Chapter 55: Wanting Her to Become Engaged to Cheng He

When the other company called again, Wen Jianan had already been resting at home for two days.

The South China Technology Expo had also concluded.

Wen Jianan kept a close eye on Quinton’s developments through television and online.

She finally understood why Liang Yuxiu remained calm and composed despite the leak incident.

Because the Quinton project was a collaboration with the National Engineering Academy in terms of technology and development.

That was why Liang Yuxiu traveled all the way to Cotton City to meet with the parts supplier—it was a national effort to stimulate industrial growth in Cotton City and its neighboring towns.

Therefore, there was absolutely no possibility that this project had plagiarized or stolen from Xinrui. If there had been, the National Engineering Academy would have detected it first. Being selected as a partner meant that both Liang Yuxiu and Quinton had undergone thorough scrutiny.

On the third day after the incident, once Li Ruoruo’s leak was exposed, Quinton also caught the mole within the R&D department.

This was something Cheng He told Wen Jianan privately.

Fortunately, the mole was only on the periphery of the R&D team and had not accessed the core technology or documents immediately.

Originally, that mole was close to obtaining the most crucial technical data.

If Quinton had been slower to catch them, it was uncertain whether the mole would have gotten hold of the core secrets and passed them to Xinrui, and by then it would have been too late to say anything.

As for Feidu, it was merely a diversion tactic employed by Xinrui, all designed to cover for the true mole.

From then on, Quinton would hold both Xinrui and Feidu accountable.

That, however, was a story for later.

After Quinton’s ultra-intelligent whole-home robot was launched online, the National Engineering Academy immediately shared the news across their official channels.

Shortly thereafter, Wen Jianan heard from Lin Li that Liang Yuxiu was about to be interviewed by Yan City Television.

By this time, Quinton’s cooperation with Feidu had ended. Although the conclusion was not entirely smooth, the final data was impressive enough to make up for it.

After Feidu’s departure, at least Wei Ming hadn’t lost his mind—he didn’t hand over the follow-up tasks to Manager Zhang but entrusted Zhang Yufei to oversee them.

According to Zhang Yufei, after the project ended, Wei Ming organized a celebration party. Zhang Yufei hadn’t wanted to go but was strongly insisted upon.

Chen Ling told Xiao Jiang that Zhang Yufei mentioned Wen Jianan’s name at the party, which made Wei Ming’s expression somewhat unpleasant.

As for Li Ruoruo, she was a university classmate of Xinrui’s young master. While working in Yan City, the two reunited at a class reunion, which led to subsequent events.

In the end, Wei Ming somehow persuaded her to admit that she alone was responsible, and no one else was involved.

Quinton couldn’t control this matter, but regardless, they would definitely hold her accountable.

Wen Jianan had been lying at home for two days.

On the third day, Wen Shaoru was off work and knocked on her door early in the morning, inviting her to take a walk in the park.

Wen Jianan hesitated for a moment but agreed.

After getting up, washing, and having some breakfast, she went out with Wen Shaoru.

At nine o’clock, the sun was already quite strong, and the ground was somewhat scorching.

Yet Wen Jianan, unfazed by the heat, insisted on linking her arm through Wen Shaoru’s.

Wen Shaoru smiled indulgently and let her be.

The two strolled into the park, where some neighbors greeted Wen Shaoru.

He smiled back and asked Wen Jianan to call the man “Uncle.”

Father and daughter slowly walked around the park twice without either speaking first.

Finally, Wen Jianan couldn’t hold back any longer. She released Wen Shaoru’s hand, pouted, and asked, “Dad, do you have something to tell me?”

Wen Shaoru chuckled softly. “Not exactly. It’s just that I’ve seen you at home lately, frowning and sighing every day. So your father wanted to ask about your plans for the future.”

Mentioning this made Wen Jianan even more troubled.

She sighed reflexively, prompting Wen Shaoru to smile again. “Go on, tell me.”

Unlike Tan Fang, Wen Shaoru was someone Wen Jianan didn’t feel the need to hide anything from, so she spoke honestly.

She looked at Wen Shaoru, hoping to find some guidance, some direction.

Instead of answering, Wen Shaoru asked, “What benefits does this choice bring you?”

Wen Jianan thought for a long time and then listed them one by one: “Ogilvy is among the top five in the domestic advertising and public relations industry. They invited me to join, promising a team leader position. The team leader at Ogilvy holds a different level than the one at Feidu. Whether in salary or future prospects, it’s a qualitative leap for me.”

“If things go well, buying a house in Yan City won’t be a dream. After you and Mom retire, I can live there with you and take care of you in your old age.”

As she spoke, a faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

But just as quickly, the smile vanished.

Because she thought of her parents, who always wished she would settle down quietly in Cotton City and not venture so far away.

Especially since it was Yan City.

Since meeting Liang Yuxiu, she hadn’t told her parents a word.

Wen Jianan sighed again.

Hearing her, Wen Shaoru neither scolded nor blamed her, maintaining a gentle smile.

He said, “Since you’ve thought it through and considered so far ahead, what’s there to worry about?”

“I’m afraid you and Mom will be upset...” Wen Jianan said.

But she hadn’t yet revealed her deepest concern.

It was about Liang Yuxiu and the Liang family.

She didn’t know if returning would bring uncontrollable troubles.

She was very clear that she wouldn’t fall for Liang Yuxiu again, nor would anything happen between them.

But the Liang family—their behavior was no different from lunatics.

Yet if she rejected Ogilvy because of those undeserving people and things, Wen Jianan felt both regret and indignation.

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice Wen Shaoru’s mysterious smile.

“But I think your mother will agree.”

Wen Jianan was surprised by his words and paused. “Why?”

“You’ll know when we get home tonight.”

Wen Jianan didn’t understand at the time.

At dinner, when Tan Fang mentioned the Cheng family, she suddenly had a bad premonition.

Sure enough, the next moment Tan Fang tactfully suggested that Wen Jianan get engaged to Cheng He, asking if she was willing.

This was too fast for Wen Jianan; she hadn’t even considered it. After all, she had known Cheng He less than three months and had been officially dating him for just over a month.

But Wen Jianan felt that she and Cheng He didn’t quite resemble a normal couple—they were more like partners.

She was stunned at the dinner table.

Assuming she would refuse, Tan Fang put down her chopsticks and earnestly persuaded her: “I know you want to return to Yan City. If you get engaged to Xiao Cheng, you’ll have a foothold there. Your father and I will be reassured knowing someone will look after you.”

“Of course, if you don’t agree, we won’t force you. If you want to go back to Yan City, we can’t stop you.”

Tan Fang’s strategy was subtle; having spent her life competing with students, she knew how to read people well.

Wen Jianan was already wavering.

Between the two options, she leaned toward returning to Yan City and felt guilty toward her parents. Tan Fang’s words captured her completely.

Wen Shaoru remained silent during dinner, occasionally serving soup for his wife and passing dishes to his daughter.

Wen Jianan looked at her bowl filled with her favorite dishes. The refusal was lodged in her throat, impossible to voice.