Chapter 678

Extra Chapter: Liu Wanwan

Liu Wanwan had known since childhood that she was different from ordinary people.

Her mother was an only child who worked in art, while her maternal grandparents spent half their lives in business, amassing a fortune enough for her to squander for several lifetimes.

Her father was an only son, the current head of the Liu Group; his grandfather had once been the richest man in A City, and his grandmother was a national figure.

The two families entered a strong marriage, well-matched, and they all held her in the palm of their hands, giving her the stars but never the moon.

The change came when she was six: her mother died unexpectedly, and her father, fearing she would be sad, pushed aside half of his company's affairs and stayed home with her for a full six months.

During those six months, her father drove her to and from school every day, cancelled all work on weekends, and took her to wander every street and alley, to see every mountain and river.

Whenever she casually mentioned wanting to go somewhere to play, her father would immediately arrange leave and accompany her on her travels.

Occasionally he would make a breakfast that looked unappetizing, and the two of them would laugh at the plate of burnt fried eggs.

Later a woman named An Chen joined the household, also considered her stepmother; her father said it was because he feared she would be lonely.

At that time Liu Wanwan was only eleven, and she simply thought her father felt lonely himself.

An Chen treated her politely, they rarely met at home, and she gave her the usual gifts on holidays and festivals.

Liu Wanwan felt nothing special toward her, only occasionally sensing that her gaze toward her was a little off.

She attributed it to the fact that An Chen was not her birth mother, with no blood relation, and thus did not dwell on it.

As for studies, before the age of twelve Liu Wanwan never took them seriously.

Her grades were poor, she consistently ranked in the lower middle of the class; she wasn't stupid, she just found the textbook material boring, only cramming the day before exams, and merely passing was a victory for her.

The turning point came without any warning.

On her twelfth birthday, Liu Wanwan returned to her room and discovered an extra letter on her desk.

She hesitated a moment before opening it; the paper was thick and red, the handwriting bearing a flourish she had never seen before.

【Hello, twelve-year-old Liu Wanwan, I am the twenty-six-year-old you】

【I came through a time-travel machine; today is your birthday, I can only stay in the room for an hour, so we couldn't meet! I know this sounds absurd, but you must believe me! I can tell you a secret that only I, that is, you, know: the person you dislike most is Sheng Ling! And also your other information, your father's name is Liu Cheng, your grandfather's name is……】

The letter was densely written; Liu Wanwan's hand holding the paper trembled slightly: "!"

She abruptly lifted her head and looked around—the room, the bathroom door, the wardrobe door were all shut, the windows locked, and nobody was inside.

She lowered her head to read it a second time, a faint chill rising behind her.

Sheng Ling was someone she had known since she could remember; the two families were old friends, the elders loved to pair them together, he had been in her class since kindergarten and had always been her desk partner, a persistent nuisance!

She indeed disliked that boy who, since kindergarten, had sat beside her, snatched her snacks, pulled her braids, and whenever she spoke with others, would insist on butting in.

Liu Wanwan believed that her dislike of him was known only to her and Feng Cen—no one else knew!

【Your first hamster was called Tuan Tuan; it ran away when you were ten, after you had kept it for only five days, and you never kept another hamster. After elementary school, your friend Yu Yu went to C Shi, and you felt sad for a long time. Your best friend is Feng Cen, she is one year older than you, you have grown up together since childhood, and you promised to be together for a lifetime】

Every detail matched; the matter of raising Tuan Tuan, she had not even told Feng Cen!

Liu Wanwan's heart pounded; she folded the letter, slipped it into the deepest part of the safe, and locked it.

She, who loved reading foreign persimmon novels, believed this.

Her handwriting later turned out to be so beautiful?!

No, back to the point… since her future self had specifically time‑traveled to write this letter to remind her, it shows that studying must be important, and also that her later life is not bad.

Not bad, so now she just needs to study hard, and later she can just get by!

Having figured this out, the next day Liu Wanwan proactively told her father: "I want to sign up for a cram school."

Her father's first reaction was: "What!? Has someone been saying things about you? Were you bullied?!"

"No." Liu Wanwan said earnestly, "Sign up for math, also Chinese, foreign language isn't bad either—basically sign up for whatever is offered."

After confirming her daughter had not been wronged and merely wanted to improve herself voluntarily, her father finally put his mind at ease.

The next day he sent her all the information about the top cram institutions in the city, repeatedly reminding her: "Wanwan, studying is just the icing on the cake; don't exhaust yourself—if you don't want to learn, stop, you don't have to force yourself."

He had already planned everything; for now he could still work, and he only hoped that after his daughter graduated from university she would study company management, and that as a child she should just enjoy herself.

"Okay."

Grandfather, grandmother, maternal grandfather, maternal grandmother heard the news and took turns calling to check, afraid she had been bullied.

After Liu Wanwan patiently explained, they put their minds at ease, repeatedly reminding her not to overwork herself.

The cram lessons lasted two years; in the second year of junior high, at the final exam Liu Wanwan rose to the front of her grade, the only one who consistently outperformed her and held first place was Sheng Ling, whom she had been competing with since childhood.

