spring bite mark

Chapter 186 Unexpected
Just in time for the weekend.

Most people are probably at home at this time.

Jiang Manman pulled her mask up a couple of notches, leaving only her almond-shaped eyes visible. She knocked elegantly on the door three times, and then heard approaching footsteps coming from inside the old-fashioned security door, which wasn't very soundproof.

The brief information Shen Zongqian had sent a couple of days ago flashed through Jiang Manman's mind:
Wang Ying, 47 years old, is a designer at Yucheng Xuanfeng Advertising Company. She divorced Huo Mingcai 26 years ago. The property in Jiaheng Community was awarded to her. Not two years later, Huo Mingcai bought another property in YZ District.

Wang Ying's son, Huo Yungui, was raised by Huo Mingcai. The year after their divorce, Wang Ying appeared to remarry; her husband's occupation was unknown, and he was often seen returning home late at night. Eight years after the divorce, Wang Ying had a daughter named Wang Xiaoxiao, who now works as a relationship advice livestreamer on Douyin (TikTok) with 120,000 followers.

I had just finished going through the documents when the door creaked open.

Jiang Manman expected to see a weathered middle-aged woman.

However not.

Wang Ying, 47, has almost no wrinkles on her face, her hair is styled in fashionable big curls, she wears exquisite makeup, her lips are bright red, and her skin is fair and tender. She looks no different from a woman in her thirties, and it's clear that she has been living a life of luxury all these years.

Jiang Manman looked at this woman who was even more fashionable and younger than Chen Suyan, who came from a wealthy family, and felt particularly complicated.

"Who are you?" Wang Ying asked while Jiang Manman was still in a daze.

Her voice was gentle, yet it carried the boldness of a woman from Chongqing. Her eyes curiously scrutinized Jiang Manman, clearly not expecting that the person knocking on the door would be a girl wearing a mask and carrying a suitcase.

Jiang Manman said softly, "I am the designer of Mu Chan. Your daughter ordered a dress from our store, and I specially delivered it to her."

"My daughter?" Wang Ying gave her a wary look. "I don't care if you're a salesperson or a scammer, you've chosen the wrong target."

Just as she was about to close the door, Jiang Manman softly uttered a name: "Your daughter, Wang Xiaoxiao."

Wang Ying paused in her action of closing the door.

She paused for a moment, then slowly opened the door, her wariness lessening slightly: "You mean her? Then come in."

Jiang Manman entered the house.

The interior furnishings were also quite old; at a glance, there were many girls' items—dolls, baby rattles, princess hats… all of which looked quite old. In one of the large bedrooms, several rows of clothes racks were hung with colorful girls' dresses and hair accessories, and there was also a very professional live-streaming equipment.

"Little sister, please find a place to sit down." Wang Ying spoke in the Chongqing dialect, but it was easy to understand. "Would you like water or tea?"

Jiang Manman politely replied, "No need, thank you."

After saying that, he sat down on the sofa.

She sat with elegant posture, and although she was dressed casually in a T-shirt, skirt, and sneakers, her cultivated air of refinement was undeniable. Wang Ying glanced at her discreetly, then still brought her a glass of water, her tone softening slightly:

"She used to buy all her dresses online, but now she's even getting them custom-made. Little sister, are your clothes expensive?"

Jiang Manman nodded: "It's a bit pricey for ordinary people. So in order to ensure the customer experience, I need to deliver the goods myself, and the customer also needs to try them on so I can make adjustments on the spot."

"The service was actually quite good." Wang Ying didn't suspect anything. "Wait a moment, I'll call her right now and ask her to come back."

After saying that, he immediately made a phone call: "Where are you? Get back here right now. The clothes you ordered have arrived, and they want you to try them on in person."

I don't know what they said over there.

Wang Ying's tone became a bit more irritable: "Why are you talking so much nonsense? Just come back when I tell you to!"

After hanging up the phone, Wang Ying softened her tone when facing Jiang Manman: "Little sister, wait twenty minutes, she's already on her way back."

