0010 13 Want children

When Wei Luochen learned that Ling Xingzhi hadn't gone anywhere but had simply returned to his own place, a huge weight was lifted from her heart. Though not entirely happy, she took a bath, applied a face mask, and had a spa treatment. The next morning, her driver took her to the magazine office. On the way, she looked at the latest issue of ALLE magazine; the cover featured Guan Tian, ​​a rising star who had just won a Golden Rooster Award.

September and October are peak seasons for publishing, and the September cover was given to a rising star, but the effect fell far short of what she wanted.

To be honest, she wasn't very satisfied with this cover. Chinese people's understanding of fashion is still limited to imitating Western styles. It's still difficult to break the mold and tear off the labels that limit Eastern fashion.

He took out his hand, his nails were covered in rhinestones, and opened Weibo. The top trending topic was the reviews of Guan Tian's new magazine cover. There were good and bad comments, but most of the comments were about Wei Luochen, the newly appointed editor-in-chief of the fashion magazine.

"I heard she got married, and her family background is quite impressive."

"I've run into this woman before, at a bar. She's very sexy. But most guys wouldn't dare to approach her; she's too precious to be touched."

"How did she become the editor-in-chief of ALLE? Did she have any fashion achievements? I think she was just an IT girl before. She was a buyer and an internet celebrity when she was studying abroad. How did she become the editor-in-chief? It's because she has connections in the family."

“I know her. She was my classmate when we were studying abroad. She worked her way up at DAVE magazine, then suddenly got married and returned to China. She has some talent, but not much.”

Wei Luochen looked at the comment, moved his finger, and clicked "like".

The car stopped, she put on sunglasses, the driver opened the door, she was wearing the latest G&D leopard print faux fur draped over her shoulders, carrying a Hermes bag, and walking into the building in high heels, leaving a gust of wind behind as she passed by.

The scent of the perfume is forbidden yet sensual.

Although Wei Luochen was wearing sunglasses, she smiled at everyone she passed by.

Perhaps it was because she had been with Ling Xingzhi for so long that she had picked up his habits. No matter what was happening, good or bad, as long as it had nothing to do with Ling Xingzhi, her first reaction was to smile.

This includes the negative comments she saw about herself, and the strangers she passed by during her studies abroad who wanted to pry into her private life.

As soon as he entered the elevator, Wei Luochen's smile vanished, replaced by an extremely arrogant and domineering aura.

People who don't know her might think she's a famous model.

That's true. Celebrities and models often come to magazines, but the people who work there aren't particularly good-looking, they're not tall, their appearances are average, and they don't dress extravagantly.

Wei Luochen stood out among this group of people.

Upon entering the office, the assistant intern and deputy editor-in-chief had been waiting for her in the conference room for a long time. Wei Luochen pushed open the conference room door and sat down in the head seat.

"I saw the latest issue of the magazine, and the cover is rubbish. Did you guys work in a landfill before?"

Wei Luochen took off his sunglasses, and his first words immediately made everyone's faces darken. Wei Luochen smiled and said, "Look at the corridor full of clothing racks, and the mannequins trying on clothes in flip-flops. Doesn't it look like a junkyard?"

No one spoke. Wei Luochen glanced at the deputy editor-in-chief and said, "I brought people here to create hype for you, and the videos they produced are so ugly. You still want to get rid of me and make yourself the editor-in-chief?"

The deputy editor pushed up his glasses, opened his mouth, and said, "No, the photos were Guan Tian's own idea."

Wei Luochen snorted, "It's fine if you offend me, but if Guan Tian sees how ugly she is, won't she buy negative trending topics for the magazine? In the end, I'll be the one to take the blame. You've got a good plan, haven't you?"

The deputy editor-in-chief lowered his head and remained silent. Wei Luochen crossed her arms and surveyed everyone present. This was her second battlefield, and she had to defend it.

"Alright, quite a few designers have already started preparing for their spring/summer fashion shows. We'll arrange interviews for the guests invited to the shows, linking them to the brands. Also, who are the candidates for the October cover star?"

Yes, Wei Luochen is currently concerned about two things: the Spring/Summer fashion show and the October cover star.

The junior editors had already discussed these two matters and shared their plans and ideas. Wei Luochen took out his notebook from his bag, opened it, listened to their conversation, and casually wrote a few words in the notebook.

Actually, many agencies recommended candidates for her October cover. Wei Luochen listened to the editors' ideas and felt they were good, but the agencies' lists of candidates were also quite good. The first problem the newly appointed editor had to face was whether to follow the trend like the previous editor or stick to her own choices.

