Chapter 1072: The So-Called Political Tactics
The following day, Wen Xinya was awoken by a call from Zhou Tianyu in which she rambled on and asked her to follow the news regarding yesterday’s fire incident online.
Wen Xinya ma.s.saged her exhausted head helplessly. She had been tortured by nightmares for half of last night and was shaken awake early in the morning today—anyone would feel vexed.
She bore with the twitching veins on her forehead, switched on her phone, and logged in.
Capital City had not seen a fire incident in many years. Thus, yesterday’s fire attracted the attention of all circles in society. The fire started at 7:15 P.M., burnt for an hour, before being put out at around 9 P.M. Due to the swift reaction and efficiency of the firefighters in putting out the fire, up till now, there had not been any deaths. Instead, there were twenty-odd people who were injured in varying degrees and were recuperating in the hospital at the moment. As a whole, such a circ.u.mstance was considered okay.
Since last night, the affected departments had already started searching the scene for evidence and interrogated the staff in the building to investigate the source of the fire. At the moment, the result of the investigation was out—this fire wasn’t malicious.
And although this fire came on fiercely, it hadn’t caused too severe consequences, which was rather comforting.
Suddenly, a forwarded post appeared before her eyes.
Wen Xinya instinctively clicked it open. The heading of the post was: “A Mysterious Lizard Prince Charming at the Fire Scene!!!”
It was accompanied by a video in which Si Yiyan’s silhouette—slim, strong, well-built, and full of explosive power—climbed upstairs. Then, with a fearless poise, he dived into the flames. The short 40 seconds video attracted the mad following of many users. Although Si Yiyan’s face wasn’t clear, his gorgeous and cool poise captured everyone’s attention.
Wen Xinya was suddenly stunned.
Only then did she know that Si Yiyan actually braved such a danger to save her. She was indescribably touched, angry, and thankful at the same time. She was aware of Si Yiyan’s ailment—to breath in heavy smog was courting death. Fortunately, his ailment didn’t act up and he was alright.
Wen Xinya saved this video into her phone and felt a weird sense of soreness in her heart.
After tidying herself up briefly, Wen Xinya went to the living room.
Grampy was sitting on the chess seat fumbling with the chess pieces. The golden rays of the sunlight peered through the trees, into the house through the window in a scattered manner, and onto Grampy, making him seem even more majestic.
Wen Xinya sat down with a huge smile. “Grampy, it’s no fun playing chess alone. Why don’t I play with you!”
Grampy always pitted his left hand against his right hand in chess, splitting his thoughts into two against each other. Such a capability was something that even Si Yiyan proclaimed was beyond his ability.
Recently, she had improved leaps and bounds in her chess and shouldn’t lose as badly to Grampy as the other time.
Old Mr. Mo glanced at her mildly and said, “What’s the matter with the fire yesterday?”
This morning, not long after he got up, Old Du had called. He mentioned the fire at the club last night and also how Xinya risked her life to save Du Ruo—he was full of grat.i.tude towards Xinya.
Only then did he know that Xinya was also involved in the fire in the Capital City last night. At that time, he got a shock. However, fortunately, Mother He said that when Xinya came back last night, she was in good condition without any injuries or abnormalities. Otherwise, how could he have sat there so calmly?
Wen Xinya hurriedly said, “Last night, I was supposed to be having fun with Zhou Tianyu and the rest in the club. However, a fire broke out. Thankfully, it was nothing major but a scare. As I didn’t want Grampy to worry, I didn’t tell you.”
When she came back last night, Grampy had already rested for the night. She didn’t want to disturb his rest for such a small matter.
Old Mr. Mo saw that the fire had left no marks on her and couldn’t help but feel relieved. “Fortunately you’re okay.”
The mild words were filled with thankfulness.
Wen Xinya said coquettishly, “The fire yesterday looks scary but actually wasn’t too dangerous.”
After that, she had purposely acted like she was exhausted in front of Ruoruo. Ruoruo was too innocent. While she hoped that Ruoruo would always preserve her pure and kind character, she didn’t wish for her to be a saint—she wanted her to know her limits and reality.
Of course, she wouldn’t tell anyone her thoughts.
Old Mr. Mo watched the granddaughter before him and couldn’t help but shake his head helplessly. “Xinya, I’m really speechless about your luck.”
In the blink of an eye, she had already been at the Wen Family for more than three years, in which she had been through so much. Even he couldn’t hold his long sigh in—this child really had a b.u.mpy fate.
Wen Xinya smiled and said, “I think I’m really lucky!”
Her real luck was that she had a chance to start over in life. It was her fortune to be able to change the track of her previous lifetime.
Old Mr. Mo looked at those twinkling eyes which looked so serious and couldn’t help but say in relief, “Xinya, in the face of life’s hards.h.i.+ps and danger, instead of wallowing in self-pity, you remain firm and purely motivated. I have belittled you. From tomorrow, I’ll teach you political tactics.”
After all, she was his granddaughter and he was afraid of having more concerns about her and asking more from her. Although political tactics was a minor area, it was tactical. Since ancient times, it had been utilized by rulers and could either ensure prosperity and peace for the countries or cause their downfall and bloodshed.
However, upon careful consideration, Xinya was determined and always persevered on staying true to herself. Since he was still alive, he could give her pointers to ensure that she didn’t land on the wrong path. Otherwise, there was still the Ninth Si around—although he wasn’t any kind person, he held on strongly to his values, and, although he was good at tactics and manipulating others, he always knew his limits.
Wen Xinya’s eyes lit up as she said in surprise, “Really? Grampy!”
Previously, Grampy had told her to tame her own character. Unexpectedly, in less than a few days, he decided to teach her political tactics.
Old Mr. Mo nodded and said, “Naturally it’s true. When did Grampy ever lie to you?”
Wen Xinya rushed up to Grampy’s side, held his arm, and planted a kiss on his face. “Thank you, Grampy.”
Ever since Grampy said he was going to teach her political tactics, she had been reading up in this area. She had already memorized the “Manual of Political Tactics” by Zhang Juzheng. However, as these things were too hazy, she had not been able to fully comprehend until now.
Old Mr. Mo said in a calm voice, “Let’s get the unpleasantness out of the way—for political tactics, I won’t do my best to guide you like what I did for chess, music, and literature. How much you can comprehend and grasp will depend on yourself.”
Wen Xinya nodded and said, “I got it, Grampy.”