The Salted Fish And Protagonist A Ended Up Together - Chapter 29

“Wait, what? How did you guys get a photo with Mianmian? I want one too!”

“Ahhh! Mianmian is so beautiful! Mama sends kisses!”

The lucky fans replied instantly: Hehe, we just happened to catch Mianmian at the airport. She is super gentle and approachable, and most importantly super, super beautiful!!!

The three exclamation marks were enough to prove their excitement. Other fans felt their eyes turn red with envy.

“Next time! I’m going next time for sure!”

“Plus one! I have to see Mianmian in person once. Wuuu, no, I’m still so jealous!”

“True, I can smell the sourness from here. I’m so salty too!”

The few fans looked at the comments with satisfaction, grinning and high-fiving each other with a loud smack.

On the other side, Wen Mian got into the car.

Xu Qing helped put the luggage in the trunk, sat in the driver’s seat, and glanced in the rearview mirror. Noticing Wen Mian’s dazed expression, she comforted her gently: “You’ll see them again next time.”

Wen Mian looked up. “I know.”

It was just… thinking about where they said they had traveled from, Wen Mian felt a sense of confusion. Was it really worth traveling from so far away just to see someone for a brief moment?

In a trance, Wen Mian thought of herself. She had grown up in an orphanage, though there was a director, it was impossible to look after every child. Thus, she had understood from a young age that she could only rely on herself. She had immersed herself in mechanical numbers, living a life she had meticulously planned.

Sometimes she felt exhausted and wanted to rest, but she was always swept forward by circumstances, grinding all the way to Vice President. Just as she was one step away from General Manager, she suddenly traveled to this world.

It felt as if everything had lost its meaning. She didn’t know what to do or what she should be doing… A sliver of long-hidden confusion finally appeared on Wen Mian’s face.

Xu Qing glanced back, thought for a moment, and spoke softly: “So, don’t let their love go to waste.”

Wen Mian’s thoughts paused, then burst like fireworks in a sudden realization. She nodded, her eyes flashing with a determined light. “Don’t worry.”

Since things were already chaotic and her self-planning had been subverted, why not live with a brand-new face and a brand-new mindset?

A look of relief appeared on her face. Xu Qing breathed a quiet sigh of relief and focused on driving.

After dropping Wen Mian off at the apartment entrance, Xu Qing got out of the car with her. Wen Mian discreetly observed her surroundings, she had been staying at the villa before and this was her first time here.

The apartment offered high privacy, and many celebrities lived there. Arriving at the floor she rented, Wen Mian pressed her fingerprint, and the door opened with a “ding.”

The room was a mess, looking as if it had been ransacked. Wen Mian frowned and walked in cautiously.

Following behind, Xu Qing was puzzled: “Why is your place… so messy?”

Wen Mian keenly picked up the cue. Xu Qing’s tone implied that the place was usually tidy. So why was it like this now?

Wen Mian looked around, suppressed her inner doubts, and smiled at Xu Qing: “I forgot to tidy up. It’s fine, you can head back. I’ll handle the rest.”

Xu Qing didn’t suspect anything and nodded. “Alright then, I’m off. Call me if anything happens.”

Wen Mian watched her leave with a smile, then let go of her suitcase and slowly began to pack. The sofa pillows were scattered, some even on the floor. Wen Mian took off the covers, planning to use them only after washing.

She finished tidying the living room quickly but found no useful information. She pushed open the bedroom door.

Compared to the living room, the bedroom was exceptionally neat, with everything arranged in an orderly fashion. However, a dense sense of discomfort surged from Wen Mian’s heart, and a chill rose from the soles of her feet.

She turned on the light and searched bit by bit. Her gaze suddenly fixed on a photograph.

In the photo, “Wen Mian” was smiling gently, wearing light makeup that softened the vividness of her features, yet it exuded an indescribable sense of eeriness. But… it looked nothing like the photos in the album back at the villa. It was as if they were two different people…

A wild thought suddenly occurred to Wen Mian. She carefully took down the frame, her fingers silently stroking it. She remembered the date in the villa’s album was from when the original host was eighteen. Could a person change so much in just three years?

Wen Mian’s confusion deepened, her thoughts tangling together like a messy ball of yarn with no end in sight. After pondering for a few minutes, she put the frame back and checked other areas, but found nothing else unusual.

She couldn’t help but feel a flicker of irritation. This was like an unsolvable puzzle, trapping her when she was desperate for answers.

Wen Mian returned to her suitcase, looked at the room, and turned to walk out the door. Although she didn’t know why this place made her feel so uneasy, it didn’t matter, she could find another place.

Taking a taxi, Wen Mian gave the driver the address and quietly closed her eyes to rest.

Seeing Wen Mian return, the servants in the villa immediately shouted in unison: “Welcome home, Little Miss!”

Unlike the coldness of the last time, they all wore faint smiles and a genuine sense of welcome. Wen Mian waved her hand and responded with a smile: “Hi everyone, I’m heading up first. Carry on.”

With that, she entered the main hall.

Unexpectedly, two women were sitting on the sofa. One wore a cyan-blue qipao, and the other wore comfortable white pajamas. The one in the qipao was holding the other, smiling as they watched a livestream replay.

Wen Mian’s footsteps faltered. These two must be the original host’s mothers. She stared for a moment before finally greeting them, “I’m back.”

The two turned simultaneously. The woman in pajamas ran toward Wen Mian, staring at her face with a complex expression hope, fear, disbelief…

Wen Mian caught the emotion, her heart lifting in suspense. She looked back and saw the woman’s expression turn even more complex, a bit of disappointment, but mostly joy. A tear escaped the corner of her eye.

