Compared to his spacious living room, He Huaiqin's kitchen had a bit more of a human touch.
As he had said, all the seasonings were there and neatly stored in convenient positions. Wen Zhaoning was quite satisfied with his kitchen; her only dissatisfaction was with his knives.
The knives were too small, making chopping vegetables inefficient. In her haste to finish quickly, she accidentally cut her hand.
"Ouch!"
She let out a low cry, which He Huaiqin heard. He quickly walked into the kitchen.
Under the bright kitchen lights, she clutched her bleeding finger, momentarily at a loss.
"How could you be so careless?" He Huaiqin's tone was a bit stern, his brow deeply furrowed, but his movements were extremely gentle as he took her finger.
Fortunately, the cut wasn't deep.
He Huaiqin led her to the faucet, turned on the water, and let the cool stream gently wash over the small wound. The bleeding quickly stopped.
"It's fine now," Wen Zhaoning said. "Your knives haven't been used in a long time and are quite dull. It only cut a little; it's not a big deal."
He Huaiqin didn't reply. He turned off the faucet, pulled out a paper towel, and carefully dabbed away the water droplets around the wound. Then, he took a band-aid from a drawer.
"Raise your hand," he said.
Wen Zhaoning obediently raised her hand.
He Huaiqin lowered his head and leaned towards her. His fingertips were warm, and as they brushed against the delicate skin on the side of her finger, it sent an indescribable tingling sensation through her.
The distance was too close; Wen Zhaoning could smell the shower gel on him.
Wen Zhaoning pursed her lips and looked up at him. At that exact moment, He Huaiqin was also looking at her.
Their eyes met, and time seemed to freeze in the thick air. The surroundings were silent, with only the sound of their breaths clearly intertwining, wrapping around each other, in sync.
He Huaiqin's Adam's apple bobbed, and his gaze, heavy and deep, fell upon her red lips, creating the illusion that he was about to kiss her.
"It's... it's done," Wen Zhaoning said, pulling her finger back. "Thank you. You can go out now."
He Huaiqin stood still for two seconds, took a deep breath, and the darkness in his eyes slowly receded.
"Be careful with your hand," he instructed, then left.
Wen Zhaoning walked to the window, patted her flushed cheeks, and took a deep breath. After a moment to compose herself, she continued preparing the ingredients.
She planned to make three meat dishes, three vegetable dishes, and a chicken soup today.
Just as Wen Zhaoning had put the chicken to simmer in the clay pot, she heard the doorbell ring.
He Huaiqin went to open the door, and a gentle voice called out, "Brother Huaiqin, I'm back!"
Wen Zhaoning turned her head at the sound and saw a tall, beautiful woman holding a suitcase at the doorway. She smiled at He Huaiqin, grabbed his arm, and shook it playfully. "I flew for six hours, and my chest feels uncomfortable. I'm never going abroad again after this trip back home!"
"Did you bring medicine?" He Huaiqin's tone was noticeably anxious.
"I've already taken medicine. Don't worry, I'm just a little tired."
As she spoke, she pushed the suitcase towards He Huaiqin and walked directly into the living room.
Wen Zhaoning was taken aback. Had He Huaiqin's girlfriend arrived?
No wonder he said the meal was for two people. Wen Zhaoning had initially thought the second portion was for He Huaiqin to share with her. How self-indulgent of her.
The woman quickly noticed someone in the kitchen and turned her head, looking in Wen Zhaoning's direction.
"Brother Huaiqin, who is that?" The woman sized up Wen Zhaoning, her gentle gaze instantly turning into a cold probe. It was clear she had misunderstood Wen Zhaoning's relationship with He Huaiqin.
"Oh, I'm a part-time cook hired by Mr. He," Wen Zhaoning quickly gave herself a new identity to avoid suspicion.
He Huaiqin glanced at her from a distance. She was quite good at distancing herself.
Shen Yajing found it hard to believe. Someone with such appearance value working as a part-time cook?
The woman in the kitchen was undoubtedly the most beautiful person she had ever seen. Her hair cascaded like a waterfall, her features were exquisite, her skin was as white as snow, and her figure was perfectly proportioned, possessing a certain aura of a Hong Kong movie star – elegant and radiant.
