Self-Perception - Chapter 39

It was only October, but Jiangcheng was already freezing. Wen Jinyan lingered a while before getting out of bed, shuffling slowly in her cotton slippers to her computer desk to code.

Her phone chimed with a notification. She picked it up, it was a call from Zhang Wen.

“Miss Wen, Xiao She is going to the charity gala in a few days.”

The charity gala…

She stood up and moved her cactus out onto the balcony. “Good.”

“Don’t act rashly after this. Stay by their side for now.”

“Mhm, I know.”

Wen Jinyan hung up, wrote for another half hour, closed her computer, applied light makeup, and headed out.

On the way, she bought a box of milk and some fruit. When she arrived at the ward, Ji Yibai was leaning back in bed in hospital scrubs, and Su Muqing was peeling an apple. Seeing Wen Jinyan arrive, Su Muqing quickly stood up.

“Keep peeling,” Wen Jinyan said, placing the milk and fruit on the cabinet. She turned to Ji Yibai. “Ji Yibai, are you feeling better?”

“Much better. Why did you bring so many things to see me?” Ji Yibai’s voice was steady; she was recovering well.

Su Muqing gestured for Wen Jinyan to sit down and began feeding the peeled apple, cut into small pieces, into Ji Yibai’s mouth.

Near noon, Su Muqing took an insulated container to go buy porridge, and Wen Jinyan followed her.

“Ji Yibai is recovering well.”

“Yeah, this counts as a workplace injury. The higher-ups are letting her recover on paid leave.”

The two chatted idly.

“Do you know who will be at the charity gala in a few days?”

“The charity gala? I don’t know, but I can guess, nothing more than celebrities and the capitalists who run this circle. Gu Wansheng will be there too, with Teacher Gu’s status, she attends every year.” Su Muqing paused for half a second. “Why the sudden interest?”

She had never seen Wen Jinyan interested in such things before.

The two walked to the porridge stall. Su Muqing filled half the container with millet porridge and bought some side dishes, getting a portion for Wen Jinyan as well.

“I’ll treat you to a proper meal later.”

Wen Jinyan didn’t mind. Once they had finished getting the food, she answered Su Muqing’s previous question on the way back.

“That person will be there.”

Su Muqing was slow to react. “Zhang Wen told you?”

“Mhm.” Wen Jinyan took her portion of the food. “So, I’m going too.”

“Are we officially declaring war on him?”

“Nine years. It’s been too long.” It was time to settle a nine-year-old debt.

“Jinyan, think carefully. Once we officially declare war on him, the path we take will be a dangerous one,” Su Muqing said, looking at her with a serious expression.

“Haven’t we been walking a dangerous path these past few years? He better recognize me otherwise, it won’t be poignant enough. I want to become the thorn in his heart.”

Wen Jinyan’s expression turned cold in an instant.

“Then what about Gu Wansheng? What about her?”

Xiao She’s influence in the industry essentially covered half the sky. In recent years, he participated in charity events, helped left behind children, and took part in anything beneficial to society. Even though he wasn’t a celebrity, he had plenty of public favor and fans. Many directors, stars, and capitalists fought for his scripts, as long as a play was produced from his script, it would become a hit no matter how poorly it was handled.

Moreover, his scripts had recently begun to delve into social issues, drawing public attention and praise.

Hearing Gu Wansheng’s name, Wen Jinyan’s expression softened, but she did not hesitate.

“I will protect her.”

She should always walk a path of brilliant stardom, forever surrounded by flowers.

“I’m always on the same side as you, but…” Su Muqing pondered. “You haven’t received an invitation, you’re not a popular figure in the circle, and you don’t have capitalist ties. Family members of stars aren’t allowed in either. How are you going to get in?”

An unusual look flashed across Wen Jinyan’s face, but only for a moment. “There is a way.”

Su Muqing raised an eyebrow and teased, “Jinyan, are you still treating me like an outsider?”

Wen Jinyan explained, “I’m just not certain yet.”

In the afternoon, Wen Jinyan spent some idle time at the hospital before leaving. Back at home, she took out her phone and opened her contacts; the number of saved contacts was pitifully small, visible at a single glance.

The first was Gu Wansheng’s number, with an “A” added before “Gu.” The second was “Auntie,” and the third was “Su Muqing.”

She tapped the second one, unsure if the other party would answer.

But after ten seconds, the call connected.

Her hand tightened nervously, hanging straight at her side. The sliding door to the balcony wasn’t closed, and the wind blew straight in cold, yet making her exceptionally clear headed.

“Hello?” a warm female voice emerged by her ear.

Wen Jinyan’s hand at her side lost its strength, hanging down naturally and helplessly, her tension dissolved.

She spoke submissively, her voice very small and low, like a child who had done something wrong.

“Auntie, it’s me.”

“Mumu?! You’re finally willing to call Auntie. Mumu, that matter was all because Auntie was useless.”

Hearing this, Wen Jinyan’s shoulders instinctively tightened again, and she subconsciously interrupted, “No, Auntie, that had nothing to do with you.”

“If it had nothing to do with me, why have you been unwilling to visit me for so long, without a word? If Auntie had worked harder back then, would you…”

“Auntie.” Wen Jinyan looked out at the distant sky. “I have never blamed you. You have always been my best aunt.”

