After the Sickly Child Differentiates into A - Chapter 23

A small bundle as white as the snow outside came running in, wrapped in a thick down jacket and a fluffy scarf, revealing only a pair of smiling dark eyes, soft and curved like a puppy’s.

Though the heavy clothing somewhat hindered her movements, Lin Li still jogged forward, her gaze fixed on the tall, beautiful woman standing behind several strange machines. The corners of her eyes lifted once again.

Sister was so beautiful she seemed to glow!

“Xiao You, slow down.” Wen Xihe, following behind, wore a long, fitted coat that accentuated her height and straight, long legs. Her left hand was tucked into her pocket, while her right held Xiao Xi’s leash. Her peach-blossom eyes narrowed with a smile as she walked with calm composure.

“Is that your, ” Director Han watched the approaching little bundle and hesitated, “family?”

“Little sister.” Wen Jingzhi looked at the adorable child bundled up like a dumpling, her cold expression softening like melting snow, a smile tugging at her lips. “She’s my little sister.”

Director Han blinked in surprise at the sight of her expression.

Xiao Xi stood beside Wen Jingzhi, watching her little owner, her tail wagging like a propeller, yet she didn’t pounce.

“Sister!”

Just a few steps away, Lin Li suddenly stumbled. Wen Jingzhi’s smile froze, and she took a long stride forward, reaching out.

This time, she didn’t grab the child by the collar but bent down, hooked her arm around her, and lifted the little bundle directly into her embrace.

The child’s face was flushed faintly pink from running. Wen Jingzhi curled her lips slightly and pressed a hand to her forehead not feverish. Her usually cool voice carried a noticeable softness as she asked, “Why were you running?”

She nearly tripped.

Lin Li squinted with a smile and shook her head.

She didn’t know why she had run.

It was just, an impulse.

“You run when you see your Jingzhi sister, but I never see you run a few steps for me?” Wen Xihe walked over, pinching Lin Li’s cheek with a hint of jealousy, then glanced at her younger sister with obvious envy. “Even on her own birthday, she insisted on coming to see you. Did you feed Xiao You some kind of love potion recently?”

Wen Jingzhi, in a good mood, didn’t bother arguing and merely raised an eyebrow with a faint smile.

So pleased with herself.

Wen Xihe pouted.

“CEO Wen?” Director Han recognized his major investor, his eyes shifting between Wen Jingzhi and Wen Xihe before a look of understanding dawned on his face.

Wen Xihe lazily glanced at Director Han and nodded. “Carry on with your work. I’m not here to check up on you.”

The rest of the crew couldn’t take their eyes off Wen Jingzhi and the other two, their fingers flying over their phones as they eagerly gossiped. Wen Jingzhi swept a cool gaze over the crowd and said to Director Han, “Director Han, please schedule all my scenes for tomorrow.”

So that’s what it was about?

“Sure, you don’t have many scenes left anyway.” Director Han nodded directly. “Was this the private matter you wanted to talk about earlier?”

Wen Jingzhi lowered her eyes to look at the little bundle in her arms, a slight smile playing on her lips. “No.”

“The private matter I was going to mention came here on her own.”

Director Han understood, it seemed she had originally planned to ask for leave to go home, most likely for the sake of this soft, adorable child.

“Then I’ll take my leave for today.”

Director Han waved his hand. “Rest well.”

Wen Jingzhi had her assistant cancel her flight ticket, then returned to the dressing room to remove her makeup and change into casual clothes. When she came out, she picked up Lin Li. Wen Xihe crouched down to fasten Xiao Xi’s leash and walked beside the two, leading the dog.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the three of them left the set.

After they left, a photographer from the crew hid in a corner, took out his phone, and sent two messages.

Confirmed, Wen Jingzhi is indeed a member of the Wen family.

The second young lady of the Wen family has a child with her, probably the fourth young lady.