A face like that could debut in the entertainment industry on the spot. Why would she choose the path of a part-time cook?
"Brother Huaiqin, is she really the part-time cook you hired?" Shen Yajing turned to He Huaiqin for confirmation.
"What else would she be?" He Huaiqin's expression was displeased. "Who would be foolish enough to pretend to be a part-time cook for no reason?"
Wen Zhaoning: "..."
Thank you, I've been subtly insulted.
"What are you standing around for? Hurry up and cook!" He Huaiqin said impatiently.
Since she enjoyed playing the part of a part-time cook so much, he might as well let her have her fill.
"Yes, Mr. He."
Wen Zhaoning returned to the kitchen island and began chopping vegetables.
In the living room, Shen Yajing was still suspicious of Wen Zhaoning's identity and tried to subtly inquire about her with He Huaiqin. He Huaiqin grew a bit impatient and said, "She's an insignificant person. Why are you asking so much?"
"Okay, okay, I won't ask anymore." Shen Yajing seemed appeased and then said gently, "I brought you a gift from abroad. See if you like it."
Outside, the sounds of a suitcase being opened and gifts being unwrapped could be heard.
Wen Zhaoning's knife landed on the cutting board, rhythmic and numb.
Yes, she was just an insignificant person. She needed to know her place. After repaying He Huaiqin's favor today, there would be no further entanglement in the future.
Two hours later, Wen Zhaoning had prepared six dishes and one soup.
Shen Yajing looked at the dishes on the table, her voice rising slightly, "What a coincidence, these six dishes are all He Huaiqin's favorites."
He Huaiqin walked into the dining room, first looking at the dishes, then at Wen Zhaoning, his expression complex.
Wen Zhaoning smiled, "Mr. He sent me the menu. I made the dishes according to Mr. He's instructions."
"So that's how it is. I was wondering how you knew what Brother Huaiqin liked to eat."
Shen Yajing's doubts were dispelled, but He Huaiqin's gaze remained fixed on Wen Zhaoning.
It was true that he had sent her the menu, but the menu was long, and not every dish was something he liked. How could it be such a coincidence that she had chosen all the ones he favored?
Did she still remember his preferences?
"You..."
"The meal is ready, and the bill has been settled. I'll be leaving now." Wen Zhaoning didn't want He Huaiqin to notice anything amiss and hurriedly interrupted him.
The bill was settled?
What bill?
Naturally, it was the favor for him helping her retrieve the camera.
He Huaiqin heard her intention to draw a line between them, and a wave of irritation washed over him.
Just as he was about to stop Wen Zhaoning, Shen Yajing beat him to it. "Wait, Sister, can we add each other on WeChat?"
"Add WeChat?"
"Yes, I just returned to the country and am not familiar with the restaurants around here. I saw that your cooking looks and smells delicious, and I might want to hire you to cook for me in the future. Adding you on WeChat would make it convenient to find you."
Wen Zhaoning really didn't want to add He Huaiqin's girlfriend on WeChat, but what part-time cook would refuse a potential client? To play the part convincingly, she had no choice but to open her WeChat QR code for Shen Yajing to scan.
After they added each other on WeChat, Shen Yajing immediately noticed Wen Zhaoning's profile picture.
"Sister, who is the child in your profile picture?"
"That's my daughter," Wen Zhaoning said smoothly. "My daughter is still young, and I need to take care of her, so I'm not always free to work as a part-time cook."
She was giving Shen Yajing a heads-up in advance. If Shen Yajing really did ask her to cook later, she would have a reason to refuse.
Upon hearing that Wen Zhaoning had a child, Shen Yajing's guard immediately dropped. She no longer cared about cooking.
"I understand, I understand. Sister, your daughter is so beautiful. It seems both you and your husband are good-looking people."
Wen Zhaoning felt a wave of awkwardness.
Lu Hengyu wasn't considered particularly handsome among men. If Shen Yajing said that, it might remind He Huaiqin. If He Huaiqin suspected the daughter was his, it would be troublesome.