She began to contend with Sheng Ling for first place, yet she only managed second in the class.

When the report card came out, the elders were overjoyed, and for several days they flooded their social‑media feeds.

Liu Wanwan gritted her teeth and complained to Feng Cen for a long time, then buried herself in her studies again.

That summer vacation also let Liu Wanwan completely change her opinion of An Chen.

That day she had just returned from Feng Cen's house, intending to go to the study to fetch a novel to read, when she heard voices from inside.

The door wasn't shut tight; An Chen's voice came through the crack, sharp and unfamiliar: "She's just a girl; she'll eventually have to marry into another family. Does the Liu family really expect her to inherit the business? Once I give you a grandson later, this business will still have to be managed by him…"

"Dad, you can't be so biased; she's still a girl, you can't just dump everything on her just because her surname is Liu."

Liu Wanwan stood outside the door, motionless, listening to the whole speech.

She returned to her room and sent Feng Cen a message: 【Cen Cen, An Chen wants to have a baby and compete with me for the inheritance】

Little Fairy Cen Cen: 【You finally noticed? I already saw it; the way she looks at you is just off】

Liu Wanwan: 【What should we do】

Little Fairy Cen Cen: 【What should you do? It's your household, you call the shots—what rank does she even hold?】

Liu Wanwan felt the anger in her chest dissipate; she began to openly confront An Chen.

During the third‑year junior‑high graduation season, Sheng Ling's mother had some matter and went abroad; Liu Wanwan, bored, accompanied her maternal grandmother overseas.

After the freshman‑year military training ended, Liu Wanwan returned to the country; as soon as she got off the plane she went to school to meet Feng Cen.

Upon learning that Feng Cen was interested in a little girl, she fell into thought.

After looking at the photo, Liu Wanwan sat up straight and said, "Yo, not bad looking!"

Liu Wanwan planned to, for Feng Cen's sake, spend some time playing with this little cutie.

But after getting to know her, she grew ever fonder of Mu Youyu's temperament.

Mu Youyu is gentle, clear‑headed, not timid, not showy, sincere and mild in her dealings, emotionally intelligent, with a strong sense of boundaries; most importantly, she is pure‑kind without being foolishly kind.

She exactly matches Liu Wanwan's tastes.

Hmm, not bad—let's make her a long‑term friend.

"……"

Mu Youyu arrived in C Shi, after which Sheng Ling returned to A City to study, becoming much steadier.

Liu Wanwan was speechless; the first thing this person did upon transferring to Sheng Luo was to try every way to appear before her, constantly brushing up their presence.

She got annoyed, treating him like air, yet he always found some excuse to show up in front of her.

At a loss, Liu Wanwan had no choice but to bring Sheng Ling along to her friends' gatherings.

Feng Cen would sometimes complain that she no longer went out with him, only caring about accompanying Sheng Ling.

Not long after, the Liu family also ran into trouble—An Chen took a fall, lost the child, and the household fell into chaos.

About half a year later, the father divorced An Chen, and the household returned to its former tranquility.

Grandparents and maternal grandparents occasionally came to stay for a while; the father alone kept the company afloat, and Liu Wanwan began learning to share the burden.

During those three years of high school, Liu Wanwan did fairly well.

In her sophomore year, new students arrived and campus bullying incidents increased considerably.

Liu Wanwan, together with Feng Cen, Yu Yu, and Sheng Ling, once again convened an anti‑bullying announcement meeting before the whole school.

Sheng Ling stood beside her, the two working in seamless coordination, naming each of those who had long oppressed the weak and publicly announcing the disciplinary decisions.

This meeting completely overturned the poor atmosphere at Sheng Luo Middle School.

Someone muttered, "How did she end up standing beside Sheng Ling?"

The person beside her replied, "You don't know? Wan Sister and the Sheng family are old family friends; they've grown up together since childhood."

Liu Wanwan burst out from behind, "Tsk, childhood sweethearts are too ambiguous, or maybe you're more used to calling them just childhood friends."

Sheng Ling smiled and said nothing.

Feng Cen watched the commotion.

Liu Wanwan's coming‑of‑age ceremony took place that year, when she had just started her first year of college.

That day, the elders sat at one table, while Liu Wanwan and a group of her friends sat together, chatting.

Over the meal, Feng Cen suddenly recalled the past and asked offhand, "Wanwan, how did you suddenly become enlightened and start studying hard in middle school?"

Liu Wanwan shook her head. "That's a long story; I'll tell you tomorrow."

Sheng Ling's eyes drifted, his lips pressed together to hold back a smile.

Coincidentally, Mu Youyu finished her phone call and came back, sitting on Feng Cen's other side.

Feng Cen leaned against her, saying, "You finished the call with your man that quickly?"

Mu Youyu laughed and tapped her, "Watch your language."

Seeing her arrive, Liu Wanwan suggested playing a little game.

Whoever clears the level in the shortest time wins and may designate someone for a punishment, as long as it's not excessive.

