Chapter 78 "He can coax himself back to health"...

Every year before the Spring Festival is the busiest time for Zhao Xinglan.

Aside from some family businesses that she actively oversees, such as the family charitable foundation and year-end thank-you dinners, she is passively busy the rest of the time.

The most typical example is the "door-to-door service season" that lasts for half a month before the New Year every year.

Starting from the end of November, major luxury brands successively dispatched their most senior account managers from Asia, carrying the latest season's haute couture and rare fabrics, to fly to her city to hold private previews and tailor-make clothes for her.

These appointments are often finalized six months in advance. The brand will reserve the most complete collection for her, and some unique styles are even quietly delivered to her before the show photos are released, allowing her to choose in advance.

After all, as the most powerful buyer, her purchase is not only consumption, but also a silent endorsement.

The influence of a dress she chose and wore in the new year far surpasses that of any advertisement.

VELRA, as a purebred blue-blooded brand, was naturally among Zhao Xinglan's favorites.

This year, however, the situation is slightly different.

VELRA had received word early on that Ms. Helen would be coming to the Asian headquarters in person.

On New Year's Eve, when her Bentley Mulsanne arrived at the building, a line of people were already waiting at the door to greet her, and Ada, who was always arrogant, was the first to be greeted.

In fact, they knew very little about Ms. Helen, who was low-key in her personal life but extravagant in her spending.

All I know is that her surname is Zhao, and that she is one of VELRA's top five global clients. At shows where she attends, the front row center seat is always reserved for her.

Rumors circulated within VELRA's inner circle that her mansion had a separate building dedicated to storing her haute couture pieces, which she might never be able to wear in her lifetime.

Ada and Ding Qianru dared not neglect her and warmly welcomed her into the top-floor reception room of the building, handing her a lookbook.

But Helen was clearly a little distracted today. She flipped through a couple of pages and then her gaze fell on another magazine on the table.

It's the book "MAVEN".

"This book hasn't been released yet, has it?"

"Not yet, Helen. The new models in the magazine aren't as complete as those in this book."

Ada pointed again to the lookbook next to her.

She was somewhat surprised, as Helen had never been interested in magazines before.

“I know,” Zhao Xinglan said calmly, with a detached and unassuming air. “Is this the new spokesperson?”

She lightly touched the woman's face on the cover with her fingertip and asked.

Ding Qianru nodded without hesitation. She wasn't surprised that Zhao Xinglan would ask that question.

After all, they're rich. It's common for them to take a fancy to a celebrity and adopt them as their goddaughter or godson, spending a fortune on them.

"Quite pretty."

The compliment was on Wen Jia, and Ding Qianru felt honored, her smile obvious. She then followed up, "Helen, are you interested in her?"

"Of course I'm interested. Wen Jia, I'm a fan of hers."

Ding Qianru and Ada exchanged a silent glance.

Wealthy people are always arrogant. They've never seen any top client so interested in a celebrity, even condescending to say they're a fan.

Ding Qianru was also good at handling things, and immediately seized the opportunity, "The editor-in-chief of MAVEN also likes her very much. In previous years, the magazine only published two versions, A and B, but this year they made an exception and published three versions for her. They will be on sale soon. What do you think... do you want to support her?"

"Of course we should support it."

Ding Qianru's smile grew even brighter. She had the intention of connecting Wen Jia with her, so she tentatively asked, "She happens to be filming at headquarters today. Would you be interested in going to see her?"

At that time, Wen Jia was in a photo studio on another floor, having just finished shooting a set of posters.

Ding Qianru walked in, clapped her hands, and said, "Thank you all for your hard work, working overtime even on New Year's Eve. That's all for today, let's call it a day!"

Wen Jia, dressed in a very stylish evening gown, was surrounded by a group of photographers and stylists. After the crowd dispersed, Ding Qianru and Ada came forward to greet her.

“Honey, this is Helen Zhao, our biggest client at VELRA.” After introducing her, Ding Qianru whispered in Wen Jia’s ear, “She’s incredibly rich, baby. I heard she’s a fan of yours. Seize this opportunity!”

After thanking the staff for their hard work, Wen Jia turned around unintentionally and met Ms. Zhao Xinglan's extremely gentle gaze.

She was looking at him with a smile.

