Wen Shihan carried Wen Le and Wen Yi downstairs.
Wen Lun, who had been watching the scene unfold, draped an arm over Xia Zhi’s shoulder and imitated Wen Shihan’s tone, lowering his voice as he said, “Don’t worry, even adding you in, I still wouldn’t hurt my back.”
Xia Zhi shot Wen Lun a resentful look. Do you know how much I want to smack you right now?
Wen Lun seemed to understand the meaning in her eyes. Before she could act, he quickly slipped away.
Wen Yu, with a black backpack slung over one shoulder, passed by Xia Zhi and said casually, “Mom, you should have jumped onto Dad just now and tested whether his back would hold.”
Xia Zhi: “…”
Wen Yu, weren’t you supposed to be the gentle prince? When did you become so good at teasing people?
At this point, Xia Zhi finally understood. Every member of the Wen family was cunning. There was not a single innocent little lamb among them. Even if there were, they were wolves in sheep’s clothing.
When the family sat together for breakfast, Wen Le’s sharp eyes caught sight of the rings on Xia Zhi and Wen Shihan’s hands. He let out a small cry. “Mom, Dad, you’re finally wearing your rings.”
Xia Zhi responded with a soft “mm.” Since she had promised the children, she would not go back on her word. Today was Monday, her first time taking the children to school since arriving twenty years into the future, so she chose this day to put on the ring, treating it as a small personal ritual.
But she…
Xia Zhi’s gaze drifted toward Wen Shihan.
She had not expected him to choose today to put on his wedding ring as well. She had thought it would take him a long time.
However, the children seemed to think that simply putting the rings back on like this was too casual. They immediately started coming up with all sorts of ideas, especially Wen Lun, who had the most.
“Mom, Dad, since you’ve put your rings back on, shouldn’t there be some kind of ceremony?” Wen Lun said.
Wen Shihan cast him a cool glance. “What kind of ceremony do you have in mind?”
“Of course, exchanging rings.”
Wen Yu rarely agreed with Wen Lun. “I think that makes sense too.”
“Yes, yes,” Wen Yi and Wen Le chimed in, fully supporting their older brothers.
Under the hopeful gazes of the four children, Wen Shihan’s expression turned serious as he said in a low voice, “I think it’s time to hold a family discipline ceremony instead.”
Wen Yu: “…”
Wen Lun: “…”
Wen Le: “…”
Wen Yi: “…”
The four children immediately fell silent and obediently focused on eating their breakfast, not daring to push any further.
After breakfast, their driver, Old Li, brought around a seven-seater extended Rolls-Royce. It was many times more expensive than the G-Class that had picked them up from the hospital that day. No wonder Wen Lun had said the G-Class was the cheapest car in the family. Xia Zhi had thought he was exaggerating, but after returning to the Wen household, she realized there had not been any exaggeration at all. If anything, it had been understated.
All four children attended the same private international school. The families of the students there were either wealthy or powerful. It was said that each child’s annual tuition alone cost one million. Even so, countless parents still tried to get their children in every year, which made admission spots extremely limited. Children had to pass both written tests and interviews to gain entry, making the competition extremely fierce.
As the Maybach gradually approached the school, Xia Zhi finally experienced what “wealthy and powerful” truly looked like.
Both sides of the road were lined with luxury cars dropping off students. Ferraris, Porsches, Lamborghinis, Maybachs, Aston Martins, it looked like a luxury car exhibition, dazzling to the eye.
For the first time, Xia Zhi felt like a country bumpkin. She pressed herself against the car window, curiously taking it all in. Growing up, she had always attended ordinary public schools, where most parents used electric scooters to drop off their children. Cars were rare, let alone luxury ones. She had never seen even a single one before.
The Rolls-Royce stopped at the school entrance. The gates were built from expensive stone, engraved with intricate and artistic patterns, grand and imposing. Inside stood Gothic-style buildings, every detail exuding prestige.
“Mom, are you envious? Do you want to study here too?” Wen Lun teased.
Xia Zhi nodded absentmindedly.
Wen Lun immediately started giving ridiculous suggestions. “You look young. If you wear a school uniform, you could probably sneak in.”
Xia Zhi replied, “Where would I even get a school uniform?”
Wen Lun said, “Wear mine. I’ll reluctantly lend my school uniform to you today, Mom.”
Xia Zhi shot him a cool glance. “Reluctantly, my foot. I think you just don’t want to go to school today.”
Laughter erupted from the other children in the car.
Wen Lun was thick-skinned. “Mom, how can you judge a gentleman with such a petty mindset?”
Xia Zhi pushed open the Rolls-Royce door. “Gentleman, get out of the car. It’s time for you to go to class.”
“Hahaha,” Wen Le was already laughing so hard he was bent over.
Wen Lun shot Wen Le a fierce glare.
Xia Zhi and Wen Shihan stayed in the car, watching as the four children went inside.