However, He Huaiqin didn't think in that direction. He was simply displeased that Shen Yajing mentioned Lu Hengyu.
"Let's eat," He Huaiqin walked to the table. "If we don't eat soon, the food will get cold."
"Okay." Shen Yajing waved at Wen Zhaoning. "Sister, we're going to eat now. See you next time."
"Enjoy your meal. Goodbye."
Wen Zhaoning quickly left.
After returning home from He Huaiqin's place, Wen Zhaoning remained unsettled.
Images of He Huaiqin with his girlfriend kept flashing through her mind, and the dull ache of sourness in her chest churned with these visions.
She didn't know why she was feeling so sad.
He Huaiqin was outstanding in appearance, and now, with a successful career, his wealth and status were soaring. Such a man was naturally the most attractive to admirers in the social scene. It was normal for him to have a young and beautiful girlfriend.
As for her and He Huaiqin, they had been clearly separated six years ago. She shouldn't be letting her emotions be stirred by him anymore. What she needed to do now was to focus on her own path.
Just as Wen Zhaoning was actively adjusting her mindset, she suddenly received a message from her daughter's kindergarten teacher.
"Qing Ning's mother, Qing Ning's father came to pick her up earlier and didn't take her blanket. Tomorrow is the weekend, and all the children need to take their blankets home to be washed and dried. If it's convenient, could you come and pick it up after school?"
Qing Ning's father?
Wen Zhaoning's nerves instantly tensed. She immediately called the teacher. "Teacher Zhang, did Qing Ning's father pick Qing Ning up?"
"Yes, Qing Ning's father just came to the kindergarten and said Qing Ning has been coughing at night recently, so he wanted to take her to the hospital to get it checked."
"When did he pick her up?"
"About twenty minutes ago."
Wen Zhaoning hung up the teacher's call and immediately dialed Lu Hengyu.
This was the first time she had called Lu Hengyu since she had been subjected to domestic violence.
Lu Hengyu answered very quickly, as if he had been holding his phone, waiting for her.
"Wife, you finally called me."
The word "wife" made Wen Zhaoning feel nauseous.
"Lu Hengyu, where is Qing Ning? Where did you take her?" Wen Zhaoning's voice trembled with anger and worry.
"I've sent the child to a safe place."
"What do you want? Give me back my child!"
"I just want to have a good talk with you. Come home, I'm waiting for you."
After Lu Hengyu finished speaking, he hung up the phone without giving Wen Zhaoning a chance to reply.
Wen Zhaoning didn't know what Lu Hengyu was up to, but she returned to Fulin Garden with a sense of unease.
This house in Fulin Garden was originally their marital home. After they got married, Lu Hengyu rarely came back, but today, he was already sitting in the living room.
Wen Zhaoning rushed straight in. "Where is Qing Ning? Where exactly did you take Qing Ning?"
"Don't get agitated first," Lu Hengyu poured her a glass of water. "Sit down, let's talk properly."
"What is there to talk about between us? Give me back my child. Let the lawyers handle the divorce!"
"Lawyers?" Lu Hengyu sounded as if he had heard a funny joke. "Are you sure you can find a lawyer? Who in Shanghai would dare to take your divorce case?"
"Even if no lawyer is willing to represent my divorce case, I still want a divorce!"
Seeing Wen Zhaoning's firm attitude, Lu Hengyu stood up and walked towards her.
Lu Hengyu had previously committed domestic violence against her in the living room. Wen Zhaoning suffered from some post-traumatic stress and nervously took two steps back.
"Wife, what happened before was my fault. I had been drinking that day, and the alcohol numbed my nerves, which is why I impulsively laid hands on you. Look, in six years of marriage, I only did it once. Can you forgive me? I promise I'll never touch a single hair on your head again!"
Of course, Wen Zhaoning didn't believe Lu Hengyu's lies. Domestic violence is either zero times or countless times. The main reason Lu Hengyu dared to hit her was that the Wen family had gone bankrupt. Without the Wen family, he had no scruples and would only become more violent towards her in the future.