Amidst the surrounding noise, Wen Jia opened her mouth slightly, but was too stunned to speak.

A major client is coming today. Ding Qianru had discussed this with her beforehand.

But... how could such a coincidence happen?!

She wanted to call her 'Auntie,' but because there were other people around, she politely called her Helen.

Ding Qianru was practically laughing in her sleep. Her biggest customer was a fan of her own spokesperson.

VELRA is not just honored, they're going to make a fortune!

Just as Ding Qianru was immersed in her sweet dream, she saw Zhao Xinglan smile elegantly at Wen Jia, say "Eh," and then say:

"Are we coming to your house for New Year's Eve dinner today?"

“……………….??!”

Ding Qianru and Ada were stunned on the spot.

What home?! What New Year's Eve dinner?!

You rich people are so direct about adopting goddaughters, don't you even bother with an act?

"Home...home?" Ding Qianru blurted out subconsciously, then quickly covered her mouth.

She then turned to examine Helen more closely.

She has a pair of very beautiful eyes, with slightly upturned corners, but without any sharpness, only a clear luster that has been nurtured over the years.

Most importantly, those eyes seemed strangely familiar…

She should have noticed sooner!

She should have noticed sooner that Helen's smile was almost identical to a certain handsome face she remembered!

Holy crap, are these two mother-in-law and daughter-in-law?!

Ding Qianru suddenly understood. This was her mother-in-law coming to support her daughter-in-law. No wonder Helen made an exception this year to come to headquarters in person. The excuse of looking at new products was just that—an excuse. Her real purpose was simply to visit her daughter-in-law on set.

Zhao Xinglan then shifted her gaze from Wen Jia and smiled gently at Ding Qianru: "Ms. Ding, are you surprised?"

More than unexpected, it was downright terrifying!

Ada stood frozen to the side, her mind racing through every moment of the reception. Had she been negligent in any way? Had she said anything wrong? Thank goodness! Thank goodness she had been respectful throughout!

Before she could fully process the shocking scene, Ada had already said her goodbye, rationally taking Ding Qianru's arm and turning to leave, leaving the two of them alone.

He excitedly explained as he walked:

"Contact MAVEN immediately! Quickly! Reprint!! It must be reprinted!"

-

After filming wrapped, Xu Shaoting's Maybach had already arrived at the underground parking garage of the VELRA building, and he made her a phone call.

"I'll wait for you in the parking lot."

Wen Jia smiled and said, "No need, someone is coming to pick me up."

Xu Shaoting: "...?"

He narrowed his eyes, his expression and aura becoming very gloomy. After sitting quietly for half a minute, just as he was about to open the car door to go find the person himself, he saw the headlights of a Bentley Mulsanne turn on not far away, and two women got into the back seat one after the other.

"..."

His displeasure vanished instantly. He chuckled and prepared to snatch the person from Zhao Xinglan's hands. Before he could even get out of the car, the Bentley Mulsanne had already started moving without hesitation and driven away from the parking lot.

Inside the car, Wen Jia turned her head and looked through the rear windshield at the imposing Maybach, its headlights glowing red, seemingly extremely displeased.

“He…” Wen Jia swallowed, seemingly worried.

"Don't worry, he can take care of himself." Zhao Xinglan closed his eyes to rest, looking quite relaxed.

The man in Maybach: "..."

The two cars drove into Yunxi Bay one after the other.

It was dusk, the city lights were just coming on, and it was time for the New Year's Eve dinner.

In the living room, Xu Yishu, Xu Yitang, and Xu Yancheng greeted her as she entered, calling her "sister-in-law" in turn.

This time, Xu Bozheng did not get angry. Instead, he smiled calmly and invited the whole family to sit down.

The red wine had already been poured.

Once everyone was seated, Xu Bozheng calmly spoke, "I know Shao Ting felt guilty for not taking you home for the New Year last year. If I don't let him take you home this year, I'll feel guilty too." Xu Bozheng raised his glass and clinked it against hers, "Welcome."

These words left Wen Jia momentarily dazed.

It was as if all the barriers that had once stood between them had quietly shattered with that soft touch.

Humans may indeed be forgetful. They are always enveloped in overwhelming joy when they finally reach their destination, thus forgetting the hardships along the way.

