“I didn’t say anything wrong…”
Song Tingyu muttered, looking a little aggrieved.
“She misunderstood me and Xiao Ru again yesterday. I explained it to her, but she wouldn’t believe me.”
Wen Lin suddenly said that out of nowhere.
Song Tingyu slapped his thigh. “So she’s jealous and angry? That explains it! That country— I mean, Mu Wanwan—she’s got quite a temper.
I bet she’s playing hard to get, trying to make you coax her. Old Wen, don’t fall for it. Be careful she doesn’t get her way!”
“She has a name,” Wen Lin reminded him coldly.
“Alright, alright, I’ll call her by her name from now on! Since when are you so protective of her?”
Song Tingyu truly didn’t dare push when Wen Lin’s face turned cold.
Meanwhile, Mu Wanwan was in the kitchen simmering old duck soup. She had asked Huzi to help her buy the duck—nice and fat.
Old duck soup was nourishing and good for the stomach. Perfect for Grandpa Wen.
But just soup might be too rich, so she also made a cold mashed eggplant dish.
Soon, the fragrance drifted out of the kitchen. Song Tingyu’s nose twitched involuntarily.
“Smells amazing. What’s Mu Wanwan making? Her cooking is really that good?”
He sounded doubtful.
Wen Lin lowered his head, pretending to read, but he was also quietly looking forward to lunch.
At the same time, he found himself wondering what he should say when Mu Wanwan came in.
That morning, when she had brought him breakfast, she hadn’t said a single word and had left in a hurry. He hadn’t had the chance to speak.
He could clearly feel that her attitude toward him had grown even colder.
But he had already explained things—what else was he supposed to do to make her stop being angry?
Then suddenly, he paused.
Wait. Why did he even care whether Mu Wanwan was angry?
They were divorcing at the end of the month. After that, they would have nothing to do with each other. Whether she was upset or not wouldn’t concern him anymore.
That should mean fewer complications.
“Old Wen, you accomplished another mission and even got injured. Are you getting promoted again?” Song Tingyu asked.
Though he wasn’t in the military, gossip circulated easily in their residential compound.
Wen Lin was the most outstanding young man there. He had become a regiment commander through sheer ability at a young age.
Every mission he took on was dangerous, yet he always completed them successfully. Anyone could see his future was bright.
“It’s not confirmed. Don’t listen to rumors,” Wen Lin replied, frowning.
Just then, Mu Wanwan brought lunch in.
The aroma of old duck soup was bold and filled the entire room.
“Wait—where’s my portion?” Song Tingyu immediately protested when he saw she had brought in only one serving.
“This is the food I made. I decide who gets to eat it,” Mu Wanwan said calmly.
Then she turned and left without lingering for even a second.
Song Tingyu was left speechless.
Wen Lin, however, couldn’t help the slight curl at the corner of his lips. Song Tingyu did deserve a lesson sometimes.
He eagerly took a sip of the soup.
It was rich yet clear, fragrant and smooth. The duck meat had been stewed until tender—it practically fell off the bone.
The white rice was sprinkled with sesame seeds, making it even more aromatic than usual. Paired with the soft, refreshing eggplant, the meal was deeply satisfying.
Even though Wen Lin wasn’t someone who indulged much in food, he couldn’t resist this.
Watching him eat so contentedly, Song Tingyu’s appetite flared.
“Is it really that good? Let me try!”
He grabbed the chopsticks. At first he thought Wen Lin was exaggerating—but after tasting it, his eyes widened.
He swallowed hard.
Just as he tried to take another bite, Wen Lin stopped him.
“This is my meal. If you want some, go home and eat.”
“It’s just food! Old Wen, you’re really not being a good brother!”
Grumbling, Song Tingyu finally left, though the lingering aroma made it hard.
After lunch, Wen Lin called Mu Wanwan into his room.
He took out a large metal box from the bedside drawer.
“This is the money I’ve saved over the years. Take it for now.”
He knew Grandpa had given her some money, but recently she had been buying ingredients and household supplies. He didn’t know how much she had left.
As long as they weren’t divorced yet, he felt responsible for supporting her.
“No need. We’re divorcing soon. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to take your money.”
Mu Wanwan shook her head, not even reaching for it.
Wen Lin’s brows immediately knit together.
“Mu Wanwan, let me explain again. I only see Lin Huiru as a younger sister.
I owe her brother my life. I promised him I’d take care of her. If you’re divorcing me just out of anger because of her, there’s really no need.”
He thought she was acting on impulse.
Mu Wanwan almost laughed in disbelief.
“Wen Lin, listen carefully. I’m not divorcing you out of anger. I’ve thought this through.
And don’t you also want a divorce? You were forced into marrying me. Now that I’m the one bringing it up, doesn’t that make things easier for you?”
Wen Lin stared at her.
The woman in front of him suddenly felt unfamiliar.
Before, when she looked at him, her eyes had sparkled with admiration.
Now, they were cold.
It seemed she truly didn’t like him anymore. And she truly wanted the divorce.
He had thought he would feel relieved.
But now that they had reached this point, something in his chest felt oddly uncomfortable.
Maybe he just wasn’t used to her change.
“Divorcing is fine,” he finally said. “You’re right. It’ll mean less trouble. But take the money anyway.
You’ve been taking care of Grandpa and me. Buying things costs money.”
Since he insisted, Mu Wanwan didn’t refuse further.
Why not spend this man’s money?
Just as she accepted it, a commotion sounded outside.
She rushed to the door and saw Grandpa Wen being helped inside by his guard.
“Grandpa? Why are you out of the hospital?”
“I’ve been there too long. It’s stifling. The doctor said I’m stable and can rest at home for a few days. I just need to go back early next month.”
Grandpa Wen disliked the smell of disinfectant and felt uncomfortable staying there.
The moment he was discharged, he came straight here.
The relationship between these two youngsters had always been his biggest concern. This illness had made him realize he truly was getting old.
As their grandfather, he needed to add a little spark—maybe push them closer, so he could hold a great-grandchild sooner.
Mu Wanwan narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“Grandpa… you didn’t sneak out of the hospital, did you?”
The guard quickly reassured her that everything Grandpa said was true.
Only then did she relax.
“Xiao Zhang, take my clothes and put them in the guest room,” Grandpa Wen instructed.
Guest room?
Then… where was she supposed to sleep?
Mu Wanwan froze.