Aunt and Third Aunt were both startled. Turning to see her, their faces flashed with embarrassment before they quickly forced smiles.
“Wanqing… Have you come to deliver Grandpa’s meal?” Third Aunt took two steps forward, initiating small talk.
Mu Wanqing ignored her question and continued with their previous topic: “Wen Zhan’s filial piety towards Grandpa comes from the heart. It’s not about currying favor or competing for inheritance as you suggested.”
By now, Aunt had regained her composure, resuming the dignified poise of the Head Wife. She smiled faintly and said, “Wanqing, don’t misunderstand. Third Aunt and I were just making casual conversation.”
“Casual conversation shouldn’t involve baseless slander. As elders, your words carry weight. If such remarks spread, the younger generation might take them seriously and develop prejudices against Wen Zhan.”
Mu Wanqing stood her ground, hoping they would recognize their mistake and set a proper example as elders.
Her words struck a nerve. Aunt’s face immediately darkened. “Wanqing, you know we’re your elders. Shouldn’t you show some respect?”
Aunt came from a wealthy family and had been respected in the Wen household for decades.
Today, being openly contradicted by a girl she secretly looked down upon wounded her pride. She immediately asserted her authority as an elder.
Seeing her expression, Mu Wanqing felt nervous, but believing she was in the right, she responded calmly yet firmly: “If you acted appropriately, I would naturally respect you. But what you and Third Aunt said was pure conjecture. As for the company matters, though I’m not involved, I’ve seen how hard Wen Zhan has worked since taking over. Your own sons were unwilling to shoulder this responsibility. Wen Zhan bore it alone, and instead of being grateful, you make up stories behind his back.”
At this, Aunt’s face turned even uglier, and Third Aunt scowled, visibly furious.
“What do you know? When did you earn the right to judge the Wen family’s affairs? A parentless, unwanted stray—just lucky enough to catch the old master’s eye and marry above your station. Do you really think you’re something? The old master won’t last much longer. Let’s see if Wen Zhan still wants you then! What are you so proud of? Daring to lecture us—how ill-mannered!” Unlike Aunt, Third Aunt didn’t bother with pretense. Provoked, she immediately lashed out harshly.
Aunt sneered, adding to her sister-in-law’s words: “You said it yourself—she’s a parentless stray. Who would have taught her manners?”
Facing both of them, Mu Wanqing was at a disadvantage. Stung by their words, her expression showed hurt. “Even without manners, I know it’s wrong to gossip behind others’ backs. You claim to know propriety, yet your actions say otherwise.”
“You—!” Third Aunt’s face turned livid with rage. She suddenly stepped forward as if to charge at Mu Wanqing.
Fortunately, Aunt grabbed her arm and whispered a reminder: “Don’t stoop to her level! If this escalates to the old master, the consequences will be worse!”
Third Aunt gritted her teeth, regaining some composure. She glared venomously at Mu Wanqing and cursed, “I’ll wait for the day Wen Zhan divorces you! Let’s see how proud you are then! Defending him like this—he only sees you as a pawn, an extra number at best!”
“Aunt, how has your nephew offended you, that you would curse me with divorce and wish for my family to fall apart?” Suddenly, a low, cold voice spoke unhurriedly, startling everyone present.
Mu Wanqing turned abruptly and saw the stern-faced man approaching with a cold smile. Her heart instantly relaxed, and her eyes betrayed a hint of grievance—though she herself remained unaware of it.
Wen Zhan walked to his wife’s side, raised his hand to rest on her shoulder, and gently drew her into the crook of his arm. Turning his handsome face toward the two elders, he pressed on, “Aunt, you still haven’t answered my question. Is it simply because Second Brother didn’t become CEO that you hold such a grudge against me? If that’s the case, I can step aside right now and yield the position to him.”
Third Aunt’s expression shifted through several shades before she forced a smile. “Wen Zhan, this… it’s all a misunderstanding. Your Second Brother is too playful and can’t sit still in an office—how could he possibly manage the company? Little Qing must have misheard and misunderstood us.”
“Is that so?” Wen Zhan lowered his head to look at his wife nestled in his arm, his expression and tone softening. “Since when has your hearing been off? Usually, you hear the children stir from afar and rush over immediately.”
Mu Wanqing understood his implication and played along, “Maybe I haven’t been resting well lately and imagined things.”
“Then let’s have lunch with Grandfather, and you can head back early to rest.”
“Mm.”
The two maintained a facade of mutual respect, but before their words had fully settled, Wen Zhan turned, guiding his wife away with him.
Just as they reached the corner, however, he suddenly turned back. “Aunt, Third Aunt, if you have any grievances with me, you can address me directly. Don’t take it out on the innocent. Qingqing has no family of her own, and her grandfather was a benefactor to our Wen family. As elders, you should cherish and protect her. If word of what just happened got out, people would think the Wen family bullies the weak and repays kindness with ingratitude.”
His words were calm and gentle, yet to Mu Wanqing, they struck like thunder, stirring up turbulent waves in her heart.
His skill at putting on a show in front of others was truly masterful.
Moreover, just a moment ago, he had been saving face for the elders, deliberately creating an excuse for her to step back, and the next, he was subtly calling them out right to their faces—it was truly baffling.
Aunt and Third Aunt were left pale and flustered by his “admonishment,” struggling several times to speak but holding back.
Wen Zhan turned lightly with his wife and walked away, leaving the two elders standing there, seething with anger.
“Look at how smug they are! They really are a perfect match—both equally ill-mannered and disrespectful to their elders!” Third Aunt trembled with rage.
But Aunt shot her a glare and stormed off angrily. “It’s all your fault! Dragging me into your gossip, and now we’ve been overheard!”
“I… this—” Third Aunt was left speechless.
Meanwhile, after leaving with Mu Wanqing, Wen Zhan continued toward the hospital room, his arm still wrapped around her.
Mu Wanqing felt extremely uncomfortable, but remembering they still had to play the loving couple in front of the elderly patriarch, she didn’t pull away, allowing him to keep holding her.
Her mind replayed the scene of Wen Zhan defending her earlier, and as she recalled his words, a thread of warmth stirred within her.
But then, thinking back to the conversation between Aunt and Third Aunt, that warmth instantly dissipated.
Did he marry her only to obey his grandfather, to secure control of the company and more of the family fortune?
If a person is willing to sacrifice years of emotional attachment for personal gain, then they are certainly not worth entrusting with one’s life—they might even be considered a scumbag.
In that light, Lu Kejun not ending up with him was actually a blessing in disguise.
Perhaps she had seen through his true nature early on, which was why she rationally rejected him and chose to marry the young master of the Gu family instead.
In the past, Mu Wanqing thought he was deeply devoted to Lu Kejun, a man of unwavering loyalty in love.
But now her perspective had changed. What so-called loyalty and devotion? It was merely the restlessness of wanting what one cannot have—the greed of wanting everything while giving nothing.
Moreover, just now, Aunt and Third Aunt mentioned that the patriarch was planning to revise his will and redistribute the family assets—could it be that Wen Zhan was refusing to divorce her for this reason?
After all, an extra person in the family meant an extra share of the inheritance.
Thinking of this, Mu Wanqing felt an even deeper chill in her heart. She reminded herself once again—do not be blinded by that handsome face, do not be fooled by his momentary acting—divorce was absolutely necessary!
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