She spoke with a choked voice, “Mianmian…”

Just calling that name seemed to take all her strength. She couldn’t say anything else.

For some reason, Wen Mian also felt a pang of sadness and a faint ache in her heart. The other woman pulled the pajama-clad woman into her arms, her own eyes filled with complex emotions as she stared at Wen Mian for a long time.

After a while, she finally spoke, her voice raspy: “It’s good that you’re back. It’s good that you’re back.”

Wen Mian nodded, thinking to herself: It seems the relationship between the original host and her mothers was indeed strained.

Without letting it show, she replied: “Mother, Mama, I was immature before and made you worry.”

Hearing this, Wen Rong suddenly broke away from Pei Shuran’s embrace and hugged Wen Mian tightly. Tearfully, she protested: “Mianmian has always been good. Mama never blamed Mianmian.”

Wen Mian’s body stiffened, her hands hovering awkwardly in the air. Not until Wen Rong’s warm tears soaked through her clothes did she purse her lips and slowly place her hand on Wen Rong’s back, patting her gently to comfort her. “There, there, don’t cry.”

Then she felt Wen Rong hug her even tighter.

Wen Mian was stunned, her eyes darting toward Pei Shuran for help. What do I do? Comfort her!

Pei Shuran’s expression softened, and she took a step forward. Wen Mian thought she was going to comfort Wen Rong and breathed a quiet sigh of relief only to feel a gentle pat on her own head.

Wen Mian froze and looked up. Pei Shuran’s hand was on her head. Seeing Wen Mian look at her, she patted again, her voice low and soft: “It’s good that you’re back.”

For a moment, Wen Mian didn’t know how to react. These two were not her actual mothers, but at this moment, she felt an overwhelming desire to be close to them, to have them as her family.

Wen Rong slowly let go, her eyes red from crying. She forced herself to say: “You’ve been working for so long, Mianmian must be tired. Mama will take you to rest.”

Wen Mian nodded dazed, watching Pei Shuran pick up her luggage and walk ahead, while Wen Rong walked upstairs beside her.

“Mama watched that livestream you were in. Mianmian, you are so amazing!”

Wen Mian felt a bit awkward, was this what they call “praising someone to their face”? But seeing Wen Rong’s excited expression, she replied hoarsely: “Really?”

Seeing Wen Mian respond, Wen Rong grew even more excited: “Really, really! Mianmian, you are Mama’s pride! Speaking of which, what do you think of Manman?”

Wen Mian glanced at Wen Rong. There was a hint of caution in her expression. Could she be a fan of Gu Man? For that matter, did they know about the marriage?

Wen Mian thought for a moment and replied: “Gu Man is quite nice. A very good person.”

Ding! Your “Good Person” card has been issued.

Wen Rong nodded, seemingly letting go of a heavy burden. After taking Wen Mian to her room, Wen Rong and Pei Shuran nodded to her. “Mianmian, get some rest first.”

Wen Mian gave an “um,” pulled her suitcase in, and slowly closed the door. As she turned around, her heart was filled with emotion. A mother’s love was indeed moving. It wasn’t originally hers, but it had touched her inadvertently, warm and beautiful.

She didn’t go out again, staying in her room to process her feelings. Outside, Wen Rong was held in Pei Shuran’s arms, stifling her sobs. Pei Shuran patted her back gently, offering no verbal comfort, letting her release her emotions.

After crying, Wen Rong called Pei Ting. The phone rang for a while before being picked up, followed by a gentle inquiry: “Mama, what’s wrong?”

Wen Rong’s voice was still a bit raspy. she touched her swollen eyes, but her tone was full of joy: “Tingting, your sister is back!”

There was a loud “crash” on the other end as a cup hit the floor, jarring Pei Ting’s thoughts.

“Mama, what did you say?” Her voice trembled slightly.

Wen Rong smiled and repeated firmly: “Mianmian is back. Tingting, if you have time, come back and see your sister.”

Pei Ting swallowed hard, her voice deep: “Even if I don’t have time, I’m coming back to see her.”

Wen Rong’s eyes curved. “That’s good. Bring Tanwei along too, let her meet Mianmian as well.”

“I know, Mama,” Pei Ting agreed.

After hanging up, Pei Ting pressed the buzzer on her desk. Almost simultaneously, Lin Tanwei felt a vibration on her wrist. Her eyes softened instantly, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. She turned her wrist and tapped the watch keyboard.

Looking up at the person in front of her, she suppressed her joy and spoke coolly: “Understood. Remember to continue revising the proposal when you go back.” Then, she swayed away on her black high heels.

The staff members behind her immediately slumped into their seats. A workplace buddy leaned over, watching Lin Tanwei’s departing figure with excitement in her eyes: “Looks like it’s our CEO Pei.”

The staff member glanced at her and said speechlessly: “Think about it. Who else but CEO Pei could make Assistant Lin smile while working?”

“True, after all, seeing Assistant Lin smile is harder than finishing work,” the colleague agreed, nodding.

On the other side, Pei Ting smiled at the reply she received. She looked toward the door and, as expected, soon saw Lin Tanwei walk in.

She leaned back in her chair, her eyes sparkling with a smile. “Go home with me.”

Lin Tanwei’s heart tightened, but she feigned composure. “Go home with you?”

Pei Ting nodded, enjoying Lin Tanwei’s reaction. “Yes. To meet my sister, whom you’ve always been curious about Wen Mian.”