The dark suit he wore seemed to be the same one from yesterday—he hadn't changed it.
His tall, straight figure and handsome features felt out of place in this modest little courtyard.
"Mom, this is my birthday gift for Dad." He offered the exquisitely wrapped gift box with the apologetic warmth of a junior.
It contained top-grade Pu'er tea and a set of Yixing clay tea ware, both quite valuable.
Following that, his assistant, Duan Xing, carried several bottles of fine red and white wine from the car, stacking them beside the table.
Jian Lan looked at this outstanding son-in-law with genuine delight.
"You didn't have to bring so many things when you came. Your dad took Qingqing out to play. Susu, look after Fei An—I'll help Auntie finish cooking the last few dishes." Jian Lan said hurriedly.
"Alright!" Wen Su turned around and picked up the teapot to brew some tea.
Shen Fei'an happened to receive a phone call at that moment.
He held his phone and walked into the courtyard to take it.
As Wen Su was filling the kettle, she was slightly distracted, and the water overflowed. She quickly grabbed a tissue to wipe it up.
Behind her came the man's deep voice: "Why didn't you tell me? Today is Dad's birthday."
Wen Su wiped away the water stains and said calmly, "I thought you were busy, so I didn't want to disturb you."
"If there's another important occasion like this, remember to remind me." With that, the man sat down on the sofa.
Wen Su stood waiting for the water to boil, her fingers curling almost imperceptibly.
He had come after all, in the manner of a husband taking things for granted.
As if all the conflicts, the favoritism, and the arguments from before had never existed.
What he wanted to maintain, always, was that surface harmony.
The tea had just been brewed when another car engine sounded outside the courtyard. Moments later, her eldest brother Wen Bai walked in with his wife, Lin Siluo.
Wen Bai currently ran a company, and Lin Siluo's family owned a famous hotel chain group.
"Big Brother, Sister-in-law, come sit down and have some tea." Wen Su greeted them with a smile.
Wen Bai, however, ignored his sister and looked eagerly toward Shen Fei'an on the sofa.
"Fei An, you're here!" He greeted him with a smile.
"Mm, Big Brother!" Shen Fei'an nodded in acknowledgment, his manner polite yet distant, carrying an innate air of superiority.
Lin Siluo wore the latest Chanel suit, carried a designer handbag, and her meticulously applied makeup lent her the natural reserve and pride of a young lady from a wealthy family.
However, upon seeing Shen Fei'an, she unconsciously reined in that outward arrogance, sitting demurely beside Wen Bai and listening as he spoke with Shen Fei'an.
Wen Su poured tea for the three of them but didn't join their conversation.
She took a cup of tea and walked to the doorway.
Autumn was deepening, and the weekend sunlight was just right.
The chrysanthemums in the Wen family courtyard had bloomed—her father had planted a patch himself, in various colors, adding brightness to the gray courtyard.
She suddenly remembered that the nourishing herbs she'd brought for her parents were still in the car, so she set down her teacup and carried several large bags into her parents' room.
When she returned to the courtyard, she saw a sleek Maybach sedan parked outside the gate.
A tall, handsome man with a well-proportioned, handsome face got out of the car, carrying a gift box and holding a bouquet of flowers.
He wore a fine gray cashmere coat over casual trousers, with a pair of gold-rimmed glasses on his nose. In the sunlight, his features were refined, his bearing scholarly and elegant, exuding the competence and composure of an elite professional.
"Susu!" Mu Jingxiu had barely stepped into the courtyard when he spotted Wen Su at the doorway. His gaze deepened slightly.
"Jingxiu-ge!" Wen Su stepped forward and took the gift bag from his hand. "I didn't expect you to come too."
Mu Jingxiu was the vice-director of Zhengde Hospital, a prestigious private hospital in the city, and a cardiac surgery specialist. He was also one of Wen Xiangdong's most accomplished protégés from his early years.
Born into a family of physicians, he excelled in both academia and clinical practice, and was widely recognized as a rising star in the field.
He was one of Shen Fei'an's acquaintances in his circle—they had business dealings and had known each other since childhood, with a fairly deep friendship.
Wen Su led him into the living room, and Mu Jingxiu smiled as he greeted Shen Fei'an and Wen Bai: "Looks like I'm late."
Shen Fei'an, seeing his friend had arrived, curved his thin lips into a smile: "Come sit, have some tea."
Mu Jingxiu took the tea and asked between sips, "Where's the teacher?"
