Chapter Thirty-Six: Aunt Wang Was Dismissed

After dinner, Zhang Ye didn’t return home until eight o’clock. Noticing that the lights in Wang Mengzi’s apartment were still on, he hesitated for a moment, then climbed the stairs.

“Aunt Wang, why are you drinking?” As soon as Zhang Ye opened the door, he saw Wang Mengzi, her eyes glazed with drunkenness, her cheeks flushed. He quickly closed the door behind him and hurried over to support her.

She had been perfectly fine yesterday; even Gao Ming’s influence over her had faded to almost nothing. Why was she drinking tonight?

“Xiao Ye, am I really that useless? Am I just an extra, an unnecessary person?” Wang Mengzi still held a bottle in her hand, her eyes wide as she questioned Zhang Ye.

Zhang Ye grew anxious at her words. “How could that be, Aunt Wang? You’re the most capable person I know. You write novels, you cook delicious meals, and you’re so beautiful. Who would dare say you’re useless? Who was it? I’ll give them a piece of my mind.” Clearly, she had been upset by something. Zhang Ye sighed inwardly, though he felt a bit relieved.

“You always know how to flatter me,” Wang Mengzi replied with a wry laugh, reaching out to touch Zhang Ye’s cheek. A strange emotion flickered briefly in her misty eyes before vanishing. “I was let go. The newspaper doesn’t want me anymore.”

“What? I’ll go talk to Gu Changming right now.” Zhang Ye shot to his feet, ready to storm over to Gu Changming’s house.

How could they act like this? Just yesterday they’d promoted Aunt Wang, and today they dismissed her? This was more than just a joke—anyone in her position would feel terrible. No wonder Aunt Wang had been drinking so much.

The more he thought about it, the angrier Zhang Ye became. He had thought Gu Changming was a reasonable man, but apparently, he could turn cold at a moment’s notice. It was sickening.

“No, don’t. It has nothing to do with the editor-in-chief. It was the deputy editor who handled it. Chief Gu doesn’t even know yet.” Wang Mengzi pulled Zhang Ye back down, forcing a bitter smile.

Her impulsiveness had faded, and Zhang Ye calmed down as well, realizing the situation was not as simple as he had thought. He sat down beside her. “What exactly happened? Yesterday everything was fine, you’d just been promoted, and now you’re out? If they don’t give you a proper explanation, I’ll go raise hell at the paper.” Seeing her drunken, dazed eyes, Zhang Ye felt a pang of sympathy.

“I don’t really know. I sensed something was wrong this morning. The editorial team started making things difficult for me, and by the afternoon, they found some excuse to fire me. I still don’t understand what happened,” Wang Mengzi said helplessly.

“Do you think it was Gao Ming’s doing?” In the Li Hua Morning Post, only he had a motive. Fortunately, he’d probably be in trouble himself soon. Suppressing his rising anger, Zhang Ye forced himself to calm down.

“I don’t know. I vaguely heard that a deputy director of the county committee wanted me gone, but I don’t even know who he is.” Remembering the events, Wang Mengzi’s face grew pale. Soon, though, she relaxed, letting out a sigh. “Maybe it’s for the best. I still have another profession to support myself. If I lose my job at the paper, I can just focus on my writing.”

Could she really be so unconcerned? Who could she confide her grievances to? Zhang Ye? He was just a child—what could he do?

“Maybe it’s a good thing. Now you can finally relax. Seeing you leave so early and come home so late every day makes my heart ache,” Zhang Ye said gently. By now, he understood who was behind this. Who else but Gao Ming’s uncle, Hong Jiang? Before, he had been embarrassed by his connection to Gao Ming, but now, he only wished the man would fall from power as soon as possible.

Still, he had to keep his thoughts to himself, so as not to worry her.

He comforted Wang Mengzi as best he could, chatting with her to ease her agitation. When she grew tired from the drink, he helped her into her bedroom and saw to it that she was settled in bed.

Worried, Zhang Ye decided not to go home that night. He intended to stay at Wang Mengzi’s place. He called home to let them know, then began tidying up the apartment—picking up bottles, jars, and other items Wang Mengzi had knocked over in her frustration.

When all was in order, Zhang Ye opened the bedroom door. Watching Wang Mengzi sleep, he felt both heartache and helplessness. She had always been somewhat proud and aloof, and so, until now, she had few close friends. Whenever something happened, she bore it alone—just as tonight, drinking by herself at home after being dismissed, with no one to comfort her.

Had Zhang Ye not happened to pass by, she would have just slept on the sofa.

Time slipped by. Another dawn arrived. At five o’clock, Zhang Ye woke up as usual.

“Ha—what are you doing here?”

It was Wang Mengzi’s beautiful, though slightly pale, face he saw as he opened his eyes. For a moment, he was startled, but quickly saw that she had already fallen asleep.

Though it was summer, the night air was still chill. Zhang Ye realized she must have been standing there for a while. He jumped off the sofa, gathered Wang Mengzi’s soft body in his arms, and carried her toward her bedroom.

She wore only a nightgown, its thin fabric offering no barrier between their skin. After just a few steps, Zhang Ye felt a strange sensation, his youthful body reacting instinctively. He pressed up against her, the softness making him almost lose his grip, and her body slipped in his arms, intensifying the contact.

At sixteen or seventeen, he was at the height of adolescence, his mind mature beyond his years but his body very much that of a boy in his prime.

Luckily, he quickly regained his composure, held her tightly, and nudged open the half-closed door with his leg before carrying her inside.

“Xiao Ye… Xiao Ye…” Even in her sleep, Wang Mengzi called his name. Stunned, Zhang Ye was then overcome with joy. What did this mean? He didn’t know the details of her dream, but he was certain that, thanks to his efforts over these days, their relationship had grown closer.

He became even more gentle, softly closed the door, laid her on the bed, and tucked her in.

“Don’t worry. I’ll help you resolve this. I won’t let you suffer such injustice.” Zhang Ye stroked her hair, kissed her lightly on the forehead, and quietly left the room.

He didn’t notice that, as he kissed her, a blush spread across Wang Mengzi’s cheeks, her eyelids fluttered, and when he left, she opened her eyes and muttered under her breath.

P.S.: Fierce as ever, and still not on the front page. Alas, it’s not that our strength is lacking, but that the competition is too fierce… Well, with over a thousand recommendation votes, there will be three chapters today.