My Supernatural Exes Are Desperate to Win Me Back

Everyone turned to look in the direction Lily was pointing.

Chairman Rong Kaifu raised his hand to attract attention and introduced, “Beside me is Wen Nansen, a PhD graduate in journalism from Boston University. He is a specially appointed expert consultant and will temporarily take over as the editor-in-chief of the news department. Let’s give him a warm welcome!”

Wen Nansen nodded with a smile.

The room erupted in applause.

Except for Xu Xining.

The blonde girl’s expression was indifferent, not bothering to even feign a smile, as she coldly watched the lively scene, slowly peeling a candy for herself.

Is she experiencing a wave of ex-related issues lately?

Besides, why would Wen Nansen leave a perfectly good university position to become an editor? His career planning must have gone off the rails!

Just as Xu Xining was about to leave, Lily grabbed her pant leg and dashed towards Wen Nansen, exclaiming, “It’s him! This teacher saved me!”

“Hey, hey?” Xu Xining stumbled as the child tugged at her, wondering why the kid chose to pull her instead of her own mother.

Xu Xining nearly collided with Wen Nansen.

“Careful,” Wen Nansen steadied her.

The faint scent of pine emanated from him, his gloved left hand briefly touching her shoulder.

With children present, Xu Xining couldn’t lose her temper, so she just gave him a glare, her eyes full of “I did it on purpose, watch me crash and die right in front of you.”

Wen Nansen lowered his gaze and picked up the little girl in the red dress, gently saying, “Didn’t I say meeting me was a secret?”

Lily mysteriously pulled out a Ferrero Rocher from her pocket and whispered in his ear, “My mom said to give you chocolate.”

Implying that chocolate was more important than keeping secrets! Get a grip!

Wen Nansen chuckled and accepted the chocolate. “Thank you.”

Lily’s mother stepped forward, wanting to express her gratitude somehow, be it a meal or a gift, for saving her child’s life.

Wen Nansen casually dismissed the notion, saying it wasn’t necessary, and only took Lily’s chocolate, considering it even between them.

When it was time to part, Lily clung to Wen Nansen’s coat, reluctant to leave.

Xu Xining watched from the side.

It felt familiar.

Back then, when she was lost in the mountains, blind and deaf, she was terrified and clung to him, afraid he’d leave her behind.

Xu Xining couldn’t hear herself speak and thought she had lost her voice.

Until one day, she accidentally spoke, and he gently squeezed her hand, indicating he heard her.

Xu Xining was overjoyed, gripping him tightly, asking, “Can you take me home?”

He squeezed her hand.

Xu Xining asked, “I’m afraid you’ll be gone when I wake up. Can you promise not to leave me?”

He squeezed her hand.

Xu Xining opened her mouth but couldn’t speak.

At that moment, the joy of being heard broke through her fragile rationality, and the fear of being trapped in darkness overwhelmed her like a tidal wave.

She felt she might be crying, her face wet, and hoarsely asked, “Do you think I’ll never get better?”

After a long time, he took her hand, palm up, and wrote in her hand, gently and patiently repeating:

[You will.]

In a situation of isolation and helplessness, it’s hard not to fall for the only beacon of light.

Xu Xining admitted that even after recovering, she still had an excessive reliance on Wen Nansen. She would often head to his house after school, with or without a reason.

The doctor said she had mild PTSD, and for a long time, she had nightmares, dreaming she was blind and deaf, waking up gasping, drenched in cold sweat.

Wen Nansen gave her his phone number, saying she could call him anytime, even at three in the morning, and he would answer immediately.

Many nights, Xu Xining slept with the lights on, wearing headphones, listening to Wen Nansen recite poetry.

He would read Lu Daisheng’s poems in Dutch, Heine’s in German, Arcamo’s in Italian, and Jiménez’s in Spanish.

The verses were read beautifully and lightly, like clouds in the wilderness, wind in the clouds, flowers in the wind, snow among the flowers.

Xu Xining never knew how many languages he spoke, probably as many as his PhDs, enough to stack up and play cards.

Don’t even mention it.

Not understanding a word, the hypnotic effect was unparalleled.

Xu Xining often fell asleep with headphones on, waking up to find the call lasted seven hours, startled, she cautiously asked, “Are you still there?”

