Wen Xinya did not expect to hear about Xia Ruya from Zhong Rufeng.
Xia Ruya had been missing for almost three months and she seemed to have vanished without a trace. Previously, Wen Xinya had engaged Celestial Detective Agency to find out more about Xia Ruya’s whereabouts, only to have her efforts go to waste. However, she managed to find out that there was a mysterious and formidable mastermind behind Xia Ruya, who was just as shady as the one behind Ning Shuqian. Back then, she had a conjecture.
She began to wonder, Does Xia Ruya have something to do with Ning Shuqian? Does it have something to do with the mastermind behind Ning Shuqian?
Those questions had been bugging her, but she could not manage to find an answer.
Despite having received some news about Xia Ruya, Wen Xinya did not feel as relieved as she thought she would. Instead, she felt as if there was a heavy boulder on her chest which seemed to be dampening her spirits.
She sighed and sent Celestial Detective Agency a text message in a bid to get them to help her find out if Xia Ruya was really in Harbor City.
After doing so, Wen Xinya rubbed her forehead.
One was destined to have an arch-nemesis in life.
Wen Xinya again thought about her previous lifetime. During this period in her previous life, Xia Ruya managed to earn the trust of Old Mr. Wen and became the adoptive daughter of the Wen Family whom they all regarded highly. She also made it to Qingyuan University with her remarkable results, thus earning her plenty of compliments and praises.
Her mobile phone began to ring.
Wen Xinya grabbed it to see that it was a call from Xu Zhenyu.
Glee was written all over her face and her feelings of morose and uneasiness vanished instantly.
As soon as she picked up, Xu Zhenyu eagerly said, “Hey, chick, do you miss me yet?”
Wen Xinya rolled her eyes and sneered. “Yeah, I do… in your dreams. Do you think you’re some big shot?”
It had been about a month since Xu Zhenyu last called her, and she knew based on past experience that Xu Zhenyu was most likely carrying out a mission because he would often go for long periods without contacting her whenever he had to perform a mission. She also knew that his missions were particularly dangerous and hence, she would always be worried for him. However, she would also mock him whenever she heard his voice.
Xu Zhenyu retorted indignantly. “Heck, why would you say that about me? I experienced life-and-death situations and had close shaves with death. Now that I’m finally back, you didn’t even say anything nice to me. Yet, you even cursed me, you heartless one. So much for missing you so dearly. I called you before I even stepped inside my house.”
Although he sounded fierce and menacing, there was a tinge of grief in his voice, as if Wen Xinya was a heartless jerk who had treated him cruelly.
Finding her words to have been inappropriate, Wen Xinya chided herself in her head before saying, “Tsk, tsk, tsk, Second Young Master Xu, how old are you this year? Do you still need to be coaxed? Are you aging in reverse?”
Xu Zhenyu snapped. “You, you… heartless thing. You’re going to be the death of me. Can’t you be more gentle when talking to me? Be careful, you might just be left on the shelf.”
He actually prayed to Heaven and Earth that Wen Xinya would be left on the shelf.
Wishing she could reprimand him for gloating, Wen Xinya retorted. “Thank you for your concern, Second Young Master Xu, but I’ll be left on the shelf in the next lifetime!”
With Si Yiyan around, how could I be left on the shelf?
Wen Xinya could not help but frown and think to herself, My friends have all found out about my relationship with Si Yiyan. I’m sure Xu Zhenyu doesn’t know about it yet. Or does he?
Should I inform him?
Wen Xinya could not help but be stuck in a dilemma.
It seems a little strange for me to tell him about it so abruptly. Forget it… he should be back soon. He’ll find out when he does.
Xu Zhenyu giggled and said, “Yeah, you’re right. Maybe you won’t have to worry about being left on the shelf even in the next lifetime.”
Because I’m here! He thought.
Xu Zhenyu guffawed smugly.
Wen Xinya had long gotten used to bickering with Xu Zhenyu and knew that he had a sharp tongue. Hence, she did not find anything amiss. “Good that you know.”
Grinning widely, Xu Zhenyu exclaimed, “By the way, chick, school is starting soon, isn’t it?”
Annoyed by his laughter, Wen Xinya barked. “Yeah! What’s up?”
That was the question she heard most frequently of late. Hence, she already had an answer for it.
Grinning sheepishly, Xu Zhenyu answered, “Oh, nothing, I was just asking a casual question.”
Wen Xinya expressed assent.
Xu Zhenyu continued, “Chick, I’m going to be back in a few more days.”
The thought of returning home made Xu Zhenyu delighted yet melancholic. Once he was back he would be able to stay by the side of the girl he fancied. However, he would have to be separated from his brotherly comrades whom he had spent the past three years or so with. He reckoned that it would be difficult for him to meet them again in the future.
Greatly taken aback, Wen Xinya questioned, “Xu-er, are you lying to me!?!”
Whenever she asked for the date of his return, he would simply give her a vague answer and tell her that he would be returning soon. Hence, she had gotten used to it and naturally assumed that he was lying again.
Xu Zhenyu barked. “What? Since when have I ever lied to you?”
She shouldn’t be spared for doubting me because she’s the last person I’d ever lie to.
Wen Xinya chuckled sarcastically and retorted. “You’ve lied to me countless times before.”
In her previous lifetime, he used to find joy in lying to her and bluffing her. Although he had never harbored ill intentions towards her, she bore a grudge against him for doing so and even carried those feelings to this lifetime.
Feeling a sudden sense of guilt, Xu Zhenyu said, “Hehe, that… was in the past. Well, previously, I didn’t know when exactly I would be back!”
Having caught the main point, Wen Xinya hurriedly asked, “Does that meant that you’re really coming back this time?”
Wen Xinya was eager to hear his answer.
Xu Zhenyu answered, “Of course.”
Wen Xinya asked, “Within the next few days?”
Xu Zhenyu expressed assent resignedly.
As happy as a lark, Wen Xinya asked merrily, “When will the exact time be? I’ll go pick you up at the airport!”
Xu Zhenyu laughed and asked, “Do you want to know?”
Wen Xinya expressed assent.
Xu Zhenyu’s chuckling was rather annoying. “I’m not going to tell you. I’ll keep you in suspense and make you wonder every day.”
It was as if he was asking for a beating.
Wen Xinya rebuked. “Psht! Xu-er, you’re really so thick-skinned.”
Chuckling, Xu Zhenyu said, “Since when have I ever denied being thick-skinned? I’m telling you… my skin has always been thick.”
Gritting her teeth in anger, Wen Xinya said, “Fine, you’re thick-skinned. I’ll see you again soon.”
If you have the guts, don’t ever come back! Be careful not to fall into my clutches, or else, I’ll make sure I beat you into a pulp.