Wen Xihe’s striking appearance is not only well-known in financial circles but has also caused a stir in the entertainment industry, with photos of her attending a certain summit circulating widely.

Anyone who has seen her before can easily recognize her.

Moreover, she doesn’t consider herself a celebrity and never bothers with disguises when going out.

The group first needed to return to the hotel to drop off their luggage.

The assistant drove, while Wen Jingzhi and the other two sat in the back seat, with the little one sandwiched in the middle.

Wen Jingzhi adjusted Lin Li’s scarf and asked, “How did you get here?”

“By plane!” It was Lin Li’s first time on a plane, and she had spent the entire journey gazing out the window.

Wen Xihe, holding her phone in her left hand to reply to messages, rested her right hand on Xiao Xi’s head as the little dog lay across her knees, occasionally stroking it. Hearing this exchange, she chuckled and glanced over. “What kind of question is that? Did you think they drove here?”

It wasn’t entirely impossible.

Wen Jingzhi smiled faintly. “Did you feel unwell at all?”

This little one was probably on a plane for the first time.

“Nothing much,” Wen Xihe interjected. “She just coughed for a bit.”

Wen Jingzhi shot her a glance before turning to Lin Li, who smiled sweetly and said, “I didn’t feel unwell.”

Only after hearing the answer from the person herself did Wen Jingzhi nod in satisfaction.

As long as she was physically fine, that was all that mattered.

The car stopped at the hotel entrance, and everyone got out. The assistant handed the car keys to Wen Xihe, gave the little one a reluctant glance, and headed into the hotel first.

They might go out to have fun in the afternoon, so there was no need to trouble the assistant further.

Of course, if the assistant had been asked, she would’ve wanted to tag along she was far too curious about this child.

Having worked with Teacher Wen for so long, she had never seen such a gentle expression on her face.

The three of them entered the lobby. The front desk noticed Xiao Xi and was about to say something but, upon recognizing Wen Jingzhi, swallowed her words and proceeded to check Wen Xihe into a room.

After getting the room key, they took the elevator to the seventh floor, found the room, and opened the door to drop off their luggage. Wen Xihe teased Lin Li, “Xiao You, which sister do you want to stay with tonight?”

Wen Jingzhi’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, she scoffed coldly.

This little one was an expert at staying neutral she’d likely give an ambiguous answer.

“I want to stay with Sister Jingzhi.”

Huh?

Wen Jingzhi wondered if she had misheard. She looked at Lin Li, who was holding Xiao Xi’s hand beside her, and raised an eyebrow. “With me?”

Lin Li nodded with a smile. “Mm-hmm!”

Wen Xihe immediately bristled with jealousy. She bent down and gently pinched the child’s cheek, complaining, “Why didn’t you pick me?”

“What’s so great about sleeping with an ice block? Be careful you don’t freeze.”

Lin Li comforted her by wrapping one arm around Wen Xihe’s neck. “Next time, I’ll stay with Sister Xihe.”

“Xiao You, you’re not…” Wen Xihe seemed to recall something, leaned in, and whispered into the child’s ear. Seeing the little one nod after hearing her words, Wen Xihe couldn’t hold back a laugh.

Alright, no more jealousy.

Hahahaha!

Noticing Wen Xihe’s mischievous expression, Wen Jingzhi grew instantly wary. Thinking it over carefully, given the child’s usual temperament, such an answer was out of character. Even the initiative to come to the film set to find her was unusual.

She’d test the waters with the little one tonight perhaps she’d get some answers.

Lin Li’s medicine and pajamas, along with Xiao Xi’s dog food, were packed in one suitcase, which was placed in Wen Jingzhi’s room. The room Wen Xihe had booked was right across the hall.

After settling their luggage, the three of them and the dog took the elevator downstairs.

Inside the elevator, Wen Jingzhi took out her phone and searched for birthday venues suitable for children in City A. She browsed through the top-ranked options but wasn’t satisfied with any of them.

