Mu Wanqing looked up toward the hospital room and, seeing no female family members inside, knew it would be inappropriate to enter. She pressed her lips together and quietly waited to the side.
Hurried footsteps sounded behind her, followed by the rapid “click-clack” of high heels approaching swiftly.
With just a brief glance, Mu Wanqing knew who it was.
Remembering the discomfort from last night, she didn’t greet Lu Kejun.
Naturally, the other woman also acted as if she didn’t exist.
“Godmother, how is Grandpa? I just got the news and rushed over from the studio,” Lu Kejun asked anxiously as she came to a stop, her voice filled with concern.
Jiang Lijuan smiled kindly at her goddaughter and reassured her, “Grandpa’s condition has stabilized for now, but the situation isn’t good. The doctors are discussing treatment options with your godfather and the others.”
Dressed in haute couture, Lu Kejun wore exquisite makeup and had perfectly styled hair, exuding the luxurious aura of a wealthy socialite from head to toe.
Other members of the Wen family nodded in greeting when they saw her, and she responded with polite smiles.
After Jiang Lijuan finished speaking, Lu Kejun’s delicate face showed even greater worry. “I’m going in to see Grandpa.”
“Ah—” Jiang Lijuan called out urgently but didn’t manage to stop her in time.
Just like that, Lu Kejun opened the door and entered.
In the hospital bed, Old Mr. Wen, who had been ill for many days, appeared noticeably thinner and utterly haggard.
Hearing a young woman enter, he initially thought it was Mu Wanqing and immediately turned to look.
Unexpectedly, it was Lu Kejun.
“Grandpa, how are you? Are you feeling any better?” Lu Kejun took the old man’s hand, tears instantly welling up in her eyes as she asked in a choked voice.
Wen Zhan looked at the woman, their eyes meeting with meaningful expressions.
Old Mr. Wen nodded slowly and said, “I’m fine… Don’t worry about me.”
Seeing her tears, Wen Zhan pulled a tissue from the bedside table and handed it to her.
Lu Kejun accepted it. “Thank you, Brother Zhan.”
Old Mr. Wen glanced at his most beloved grandson and weakly raised his hand. “Wen Zhan…”
“Grandpa, I’m here.” The man immediately bent down and leaned forward, taking the old man’s frail hand.
“Where’s Qingqing… Has she come?”
Lu Kejun’s expression tightened slightly, and she pressed her lips together—the old man was still fixated on that ugly duckling.
Wen Zhan replied, “She’s here, outside.”
“Call her in… I have something to say…”
“Alright.”
Wen Zhan placed the old man’s hand back under the covers and turned to walk toward the hospital room door.
Jiang Lijuan was slightly startled to see her son emerge. “A-Zhan, why…”
Before she could finish, her son glanced at his wife and gestured with his chin. “Come in. Grandpa wants to see you.”
Mu Wanqing was taken aback, pointing at herself. “Me?”
Wen Zhan’s expression darkened, likely annoyed by her bewildered reaction.
Seeing her husband’s stern face, Mu Wanqing confirmed she hadn’t misunderstood and quickly stepped forward.
Wen Zhan abruptly took her hand, startling her and making her heart clench.
Before she could process what this meant, they had already reached the bedside.
“Grandpa, Wanqing is here.”
Seeing his granddaughter-in-law, Old Mr. Wen’s expression softened, and a faint smile appeared. “Child… You’ve worked hard, taking care of the two little ones, not getting enough sleep… You look thinner again.”
Seeing the old man in this state, Mu Wanqing was instantly reminded of her own grandfather’s final moments. Tears welled up in her eyes before she could speak.
Standing on the other side of the bed, Lu Kejun frowned at her silent tears and said, “Grandpa is talking to you. Why are you crying? He’s perfectly fine.”
Mu Wanqing did not respond to her, nor did she even glance in her direction.
