SCHS - Chapter 94

Chapter 94

Pan He's intuition told him that the relationship between Wen Shixue and Qin Zhen was not as simple as it seemed. This kind of matter wasn't really his business. But if it was indeed true, then he had to step in and say something, because it was no longer just a matter of Wen Shixue and Qin Zhen's mutual feelings; their family's young master was involved.

He was paid to do a job. Since Xu Rangshan had placed him by Xu Jianfan's side, he had to fulfill his duty. He couldn't just watch the innocent Xu Jianfan interfere in someone else's relationship, becoming the target of scorn. Nor did he want him to waste time on futile efforts; that time could be better spent on design work to realize its value. He was a person who habitually explored multiple possibilities rigorously, just like when he investigated whether Zhu Ziming was Xu Jianfan. Before Qin Zhen appeared, he wouldn't rest until he saw the other party draw a design by hand. He also disliked beating around the bush, firmly believing that speaking directly could solve ninety percent of the world's problems. Furthermore, he and Qin Zhen were friends in private and understood each other's personalities, trusting each other's words, so he didn't feel the need to be subtle.

Qin Zhen's eyes were calm and unperturbed. She hit the nail on the head: "That's not what you want to ask."

Pan He didn't deny it, nor did he need to offer any further explanation, because Qin Zhen already knew the real question he wanted to ask.

Qin Zhen looked at his serious yet calm eyes, not at all surprised that he would be suspicious, while also unsure of his attitude towards this matter.

What would he do once he knew? Would he choose to stand against them and expose this matter to Xu Rangshan? How would the Xu family view this relationship then? How would they view the way Wen Shixue and Xu Jianfan were handling this relationship? And once the Xu family knew, it meant Wen Lianchang and Meng Yuezhu would also know, and they would be forced to come out to the elders...

Qin Zhen's mind raced with countless thoughts, considering many outcomes, both good and bad. In the end, they all converged into a silent sigh, and her heart became even more resolute.

Let them know, let them come out. These were things they would face in the future anyway. Even if Pan He really did expose them, it would just mean facing it sooner. Their lives were their own; no one could control or change them. She should be brave, just like her little one.

She countered with a question: "If things are truly as you suspect, what will you do?"

Pan He knew that with her personality, not directly denying it was equivalent to indirectly admitting it. By not explicitly stating it, she cleverly left a sliver of room—as long as she didn't admit it herself, it didn't count, and no one could hold it against her.

The cold wind blew, lifting Qin Zhen's dark hair. Pan He stood opposite her, his gaze passing over her shoulder to see the two people talking inside the house.

He looked at her again, as if a Chu River had already been drawn between them, tearing them into opposing sides.

He knew Xu Jianfan was on their side.

With Xu Jianfan's clumsy acting and reluctant demeanor, the way the conversation immediately became relaxed the moment he left, and the bracelet he secretly made behind his back, not wanting him to find out—only a fool wouldn't see by now that they were already in cahoots.

To deal with his parents, he could even team up with his fiancée to put on a show—their family's young master had indeed grown up and become capable.

Pan He adjusted his glasses, not directly answering her question: "My young master is also in league with you, isn't he?" There was no hint of doubt in his tone.

Qin Zhen didn't speak, remaining calm and composed, unhurried.

Pan He continued, "And my young master has someone he likes, but it's not Miss Wen."

"Why do you think that?" Qin Zhen couldn't help but ask.

Pan He calmly replied, "He made a bracelet behind my back. If it were for a client or to give to Miss Wen, there would be no need to hide. So he was afraid that if I saw this bracelet on someone else, the Master would find out and be angry with him."

Qin Zhen was silent for a moment upon hearing this, then said, "You didn't expose Young Master Xu?"

Pan He answered as a matter of course, "He wasn't doing anything bad. Since he didn't want me to see, I pretended not to see."

He wasn't that inflexible. He also believed that Xu Rangshan and Chen Wanping were ultimately doing what they thought was best for Xu Jianfan, even if their methods were too aggressive and not gentle enough. But if Xu Jianfan could find his own happiness in this life, he thought they would definitely support him. After all, what parents wouldn't want to see their child happy?

However, even an honest official can't settle a family dispute. As a subordinate, he couldn't openly criticize his boss. The only thing he could do was follow orders, remind when necessary, and give gifts when appropriate, adapting the remaining space as the situation required. The rest was entirely up to the boss's son's own fortune.

He hoped the person their young master liked was worthy of his sincere heart. May God bless them.

Only now did Qin Zhen realize that Xu Jianfan wasn't the only one just going through the motions. Pan He was also doing his best to manage both sides; earning money was truly difficult.

Then, she heard Pan He ask, "What about you?"

Pan He looked at her and asked, "What exactly is going on between you and Miss Wen?"

"Are you really together with her?"

If it were in the past, she would definitely deny it. Now, she only wanted to retort, "Can't I be with her?"

Pan He was momentarily stunned by the counter-question, then calmly replied, "I have no right to answer that question. As a friend, I just want to know if it is or isn't."

Qin Zhen said, "You already have the answer in your heart."

