Chapter 110: Favoritism

When Wen Jiu stopped, the person walking toward them had clearly noticed them as well.

The man’s face was cool and unreadable, but the woman looked as though she had been caught in the act, embarrassment washing over her features.

Wen Jiu did not linger. She turned and walked away at once, for she was hardly so magnanimous as to greet them.

Wen Jiu and Shen Mengxia changed direction and left.

Only after they had gone a long way did Shen Mengxia ask in puzzlement, “Isn’t that girl the one who came to the private room last time? Xu Xinying, right? And the man beside her is handsome too. He’s almost as good-looking as the one at your place.”

Wen Jiu managed a faint smile but did not answer.

She would never tell Shen Mengxia about what had happened to Gu Zehuai back then. First, it was Gu Zehuai’s private matter; second, so many years had passed that bringing it up again would only reopen his old wound.

Although Wen Jiu had never met Lu Qingli, from Xu Xinying’s reaction just now and from what she had previously heard about him, the man beside her was undoubtedly Lu Qingli.

Wen Jiu had no interest in seeing the two of them appear together in the square, but she was afraid they were still scheming something to use against Gu Zehuai.

Shen Mengxia also sensed that something was off. Seeing that Wen Jiu had no intention of continuing, she said nothing more.

The two of them wandered around a while longer. Only when they grew tired did they prepare to head home.

It was still early, and Shen Mengxia invited Wen Jiu to have dinner at her house, even suggesting she stay the night.

The two had not slept together in a very long time. Tonight was bound to become an all-night talk session.

On the way to the Shen household, Wen Jiu thought it over and still took out her phone. She told Gu Zehuai about what had happened that afternoon and also shared her concerns.

Gu Zehuai simply replied, “Understood.”

Wen Jiu knew he would be careful, so she said no more.

It was not that she thought them especially malicious; rather, she had to assume the worst of them. After all, Gu Zehuai had once suffered because of them.

Shen Mengxia was driving. By the time Wen Jiu finished messaging Gu Zehuai, they were almost at the Shen home.

After getting out of the car, Wen Jiu followed Shen Mengxia inside.

Before they even reached the living room, Shen Mengxia called into the house, “Mom, Dad, look who’s here!”

Hearing the commotion, Mr. and Mrs. Shen came out from the living room. When they saw Wen Jiu, their faces immediately lit up with delight.

“Uncle, Auntie, Happy New Year,” Wen Jiu said with a smile, greeting the two elders and offering the gifts in her hands.

“So it’s Jiujiu. Happy New Year to you too. You came all this way and still brought presents? Really now. Come in quickly, it’s cold outside.”

Mr. and Mrs. Shen were both very happy to see Wen Jiu. Mr. Shen even tied on an apron and decided to cook personally.

Shen Mengxia pouted at him and complained, “Dad, when I’m home you never cook. You’re playing favorites.”

Mr. Shen merely smiled and said nothing as he went into the kitchen.

He answered her with action instead of words.

Mrs. Shen watched the exchange between father and daughter and laughed.

Wen Jiu laughed too, feeling a warm tenderness settle over her.

It had been a long time since she had last come to Shen Mengxia’s house, but every time she did, she could feel the kindness the Shen couple showed her.

Mrs. Shen, Wen Jiu, and Shen Mengxia chatted in the living room. Mrs. Shen asked about Wen Jiu’s life abroad, and Wen Jiu answered one question after another.

Before long, however, the conversation turned to Wen Jiu and Shen Mengxia.

Mrs. Shen glanced at Shen Mengxia, then looked back at Wen Jiu.

Shen Mengxia had no idea what was going on and turned to look at her mother.

Seeing that Shen Mengxia’s attention had been successfully drawn there, Mrs. Shen smiled in satisfaction and asked Wen Jiu, “Jiujiu, do you have a boyfriend yet?”

The moment Shen Mengxia heard that, she thought, Ah, so this is what you were waiting for. She immediately turned away and pretended not to look at Mrs. Shen.

Wen Jiu also smiled a little and answered honestly, “Auntie, I already have a boyfriend.”

Mrs. Shen was delighted by the answer and asked about her boyfriend’s family. Wen Jiu selectively answered a few things.

Mrs. Shen then turned to Shen Mengxia, but Shen Mengxia ignored her and kept watching the variety show on television, pretending she had heard nothing.

But Mrs. Shen spoke lazily, “Xiaxia, still avoiding it? Don’t you remember what you told your mother two days ago?”