Marry by Relying on Favor: Chapter 24 - You and President Wen should enjoy your romance — you'll be very happy together!
Chapter 24: You and President Wen should enjoy your romance — you'll be very happy together!
He Qingchi’s expression froze for a second, as if this Wen family man was joking.
Who asks a girl for her contact information the first time they meet, and under such circumstances?
She lowered her lashes slightly, her inner emotions unmoved — completely lacking the nervousness she’d felt when Wen Shuchen first hinted at pursuing her.
After a moment, Wen Yue smoothed things over himself, looking relaxed — though whether it was genuine or not, who could tell: “Just kidding. A girl’s private contact info shouldn’t be given away so casually to men.”
He Qingchi looked up at him, her fair and clear face expressionless — but she had already made note of him.
Wen Yue seemed to realize she disliked being flirted with so lightly. He personally poured her another cup of tea as an apology.
Then, he picked up his jacket and calmly went upstairs, not lingering to let the atmosphere grow awkward.
A maid followed with his suitcase. He Qingchi still had no idea who exactly he was.
——
After He Qingchi finished two cups of tea in the living room, Qiu Jin finally came downstairs, offering a perfect excuse: “Shuchen’s father took his medicine and needed someone by his side for a while. Sorry for the delay.”
From earlier, He Qingchi hadn’t thought Mr. Wen looked particularly frail, but she didn’t pry — only smiled politely.
Qiu Jin then gently inquired about her food preferences and dietary restrictions, clearly eager to prepare a good dinner.
He Qingchi kept her social smile, though inwardly she felt tired. If Wen Shuchen had been there, she might have jumped up and asked him: How on earth did you end up on such good terms with your stepmother?
At that moment, a maid’s voice came from the front door.
He Qingchi turned and finally saw Wen Shuchen appear.
He was still in a formal business suit, his shirt and cuffs perfectly pressed, the dark blue fabric complementing his refined demeanor while adding a touch of the steady confidence befitting a prominent businessman.
Clearly, he had come straight from work or a formal event — he hadn’t even had time to change.
He Qingchi stood up, locking eyes with him.
Wen Shuchen’s expression revealed little. He didn’t take the hot tea the maid offered — instead, his gaze shifted to Qiu Jin.
“Shuchen, your father just met Miss He and is very satisfied with her as the future daughter-in-law of the Wen family,” Qiu Jin quickly said.
Wen Shuchen didn’t care to respond much to this stepmother.
He walked up to He Qingchi, focusing solely on her. “Are you okay?”
He Qingchi found the question a little strange.
Was he worried the Wen family would do something to her?
Wen Shuchen took her hand, intending to leave.
Seeing this, Qiu Jin quickly stepped in: “Shuchen, your father invited Miss He to stay for dinner.”
Wen Shuchen’s normally calm voice turned cold: “Madam Qiu, remember your place.”
Qiu Jin’s expression faltered — being called Madam Qiu by Wen Shuchen felt more like an insult than a title.
Even though she had married into the Wen family, to the legitimate heir, she would never be the real ‘Mrs. Wen’ in his eyes. Her status would never carry true weight.
She resorted to her trump card, taking a breath and saying: “Your father has already sent people to the He family to formally propose. Shuchen, just stay with Miss He tonight—if only for the sake of…”
She paused briefly, then looked toward He Qingchi: “…discussing your marriage plans with your father.”
Wen Shuchen’s eyes were dark and unreadable, clearly displeased by the Wen family’s act-first, inform-later approach.
With He Qingchi present, he was choosing his words carefully. Qiu Jin seized the chance: “Miss He also agreed to your father’s invitation to stay for dinner.”
He Qingchi was briefly stunned, instinctively looking to Wen Shuchen.
He looked down at her too, voice flat and unreadable: “If you don’t want to stay here, there’s no need to consider anyone’s feelings.”
“I’ll listen to you…” He Qingchi, even as an outsider, could sense the tension between Wen Shuchen and the family. She instinctively tightened her grip on his hand, choosing to side with him — etiquette be damned.
Wen Shuchen wasn’t the type to change course just because of a few polite remarks.
If he was so easy to talk to, it wouldn’t be in this situation.
After they left the Wen estate and got in the car, Wen Shuchen instructed Song Chao to take He Qingchi to one of his more private residences.
Sitting in the backseat, He Qingchi leaned forward and looked out the window: “What about you?”
Wen Shuchen tilted his head, long fingers lightly brushing her chin. His lips curved faintly: “I’m going back to talk to my father. Don’t worry — just wait for me.”
He hadn’t acted out earlier at the old house because she was present.
Clearly, he didn’t want her getting too involved in the Wen family’s mess.
He Qingchi still had many things she wanted to discuss with him — like the sudden marriage proposal to her family — but it could wait. She let him go and quietly sat in the backseat.
The car slowly started moving, and his tall figure soon disappeared from view.
He Qingchi withdrew her gaze, lashes lowering to look at her own hands resting on her knees.
