Chapter 15

The midday sun blazed fiercely, yet the atmosphere in the Wang household was far from bright. Wang Yongchang was still trying to explain to the two elders why divorcing now was inappropriate when Wang Chuanze’s phone suddenly rang.

The caller ID read: Aunt Xi.

Wang Chuanze raised an eyebrow slightly, glanced at the three who had fallen silent, and answered the call.

He pressed the speakerphone button, and Aunt Xi Man’s gentle voice came through the phone. It sounded warm and soothing.

“Xiao Ze, today is your younger brother and sister’s birthday. Just now, those two little ones were pestering their dad for this and that. Do you have anything you want as a gift? I can mention it to their dad. You know, he’s really busy, so he hardly has time. This time, he’s specially taken out time to spend the birthday with them… I just asked him, and he said he only has two or three days free. Ye Feng and Ye Lin have been nagging their dad to act in a movie, but I don’t know if you’ll come back for lunch today? Whatever you want to eat, just say it. When you come back, I’ll have the maid buy your favorite dishes. Don’t feel shy about adding an extra set of chopsticks. Ye Feng and Ye Lin even said they miss their big brother…”

Wang Chuanze frowned as he listened. Even though he had little emotional connection with this family, these words still sounded unpleasant to him. If the original person had heard them, it would surely have been even more heartbreaking.

Recalling further, he realized the original person was quite familiar with such words—not just occasionally, but probably often hearing things like: “Your dad? He’s shooting a movie, very busy, no time.” “Your dad? He went to a parent-teacher meeting for Ye Feng and Ye Lin.” “Your dad? He took the younger siblings to the amusement park for their birthday…”

Wang Chuanze thought to himself that normally, he wouldn’t bother with an old woman like this, but since it was so disgusting that it was happening right before his eyes, he couldn’t just hold back for the original person’s sake.

He sneered coldly and then ended the call without a word.

Jin Meihua heard those words and felt a tightness in her chest. How could she not know this woman’s tricks with her grandson? Surely, the rift between the child and his father from a young age was all due to this woman scheming behind the scenes.

Seeing her grandmother so furious, Wang Chuanze quickly hung up and went to get medicine.

Once everyone recovered somewhat, Wang Chuanze also fetched the elders’ blood pressure medicine.

Tears streamed down Jin Meihua’s face as she lashed out at Wang Yongchang, “It’s your son! How can you treat him so differently? How can you be so heartless…”

They, as adults, had truly failed this child.

Wang Yongchang could only try to soothe Jin Meihua, “There’s no difference in treatment; they’re all my children…”

“You must get back what belongs to Xiao Ze’s mother. Even if you have to throw it away, don’t give it to that woman!”

“All right, all right, I’ll get it back!”

“Make up for all the things you owe the child these years.”

“All right, all right…”

Wang Chuanze said, “Grandma, don’t be angry. I’ve heard these words many times over the years; it’s not worth it…”

She was so used to hearing them that she must have suffered so much. He dared not imagine it.

“Grandma was wrong. I shouldn’t have sent you back then. Your grandpa and I weren’t at the point of no return. Why didn’t we keep you here…”

Wang Yongchang felt guilty toward this child. He truly had no idea Xi Man was such a person. Years of being busy with work, he had sincerely entrusted the family to her care. When he didn’t know better, she seemed virtuous and kind. Every time he came home, there was hot water and a warm meal. In front of him, she treated all three children equally. Whenever the twins had something, she would definitely mention it. His eldest son had the same things. Who would have known that behind the scenes she treated the children this way?

To be honest, this was quite a blow to him.

The twins were sixteen this year, which meant that the woman he had been married to for over ten years had such a hidden face. He found it hard to accept.

But the attitudes of the two elders at home forced him to face the problem head-on.

Looking at his son, who was now taller than him, his expression became steady, his eyes restrained but sharp.

Now, recalling every time he came home, Xi Man would say nothing but always wore a worried expression. When he asked, she would talk about the twins, and then the twins would complain about how their brother got into trouble or how the teachers called their parents to school…

Thinking back, those were just things any normal mischievous child might do. But with the three of them echoing each other, it always seemed as if he would grow up to be a worthless and unruly person. Yet this child quietly worked hard and eventually got admitted to the best university in the country.

Now, his parents called him back and said such things, and he half-believed them. But that call fully confirmed that what his parents and Xiao Ze said was true.

Wang Yongchang was silent, pinching the bridge of his nose. The person he had wronged most was this child.

After calming the elders, he slowly rose and called Wang Chuanze to go out with him.

Wang Chuanze had no interest in returning to witness the couple’s quarrel. He had just received a message from He Yifeng, who said an old friend was preparing a film and asked if he was interested.

