Chapter Eleven: Strange Changes

When Wen Jingxing returned to his room, he sat at the desk and began handling the documents his secretary had sent him. The production team originally forbade guests from bringing electronic devices. But Wen Jingxing’s workload was so immense that it couldn’t be delayed for a month, so Li Weiwei eventually agreed, with the condition that phones and computers must not leave the villa.

At that moment, Wen Jingxing’s phone, lying on the table, chimed. He picked it up and saw another new link from his secretary, Chen Shaoyuan. Before he clicked on it, he noticed the headline: “Suspected Collapse of Third Fiancée’s Public Persona in the Wen Family.” Recalling Song Waning’s determined efforts to complete her task today, he assumed the discussion would be about that. But when he opened the link, he saw:

“Song Waning coldly ignored Young Master Wen at first, suspected of regretting, then later staged an affectionate gaze at him, only to be met with Wen’s cold face. For details, see the video below.”

Below, a crowd mocked and commented: “Love that comes late is worth less than weeds!” Wen Jingxing remembered the incident; he had noticed Song Waning staring at him persistently, but when he stood up, her expression seemed off? As for his cold demeanor, he rarely smiled—he always had been that way.

He let out a faint, derisive laugh. With no concrete evidence, the media still spun wild tales. He rather hoped Song Waning truly had gazed at him so affectionately...

He was about to reply that there was no need to bother, when a new message arrived.

Chen Shaoyuan: “Young Master Wen, should we remove this trending topic?”

He had previously instructed his staff never to intervene in trending topics related to Song Waning. Only when the Wen family got involved did the trending topic about Song Waning’s alleged arrogance get taken down. Even so, Wen Jingxing found it odd—Song Waning was not a celebrity, so there was no reason for her to be trending so often.

He edited his reply and sent it back.

Wen Jingxing: “Don’t take it down. Investigate carefully—find out who’s behind these trending topics.”

On the other end, Chen Shaoyuan stared at his phone as if he’d seen a ghost. Wasn’t Young Master Wen always reluctant to be linked with Song Waning? Why the sudden change today?

Though puzzled, Chen Shaoyuan quickly handled the task.

On the morning of the third day, Song Waning didn’t have to participate in any tasks, but she still got up early.

“You’re awake?” Wen Jingxing greeted her as soon as she stepped out of her bedroom.

He was sitting in the same spot as yesterday, dressed again in black casual wear.

“…Yes, good morning.” Song Waning, accustomed to Wen Jingxing’s cold, distant manner, felt uneasy at his sudden warmth. She hadn’t said much to him yesterday; why such a change?

With suspicion gnawing at her, Song Waning found it harder to stay in the villa. She turned and went downstairs.

Since she had no tasks today, she wandered idly around the resort. Spring had long passed; it was now the height of summer, yet the gardens were still in full bloom.

When she tired of walking, Song Waning found a quiet corridor to rest. The corridor ran about ten meters, connecting two gardens on either side. Above, vines covered the walkway, dotted with clusters of blue flowers. Below, wooden planks paved the floor.

It was a secluded spot, with few people but pleasantly cool—an ideal place to relax.

Song Waning dragged a lounge chair to the far end of the corridor and lay down.

In the livestream, viewers watched Song Waning enjoying a life of leisure—no work, plenty to eat and play—and were filled with envy.

“Wow, I’m so jealous of Song Waning’s life right now.”
“It’s all thanks to her cooking skills—she won the contest.”
“What do cooking skills matter? Her character is still questionable.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“What do I mean? Didn’t you see last night’s trending topic?”

The cheerful, relaxed atmosphere in the livestream instantly turned into a heated battleground.

“You people are so strange—Song Waning hasn’t offended you, yet you refuse to let her be!”
“We’re just standing up for what’s right!”
“Exactly, Song Waning is just worthless.”

No matter how fierce the quarrel in the livestream, it didn’t disturb Song Waning as she napped on the lounge chair. Not only could she not see those infuriating comments, even if she did, she wouldn’t care.

In her past life, she was an emperor; even after ascending the throne, many were dissatisfied with her. Those people, driven by self-interest, were capable of murder without blinking.

Later, Song Waning ensured they would never speak again.

So, in her eyes, those who only wagged their tongues were like clawless beasts—adorably harmless.

She didn’t know how much time had passed when hurried footsteps echoed from the other end of the corridor. The sound drew closer, but Song Waning didn’t open her eyes.

She didn’t need to; she recognized the sound.

The footsteps were sharp and crisp, and among those she knew, only Shen Yue liked wearing little leather boots with hard heels. Stylish, but far too warm.

A sweet, feminine voice called out, “Hey! You’re just lying here. Why aren’t you coming to help me?”

Song Waning ignored her.

The voice grew angrier and, as Shen Yue approached, she began to push Song Waning.

Only then did Song Waning reluctantly open her eyes to look at Shen Yue.

Her gaze was cold. Shen Yue’s cheeks were flushed, her forehead beaded with sweat, and she was panting heavily.

Shen Yue’s almond-shaped eyes widened as though she’d suffered some great grievance. “I called you just now—why did you ignore me? What are you pretending for?”

“Are you out of your mind? Did you call my name? Why should I pay attention to you?”

Her three pointed questions left Shen Yue speechless and even blushing with embarrassment.

But Shen Yue retorted, “I carried all this heavy stuff—it’s only right for you to help me!”

Song Waning knew Shen Yue was a delivery worker; after running errands for three days, she’d noticeably gotten darker.

“I recall the director said only partners can help each other. What reason do you have for demanding my help?”

“You… you’re such a rude woman!”

Shen Yue, exasperated, blurted out a curse.

Song Waning’s words only fuelled her anger. She regretted believing her parents, who claimed the place had good surroundings and great food, and all she had to do was fall in love.

Yet, after arriving, she realized she’d been deceived. Not only did she have to do hard labor, but her partner Jiang Mingzhao was lazy and unreliable—a disappointment in every way.

Looking at Song Waning, Shen Yue thought: aside from her pretty face and cooking skills, she was useless. Even her personality was selfish—she wouldn’t help anyone, yet she had such a good partner and still wasn’t satisfied.

A thought suddenly blossomed in Shen Yue’s mind.

If someone like Song Waning could be engaged to Young Master Wen, and her family was no less than the Song family, perhaps she could work harder to improve her relationship with him.

Then she could ask her father to negotiate her marriage with Wen Jingxing.

Her father had been eager to collaborate with the Wen Group lately; their family was powerful and well-connected, so Wen Group had no reason to refuse.

And since Song Waning disliked Wen Jingxing—she’d spoken so harshly at the resort entrance—if Song Waning knew she didn’t deserve such good fortune, why not let Shen Yue have it instead?