Chapter 60 Overplaying One's Hand

When Wen Jin arrived at the café, Jiang Yuan was already waiting for her.

Jiang Yuan was dressed in a design from her own brand, her hair elegantly pinned up.

She looked exceptionally gentle and poised.

Seeing Wen Jin walk in, she smiled and waved, "Xiaojin, I specially cleared my schedule today just for you."

"I think we really need to have a proper talk."

The way she said it made it sound as if she were making some immense sacrifice for Wen Jin.

Wen Jin said softly, "Ms. Jiang, just as I mentioned on the phone, I am not interested in your personal life."

"Whatever brings you to Capital City, or whoever you might wish to adopt as your goddaughter, is entirely up to you."

Jiang Yuan interrupted her, unable to conceal the deep sorrow in her eyes.

"Xiaojin, Mother came back entirely for you."

Wen Jin fell silent.

Back then, she really shouldn't have sent Jiang Yuan that message.

She lowered her gaze and said, "I apologize. It was wrong of me to disturb you before, and I won't do it again."

"Xiaojin, you know that isn't what I want to hear."

Jiang Yuan softened her tone, "Come back to Los Angeles with me, will you? Everything I have will be yours."

Wen Jin finally raised her eyes and met Jiang Yuan's gaze directly.

"If I remember correctly, your current boyfriend is only twenty-two years old. Are you certain he can accept you having a daughter older than he is?"

Jiang Yuan instinctively replied, "You don't have to go back in the capacity of my biological daughter—"

Before she could finish, she trailed off into silence.

Because Jiang Yuan knew very well what Wen Jin had wanted from the very beginning, and it was simple.

She just wanted to be acknowledged openly and legitimately as her daughter.

Jiang Yuan raised a hand to press against her brow, "Xiaojin, why must you dwell on this? A biological daughter and a goddaughter are the same."

Wen Jin was about to reply.

When her phone, resting on the table, suddenly vibrated.

It was a notification from a group chat she had previously muted.

Someone had tagged all members.

And posted a photograph.

The photograph clearly captured Wen Jin and Jiang Yuan as they sat there right now.

Wen Jin instinctively glanced out the window, but there was no one in sight.

Her brow furrowed in spite of herself.

Jiang Yuan asked from across the table, "What is it?"

Seeing that Wen Jin remained silent.

Jiang Yuan reached over, picked up Wen Jin's phone, and saw the photo and messages in the group chat.

-How daring of Wen Jin, actually trying to approach Jiang Yuan? Is she delusional enough to think she can cozy up to someone like Jiang Yuan?

-With her thick skin, what won't she do? But she should figure out what kind of person Jiang Yuan is first—as if Jiang Yuan would ever look twice at her!

Jiang Yuan finished reading all the messages.

She shook her head and asked Wen Jin, "Don't you want to prove them wrong?"

"Look, just being my goddaughter is already enough to make people envious."

These words inexplicably stirred a stifling pressure within Wen Jin's chest.

She took back her phone and stood up abruptly.

Without a trace of emotion in her voice, she said, "So, Ms. Jiang, how are the things you just said any different from what those people are saying?"

Equally arrogant and condescending.

With that, Wen Jin turned and walked away.

Little did she expect to run into Sheng Yang and Wen You right at the entrance of the café.

Clearly, Zhao Yimo had mentioned just last night that Wen You was still abroad.

Wen Jin lowered her eyelashes—no wonder Sheng Yang had gone out so early.

However, none of this concerned Wen Jin.

She stepped forward to leave, but Wen You reached out a hand to block her path.

Wen You arched an eyebrow, "So what was posted in the group chat was true. You really are here."

Wen Jin's expression remained impassive, "Step aside."

A faint smile hung on Wen You's lips, "Let me guess, you didn't actually come here to meet Ms. Jiang, did you?"

"I heard the two of you have only met twice. Wen Jin, aren't you being a bit shameless?"

