Chapter 29: What exactly has Sheng Yang been teaching you all these years?

"It seems your falling out with Sheng Yang is more than just a simple disagreement."

After leaving Sheng Yang's side, Ning Lang followed Wen Jin, observing her with keen interest.

Wen Jin had already composed herself. She looked up at Ning Lang and asked, "You said you could help me. How?"

The transition was abrupt and direct, but it was clear she did not want to discuss anything related to Sheng Yang.

Ning Lang gave a soft scoff, his gaze shifting with a hint of amusement. Not intending to keep her in suspense, he said in a low, steady voice, "Do you know Song Heng? Let me introduce you."

It took a moment for Wen Jin to realize who Song Heng was. The Song family had been involved in politics for generations, and Song Heng himself was a prominent lawyer. When she had first sought help, she had considered turning to the Song family. However, their threshold was too high; even getting to see someone from the family, let alone asking for their help, was unrealistic.

Yet, she didn't feel particularly overjoyed. Suppressing the emotions in her heart, she looked at Ning Lang with a complex expression. "I have nothing of equal value to offer in return."

Having been by Sheng Yang’s side, she had learned long ago that everything came with a price. Moreover, she was not close to Ning Lang, and she couldn't help but worry that the favor he would ask for might exceed her capabilities.

Ning Lang seemed surprised by her words. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. "How interesting. What exactly has Sheng Yang taught you all these years?"

He spoke too softly for Wen Jin to hear.

***

"I’m actually quite surprised. I didn't think Ning Lang and Wen Jin were that close," Wen You remarked, her tone neither light nor heavy.

Zhao Yimo frowned deeply and scoffed, "Who knows what method she used to hook up with Ning Lang?"

As he spoke, he glanced at Sheng Yang. However, he only saw Sheng Yang staring coldly in Wen Jin's direction, seemingly unaware of what they were saying. The chill in his eyes was almost palpable, yet his expression remained haughty. He looked like someone who had been dumped but was pretending that nothing was wrong.

Zhao Yimo shuddered and quickly dismissed the strange thought. How could Sheng Yang possibly be dumped by Wen Jin? It was clearly the other way around—Wen Jin was being played like a fool by Sheng Yang.

As Wen Jin followed Ning Lang to find Song Heng, Ning Lang warned her, "Sheng Yang is watching you."

She hadn't failed to notice Sheng Yang's gaze, but it simply didn't matter. Without pausing, she ignored Ning Lang's comment and asked, "Ning Lang, why are you helping me?"

When she had asked him about his reward earlier, he hadn't said a word. But Wen Jin felt it was best to get certain things clear beforehand.

Seeing her expression, Ning Lang raised his voice slightly. "What’s wrong? Are you planning to refuse my help just because I haven't stated my objective?"

Wen Jin shook her head. "I am merely wondering how I can ever repay this favor." Having finally found someone willing to help, she couldn't possibly give up this opportunity.

Ning Lang spoke slowly, "You will have plenty of chances to repay it."

"What do you mean?" Wen Jin pressed.

Ning Lang curled his lips. His voice, gentle and low, felt somewhat mismatched with his appearance. "Don't ask. Song Heng is right there."

Wen Jin frowned, wanting to ask more, but seeing Song Heng ahead, she held her tongue and followed Ning Lang to greet him.

After listening to the situation, Song Heng did not immediately commit. Instead, he looked at Ning Lang and asked, "You haven't been back in the country for so long, and the first thing you want me to do is this?"

"Are you going to help or not?" Ning Lang replied.

Song Heng chuckled. "Since you’ve put it that way, naturally, I will."

Wen Jin’s request was merely to have the matter investigated thoroughly, which was certainly nothing difficult. As old friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time, Song Heng and Ning Lang began to chat naturally.

Not wanting to intrude, Wen Jin decided to step away. Ning Lang, who had been keeping an eye on her, said, "You can find a place to rest for a while. I’ll take you home later."

Wen Jin did not refuse; she genuinely wanted to thank him, even though she still didn't understand why he was willing to help.

Once she was out of earshot, Song Heng looked at Ning Lang curiously. "What’s this about? When did you become so meddlesome?"

Ning Lang took a glass from a waiter and said calmly, "How can you call this meddling?" He had returned to the country precisely because of Wen Jin.

Waiting for Ning Lang to be ready to leave, Wen Jin found a quiet corner to stay in. Just then, a message arrived from Qiaoqiao. She had excitedly sent a photo, exclaiming, "I thought it was you the moment I saw this!"

Wen Jin opened the photo. The background was abroad, and the subject was the profile of a middle-aged woman. Looking at the profile alone, the resemblance to Wen Jin was indeed striking. But after glancing at the caption below, Wen Jin looked away.

Jiang Wan. An internationally renowned designer.

Qiaoqiao called her immediately and joked, "Babe, do you think it's possible you have some connection to Jiang Wan? You look so much alike, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say you could be mother and daughter."

"How could that be?" Wen Jin said softly.

Qiaoqiao sensed the detachment in her tone and, remembering that Wen Jin was already stressed about Wen Chaosheng’s situation, she stopped joking. It wasn't until Wen Jin told her that Song Heng had agreed to help that Qiaoqiao finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"But," Qiaoqiao suddenly remembered, "once Uncle Wen’s matter is resolved, aren't you going to head back to Yangcheng?"

"Yes," Wen Jin said. "The flight is on Sunday night. I hope everything goes smoothly."

Before Qiaoqiao could respond, Wen Jin’s phone was snatched away. Startled, she looked up to see Sheng Yang holding her phone, looking down at her. "Sunday night flight? Where are you planning to go?"

Wen Jin frowned, not answering. On the other end of the line, Qiaoqiao realized what was happening and quickly said, "It’s me who is going on a business trip—"

Before she could finish, Sheng Yang hung up the call.

Wen Jin stood up and glared at him. "What are you doing?"

Sheng Yang narrowed his eyes. Her guarded attitude made him feel inexplicably uncomfortable, as if they were two total strangers. He lowered his tone and said, "You didn't answer my question. Where are you going?"

"Qiaoqiao is going on a business trip," Wen Jin replied, her expression unchanged.

"I told you not to lie to me," Sheng Yang’s voice dropped even lower. Those who knew him well knew he hated being deceived above all else.

Wen Jin knew this, of course, but she found it laughable. She retorted, "So, you think it’s perfectly fine for you to lie to me so many times?"

He kept saying how much he hated being lied to, yet he was the biggest liar of all. "Sheng Yang, don't you think you're being shameless?"

With that, she snatched her phone back and walked past him.

Sheng Yang watched her retreating figure, his eyes dark and profound. His clenched fists tightened until his knuckles turned white, as if he were using every ounce of his strength to suppress his emotions.

Wen Jin went to the balcony alone. Her complexion was poor, and she felt a heavy, dull ache in her chest that she couldn't explain. She turned her phone back on, the screen still displaying the chat with Qiaoqiao.

Jiang Wan's photo was exceptionally clear. Qiaoqiao said they looked alike. Perhaps they did. After all, how could a biological mother and daughter not share a resemblance?

A self-deprecating smile touched Wen Jin's lips. She deleted the photo of Jiang Wan before turning around and heading back into the banquet hall.