Wen Yi and Wen Le chased each other as they ran in. Wen Lun slung an arm around Wen Yu’s neck, his backpack dangling behind him, looking as carefree as could be. Wen Yu seemed a bit annoyed. He shook off Wen Lun’s arm and quietly moved a little farther away from him.
Suddenly, a girl in a school uniform with a ponytail walked quickly up to Wen Yu. They seemed to know each other. She patted his shoulder, and when Wen Yu turned to look at her, the slight frown on his face disappeared, replaced by his usual gentle and refined expression.
Wen Lun, standing nearby, let out a mischievous whistle as if enjoying the show. Wen Yu swung his backpack off his shoulder and smacked it against Wen Lun’s backside, making Wen Lun jump and clutch his butt in exaggerated pain. The scene was quite comical.
Xia Zhi widened her eyes and pressed her face close to the car window, holding her breath as she stared at the girl beside Wen Yu. Unfortunately, the girl had her back to her. No matter how hard Xia Zhi tried, she could not see her face. From her straight posture alone, she could tell the girl had a good temperament.
As a would-be mother-in-law, Xia Zhi grew more excited the longer she looked. That boy Wen Yu was quite something, quietly getting things done without making a fuss.
Eager to talk to someone, Xia Zhi completely forgot Wen Shihan’s status for a moment. She reached out and grabbed his arm, shaking it excitedly. “Look over there.”
Wen Shihan pressed his lips together and glanced at the arm she was holding, his expression unreadable.
Only then did Xia Zhi realize what she had done. The heat in her head cooled instantly. She quickly withdrew her hand and said awkwardly, “Boss, sorry.”
Fortunately, Wen Shihan was broad-minded and did not say anything. Xia Zhi let out a relieved breath.
Wen Shihan shifted his gaze to the campus outside the window. It seemed he was also quite concerned about his son.
Xia Zhi quickly leaned back toward the window as well.
The girl in the school uniform was walking side by side with Wen Yu. She said something, and Wen Yu, who was usually calm and composed, broke into a smile. The smile even carried a hint of boyish awkwardness.
Youth really was wonderful.
Xia Zhi could not help thinking of her own dull high school years. There had been no dramatic stories, only the monotonous routine of focusing solely on studies, ignoring everything else. Endless exercises, monthly exams, and rankings filled her days, leaving no room for anything beyond academics.
“Boss, do you think Wen Yu likes that girl?”
“Possibly.”
Xia Zhi’s eyes curved into a smile. “Right? He’s usually so serious, always speaking so formally, but he smiled at her just now. He’s never smiled like that at us.”
Wen Yu’s personality was the most similar to Wen Shihan’s. Neither of them easily showed their emotions. Yet he smiled at that girl like that. Xia Zhi refused to believe there was nothing going on.
As she continued smiling, her expression suddenly stiffened. Right now, she and Wen Shihan felt just like a real married couple, casually discussing their child together. The feeling was strange. Just a few days ago, they had been nothing more than ordinary boss and subordinate.
The car started moving, and the scenery outside sped backward.
Xia Zhi remained lost in her thoughts. When she finally looked up and glanced outside, she turned back to Wen Shihan in confusion. “Boss, this doesn’t seem like the way home.”
“Of course not.”
Xia Zhi: “??”
Wen Shihan adjusted the watch on his wrist and said, “We’re heading to Wenyue Group.”
Xia Zhi: “!!!”
“Boss, are we going to…”
“That’s right, to find the person who embezzled company funds.”
They could have asked Assistant Song about Manager Zheng earlier, but Wen Shihan had said that some things were more interesting when left unknown until they were personally uncovered.
She had not expected him to move on this matter so quickly.
As expected of a former top executive, his decisiveness was impressive.
The car sped along the wide road. Xia Zhi leaned against the window, watching the scenery rush by, her heart pounding wildly at the thought of arriving at Wenyue Group.
That was the place where she had worked for two years, and also where the elevator accident had happened. She had long wanted to go back and see whether Manager Zheng was still there.
And yet…
Perhaps it was what people called feeling timid when nearing a familiar place. The closer they got to Wenyue Group, the faster her heart pounded, as if it might leap right out of her chest.
The car slowed down, turning a corner Xia Zhi knew by heart. The towering building of Wenyue Group gradually came into view, like an iceberg emerging from the sea. The forty-story structure stood like a steel giant in the prime CBD area, grand and imposing, commanding admiration.
Xia Zhi still remembered the day she came for her interview. She had stood beneath this very building, looking up for a long time, her blood surging with excitement as she silently repeated to herself that she had to work here. In the end, she really did spend two years working here. If not for that peculiar manager, she thought she might have stayed until retirement.
Xia Zhi pressed the button beside the car door, slowly lowering the window. Her gaze traveled from the base of the building all the way to the top, finally settling on the four large characters, “Wenyue Group.” The bright red lettering gleamed, polished to perfection, visible even from a distance.
What surprised her even more was that after twenty years, both the structure and the exterior of the building remained exactly the same, giving her the strange illusion that she had returned to twenty years ago.
