Chapter 17: Going to Deliver Water to My Younger Brother

Chapter Seventeen: Delivering Water to My Younger Brother

Wen Jin didn't intentionally eavesdrop on their conversation. Fu Yanjing's office wasn't closed tightly, and Wen Jin, standing at the door, could hear everything clearly.

Out of politeness, she intended to wait until Fu Yanjing and Xu Xiangbai finished talking before going in, but she didn't expect that the two of them would talk about her.

Even though Wen Jin could have guessed Fu Yanjing's answer long ago, she still couldn't help but feel her heart sink when she heard it with her own ears.

Just how heartless must one be to be like Fu Yanjing, able to control their emotions so freely?

After the breakup, Wen Jin sat blankly in the dark night for countless midnight dreams, her mind filled with images of them together.

Wen Jin sometimes wondered if she still loved him, or if she had already come to hate him.

He could whisper sweet nothings in her ear when their love was at its peak, yet he could so easily sum up those three years as just "passing time."

But when it comes to matters of the heart, who can you blame?

He just doesn't love her.

Wen Jin also considered leaving money at Fu Yanjing's door. How could that not be considered a way to even things out?

But just as this thought crossed my mind, a force suddenly rose from inside the door.

Seeing Wen Jinye, Xu Xiangbai was somewhat surprised, "Why isn't Reporter Wen going in?"

Wen Jin forced a smile, "I'm not sure what important private matters you and President Fu are discussing, so it's not convenient to disturb you."

Xu Xiangbai laughed heartily, "What important business could I possibly have? You guys chat, my old man is urging me to go back to the old house."

As the elevator doors opened and closed, Xu Xiangbai's figure disappeared on the top floor.

Wen Jin also went in and stood opposite Fu Yanjing.

The large desks were spaced out at just the right distance.

She placed the money on the table. "Mr. Fu, this is the money you paid for my hospital bill. Thank you for taking me to the hospital."

Fu Yanjing didn't even glance at it, his tone indifferent, yet his words carried a hidden meaning: "Is this little bit of money worth the trip?"

Wen Jin also spoke frankly, "President Fu rejected my friend request."

However, the meaning of this statement has still been misinterpreted.

A slight, almost mocking smile played on his lips. "It seems Reporter Wen is quite keen to add me on WeChat."

"Regret it?"

His slightly mocking expression was the most understated rebuke, as if reminding Wen Jin not to indulge in wishful thinking anymore.

Wen Jin had long since woken up.

Suppressing her bitterness, Wen Jin said each word with utmost seriousness, "I have no regrets."

"Mr. Fu, don't worry, the interview is over, I won't be hanging around you anymore."

"I won't bother you either."

Perhaps she had been somewhat moved by Wen Jin, because as Wen Jin turned to leave, she heard Fu Yanjing's kind words of advice.

"Wen Jinye, don't be too picky when looking for a man."

"In this circle, there is no one who can remain untainted by the mud."

His footsteps echoed in my ears, accompanied by his voice, "Did you really think marrying into a powerful family was a good outcome?"

Marriage is often a dangerous affair, a place of deceit and treachery, a battleground for power and profit. Many marriages are merely a means to gain power and influence.

How could Wen Jin not understand?

She understood it from the beginning.

Fu Yanjing will not marry her.

But after liking it for so many years, even a fleeting moment of pleasure is worth the moth-to-a-flame frenzy.

What she longed for were the sunrises and sunsets she witnessed with Fu Yanjing.

How could this be...?

This led Fu Yanjing to misunderstand the situation.

...

After the typhoon ended, the sky over Jiangbei City, which had been overcast and rainy for several days, finally cleared up.

Wen Jin is off work today. She's been so busy lately that she hasn't had much time to take care of Qiu Qiu.

In the puppy's world, there was only her, and Wen Jin didn't want Qiuqiu to spend so much time just waiting at home.

She found a pet kindergarten for Qiuqiu, and after confirming everything, there was still one last thing to do.