Despite the hardships, it seems that Xu Bozheng paved the way for them himself.

She snapped out of her reverie, met Xu Bozheng's still smiling gaze, raised her glass, and said, "Thank you, Uncle."

Xu Shaoting's hand remained gently resting on her waist, moving up and down, offering silent comfort. Only after she finished speaking did he withdraw his hand and raise his wine glass in return.

"Thank you, Dad."

The slightly tense atmosphere dissipated with his words.

Xu Yitang took a sip of wine, licked her lips, and secretly mimicked her daddy's tone: "Last year I asked if good things were coming up, but that was the wrong question. Surely I can ask this year..."

"Speaking of this," Xu Bozheng said, straightening his expression before the two parties could answer, "Shao Ting's marital status needs to be made public to maintain transparency because of his special status as a shareholder of the group."

Zhao Xinglan kicked her husband hard under the table and whispered, "You're so impatient, your son hasn't even proposed to her yet!"

Xu Bozheng paused for a moment, then clenched his fist and cleared his throat.

Wen Jia accepted it well, saying, "I know, Uncle."

"If you're worried about being too high-profile or it affecting your career, I'll try to only disclose his marital status and not your identity. It's your choice, and we'll respect it."

After she finished speaking, her three younger siblings immediately looked away, pretending to be calm. Even Zhao Xinglan and Xu Bozheng lowered their eyes and refused to look at her.

Nobody wanted to put pressure on her.

Wen Jia turned her head and exchanged a glance with Xu Shaoting, her voice soft yet firm: "It's okay, Uncle, let's go public. Our family is also very important to me."

-

After dinner, Zhao Xinglan took the person away from Xu Shaoting and pulled her to sit down in the garden.

“Jiajia,” she called her as she would Xu Yitang, “Actually, I’ve always wanted to ask… have you ever been angry with Shao Ting’s father?”

Wen Jia smiled gently, "No, Auntie, never."

“Although this sounds very reasonable, I still hope you don’t resent him for what he did back then…” Zhao Xinglan hesitated before continuing.

Wen Jia spoke for her, "It's a test for me, isn't it?"

Zhao Xinglan nodded, choked with emotion, and wanted to explain, but Wen Jia stopped her with her understanding: "It's all in the past, Auntie, I understand completely."

Zhao Xinglan was also helpless. "Shao Ting is the eldest son. His father has always had high hopes for him and is very strict with him. So he doesn't want him to make any wrong choices."

“I know, Auntie, he has his reasons.”

"But as it turns out, Shao Ting's choice was right, and I'm very happy for you all," Zhao Xinglan said earnestly. "He has found someone he loves, and I can finally stop feeling so heartbroken for him."

Heartache?

Zhao Xinglan sighed softly, "Yes, I feel heartbroken for him, I always have. Because he has been deprived of so many emotions since he was a child, and sometimes he can't even have his own joys and sorrows, so... sometimes do you feel that he is a bit too serious?"

Wen Jia recalled the scene when she first met him: "At first, yes, but later..." She lowered her head and smiled faintly, "Later, no. Later, I discovered that he also has a gentle side... and a vulnerable side."

Zhao Xinglan was somewhat surprised by this answer, but upon reflection, she realized that Xu Bozheng seemed to feel the same way. So she said, "He loves you. That's why he shows you another side of himself. You're the first person to say that he can be vulnerable too, and I'm quite happy to hear that from you."

"The first one?" Wen Jia cast her gaze into the distance, looking through the window at the three people in the living room. "But he loves his younger siblings too, doesn't he?"

“I love him too. But it’s a different kind of love.” Zhao Xinglan smiled with relief. “Perhaps even now, Yi Tang still thinks her older brother is serious.”

"But he spoils her."

“She dotes on him, but Yi Tang is actually quite afraid of him,” Zhao Xinglan paused, then changed her words, “It should be that she respects and loves him, or rather, she reveres him. When she was little, there was a period when she didn’t even dare to talk to her older brother.”

Wen Jia gave a half-smile, "Why?"

“I asked Yi Tang the same question, and the answer I got was that she felt her older brother was more like an overly young father than an older brother.”

Wen Jia chuckled, “He is indeed someone who inspires awe, perhaps because of his identity, status, or perhaps because his way of expressing emotions is different from that of ordinary people.”

