Shi Li had seen Wei Yongsheng on the news before, and she couldn't help but think that this man cared a great deal about his image. His public photos had undergone countless rounds of beautification and retouching.
Every time Ziyuan Real Estate's official blog posted photos of the boss and his wife, the comment section would be filled with people gushing about how well-matched they were.
In truth, Wei Yongsheng wasn't exactly ugly, just average-looking.
However, when placed next to Wei Yi's mother, it was like comparing a toad to a swan.
Shi Li remembered that Wei Yi's mother came from a family with considerable influence, while Wei Yongsheng's background was ordinary. If he hadn't married the daughter of a high-ranking official and gained such strong backing, how could he have achieved his current success with just twenty years of hard work?
There were so many capable and talented people out there, so why did he succeed? It was all thanks to his father-in-law.
Shi Li couldn't understand [how Wei's Mother, with her family background, education, and beauty, could have fallen for him].
Wei Yongsheng spoke to his daughter with great affection, "If you want Daddy to come home, of course, I'll listen to you."
Wei Yi pursed her lips, not rushing to hug him as she usually would. The day's events had clearly affected her somewhat.
President Wei didn't notice this subtle change in his daughter. He looked at Shi Li standing behind Wei Yi and said, "Is this your classmate? It's getting late now, and you both have school tomorrow. You should get some rest soon."
To anyone watching, he would have appeared to be a great father, leaving the dinner table at his daughter's request and showing concern for her well-being.
Since President Wei's arrival, Wei Yi hadn't heard what she wanted to hear from Shi Li.
This left her feeling somewhat disappointed.
[You can't judge a book by its cover. Who would have thought that Wei Yongsheng, who appeared to be such a devoted husband, was actually putting on an act? Behind the scenes, he was utterly despicable. I heard he has a mistress who's his cousin from his hometown.]
Seeing Wei Yongsheng suddenly brought back many memories from Shi Li's past life.
Shi Li's mother had a gossip-loving friend who knew every bit of scandal in their social circle.
When the Wei family scandal broke out, Shi Li's parents were abroad on business and missed the funeral.
Later, Shi Li's Aunt rushed to their house to gossip about the Wei family's dirty laundry with Shi Li's Mother.
Wei Yi had thought she wouldn't get any useful information today, but unexpectedly, a new lead emerged.
A cousin from her father's hometown – this narrowed down the possibilities considerably.
Wei Yi led Shi Li to the bathroom, "All these toiletries are new. I'll be right outside the door if you need anything."
She wanted to give Shi Li some privacy, hoping that when alone, she might think more about her father's situation.
The bathroom door was only half-closed, allowing her to clearly hear Shi Li's muttering.
[This Wei Yongsheng is truly despicable, not content with what he has and still pining for what he couldn't get in the past. He had pursued her before, but his cousin rejected him because his family was poor. She ended up with the Village Chief's son instead. Who would have thought that fortunes would reverse so dramatically? The Village Director's son died in an accident, leaving behind a young widow with a child.]
[President Wei couldn't bear to let others take care of his little sweetheart, so he personally looked after her. How devoted of him, tsk tsk tsk.]
After hearing all this, even Wei Yi knew who this so-called "little sweetheart" was.
Her father once had a love interest who had married someone else, and both Wei Yi and her mother knew about it.
When her father had mentioned it in the past, his attitude was open and honest. It seemed clear that it was all in the past.
No one had thought much of it.
Who could have imagined that her father's old feelings hadn't died, and he had secretly set up his former flame in a love nest?
The young miss had never taken care of anyone before, but when Shi Li came out of the bathroom, she attentively said, "All these skincare products are unopened. You can use them without worry."
The bed was piled high with various brands of skincare products, ready for Shi Li to choose from.
Shi Li was only staying at the Wei house for one night, so there was no need to open new products.
She casually said, "I'll just use yours, it's fine."
Wei Yi had originally been afraid that Shi Li might look down on her things, but seeing that she didn't mind, she naturally didn't insist.
She brought all her skincare products to Shi Li, "See which ones you're used to using."
Wei Yi was quite the night owl. Even with an 8 AM class the next day, she was still wide awake.
She even watched Shi Li apply her skincare products with bright, attentive eyes.
Shi Li felt a bit uneasy under her gaze, turning back to meet the young miss's smiling face.
To Wei Yi, Shi Li was just an ordinary classmate.