Sheng Yang's gaze also landed on her.

Yet he said nothing, his brows merely pressing down tightly.

Wen Jin looked over at him.

"Where I am has nothing to do with either of you. Sneaking around taking candid photos of others is far more shameful."

Only then did Sheng Yang raise his eyes, subtle emotions rippling within them.

"I warned you before not to harbor thoughts you shouldn't have."

Wen You smiled as well, "Exactly. Sheng Yang is just being kind-hearted. After all, Ms. Jiang isn't just anyone who can casually latch onto a powerful figure."

"This is the first time I've ever heard someone describe me that way."

A gentle, smiling voice drifted from behind Wen Jin.

Jiang Yuan raised a hand and rested it lightly on Wen Jin's shoulder, "Though I must say, I think Xiaojin is genuinely lovely."

"If Xiaojin is willing, I would be more than delighted to have such a goddaughter."

Wen Jin's body stiffened slightly.

She could hear the protective edge in Jiang Yuan's tone.

This was the first time.

The first time Jiang Yuan had chosen to stand by her in front of outsiders.

Wen You's expression shifted instantly, "Ms. Jiang, you—"

Jiang Yuan interrupted her, "Ms. Wen, there is something I would also like to remind you of."

"I don't believe I have ever acknowledged any special relationship between us, and I hope Ms. Wen will refrain from letting others harbor such misunderstandings."

Then, she turned her gaze to Sheng Yang.

"Just as President Sheng said, my partnership with Linyue exists solely within the apparel division. I trust President Sheng will not overstep and interfere beyond that."

Sheng Yang's expression remained unchanged.

He merely stared at Wen Jin thoughtfully for a moment.

Then he said, "We only ever had a business partnership; Ms. Jiang is overthinking it."

Wen Jin left with Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan offered to give her a ride back, but Wen Jin declined.

After a brief pause, she said, "I'm heading back to Yangcheng tomorrow, and my new job is over there."

Jiang Yuan was momentarily stunned.

Though she offered no objections.

With a smile, she said, "So Xiaojin, how could we not be mother and daughter? A woman should always strive for her career."

Wen Jin's flight was the following morning.

She departed along with Manager Yao.

Qiaoqiao had matters to attend to and couldn't come to see her off, which made the day feel unusually ordinary.

"I find it strange—without Wen Jin buzzing around you like a loyal attendant, things feel a bit dull, don't you think?"

Zhao Yimo asked abruptly as he looked at Sheng Yang sitting across from him.

Among their circle of wealthy heirs, aside from Sheng Yang, they were all a bunch of layabouts.

In the past, their greatest amusement had been watching Wen Jin play the fool, completely kept in the dark.

"Haven't you guys noticed—"

Someone suddenly chimed in, "Wen Jin has indeed been reaching out to Sheng Yang a lot less lately."

Zhao Yimo said, "Didn't you know she went to Yangcheng?"

With that, he glanced back at Sheng Yang.

With a smile, he prodded, "Aren't you considering going to coax her back? It's been almost half a month now."

It was, in truth, spoken merely as a joke.

After all, what was Wen Jin in the grand scheme of things?

Sheng Yang and Wen You were going to be married soon anyway—

Yet, unexpectedly, Sheng Yang stood up from his seat and said, "I'm going to Yangcheng tomorrow."

The smile froze on Zhao Yimo's face, "What are you going there for?"

Sheng Yang glanced at him, his voice cool and detached, "There's an issue with the Fanxing project; I need to go handle it."

Zhao Yimo frowned and said nothing more.

He had a nagging feeling that Sheng Yang going to Yangcheng at a time like this felt wrong.

Yet no one else around seemed to care in the least.

Instead, they all wore expressions of gleeful onlookers.

"Does Wen Jin actually think Sheng Yang is going to beg for her forgiveness? Don't make me laugh."

"She played herself out of bounds, let's see how she cleans up this mess—"