Sharing Dreams with My Bestie's Cousin

After taking the call, Shang Hexing had a look that was far from good, his brows veiled as if by mist.

Upon entering, not seeing Wen Zhi, he turned his head to ask Xun An, "Where is she?"

Xun An had taken it upon himself to send Wen Zhi away and, with guilt lowering his head, he replied, "Miss Wen said she would return to the temple first."

Shang Hexing’s heavy gaze settled on Xun An, seeing through him at a glance, "What did you say to her?"

"Mr. Shang, I was thinking of your interests," Xun An started with loyalty before he said, "Miss Wen is very conscious of her actions; she understands how her identity could influence you. I merely mentioned the Han Family, and she took the hint and left."

As for the words he reminded Wen Zhi to return to the Wen Family, Xun An dared not mention them.

Shang Hexing was not one to anger easily, and this time was no different. His gaze lightly swept over Xun An, leaving him with just one sentence, "Before noon, get back to Bai City."

Xun An shuddered, suddenly lifting his head.

One could not defy the commands of Shang Hexing, Xun An was clear on that, but even knowing his words would be fruitless, he still tried to persuade him before leaving, "Mr. Shang, you really shouldn’t continue to see Miss Wen. You know the old master’s temper too well. He is only issuing a warning for now, but if he loses his temper, Miss Wen might be in trouble."

Shang Hexing’s expression turned slightly cold, "Who dares to touch her?"

Xun An’s heart faltered.

He had some words left unsaid, but seeing Shang Hexing’s color not good and emotions on the edge of anger, Xun An still kept those words to himself.

Once outside, Xun An wore a look of worry and suffering.

Chen Jinhai approached from the other direction and, seeing Xun An’s troubled face, instantly understood what was going on.

This guy went out on a limb again.

"I ran into Miss Wen just now by the elevator lobby. She left in a hurry, only greeted me, didn’t have time for a few words," Chen Jinhai said.

Xun An’s brows were deeply furrowed, and he said nothing.

Noticing Xun An’s expression as if he had unspeakable troubles, Chen Jinhai teased him, "Did your superior make you go out and offer unwelcome advice again?"

Xun An let out a sigh.

Chen Jinhai: "So Miss Wen left in such a hurry because you took matters into your own hands?"

Xun An sighed again.

Seeing him sigh repeatedly, Chen Jinhai crossed his arms and laughed.

Xun An’s heart was cold, and annoyed he said, "Mr. Shang ordered me to roll back to Bai City. I’m in a dilemma; you’re not comforting me but laughing at me instead."

"It’s your own doing for acting on your own," Chen Jinhai showed no sympathy, "The Han Family commanded, you should’ve just made an appearance. There’s no need to stubbornly crash into the knife’s edge. Mr. Shang has his own judgment in everything, and we just need to do our duties."

Chen Jinhai was cunning, slippery like an eel; Xun An was loyal, but he was single-minded, doing exactly as told by those above him.

The news of Wen Zhi getting close to Shang Hexing has already reached the Han Family. Apart from Xun An’s contribution, there was another person at play. Now that Shang Hexing wanted to dismiss Xun An, without someone to watch over, returning to Bai City, he would still be disciplined by the Han Family, offending both sides.

Xun An felt like crying.

...

Wen Zhi returned to the temple to pack her bags and say farewell to Master Huijue.

In the incense-filled God Room, Master Huijue sat in meditation on his zafu. Once Wen Zhi finished saying her goodbyes, Master Huijue asked her, "In the days you have spent at the temple, have you had any enlightenment?"

Wen Zhi shook her head, "I have no fate with Buddha."

Master Huijue said, "The benefactor has guilt, resentment, and hatred in her heart, her connection with Buddha is still weak."

Wen Zhi looked at Master Huijue, "If there’s a connection, I will return next year; if there’s none, I won’t come back again."

Master Huijue saw through but did not point it out, only saying, "Take care."

Wen Zhi nodded, stood up, and left.

When she went back to the Dormitory House to get her luggage, which was just a few clothes, packed up and came out, she ran into Kong Ci in the yard.

