“We’ve tried every possible solution.” Wen Zhan continued walking while turning to look at her, instructing, “The old master doesn’t want us to know about this, so just pretend you’re unaware. When you come again tomorrow, don’t show this worried and sad expression.”
“…” Mu Wanqing unconsciously followed him without speaking.
She felt she couldn’t pretend that well.
“During this period, come visit Grandpa whenever you have time. Occasionally bring the children along to play. When the old master sees his great-grandchildren, he’ll be in high spirits, and perhaps his illness will ease a bit.”
The woman nodded repeatedly: “Alright, I understand. I’ll bring the babies tomorrow.”
Wen Zhan reached his car where his bodyguard and driver Yi Hang was already standing by the open rear door. “Third Young Master, Madam.”
The man stopped and looked at the woman who had followed him all the way, his eyes deep and thoughtful. “Have a meal together?”
Huh?
Mu Wanqing was startled, only now realizing she had followed him to the car.
Well… since she’d already followed him here, refusing would seem somewhat disrespectful.
Moreover, he seemed visibly downcast when mentioning his grandfather’s situation. Having experienced the pain of losing loved ones herself, she couldn’t help but feel compassion.
“I… I’ve already eaten at home, but—I can accompany you for a light meal.” Her eyes clear and calm, she looked at the man and accepted his suggestion.
They got into the car together, with Yi Hang driving to a nearby restaurant.
Along the way, Wen Zhan remained silent. Mu Wanqing stole a glance at him, words of comfort hovering on her lips, but she didn’t dare voice them.
She felt agitated and conflicted, her emotions constantly shifting.
One moment she thought him devoted, the next she considered him unfaithful; sometimes he seemed filial, other times calculating and profound—and now, she found him pitiful…
Ah, her heart was truly in turmoil.
Arriving at the restaurant, they found a table with a good view.
Wen Zhan browsed the menu and asked her, “What do you like to eat?”
Mu Wanqing was pleasantly surprised.
They had been married for two years, yet had eaten out alone together fewer than three times.
Each time, they had ordered separately—he had never asked about her preferences.
“I… I’m not hungry.”
“Let me order you some soup. This restaurant serves excellent soup.” It would be good for her since she was breastfeeding and needed more broth.
“Alright, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
The sudden shift from their “cold war” to this polite, respectful interaction made Mu Wanqing feel tense and restrained.
She was more accustomed to the Wen Zhan who was indifferent to her, who couldn’t even be bothered to look her in the eye.
After ordering, Wen Zhan had just handed the menu to the waiter when a voice came from behind: “Third Brother! It really is you—I thought I was mistaken!”
Both looked up, startled.
Lu Kejun.
They hadn’t expected to encounter her dining here too.
As Lu Kejun approached, her smile noticeably faded when she spotted Mu Wanqing.
“It’s almost one o’clock—you haven’t eaten yet either?” she asked with concern and surprise.
“No, I visited the old master and just came from the hospital,” Wen Zhan replied, then looked at her puzzled. “Are you dining alone?”
“No, Xinchen is behind me. He just returned from a business trip today—I picked him up from the airport. He’s on a phone call and will be in shortly.” No sooner had she spoken than Gu Xinchen appeared at the restaurant entrance.
Lu Kejun raised her hand, “Husband, over here!”
Gu Xinchen walked over and was equally surprised to see his childhood friend there.
“What a coincidence? I was planning to visit you at your company later, and here we meet.” Dressed in a suit, Gu Xinchen looked weary from his recent business trip.
Noticing the woman seated across from his friend, Gu Xinchen nodded politely. “Hello, Ms. Mu.”
Having met him a few times before, Mu Wanqing responded courteously, “Hello, Mr. Gu.”
Lu Kejun, holding her husband’s arm, suggested, “Darling, let’s sit here and eat together.”
Since Gu Xinchen had official matters to discuss with his friend, he had no objection to sharing the meal. He turned to Mu Wanqing and asked, “I hope Ms. Mu doesn’t mind?”
Mu Wanqing shook her head repeatedly. “Of course not, the more the merrier.”
Gu Xinchen glanced at his wife beside him. “Then you sit here,” he said, indicating the seat next to Mu Wanqing.
Lu Kejun pouted and whispered, “No, I want to sit with you. It’s been so long since you’ve spent time with me…”
Her coquettish complaint was enough to melt any man’s heart.
Mu Wanqing clearly noticed Wen Zhan averting his gaze.
She sighed inwardly for him: How pitiful—watching the woman he loves flaunt her affection with his closest childhood friend right in front of him. That’s even worse than a stab in the heart.
Gu Xinchen looked awkwardly at Mu Wanqing, but before he could speak, she immediately stood up. “Then you two sit here. I…”
She glanced at Wen Zhan, her eyes probing and questioning.
Fortunately, Wen Zhan wasn’t so oblivious. He promptly stood up and moved aside. “You take the inner seat. The servers will need the outer side later.”
“Thank you,” she replied politely, passing by him to take the inner seat.
Observing their interaction, Gu Xinchen teased, “You two are truly a model of mutual respect.”
Mu Wanqing lowered her eyes shyly, a hint of bashfulness crossing her expression.
Wen Zhan, however, remained calm and didn’t respond.
Watching them, Lu Kejun stole a subtle glance at Mu Wanqing’s expression and understood, feeling surprised once again.
Could it be that familiarity really breeds affection?
A woman’s intuition told her—sparks were about to fly between them.
After the food was served, everyone except Mu Wanqing began eating.
Noticing that Mu Wanqing was only drinking soup and not touching anything else, Lu Kejun couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Don’t you like any of these dishes?”
Mu Wanqing looked up at her, seemingly surprised that she had initiated conversation. Lowering her head to continue sipping her soup, she replied, “I already had lunch at home before coming out. Wen Zhan hadn’t eaten yet, so I’m just keeping him company.”
She was merely stating a fact.
But to Lu Kejun, it sounded like a boast—flaunting their marital harmony.
Feeling slighted, Lu Kejun’s expression soured. She turned to her husband and said, “Darling, I want to eat shrimp. Can you peel a few for me?”
Gu Xinchen, who was discussing business with Wen Zhan, replied softly, “Later.”
“…”
The “later” response clearly displeased her, and her face grew even more strained.
Feeling disregarded not only by others but even by her own husband, she was on the verge of tears.
Wen Zhan glanced at her, naturally picked up a salt-baked shrimp, deftly peeled it, and reached across the table to place it in her bowl.
“Thank you, Third Brother!” Lu Kejun immediately beamed, her mood lifting.
In the past, Gu Xinchen wouldn’t have thought much of such a gesture.
The three of them had grown up together since childhood, so close they might as well be family. Over the years, both men had always doted on Lu Kejun in this manner.
But today, with Mu Wanqing present, such behavior inevitably felt…
As Wen Zhan withdrew his hand, he caught his childhood friend’s gaze fixed on him and suddenly understood—realizing the impropriety of the situation.