Xiao Wenqiang had been a silent observer throughout, not voicing any opinions on the matter, so she was momentarily bewildered when Mao Genhong mentioned her. However, seeing everyone’s gazes turn towards her, she offered a slightly shy smile.
As expected, she received another significant eye-roll from Mao Wenjing.
The next morning, the weekend, while Xiao Wenqiang was still cramming, she received a call from Zheng Xiao, who asked her to come over to his place for a final revision session.
This was Xiao Wenqiang's first time at Zheng Xiao's home. It was still a massive villa, sumptuously decorated, with rosewood furniture that exuded opulence. However, when she arrived, besides Zheng Xiao, there were only a few maids, making the place seem a bit desolate.
“Brother Zheng Xiao, are you done with your business?”
“Almost. Just waiting for the results. I saw there was still plenty of time, so I wanted to call you over for some extra tutoring.”
Xiao Wenqiang followed Zheng Xiao into his study. The soft furnishings here were clearly different from the living room, appearing much more minimalist and clean. However, the most striking feature was the two full cabinets of books. She took a quick glance; they covered various categories, with economics books being the most numerous. Two chairs were already set up at the desk. After the maids brought them drinks and fruit, they thoughtfully closed the door.
Initially, the two studied diligently, one analyzing seriously, the other working hard on problems.
After about an hour, Zheng Xiao started to become a bit absent-minded, frequently checking his phone as if waiting for some news.
Another twenty minutes or so passed, and voices, accompanied by laughter, could be heard from downstairs, seemingly engaged in pleasant conversation.
Xiao Wenqiang could clearly sense Zheng Xiao’s growing restlessness. He unconsciously furrowed his brow slightly but managed to control his emotions politely.
Seeing his unintentionally knitted brows, Xiao Wenqiang eventually began packing her things and said, “Brother Zheng Xiao, I actually feel like I’ve covered these science subjects quite well. I should be fine for this midterm exam. I’ll just go home and review the problems I got wrong. You should go take care of your own matters!”
Just as Zheng Xiao was about to reply, a clear text message alert rang out. He picked up his phone again, browsed for a moment, and then a smile of anticipation appeared on his face.
He then stood up and said to Xiao Wenqiang, “Alright then, you should head home! But before you go, I’ll take you to see something interesting!”
Xiao Wenqiang, looking bewildered, gathered her schoolbag and followed Zheng Xiao downstairs. As they reached the turn of the first floor, bursts of laughter erupted from below.
“Hahahaha, you’re so sweet-mouthed…” Zheng Xiao’s mother, Wu Yueli, exclaimed with a beaming smile.
“Not at all! I’m just speaking the truth. Auntie, you’re much younger than ladies your age. This outfit makes you look even more distinguished. Isn’t that right, Dad?” Zheng Ze then turned to Zheng Dajun, who was beside him, for confirmation.
Zheng Dajun burst into laughter. “It is good. Although this style is a bit different from what you usually wear, it suits you unexpectedly well, looks great!”
Wu Yueli became even happier, covering her mouth and smiling charmingly. “Then it must be young Ze’s good taste and eye for selection.” She hadn’t heard her husband praise her so much in many years.
Downstairs, a scene of harmonious laughter and joy unfolded, as if these three were the real family.
“You all seem quite lively!” Zheng Xiao’s voice broke the happy atmosphere.
Xiao Wenqiang followed him, greeting everyone a little awkwardly, “Hello Uncle and Auntie, I’m Mao Qingyan!” She then glanced at Zheng Ze, unsure how to address him, and finally just smiled and nodded.
“You’re that girl from the Mao family who was just found, aren’t you? I heard your father mention you,” Zheng Dajun replied.
“Oh, so it’s you. You resemble your parents quite a bit, young lady,” Wu Yueli chimed in. “And you two are…?”
“I asked her to come over for tutoring,” Zheng Xiao interjected. “That’s not important. What’s important is that I just received some news. Are you interested in hearing it?”
