making my move. Any advice?”
Xu Die smirked. “You have to see him in person. Photos can only show so much. Some men just look good in pictures.”
Li Lai panicked. “No, he’s really handsome. If you don’t believe me, come to the hospital tomorrow.”
Xu Die smiled. “Fine, I can’t help you.”
After hanging up, Xu Die called for Xu Mian, but Xu Mian didn’t even look at her and went upstairs directly.
Xu Die pouted, repeatedly glancing at the man in her phone. She felt she’d seen him somewhere before.
Li Aunty leaned over to peek. “Whoa this is the young master? So handsome!”
Xu Die put her phone away, haughtily smiling. “Handsome doesn’t mean anything. To deserve my heart, a man must have power, ability, and wealth. Otherwise, why would I be interested?”
Xu Die’s expression turned mocking. “Just a pretty face?”
Li Aunty laughed: “At home, you’re the smartest one.”
Upstairs, Xu Mian turned on her computer, leaned back in her chair, and a voice message popped up.
She clicked it and fiddled with her phone. “Hmm… that international infringement case. Really not pursuing it? The other side offered a generous sum over ten digits. They won’t let it go until you respond.”
Xu Mian was indifferent. “Not interested. Anything else?”
The other side clicked their tongue. “Fine, I’ll go back then.”
Xu Mian hung up the voice message.
Just as she was about to start a game, a call came from an unfamiliar number.
“Hello, is this Teacher Xu Mian?”
Xu Mian glanced at the number. “Who’s this?”
“Hello, I’m the new assistant to CEO Shen Yanci. There are some work matters I’d like to discuss with you. Are you available?”
Xu Mian frowned. “Come to joke around?”
The assistant sheepishly lowered their head on the other end.
Indeed it seemed like a joke.
The company had been dissolved. Shen Yanci had publicly declared their split multiple times. Now, shamelessly contacting her… was absurd.
But there was no way around it.
Shen Yanci’s new drama hadn’t started filming and was already a publicity disaster. The female lead’s secret marriage and child were exposed. The male lead was caught gambling, investors pulled out, and filming couldn’t proceed.
Shen Yanci attended a banquet and was nearly taken advantage of.
As the new assistant, she was overwhelmed but forced herself to speak: “Um… if you’re available, could you come to Xinchen?”
Xinchen was Shen Yanci’s newly opened company.
Before hanging up, Xu Mian left a sharp remark: “Ask Shen Yanci if he remembers what I said when I left.”
The call ended decisively.
Xu Mian didn’t know the call had been on speaker.
Shen Yanci listened to the dial tone, his expression dark.
The assistant cautiously asked, “CEO Shen, what did Teacher Xu say when she left?”
Shen Yanci remembered perfectly.
When Xu Mian left, she said:
From now on, if we meet again, act as if you don’t know me.
Shen Yanci smashed the cigarette in his hand.
“Xu Mian, your game of keeping me at bay… is impressive!”
He gritted his teeth. “As expected of you, Xu Mian! You have a ruthless heart!”
The new assistant trembled in the corner.
But in their mind:
Teacher Xu isn’t playing games of push and pull.
Because…
Her number had already been blocked.