After listening to everyone's ideas, Wei Luochen did not give a clear answer, but simply selected the people to be featured in this issue of the magazine, as well as some advertising slots.

Back in her office, her desk was simple and clean, with a view of Beijing's CBD right next to it—an expensive sight.

There was a cup of coffee on the table. She sat down and took a sip. Her assistant/intern stood beside her. "Go and get the French, Italian, and British publications from 2002 to 2010. Just the September and October issues."

Wei Luochen, she sits in this position not only because of her family background, but also because of her strength and... a little bit of hard work.

After lunch break, the assistant intern knocked on Wei Luochen's office door with some unreleased new clothes. Wei Luochen wasn't there, but the bag on the chair was still open, and he had only taken a bite of the sandwich next to him.

Only the cell phone and Wei Luochen disappeared together.

Where is she now? At the Bulgari Hotel, having afternoon tea with her mother-in-law.

This mother-in-law is not Ling Xingzhi's biological mother, but a glamorous and beautiful stepmother, gentle and kind. Ling Xingzhi's biological mother passed away a long time ago. After her death, Ling Xingzhi raised his younger sister, Ling Xingxi, until she was a teenager. Then, Ling Qingyun remarried, and Ling Xingzhi had a stepmother, Guo Huaisheng.

"Mom, Xingzhi has been busy with the military parade lately, so he might not be able to call home regularly."

Guo Huaisheng took a bite of steak, shook his head, swallowed it, and then said, "I came to see you not because of him. You and Xingzhi should have a child."

Wei Luochen watched the emerald on Guo Huaisheng's earlobe sway in the air; it was a fine piece. Upon hearing the word "child," Wei Luochen frowned slightly.

“You’ve been married for six years, and soon it will be seven. Whether it’s for the stability of your marriage or for the sake of the Wei and Ling families, it’s time to have a child.”

Wei Luochen put down his knife and fork, his face showing disappointment. "Mom, Xingzhi didn't mean it that way. We're both in a new phase of our careers right now, and it's not a good time to have a child..."

Guo Huaisheng smiled at her, "I know it wasn't easy for you to become the editor-in-chief of the magazine, and things won't be affected at Xingzhi for the time being..." She paused, "Your father and I have had another child."

"Huh?" Wei Luochen chuckled, then his gaze shifted to Guo Huaisheng's abdomen. Guo Huaisheng laughed even louder. "Not on my stomach. Surrogacy? I can't endure that kind of suffering."

Before Wei Luochen could speak, Guo Huaisheng added, "If it doesn't work out, you can use surrogacy. It won't interfere with your career, and it's just a matter of spending some money."

"Mom, this isn't something I can decide on my own. Xingzhi has more ideas than I do. He's older than me and has more thoughts on his mind."

Wei Luochen both loves and hates her mother-in-law. She loves her because her mother-in-law only approves of her, but she hates her because Guo Huaisheng and Ling Xingzhi don't get along well, and every time she puts pressure on someone, she has to start with Wei Luochen.

Guo Huaisheng didn't take her words seriously, busy with his work. "So what? If you can become his wife, you can have his children."

In that instant, Wei Luochen recalled the scene of Ling Xingzhi tying a condom in a knot and throwing it into the trash can.

"Don't tell me you want him to have an illegitimate child with you outside of your marriage?"

These words stung Wei Luochen. After finishing his meal, he returned to his office, his mind filled with thoughts of Ling Xingzhi.

"We didn't use a condom when we did it."

He doesn't use condoms when sleeping with strangers, but he's extremely careful about having sex with his wife.

Before I even got off work, the group chat on my phone was already buzzing with activity: "Want to go? Let's go to the Workers' Stadium tonight!"

Wei Luochen didn't want to go, and watched with a smile as a group of second-generation reds and third-generation power figures joked around.

The message from the pinned post read, "I have a meeting this afternoon and a social engagement tonight."

Wei Luochen's smile turned forlorn. He thought about how he would just be sitting in an empty house when he got home, so he quickly replied to the message, "See you at the Workers' Stadium tonight."

Zhou Xiye received a message at noon that he was to have a meeting with the municipal party secretary. Among the other cities, Xiangtan City stood out.

I've thought about it for a long time but I still don't understand why Ling Xingzhi wanted to see me. Was he not asleep enough? Or was he seeking revenge?

Just as they were about to head to the municipal party committee compound, Zhou Xiye looked at his assistant and then at the college student who had just arrived, and raised his hand, saying, "Come with me."

The college students, unaware of what was going on, followed Zhou Xiye into the car and headed to the municipal party committee compound.

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The characters' actions do not represent the author's consciousness; they are merely plot descriptions. The author does not support surrogacy!

By the way, could you please give me some beads?