Chapter 18: Instead of Learning the Good, They Only Pick Up the Bad

Page 1 of 3

“Miss Wen, now that you’ve received Young Master Hehe, I’ll be heading back first,” Lu Zhaoye’s secretary said with a smile.

Wen Ling gave Hehe an affectionate stroke and replied to the secretary with unusual courtesy. “Thank you for bringing Hehe here. I’ll send you a separate reward, and Lu Zhaoye can give it to you when the time comes.”

The secretary’s smile widened. He bowed slightly in thanks, said goodbye, and then headed back to the waiting lounge.

One of the bodyguards helped push Hehe’s pet stroller. Wen Ling bent down every now and then to take a look at him, her happiness radiating from her. She was so absorbed that she failed to notice Zhou Yinhe emerging from the lounge not far away.

Zhou Yinhe naturally saw her repeatedly bending down to stroke the cat. His face darkened. Much to his own disbelief, he felt a faint discomfort in his chest.

He rubbed at his heart, then turned and strode away with Cheng Yu.

Zhou Yinhe had come today to pick up his eldest brother. Two months earlier, his brother, Zhou Yanqiu, had handed the affairs of the group over to their retired father and their second brother, then taken his wife abroad to travel around the world. Just before boarding the plane home, he had called and specifically demanded that Zhou Yinhe come to pick them up.

Zhou Yanqiu emerged with his wife, Shang Zhiyu, and at first glance spotted Zhou Yinhe standing lazily at the arrivals gate.

Shang Zhiyu could not help laughing, while Zhou Yanqiu was left speechless with exasperation.

He had deliberately summoned Zhou Yinhe to pick them up so that he could make him handle their luggage. Who would have thought Zhou Yinhe would bring his secretary along?

As expected, Cheng Yu immediately stepped forward and took the luggage cart from Zhou Yanqiu, respectfully greeting his employer’s elder brother and sister-in-law.

Zhou Yanqiu shot Zhou Yinhe a sidelong glance and said sarcastically, “I asked you to come push the luggage for me and your sister-in-law, and you actually brought someone with you.”

Zhou Yinhe first nodded to Shang Zhiyu in greeting, then drawled lazily, “I knew there had to be some ulterior motive behind insisting that I come, so I took precautions.”

Shang Zhiyu knew his temperament. When she saw that Zhou Yanqiu was about to lecture him, she tugged at Zhou Yanqiu’s arm and glared at him.

Zhou Yanqiu could only swallow his words.

When he had set out that day, Zhou Yinhe had specifically told Cheng Yu to bring a Cullinan. He took the front passenger seat, leaving the back for his brother and sister-in-law.

The moment they got into the car, Zhou Yinhe became as silent as a gourd with its mouth sawn shut. He rested his arm against the window and propped up his forehead without saying a word.

Zhou Yanqiu had no choice but to speak first. “Mom said Wen Ling is back.”

Zhou Yinhe continued pretending not to hear him.

“What? Are you two getting back together?” Seeing that expression, Zhou Yanqiu could not resist mocking him. Shang Zhiyu reached over and fiercely pinched the flesh at his waist, making him hiss in pain.

Page 1 of 3

Page 2 of 3

Shang Zhiyu said gently, “Little Fifth, don’t mind your eldest brother. He’s been far too idle lately. Once I send him back to work tomorrow, he’ll learn to keep his mouth shut.”

Zhou Yanqiu opened his mouth, but after receiving Shang Zhiyu’s threatening look, he sheepishly closed it again.

“Mm. I won’t hold it against my eldest brother.” Only then did Zhou Yinhe speak. He glanced at Zhou Yanqiu through the rearview mirror with a mocking look.

Zhou Yanqiu sincerely missed the Little Fifth of their childhood—the adorable boy who had followed behind all his brothers and sisters, calling out to them in his soft, childish voice.

But now?

Well, Zhou Yanqiu could not even be bothered to comment.

Unfortunately, Shang Zhiyu treated Zhou Yinhe exceptionally well. As his eldest brother, he could not say a single bad word about Little Fifth in her presence.

Receiving his elder brother’s warning gaze, Zhou Yinhe withdrew his eyes without a care and fell silent once more.