Jian Lan came out to greet him: "Jingxiu's here? Your teacher took his granddaughter out to play—he'll be back soon."
"Alright!" Mu Jingxiu nodded with a smile and handed the flowers to Jian Lan: "These are for you, Shimu."
Jian Lan accepted them happily: "How thoughtful of you."
Wen Su took them from her side, thanked him, and went to find a vase to put the flowers in.
Mu Jingxiu's gaze briefly swept over Wen Su's figure. Her light makeup couldn't quite conceal a hint of weariness on her beautiful face, and her naturally cool, aloof temperament seemed to suit the identity of Mrs. Shen more and more.
Mu Jingxiu withdrew his gaze without a trace and lowered his head to take a sip of tea.
Wen Xiangdong returned with Qingqing. By then, the Wen family courtyard had grown livelier—relatives and friends had arrived, filling three tables in a warm, bustling scene.
Wen Su sat holding her daughter beside Shen Fei'an, who was chatting with others while naturally feeding peeled shrimp into their picky daughter's small mouth.
To outsiders, their marriage seemed quite harmonious, and some of the women present even envied Wen Su for marrying into such a good family while receiving such respect and care from her husband.
The only blemish was that their daughter was said to have a congenital heart condition.
Mu Jingxiu had drunk a bit more than usual today. With heavy duties at the hospital, he left right after the meal. Before leaving, he came over to Wen Su and said, "Wednesday is Qingqing's check-up. Don't forget. An overseas specialist is coming to offer free consultations—I've asked him to take a look at Qingqing's condition as well."
Wen Su immediately stood up and said gratefully, "Thank you so much, Brother Jingxiu. On Wednesday, I'll bring Qingqing over first thing in the morning."
"Good!"
With that, Mu Jingxiu turned to Shen Fei'an and said, "Fei An, I'll be off now."
Shen Fei'an nodded.
At two in the afternoon, Shen Fei'an left ahead of the others. Before departing, he left a card with Jian Lan, saying it was a small token of his appreciation for her father.
Jian Lan accepted his card but worried that the old man might lose his temper, so she called Wen Su into her room.
"Take this card back. You know your father's temperament—he's never been willing to take a single cent from the Shen family."
Wen Su furrowed her brow slightly. Shen Fei'an had always been generous with money.
However, her father was also stubborn. He would never accept money from Shen Fei'an and never explained why. Wen Su had eventually figured it out—he was worried that she might be looked down upon in the Shen family.
"Alright, I'll return it to him." Wen Su had once failed to understand the meaning behind her father's insistence, but now, she was somewhat grateful for his actions—it meant fewer entanglements when she made major decisions.
Jian Lan observed her daughter's indifferent demeanor and asked, "You didn't communicate much with Fei An today. Is there a problem between you two?"
"No, there isn't. Mom, why would you ask that?" Wen Su couldn't help but laugh.
"A mother knows her daughter best. Although you've always been reserved since childhood, I can tell you're unhappy today." Jian Lan sighed and asked with concern, "What happened?"
"Nothing, Mom. Don't worry." Wen Su didn't want her parents to be upset because of her, and besides, this matter wasn't something to be publicized.
"Alright then. You've always had your own opinions since you were young. I'm not worried about that—I'm just afraid you'll suffer in silence and endure everything alone." Jian Lan said with a pained heart.
"Mom, don't worry. I'm fine." Wen Su comforted her mother.
She and Shen Siqing didn't leave until after dinner. By the time they returned to the villa, it was already past ten.
She parked the car, and a large hand opened the door. Shen Fei'an, already bathed and wearing a gray robe, gently opened the back door and carried the sleeping Shen Siqing out.
"You've been busy all day—you must be tired too." Shen Fei'an didn't leave immediately while holding their daughter. He stood by the car, looking at Wen Su.
"Yeah. You take care of our daughter tonight." Wen Su said with a smile and walked toward the living room.
Shen Fei'an carried Shen Siqing and followed her upstairs. The little one was fast asleep.
He gently laid her on the bed, tucked her in, then closed the door and entered the master bedroom.
Wen Su came out of her bath and saw the man sitting on the bed, flipping through a book.
"Why haven't you gone to sleep yet?" Wen Su asked as she rubbed lotion into her hands.
Shen Fei'an closed the book, his deep, dark eyes resting on Wen Su with a complicated expression.
"Do you want to do it tonight?" he asked, his voice growing a few shades huskier.