Wen Nansen’s voice was always patient and accommodating: “Good morning, I just baked toast. Want to come over for breakfast?”

Xu Xining scratched her head in frustration: “You stayed up all night? Why didn’t you hang up?”

Wen Nansen gently replied, “I was afraid you’d wake up.”

…

If she could, she’d slap Wen Nansen like she would a scumbag, then hate him with peace of mind, letting him and the deceased Eileen go to hell together.

But it’s been two years since they broke up, and now, looking back calmly, she had to admit Wen Nansen did too much.

Even if he didn’t love her, he didn’t owe her anything.

Within three days, the news that “the new editor-in-chief Nansen is devastatingly handsome” spread throughout Pianyu Media, as if college days were starting anew.

People from other departments often sneaked into the news department, peeking around, and Xu Xining encountered the art designer from the first floor, the finance personnel from the seventh, the operations staff from the ninth, and the programmers from the thirteenth floor…

What’s the deal? Is the water in the news department sweeter, or is the restroom more fragrant???

People kept asking her, “Hey, have you seen Editor Nansen? Is he really as handsome as in the photos?”

Xu Xining took a sip of water and patted her shoulder: “A great writer once said, ‘Since ancient times, beauty has been a source of trouble, and heroes struggle to resist the allure of beauty.'”

Colleague: “Which writer?”

“Comrade, you missed the point,” Xu Xining said profoundly, “The point is to stay away from him, or you’ll become unlucky.”

However, the good times didn’t last long, and the jubilant news department soon discovered that the new Editor Wen was a modern primitive who couldn’t use the internet.

They first tried to add Wen Nansen to the WeChat group, but Wen Nansen said, “I’m not very good with phones. If there’s anything, you can contact me via email.”

Someone slapped their forehead, saying, oh right, that’s how it is abroad; they use email for work, keeping personal life and work separate.

So everyone adapted to the local customs and prepared to add Wen Nansen’s email.

Who knew Wen Nansen turned around and wrote his home address on the whiteboard.

Wen Nansen smiled, “You can send me letters.”

Everyone was stunned.

Whoa, which era did you time travel from, sir?!

Xu Xining was unsurprised, accustomed to it, calmly sitting below, eating candy.

Wen Nansen might look the part, but he was a genuine electronic idiot, even needing her to teach him how to make phone calls.

Back then, Wen Nansen bought his first phone just to stay in touch with her. Xu Xining had just passed her teaching certification and patiently taught him how to use it, only to suffer a setback in her teaching career.

Initially, Wen Nansen would inexplicably turn off his phone, saying he didn’t know what he did wrong, and the phone suddenly stopped working, so he had to buy another one.

Opening the drawer, wow, a dozen new phones neatly arranged.

Xu Xining thought it was some paranormal event, but after some fuss, she discovered he couldn’t charge them.

Xu Xining asked about his charger, and Wen Nansen innocently replied, “Is it that white string they gave me… I threw it away.”

Xu Xining: …

Did you buy your PhDs too?

After years of teaching, Professor Wen’s phone skills were still limited to making calls and replying to messages; using WeChat was considered high-end information operation.

Hilarious, completely unteachable.

Xu Xining often taught him until she was jumping with frustration, and Wen Nansen would quietly watch her with a smile.

Xu Xining said, “Please reflect on this; even Professor Zheng, despite his age, uses a phone better than you! Last time, he even sent me an emoji saying, ‘There’s no difficult thesis, only brave dogs.'”

Wen Nansen said Professor Zheng was still young… Xu Xining was shocked, saying, “Young my foot! He’s bald, and his grandchildren are running everywhere!”

Wen Nansen humbly asked, “What’s the connection between dogs and theses? Dogs can’t write theses.”

Xu Xining found it hard to explain, so she pointed at herself, saying, “You can think of me as the dog.”

Wen Nansen puzzled, “Last time you said you were a mouse.”

Xu Xining said, “Sometimes I’m a mouse, sometimes a doggo. I can also be a little seal, a panda, an otter. I change on the internet, my mental illness is always on the verge.”

Too difficult, this question is too difficult. Xu Xining saw big question marks in his beautiful green eyes.

Many warm afternoons, Wen Nansen would read in his book-filled study, while Xu Xining did her homework, chattering away.

