Chapter Eight: The Response

"By the way, Wei Heng, do you know about your company’s variety show?" Qi Bin had just heard about it from Qi Yue, but didn’t know any further details.

Wei Heng shrugged and asked back, "Do you think I’d know?"

"The company’s affairs are always handled by my eldest sister. I’m just a figurehead." Wei Heng was completely unconcerned about having no real authority, and was quite happy to play the role of a privileged rich kid.

Turning to Lu Wenchuan, Wei Heng said, "Don’t worry, I’ll have someone keep an eye out. You won’t be paired up with that Sang Yijia."

"I’ll find you someone with a clean background."

"No need," Lu Wenchuan refused. "It’s just one episode, doesn’t matter."

Wei Heng found it odd at first, but then realized this was very much Lu Wenchuan’s style, so he said nothing more. Still, having gotten his friend involved, Wei Heng couldn’t help feeling a bit guilty.

"Lu, if you fancy anyone in the show, just say the word, I’ll—"

Lu Wenchuan interrupted him, "No need."

"I haven’t even finished my sentence," Wei Heng protested.

Qi Bin had already guessed what he was about to say. "Does Lu look like he’s short of women?"

"He just couldn’t care less."

"If he really wanted, wouldn’t the line stretch all the way to the Great Wall?"

After sitting for a while, Lu Wenchuan raised his wrist to check the time. "It’s half past ten."

"Time to head back and rest."

"…"

"…"

Both Wei Heng and Qi Bin were stunned.

"Lu, seriously? You’re starting the health regimen this early?" He used to stay until eleven or twelve at least. Qi Bin couldn’t understand.

Lu Wenchuan stood up, looking down at them, his gaze settling on Wei Heng. His lips parted slightly. "Because of someone, the old man wants me to preserve my sperm, ensure its quality."

Wei Heng froze for a moment, then burst out laughing.

Qi Bin was still puzzled. "What’s going on?"

"Isn’t this the task my sister gave me? The dating show was short a high-quality male guest, and after thinking it over, I wondered if I had any suitable friends nearby." Wei Heng rubbed his forehead, laughing as he continued, "I happened to run into the old man that day. He said Lu Wenchuan kept refusing blind dates, and that his classmates’ kids were already buying soy sauce."

"I thought, isn’t this just right?"

"So you told the old man to let Lu join the show?" Qi Bin asked in disbelief. "No wonder Lu agreed."

If the old man spoke, how could he refuse?

"Pretty much." Actually, the old man was against it at first, but Wei Heng said if Lu participated, he could watch him on TV and wouldn’t have to worry about him backing out halfway. At least it would be a brief encounter with the opposite sex.

"But how did the old man come up with the idea for Lu to go…" Wei Heng genuinely had no clue.

Lu Wenchuan laughed coldly. "Wasn’t it you who said now is the prime of youth, and it should be seized?"

Wei Heng uttered a sheepish sound, explaining a bit nervously, "I meant you’re still young, no need to rush into blind dates."

Lu Wenchuan had skipped grades all the way through school and graduated college at sixteen. Many classmates were already married with kids. The old man’s anxiety was understandable.

Lu Wenchuan shot him a cold look, obviously not believing him, but said nothing and turned to leave the private room.

Once the oppressive atmosphere was gone, Qi Bin suddenly breathed out in relief. "Wei Heng, you really are something."

"Just average," Wei Heng waved it off, taking Qi Bin’s words seriously.

"Lu’s gone, so I’ll head back too," Qi Bin checked the time. "Take your time, enjoy yourself."

Wei Heng: "…"

—

After leaving Baishan Hotel, Lu Wenchuan stood by the roadside, waiting for the driver to pull up. The night breeze carried the fresh scent of the surrounding trees.

Qi Bin walked over. "Lu, Wei Heng is just like that, don’t mind him."

"No," Lu Wenchuan denied.

"Lu, are you really going to join the show?" Qi Bin doubted Lu Wenchuan would have time for a variety show. "Can’t you just humor the old man?"

"A bet’s a bet."

The car arrived, and the driver got out to open the back door. Before getting in, Lu Wenchuan said to him, "Don’t come to places like this again."

"Secondhand smoke is even more dangerous."

Qi Bin thought he was about to say something else, but hadn’t expected this. He stood there in a daze, not coming to his senses until the car disappeared from view.

Shortly after, Wei Heng came out, having changed clothes, but the smell of smoke and alcohol still lingered.

"Gone?"

"Yeah." Qi Bin frowned, unsure what to say. "Feels like Lu’s obsessed. He just told me again to avoid secondhand smoke."

Wei Heng was silent for a few seconds, his voice drifting in the wind. "Old Madam Lu passed away from lung cancer."

"The doctor said secondhand smoke was a major factor."

—

When she arrived at the apartment complex, the rideshare couldn’t enter and stopped at the gate.

Before getting out, Sang Yijia was called by the driver. "Miss Sang, your contract expires this month."

"Are you renewing?" Sang Yijia asked directly.

The driver was stunned for a moment before replying, "Miss Sang, you pay too much, and you don’t often use the car. Let’s just let it end."

Feeling undeserving, the driver didn’t want to take money for nothing.

"Alright." Sang Yijia didn’t refuse, unbuckling her seatbelt before getting out. "So today is the last time."

The driver was taken aback again, and after a long pause, finally said, "I’m available anytime until the end of the month."

"Mm." Sang Yijia didn’t like forcing things, but before getting out, she asked, "Did the surgery go well for Nan Nan?"

If she remembered correctly, this month was the driver’s daughter’s surgery—congenital heart disease, difficult to treat and expensive.

"It just finished last week, and recovery’s going well." The driver’s expression softened. "This is all thanks to you, Miss Sang."

"You’re welcome." Sang Yijia asked nothing more, got out and closed the door, walking into the complex without looking back.

The rideshare driver sat in the car, watching her walk in before finally driving away.

As she walked, Sang Yijia thought, apart from being muddleheaded over the male lead, the original owner was otherwise quite normal.

If she really wanted to clear her name… Sang Yijia paused, looking up at the towering buildings, the myriad lights. Suddenly, she thought of the original owner’s family. They treated her so kindly, that affection was precious—how could she bear to let them down?

Back at her apartment, Sang Yijia opened Weibo again. The trending search had dropped, and the comments were under control.

There was a flood of messages, but Sang Yijia ignored them all.

Yet her fingers paused over one reply from the video creator:

"This wasn’t Sang Yijia’s fault alone. I was the one who initiated the conversation and never expected things would escalate like this. I’m sorry for occupying public resources, but I stand by what I said: I have nothing to hide. I didn’t take money, and that’s the truth! If anyone continues to ignore the facts, spread false rumors, and engage in personal attacks, be prepared to receive a court summons!"