Jiang Manman hummed in agreement.

Wang Ying turned on the TV again: "Want to watch some TV?"

"No need." Jiang Manman glanced around and pondered, "Your home looks very cozy."

“It’s a 30-year-old house, and the renovations are all outdated.” Wang Ying smiled. “Then, little sister, you wait here for a moment. I still have some work to finish, so I’ll go take care of it first.”

She turned around, picked up a piece of paper, and began designing a brand logo. Jiang Manman watched from the side, seemingly lost in thought: "Is Auntie studying design?"

“I happen to be interested in this area, so I’ve taught myself a bit. I’m getting older, so I’m not as innovative as you young people.” Wang Ying had also hit a roadblock. When Jiang Manman asked, she casually replied, “You’re also a designer, although in a different field, but design is all about the same thing. Why don’t you give it a try?”

Jiang Manman tilted her head slightly and pondered for a moment, then said, "Okay."

Wang Ying handed over the paper and pen: "I'm designing an icon for a milk tea shop that's going for a modern Chinese style. They want it to be colorful but not too flashy. I've made several versions, but I'm not satisfied with any of them."

After a moment's thought, Jiang Manman picked up a pen and paper and started drawing.

She was very focused when she painted, with her eyes lowered and a quiet demeanor. Even though her features were covered by a mask, there was an indescribable sense of amazement about her.

At first, Wang Ying just watched indifferently.

Gradually, she felt an indescribable emotion, like a bittersweet feeling that made her heart tremble and her momentarily dazed.

Jiang Manman was unaware that Wang Ying, sitting opposite her, was watching her in a daze.

She handed several icons she had designed to the other person: "I designed three, take a look and see if any of them are suitable."

"I think all three are quite good, and the young lady is very professional." After looking at them for a while, Wang Ying carefully put away the sketches and couldn't help but ask:
"Where are you from, little sister?"

"The capital." Jiang Manman replied casually, observing her expression.

“The capital city is so far away…” Wang Ying sighed. “It must be tough for a young girl like you to work in such a big city as the capital.”

Jiang Manman nodded and said, "I'm lucky; I've met many helpful people."

Wang Ying seemed to be thinking of something: "If only my daughter could meet a benefactor like this..."

"Wang Xiaoxiao?"

“No. I have a daughter who was abducted when she was little.” Wang Ying clearly didn’t want to talk about it. “I’ve been searching for her for many years. At first, I had hope, but now, I just hope she’s still alive, even if she’s missing an arm or a leg…”

Jiang Manman remained silent.

Finally, the sound of keys clicking on the door could be heard.

"You're back. Look, it's been twenty minutes. I wasn't kidding you." Wang Ying pulled herself out of her somber memories and pointed to the door.

The door was pushed open, and a familiar figure walked in.

Jiang Manman was stunned!

She looked at Huo Yungui, who was changing his shoes in a nonchalant manner. He had changed into a more conventional outfit, but the bruises on his face were still there, and his arms, which were exposed outside his short sleeves, were wrapped in several pieces of gauze, some of which were oozing blood.

"Mom, I'm back." Huo Yungui glanced into the house and was taken aback to find a stranger there. "Oh, we have a guest? Why didn't you say so earlier? I could have bought some groceries!"

He was greeted by Wang Ying's slippers.

The slipper slammed down on him, accompanied by Wang Ying's frantic voice:

"I told you to come back, but you kept making excuses. Turns out you went to fight again. I burned incense in front of the ancestors yesterday to pray that you would behave, but you just had to go against me, didn't you?"

Huo Yungui said awkwardly, "There are outsiders here. Mom, after they leave, shut the door and scold me slowly. Give me some face."

Wang Ying glared at him coldly before turning to Jiang Manman: "Sister, the person has arrived. You decide what to do."

Jiang Manman reminded him, "He's not the person I'm looking for..."

What she wanted to see was not Huo Yungui.

The next moment, Wang Ying spoke:
“I know, you’re looking for Wang Xiaoxiao, he’s the one.”

(End of this chapter)