Wen Nansen didn’t understand any of it; he just watched her with a smile.

Golden morning light filtered through the fluttering curtains, falling into his emerald-like eyes, stretching time, making the world quiet and focused.

His eyes reflected the girl’s image, with a gaze that seemed almost eternal, almost like love.

Xu Xining asked him why he was smiling, like a grandfather watching a kindergarten performance on Children’s Day.

Wen Nansen understood this sentence and helplessly said, “Do I seem that old to you?” Xu Xining quickly reassured him, “Not old, not old, Wen Nansen is forever eighteen.”

Sometimes, Xu Xining felt that Wen Nansen’s youthful appearance housed a thousand-year-old soul.

Xu Xining had resolved to be a journalist, letting Wen Nansen be the editor, avoiding conversation as much as possible.

Who knew, this resolution didn’t last three days before it was broken.

At the time, Xu Xining and a colleague went to have Wen Nansen review a manuscript. The colleague politely said, “The final draft has been sent to your window, please check if there are any issues.”

Xu Xining stood by as a silent accessory, offering a polite yet perfunctory smile.

Wen Nansen nodded.

Wen Nansen stood up.

Wen Nansen opened the window.

The wind on the eleventh floor blew his golden glasses chain.

Wen Nansen looked up at a forty-five-degree angle, seemingly wondering why the manuscript needed to be sent through the window.

The colleague also looked up at a forty-five-degree angle, seemingly wondering what the editor was trying to see in the sky.

Wen Nansen asked, “Window?”

The colleague became even more polite, “Yes, yes, do you think it’s going to rain?”

Wen Nansen: “Yes, yes.”

You two actually started chatting!!

Xu Xining finally reached her limit, bursting like an overinflated balloon as she stormed over, slammed the window shut, and dragged Wen Nansen by his tie to the computer. Pointing at the screen, she shouted, “Wen Nansen! How many times have I told you? It’s the window on the desktop!”

Wen Nansen’s gaze began to drift toward his mahogany desk.

Xu Xining, sharp as ever, caught his wandering eyes like a teacher spotting a distracted student, her anger flaring even more. She tapped the monitor, exclaiming, “Where are you looking? The desktop! I’ve told you countless times the monitor is the desktop!”

Wen Nansen raised his hand, trying to soothe her, “Alright, don’t be upset.”

Xu Xining retorted, “I’m not upset!! I’m just extremely disappointed!!”

This wasn’t about romance; it was the pure, unadulterated frustration of a teacher with an unyielding student.

The colleagues nearby were too frightened to speak.

Oh my goodness, after taking down the editor-in-chief’s cousin, Xu Xining has become even more terrifying!

Now she seems intent on taking down Editor Wen too!!

Xu Xining finally noticed her colleagues nearby, releasing Wen Nansen’s tie in an instant. She coughed and flashed a signature bright smile, sweetly saying, “Teacher Wen, I’m sorry, I got a bit carried away. Please take a look.”

Wen Nansen glanced at the flustered girl and obediently reached out to click on the files.

…

Xu Xining’s smile grew more strained, “Is it possible… there’s something called a mouse?”

After much fuss, Wen Nansen finally saw the manuscript. He merely skimmed through it and gently offered a few suggestions to the colleagues.

Initially, the colleagues had lost hope in his professional abilities, but his casual remarks suddenly enlightened them like a splash of cold water, awakening them.

Contrary to his gentle and forgiving nature, Wen Nansen’s critiques were sharp and incisive, hitting the nail on the head-a level of guidance from someone far above.

The colleagues’ perception of Wen Nansen shifted immediately, hastily jotting down the revisions, and remarked, “I didn’t expect Editor Wen, despite not understanding the internet, to be so knowledgeable about journalism.”

Wen Nansen smiled, “The internet has only changed the medium, not the essence of humanity. From thousands of years ago to today, human nature hasn’t changed as much as we think.”

“Indeed, there’s nothing new under the sun,” the colleague agreed respectfully, “I’ll send the manuscript from the same company window next time.”

Wen Nansen’s “good” was interrupted.

Xu Xining, smiling sweetly but with a sarcastic edge, chimed in, “Surely you don’t think some people can learn with just one lesson, do you?”