Meanwhile, the moment Wen Ling got into the car, she gathered her precious cat son into her arms and immediately buried herself in his fur.

“My darling Hehe, you smell so good,” Wen Ling praised with a laugh.

Lu Zhaoye had probably taken Hehe to the groomer before sending him to China. At that moment, Hehe was practically the cat of Wen Ling’s dreams: enormous, long-haired, handsome, and soft. Even the two bodyguards were itching to pet him.

Wen Ling had had all of Hehe’s necessities prepared in advance, including a particularly generous supply of his favorite treats and canned food.

Only after Hehe began exploring his new territory did the unhappiness she had forced down finally rise to the surface.

She lay on the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling. Aunt Zhou was in the kitchen preparing cat food for Hehe. Seeing Wen Ling like that, she came over and asked with concern, “A-Ling, what’s wrong? You look so unhappy.”

Wen Ling came back to herself and propped herself up. Hehe was standing on the steps, looking at her with the same puzzled expression.

She smiled at Aunt Zhou. “Nothing. I was just lost in thought.”

Aunt Zhou nodded. “Then I’ll get back to making Hehe’s dinner.”

Wen Ling pressed her lips together, then beckoned to Hehe. Hehe came running over with a waddling gait.

Wen Ling picked him up and said disapprovingly, “Why have you gotten fat again? At this rate, you’ll turn into a little porker.”

Hehe protested with a meow, as though saying, Even if I get fatter, I’ll still be the handsomest cat around.

Wen Ling hugged him and snorted softly. “That bastard Zhou Yinhe. The next time you see him, scratch him, understand?”

Hehe was already very familiar with the name Zhou Yinhe. At that, he meowed again.

Wen Ling took it as agreement, then curved her eyes in delight and praised him.

Page 2 of 3

Page 3 of 3

Lu Zhaoye called at that moment. Wen Ling was lying on the sofa with Hehe in her arms, and she adjusted herself into a more comfortable position before answering.

“Did you get Hehe?”

Wen Ling answered with a lazy hum. Scratching Hehe beneath the chin, she said to him, “Come on, say hello to your good buddy.”

Lu Zhaoye cursed her for being crazy, but Wen Ling was not offended in the slightest. She only giggled.

Lu Zhaoye could not be bothered to argue with her and turned to business instead. “I forgot to ask you last time. How have things been lately?”

Wen Ling’s smile faded. She pursed her lips irritably. “I ran into Zhou Yinhe just now. He told me not to look for him anymore and said he would never reconcile with me.”

Lu Zhaoye paused. “And what do you think?”

“I’m not giving up.” Wen Ling and Lu Zhaoye had grown up together, and she could tell him anything. She said bluntly, “If Zhou Yinhe really refuses to make up with me, I’ll follow your father’s example, knock him unconscious, bring him back to M-Country, and lock him up until he agrees.”

Lu Zhaoye took his mother’s surname. His father came from the royal family of M-Country, while his mother had been forcibly taken away by his father.

The Wen family conglomerate stood at the very top of M-Country’s social hierarchy. The royal family and the Wen family had business ties, which was why Lu Zhaoye and Wen Ling had grown up together.

“Sure. You refuse to learn anything good and insist on picking up all the bad habits,” Lu Zhaoye sneered.

Wen Ling gave a soft snort. “If it works, it doesn’t count as bad.”

“Suit yourself. But don’t focus only on chasing Zhou Yinhe. There’s also Ruan Miaomiao,” Lu Zhaoye reminded her.

Wen Ling’s fingers sank into Hehe’s fur. “I know. The opportunity is coming soon.”

Ruan Miaomiao would be attending a banquet next. Wen Ling had already made all her preparations. She was merely waiting for Ruan Miaomiao to walk straight into the trap.

“Mm. I’m hanging up.” Without bothering to find out whether Wen Ling had anything else to say, Lu Zhaoye ended the call.

Aunt Zhou had finished preparing Hehe’s cat food. She came to the sofa in the living room and, coaxing him gently, bent down to lift Hehe from Wen Ling’s arms. Hehe stretched lazily, but still allowed Aunt Zhou to carry him away.

Wen Ling rolled over onto her stomach on the sofa. Her phone suddenly chimed with a notification.

Page 3 of 3