After the Sickly Child Differentiates into A - Chapter 7

Her dark eyes brimmed with curiosity, the slight fullness around them accentuating the contours of her bone structure.

Sincere, trusting, and earnest.

Truly a pair of puppy-dog eyes.

Wen Jingzhi curled her lips into a smile and explained, “That’s your sister’s job.”

Job?

The uncle in the village who built houses for people also said he had a job, but this seemed different.

Wen Xihe glanced back, amused by the obvious confusion on the child’s face. She chuckled, “Remember what you watched with Grandpa last time, the one with people fighting? Do you recall what it was called?”

Lin Li frowned, thinking hard before answering, “A TV drama?”

“Or maybe a movie?”

“Right, both TV dramas and movies,” Wen Xihe replied, suddenly unable to stop laughing. “Your sister Jingzhi is someone who plays roles in TV dramas and movies.”

“Plays? Roles?” Lin Li looked even more bewildered.

“Ah,” Wen Xihe realized this might be too abstract for a child who had grown up in a remote, isolated village without formal schooling. She gave up trying to explain further. “Never mind. Just know that your sister Jingzhi is amazing. Lots of people know her and love her.”

Lin Li nodded vaguely, only retaining the phrase “your sister Jingzhi is amazing.” With her puppy-dog eyes, she turned to Wen Jingzhi and smiled sweetly, “Sister is so amazing.”

Wen Jingzhi’s heart skipped a beat, momentarily speechless. She turned her head away and muttered, “Thanks.”

A faint blush spread across her pale skin, which Wen Xihe caught sight of. Gripping the steering wheel, she burst into laughter. “Oh my god, our youngest is actually blushing!”

Blushing? Sister?

Lin Li curiously stared at Wen Jingzhi’s face, only for the latter to cover her eyes with a hand.

“Wen. Xi. He.”

“Hahaha, alright, alright, I’ll stop laughing.”

The car was filled with laughter, all from Wen Xihe.

An hour later, the car pulled up in front of Yinzhi Entertainment’s building. Wen Jingzhi frowned at the familiar scenery outside the window. “Why are we at the company?”

“Waiting for someone. Lin Ye said she’s nearby.”

“You and Lin Ye are close?” Wen Jingzhi raised an eyebrow. Weren’t you just calling her a crazy woman the other day?

Wen Xihe tapped the steering wheel. “We get along, I guess.”

Soon, a woman with golden waves approached the car and knocked on the window. The passenger-side window rolled down, revealing deep-set, exotic blue eyes and a high nose bridge, the unmistakable features of a mixed-race beauty.

Wen Xihe was momentarily dazzled by her face and beckoned with a finger. “Get in.”

Lin Ye opened the door and slid into the passenger seat. The moment she buckled her seatbelt, the car sped off.

Wen Xihe shot her a glance. “Bold of you to wander around without any disguise.”

Lin Ye smoothed her hair over her shoulder and smirked. “There weren’t many people on the street.” She turned to the backseat, raising a hand and curling her fingers in greeting. “Happy New Year, Best Actress Wen.”

Her gaze landed on the child beside Wen Jingzhi, and she froze. “You… have a kid this old already?”

Wen Jingzhi: “…?”

“Hahahahaha!!” Wen Xihe nearly lost it, swerving to the side of the road before collapsing onto the steering wheel in hysterics. “Oh my god, hahahahaha!”

With their youngest being such an ice block, who could possibly handle her? Forget having kids marriage isn’t even on the horizon.

Too funny.

Wen Jingzhi kept a cold expression, almost grinding her teeth as she corrected Lin Ye: “She’s my sister.”

Realizing her mistake, Lin Ye awkwardly turned away, pretending to be busy by smoothing the stray hairs at her temples before patting Wen Xihe’s shoulder. “Alright, enough laughing already.”

“It’s just too funny.” Wen Xihe sat up, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes. “Have you been playing nice with Chen Qing for so long that your IQ dropped?”

Lin Ye rolled her eyes irritably. “Piss off. Just drive.”

“Does your Huanqiu Group want Chen Qing?” Wen Xihe finally stopped laughing and got to the point. “She’s pissed off our family. I suggest you don’t pick up trash.”

Lin Ye made a disgusted face. “Then stop littering, will you? I heard you’re planning to dump Chen Qing on me at a bargain. Shameless.”

“Just putting on a show~ So when are you…?”

“Before the end of next year.”