Wang Yongchang was in the entertainment industry, so as his son, Wang Chuanze knew a little about it. Now that he was almost entering the field himself, he knew that directors like He Yifeng and Wang Yongchang, whom He Yifeng called an old friend, must have considerable standing.

When directors of that caliber assemble a crew, someone like Wang Chuanze, who was still unknown at his company, definitely wouldn't hear about it. Even his agent, a savvy veteran with seven or eight years at the company, wouldn’t know. Such directors keep casting secret. Suitable roles are usually recommended and negotiated by casting studios or acquaintances, followed by auditions and discussions of pay. Leading roles are set first; minor roles are only announced shortly before filming begins.

Many actors with years of experience in the industry still can’t get opportunities with famous directors—it all comes down to connections.

Wang Chuanze first expressed sincere thanks to He Yifeng, then candidly said he was currently free and willing to give it a try.

Wang Yongchang and Wang Chuanze reached the downstairs entrance. The elder wanted to say something but didn’t know how to start when faced with his now tall and handsome son.

Wang Chuanze took the initiative, “I won’t be going back. Please handle my mother’s things. When it’s done, send me a message, and I’ll contact you directly.”

Suddenly, Wang Yongchang felt he no longer understood this son. He no longer acted coquettish like when he was a child, nor defiant like in his teenage years. This son had grown up and become an adult without his knowledge.

Wang Yongchang took a breath. “...Alright, I’ll get your things back. Are you... going back to school?”

Wang Chuanze paused.

“I graduated this June.”

Wang Yongchang had wanted to talk about the future, graduation plans, and to ease their father-son relationship, but now he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

He truly realized he had been an unfit father.

Before Wang Chuanze boarded the plane, his phone received a transfer notification.

Far away in Jing City, Meng Shengsheng raised an eyebrow. Wow, a deposit of five million—more than his last acting fee. Was her husband robbing a bank?

Wang Chuanze messaged her, “Dad gave it. Take it. Why not? It’s what he owes that child. There will probably be more later.”

His father, who had spent most of his life in showbiz, had plenty of money. Next time Wang Yongchang was approached, more money would likely be involved.

If he didn’t take it, it would just end up as a dowry for that woman. Why not take it? Not only take it, but demand even more.

After sending the message, Wang Chuanze switched off his phone as the flight attendant instructed.

Meng Shengsheng, upon receiving the message, accepted the money without hesitation.

In the dormitory, three girls were primping. Xie Jieyu was teaching her two roommates, who had never worn makeup before, how to apply it.

“...You have to start with toner and moisturizer, then foundation… The foundation you use isn’t good; it cakes after an hour. Use mine first…”

“...Jieyu, can I borrow your eyeshadow?”

“Eyeshadow? Do you even know how to apply eyeshadow? You already have big, beautiful eyes. If you’ve never worn eyeshadow before, I don’t recommend it. Just shaping your eyebrows will make you look pretty…”

“Shengsheng, are you still reading? The school club recruitment is today. Are you going?”

Meng Shengsheng finished the last page of her book and carefully reviewed Teacher Tong Shengrong’s notes. After closing the book, she said, “I’ll go take a look too.”

After tidying up, they left school. Recruitment booths for clubs were everywhere along the roadside. Although the three had targets, they couldn’t resist checking out the various quirky clubs.

Meng Shengsheng also signed up for a gourmet appreciation club, chatted casually with senior students, filled out a form, and left it aside.

The four curious girls explored all the recruitment booths, picking and choosing a few clubs they liked. Xie Jieyu not only signed up for the photography club but was also dragged into the outreach club by a senior.

Luo Shu linked arms with Xie Jieyu. “How did the outreach club’s senior zero in on you? She wouldn’t let you go—scared me. But Shengsheng should be the prettiest, right? I’m cute too…”

Influenced by Wang Chuanze, Meng Shengsheng’s eyes were more discerning than most. Among the three, Xie Jieyu came from the best family. Just the bag she carried today would cost six figures at a boutique, and her watch was worth seven figures…

Bringing such a treasure to the outreach club would make securing sponsorships a breeze.

Though she understood why, Meng Shengsheng didn’t say much but smiled, letting them guess if some senior in the club had taken a liking to Jieyu…

With everyone signed up for clubs, it was noon.

They ate fish noodles. The fish noodle stall was popular; the fresh fish broth smelled delicious.

After lunch, before classes resumed, Meng Shengsheng accompanied Luo Shu to inquire about changing majors. The registrar said if she applied now, the transfer would only take effect in the second half of the semester. Before transferring, she must take an exam, and after successfully transferring, she would have to find time to make up the missed courses from the half semester.

The day had only just begun.