Wen Yunsheng was downstairs chatting with Aunt Jin.
Looking up, she saw Qin Yanchuan walking down from upstairs.
“Yanchuan, it’s getting late. Have dinner at home,” Aunt Jin said.
Qin Yanchuan descended the stairs. “No need, I have a dinner engagement tonight.”
“Then drive carefully on your way.”
Qin Yanchuan gave a slight nod and glanced at Wen Yunsheng sitting nearby.
For some reason, Wen Yunsheng felt a sudden chill. She straightened her back. “Take care on your way, Brother Yanchuan.”
Qin Yanchuan coldly shifted his gaze away and strode off.
Wen Yunsheng was puzzled. Why was he so angry?
Did Qin Cisui talk back to him?
But Qin Cisui wouldn’t have the guts, would he?
Aunt Jin sighed. “Your Uncle Qin was really angry today. He gave him three hard whacks with a stick. I saw the injuries on his back—they were terrifying.”
“Don’t worry. Didn’t the doctor just say it’s only superficial wounds? Applying some medicine and resting for a few days will heal them. Uncle wouldn’t really go all out, would he?”
“That kid deserves a beating! How much trouble has he caused? His brother has cleaned up his messes several times, but he hasn’t restrained himself at all. Instead, he’s become even more reckless. I really don’t know what to do with him.”
Aunt Jin rubbed her forehead, feeling troubled.
“Although A-Ci is a bit reckless, he’s definitely not a person with ill intentions. Adolescence always comes with some rebellion,” Wen Yunsheng comforted.
Aunt Jin snorted. “Only he’s rebellious? I’ve never seen you rebel, nor Yanchuan rebel…”
As she spoke, Aunt Jin suddenly paused.
She waved her hand. “Alright, alright, I’m too tired to care. Let’s eat first.”
Wen Yunsheng nodded. “Mm.”
Early the next morning, Wen Yunsheng attended two more interviews.
In the evening, she headed to a Spanish restaurant. As soon as she entered, she saw two people sitting by the window excitedly waving at her.
Wen Yunsheng smiled and quickened her pace to walk over. “Sorry I’m late.”
“Do you have any sincerity? Today is my welcome-back dinner, and you’re late. You’re paying!”
Ji Beicun lounged casually in the sofa chair, arms resting on the armrests. He wore trendy clothes, with a slightly tousled hairstyle featuring a few strands dyed in off-white gray. A sapphire earring adorned his ear, and his handsome features were both bold and unrestrained.
Lin Xi rolled her eyes. “Ji Beicun, are you even a man?”
Wen Yunsheng smiled and pulled out a chair to sit down. “I’ll pay.”
“Shengsheng, don’t spoil him.”
Ji Beicun snorted lightly. “What do you mean spoil? I’ve endured humiliation and shouldered burdens to take care of her these years in England. One must know how to be grateful, Lin Xi. Do you understand?”
Lin Xi’s eyes nearly rolled to the back of her head. “Oh, please! You have the nerve to say you took care of her! You were busy chasing girls all day—where exactly did you take care of her?”
“Hey, watch your words! You make it sound like I prioritize romance over friendship. Ask Yun Sheng—when it mattered, didn’t I step up every time? Besides, I even sacrificed my precious reputation!”
Once Ji Beicun started complaining, he couldn’t stop. “The day before yesterday, as soon as I returned, my old man lectured me, saying I’m fickle and play with people’s feelings.”
“You know how much my old man likes Yun Sheng. He said I was blind to let go of such a wonderful girl and fool around outside, making me sound like a heartless scoundrel!”
Most people in their circle knew that Wen Yunsheng had studied abroad with Ji Beicun years ago.Everyone believed that Wen Yunsheng, the well-behaved girl, had lost her head and been tricked into falling for Ji Beicun, that reckless troublemaker. She was dead set on him and wouldn’t consider anyone else, yet Ji Beicun didn’t know how to cherish her.
This made Ji Beicun’s already terrible reputation even worse.
Lin Xi laughed heartily: “You totally deserve it!”
Ji Beicun looked at Wen Yunsheng with resentment: “Wen Yunsheng, my reputation is ruined because of you. You have to take responsibility for me.”
“Give it a rest!” Lin Xi scolded, “You, a dirty cucumber, still have the nerve to talk about reputation.”
Ji Beicun: “…”
Ji Beicun, flustered and exasperated, retorted: “I haven’t been in a relationship for a whole year!”
Lin Xi exaggerated her tone: “Wow, so impressive. Should we give you an award certificate?”
