Chen Jin quickly said, “Please calm down. How can you believe those messy rumors outside? Shengsheng wouldn’t be so thoughtless.”
“Whether it’s true or false, I can’t be bothered to care. But marriage is no trivial matter.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to find a good match for her.”
Wen Yunsheng sat quietly on the side sofa, as obedient and sensible as ever.
It made one wonder—could such a well-behaved Wen Yunsheng really have done something so foolish and earth-shattering for a Ji Beicun?
Grandma went on, “Speaking of marriage, I think Yanchuan’s marriage is the most urgent. He’s twenty-seven, and as the heir, his marriage must be chosen carefully.”
Chen Jin smiled and said, “That’s only natural. Recently, his father has also mentioned this and has already identified several suitable candidates. We’ll see when he has time to meet them.”
Grandma then asked, “Yanchuan, what do you think?”
Qin Yanchuan looked up, his deep, dark eyes unreadable, his tone indifferent. “Whatever.”
Grandma smiled with relief. Since childhood, this eldest grandson had always been the most steady and responsible, never causing them a moment of worry.
The Qin family could be entrusted to his hands with peace of mind.
Wen Yunsheng lowered her gaze, looking at her hands resting on her knees. Her nails dug into her flesh, turning slightly pale.
Halfway through the family banquet, Wen Yunsheng felt a bit stifled. Using the excuse of going to the restroom, she left the private room to get some fresh air.
Water trickled steadily from the faucet. Wen Yunsheng extended her slender hands under the stream. The cool water flowed over her fingers, its icy touch making her feel clear-headed.
She stood in front of the sink for five minutes before finally feeling refreshed. Turning off the faucet, she walked out.
As soon as she reached the corridor, she saw Qin Yanchuan leaning against the wall, smoking.
His tall, straight figure carried a rare hint of laziness. He lowered his head slightly, the ember at the tip of his cigarette burning slowly, like a tiny spark.
Wen Yunsheng paused for a moment, then stiffly continued walking forward.
He seemed to hear her footsteps and turned to look at her, his eyes darker than usual.
This time, Wen Yunsheng obediently greeted him, “Brother Yanchuan.”
He didn’t speak, only extinguishing the cigarette butt in the ashtray on the windowsill beside him.
Wen Yunsheng waited for a moment. When it seemed he didn’t want to acknowledge her, she lowered her head and prepared to walk past.
Just as she took a step, she suddenly heard his cold voice, “Broke up?”
Wen Yunsheng halted, pressing her lips together tightly. “Yes.”
He fell silent for another two seconds before speaking slowly, “Back then, you insisted on following him no matter what. How could you bear to break up now?”
Wen Yunsheng clenched the fingers hanging by her side. Her face tightened, but she didn’t say a word.
Qin Yanchuan gave a faint, mocking smile. Without waiting for her answer, he turned and walked away.
Qin Yanchuan didn’t return to the private room. He said he had urgent matters at the company and left.
When Wen Yunsheng returned to the private room, the lively atmosphere remained unchanged.
She sat quietly at the banquet, watching everyone toast and laugh harmoniously, yet suddenly feeling utterly alone.
For the past two days, Wen Yunsheng had no interviews. She stayed at home, keeping Uncle Qin and Aunt Jin company while sending out more resumes to secure more interview opportunities.
Qin Yanchuan hadn’t returned either.
“Take a look. I’ve picked out a few candidates for you. What do you think?”
Qin Mingqian brought over several photos for Wen Yunsheng to choose from.Wen Yunsheng shook her head. “Uncle, I still want to find a job first.”
“You silly child, work and dating don’t conflict.”
Aunt Jin brought over a plate of fruit. “Alright, alright. Shengsheng has only been back for a few days. Let her rest a bit. She’s been as busy as a spinning top these past few days—interviews, family dinners—and now you want her to go on blind dates?”
“I’m only doing what’s best for her.”
“Shengsheng is still young. Let her find someone she likes after she starts working.”
Qin Mingqian’s expression hardened. “What ‘likes’? With her taste, what decent person could she possibly find?”
The remark was undoubtedly a veiled criticism.
Wen Yunsheng forced an awkward smile. “Uncle, let me find a job first. Once I have a job, I’ll go on blind dates.”
“Then you’d better hurry.”
Qin Mingqian stood up and headed toward the backyard. After a couple of steps, he turned back, fixing her with a warning glare. “You haven’t been in touch with that troublemaker Ji Beicun again recently, have you?”
Wen Yunsheng widened her eyes innocently. “No.”
Qin Mingqian nodded, satisfied. “Good.”
It seemed the water in this girl’s head had finally drained out.
Wen Yunsheng quietly sighed in relief and pulled out her phone, just as a call came in.
The screen flashed with the name “Ji Beicun.”
Startled, she quickly hit the decline button.
A WeChat message popped up almost immediately.
Ji Beicun: [?]
[You hung up on me???]
[After I drove you to the airport the other day, even got a speeding ticket to make sure you didn’t miss your flight]
[Wen Yunsheng, are you turning your back on me as soon as you return to the country?]
Driven by anger, Ji Beicun typed at lightning speed.
Wen Yunsheng: [Yes]
The other side suddenly went quiet.
Half a minute later, Ji Beicun replied: [You’re something else!]
Wen Yunsheng couldn’t help but smile. [Are you back in the country?]
[I came back and didn’t even have anyone to pick me up!!!]
Wen Yunsheng: [You’re lucky you didn’t get a beating as soon as you got home.]
[!!!]
[Wen Yunsheng, have you been ruining my reputation again?!]
As if his reputation needed her to ruin it.
Wen Yunsheng typed: [Xiao Xi and I will treat you to a welcome dinner tomorrow.]
[OK!]
Just as Wen Yunsheng was about to send a message to Lin Xi, she heard a low voice whisper right behind her ear: “Sister.”
Wen Yunsheng jumped, nearly dropping her phone. She whipped around to find Qin Cisui’s face looming close.
He was crouched behind the back of the sofa, only his head visible, staring straight at her—a somewhat eerie sight.
“What are you doing here?”
Even someone as patient as Wen Yunsheng couldn’t help but frown.
Qin Cisui grinned ingratiatingly. “Sister, I need your help with something.”
Wen Yunsheng had already guessed as much.
If he wasn’t asking for a favor, he wouldn’t be calling her “sister” so affectionately.
Wen Yunsheng turned off her phone screen and asked, “What is it?”
Qin Cisui vaulted over the back of the sofa in one swift motion, landing beside her and taking a seat.
Wen Yunsheng was used to it.
Apart from being surprised by how much he’d grown on the first day back, everything else about him remained unchanged.
“Sister, the school is having a parent-teacher meeting. Mom, Dad, and Brother are all busy. Can you go for me?” Qin Cisui grinned.
Wen Yunsheng: “…”
“Did you cause trouble at school again?”
Qin Cisui getting into trouble at school was nothing new, and parent-teacher meetings inevitably meant facing the consequences.
In this family, Wen Yunsheng had the softest temper, making her the perfect choice for such troubles—at least she wouldn’t hit him.”No!” Qin Cisui raised her voice, then met Wen Yunsheng’s calm gaze and gave a guilty, awkward laugh. “Just a little bit.”
“Sis, sister, I just don’t want to upset Mom and Dad. You know they’re getting older, and they’ve finally been in a better mood these past few days. It’s not worth it for them to get angry over me again! Besides, my brother is so busy. Look, could you help me out?”
Qin Cisui shook her arm.
“Sis, sister.”
Wen Yunsheng had no choice but to agree. “When?”
“Tomorrow morning!”