"Why the long face?" Wen Zhiyan asked Fang Miaomiao, who was sitting motionlessly on the sofa, looking dejected. "Is something wrong at An An's school or with the film crew?"
"I went to drop An An off today, and I ran into Xie Wanqing at the kindergarten gate."
"Xie Wanqing?" Wen Zhiyan sounded confused. "What was Xie Wanqing doing there?"
Fang Miaomiao shook her head. "What's more, she seemed to know which kindergarten An An attends."
When Xie Wanqing saw her, she wasn't surprised at all and even chatted with her casually.
Fang Miaomiao had initially thought Xie Wanqing liked Wen Zhiyan, and she had probed her several times without holding back.
However, Xie Wanqing didn't get angry at all, nor did she show any signs of jealousy.
Therefore, her earlier assumption that Xie Wanqing liked Wen Zhiyan was wrong.
This, then, led to another question.
If Xie Wanqing didn't like Wen Zhiyan, why was she so concerned about whether Wen Zhiyan frequently went to the hospital and what he did there?
Hearing Fang Miaomiao's analysis, a glint flashed in Wen Zhiyan's eyes. "Xie Wanqing. If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have suspected her."
After all, there was a childhood friendship, and his mother liked her. He and Miaomiao also went to Yu Garden regularly. Xie Wanqing would sometimes visit Yu Garden to bring joy and warmth to his mother. He was grateful for that.
"If I hadn't bumped into her today, I wouldn't have thought she was acting strange," Fang Miaomiao spread her hands and said with a blink. "I'm also afraid I might be overthinking things."
Wen Zhiyan shook his head. "It's better to be safe than sorry. Leave the matter of Xie Wanqing to me. Those people behind her are likely to target you. After you finish filming, go back to the hotel and don't wander around, understand?"
"Don't worry," Fang Miaomiao picked up the script from the coffee table.
They each busied themselves with their own tasks in the living room.
"Who is it?"
Fang Miaomiao glanced at Wen Zhiyan before getting up and going to the door. She looked through the peephole.
After clearly seeing who was outside, Fang Miaomiao turned her head to look at Wen Zhiyan, who was sitting in the living room, and then opened the door.
The door opened.
Ran Lian stood at the door with a displeased expression, and beside her was the person they had just been discussing, Xie Wanqing.
"Always dawdling, taking so long to open the door," Ran Lian said unhappily.
"Heh, we were busy just now and didn't hear you. Mother, I apologize."
To her surprise, after she finished speaking, Ran Lian's eyes showed even more disdain. "Doing shameful things in broad daylight. As expected, you're not a good person."
Fang Miaomiao instantly lost the desire to talk. "Please come in."
Xie Wanqing helped Ran Lian into the room.
"Why is the house decorated so simply? Anyone would think you're poor."
"We are poor," Fang Miaomiao said matter-of-factly. "Mother, you know as well as anyone that Wen Zhiyan is currently unemployed and stays at home. I'm the only one working, so of course, we're extremely poor."
"We gave you a five-million-yuan betrothal gift back then," Ran Lian glanced at Fang Miaomiao with a look of a spendthrift before continuing to walk.
She sat down on the sofa.
"Mother," Wen Zhiyan greeted her with a nod.
Ran Lian looked at the book on the coffee table, "Ocean World."
"Wen Zhiyan, do you know what you're doing?"
"I'm trying to get closer to An An," Wen Zhiyan said with a smile. "Didn't Mother say I was too busy with work and rarely paid attention to what An An liked? Now that I'm free, I want to read more of An An's favorite books and find common topics with him."
"Brother Zhiyan," Xie Wanqing greeted with a smile.
"Miss Xie, please call me Wen Zhiyan. I'm the youngest in our generation. Calling me 'brother' might cause misunderstandings."
Xie Wanqing's expression stiffened, and she looked at Ran Lian helplessly. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Wen Zhiyan, watch your words," Ran Lian said, holding Xie Wanqing's hand. "I've permitted this. Your bond has been there since childhood. Don't let a few casual words sever your relationship."
"Mother, just tell us directly, what brings you here?" Wen Zhiyan didn't want to dwell on this topic.
"Wanqing." Ran Lian gave Xie Wanqing a look. "Miaomiao, take Wanqing to the kitchen to make something to eat. We came in a hurry and haven't had time to eat yet."
Fang Miaomiao looked at Wen Zhiyan. Seeing his imperceptible nod, she took Xie Wanqing to the kitchen.
"Mother, what is it? Just say it."
"That studio of Fang Miaomiao's, who is the boss?"
"Naturally, it's Miaomiao."
"Wen Zhiyan, do you want to anger me to death before you're satisfied?"
Wen Zhiyan looked at Ran Lian for a long moment before saying, "I don't understand what you mean, Mother."
"I'm asking you, you used your money to start a company, hired people, so why is the boss Fang Miaomiao?"
"Perhaps... because I'm happy," Wen Zhiyan said before Ran Lian could open her mouth. "Mother, you should just tell me why you've come."
"Does Fang Miaomiao's studio need more people?"
"No, it doesn't."
"It doesn't matter if it doesn't. You must know that Xie Wanqing's family has been kind to us, and we must remember this kindness," Ran Lian interrupted Wen Zhiyan.
Wen Zhiyan tapped his leg, remaining silent.
"Originally, I wanted Wanqing to work at Wen Corporation, but that child felt we had helped her too much and refused to join Wen Corporation," Ran Lian revealed her true intention. "Then I thought, didn't you start a studio? Wanqing is young and might like the entertainment industry, so I wanted you to arrange a job for Wanqing at your studio."
Wen Zhiyan chuckled.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing. However, Mother, I can't make this decision. I don't have a single share in the studio."
In other words, if she wanted to work at Miaomiao's studio, she should go ask the person in charge.
Ran Lian naturally understood Wen Zhiyan's implication, her face turning red. "You want me, an elder, to beg Fang Miaomiao?"
Wen Zhiyan looked at Ran Lian without speaking.
"Well done. You're really something."
"I think so too," Wen Zhiyan said, agreeing with her. "After all, Mother said I'm useless at everything except being ruthless, which I excel at."
"Oh, and as a son, I'll give you a piece of advice. The current Wen Corporation is a hot potato. Don't get involved easily, or you might get burned. Don't say I didn't warn you."
"You, you dare to threaten me."
"How can I? This is just good advice."
Ran Lian stood up from the sofa, furious.
"Aunt Ran, what are you doing?" Xie Wanqing walked over to Ran Lian with a bowl of noodle soup, asking in surprise. "Can't we just sit down and talk things over?"
"I have nothing to say to this unfilial son."