“That soon? The engagement’s off? No issues with the Chen family?”

“Pretty much.”

Wen Xihe gave her a look and clicked her tongue. “A femme fatale. Terrifying.”

That’s why I call her a madwoman.

She kept a straight face for years, playing the lovesick fool with a piece of trash, even fueling rumors of forced affection, only to devour their entire business behind the scenes.

Lin Ye shot her a mock-menacing glare. “What, you wanna try your luck?”

“No thanks, I’ll pass.” Wen Xihe waved her off, steering the car into the underground parking lot before asking curiously, “Hey, how’d you manage to make Chen Qing think you were obsessed with her without ever getting played?”

“Wen Xihe.”

Wen Jingzhi, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke. Both Wen Xihe and Lin Ye turned back, noticing her hand covering Lin Li’s ears and the child’s innocent, confused gaze. Realizing their slip, Wen Xihe coughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. “Park in Zone A. I think there’s space.”

Lin Ye tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, equally embarrassed. “Sure.”

After parking, Lin Ye pulled out oversized sunglasses from her bag, covering half her face, and tossed her wavy hair. “Let’s go. Haven’t shopped in ages time to indulge.”

She strode ahead while Wen Xihe locked the car and caught up, only to be stopped by Wen Jingzhi, who was holding Lin Li’s hand.

“What’s up?”

“You helped her?” Wen Jingzhi kept her voice low. “What’d she offer you?”

“Just pressured the Lin family a bit.” Wen Xihe raised a brow. “Ten percent of Huanqiu’s shares.”

Ten percent? That’s overly generous.

Wen Jingzhi glanced at the clueless Lin Li beside her and said nothing more.

Inside the mall, Wen Xihe and Lin Ye headed straight for the third-floor S-brand boutique.

Exiting the elevator, Wen Jingzhi had to hunch slightly to hold Lin Li’s hand, which soon grew uncomfortable. Sensing this, Lin Li let go and walked ahead on her own.

Wen Xihe and Lin Ye, with their long strides, moved faster. Lin Li, still sore, walked slower than most kids, plodding along like a turtle. Wen Jingzhi didn’t rush her, keeping a steady three-step distance while occasionally glancing up from her phone to check on her.

After passing a few storefronts, Lin Li was hit by another wave of intense pain that drained her strength. She staggered uncontrollably and began to fall forward. Letting out a sigh, she resignedly closed her eyes.

Wen Xihe, who had stopped ahead to wait for them, turned around just in time to see it happen. “Xiao You!” she cried out in alarm.

Wen Jingzhi quickly put away her phone and took a long stride forward, reaching out to grab Lin Li. But she was just a little too far her fingers only caught the detachable hood of Lin Li’s down jacket. Perhaps the zipper had loosened slightly from being jostled while carrying her earlier. The moment Wen Jingzhi pulled, the hood’s zipper gave way.

None of the three adults reacted in time. Fortunately, Wen Jingzhi’s tug gave Lin Li just enough strength to avoid landing face-first, though her knees buckled, sending her kneeling to the ground.

“Lin Li!”

The shout was loud enough that Wen Jingzhi instinctively yanked again but instead of pulling Lin Li up, she completely tore off the hood.

Wen Xihe, who had rushed over in a panic: “…”

Lin Ye, trailing behind Wen Xihe: “…”

Wen Jingzhi stared at the detached hood in her hand, her expression darkening. She stepped forward, bent down, and scooped Lin Li up into her arms.

“Pfft!” Wen Xihe couldn’t help but laugh, quickly turning her head away before composing herself. “Are you okay, Xiao You? Does it hurt?” she asked, trying to suppress her amusement.

Lin Ye, hiding behind her, was red-faced from holding in laughter.

Lin Li buried her face in Wen Jingzhi’s neck, overcome with a quiet sense of despair.

She had never been this embarrassed in her life.

Wen Jingzhi clenched the hood in her hand, took a deep breath, and turned her head slightly to murmur, “Does it hurt?”

Lin Li didn’t want to speak. She just shook her head.

Relieved, the others decided not to press further, knowing the child was mortified. They continued walking, and when they passed a trash can, Wen Jingzhi tossed the hood inside with a hint of frustration.

“Miss Lin, Second Miss.”

At the store entrance, the manager, who had been waiting for them, immediately ushered Wen Xihe and Lin Ye inside upon seeing them.