Colleague: “…”

Should he agree or not?!

Agreeing might offend the boss, but disagreeing might provoke the wrathful Xu Xining to take him down too!

Soon, everyone in the news department noticed that Xu Xining, usually smiling at everyone, became sarcastic whenever she saw Editor Wen.

Work-wise, they were highly aligned, but outside of work, Xu Xining would seize any opportunity to jab at him.

Once in the break room, a colleague witnessed Editor Wen kindly asking Xu Xining if she wanted him to slice some lemon for her water.

Unexpectedly, Xu Xining, without lifting her head, replied, “Sorry, I don’t eat lemons; I’m called Xu Mint.”

The onlookers were baffled, sensing the tension, and quickly fled the scene.

Xu Xining had made up her mind; Pianyu Media was her turf first, and she had no reason to leave. If anyone had to leave, it should be Wen Nansen, driven away by her irritation!

Xu Xining was determined to annoy him daily, causing even her colleagues to grow fearful.

One day, seizing the opportunity, Shi Yixin cautiously asked Xu Xining, “Editor Wen is so capable and handsome; why do you target him?”

Xu Xining replied, “Our energies don’t align.”

Shi Yixin nervously continued, “Aren’t you afraid he’ll fire you?”

Xu Xining curiously asked, “Why would he fire me if I’m doing my job well? What do you take Wen Nansen for?”

No matter how you interpret it, there’s a hint of trust and respect in her words.

Xu Xining knew Wen Nansen well; he was a principled old-fashioned man, and it was as unlikely for him to fire her without cause as it was for him to promote her without merit.

In terms of work, it was hard to find a more ideal boss than him.

Soon it was the weekend, a warm and sunny day.

Xu Xining headed out with a new fishing rod and bucket for Old Xu. Today she wore a large sun hat, a spring-themed goose-yellow cardigan, a cream-white cotton camisole, and loose wide-leg pants that revealed a slim waist.

Zhan Xingye accompanied her on the subway to the park.

There was only one empty seat, so Xu Xining sat while Zhan Xingye, carrying a huge backpack and her crossbody bag around his neck, held onto the handle, standing in front of her.

Xu Xining was surprised to find he was taller than the handrail, his shadow completely enveloping her as he looked down.

Xu Xining continued to chatter about the Good Man, catching a glimpse of him quietly counting his fingers, and angrily exclaimed, “Hey! You’re afraid of me again!”

Zhan Xingye looked down at the girl, like an angry kitten, fragile as if a gentle touch would break her. He didn’t understand why she always thought he was scary.

He hesitated for a moment, sheepishly releasing his fingers, and muttered, “It’s not that. I just can’t fish because fish don’t like me.”

Xu Xining laughed heartily, patting him amicably, “It’s okay, if fish don’t like you, I do. If we don’t catch anything, we’ll just make Old Xu treat us to dinner!”

The girl spoke casually, but the young man lowered his hat brim, his ears burning red.

At the park, they followed directions to a secluded shady spot.

Old Xu sat on a small stool, cheerfully asking the person next to him about bait preparation.

The man beside him wore a pristine white shirt, sleeves rolled up, lowering his gaze to offer gentle guidance, relaxed and elegant, dappled with golden light from the swaying tree shadows.

Wen-the Fishing Master-Nansen.

Xu Xining: “???”

Are you in cahoots with Professor Zheng?!!

Old Xu didn’t forget to greet Zhan Xingye, warmly pulling him to face Wen Nansen, explaining, “You probably don’t remember, but you met Teacher Wen a few years ago.”

Old Xu then told Wen Nansen, “Xingye is the child of my friend, and he grew up with Xining.”

Wen Nansen smiled, extending his hand, “Nice to meet you; you’ve grown a lot taller over the years.”

Old Xu added, “You can call him Uncle Wen.”

Xu Xining felt her brain splitting.

Dad, aren’t our generational roles a bit too mixed up?!

Zhan Xingye didn’t extend his hand.

He slowly lifted his gaze, staring at the man with golden hair and blue eyes, elegant and refined, his dark eyes cold as ice.

…

Contrary to what Old Xu said.

Zhan Xingye remembered Wen Nansen.

He remembered clearly, etched in his memory.