He dialed Dr. Chen's number, his brows furrowed, and said only one thing:
"Come over."
Then he hung up.
Wen Yujing rose to his feet and walked toward the living room.
Jing Yuan, still stunned by his sudden phone call, stood frozen for a moment before anger surged in her chest. She pushed herself up and stormed after him.
She hadn't even stepped into the living room yet, but her voice already carried through:
"Wen Yujing, what do you mean by this?"
He ignored her, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, scrolling through the day's Weibo trending searches.
[Nanyin Yue was seen entering Huashang Hotel two nights ago with Wen, CEO of the Donghuang Consortium. Their relationship is now confirmed.]
The voice-over from the video happened to play just as Jing Yuan walked in.
This was the first time since their marriage that a scandal about him had surfaced.
"Wen Yujing, your rumors are all over the place—I've kept quiet. But let me remind you, think carefully about how you're going to explain this to my brother, or my parents!"
No sooner had she spoken than his phone rang again.
Wen Yujing's brows drew tighter, his expression darkening as he saw the caller ID.
Jing Yuan leaned over, catching a glimpse. Her heart muttered the name silently: Nanyin Yue.
"Go on, answer it," she said softly. "Don't worry, I'll explain things to my parents."
Explain? Ha!
She stood and started toward the door, but his low voice stopped her.
"Xiaoyuan, I'll take you."
Instead of answering Nanyin Yue's call, he silenced his phone and slipped it into his pocket. Rising, he strode over to her side.
"It's on the way. I need to see your brother about some matters."
On the way? What a load of crap!
"Not really—it's just that I wanted to surprise my brother, you—"
Before she could finish, he was already striding past her toward the door.
Damn it, Wen Yujing. Not only were you acting crazy yesterday—you're still crazy today!
With no choice, Jing Yuan followed him out to the car.
He was driving the same customized Rolls-Royce. Before starting the engine, he quickly sent Dr. Chen a WeChat: [Don't come.]
Just as they drove past the iron gates, Nanyin Yue appeared, blocking their path.
She stood squarely in front of the car, gesturing for him to roll down the window, her red lips moving as she spoke.
From inside, Jing Yuan couldn't hear her voice, but she could read her lips:
"Jingye, the movie press conference needs you. Come with me and help clear things up!"
She thought Wen Yujing wouldn't understand lip-reading, and was about to say something—but then he lowered the window himself.
Nanyin Yue quickly stepped forward, repeating the same plea.
"Jingye, the movie press conference needs you. Please come with me and clarify everything."
Sweet words, but her tricks were vicious.
In her past life, Nanyin Yue had been her closest partner—until she betrayed her. That betrayal led to Jing Yuan's abduction by a mysterious figure.
In this life, she wanted nothing to do with her.
"Get in."
Only two words, yet they carried a weight of command.
Nanyin Yue's eyes flicked toward the back seat. Seeing Jing Yuan there, she didn't look surprised.
"Yuan-meimei, you're here too? Are you heading to school?" she asked with a casual smile.
"No." Jing Yuan returned a faint smile.
Yuan-meimei?
Did Wen Yujing… tell Nanyin Yue she was his younger sister?
"I'm in a hurry," Wen Yujing cut in coldly.
The chill in his tone made Nanyin Yue instantly realize he was running out of patience.
She moved to open the passenger door, but his low voice stopped her:
"Jing Yuan, sit up front."
Jing Yuan froze, glancing from him to the woman outside.
"Um… I'd rather stay in the back. Let Miss Nan sit in front."
She rarely sat in the passenger seat—only when visiting the Jing or Wen families.
"Hehe, it's fine. Yuan-meimei, would you mind if I sit in the back with you?"
Her words sounded polite, but Nanyin Yue opened the back door anyway, wearing a pitiful expression as she slid in.
Jing Yuan could only nod with a faint smile. "I don't mind."
Nanyin Yue sat down with a flourish, slamming the door shut.
Half an hour later, the car pulled up at Longcheng Group.
"You go with Miss Nan," Jing Yuan said lightly. "I'll head up on my own."
She opened the door, casting a glance at Nanyin Yue. "Goodbye, Miss Nan."
Wen Yujing watched her walk away before finally turning his gaze on the woman beside him.
"Miss Nan, the video you made wasn't bad. A shame, really."
Her face stiffened.
"Jingye, I… I don't know what you mean."
"Don't understand?" His eyes cut into her like blades.
Every move she made was under his surveillance.
"Jingye, I truly don't know what you're talking about. Let's hurry to the press conference," she stammered, hands clenched tight, eyes darting away.
"If you don't understand, then…"
He pulled out his phone and dialed his assistant, Lin.
Panic flashed across Nanyin Yue's face. After a long hesitation, she shut her eyes and blurted, voice trembling:
"I was wrong, Jingye! I'll tell the reporters myself, I'll clear everything up—please, forgive me!"
But the call had already connected.
"Jingye, your instructions," Lin's deep voice came through the line.
One second. Two. Three. Four. Five…
Only after ten seconds did Wen Yujing speak:
"Drive over to Longcheng Group. Take Miss Nan to the press conference."
He hung up immediately, his gaze slicing toward her.
"This is your last chance, Miss Nan."
The words themselves were calm, but the look in his eyes—cold and merciless—was like staring into the abyss.
Nanyin Yue said nothing. She opened the door, stepped out on long legs, though her heart seethed with unwillingness.
The position of Mistress Wen… one day, it will be mine.
Bang—the door slammed shut.
In one swift motion, his car sped into the underground garage.
Not long after, he stepped out on the 58th floor.
He had expected Jing Yuan to already be in Jing Yinian's office. Instead, his eyes caught a petite figure hiding in a corner, peeking out timidly from time to time.
He didn't call her. He didn't walk toward her.
He simply strode past, long legs carrying him straight into Jing Yinian's office.
Wherever he went, hushed whispers followed.
She noticed his arrival—of course she did. No… more than that, she knew this scene.
In her past life, at this very time, both she and Wen Yujing had been here at Longcheng Group.
If the timeline matched, then yes—he would always come here. He would never go to the press conference.