Chapter 254: Unpresentable
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“I’ll walk you out, then!” Wei Xiao promptly got to his feet.
He might not be well-versed in ingratiating himself with others. In Hai City, it was usually people trying to get in his good graces rather than the other way around. But even if he hadn’t personally experienced something, he knew how things worked. He had a fair idea about the dynamics at play.
He knew that he had to please Shen Jun at this time. Moreover, Wei Feng knew that he was going to treat Shen Jun to a meal today. There must be his spies in the restaurant. Wei Xiao had to put on a good front.
Oddly, Shen Jun didn’t raise objections. He shot a significant look at Wen Nian before exiting the private room.
Quickly, Wen Nian activated the automatic audio recording feature on her phone. She was confident that Shen Jun wouldn’t venture too far away, so her nerves settled somewhat.
After all, Wei Xiao was still a high school student, while she had a lifetime of experience in the entertainment industry. Extracting information from him wasn’t a tough task.
A mere ten minutes later, Wei Xiao returned to the private room with a tinge of regret. “Shen Jun indeed had some pressing matters. Are you familiar with his uncle? The Deputy Secretary of our mayor. I figure it won’t be more than two years…”
Observing Wen Nian’s bewildered expression, Wei Xiao decided against elaborating further.
He had just witnessed Zhao Wu’s driver arriving to pick up Shen Jun. The prospect of getting involved with such a prominent figure left him so elated that words fell short.
Unfortunately, these words were useless to Wen Nian. She was indeed the daughter of a small family and was not presentable.
However, as he gazed upon Wen Nian’s unembellished countenance and her already well-defined figure, Wei Xiao couldn’t help but think that while she might not fit the mold for a marriage partner, there was a different allure to her as a lover.
Wen Nian could sense his changing emotions and discerned the implications of his gaze.
Pretending to lower her head and take a sip of juice, Wen Nian concealed the disgust churning within her. She had more significant matters to attend to, and a little revulsion was a minor inconvenience.
“I don’t have much information about his family, but I’ve encountered his uncle’s acquaintances a few times. Some of them I’ve seen in the news.”
Wen Nian’s response struck a chord with Wei Xiao. He swiftly inquired, “Is that so? Then why would he take you to such a significant event?”
“Shen Jun has a wide circle of friends in the capital. I’ve met a few of them. His companions are typically present at such gatherings.”
As Wei Xiao refilled her glass, he posed a seemingly casual question, “I see. Do you reckon he’d bring his friends along as well?”
Wen Nian’s expression still bore traces of confusion. “Yes, but I’m not particularly acquainted with them. Most seem to be his friends from the capital. They tend to frequent upscale venues whenever they meet.”
Inwardly sneering, Wei Xiao mused. Shen Jun hadn’t introduced Wen Nian much, indicating their relationship might not have been particularly serious. Yet, if he could establish ties with Shen Jun, attending such gatherings might pave the way for him into the upper echelons of the Beijing social scene.
Nevertheless, his current reliance was on Wen Nian to bridge that gap. Hence, he adopted a gentlemanly demeanor and engaged in continued conversation.
Originally, Wei Xiao had envisioned sharing a few bottles of alcohol with Shen Jun. After all, men often form friendships over drinking sessions. But Shen Jun’s unexpected departure thwarted that plan.
Left with two bottles of beer, Wei Xiao decided to indulge himself. Perhaps it was due to a cheerful mood, but he singlehandedly polished off a significant amount of beer.
“Truth be told, Wen Nian, you truly shattered my heart back then.” He broached a topic neither of them had wanted to revisit. “If not for that, I wouldn’t have gone abroad. You can’t imagine the days I spent overseas…”
His demeanor bore a tinge of melancholy, and he continued to replenish Wen Nian’s plate. “Eat more. You seem worn out from your incessant studying. You’ve lost weight.”
Upon hearing his reference, Wen Nian picked up the thread. “You were resistant to the engagement back then. If it hadn’t been for the fact that Grandpa Wei held my grandfather in high regard for saving his life, he wouldn’t have suggested the engagement. 1 know it’s Grandpa Wei’s way of repaying our family.”
As anticipated, Wei Xiao’s tone turned sardonic upon her words. “Repayment? Indeed. My grandpa has always been a benevolent soul.”
Wen Nian perceived the implied message in his retort and responded sorrowfully, “I’ve heard that you haven’t been faring well abroad either. Yet, you’re his biological grandson. He must have had great expectations for you. Look at how well he treats someone like me, an outsider. My grandfather has been gone for many years, but he still holds our family in fond regard.”
“He has great expectations for me?” Wei Xiao, having consumed some beer earlier, was starting to feel a tad lightheaded. “He provided me with meager allowances overseas, nearly leaving me to fend for myself! He holds your family in high regard? Certainly. Without your grandfather, he wouldn’t have reached his current position..”