Mu Youyu has played this little game since her first year of high school; not wanting them to miss out on the experience, she opted not to join.

Liu Wanwan harbored a belly full of mischief, planning to tease Sheng Ling, but after half an hour she had drunk four small cups of milk.

Sheng Ling looked at her puffed‑up angry face, his inner smile widening, "Are you convinced now?"

"Not convinced!"

In Liu Wanwan's life, there are only three things she's ever been truly convinced by: first, that Feng Cen can fight better than she can; second, that at age twelve she received a letter she had written to herself; third, the deeply hidden Mu Youyu.

Fortunately, the Mu Youyu who convinced her did not disappoint.

Seeing her being "mocked," Mu Youyu raised her brows slightly and voluntarily joined the game fray.

She flexed her fingers, then won several rounds against Sheng Ling, plying him with plenty of fruit wine.

Sheng Ling waved his hand in surrender, "Are you using a cheat? I'm not playing anymore."

"Oh dear, who is it? Losing and then blaming others for cheating—who can't stand to play like that?"

Sheng Ling offered no rebuttal.

Liu Wanwan hooked an arm around Mu Youyu, "Little Youyou, you're still awesome."

Mu Youyu gave a faint smile, "So‑so."

mainly this game was developed by the second older brother.

"……"

After the coming‑of‑age ceremony, Jiang Liangjin and Mu Xi came to pick up Mu Youyu and take her back to the Mu family.

Liu Wanwan waved goodbye to her, intending to get in the car with Feng Cen.

Feng Cen picked up a delicate silver pocket watch from beside the car, "Yo, isn't this the one Sheng Ling often wears?"

Sheng Ling was slightly tipsy and had already gone home early.

Liu Wanwan glanced at it and casually replied, "Give it to me; I'll return it to him later."

"Sure." Feng Cen casually handed it to her.

Liu Wanwan didn't hold it steady, and the pocket watch fell to the ground.

The pocket watch, which had been half‑open, swung fully open, revealing a small old photograph tucked inside.

Liu Wanwan realized it was a photo of herself and him taken on her fifteenth birthday, and something inside her heart cracked open.

Feng Cen saw it clearly, not at all surprised, "That kid Sheng Ling must be secretly in love with you, right?"

……During high school these years, Liu Wanwan had actually noticed something, but she kept pretending to be clueless.

She thought it was fine for the two of them to stay like that.

If she could be as close with Sheng Ling as she is with Mu Youyu and Jiang Liangjin……

Hmm, the image is too beautiful to believe!!

Liu Wanwan quickly grabbed her friend, saying, "Don't tell him, or it'll be awkward for us two to meet."

"I understand you."

"……"

After getting home, Liu Wanwan went back to her room, changed out of her dress, spaced out for a few minutes, then posted a help request on an app.

The title read: 【What should I do if I discover my childhood friend has a secret crush on me? But I've always treated him as a friend……】

The body roughly explained what happened today.

Comments flooded in instantly.

The original poster was a new account; someone asked: 【Are you male or female, and is your childhood friend male or female?】

Liu Wanwan replied: 【I'm female, he's male】

The comment section immediately went off-topic: 【Unrequited love isn't hard to handle—just be direct and ask him if he likes you.】

【Nobody dares to confess; exposing it would be so awkward.】

【I guess you've never dated—asking me what to do is spot on; just treat it as a matter to handle!】

【If you like him, accept; if not, politely decline.】

【OP, want to post a photo? We'll help you analyze your looks and character.】

How can a photo analyze character?

Liu Wanwan hesitated for a minute, searched for a long time, and finally, among a bunch of ugly photos, found a frontal shot of Sheng Ling that was presentable and sent it over.

The comments instantly went wild: 【You call this a childhood friend? He's a male model!! 【starry eyes】】

【What a handsome guy—with looks like that, why haven't you snatched him up? 【lust】】

【The blogger, at your age, should have married him by now—ugly or handsome, both have a chance to cheat; better pick a handsome one, easy on the eyes.】

【Hahaha, finally it's my turn to be a netizen in a novel? Followed, looking forward to the continuation.】

【This IP address…… I believe what you said; I recall people in your city don't call a boy and girl who grew up together childhood sweethearts?】

【Childhood sweethearts—obviously a match made in heaven; why ask anything else? Let me ask: 100-1=?】

【99】

【99】

Liu Wanwan took a shower, came back to check the comments, and found not a single reliable one: '……'

She clacked away, typing a long explanation of how she and Sheng Ling had interacted since childhood, hoping netizens would understand.

The comment section remained unanimous: 【Best to ship the bickering couple!】

Liu Wanwan silently set the post, whose likes were about to exceed ten thousand, to visible only to herself.

Forget it.

Leave everything to the future; it's too early to speculate now—who knows what will happen?

——

——

——【158】 A City has just finished; the outline about the brothers is a bit messy, still being organized, I'll add a little extra about the three sisters—won't be much.

A City just finished, the outline about the brothers is a bit messy, still organizing, adding a little extra about the three sisters, it won't be much.