As the elevator doors opened, she put her phone away and stepped out, asking the birthday girl, “Where would you like to celebrate your birthday?”

“An amusement park, obviously,” Wen Xihe chimed in again. “Where else could it be?”

Lin Li smiled gently. “Anywhere is fine. It’s up to you two sisters to decide.”

“It’s your birthday,” Wen Jingzhi shot a sharp glance at the ever-interrupting Wen Xihe before softening her gaze slightly as she turned to Lin Li. “You decide.”

Hmm…

Lin Li didn’t know where to go.

She didn’t really have any particular place in mind.

“Then let’s go to the amusement park!” After all, she hadn’t been anywhere before.

Wen Jingzhi studied her for a moment. The smile on Lin Li’s face didn’t seem entirely genuine, but it wasn’t as forced as before. The child probably didn’t know what to choose and simply adopted Wen Xihe’s suggestion.

Still, an amusement park wasn’t a bad idea.

The child had likely never been to one.

“Alright.” Wen Jingzhi took out her phone again and searched for well-known amusement parks in City A. She picked one suitable for family outings and showed the address on her screen to Wen Xihe.

“This one? Sure. It’s on Tianshui Street, about an hour’s drive from the hotel.”

Wen Jingzhi held Lin Li’s hand, and Lin Li held Xiao Xi’s leash, leaving Wen Xihe with no one to hold hands with. Narrowing her eyes, she strode ahead with her long legs, deliberately outpacing the other two by half a step, as if sulking.

“Let’s find a place to eat first. The airplane food was awful, and I didn’t dare give any to Xiao You. She only had a bowl of porridge before boarding.”

Wen Jingzhi glanced at her pouting expression and curled her lips slightly. “Alright, I’ll have my assistant send over a list of options.”

Accommodating Lin Li’s slow pace, both Wen Jingzhi and Wen Xihe took small, measured steps, walking so slowly that it took them several minutes just to exit the hotel lobby.

“Jingzhi.”

A somewhat familiar voice, with an uncomfortably intimate tone.

Wen Jingzhi frowned, stopping in her tracks and looking up. The moment she recognized the person standing in front of her, her expression turned icy.

Chen Qing.

Wen Xihe noticed her too and muttered a curse under her breath. Leaning closer to Wen Jingzhi, she whispered, “I’ll go ask the front desk to call security. Her timing is too coincidental she must have an informant in Director Han’s crew. She’s probably here to use you for a news story to divert public attention. There must be paparazzi nearby, so be careful.”

They hadn’t brought any bodyguards on this impromptu trip, never expecting to run into such an unwelcome presence.

Wen Xihe’s face darkened as she re-entered the hotel.

“Jingzhi, are you filming here too? What a coincidence.” Chen Qing was holding a garish, bright red heart-shaped gift box that was almost painful to look at. “I saw you in the hotel lobby the day before yesterday and thought I was mistaken.”

“Are you off today? I’m quite familiar with City A. Would you like me to show you around?”

Wen Jingzhi didn’t even spare her a glance. Holding Lin Li’s hand, she stood at the hotel entrance, subtly pulling the child behind her. Softly, she asked, “Are you hungry?”

“I’m not hungry, sister.”

Lin Li hid half her body behind Wen Jingzhi, peeking out slightly to cast a deep, penetrating gaze at Chen Qing.

Both sisters seemed to dislike this person.

“Why are you ignoring me, Jingzhi?” Chen Qing’s expression soured. She glanced briefly to her left before taking a step forward, attempting to close the distance.

“Stop.” A pair of frosty eyes swept over her. “I’m not familiar with Miss Chen. It would be better to address me more politely.”

“How could we not be familiar?” Chen Qing could no longer maintain her smile, her eyes tinged with resentment. “We acted together in a drama.”

Why was Wen Xihe taking so long?

Wen Jingzhi frowned impatiently. “So?”