Pan He glanced at the two people inside the house again and noticed that Wen Shixue had been staring at him at some point, her gaze full of hostility and vigilance, as if afraid he would do something to Qin Zhen. Even Xu Jianfan's face showed a hint of indescribable nervousness—the answer couldn't be more obvious.

Pan He withdrew his gaze and adjusted his glasses. "Last question, can you tell me why Miss Wen wants to break off the engagement?"

"Just like Young Master Xu," Qin Zhen said, "to prove to her parents that she has grown up."

Wen Lianchang and his wife were similar to Xu Rangshan and his wife in one aspect: they both tried to arrange and control their children's lives to ensure they would have a smooth journey, thus overlooking the fact that their children might not like the lives they chose for them.

However, Wen Lianchang and his wife let go more readily than Xu Rangshan and his wife. Whether the road ahead was good or bad, whether it was full of flowers or thorns, they were willing to let Wen Shixue experience it herself.

Pan He nodded slightly, affirming, "Miss Wen is very smart, she will definitely succeed."

After a few exchanges, Pan He had essentially learned everything. Qin Zhen couldn't help but ask, "What are you planning to do?"

Pan He took off his glasses and slowly wiped them. "Maintain the status quo, let nature take its course. Whatever they need me to do, I'll do now."

"However, the young master's acting is indeed not good," he put his glasses back on, his eyes clear. "Neither is Miss Wen's."

Qin Zhen, who had deeply experienced Wen Shixue's terrible acting, was speechless: "..."

Although she felt he had a point, Qin Zhen still wanted to help defend her: "Everyone has their own area of expertise."

Pan He nodded: "It's tough on them."

Just then, the glass door behind Qin Zhen was gently knocked twice. She turned around and saw Wen Shixue standing behind the glass window looking at her. Seeing her turn back, she opened the door and asked, "What have you two been talking about outside for so long? Aren't you cold?"

Then she immediately shoved a hand warmer into Qin Zhen's hand. The cold wind was biting; it didn't matter if others froze, but her Lao Qin absolutely couldn't freeze!

Qin Zhen coaxed softly, "We'll be done talking soon. It's cold, and you're frail. Go inside first, don't catch a cold."

Wen Shixue was frail and didn't even have the right to eavesdrop. She could only return to the house resentfully. She couldn't stay put for three seconds before chasing Xu Jianfan onto the treadmill and resentfully turning it on.

Xu Jianfan started running with a bewildered look: "???"

Wen Shixue leaned against the treadmill and watched the two people outside on the balcony: "I'm frail, you run for me for a while, and warm up at the same time."

Xu Jianfan: "???"

Can you even substitute running like this??

Wen Shixue, you don't do anything related to people, huh!

Pan He was speechless for a moment, then softly said, "I will do my best to persuade Chairman Xu and his wife not to dwell on the young master's marriage anymore."

Qin Zhen liked Wen Shixue very much, and Wen Shixue also liked Qin Zhen very much. This was beyond doubt. From a gender perspective, there was no possibility for their young master, let alone the fact that the young master already had someone in his heart. A forced melon isn't sweet, so there was no need to make futile efforts anymore.

Children all have their own paths; why should parents remain fixated? It's better to see things clearly early, prepare psychologically, so they can accept the outcome more calmly. Moreover, looking at the way Wen Shixue and Xu Jianfan interact outside, it's boisterous and clearly more suitable for siblings.

—Perhaps, their Chairman Xu would also be very willing to have another daughter? And Chairman Wen would also be willing to have another son?

Pan He had a certain degree of influence with Xu Rangshan and the others; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to successfully rescue Xu Jianfan's design drafts from dire situations multiple times. So if he could really try his best to persuade them, perhaps Mr. and Mrs. Xu might listen.

Qin Zhen was slightly taken aback, not expecting him to be willing to help to this extent.

Pan He smiled for a rare moment: "I look forward to good news from you and Miss Wen."

He had known Qin Zhen for a long time and knew how difficult things had been for her over the years. Putting aside their identities as secretary and vice president, as half-friends, he sincerely hoped that Qin Zhen could find happiness and live a little easier than before.

Qin Zhen was startled for a moment, then smiled, feeling relieved: "Thank you, Pan He."

After seeing Pan He and Xu Jianfan off, Wen Shixue curiously asked, "What were you two talking about on the balcony for so long?"

Qin Zhen didn't hide anything.

After listening, Wen Shixue rubbed her chin and thought for a moment, then said very seriously, "Secretary Pan is a defected, yet reasonable enemy soldier."

Qin Zhen nodded in agreement. As for how to persuade Xu Rangshan and help Mr. and Mrs. Xu completely reconcile with their son, that was Pan He's job.

Then Wen Shixue added, "But there's one thing he said that's wrong."

Qin Zhen: "?"

Wen Shixue said incredulously, "Where is my acting bad? The entertainment industry is suffering a huge loss without me!"

Qin Zhen: "..."

If you say so, then it is.

She walked over to the treadmill, patted it, and adopted the stance of a gym teacher.

"Shixue, it's time to exercise."

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