Between Truth and Distance

Once a goal is determined, the fastest way to achieve it is to stay focused, clear all distractions, overcome obstacles, and move only toward that goal.

Lu Shiyu boldly added that he had studied psychology, and if Wen Yuzhi needed, he could assist from that perspective.

“I’ll try to help you end this tug-of-war in the shortest time possible.”

“You’re that confident?” Wen Yuzhi adjusted his bathrobe and smoothed his damp hair, saying lightly, “What if you mess it up?”

“There is clearly a misunderstanding between you two.

Before you express your true feelings, if the misunderstanding isn’t resolved, all your goodwill may be seen by Qin Huairen as having ulterior motives.”

Lu Shiyu’s words subtly hit Wen Yuzhi’s thoughts.

From Qin Huairen’s current behavior, that did seem to be the case.

As for resolving misunderstandings, it was not something that could be explained in just a few sentences.

Wen Yuzhi did not respond, so Lu Shiyu continued.

“I don’t know Qin Huairen very well, but I can tell that she is emotionally delicate and quite cautious…”

“I don’t think she is cautious.”

In Wen Yuzhi’s relationship with Qin Huairen, she was the one who took the initiative first, which was not something a guarded person would do.

“I haven’t finished.

She’s the kind of person who can get along well with anyone, but letting someone truly enter her heart is very difficult.

So her caution isn’t about rejecting contact, but about carefully choosing who she lets in.”

Lu Shiyu seemed to understand better.

Wen Yuzhi once again felt like she had been seen through.

“I guess, at the beginning, you were one of the few people she was willing to open up to.

But she didn’t receive the response she expected.”

Wen Yuzhi gestured toward the wine cabinet, implying they could drink while talking.

“You shouldn’t drink, for your health.”

He paused, then added, “Even for Qin Huairen’s sake, you shouldn’t.”

Wen Yuzhi silently put down the bottle.

Lu Shiyu poured her a glass of warm water.

“Actually, for someone like Qin Huairen, it’s not hard to pursue her with your conditions.”

Wen Yuzhi remained silent, which Lu Shiyu took as permission to continue.

Since meeting Qin Huairen, Lu Shiyu had already gathered information about her through available means.

It was to prevent anyone with ulterior motives from approaching Wen Yuzhi or affecting her mindset.

His analysis was quite accurate.

Qin Huairen was someone who could be moved by details.

So what Wen Yuzhi needed to do was consistent, moderate acts of “thoughtfulness.”

Too much would make Qin Huairen uncomfortable and cause her to become guarded again, pushing Wen Yuzhi away.

“As for misunderstandings, rather than explaining with words, it’s better to reinforce them with actions.

Not only speak, but also act.”

Seeing Wen Yuzhi frown, Lu Shiyu probed, “Is there something you can’t say, or something inconvenient to say?”

The Wen family was large and dangerous.

The more Qin Huairen knew, the greater the risk.

“If I could say it, I would have said everything the first time we met.”

There was a trace of disappointment in Wen Yuzhi’s voice.

“The person I least want to hide things from is her.

But the situation of the Wen family… you’ve been by my side long enough to understand.

There are things I can’t say.

I don’t want to drag her into this.”

What if they waited?

Lu Shiyu suggested it might be better to resolve everything first before explaining it all to Qin Huairen.

Wen Yuzhi gave a bitter smile.

Hadn’t she thought of that?

But just like the sudden disappearance of Qin Huairen for four years and three months, she could not predict what would happen in the future.

“I don’t have the right to ask Ah Ren to wait.

The matters of the Wen family cannot be resolved in a short time.

Before I settle everything, if she falls for someone else, leaves Jingzhou, or something else happens…”

Wen Yuzhi couldn’t bear to imagine it.

“Then tell her clearly and let her choose for herself.”

Lu Shiyu had never seen Wen Yuzhi so troubled.

“Facing it together is better than facing it alone.”

How could Wen Yuzhi not want that?

But the Wen family was full of wolves and tigers, even people who killed without blinking.

How could she dare take that risk?

Even Lu Shiyu found it difficult.

Being born into a wealthy family was something many envied, but who knew the bitterness behind it?

“So lately, I often think—leave everything to fate.

I’ll do what I should do, and wherever fate leads me, I’ll go.”

Wen Yuzhi lowered her head and sighed softly.

Lu Shiyu comforted her.

The future was unpredictable, but that didn’t necessarily mean something bad.

Like the saying—misfortune may be a blessing in disguise.

So he offered a suggestion.

“Your goal is already clear—you want to be with her.

Then before the successor of the Wen Group is determined, while protecting yourself, gradually dissolve her misunderstandings step by step.

Perhaps by the time you take control of the Wen Group, the misunderstandings will be gone, and you’ll already be together.”

Beautiful wishes were, in the end, just illusions.

Lu Shiyu was willing to help, but he also wanted to confirm the origin of their relationship.

From his investigation, they should have been in opposition.

Yet after understanding more that night, he concluded that Qin Huairen had been the one who initiated affection.

But when Wen Yuzhi decided to get closer, she discovered that Qin Huairen had many friends and treated everyone well.

