Arrogant and self-important man, still trying to find an excuse and a way to save face.
“Huh?” Secretary Li was taken aback and asked in return, “You’ve been married for two years, and you didn’t know your wife is allergic to pollen?”
The implication was clear—you’re failing as a husband!
Wen Zhan’s expression darkened even further upon hearing this, and he waved his hand to dismiss her. “You can leave now. Unless it’s urgent, don’t let anyone bother me.”
Secretary Li: “…”
The office fell silent, and Wen Zhan’s frustration became even more apparent.
Not only had he failed to appease the woman at home, but he also had no idea how Gu Xinchen and his wife were doing.
In the past, he would have called to check on them and show concern, but now he didn’t dare overstep.
He had no idea where things had gone wrong or how they had ended up like this.
And then there were Lu Kejun’s drunken words from last night, claiming he had fallen for the woman at home just because she had given birth to his children.
What nonsense!
How low would his standards have to be for him to fall for a woman with such questionable character?
It was only for the sake of his two helpless, crying children that he had to keep this marriage going.
Once the children were a bit older—maybe eight or nine months old, or at the latest, a year old—he would leave her without a second thought.
By then, he wouldn’t even wait for her to demand a divorce; he would take the initiative to cut ties himself.
Wen Zhan didn’t make the call, but around three in the afternoon, Lu Kejun called him.
Seeing her name on the caller ID, he hesitated for a moment but still couldn’t bring himself to reject the call.
“Kejun, sobered up?”
Lu Kejun replied weakly, “Sort of… but I’ve had a headache all day…”
“That’s what happens when you drink. Don’t do it again,” he said, trying his best to sound casual.
“I know,” Lu Kejun answered obediently. After a brief pause, she asked awkwardly, “Um… last night, did Xinchen argue with you?”
Wen Zhan sensed something in her tone and countered with a question of his own, “Why? Did he say something to you?”
“Not really… It’s just about what happened at noon yesterday. I thought it was perfectly normal, but he’s overthinking things, letting his imagination run wild and saying some harsh things. I was worried that because I was drunk, he might take it out on you and lose his temper at you again.”
Wen Zhan gave a faint, wry smile. “It’s fine. I know how he is. I won’t take it to heart.”
“Mmm… I knew you’d be the best about it. Since we were kids, you’ve always been the one to tolerate and embrace us.” As she said this, Lu Kejun felt an unexpected sting in her nose.
It was as if she had only just realized the secret to a woman’s happiness—it’s not about finding someone you love, but about finding someone who loves you, tolerates you, and takes care of you.
It was a pity she had realized this too late. Everything was already set in stone.
Hearing her sniffle, Wen Zhan’s expression tightened. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Did the two of you argue again today?”
Lu Kejun quickly denied it. “No… When I woke up this morning, he made me congee. During breakfast, he even apologized, saying he was too busy yesterday and that’s why he didn’t come looking for me in the afternoon. He said it wasn’t intentional.”
Since her husband was willing to admit his mistake, she decided to meet him halfway.
After all, this marriage was her own choice. No matter how bitter the consequences, she had to bear them herself.
“That’s good then. It’s normal for couples to argue. Don’t take it too seriously,” Wen Zhan reassured her calmly.
“Mmm.”
Seeing that she had nothing more to say, Wen Zhan took the initiative to end the conversation. “I’m still busy here. You should get some more rest.”
“Mmm, mmm.”
The woman responded twice in succession, and Wen Zhan was about to hang up.
Suddenly, she called out from the other end, “Third Brother.”
His heart clenched again. “What else is there?”
Lu Kejun asked softly and slowly, “Third Brother… from now on, can I no longer casually reach out to you?”
Gu Xinchen had already made it clear that morning that the three of them could never go back to how things were. He told her to wake up and face reality—after marriage and having children, they should maintain their distance.
The thought of ending such a long-standing bond filled her with reluctance, and she even regretted marrying so early.
Wen Zhan felt as if all his strength had been drained by her question, leaving him in such pain that his mind grew hazy.
Did Gu Xinchen tell her not to contact him anymore?
Were they drawing a clear line now?
“You…” He hesitated for a long moment, took a slow breath, and finally mustered his strength again. “You can still reach out to me if you need anything. Even if I can’t step in personally, I’ll arrange for someone else to help.”
When Lu Kejun heard the words “can’t step in personally,” tears instantly streamed down her face.
“Third Brother… I—I’m sorry—” She didn’t even know why she was apologizing, but she couldn’t hold back the urge.
Wen Zhan clearly understood the meaning behind her apology. His expression tightened imperceptibly, and he resolutely ended the call first.
When Mu Wanqing brought the children to the hospital to visit their grandfather, she ran into her mother-in-law, Jiang Lijuan.
In front of the elderly man, Jiang Lijuan was all kindness and warmth, showering her daughter-in-law with concern and treating her grandchildren as if they were treasures in the palm of her hand.
But as soon as the old man rested and they left together, the smile vanished from Jiang Lijuan’s face without a moment’s delay.
In the past, Mu Wanqing had respected her mother-in-law, even secretly trying to win her favor.
Back then, she had hoped to build a life with Wen Zhan.
But now, she knew she could never warm Wen Zhan’s heart, nor could she ever meet the standards of her proud in-laws. Having completely lost interest in the marriage, she no longer felt the need to cater to her mother-in-law.
Jiang Lijuan had noticed the change in her. She glanced at Mu Wanqing several times in the elevator and asked indifferently, “Did you have a fight with A’Zhan?”
Mu Wanqing was taken aback. She turned to look at her mother-in-law, her expression detached. “No…”
“Hmph, your face is practically dragging on the floor, and you say nothing’s wrong? Aren’t you already talking about divorce?” Jiang Lijuan called her out directly, her eyes filled with disdain. After a pause, she began lecturing, “Men work hard enough out in the world. When they come home, they shouldn’t have to face their wives’ long faces or threats of divorce. What hope is there in a life like that? Marrying into our Wen family allowed you to climb the social ladder—a blessing you wouldn’t have earned in several lifetimes. Instead of cherishing it and being grateful, you keep making trouble every other day!”
Clearly, Jiang Lijuan didn’t believe she would actually go through with a divorce. She assumed Mu Wanqing was leveraging the fact that she had given birth to the Dragon-Phoenix Twins to threaten her son into meeting some demand.
But Mu Wanqing was firm in her decision to divorce and had nothing left to lose. She retorted without holding back, “When there’s a problem in a marriage, is it always the woman’s fault? Why don’t you ask what your son has been up to? And just so you know, my desire for a divorce is genuine—it’s not a threat.”
As her words fell, the elevator doors slid open.
Mu Wanqing, accompanied by the confinement nanny, each pushing a stroller, stepped out first.
“Hey, you—” Jiang Lijuan’s eyes widened in disbelief.
How dare an orphan girl with no family, someone of the humblest origins, talk back to her mother-in-law! Where did she get the nerve?
“Mu Wanqing, you stop right there!” Unable to swallow her anger, Jiang Lijuan followed her out and shouted loudly.