Zhao Xinglan smiled with satisfaction.

She knew, she understood him.

“Actually, Shao Ting can express his feelings,” Zhao Xinglan said softly, “but his way of doing it is too subtle. It gives people a cold impression. So Yi Tang feels that he is serious, but at the same time enjoys his love, so she is both afraid of him and not afraid of him.”

Wen Jia never tired of hearing about Xu Shaoting; she listened with rapt attention, a subconscious smile playing on her lips. Then she heard Zhao Xinglan say, "Actually, many times, I also felt that he was too serious, too invincible, but how can anyone be invincible? Later I realized that it wasn't that he was invincible, it's just that he hadn't encountered anything that would hurt him yet."

Wen Jia's question came on very subconsciously: "What was the reason for his last injury?"

"It was before the New Year, around December."

Wen Jia seemed to realize something, and the smile on her lips gradually disappeared.

The night wind suddenly turned cold, causing her to involuntarily huddle up and hug herself tightly.

“At that time, I didn’t know you had broken up. I called him, and he was in a very bad state. He wouldn’t say anything when I asked him anything, only saying that everything was fine. At that moment, I knew something was wrong; something must have happened between you two.” Zhao Xinglan pursed her lips, carefully choosing her words: “The last time I saw him like this… was many years ago, when his grandfather passed away.”

Wen Jia's heart clenched, the pain growing stronger with each passing moment. She frowned slightly, unable to imagine the man Zhao Xinglan had described.

"It was only then that I realized that without you, he might not be able to live a good life." Zhao Xinglan knew she was upset, so she didn't add anything else, only saying, "Perhaps, he loves you more than you think."

Wen Jia's nerves were constantly being torn between 'his love for her' and 'his vulnerability'. She lowered her eyelids and said, "Me too. Without him, I might really not be able to live a good life."

Zhao Xinglan smiled faintly and didn't say anything more.

Fortunately, these two people don't have to suffer anymore, she thought.

"I have something to give you."

She turned and went into the bedroom, then came out with an envelope in her hand, which she placed in Wen Jia's hand. "This shouldn't have been given to you, but I thought you might want to see it."

-

Staying overnight at the Xu residence, Xu Shaoting came out of Xu Bozheng's study and returned to his bedroom, where Wen Jia was taking a bath.

The rising steam made her eyelids heavy. She was dozing off by the bathtub when the man approached and reached out to support her nodding head. She woke with a start and looked up at him.

"So sleepy?"

Wen Jia mumbled indistinctly, "I was staying up all night every day for a while..."

"Perfect timing, take this time to rest well, I'll keep you company."

Don't you have a job?

"Spending time with you is more important."

She lowered her head and sighed very softly: "If I stay home resting every day, I'll become useless."

Xu Shaoting looked at her serious expression and ruffled her hair. "I didn't say I was resting at home."

"Hmm?" Wen Jia raised her bright eyes. "Then where to?"

Xu Shaoting deliberately didn't answer, but instead helped her up, wrapped her in a bath towel, and carried her to the bed. "What did Helen talk to you about just now?"

"We talked a lot... It was so comfortable being with her. She's so elegant, knows everything, and seems to live a very comfortable life."

Xu Shaoting smiled and said, "She's not having an easy time. In fact, she has a lot to learn. Things like financial management, tax planning, family trust management, corporate mergers and acquisitions, as well as art appreciation, antique collection, cultivating aesthetics, paying attention to etiquette and behavior, learning how to do charity and public welfare, and also learning about interpersonal relationships." There are too many to list. "What I've mentioned is just the tip of the iceberg."

Wen Jia stared unblinkingly: "Do I... want to be like this from now on?"

Xu Shaoting smiled slightly, a sense of relief rising in his heart. She was increasingly naturally placing herself into his future life.

He lowered his head and kissed her: "No, I will try my best to let you be yourself."

She felt relieved and said softly, "Auntie also mentioned that you lived alone abroad when you were little and were very independent. She also showed me photos and videos of you playing golf when you were young."

She remembered the little boy in the video, dressed in a pure white tracksuit, his posture both standard and precise. He pursed his lips as he swung, his eyes focused like a miniature adult.

At only eight years old, he already had a very serious expression on his face.