Wen Jingzhi followed behind, carrying Lin Li. The manager was momentarily stunned at the sight but quickly approached with delight. “Third Miss, it’s been so long! Would you like to see our new arrivals?”

Wen Jingzhi gave a faint acknowledgment and carried Lin Li over to where Wen Xihe and Lin Ye were browsing.

Still drowning in embarrassment, Lin Li kept her face hidden against Wen Jingzhi’s chest.

“We’ll take you to Z’s later, they have great children’s wear,” Wen Xihe said to Lin Li before heading deeper into the store with Lin Ye to pick out clothes.

Wen Jingzhi settled onto a sofa, holding the little ostrich-wannabe in her arms, and gently patted her back. “Are you cold?”

Lin Li took a quiet breath, finally lifting her head. “No,” she murmured.

“Aren’t you going to look at clothes, Sister?”

“No need.” Wen Jingzhi gestured to the manager, who promptly brought over a catalog and handed it to her. Without being dismissed, the manager remained nearby, waiting.

Wen Jingzhi flipped through the catalog casually, noticing Lin Li’s gaze lingering on the pages. She paused and, on a whim, asked, “Which one do you like?” Her polished fingertip tapped a backless starry gown. “This one?”

Lin Li giggled and shook her head. “I can’t wear that, Sister.”

“I meant for me,” Wen Jingzhi clarified, raising a brow.

“Sister is suuuuper pretty! You’d look amazing in anything!”

The exaggerated compliment softened something in Wen Jingzhi’s usually cool, distant demeanor. She turned another page, her voice unexpectedly warm. “Then help me pick, okay?”

Lin Li nodded obediently, “Okay.”

Her tiny fingers brushed against the catalog, sliding past one limited-edition gown after another as casually as if she were playing a game.

The manager maintained a polite smile, though internally, her mind was in turmoil.

Who was this child? Why was Third Miss Wen doting on her so much?

Could she be a secret love child?

But the age didn’t match…

“Have you picked anything, Jingzhi?”

Wen Xihe and Lin Ye emerged from the inner room. Ignoring her, Wen Jingzhi closed the catalog and handed it to the manager. “Send everything she pointed out to the usual address.”

The manager bowed respectfully and left, barely keeping her composure as she turned away.

That was twelve high-end limited editions!

Wen Xihe, who hadn’t seen the selections, curiously leaned in. “What did you pick?”

Wen Jingzhi glanced at Lin Li and replied flatly, “A few gowns.”

The group left the boutique and stopped for two cups of milk tea on their way to the children’s clothing store, one for Wen Xihe, one for Lin Ye.

Wen Jingzhi didn’t like sweet drinks, and Lin Li wasn’t allowed to have any.

Noticing the child’s gaze lingering on the cup in her hand, Wen Xihe suddenly felt a pang of sympathy. She reached out and pinched Lin Li’s cheek reassuringly. “You’ll be able to drink this soon, Xiao You.”

Lin Li blinked, then smiled and nodded. “Okay.”

She wasn’t actually craving it, just curious.

She had never seen such things in the village, and in the two years since, she’d had no chance to encounter them either.

“Oh, my poor darling.” Wen Xihe’s heart ached even more at her obedient demeanor. “It won’t be long now. Once you start school, you’ll be able to eat normal meals, and in a few months, you can have all kinds of delicious snacks and milk tea too.”

She really didn’t want any.

Unsure how to explain, Lin Li could only nod meekly.

Lin Ye studied Lin Li’s thin, pale face and frowned. “Are the Wen family’s rules that strict? No snacks until school starts?”

Wen Xihe had briefly explained Lin Li’s background while shopping, but she only knew the child was adopted not that she had health issues.

“It’s not like that.” Wen Xihe glanced at Lin Li, then pulled Lin Ye aside to clarify. “Xiao You’s health is very fragile right now. She can’t eat these things, only medicinal meals.”

“That serious?”

Lin Ye turned to look at the small figure bundled in an oversized down jacket. Indeed, she looked frail, her face unnaturally pale, making her seem even tinier, like a little animal.

“Her bone structure is excellent, she’ll grow up to be a beauty.”

“Such a tiny thing, so cute like a little rabbit.”

“Of course!” Wen Xihe said proudly. “No one in the Wen family is ugly.”

“Rabbit? You’ve got no eye for detail. With those downturned eyes, she’s obviously a puppy.”

Lin Ye: “Are you even complimenting your sister right now?”

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