Upon seeing the amount, Yu Xin felt a surge of profound respect. “Thank you so much! Please, make yourselves at home!”
Finally, it was her turn! The God of Wealth had just burst through the door!
Yu Xin’s footsteps were practically floating as she walked out. Thank the God of Wealth, thank Wen Zhao. Being a woman herself, Yu Xin keenly realized exactly who the “God of Wealth” had come for and tactfully left to give them space.
Wen Zhao remained seated on the wooden chair, not standing up even after Yu Xin’s footsteps faded away. The two were at a deadlock, an undercurrent of emotion surging back and forth between them. When a notification sound chimed, Wen Zhao finally said, “I’m leaving.”
Actually, Wen Zhao wanted to ask: Why are you here? Is your injury better? Don’t do this again in the future.
With every step she took toward Zheng Miaoning, Wen Zhao said a sentence in her heart. But her gaze never met hers. At this moment, Wen Zhao was approaching Zheng Miaoning, but after passing through the closest distance, every further step was a step away from her.
“Going to see Qin Zhuyu, your… prospective lover?”
As they were about to brush past each other, Zheng Miaoning suddenly spoke, her voice incredibly hoarse. She seemed more miserable than she had ever been.
Wen Zhao’s heart couldn’t help but tremble. She wanted to explain that it was just something Qin Zhuyu had said in passing—in reality, her contract with Qin Zhuyu was expiring next week. But not explaining was better for both of them. If such a lie could make Zheng Miaoning give up, Wen Zhao was willing to let it stand.
“I’m sorry.”
Without thinking, Zheng Miaoning grabbed Wen Zhao’s wrist, gently stroking the small protruding bone of her white wrist. Her words were accompanied by falling tears. The five fingers gripping her wrist were trembling.
Wen Zhao frowned, staring at those hands. On the back of the hand, which was turning blue from the cold, the needle mark from an IV was incredibly glaring. Her knuckles were more prominent, and her wrist was thinner; she had definitely lost a lot of weight.
Wen Zhao inhaled, her other hand covering Zheng Miaoning’s trembling hand. She told herself: Just this once, the very last time.
“Don’t say you’re sorry.” Wen Zhao finally found the courage to look at her.
Two pairs of moist eyes met; both wanted to drown in the other’s gaze.
Given Zheng Miaoning’s usual temper, what she had said to Yu Xin would definitely not have been something as civil as “Let me make a donation.” She was the type to stir up trouble even when she was in the wrong. She hated it most when Wen Zhao gave her attention to others; anyone who received Wen Zhao’s gaze became a target of her resentment.
Why was it different this time?
Wen Zhao had already suspected it while sitting on the wooden chair, and hearing “I’m sorry” confirmed it. Zheng Miaoning knew something.
After saying that sentence, Zheng Miaoning fell silent, merely staring stubbornly at Wen Zhao. Her gaze traveled from her shimmering hair to her moist eyes, her nose, her lips, her chin, her collarbone, the neckline of her sweater, and… deeper.
Finally, it was Wen Zhao who compromised. She took another step back. “At least… don’t retaliate against them.”
Wen Zhao wasn’t sure exactly what Zheng Miaoning knew. Perhaps she knew Wen Zhao had been bullied by Zheng Miaoning’s followers; perhaps she knew Wen Zhao had been forced away by Zheng Miaoning’s parents; perhaps she knew everything. Regardless, Wen Zhao didn’t want Zheng Miaoning to be angry and seek revenge. These weren’t plot points in the original book; the more she did, the more the original story drifted.
“You’re too late,” Zheng Miaoning said in a very low voice.
Wen Zhao didn’t hear clearly and leaned forward. “What?”
Zheng Miaoning flipped her hand to pin both of Wen Zhao’s hands, pulled her into her embrace, and without a word, wrapped them both in her overcoat. Half-hugging and half-carrying her, she led Wen Zhao toward the exit.
“I said, it’s too late.”
Those four words were the last thing Wen Zhao wanted to hear. She wanted to push Zheng Miaoning away and demand to know what she had done, but Zheng Miaoning’s strength was surprisingly great.
Seeing her struggle, Zheng Miaoning explained considerately, “I found out about them bullying you a long time ago. If you wanted to stop me, you should have come to me sooner. It’s far too late for that now.”
“There is only one way to make me behave.” “Only if you are by my side.” “Ma-ma.”
Zheng Miaoning whispered that address almost directly into Wen Zhao’s ear. A warm current of air brushed past her sensitive ear, and Wen Zhao instinctively closed her eyes.
It wasn’t until she heard Zheng Miaoning’s laugh that Wen Zhao realized something was wrong. She wrenched her hand away from Zheng Miaoning’s grip and ran forward.
