"…You know, children are the most easily influenced by their parents. Before their rebellious phase, whatever their parents like, they'll also like," Wen Ziying said.
Xia Yu nodded, expressing understanding. However, in the situation Wen Ziying mentioned, the child would only like the parent's interests if they were guided correctly; if not, they would not only dislike it but also develop an aversion to it. At the same time, he also understood the original purpose of Wen Ziying's writing.
"After our family ran out of money, we moved to a small house. She couldn't write anything on her own, so she took what I had written before and submitted it for publication."
"Wait," Xia Yu interrupted Wen Ziying, "she took your writing and submitted it? You were only eight years old then, right?"
Wen Ziying didn't bother questioning how Xia Yu knew she was only eight at that time. She explained, "Before we went bankrupt, my father hired a teacher who had won the Chen Award. It was all decided and edited with his guidance."
Xia Yu nodded, understanding the situation. Those essays could hardly be considered written by young Ziying - it was more accurately the work of that award-winning teacher. The Chen Award was the most famous literary award in the first district of this world, divided into film and television scripts, poetry, essays, novels, and newcomer categories.
Having a teacher who had won the Chen Award was a top prize, indeed. With the financial resources of the Wen family being dragged down by illness, it was either obtained through connections, or the award was one of the relatively lower ones, such as the newcomer award.
"She kept writing on her own, and between that and my pieces, we survived for a while. However, eventually, she couldn't produce anything of her own, and that's when..." Wen Ziying suddenly stopped.
Xia Yu asked, "So what happened?"
"Then she turned into that mess, and our family survived by selling off our belongings," Wen Ziying said.
Xia Yu knew there was more to the story, hidden behind the scenes. But since Wen Ziying didn't disclose it, he couldn't pry it out of her. As for why she wouldn't say it, he guessed that either it was too private or because his favor level wasn't high enough. For now, Xia Yu decided to let the matter go.
Thirty minutes later, the taxi driver reached their destination, and Xia Yu got out of the car.
With nothing else to do, Xia Yu used Wen Ziying's body to casually play games. When the time limit was up, he returned to his own body.
Picking up his phone, Xia Yu felt that this matter was worth investigating. He sent a message to Yu Ningmeng to ask for her assistance.
Do you really think of me as a gossip vending machine? Why don't you insert a coin?
Yu Ningmeng tried to get some other business ideas from Xia Yu. Yet, Xia Yu had countless ideas, but he didn't want to let Yu Ningmeng easily get hold of them.
He threatened her, saying:
If you don't help, I'll tell An Siyao about how you pinned me against the wall and tried to take advantage of me last time
Yu Ningmeng was dumbfounded, not expecting Xia Yu to be so ruthless.
Do you even have any shame!?
What's wrong with me telling the truth? Xia Yu replied with a firm response.
Yu Ningmeng was uncertain because if it were any other couple, she would believe the guy was just bluffing. However, the relationship between Xia Yu and An Siyao was too strange – it was hard to figure out. An Siyao was close with a maid named Yin Wan at home, which was understandable. This time, she also brought home a Hu Lianglu, and Xu Youxiang had also been brought over by her.
Xia Yu had many female friends outside, and last time there were so many women at the milk tea shop.
Yu Ningmeng could only think about the worst-case scenario; if An Siyao knew that her aunt was trying to flirt with her man, regardless of how An Siyao feels, Yu Ningmeng herself couldn't accept it.
"What do you want to investigate?" Yu Ningmeng gritted her teeth and accepted Xia Yu's extortion.
She wanted information about Wen Ziyin's father's death and the matter of Bian Guping and Wen Ziyin moving afterward, preferably from a neighbor, especially half a year after Xia Yu's return.
It was here that Wen Ziyin got stuck and stopped talking.
Receiving such a dry reply, Yu Ningmeng angrily put down her cell phone.
Looking at An Siyao and Hu Lianglu in the bathroom, her heart became even angrier.
Your boyfriend threatens me, and you don't even let me join in the fun!
A moment later, Yu Ningmeng chose to take the initiative and entered the bathroom as well.
She didn't notice the flashing indicator light on An Siyao's phone.
That was Xia Yu sending An Siyao a message, asking her how Hu Lianglu was doing.
When he didn't receive a reply from An Siyao, he entered Xu Youxiang's penguin number in the search bar and applied to add Xu Youxiang as a friend.
While waiting for Xu Youxiang's reply, he looked at the messages others had sent him.
First was Duan Yi, who sent him the progress of mobile game development. Xia Yu took a look, and there were no major problems.
Then there was Yuxue, who sent him a picture of her physical education class in the afternoon.
Autumn sports classes were nothing special since everyone was bundled up tightly.
Next was Kong Hanyue, who sent him a photo of herself alone in her boudoir, one hand playing the zither and the other shedding tears.
Opening the reply bar, Xia Yu replied: Did a ghost take the photo for you?
Lastly came Zhong Yunxin.
What Zhong Yunxin sent wasn't a photo, it was a text.
This could show that Zhong Yunxin wasn't mature enough and didn't know how to chat without photos.
Reluctantly opening her message, Xia searched for the content she posted.
Brother! Liang Liang hasn't been to school for over a week, she always says she's busy when I invite her to hang out, what should I do?
She's really busy, Xia Yu replied.
How do you know? Zhong Yunxin replied immediately.
Because your Liang Liang is busy being with me.
Of course, he couldn't be so blunt, Xia Yu chose a tactful tone:
How could she not be busy if she has no time for even such a good friend like you?
That makes sense! Zhong Yunxin easily accepted Xia Yu's explanation and happily ended the conversation.
At this time, An Siyao's reply also arrived.
The girl replied that everything was going smoothly and sent a trendy emoticon, probably stolen from the maid group.
After confirming that he will go to her place tomorrow, Xia Yu went out to take a shower.
When he arrived at An Siyao's body in the early hours of the morning after the exchange count refreshed.
"Good night," An Siyao greeted her.
"Good night," Xia Yu whispered back, looking towards the bedside. Hu Lianglu was on his left, which was normal, and she was the same yesterday.
However, Xia Yu turned his head and looked at Yu Ningmeng on his right, somewhat puzzled.
After failing to seduce him, did this old woman shift her target to An Siyao's body?
An Siyao's bed was quite large, but with three people sleeping in it, it was still somewhat crowded, especially with Yu Ningmeng's leg resting on him.
Quietly lifting Yu Ningmeng, Xia Yu switched their positions so that she slept on the other side, which made things much better.
After covering up with the blanket, Xia Yu lay down comfortably.
Rejuvenating himself was necessary because, during the day, he needed to guide Hu Lianglu to be less clingy. If Hu Lianglu continued like this, how could he be affectionate with An Siyao?
Before falling asleep, he pondered the methods of reforming Hu Lianglu.