“So you were this composed even when you were little, Mr. Xu.” She poked his chest with her finger.

"You don't like it?"

"Of course I like it."

She didn't just like him, she was absolutely madly in love with him.

What else did she tell you?

"He also told me about... your glorious experiences studying at university in England."

"for example?"

"For example... you lock the girl who chased you to your doorstep outside."

"Then she's lying to you."

"Why?" She frowned, kicking her legs twice. "Do you mean you're letting girls in?"

“I will never give them a chance to come to my home.”

Wen Jia laughed after getting her way, "Auntie didn't lie to me, I made this up."

Xu Shaoting couldn't do anything about her, so he smiled, didn't say anything, and continued to wipe her body.

“She also told me that Yi Tang was very afraid of you when he was little,” she said, hooking her arm around his neck with a smile. “Yi Tang said you don’t seem like an older brother, but more like a very young father.”

“She was afraid of me when she was little, which bothered me a lot.”

"Actually, I was also very afraid of you at first."

Why are you afraid of me?

“I’ve said it before, because you, Mr. Xu, have a high position and everything, the only thing I’m afraid of is that you don’t have love.”

He didn't continue the conversation.

It's not that he lacks love, but rather that he understands love too well.

He always kept in mind the four words Xu Songyun taught him: "Be cautious from beginning to end." These four words also permeated his understanding of love. True love is never lightly initiated; once it begins, one must be responsible to the end.

It requires careful consideration and constant reverence.

Therefore, he doesn't easily show his love.

"And now?" he asked unhurriedly, "Aren't you afraid that I love you too deeply?"

She now understood that he not only understood love, but also liked to express it by making her respond.

-

After the Lunar New Year, it's time to go back to work.

Logically, Wen Jia should have personally visited Lingguang, but Zhang Linzhi has not seen her at all this year.

The studio posts updates on Wen Jia's public schedule for the next 30 days every month on Weibo. Yesterday was the day for their routine post, but fans waited all day without seeing anything, which is very unlike the studio's usual practices.

So they all went to Wenjia's super topic to shout.

Zhang Linzhi tried calling her but couldn't get through, so she switched to calling Yu Kaiqing instead.

Where is Wen Jia?

"She should already be abroad. She messaged me yesterday saying that she's postponing all the announcements she can, and that she's not in the country right now."

Zhang Linzhi let out a sharp, explosive cry: "Not in the country?!!"

"Yeah, I went back to the villa yesterday to pick up my passport and then left again."

Yu Kaiqing went to ask He Lingyi again, but unfortunately even her own mother didn't know where she was.

Zhang Linzhi dialed another number – the same number Lingguang had contacted when choosing the site.

"Secretary Lin, do you know where Wen Jia went?"

Lin Youzhe had been instructed not to disclose anything casually, so he could only be vague, but still businesslike. "Ms. Zhang, Ms. Wen should be on the plane right now," he said, glancing at his watch. "She is expected to land in three to four hours. Please don't worry."

Little did they know that while all of this was happening, Wen Jia was sleeping soundly in Xu Shaoting's arms.

Beneath their feet lay the vast Pacific Ocean.

In fact, even she didn't know where he was taking her; she had only heard that they were going to "relax."

Four hours later, Bombardier landed in Boston for refueling.

They took off again that evening and continued sailing southeast.

Wen Jia's recent filming schedule was indeed too demanding, and she's been unusually sleepy lately. She started dozing off during takeoff and remained drowsy throughout the flight.

This time, Xu Shaoting didn't fall asleep with her, but instead sat in his chair dealing with things.

When Wen Jia woke up, the porthole in the bedroom was closed and it was dark, with the faint roar of an airplane engine in the background.

Hearing her wake up, the man went to the bedside. "Awake?"

Wen Jia, still half asleep, hugged his waist and whimpered like a little animal, "I've been sleeping for so long... why aren't we here yet?"

Xu Shaoting glanced at his watch. "Not long, you only slept for three hours."

"How much longer?"

"Soon," he said, reaching out to open the bedroom porthole.

Outside the window, Bombardier was piercing through the clouds, slowly descending, giving me intermittent feelings of weightlessness.

"Where are you taking me? You're being so mysterious... You won't even tell me. I'm being sold out without me even knowing."