The bell rang; the children’s classes were over. Wen Zhao glared back at Zheng Miaoning. Continuing to run would allow the children to see her scuffling with someone; not running would only lead to one result.
Wen Zhao bit her lip, grabbed Zheng Miaoning’s hand, walked quickly around a pillar, and led her out of the orphanage from another side.
Passing through the ornate iron gates, Zheng Miaoning slowed her pace. The distance between them gradually increased, but their hands remained joined. To be precise, Zheng Miaoning refused to let go.
“It hurts,” Zheng Miaoning said suddenly.
Wen Zhao stopped and resignedly waited for her to catch up. “If your injuries haven’t healed, you should be lying in the hospital. Why are you running around?”
Zheng Miaoning looked down, putting on a pitiful act. “But I’m about to lose you.”
Wen Zhao retorted, “Lose? When did you ever have me?”
“Of course it was…”
“Enough!”
In front of Zheng Miaoning, Wen Zhao’s “bottom line” was as hard as a cotton ball. Not knowing what spine-tingling thing Zheng Miaoning was about to say, Wen Zhao simply reached out and covered her mouth to end it.
After a moment of peace, Zheng Miaoning made a pained expression. Wen Zhao thought she had accidentally touched her injury and hurriedly let go, not daring to touch her again.
“You’re still so easy to trick.” Her shoulders were pinned, and before her were Zheng Miaoning’s smiling eyes. Wen Zhao closed her eyes in frustration.
Forget it, forget it—this is the daughter I wrote myself. Endure.
Interrupted by Zheng Miaoning, Wen Zhao forgot what she had been about to ask until she was ushered into the car.
“Wait.” Hearing the car doors lock, Wen Zhao was startled and tried to open the door.
“What should I do, Sister Zhao? Too late again.” Zheng Miaoning gave her a playful wink.
Wen Zhao was so angry she wanted to hit her. Curiously, no matter how much Qin Zhuyu acted out in the beginning, Wen Zhao never felt this way. Perhaps she had looked after too many children and her patience was exhausted. Wen Zhao kept telling herself to stay calm and be kind to the injured person.
The engine roared. Wen Zhao knew there was no point in struggling, so she gave in and leaned back to rest. As for Qin Zhuyu, who had just messaged her, Wen Zhao pulled out her phone and replied: Discussing teaching plans, see you tomorrow.
This was why Wen Zhao was afraid to see Zheng Miaoning. Once they were alone, as long as Zheng Miaoning was willing to act shamelessly, Wen Zhao was doomed to lose. Her win rate was actually 0%. Thinking about this, Wen Zhao was almost amused by her own lack of a backbone.
“Shall we go to the Ferris Wheel Restaurant?” the neglected Zheng Miaoning asked slyly.
Wen Zhao: “Eating a Ferris wheel is bad for the stomach.”
“Then let’s eat a carousel. Wood is easier to digest than iron wheels.”
“Wood fiber gets stuck in your teeth.”
Zheng Miaoning gasped. “In that case, there’s only one choice left.”
Wen Zhao opened her eyes to look at her. “What choice?”
“Let’s go eat some food made of plants and animals,” Zheng Miaoning replied seriously.
Since she was already trapped in the car, Wen Zhao had no power to resist. She closed her eyes again. “Whatever.”
Pedestrians and vehicles flowed past the car window; the glass created a quiet, warm space for them. Sitting in the passenger seat, Wen Zhao felt drowsy. Before sleep took her, she thought: With Zheng Miaoning’s donation, the orphanage should be able to hire a group of certified teachers, right?
Well, if not, she would think of another way.
In the end, Zheng Miaoning drove the car to the base of the Ferris wheel. After getting out, Wen Zhao looked at her, then at the Ferris wheel.
“I told you, it’s the Ferris Wheel Restaurant,” Zheng Miaoning smiled. To prevent her from running away, Zheng Miaoning had gotten out first, personally opened the door for Wen Zhao, led her out, and never let go of her hand.
The Ferris wheel, several stories high, stood still. The reception staff waiting below saw Zheng Miaoning and walked over quickly and steadily, inviting Zheng Miaoning and Wen Zhao over.
Through the transparent shell, Wen Zhao saw steaming dishes laid out on a small table inside the Ferris wheel carriage, clearly prepared and placed there at the precise moment.
“You really are…” Wen Zhao shook her head.
Zheng Miaoning pulled her toward the Ferris wheel, still acting shamelessly. “Shh, don’t scold me yet. Talk after we eat. No matter what it is, please finish this meal with me first.”
“I beg you… Mama.”