She only blamed herself, she only hated herself. In the past, she didn’t dare go to her aunt because she was afraid her aunt would be like that person and not believe her. Her only choice was to hide.

There was a deep breath on the other end of the line, followed by what sounded like sobbing. It fell upon Wen Jinyan’s heart like a scalding burn.

For a moment, Wen Jinyan wondered: was her decision back then a mistake that hurt the people who truly loved her?

“Auntie, it’s my turn to say I’m sorry to you.”

“Neither of us is at fault. Let the past stay in the past. Do you have time later? Auntie hasn’t seen you in a long time.”

“I do. Auntie, come to my house for a meal.”

“Okay.”

Wen Jinyan sent her the address. The two chatted for another half hour, making an appointment for the day after tomorrow, before finally ending the call because the woman was busy.

Just after hanging up, Wen Jinyan, fearing Gu Wansheng was working, simply sent her a message: [Gu Wansheng, Auntie wants to come over for dinner the day after tomorrow. Do you have time?]

When Gu Wansheng arrived at the company, Shang Yi immediately pulled her inside.

“Sister Shang?”

“The boss is looking for you.” Shang Yi pulled her into the elevator and pressed the top floor. “The boss looked for you so suddenly. Did you do something?”

Gu Wansheng blinked, her tone innocent. “No.”

Since returning from the countryside, she had been working diligently, filming and making appearances. How could her aunt be unhappy? Her aunt knew about the trip to the countryside.

“In case the boss scolds you about work, just pin the responsibility on me,” Shang Yi told her as they reached the top floor office.

“Sister Shang, don’t worry. Nothing will happen,” Gu Wansheng said easily.

Gu Wansheng knocked. Hearing the person inside say “Come in,” she pushed the door open and saw a woman sitting in an executive chair, flipping through files.

“Auntie, why did you ask for me?” Gu Wansheng stood obediently before the woman.

Gu Huai put down the files. “Are you coming home for New Year’s this year?”

Gu Wansheng didn’t speak. Instead, she poured a cup of tea for Gu Huai, her movements skilled, and pushed it toward her.

“Will Auntie be going back?” Gu Wansheng rested her chin on her hands, sitting across from Gu Huai.

“You’ve grown capable.” Gu Huai picked up the teacup and caught the aroma. “Your skill has indeed improved.”

After tasting the tea, she glanced at Gu Wansheng indifferently. “I am merely conveying your father’s message. Since your father can’t get through to your phone, he had to contact me.”

“I’m not going back.”

Gu Huai nodded, acknowledging it. She then added, “Remember to find time to call your grandmother; she misses you very much.”

“I know, Auntie.” Gu Wansheng nodded. “So, did Auntie call me here just for this one thing?”

“Mhm.” Gu Huai set down the cup. “Your aunt isn’t an idle person who goes looking for trouble with you for no reason.”

It seemed Sister Shang had overthought things.

“Then I’ll leave you to your work, Auntie. I won’t disturb you.”

As Gu Wansheng turned to leave, Gu Huai added airily from behind, “That wife of yours. I can’t find any information about her at all.”

Gu Wansheng froze and turned around, confused. “Auntie?”

She didn’t hear an argument or anger from her elder, but rather, she heard incomprehension.

“You are my niece. I have the right to investigate whether someone you married after only knowing for a few months has other motives. Although it invades her privacy, you are my family. I apologize for investigating her without permission, but I will still do it.”

“You can tell her that if she feels offended by my actions, I can come to her door to apologize at any time.”

“Auntie, that’s not what I meant.”

“But this is my attitude.”

Gu Huai didn’t give her a chance to speak, her tone slightly forceful. “I’ve been investigating since you married her. In these few months, I’ve checked with ten agencies, and not a single one could find anything.” She finished and looked at Gu Wansheng’s expression.

“This isn’t a matter of me being sloppy. Do you understand the logic behind this?”

If nothing could be found in months, it meant either her identity was special and the person behind her was hiding it very thoroughly, or she was approaching her intentionally.

Regardless of which it was, Gu Wansheng didn’t believe it, because in the months she had lived with her wife, Wen Jinyan had never done anything to hurt her.

“Auntie, thank you for considering my well-being. But I trust my wife, she has her own reasons and thoughts.”

“Are you stupid? How could I have a… has she stolen your soul?!”

Gu Huai wanted to call her “love brained,” but she held back.

“I love her.” Gu Wansheng wasn’t annoyed; she simply said to Gu Huai again, “Auntie, she is the partner I’ve chosen for this life. I love her, I want to protect her, and I won’t allow anyone to bully her.”

Gu Huai’s hand tightened around the cup, veins faintly visible, she was almost gritting her teeth. “If you get played later, you’d better not come crying to your aunt.”

Gu Wansheng politely closed the door. Shang Yi hadn’t gone far. Seeing Gu Wansheng come out, she immediately surrounded her. “What did the boss want?”

“Nothing much. She just said I’ve been quite active lately and to keep up the hard work,” Gu Wansheng said, making up a topic to brush Shang Yi off.

Shang Yi stared at her with a look of utter disbelief.

Feeling the stare, Gu Wansheng rubbed her non-existent goosebumps. “Actually, Sister Shang, you’re getting a raise.”

“The boss said I’m doing great, and I said it’s all thanks to your leadership. Sister Shang, get ready; you’re about to ‘level up’.”