“I’ve acted with many people.”

“What my little sister means,” Wen Xihe said calmly as she walked over in her high heels, a mocking laugh escaping her lips, “is that she’s worked with so many people, you’re not significant enough for her to remember.”

“Besides, my little sister is a clean freak. She particularly dislikes dirty, unclean things.”

Chen Qing’s face instantly darkened. Unable to keep up the act, she gritted her teeth in humiliation. “That’s going too far, President Wen.”

“The truth isn’t always pleasant to hear,” Wen Xihe retorted, raising an eyebrow.

The Chen family was already showing signs of decline. It was only a matter of time before she and Lin Ye swallowed them up.

Most likely driven to desperation, this woman had dared to set her sights on Wen Jingzhi, hoping to use her fame and status to pull herself up.

Chen Qing glanced toward the intersection not far to the left, her face darkening as resentment swelled in her eyes.

If Wen Xihe hadn’t helped Lin Ye, neither she nor her family would be in this situation!

She looked at the child behind Wen Jingzhi and clenched her jaw.

And this inexplicably appearing fourth young lady! If it weren’t for the person behind the scenes who wanted…

Why would she be here suffering such humiliation!

Wen Jingzhi lifted her eyelids indifferently. “Security will be here soon.”

Damn Wen Jingzhi! Wasn’t she just relying on the Wen family?

Without the Wen family, what was she?

An Omega who could only be controlled by Alphas, what gave her the right to look down on her!

Chen Qing met Wen Jingzhi’s gaze and slowly tightened her grip on the box in her hand.

Those pale eyes were as cold as snow, devoid of any emotion, as if the person in front of her was no different from the snow on the road, the fallen leaves on the trees, or the trash in the bin.

Utter indifference.

Not a single second of regard for this person.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket, and Chen Qing immediately breathed a sigh of relief, forcing out an angry smile. Her right hand rested on the edge of the gift box lid, slowly opening it. “This box of fresh flowers is my apology for disturbing you today.”

As the lid cracked open a sliver, Wen Jingzhi caught a glimpse of red and frowned. Just then, Lin Li suddenly coughed. Her pupils contracted, and she released her grip, stepping forward.

Her speed was so fast Lin Li couldn’t follow. In an instant, she was in front of Chen Qing. With a swift chop and a grab, the partially opened gift box was in her left hand. She pressed down hard on the lid with her right hand, sealing the gap.

Chen Qing clutched her arm in pain, glaring furiously at the woman before her.

“Cough, cough, cough!” Lin Li covered her mouth, coughing uncontrollably, her eyes fixed on the box in Wen Jingzhi’s hand.

It smelled of roses.

A few wisps of the scent had escaped through the crack when the box was opened.

Wen Xihe immediately took out an asthma inhaler from her bag and handed it to Lin Li, but the latter pushed it away.

She wasn’t short of breath, just a little uncomfortable.

Hearing the noise, Chen Qing looked over, her expression freezing for a moment before a wave of overwhelming anger surged within her.

This brat’s gaze was exactly the same as that woman Wen Jingzhi’s!

Those downturned eyes, when not smiling, were deep and cold, looking at Chen Qing as if she were trash that could be discarded at any moment.

Damn it! A mere brat! How dare she?!

Over the past six months, the grievances and pain she had endured surged into hatred, devouring her reason. Chen Qing’s eyes reddened as she let out a cold snort, wanting to rush forward and teach that brat a lesson to make her stop staring like that. But as soon as she lifted her leg, a sharp pain shot through her knee, forcing her to collapse straight into the snow.

Chen Qing ached to scream, humiliated and furious.

Wen Jingzhi withdrew her right leg and, with a flick of her hand, sent the gift box flying. It landed in the snow, its lid still tightly sealed.

Her eyes drifted downward, colder than the snow itself. Her lips parted slightly as she spat out a single icy word: “Get lost.”

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