“Lin Xi!”
Wen Yunsheng couldn’t help but laugh: “Stop messing around, you two.”
Ji Beicun snorted heavily and turned his head away.
Soon, the waitstaff began serving the dishes.
As they started eating, the atmosphere eased once again. The few of them had practically grown up together, and it had always been like this—their arguments never lasted more than three minutes.
“Have you found a job yet?” Ji Beicun asked.
“Still looking. I just had two interviews today.”
“Why go through all that trouble? Just come to my family’s company. I’ll have a word with the old man—he’d definitely be happy to have you!”
Wen Yunsheng shook her head: “I want to find one on my own. Besides, your family runs hotels, which isn’t really related to my field.”
“Then let me help you look. With our relationship, there’s no need to be polite.”
Wen Yunsheng scooped a spoonful of cream of mushroom soup and slowly brought it to her lips. “I want to find a new environment.”
“What kind of environment?”
“An environment where no one knows Wen Yunsheng.”
Wen Yunsheng pursed her lips. “A fresh start.”
The identity of the Qin family’s second daughter weighed too heavily on her.
She curved her lips again. “Besides, both interviews today went pretty well. There’s a good chance I’ll find a job.”
Lin Xi grinned and slung an arm over her shoulder. “Alright! I’ll support you no matter what you do!”
Ji Beicun also raised his glass. “No more talking—let’s toast!”
The three of them clinked glasses together.
After drinking half a glass of red wine, a faint blush spread across Wen Yunsheng’s cheeks. She flushed easily with just a little alcohol, so she drank sparingly.
Wen Yunsheng suddenly remembered something and asked, “Why did you come back a few days late?”
Ji Beicun had gone to England purely to gild his credentials—his family had paid to get him in. He never took his studies seriously and had already received his diploma long ago. If he hadn’t been waiting for Wen Yunsheng, he could have returned to China a month earlier.
Wen Yunsheng really couldn’t think of any “urgent matter” that might have suddenly held him up.
“Was it another romantic entanglement?” Lin Xi clicked her tongue.
“Nonsense! I’ve turned over a new leaf—I’m completely clean now!”
Lin Xi rolled her eyes again. “Then what held you up?”
Ji Beicun’s eyes flickered, and his tone stiffened. “It was important business, that’s all.”
Lin Xi narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
Ji Beicun changed the subject and asked Yun Sheng, “How have you been since coming back?”
“Pretty good.”
Ji Beicun hesitated before asking, “What about your brother…?”
Wen Yunsheng pressed her lips together. “What happened four years ago—he’s long since moved on.”
Ji Beicun was taken aback.
Lin Xi also nodded. “I think so too. Yun Sheng lives at home now, while Brother Yanchuan lives outside. They hardly see each other. He didn’t even come to the airport to pick Yun Sheng up when she returned.”
In the past, that would have been absolutely impossible.
Everyone knew that Young Master Qin doted on Yun Sheng the most.Lin Xi spoke, then suddenly paused, eyeing Ji Beicun suspiciously. “You’re not afraid to go back to the country with Yun Sheng, are you? Scared of running into her brother?”
Ji Beicun instantly bristled. “What nonsense are you spouting?! How could I possibly be scared of that?!”
“Hard to say. Someone might have a guilty conscience, afraid her brother will beat you up.”
“I’ve never been afraid of anything!”
Lin Xi suddenly looked past Ji Beicun and called out, “Young Master Qin.”
Wen Yunsheng was taken aback and glanced over.
Ji Beicun jumped up with a start, turning stiffly to look behind him.
There was no one there.
Lin Xi burst into laughter.
Wen Yunsheng: “…”
Ji Beicun’s face turned livid with anger, his teeth clenched. “Lin Xi!”
“You say you’re not scared, so why are you so nervous?”
Lin Xi clicked his tongue. “Come to think of it, it makes sense. His well-behaved and sensible little sister gets whisked away by some white-haired punk—if he beats you up, you’d deserve it.”
Wen Yunsheng, however, said seriously, “My brother never hits people.”
Lin Xi nodded. “That’s true. Brother Yanchuan has always been steady since childhood, not like Ji Beicun.”
Among the younger generation of their circle, Qin Yanchuan was undoubtedly the most outstanding. He had been exceptionally talented since childhood, steady in his actions, unflappable in the face of change, and always in control of any situation. No one had ever seen him lose his composure.
Ji Beicun’s eyes flickered slightly. He swallowed hard, his face tense, and said nothing.