Chapter 465 – Shameless Plea
“That male protagonist novel, I wrote it even earlier than the real and fake daughter one.”
“I was only 14 when I wrote that male protagonist novel…”
At that time, Xu Jinwen didn’t carry the surname Xu yet, and her mother hadn’t married Xu Jinning’s father.
Her mother had been going through a divorce, taking her along during that tough period.
Back then, Xu Jinwen’s life wasn’t great, and she didn’t have much pocket money.
But since she was in her early teens, she loved dressing up.
So, she tried to find ways to earn money.
Eventually, she heard that writing novels could earn some income.
She also heard that writing for the male audience paid more than writing for female protagonists.
Thus, Xu Jinwen, who loved reading novels, started writing a male protagonist novel on a website.
It was set in a historical period.
The protagonist, Lin Bai, was a modern man who traveled back in time.
As soon as he arrived, he found himself as an orphan, but he had a special advantage.
It was a sign-in system.
Whenever he checked in at a designated location, he would receive certain rewards—some big, some small, covering a wide range of things.
Apart from the initial reward that took care of Lin Bai’s basic living needs, the rest helped him grow step by step, gain work, connections, opportunities, and eventually climb to the peak of life.
“I think… I didn’t finish that novel.”
To be honest, Xu Jinwen really had a knack for writing. At 14, her first novel, targeted at the male audience, was signed by a platform, and she earned a decent monthly income from it.
However, halfway through the book, Xu Jinwen stopped updating it.
Because she had moved into the Xu family with her mother.
The Xu family’s wealth captivated her.
She saw a more profitable way to make money than writing novels—pleasing her stepfather to get pocket money.
Thus, Xu Jinwen completely forgot about that male protagonist novel.
Later, not only did she abandon that novel, but she also ditched the account and the pen name associated with it.
The subsequent novels she wrote, all with female protagonists, were not published using that account.
Of course, she wrote those novels on different websites.
“Oh right, last time Xu Jinning asked me how many novels I had written…”
Although Lin Wangshu didn’t know why Xu Jinning had asked, she still told her out of gratitude for saving her and her child.
“But I only told her about the female protagonist novels. I don’t think I mentioned that male protagonist novel…”
Lin Wangshu recalled that she hadn’t mentioned it.
“It shouldn’t matter. Xu Jinning was probably just asking casually.”
With that thought, Lin Wangshu stopped dwelling on it and returned to writing her current novel.
*
Meanwhile, in Beijing, Xu Jinning had her own situation.
There was an urgent matter to handle at the company today, so Xie Ting’an didn’t come to pick her up from the National Translation Department.
Xu Jinning had to return home by herself.
However, Xie Ting’an had long ago provided her with a car, so whenever he couldn’t come, she could drive herself home.
But…
Today, just as Xu Jinning was leaving her office, someone blocked her path.
Facing the middle-aged woman in front of her, Xu Jinning felt a sense of unfamiliarity.
“You must be Xu Jinning, right? My name is Xie Miaomiao, and I’d like to have a word with you.”
Hearing the name “Xie Miaomiao,” Xu Jinning didn’t react immediately.
She really didn’t know that name.
But the surname Xie…
Xu Jinning sized up the woman before her, who seemed to be smiling pleasantly but had a faint trace of disdain in her eyes. A suspicion arose in her heart.
However, whether her suspicion was right or wrong, Xu Jinning had no interest in talking to this person.
“Sorry, I don’t know you.”
“I’m in a hurry to get home, please step aside.”
After saying that, Xu Jinning tried to walk past Xie Miaomiao towards her car.
But to her surprise, Xie Miaomiao blocked her path again. “How could you not know me? Didn’t Xie Ting’an mention me? I’m his aunt!”
“His only biological aunt!”
Ah, so that’s it!
A look of understanding flashed in Xu Jinning’s eyes.
Since she had now confirmed this woman’s identity and knew about the shameful things she had done, Xu Jinning had no desire to engage with her further.
“Aunt? My husband has never mentioned having an aunt.”
“As for the family, the only person he’s ever mentioned to me is his grandfather. From him, I’ve only heard that he had one son, my late father-in-law.”
“As for who you are, sorry, I don’t know you, and I don’t recognize you. So please, don’t go around claiming relatives.”
“What!” Xie Miaomiao was visibly displeased by Xu Jinning’s words. “Xie Ting’an never told you about me? He, he…”
Xie Miaomiao was so angry that she couldn’t speak.
Finally, she said, “I don’t believe Xie Ting’an didn’t mention me. And even if he didn’t, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m his aunt by blood. We’re close family.”
Xu Jinning had no interest in hearing more of this and cut her off, “Why did you come to find me? Just get to the point. I don’t want to argue about this.”
Xie Miaomiao, remembering the reason she came today, calmed down a little.
In fact, ever since she had decided to seek out Xu Jinning, they had been keeping a close watch on her movements.
Yet, every time they tried to approach Xu Jinning, she was either accompanied by Xie Ting’an, or surrounded by people like Xu Fanghua or Song Yi, making it impossible to catch her alone.
This time, after waiting for a long while, they had finally caught Xu Jinning on her own.
So, Xie Miaomiao didn’t hesitate to rush out.
After adjusting her emotions, she put on a smile, and her voice softened, “Miss Xu, I came today mainly to ask if you could speak on my and my brother’s behalf to my father.”
Xu Jinning raised an eyebrow, gesturing for her to continue.
Xie Miaomiao went on, “My brother and I did have some misunderstandings with my father in the past, but that was over ten years ago. Of course, we made some mistakes back then, but after ten years, any anger or resentment should have long passed.”
“Especially between father and son, or father and daughter—they’re supposed to be the closest. What lasting grudges could there be between family?”
“Now that my father, the old man, is getting on in years…”
“We, as his children, want to be by his side, to show our filial piety.”
Xu Jinning replied coolly, “So, you want me to convince Grandpa to let you all return to the Xie family?”
“Yes, yes! You see, no matter how hard-hearted the old man may seem, no parent wants to be without their children.”
“But he’s too proud to reach out himself, which is why he needs a mediator.”
“Miss Xu, I can assure you, if you help us return to the Xie family, not only will my brother and I be grateful, but the old man will be too.”
Xu Jinning immediately let out a laugh, though it was filled with sarcasm. “I think if I really did plead on your behalf and brought you back, Grandpa wouldn’t thank me. In fact, he’d probably be so angry that he’d fall ill.”
