Although Wen Zhi had agreed with Mo Tingyan to keep their marriage a secret, since he had already told his close friends, she saw no reason to hide it from Lian Qiao—her best friend.
Across from her, Lian Qiao looked utterly stunned.
She stared at Wen Zhi for a long moment before blurting out in disbelief,
"Darling… you're kidding me, right? No—that's impossible. You never lie to me, but… how could this be? Who did you marry? Don't tell me your dad finally—"
"No," Wen Zhi interrupted gently, patting her hand to calm her down. Her voice was low and steady.
"Don't get worked up. I married a captain from our airline. We're… very compatible in every way. Before we even registered the marriage, he added my name to the property deed. He treats me well, listens to me, respects me. I couldn't really find anything to fault—so I married him."
Lian Qiao still looked suspicious.
"I've been working at Jiang Airlines for half a year. I know all the captains there. Who is he?"
"He was transferred in not long ago," Wen Zhi replied smoothly. "Very capable. You wouldn't know him."
"Newly transferred—and you married him in a flash?"
Lian Qiao was completely shocked. Her best friend really lived up to the phrase silent for years, then shocking the world in one move.
She immediately put on an interrogator's expression.
"Is he reliable? Have you checked his background? How old is he? Where's he from? Come on, confession time."
Wen Zhi let out a soft laugh.
"He's five years older than me. You could say he's from Jiang City. Actually… you've heard of him before. He's Mo Tingjue's half-brother from the same father."
This time, Lian Qiao felt like she needed two fast-acting heart pills.
She hadn't met that man from the Mo family in person—but she had certainly heard the rumors.
"H-He wasn't kicked out of the Mo family?" she stammered.
"That's the Mo family's issue," Wen Zhi said calmly. "It has nothing to do with him."
Lian Qiao hesitated, then asked softly,
"Then… do you love him?"
Wen Zhi froze.
She met Lian Qiao's gaze, remained silent for a long while—and didn't answer.
Lian Qiao understood instantly.
"You don't love him, right?"
Wen Zhi nodded honestly.
"Qiao Qiao, I don't think love is the entirety of life. And I don't believe marriage must be built on love alone. In the end, even love gets worn down by reality. Mutual respect, care, and companionship—that's the best form of marriage for me. Don't worry. I know exactly what I'm doing."
Thinking about Wen Zhi's original family and the scars it left behind, Lian Qiao felt a pang of heartache.
Wen Zhi had always been a clear-headed woman. She knew what she wanted—and she wouldn't make reckless decisions.
Besides, Lian Qiao had worked at the airport herself. She knew a captain's income… wasn't bad at all.
She waved it off decisively.
"That man really lucked out. Next time, bring him to see me—I need to personally put him through inspection!"
"Roger that," Wen Zhi replied with a gentle smile. She glanced toward Jiang Xian in the distance.
"Then… what about Mr. Jiang?"
"What else can I do?" Lian Qiao sighed. "I'll go deal with it."
Wen Zhi nodded.
"Thanks. Oh—and for work reasons, my husband and I agreed to keep our marriage private. Since Mr. Jiang is also with Mingguang Group…"
"I get it," Lian Qiao said instantly. "I'll talk to him. You wait here. Later we'll go join the crowd and take a look at the legendary Mingguang Group CEO!"
Before Wen Zhi could say anything else, Lian Qiao had already jogged back to Jiang Xian.
She sat down across from him and said apologetically,
"Jiang Xian, I'm really sorry. I made a huge mistake. I wanted to surprise my best friend by introducing you to her, but who knew… she already has a boyfriend."
Disappointment flashed across Jiang Xian's face, impossible to hide. His gaze drifted toward Wen Zhi in the distance.
"Miss Wen is outstanding," he said quietly. "It's not surprising that many people pursue her."
"You're right. It's my fault for not checking properly," Lian Qiao admitted.
"Next time, I'll introduce you to someone else."
Jiang Xian didn't say more, but his eyes remained fixed in Wen Zhi's direction, deep in thought.
Over there, Wen Zhi noticed his gaze. She nodded politely, then lowered her eyes and checked the time on her wrist.
It was almost eight.
She had promised Mo Tingyan she'd make dumplings for him tonight.
Had he already eaten alone at home?
Soon, Lian Qiao returned and linked her arm with Wen Zhi's.
"All settled. Jiang Xian is genuinely a good man. I could tell he was interested in you—and yet he didn't blame me at all. What a shame."
"He does seem gentle," Wen Zhi said. "What about you and him—"
Lian Qiao waved her hands frantically.
"Nope. Totally incompatible. You know me—I don't like quiet, boring men. Come on, let's go! I'm dying to see what the Mingguang Group CEO actually looks like!"
Wen Zhi stopped and pulled her back gently.
"Qiao Qiao, I really have no interest in that kind of scene. It's late, and you seem fine here. How about I head out first?"
Knowing Wen Zhi disliked noisy crowds—and that the matchmaking plan had already failed—Lian Qiao didn't push.
"All right then," she said brightly.
"But arrange a meeting soon! I need to see whether the man you chose is actually worthy of you—and let him know you've got people backing you."
"Okay," Wen Zhi replied.
"And don't stay out too late. Rest early."
"Got it!"
After saying goodbye, Wen Zhi headed for the exit. She moved through the crowd without distraction—until she caught snippets of conversation around her.
"I was standing up front just now. President Mo was walking along, then suddenly his expression turned icy. The bosses who wanted to talk to him were scared stiff—didn't even dare approach. That man's moods are terrifying."
Wen Zhi shook her head and smiled faintly.
How exaggerated.
She casually glanced into the distance—
And froze.
A familiar figure appeared before her eyes.
Her steps halted abruptly. Just as she tried to look more closely, other people blocked her view.
That back…
Why did it look so much like Mo Tingyan?
After a brief hesitation, she moved toward that direction.
Meanwhile, after being introduced by Huo Ze, Mo Tingyan accepted two toasts and lazily sank back into the sofa, chatting idly with Jiang Nanzhong.
Huo Ze, however, remained standing.
Then—
From the crowd, he saw her.
Earlier, Jiang Nanzhong had mentioned that Wen Zhi was also here.
Now, she was walking straight toward them.
Huo Ze immediately bent down and whispered urgently into Mo Tingyan's ear,
"Brother—sister-in-law is coming this way! She looks like she's searching for someone. Sh-She didn't… see you, did she?"
In an instant, Mo Tingyan's brows darkened.