In the quiet atmosphere, Song Chao suddenly spoke from the front passenger seat: “President Wen dislikes that Madam Qiu the most.”
He Qingchi looked up, seeing that he kept his eyes straight ahead, as if he hadn’t said a word.
The silence resumed for a moment.
Then Song Chao added, still not looking at her: “Madam Qiu has a son — older than President Wen by a year.”
“……” What kind of family secret is this?
He Qingchi couldn't hold back anymore and asked, “I never heard that Wen Shuchen had a brother?”
“That’s because before Old Master Wen passed away, he never allowed Madam Qiu’s son to compete with President Wen for the title of eldest son and heir. So in Jiangcheng’s upper-class circles, everyone only knows that President Wen is the rightful successor — they have no idea there’s someone else,” Song Chao suddenly turned and winked at her. “So Madam Qiu isn’t some gentle mother. Everything she does is to fight for the inheritance for her own son.”
He Qingchi listened to the gossip and understood now.
She also figured out why Wen Shuchen always acted so cold toward Qiu Jin.
Song Chao added, “Miss He, once President Wen comes back, you must comfort him well — use your embrace to comfort him… President Wen really has no one on his side in that household. His mother and grandfather have both passed away, his father doesn’t care, and he has a vicious stepmother.”
Such a simple situation, and somehow Secretary Song’s dramatization completely killed her sympathy for Wen Shuchen.
“You think your President Wen is pitiful? What about me?”
She shot back, deliberately pulling a straight face. “Someone just showed up at my house to propose out of nowhere. What if I get forced into a marriage — who am I supposed to cry to then?”
“…” Song Chao surrendered.
Forty minutes later, the driver pulled up in front of a peaceful, secluded villa community.
This was a well-known wealthy district. Everyone who lived here was either rich or powerful. There were only five or six villas, spaced far apart from each other, with 24-hour security patrols — the whole place looked tightly guarded and clearly inaccessible to just anyone.
He Qingchi wasn’t surprised that Wen Shuchen had his own place in Jiangcheng. Since he usually stayed in hotels, she figured it was more convenient for his business dealings as a lone bachelor.
After getting out of the car and heading inside, Song Chao still didn’t forget to flatter her: “Miss He, just treat this place like your home.”
From the way he acted, it was as if she were already married to Wen Shuchen, not just a girlfriend.
She didn’t go upstairs. Instead, she sat on a sofa in the spacious living room, rested her chin on her knees, and started mulling over the day’s events.
After a while, she turned to the always-cheerful Song Chao and asked, “Secretary Song, what’s wrong with Wen Shuchen’s father’s health?”
Song Chao, who had just finished pouring tea, said casually, “Nothing serious. Just that three years ago, after President Wen seized control of the Wen Corporation, the old man fell seriously ill. But he’s much better now — totally recovered.”
His tone was so dismissive, like it had just been a mild cold.
He Qingchi asked again, “And who is Wen Yue?”
Song Chao’s hands paused as he handed her the tea: “Miss He doesn’t know?”
She caught on from the context: “Wen Shuchen’s… biological older brother?”
Song Chao leaned in and lowered his voice. “Miss He, you must never mention the name Wen Yue in front of President Wen. It’s taboo!”
“What happens if I do?”
“President Wen probably won’t want to see you for the rest of the night.”
“…” He Qingchi.
Song Chao, who clearly had extensive gossiping experience, still looked proud and confident: “In short, Miss He, just forget everything that happened at the Wen estate. Focus on being in love with President Wen — you’ll be very happy…”
He Qingchi took a sip of tea and tried not to roll her eyes.
Song Chao still wasn’t done: “You met Wen Yue, right? Didn’t you think he looked a lot like President Wen? Even their temperaments are similar.”
He Qingchi slowly set her teacup down and gave him a look. “Didn’t you just say I can’t bring him up?”
“Well, President Wen isn’t here, so I’m just telling you in private.” Song Chao, who still stood properly off to the side, was practically bubbling over with excitement — like a true gossip-loving bestie, complete with winks. “No harm done.”
That “no harm done” made He Qingchi raise an eyebrow. Still, she gave it a moment’s thought and nodded: “They do resemble each other — in build, and their features probably both take after their father. As for mannerisms, he…”
She trailed off.
He Qingchi clearly remembered Wen Yue asking for her contact information. That kind of thing wouldn’t look good if it got out — especially if Wen Shuchen heard about it.
He might not take it well.
Thankfully, Song Chao didn’t notice her change in expression and continued: “Our President Wen is super low-key. Just like the rumors say — aside from essential social functions, he never shows up to public events. And now, the Wen estate conveniently produces someone who looks just like him? What do you think their motive is? If something ever happened to President Wen, and Wen Yue stepped in to replace him, I bet people would actually believe it.”
He Qingchi’s eyelashes fluttered, her gaze locking onto Song Chao.
“That’s why President Wen’s choice of wife is crucial — she mustn’t be too close to the folks back at the estate,” Song Chao said, his tone growing serious.
He Qingchi didn’t say anything more and just quietly took another sip of tea…
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