The imbalance in emotions made Wen Yuzhi unable to accept it.

She tried to make Qin Huairen see only her, but things did not go as she wished.

“Have you considered all the obstacles on your side?” Lu Shiyu finally asked.

Wen Yuzhi nodded.

“And if Qin Huairen cares about you, but is truly straight and doesn’t love you romantically, would you still be willing to let go?”

Wen Yuzhi nodded again.

“Love cannot be forced.

Right now, I just hope she won’t avoid me.

I hope we can get to know each other again.

I hope she can see her true feelings for me.

I believe… she hasn’t let go of me either.”

…

After Lu Shiyu left, Wen Yuzhi dragged her exhausted body, dried her hair, and sat on the sofa.

She rested while placing her laptop on her lap, organizing the information obtained from Cheng Zeming that night and sending out tasks through her private email.

After everything was done, she rubbed her temples.

The conversation with Lu Shiyu had been unexpected, yet not entirely surprising.

Because she hadn’t deliberately hidden anything.

Yan Qing was even more innocent than her when it came to love, and Wen Yuzhi couldn’t talk to her about such matters.

As for herself, she didn’t understand love either.

Before meeting Qin Huairen, her mother’s misfortune made her resent marriage.

After meeting Qin Huairen, it took her a long time to realize that what she felt was something called liking.

She had learned many skills and knowledge from books, but she couldn’t learn how to love.

Lu Shiyu truly understood better, after all, his marriage was a perfect example.

Wen Yuzhi let her thoughts wander before picking up her phone.

She saw a message from Yan Qing sent an hour ago.

[Message content continues…]

After reading some of the lines, Wen Yuzhi felt a chill run through her body.

If Qin Huairen had done something similar, she would be even more unhinged than Yan Qing.

She could feel Yan Qing’s concern.

She knew clearly that even without her mother’s last words, Yan Qing would still protect her with her life.

It was precisely because of Yan Qing’s unconditional dedication over the years that Wen Yuzhi felt indebted.

It was a kind of affection that money could never repay.

But even while being touched, Wen Yuzhi also felt helpless.

She hated being threatened.

Wasn’t this person threatening her?

And saying she would use any means necessary?

Her emotions became complicated.

Even if she were given another chance, she would still make the same choice tonight.

Wen Heyun had secretly joined forces with the elders, intending to push her out before the Wen Group’s annual board meeting.

She had no intention of competing for power, but in their eyes, she was already an enemy.

Since they insisted on provoking her, then she would give them what they wanted.

The Wen Group—she would take it no matter what.

…

The next morning, after working through the night, Wen Yuzhi left early.

Yan Qing avoided eye contact, quickly taking her bag and rushing to prepare the car.

She regretted the emotional message she had written the night before, though fortunately, Wen Yuzhi hadn’t mocked her.

At Huaxin Group, Yan Qing went to buy breakfast.

While waiting, she received a reply from Qin Huairen.

Qin Huairen thanked her for the hotpot delivered last night and explained that the call had been about asking which media outlets in Jingzhou had good reputations.

Previously, she would have asked Xu Jianing.

But due to the violin incident, Xu Jianing had hinted she wanted help, and since Qin Huairen hadn’t responded, they hadn’t been in contact.

Qin Huairen wasn’t trying to torment her.

She simply wanted Xu Jianing to understand that actions have consequences.

Eventually, Qin Huairen reached out to Yan Qing instead.

Yan Qing gave her suggestions and even proposed meeting to discuss further.

Qin Huairen initially declined, but later agreed to meet for dinner that evening.

…

Back at the office, Wen Yuzhi noticed the message.

Before Yan Qing could react, she snatched the phone away.

“If you want to see it, eat breakfast first.”

Wen Yuzhi frowned.

“Are you threatening me?”

“I’m begging you,” Yan Qing clasped her hands.

“If necessary, I can kneel.”

“…”

“I just want things to be like before.

You eat breakfast, and I report your schedule.”

Wen Yuzhi finally relented.

…

Later, when she found out Yan Qing had arranged dinner with Qin Huairen, she became visibly displeased.

“Where are you meeting?”

The location wasn’t decided yet.

Wen Yuzhi suggested Romani, an expensive Western restaurant.

Yan Qing worried it would bankrupt Qin Huairen.

But Wen Yuzhi insisted that Qin Huairen must not pay.

…

As the day continued, Wen Yuzhi grew increasingly irritable.

She tried texting Qin Huairen, editing and deleting messages repeatedly before finally calling.

The call was rejected.

Qin Huairen replied: “What do you want?”

Wen Yuzhi patiently typed, asking if she could join dinner.

“You can come if you want.”

Qin Huairen replied: “Why would you come? I invited Yan Qing, not you.”

Wen Yuzhi stubbornly replied: “Then invite me now.”

There was no response.

…

During the meeting, her phone suddenly rang.

Everyone froze.

It turned out—it was Wen Yuzhi’s phone.

She checked the message.

It was from Qin Huairen.

And the content…

That little brat was really trying to drive her mad.