The car finally came to a stop in front of Wenyue Group.
At this moment, Xia Zhi’s heart was no longer pounding as fast as it had been on the way here. Instead, she felt a kind of resigned boldness, as if to say, since I am already here, I might as well just go in.
Her hand rested on the door handle. Just as she was about to push the door open, it was respectfully opened from the outside.
Looking up, she saw a large crowd gathered outside the car. Assistant Song had brought a group of Wenyue Group employees downstairs to welcome her and Wen Shihan.
On the way here, Wen Shihan had mentioned that Assistant Song was now the CEO of Wenyue Group, in charge of all major and minor operational matters within the company.
Hearing that earlier, Xia Zhi had felt a warm surge of gratitude. Despite being so busy, Assistant Song had still found time to help her check the utility meters. She had been determined to thank him in person.
But now, seeing him leading such a large group to greet them, only one thought flashed through her mind.
Was this not a bit too exaggerated?
She had never seen such a scene before and froze on the spot as if under a spell.
Calm down.
Xia Zhi, you can do this.
She took a deep breath, slowly stepped out of the car, and straightened herself. Wen Shihan followed behind her and stood by her side, tall and composed, completely unfazed by the grand reception, forming a stark contrast with Xia Zhi.
Then again, Wen Shihan had already been the head of Wenyue Group twenty years ago. He must have seen even grander scenes than this, so how could he be intimidated by something like this?
As soon as Xia Zhi and Wen Shihan stepped out, the employees who had been waiting eagerly gathered around.
“Boss,” they called out in unison to Wen Shihan.
Their gazes then shifted to Xia Zhi as they said, “Madam.”
Xia Zhi’s breath caught in her throat.
They… were calling her Madam.
Her emotions twisted and turned like a winding mountain road. Not long ago, she had been just a low-level employee at Wenyue Group, bullied by her manager and ostracized by her colleagues, eventually forced to leave. And now, she had become the boss’s wife.
It felt completely unreal.
Even more unbelievable was that among the employees welcoming them, Xia Zhi spotted a familiar face.
“Xiao Lu?” she called out in surprise.
Before she traveled twenty years into the future, Lu Minjie had just graduated from university and joined the company as a management trainee, rotating through various departments. During one of his rotations, he had been assigned to her department. The colleagues there did not want the extra workload of mentoring a newcomer, so they all refused, and Manager Zheng naturally pushed the task onto Xia Zhi.
In that sense, Xia Zhi had been half a mentor to him.
Lu Minjie had stayed in her department for three weeks. During that time, Xia Zhi had done her best to guide him. On the day his rotation ended, he bought her milk tea and pizza and said a bit shyly, “Shifu, I’m still an intern, and most of my pay goes to living expenses, so I don’t have much money. This is all I could get you, I hope you don’t mind.”
“This is more than enough, how could I mind?” Xia Zhi had replied.
She had already been pleasantly surprised that he thought to get her anything at all.
“That’s good.” Lu Minjie smiled broadly, showing all his teeth.
Before leaving, he turned back and said, “Shifu, there’s something I don’t know if I should say.”
“Go ahead.”
With her encouragement, he spoke without holding back. “This is the worst department I’ve been in within the group.”
The smile on Xia Zhi’s face froze. She thought perhaps she had not done well enough as a mentor and asked hesitantly, “Did I do something wrong?”
“No, Shifu, you did very well. It’s just that the leadership here only cares about appearances and has no real leadership qualities. The colleagues undermine each other, and there’s no sense of basic human warmth. I really don’t understand how you’ve managed to stay in such an environment for so long.”
Xia Zhi: “…”
His words left her speechless.
After a moment, she silently answered in her heart.
Because I’m poor.
She could not afford to lose this job. Otherwise, she might not even be able to pay next month’s rent.
“Shifu, you should transfer to another department,” Lu Minjie had suggested.
In truth, Xia Zhi had long wanted to transfer. Working in the branding department had been suffocating, taking a toll on both her physical and mental health. But transferring was not something that could be done so easily. Over the past few months, she had quietly inquired about departments with openings and even approached them privately. However, one department head had reported her inquiry to Manager Zheng, who flew into a rage and told her that if she did not want to stay, she could leave, and that he would never allow her to transfer.
That path had been completely cut off.
So when Lu Minjie brought it up, Xia Zhi could only respond with an awkward smile.
Now, twenty years had passed in the blink of an eye. The twenty-two-year-old young man who once advised her to transfer was still at Wenyue Group. Time had changed him greatly. Now forty-two, his face bore the marks of age. His once smooth skin had grown rough, and though he did not have a beer belly, his once thick hair had largely receded, leaving a noticeable bald patch that gleamed under the sunlight.
Clearly, not everyone could age as well as Wen Shihan.
Thinking about it that way, her boss only had a few strands of gray at his temples, while the rest of his hair remained firmly in place, complementing his handsome features.
If her boss had gone bald too…
Xia Zhi quickly cut off that train of thought. The image was too much for her to handle.