"Domestic violence was because alcohol numbed your nerves. Then, drugging me and sending me to another man's bed to accuse me of cheating, was that also alcohol's fault?" Wen Zhaoning looked at Lu Hengyu. "Hand over Qing Ning now, or I'll call the police immediately."
"Try calling the police again, and I'll make sure you never see your daughter again!" Lu Hengyu's expression was ferocious. "Your daughter's life is in your hands."
Hearing him threaten her with Qing Ning, Wen Zhaoning felt a chill run through her entire body.
"What exactly do you want? The child is innocent. Whatever grievances there are between adults, take them out on me. Why involve her?"
"Innocent? She carries the Lu surname, yet she has the blood of another man. From the day she was born, she hasn't been innocent."
"You were the one who wanted me to have her! And you were the one who wanted her to have the Lu surname!"
"That's right, but I just don't like her!"
"What do you want me to do to let her go?"
"I want you to withdraw your domestic violence accusation against me, withdraw the divorce lawsuit, and come back here to be my wife, Lu Hengyu, just like before."
To go back to this suffocating cage like before, what difference was that from killing her?
"Why do you have to do this? Lu Hengyu, don't you think this is disgusting?"
"Don't push your luck. Think about your daughter. When I'm talking to you nicely, you'd better listen obediently, or you'll face the consequences."
"Don't hurt her. I'll do whatever you say, just don't hurt her!"
A child was always a mother's easiest weakness to exploit, and Wen Zhaoning was no exception.
Wen Zhaoning later learned that Lu Hengyu was forcing her to return because Mrs. Shangguan, Jiang Qiuping, was having her birthday.
She and Jiang Qiuping had met through golf. Wen Zhaoning had shared her golfing experience with Jiang Qiuping on the course, and they often practiced together, developing a close friendship.
For Jiang Qiuping's 40th birthday, when she sent invitations to the Lu family, she included Wen Zhaoning's name and repeatedly emphasized that she wanted to invite Wen Zhaoning to her birthday banquet.
Jiang Qiuping's husband, Shangguan Hong, held a ministerial position, two levels higher than Lu Qianyong, the mayor of Shanghai. Lu Qianyong was eager for a promotion and naturally wanted to curry favor with the Shangguan couple. How could the Lu family dare to refuse someone whom Mrs. Shangguan had specifically requested to invite?
Upon learning Lu Hengyu's motive, Wen Zhaoning felt a sense of relief. As long as she was still useful to Lu Hengyu, he wouldn't dare to harm Qing Ning. At least Qing Ning was safe for now.
However, Qing Ning must have been very scared to suddenly be separated from her mother.
Worried about Qing Ning, Wen Zhaoning suffered from insomnia for two consecutive nights. Seeing her condition worsen, Lu Hengyu sent her a video of Qing Ning playing with LEGOs.
"You don't need to worry about the child; she's being taken care of. As long as you cooperate with me and speak well of me and my father at Mrs. Shangguan's birthday banquet, I'll let you see her," Lu Hengyu said.
"I understand. Can you send me more videos of Qing Ning playing? I miss her very much."
"I'll have the bodyguard send them over. You pack up now and come out with me."
"Where are we going?"
"To pick out a gown for the birthday banquet."
Lu Hengyu took Wen Zhaoning to a high-end designer gown boutique in Shanghai. Because they had a prior appointment, as soon as they entered, a sales associate warmly greeted them and led them to the VIP area.
"Choose for yourself. Pick something understated, don't be too attention-grabbing," Lu Hengyu said, reaching out to touch Wen Zhaoning's cheek with a smile. "After all, your face is already enough to steal the spotlight."
Wen Zhaoning couldn't stand his frivolous physical contact, but she was afraid of showing her displeasure and causing Qing Ning to suffer. She could only slowly move away from him.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I'll look around myself first."
"Okay."
Lu Hengyu went to sit on the sofa.
Wen Zhaoning walked around the store. Just as she picked out a champagne-colored gown and was about to try it on, she heard a store employee announce loudly at the entrance, "Mr. He, Miss Shen, you're here!"
Wen Zhaoning turned her head and saw He Huaiqin and his girlfriend entering from outside.
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