The young novice stood with hands behind his back, silently gazing at her from a distance.

As Wen Zhi approached, she bid farewell to Kong Ci who asked her, "Will you come back next year?"

Wen Zhi shook her head, "I won’t be back."

Kong Ci looked at Wen Zhi, "Benefactor, you have lied. You just told Master Huijue that you would come back next year."

Wen Zhi bent down, pointing at Kong Ci, "You eavesdropped on my conversation with Master Huijue!"

Kong Ci replied, "It wasn’t eavesdropping, I heard it by chance."

Wen Zhi burst into laughter, her tone somewhat lighter, "We’ll talk about it next year. Maybe I’ll have to come back to fulfill a vow."

Kong Ci stared at Wen Zhi for a long time, the concern that lingered at the corners of his mouth eventually turning into words of caution, "Those who believe in Buddhism should lead a life of kindness and virtue, without lying, without deceit."

Having said that, Kong Ci stepped aside to make way for Wen Zhi, then brought his hands together in prayer, "Amitabha, may the benefactor have a smooth journey ahead."

Wen Zhi was overwhelmed with emotions.

She put her hands together in prayer and then, picking up her luggage, walked away into the sunlight, casting a long shadow. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Wen Zhi returned to Bai City.

The hall was bustling with people, but she spotted a tall, formidable figure among the crowd at a glance.

It was Gu Rang, who wore a dark blue trench coat today, exuding a chilly, unapproachable aura.

His face was expressionless and icy,

until he saw Wen Zhi, and a softness quickly appeared on that icy face. He took his hands out of his coat pockets and walked towards her.

Wen Zhi could barely remember when Gu Rang started working for her father. All she remembered was that year when Gu Rang and Zhan Feng arrived at the Wen Family together.

"Did you have a good time over there?" Gu Rang reached out to take the luggage from Wen Zhi’s hands, his movements natural.

Wen Zhi walked ahead, "Lin City is a land of outstanding people and splendid landscapes. It’s a good place; I liked it there."

"It seems you had a fairly good time." Gu Rang followed at her side and slowed his pace, "Did you meet President Mu?"

"I did," Wen Zhi nodded, then stopped to ask, "Do you have anything to tell me?"

Gu Rang also stopped, meeting Wen Zhi’s gaze head-on, "What are your plans now that you’re back?"

Wen Zhi said, "It’s your turn to speak first."

A sigh escaped Gu Rang’s throat, "President Mu has asked me to stop you from doing anything foolish at all costs."

What Gu Rang said was not much different from what Wen Zhi had anticipated.

After all, Mu Yanzhou had forbidden her from investigating.

Wen Zhi looked away and walked out of the airport terminal, "Let’s go back to the Wen Family."

Gu Rang caught up and said, "President Mu has arranged a new place for you to live."

Wen Zhi, "Haven’t I already spent a year at the residence he arranged for me? I’ll stay at the Wen Family for a few days, then I’ll go to the Shang Family."

Gu Rang let out a sigh, "President Mu is doing this for your own good. Living at the Shang Family is not a long-term plan, especially since your intentions aren’t pure. If they find out, how could the Shang Family let you off lightly?"

Once outside, Wen Zhi stood facing the wind, "Are you talking about Chong Wanyin?"

Gu Rang said, "She is very complicated."

The wind messed up Wen Zhi’s hair, but she didn’t bother to tidy it, and just looked at Gu Rang, "She is complicated. She’s even defeated Han Xiangying."

With resentment till the end.

She was buried in the hills behind Jingci Temple, thousands of miles from Bai City, with no one aware.

It was clear how much Han Xiangying hated the people of the Shang Family.

"Do you have to return to the Wen Family today?" Gu Rang asked.

Wen Zhi nodded.

Gu Rang asked again, "And afterwards, do you still plan to go to the Shang Family?"

Wen Zhi didn’t answer, remaining silent.

With no more questions to ask, Gu Rang put the luggage in the trunk and then opened the car door for Wen Zhi, "Get in. I’ll take you back to the Wen Family."