She quickly wiped away her tears, composed herself, and forced a smile. “Grandpa, I’m not tired at all. We have a confinement nanny and servants at home. The two children are very well-behaved—they sleep after eating and play when they wake up. I really don’t feel the slightest bit burdened…”
Old Master Wen smiled gently. “Silly child, being a mother is never easy.”
After speaking, the elderly man looked up at his grandson, his tone turning more serious. “Wen Zhan, you are a husband and a father now. This responsibility… you must carry it well… Otherwise, you’ll dishonor the Wen family ancestors.”
Wen Zhan’s expression remained cool, but his posture was respectful. “Grandpa, I will remember your words.”
As he finished speaking, his hand, which was pressed close to Mu Wanqing’s, shifted slightly and brushed against hers. She immediately understood his silent cue and said cooperatively, “Grandpa, please focus on recovering. A-Zhan treats me very well, and the children are doing fine. There’s no need to worry.”
“Mmm, that’s good…” Old Master Wen seemed satisfied and turned to the other side. “Kejun…”
Lu Kejun hadn’t expected the old man to notice her and quickly put on a smile, taking his hand again. “Grandpa, what is it?”
The old man paused briefly and said softly, “You and Xinchen… should also consider having a child. A man only settles down and shoulders responsibility after becoming a father. Only then will your little family find stability…”
At these words, both Lu Kejun and Wen Zhan looked uncomfortable.
His words were clearly directed at them.
He was urging them to maintain their respective families properly—once married, they should know their boundaries and avoid ambiguous entanglements that could lead to trouble and disgrace.
Lu Kejun’s face flushed with embarrassment, but she pretended not to understand and replied with a forced smile, “Don’t worry, Grandpa, we’re already planning for it. Please take good care of your health so you can name our child in the future.”
“Good, good…” The old man nodded contentedly and waved his hand. “You all have your own matters to attend to. There’s no need for everyone to stay here… I’m tired and need to rest…”
As the old man closed his eyes, the room gradually emptied.
Wen Zhan’s father, Wen Jianghe, glanced at the crowded hallway and raised his hand. “Everyone may leave now. Father’s condition is stable for the moment. There’s nothing to worry about.”
Just then, Wen Zhan’s phone rang—another matter from the company.
After finishing the call, he turned to Mu Wanqing. “Let’s go. We’re heading back.”
With that, he turned toward Lu Kejun and spoke to her in front of his wife. “You should go attend to your own matters as well. Don’t trouble Xinchen, and there’s no need for you to come back.”
Lu Kejun nodded. “Alright, I’ll call him right away.”
Without looking back at his wife, Wen Zhan strode out with his long, straight legs.
Mu Wanqing hurried to follow.
As she passed by Lu Kejun, she had intended to ignore her completely, but the other woman spoke first. “About last night, don’t misunderstand. It was a business dinner with many people present.”
Mu Wanqing sneered inwardly, thinking Wen Zhan’s taste was truly questionable—how could he fall for such a pretentious woman?
She responded indifferently, “I didn’t misunderstand. It’s no secret that he likes you. In his heart, only you are worthy of the title ‘Young Mistress Wen.'”
Hearing this, Lu Kejun’s proud and arrogant expression suddenly turned sorrowful. After a moment of silence, she said, “Fate plays cruel tricks. I only see him as an elder brother. The one I’ve always loved is Gu Xinchen.”
“You should say that to him. See how heartbroken he becomes—how thrilling.”
Mu Wanqing’s overly callous reply greatly displeased Lu Kejun. Her expression shifted again as she lowered her voice and said angrily, “You’re husband and wife now. You should treat him better instead of wishing him heartache and suffering.”
Mu Wanqing slightly raised her eyes. “Has Mrs. Gu finished lecturing me?”
“You—” Lu Kejun was so infuriated by her attitude that she clenched her fists. After restraining herself, she finally spoke bluntly, “As the young mistress of the Wen family, you should pay more attention to your appearance. Looking so slovenly, how could Wen Zhan possibly like you? He’d even find it unpleasant to lay eyes on you!”