She was kneeling on the bed with her legs bent, her hair disheveled, and her expression listless. He only needed one glance to know that she hadn't completely shaken off her morning grumpiness.

So I coaxed her, "You'll know when we get there, why don't you sleep a little longer?"

"No, I'm afraid you'll kidnap me."

Xu Shaoting smiled helplessly yet affectionately, his tall figure bathed in the sunlight, enveloping her. He leaned down and kissed the corner of her lips: "Want some water?"

She shook her head. "No."

"Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat? I'll have the flight attendant prepare something."

She shook her head again, "No."

He knew her too well. She was still a bit dazed, incredibly difficult to please, and required him to guess her thoughts. He was happy to oblige: "Then why don't you keep me company while I work?"

Only then did she agree, and she slowly nodded.

Xu Shaoting carried her out of bed, not even letting her put on slippers, and carried her straight to the cabin to sit down, pressing her into his arms.

"Can you still concentrate on your work?" she began to worry about him.

“No, there isn’t.” Xu Shaoting chuckled, picked up the glass, and fed her the contents to her lips, “to moisten your throat.”

She obediently drank the water, finishing half a glass. The flight attendant then emerged from behind the curtain, her hands clasped in front of her. "Mr. Xu, the plane is about to enter its descent phase and is expected to land at Kingston Argyll International Airport in half an hour."

After saying that, she didn't dare to look any longer and immediately retreated behind the curtain.

Wen Jia sat on his lap, looking out the porthole. All she could see were layers of clouds and dazzling sunlight. She squinted slightly and asked, "Which airport is this?"

"Take a guess."

"I can't guess."

To be fair, she has attended so many overseas events, in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, but she has never heard of such an airport.

"Saint Vincent and the Grenadines."

"..."

"What what what?"

With such a long string of names, she wouldn't even know where to begin when searching on Baidu.

Xu Shaoting laughed, remained silent, and did not continue speaking.

She pleaded softly, "Say it again."

Xu Shaoting didn't go along with her. About half an hour later, when the Bombardier landed at Argyle Airport and the gangway descended, he led her down the steps.

A guidance team stood by to handle their luggage. Ground staff then led them to a shuttle bus to the airport's general aviation area.

The deep hum of a helicopter grew louder as it approached. Wen Jia turned her head and saw a sleek black helicopter lying quietly in the center of the tarmac.

The hot wind whipped up by the rotor blades hit her in the face, making Wen Jia's hair fly wildly. Xu Shaoting raised his hand to shield her from the wind and helped her board the plane.

The cabin was more spacious than expected, and the leather seats were comfortable and soft. After the pilot turned around to make sure they had fastened their seatbelts, the helicopter took off smoothly.

"Can you tell me now?" She leaned close to his ear, her voice drowned out by the roar of the engine.

Xu Shaoting raised his chin. "Look outside."

Looking down through the porthole, Wen Jia saw the airport gradually shrink into a model-like silhouette. The azure Caribbean Sea stretched out before her, with scattered islands like emeralds dotting its surface.

She seemed to understand something, suddenly turned her head, and bumped into his chest, "You're going to take me to your island!"

Her tone was full of girlish joy, and her eyes sparkled with laughter.

Seeing her like this, he couldn't help but lean down and kiss her: "You're only half right."

Which half?

Xu Shaoting didn't answer her again until a few minutes later, when the helicopter slowly landed on a helipad on a small island, and he helped her down.

Wen Jia gazed at the scene before her and gently held her breath.

Unlike back home, the Caribbean in February and March enjoys a warm and comfortable climate, making it a gentle and pleasant time of year. From the helipad, the entire island unfolds like a slowly unfurling scroll, with soft, white sand beaches crescent-shaped like a moon, and gentle waves lapping against the shore, creating delicate foam.

The seawater in front of me displays seven gradient shades of blue.

Up close, it's a transparent glass color, gradually transitioning to turquoise and peacock blue, finally merging into deep indigo in the distance.

As you ascend the stone path, tropical flowers are in full bloom. Flame trees burn with orange-red hues, hibiscus hangs down with pink and white blossoms, and bougainvillea splashes out a rich purplish-red.

“You’re half right, because,” Xu Shaoting wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin gently on her shoulder.

"This isn't mine; it's a little island I'm giving to you."