Inviting her for an overnight stay was part of an ulterior motive, a means to an end.
But their interactions throughout the evening, and overhearing Shi Li's muttered comments, made Wei Yi feel that this person was quite different from her usual impression.
How to describe it? She found Shi Li's contrasting sides oddly endearing.
And Shi Li's willingness to use her skincare products seemed, in Wei Yi's eyes, a sign that they had become quite close.
So the young miss thoughtfully asked, "What would you like for breakfast? I'll message the housekeeper."
Shi Li asked in return, "What do you usually eat?"
"Milk and toast."
Their family typically had a Western-style breakfast. President Wei was eager to shed any trace of his humble origins, so whenever he was home, they always had Western meals.
She and her mother actually preferred Chinese cuisine.
Seeing that it was almost midnight, Shi Li needed to sleep, while Wei Yi still had to arrange the investigation into her father's mistress.
After a few more words with Shi Li, she left the guest room.
Back in her own bedroom, Wei Yi dialed the number at the top of her contacts list.
Despite the late hour, the person on the other end answered quickly. Their voice was clear and crisp, obviously still up working.
"Hello, Yi Yi. Why aren't you asleep yet?"
"Uncle, it's like this. I need your help to investigate someone..."
Hearing his niece's serious tone, the man on the other end asked, "Has something major happened?"
She relayed the information she had overheard from Shi Li, then said, "This person might be my father's mistress. If she has a child, could you please arrange for a DNA test to see if it's my father's child?"
"I heard this by chance, and I'm not sure if it's true. Please keep this confidential. My father can't know about this, and especially not my mother."
The person on the other end understood the gravity of the situation. A daughter suspecting her father of keeping a mistress – if the father found out, it would severely damage their relationship.
"Don't worry, no information will leak from my end."
Wei Yi bit her lip, "And please help me find out as soon as possible. I'm very anxious about this."
The person on the other end of the line responded with a soft "Mm-hmm. Focus on your studies and don't worry. The adults will handle these matters."
Hearing her uncle treat her like a child, Wei Yi's voice caught slightly as she murmured an agreement. Unwilling to reveal her vulnerability in front of others, she hastily ended the call.
Despite the many events of the day, Wei Yi slept soundly that night.
President Wei was home for breakfast, and Wei Yi couldn't help but overhear Shi Li's internal grumbling.
Wei Yongsheng was especially attentive at the dining table, pouring milk for his wife and proactively handing her napkins.
As someone privy to the inside story, Shi Li found it hard to watch.
But then again, it wasn't surprising that President Wei was so good to his wife. Even though his father-in-law had retired due to illness, didn't he still have a capable brother-in-law?
Wei Yi's uncle's career was at its peak, seemingly about to surpass even her grandfather's achievements. President Wei wouldn't dare show the slightest bit of coldness to his wife.
[If I married someone who could save me thirty years of hard work, and she happened to be a great beauty, I'd be even more attentive than Wei Yongsheng. Morning greetings and evening reports – she wouldn't just be my wife, she'd be the empress dowager of our household. No mistresses, no illegitimate children – beautiful lady, do you think I still have a chance?]
Wei Yi was reluctant to look at her scoundrel of a father, her gaze constantly drawn to Shi Li's face.
Shi Li had a face of noble and cold beauty; strangers wouldn't dare approach her based on appearance alone.
Who would have thought that beneath the icy goddess exterior beat the heart of a comedian?
After breakfast, the two got in the car, and the driver took them to school.
Just before arriving at school, Wei Yi received a message from her mother. She opened it casually, only to find a screen full of text.
[Daughter, Mom respects your sexual orientation, but Mom hopes for your happiness. That little classmate of yours, Mom has heard some rumors about her. It seems she likes a boy very much. Mom hopes you can find someone who loves you and whom you love to spend your life with...]
Wei Yi: ??
This was simply slander.
She quickly replied, [Mom, what are you talking about? How did I suddenly become secretly in love with Shi Li?]
Her mother's response came quickly, clearly waiting by the phone.
[Still denying it? At the dining table, Mom saw you constantly stealing glances at her, even smiling secretly while looking at her. If that's not love, what is it?]
Mothers are exceptionally attentive to their daughters' behavior.
Wei Yi had glanced at Shi Li countless times during the meal, even secretly smiling at the young girl. (In reality, Wei Yi had heard Shi Li's comical inner thoughts and couldn't help but smile.)
[Mom's been through it all, I understand these things]