That was the coat that had been sitting in the closet for a long time and hadn't been returned to Song Zaizhen yet.

The all-black sports jacket seemed unremarkable, but when Wen Jin took it to the dry cleaners, she unexpectedly discovered that the logo on the back of the hood was quite valuable.

When Wen Jin also made the call, the boy's breathing was unsteady, and he could vaguely hear the noisy cheers in his ears.

"Sister?" His rising tone sounded like surprise.

Wen Jin also said, "I've dry-cleaned your coat. Where should I send it?"

"If it's convenient for you, sister, could you come to Jiangbei University? I have a ball game coming up in a bit." The boy's voice was clear and crisp. "If possible, I'd also like a bottle of water."

It was just a small favor. That night, Song Zaizhen helped Wen Jinye, and Wen Jinye wanted to invite him and An Kang to dinner if it was convenient, let alone just a bottle of water.

"Of course, do you have a brand preference?"

"No." His tone was obedient and easy to talk to. "I like anything my sister gives me."

Wen Jin was also taken aback.

The tone of his voice was lowered and lingering at the end; it was just delivering water, but Song Zaizhen spoke it with profound meaning.

In that moment of silence, she heard Song Zaizhen's voice return to normal, "Sister, I'm going to warm up now. Call me when you're almost there."

It was as if everything was just Wen Jinye's illusion.

It's probably just an illusion.

As Wen Jin neatly folded her coat and put it in her bag, she laughed at herself for being too sensitive and defensive, seeing threats everywhere.

After all, Song Zaizhen is the same age as An Kang, and six years younger than Wen Jin.

*

At Jiangbei University, on the basketball court, young men sweat profusely.

As the match reached its climax, the score remained close, and the spectators outside the stadium became increasingly excited, their shouts growing louder and louder.

Wen Jin also stood at the very end of the crowd and spotted Song Zaizhen among the figures swaying in red and black jerseys.

The boy was tall, with fair skin and striking features, making him quite eye-catching.

A clean three-pointer went in, eliciting continuous screams from the crowd.

"Song Zaizhen! Song Zaizhen!"

With the sound of a whistle, the game ended.

A group of people rushed forward to offer him water. He glanced around the crowd, didn't take any of their water, and then took the white towel that his companion threw to him to wipe his sweat. Song Zaizhen walked straight towards Wen Jinye.

All eyes turned to Wen Jinye.

Wen Jin also felt a little uncomfortable being stared at.

As expected of a young man who shines brightly in the world, Wen Jin smiled and explained first, "You're too popular, I really couldn't squeeze in."

He tilted his head. "Sister, am I amazing?"

"Amazing." Wen Jin didn't know much about basketball, but based on the reactions of those around her, she knew that Song Zaizhen played very well.

"What's wrong? Not even a bottle of water as a reward?" Song Zaizhen exaggerated, his acting very perfunctory. "Ah! I'm so thirsty, I'm going to get heatstroke."

"Yes, there is." Wen Jin handed over the water, and he bent down to take it.

Wen Jin also raised her eyes slightly, her gaze meeting Song Zaizhen's.

At such close range, Wen Jin could even see the tiny beads of sweat hidden under his wispy hair.

A white towel was stuffed into Wen Jinye's hands. Song Zaizhen lowered her eyes, her expression somewhat ingratiating, "Sister, please wipe my sweat."

His gaze was so sincere that Wen Jin couldn't refuse under everyone's watchful eyes.

But I still couldn't get used to the close proximity where our breaths almost mingled.

Wen Jin subconsciously took a few steps back, her slender white fingers holding a towel, and gently placed it on the boy's forehead.

Song Zaizhen lowered his head even further.

Wen Jin looked away, but not far away, she saw that noble and aloof figure surrounded by admirers again.

Wen Jin recognized the middle-aged man standing respectfully in front of him; he was the president of Jiangbei University, whose image was displayed on the campus's large screen.

But the man's expression remained distant and indifferent.

The direction my gaze swept was in Wen Jinye's direction.

His eyes were cold.