Chapter 8 Is This a Test of Her?

After expressing her thanks to Zhao Wenqian and greeting Xie Yanli with a hint of reserve, Wei Yang quietly took a seat in the back row.

“Miss Wei, what brings you here?” Zhao Wenqian asked gently, trying to strike up a conversation.

Knowing that her only younger brother, Zhao Yunkai, had feelings for Wei Yang, Zhao Wenqian seized the perfect opportunity to subtly vet her on his behalf.

Wei Yang paused briefly before responding calmly, “I was originally taking the bus back to the city, but it broke down halfway.”

“I see! What a coincidence,” Zhao Wenqian replied warmly.

Lowering her eyes to suppress a flicker of discomfort, Wei Yang joked, “It really is! Otherwise, I would have ended up drenched in the rain.”

Smiling, Zhao Wenqian inquired, “Miss Wei, what kind of work do you do now?”

Surprise flashed in Wei Yang’s eyes, quickly replaced by understanding—Zhao Wenqian was indirectly probing about her situation.

Was it because of her brother, Zhao Yunkai?

After a moment’s thought, she felt a sense of relief.

But Zhao Wenqian had asked the wrong person. Wei Yang had never considered dating Zhao Yunkai, and besides, Xie Yanli would never approve.

“I work in administration,” she replied simply.

“Would you be interested in working at my studio?” Zhao Wenqian asked.

Wei Yang was momentarily taken aback, sensing the subtle test in Zhao Wenqian’s tone. She kept her composure but inwardly felt displeased. “Miss Zhao, I’m quite comfortable with my current job and haven’t thought about changing.”

Throughout the journey, Zhao Wenqian kept up the questioning. Out of respect for Xie Yanli, Wei Yang had no choice but to continue humoring her.

Due to the sudden downpour, traffic snarled on the overpass, and by the time they reached the city, dusk had fallen.

“Miss Wei, join us for dinner. I’ve invited Yunkai as well,” Zhao Wenqian suddenly said, her tone impossible to refuse, confident that Wei Yang wouldn’t dare decline.

A flicker of surprise crossed Wei Yang’s eyes but quickly vanished.

Knowing Xie Yanli wouldn’t like it, she promptly declined. “Thank you for the invitation, Miss Zhao, but I’ll have to pass.”

Zhao Wenqian’s expression soured at the refusal.

Intent on helping her brother, she did not want to miss such a golden opportunity.

“Yanli, please persuade Miss Wei for me, won’t you?” Zhao Wenqian coaxed, her delicate brows knitting slightly.

Xie Yanli’s response was a tender, indulgent smile.

The smile faded as he glanced at the rearview mirror, his gaze deep and carrying a subtle warning. In a cool, measured tone, he said, “Miss Wei, will you do this as a favor to me?”

Wei Yang was momentarily stunned, a pang of unspeakable sadness stirring within. She replied softly, “Thank you, Mr. Xie. I’ll go.”

With Wei Yang’s agreement, Zhao Wenqian teased happily, “Yanli, you really have a way with people.”

“He used to be my secretary,” Xie Yanli remarked.

Zhao Wenqian was momentarily taken aback but quickly masked it with a playful smile. “No wonder you have such influence! Miss Wei, it must have been tough working under Yanli, right?”

Before Wei Yang could respond, Zhao Wenqian added coquettishly, “Yanli is always serious about his work, striving for perfection. Did you find the workload too intense and decide to change jobs?”

Was this another attempt to probe her?

Wei Yang’s brows barely furrowed, a flash of displeasure in her eyes. She hesitated briefly, then glanced at the rearview mirror.

Carefully weighing her words, she said, “I made a mistake before and was dismissed according to company policy.”

As she spoke, she discreetly looked at the face reflected in the mirror—deep and etched as if carved in stone.