Sharing Dreams with My Bestie’s Cousin Chapter 5 - 5 Wen Zhis Secret

The vehicle pulled up once more at the old mansion.

Shang Jing stepped out first after killing the engine.

Wen Zhi made sure to thank Shang Hexing before she exited. He turned toward her, their eyes connecting. Calmly, he remarked, “Shang Jing is the one who came to fetch you.”

Wen Zhi pressed her lips together, “The car is Mr. Shang’s, yet without Mr. Shang’s approval, Shang Jing wouldn’t have decided to do it alone.”

Shang Hexing’s eyes fixed on Wen Zhi’s face, “You realize this car belongs to me.”

Wen Zhi saw no point in feigning ignorance with such a straightforward query, “Within the Shang family, Mr. Shang is the sole one who drives this car.”

A faint smile curved the edge of Shang Hexing’s eyes, and surprisingly, he inquired, “How many times have we encountered each other prior to this?”

Wen Zhi felt a slight jolt.

How many meetings had there been…

Though the question caught Wen Zhi off guard, she answered earnestly, “Excluding today, three times.”

Shang Hexing followed up, “Which three occasions?”

This time around, Wen Zhi countered with a question, “Does Mr. Shang not recall?”

She innocently believed this would halt Shang Hexing’s probing, but that was merely her wishful thinking.

Shang Hexing replied without emotion, “I don’t remember, which is why I’m asking you.”

Wen Zhi found herself at a loss for words briefly.

Shang Hexing shifted his gaze away and, after a pause, instructed, “Head inside first.”

Unable to grasp Shang Hexing’s deep intentions, Wen Zhi gave a small nod and slipped out of the car.

Shang Jing, already out and lounging against the car’s hood, smirked faintly as Wen Zhi emerged, “Wasn’t it my car that I drove? Why no thanks for me?”

Wen Zhi glanced back at the sound of his voice, spotting Shang Jing propped against the front of the vehicle, and offered a soft smile, “Thank you, brother, for picking me up.”

Shang Jing observed her closely, “Now your attitude feels right.”

His mocking edge was unmistakable, yet she stayed cheerful with her smile intact, “Who mixes grudges with gratitude? Does brother make a habit of it? I don’t.”

Shang Jing clenched his molars, “Without big brother’s okay, I wouldn’t have bothered picking you up today.”

“I know,” Wen Zhi answered genuinely, “I’ve put you out, brother.”

“…”

Shang Jing let out a scornful chuckle, “You foolish girl, do you even grasp your position right now?”

Wen Zhi’s lips pressed into a thin line.

Shang Jing emphasized slowly, “At this moment, you’re just a wretched soul unable even to go home.”

Wen Zhi paled visibly.

She fully understood her circumstances and recognized Shang Jing’s intent to humiliate her.

During the drive, Shang Jing had been merely chilly toward her before her father came up; afterward, outright contempt set in.

Wen Zhi felt a surge of helplessness, “I…”

“Shang Jing.”

Shang Hexing’s voice emerged from within the car, cutting off Wen Zhi’s next words.

Catching the caution in that tone, Shang Jing softened and told Wen Zhi, “Sorry, go on inside.”

Wen Zhi eyed the car, then Shang Jing, before pivoting and heading indoors.

With Wen Zhi out of earshot, Shang Hexing finally exited the vehicle.

Shang Jing stepped back, rubbing his head sheepishly as he clarified, “Big brother, her clever remarks got under my skin, so I spoke without thinking. That wasn’t my plan.”

Shang Hexing’s face remained icy, “Shang Jing, you’re twenty-four years old, not fourteen.”

“Got it, won’t happen again,” Shang Jing replied tensely, a hint of rebellion in his voice.

Shang Hexing shot him a look, cautioning, “You’ve only recently gained traction. Understand how many eyes—inside and out—are fixed on you? Even casual remarks from you can be twisted later to undermine you.”

Shang Jing froze in surprise.

His earlier defiance evaporated upon hearing Shang Hexing, replaced by compliance, “My mistake, I’ll watch my words and deeds going forward.”

Shang Hexing looked away indifferently, “Pick the right moment to apologize to her.”

Shang Jing blinked in shock and jerked his head up, “What?”

…

It required a few minutes for Wen Zhi to reach the house.

The Shang estate sprawled impressively, its generational wealth spanning thousands of square meters.

Inside, she shut the door, slipped off her glasses casually, swept back her heavy bangs, and headed to the dressing room for fresh clothes.

Before the full mirror, the girl’s silhouette was elegant, skin porcelain-pale, eyes brimming with life. Her lush, wavy locks cascaded to her waist, rendering her breathtaking yet effortlessly alluring.

This marked Wen Zhi’s true visage.

Knock, knock, knock.

Knocks echoed from the door.

Wen Zhi leisurely donned her glasses, rearranged her bangs, and approached to open it.

“Aunt Qin.”

“Did Miss Wen have a good time out today?” Zhao Qin inquired warmly.

Zhao Qin had hurried over upon learning of Wen Zhi’s return.

Wen Zhi responded, “I reunited with an old friend, and it was delightful.”

Zhao Qin beamed, “Madam mentioned you should venture out more to prevent moping indoors all day.”

Wen Zhi smiled back, “I will.”

“Are you occupied at the moment?” Zhao Qin proposed, “If not, join me in the front hall. Family banquet today, and madam awaits you there.”

Wen Zhi agreed with a nod, asking nothing more, and trailed Zhao Qin to the front hall obediently.

Early yet, the main hall stood nearly deserted.

Chong Wanyin, seated on the sofa, spotted Wen Zhi and grinned, beckoning her over, “Wen Zhi, come sit.”

Wen Zhi hastened her pace.

Beaming broadly, Chong Wanyin patted the spot beside her, “Right here next to me.”

Wen Zhi settled gracefully, and Chong Wanyin promptly queried, “Settling in well these past days?”

Wen Zhi nodded, “Quite comfortable, thank you for caring, madam.”

“Glad to know, I worried you might not adjust.” Chong Wanyin clasped Wen Zhi’s hand, then grew wistful, “The day after tomorrow…”

Wen Zhi dropped her gaze.

Noting Wen Zhi’s response, Chong Wanyin halted, “Never mind that.”

The day after tomorrow marked the anniversary of Wen Zhi’s mother’s passing, a topic she preferred unspoken around others.

As her eyes lowered, Wen Zhi observed Chong Wanyin wore no Buddha Beads from her—the original Xiuyu Bracelet alone. She ventured, “Do you still fancy the South Sea Pearwood beads, madam?”

Chong Wanyin paused, then smiled brightly, “Very much. South Sea Pearwood’s elegance and purity shine through, dense and lustrous—a true rarity. I adore them.”

Indeed, rarities they were.

These Buddha Beads had come from Wen Zhi’s mother; two strands existed.

Wearing one herself while gifting the other allowed Wen Zhi to enter the wearer’s dreams nightly.

Such was Wen Zhi’s hidden ability, shared only with her innermost circle.

She’d presented the beads to Chong Wanyin because Chong Wanyin had brought her into the Shang fold; displeasure from her meant instant eviction. Facing an unstable shelter, Wen Zhi gifted them to delve into Chong Wanyin’s dreams, discern tastes, and win favor henceforth.

Yet now, Wen Zhi fretted over Chong Wanyin’s lack of beads.

For dream entry to work, both must don the Buddha Beads…