Zheng Dajun felt a bad premonition and reprimanded, “What mysterious things are you up to every day? Boys should speak plainly!”
Zheng Xiao had already walked up to him. Hearing his words, he wasn’t annoyed. With one hand, he operated his phone and said, “There, I’ve sent it to everyone in the family group chat. Take a look for yourselves!”
Zheng Dajun and Wu Yueli each took out their phones and began to check.
“Is this true? Zheng Dajun, you’re lying to me!” Wu Yueli cried out first.
At this moment, Zheng Dajun had also finished reading the entire message. He held his phone out to Zheng Ze and said, “Take a look at this. What is going on?”
Zheng Ze took the phone and quickly scanned it, then his expression turned to disbelief. “This is impossible! My mother wouldn’t lie to me. Yours must be fake!”
“Whether it’s true or false isn’t decided by your words. I’ve had it professionally appraised. The Provincial People’s Hospital never issued this medical record. That means Wang Yifeng never had lung cancer. From beginning to end, you’ve all been lying!” Zheng Xiao looked at his parents and continued, “This is just the electronic version. I can get the official one this afternoon, and you can verify it yourselves.”
He took Xiao Wenqiang’s hand and walked towards the door, saying as they went, “Mom, open your eyes and take a good look at this Zheng Ze! Do you really think he’s innocent, that he truly knows nothing?”
He then said to Xiao Wenqiang, “I’ll take you back first!” And with that, he pulled her along and strode out of the villa.
“Brother Zheng Xiao… are… are you okay?” On the road, Xiao Wenqiang subtly observed his expression, endured for a long time, and finally asked.
Zheng Xiao’s throat felt a bit dry. He took a deep breath and slowly said, “Qingyan, do you know… I’m actually a very petty person… Seeing my dad, and even my mom, treat that Zheng Ze so well, it makes me sad…”
He asked with a slightly mocking smile, “Don’t you think I’m despicable? He managed to charm my parents so much, and he’s more filial and spends more time with them than I do. And yet, I still suspect him with the utmost malice!”
“No! Brother Zheng Xiao, I believe you! That Zheng Ze is definitely not as innocent and clueless as he pretends to be,” Xiao Wenqiang stated with certainty.
Hearing her words, Zheng Xiao’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Yes! Really!” Xiao Wenqiang continued, “And it’s not wrong for you to protect your own interests and investigate these things! The ones who are wrong are the ones who lied and faked the report in the first place! You’re just protecting your own family!”
“Thank you for supporting me!” Zheng Xiao didn’t know why, but a girl’s affirmation was very important to him. “Oh, and Qingyan, don’t always call me ‘Brother Zheng Xiao’ so formally. You can just call me by my name.”
“Then I’ll call you Xiao Ge!” Xiao Wenqiang remembered that Xie Yinuo occasionally called him that.
“Okay!” Zheng Xiao found that when the girl called him that, her voice sounded particularly pleasant.
As the sun gradually rose higher, the boy and girl walking side-by-side didn’t seem to notice that their hands, held loosely at first, had somehow become clasped, and had not let go since…
Unfortunately, beautiful moments always pass too quickly. The distance between their homes wasn’t far, and the Mao family villa soon appeared in their sight.
Casually releasing his tightly clasped hand, Zheng Xiao hid it behind his back and secretly wiped the sweat from his palm. He nervously licked his lips before saying, “Well then… Qingyan, I wish you success on your exam next week… Goodbye!”
“Mhm, goodbye, Xiao Ge! I’ll do my best!” Xiao Wenqiang placed her fist over her chest in a gesture of encouragement. “I definitely won’t let my Xiao Ge teacher down!”
“I believe you! Keep up the good work!” Zheng Xiao was amused by Xiao Wenqiang’s vibrant energy. He watched until her figure entered the villa before turning to leave.