Sharing Dreams with My Bestie’s Cousin Chapter 4 - 4 He got on his car

Inside the exclusive hot spring at Jiuqu Villa.

Wen Zhi's face flushed a deep pink after lingering too long in the hot spring pool; Meng Fan glanced her way and almost couldn't pull his gaze away.

“Meng Fan,” Wen Zhi's voice sounded faint, “I feel dizzy.”

Meng Fan's grin stiffened; he snapped to attention and rushed to assist Wen Zhi from the pool, “Darn! I overlooked your kidney deficiency.”

“…”

Meng Fan smacked his forehead, recalling at last, “Sorry, wrong term—it's yin deficiency. Earlier when I suggested you join me, I figured fifteen minutes would be okay, yet you barely managed a few; you're seriously deficient. How will we handle things after marriage?”

“…”

That's jumping way ahead.

Wen Zhi slipped away to change clothes and don her glasses; her thick bangs fell back into place. By the time she emerged, Meng Fan was back in the hot spring, soaking contentedly.

“Zhizhi, hurry over; I've got tons more juicy recent tales to share with you.”

As Wen Zhi drew near, she stated, “Meng Fan, I need to head back.”

Meng Fan's lips drooped, his expression turning gloomy, “Already? You said you'd hang out with me.”

Wen Zhi explained, “I mentioned my plans to Aunt Qin before leaving, and she noted a family banquet at noon. She suggested I return soon.”

“Fine then, I'll drive you,” Meng Fan agreed readily, rising to exit the hot spring.

Wen Zhi halted Meng Fan, “No need; you've been busy lately. Enjoy your soak fully, then hit the SPA—we can chat on WeChat.”

Meng Fan chuckled helplessly, “Worried I'll dash out naked to wave goodbye?”

Wen Zhi shot back, “Can't rule it out.”

“…”

Ultimately, Meng Fan donned a bathrobe and walked Wen Zhi out of the private hot spring himself.

Meng Fan only returned after Wen Zhi departed Tangchi Garden.

Wen Zhi needed to trek a little farther to reach a different exit from the sprawling villa grounds.

Stairs lay ahead, and as she stepped off the final one, her phone buzzed in her bag; she paused to retrieve it.

The call came from an unknown number.

After brief hesitation, Wen Zhi adjusted her glasses and picked up, “Hello.”

Her tone was soft like a gentle rain abroad.

Yet the reply from the phone carried a detached chill, “Wen Zhi?”

Wen Zhi grew cautious, “Who's calling?”

“Shang Jing,” came the response.

Living at the Shang residence now, Wen Zhi knew exactly who Shang Jing was.

“You out yet?” Shang Jing inquired.

Aware of his terse nature, Wen Zhi hadn't anticipated such brevity and replied, “Brother, what's up?”

Silence fell over the line abruptly.

Wen Zhi called out twice, but got no answer. Checking her phone, she saw the call had dropped.

She whispered to herself how odd it was.

Just then, two honks echoed from the villa's main gate. Wen Zhi looked up toward the noise and noticed a Hongqi L5.

Not every person could pilot such a vehicle.

Plus, folks able to drive it in Bai City numbered scant few.

The vehicle glided forward and halted two meters before Wen Zhi. The passenger window descended, revealing the driver's strikingly handsome profile.

It was Shang Jing, son of Chong Wanyin.

“Spotted you on the phone as the car rounded the bend—I knew it had to be you; Wen Zhi, correct?”

Shang Jing's icy stare settled on Wen Zhi, verifying who she was.

With black-rimmed glasses and bangs veiling her features, clad in baggy outdated attire, she resembled a rural villager. Servants called her ugly, yet Shang Jing disagreed. Though not worldly enough to judge all types, he saw her as simply ordinary and unadorned.

At that instant, Wen Zhi pocketed her phone and gave Shang Jing a soft nod, “Yes, that's me.”

Shang Jing questioned, “Why exit through this side door?”

Wen Zhi clarified, “Taxis are simpler to grab here.”

Once assured of her identity, Shang Jing shifted his eyes away and instructed, “Hop in.”

Wen Zhi wavered and stayed put.

Shang Jing, hand on the wheel, displayed scant patience, “Mom dispatched me to fetch you. Family lunch today; let's not be late.”

Wen Zhi got it.

The door slid open automatically, and as Wen Zhi leaned in to board, she froze at the sight of the man in the rear seat.

She'd puzzled over Shang Jing driving this ride.

Now it made sense.

The true occupant in back was Shang Hexing, Meng Fan's powerful Bai City cousin and Shang Jing's older half-brother.

Likely, Shang Jing's main job was retrieving Shang Hexing; she was mere bonus.

Needing to avoid bothering Shang Hexing, Wen Zhi entered silently. Once settled, the door sealed shut.

The engine hummed to life.

On the journey, Wen Zhi sensed the nearby presence watching her. Unsure if it was real, she avoided glancing over, hugging the door to shrink her footprint.

Until—a voice nearby probed, “Visiting a friend at the villa?”

The resonant, authoritative timbre demanded notice.

Sensing the man's probe, Wen Zhi answered promptly, “Yes.”

Shang Hexing eyed Wen Zhi nonchalantly, tone flat, “Boyfriend, or girlfriend?”

Wen Zhi's breath hitched.

Incredible as it seemed for Shang Hexing to grill her thus, she replied earnestly, “My bestie.”

Shang Jing, at the wheel, peeked rearward via mirror and stayed mute out of courtesy.

Shang Hexing's lip quirked as he named, “Meng Fan.”

Wen Zhi whipped her head toward Shang Hexing, eyes wide with shock.

Shang Hexing lounged with legs crossed, hand atop them, voice breezy, “Caught you two strolling.”

Wen Zhi pieced it together—Shang Hexing had hit Jiuqu Villa's hot springs too, probing to check her honesty.

Meng Fan spoke true; Shang Hexing proved tricky to handle.

“Your dad's Mu Yanzhou?” Shang Hexing tossed out idly.

Wen Zhi confirmed truthfully, “Yes.”

She bore her mother's surname, Wen, since her father wed into the family.

Shang Jing, up front steering, chimed in casually, “Ah, so you're the Wen Family son-in-law's daughter—the one with the iffy rep.”

Wen Zhi's skirt-clutching fingers clenched hard.

Shang Hexing noted her grip and commented mildly, “He didn't mean offense.”

Wen Zhi murmured with lowered gaze, “No issue; it's common knowledge.”

The Wen Family ranked high in Bai City, shy of the elite Shangs but respected. Yes, Wen Zhi's birth father was indeed their son-in-law.

Having posed that, Shang Hexing asked no more and shut his eyes for repose.

Wen Zhi stole glances at Shang Hexing's visage, momentarily forgetting to avert her stare.

Shang Family genes shone bright, rendering Shang Hexing exceptionally good-looking.

Furthermore, his mother's ethnic roots lent sharp contours, his nose in particular soaring like peaks, exuding an alluring foreign allure.

“Shouldn't a girl act more demure?” Shang Jing noted via mirror Wen Zhi's prolonged gaze at Shang Hexing and rebuked coolly.

Far from abashed, Wen Zhi countered forthrightly, “Thanks for the advice, brother. How thoughtful of you.”

Shang Jing: “…”

Shang Hexing, eyes closed in rest, lips curved into a faint, elusive smile.