Chapter 476 – Going to Haishi to See Lin Wangshu
Xie Jinnian had learned about Lin Wangshu from Ningning earlier.
He knew that this world was formed from several novels written by a girl named Lin Wangshu.
Previously, people like Jiang Xiao and Murong Jing had, to varying degrees, possessed the special abilities bestowed upon them by the author, which was what Ningning referred to as a “golden finger.”
Xie Jinnian thought that using the term “golden finger” was quite fitting.
Now, with the frequent occurrence of these bizarre disappearance events, Xie Jinnian felt that perhaps only this so-called “golden finger” could explain what was happening.
As for how Xie Jinnian understood the concept of a “golden finger,” he saw it as something akin to a level of science and technology that was beyond their current understanding.
It simply hadn’t appeared yet, and their technological level hadn’t reached that point, which made it seem miraculous and unbelievable, even leading to thoughts about supernatural phenomena.
However, if the level of technology were to advance, it would no longer seem magical.
As long as the technological level was sufficiently high, even things like soul crossing, which happened to Ningning, could become possible.
“Girl Ning, what are your thoughts?”
Xu Jinning pondered for a moment, then looked up at Grandpa Xie and said, “Grandpa, I plan to go to Haishi to see Lin Wangshu.”
She thought that her guess might find answers if she met Lin Wangshu.
“I’ll go with you.” Almost immediately after Xu Jinning finished speaking, Xie Ting’an said.
He then glanced at her noticeably rounded belly.
Ningning was pregnant, and he wasn’t comfortable with her going to Haishi alone, even if there were others accompanying her.
So, he wanted to go along, to personally accompany her and ensure her safety.
Grandpa Xie fell silent for a moment, then said, “Alright, you two go ahead.”
…
Since they had decided to go, Xu Jinning and Xie Ting’an didn’t waste any time.
That same day, after packing some things, the two boarded a flight from Beijing to Haishi.
An hour later, the plane landed at Haishi Airport.
Before coming, they had already learned about Lin Wangshu’s current situation.
They knew that she was living with her parents and had a child.
They also knew that she had opened a custom clothing store.
The two of them headed straight to the clothing store Lin Wangshu owned.
When Xu Jinning and Xie Ting’an arrived, it was already past four in the afternoon. Lin Wangshu had just finished discussing an order with a client and was enjoying snacks with her son, Qianqian, who had just come back from kindergarten.
There was also another person present—Qianqian’s grandmother, Yao Shuifen, who had picked him up from school.
“Welcome!”
Upon hearing the noise at the entrance, Lin Wangshu spoke while looking up.
However, she froze in surprise when she saw the two people who had entered.
“Is that Jinning? You’ve come!” It was Yao Shuifen who spoke first after recovering from her surprise.
Lin Wangshu slowly stood up.
She felt a bit flustered at the unexpected arrival of Xu Jinning and Xie Ting’an.
To be honest, it had been over three years since they last met.
In those three years, Lin Wangshu had lived a comfortable life and hadn’t considered the possibility of seeing Xu Jinning and Xie Ting’an again after returning from Qinghe Village.
After all, she believed that even if Xu Jinning didn’t hold a grudge for her past actions in their previous lives, she would definitely not want to befriend her or even meet her.
Nevertheless, Lin Wangshu occasionally caught glimpses of Xu Jinning in some important news conferences in Beijing.
She knew that Xu Jinning was now a prominent figure in the National Translation Department and the mistress of the Xie family.
There was no doubt that Xu Jinning had become the person she had once aspired to be.
However, since experiencing life and death and giving birth, Lin Wangshu had developed a much more peaceful mindset.
She no longer felt envy or jealousy toward Xu Jinning’s life.
All she wanted was to be with her parents, care for Qianqian, and manage her store, living her own little life contentedly.
So, she had thought she would never see Xu Jinning again in this lifetime.
Unexpectedly, after more than three years, they met again.
It was clear that Xu Jinning had come to discuss something with her, so Yao Shuifen took her grandson aside to give the three of them some private space to talk.
Lin Wangshu poured water for Xu Jinning and Xie Ting’an before sitting down. “Did you come here specifically to find me? Is there something you need?”
Lin Wangshu didn’t think Xu Jinning missed her or just happened to pass by Haishi and decided to drop in.
If Xu Jinning was there, it was undoubtedly for a reason.
However…
Lin Wangshu’s gaze fell on Xu Jinning’s belly.
The roundness of her belly was quite noticeable to someone who had been pregnant before.
It was obvious that Xu Jinning was expecting.
“You’re pregnant? Congratulations!” Lin Wangshu said.
“Thank you,” Xu Jinning replied mildly.
She then got straight to the point, saying, “I came this time because I do have something to discuss with you.”
“Go ahead. If there’s anything I can help with, I will.”
Before Xu Jinning could elaborate, she suddenly caught sight of a pile of manuscripts nearby.
Lin Wangshu explained, “Since I opened the store, I’ve occasionally found some free time to pick up writing novels again.”
“I was thinking of submitting it for publication.”
Xu Jinning furrowed her brows slightly. Could the recent disappearances be related to Lin Wangshu’s latest manuscripts?
Surely, the novels Lin Wangshu was writing now couldn’t also merge into this world.
Would those characters also exist?!
Xu Jinning and Xie Ting’an exchanged glances. If that were the case, then Lin Wangshu and her abilities would need to be reassessed.
“Can I take a look at your manuscripts?” Xu Jinning asked.
She wanted to confirm whether her earlier suspicion was correct.
“Of course, feel free to look,” Lin Wangshu replied generously, showing no reluctance.
Xu Jinning took the manuscripts and quickly browsed through them with Xie Ting’an.
In fact, Xie Ting’an was already aware of Xu Jinning’s earlier thoughts.
He knew she was considering whether the characters in Lin Wangshu’s current manuscripts could appear and even merge into this world.
But…
After reviewing the manuscripts, Xu Jinning and Xie Ting’an dismissed that possibility.
Lin Wangshu’s story was set in ancient times; it was a female-centric narrative, and the main character didn’t possess any special abilities.
First of all, the timeline didn’t match.
To merge into this world, the background had to be consistent.
In other words, it had to be a historical narrative.
Additionally, neither the main character nor any other characters had any golden fingers, nor was there any plot involving theft or items disappearing into thin air.
As they slowly set the manuscripts down, Xu Jinning and Xie Ting’an exchanged another glance.
There was no doubt that Xu Jinning’s earlier assumption had been incorrect.
However…
Xu Jinning turned to Lin Wangshu and asked, “Do you remember the last time I asked you how many books you wrote in the 21st century?”
