Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Old Master Jiang, don’t get too excited. Although your angioma was removed, the walls of your blood vessels are fragile, and there’s still a slight risk of cerebral hemorrhage. Keep your emotions stable!”
Wen Xin kindly reminded Old Master Jiang, not wishing to see him on the operating table again. If something went wrong again, she wasn’t sure she could handle it.
Hearing Wen Xin’s warning, Wen Huai quickly helped Old Master Jiang to sit down on a nearby chair, softly soothing his excited emotions.
“Godfather, take it easy. Getting worked up like this isn’t good for your health, and it might also scare my sister.”
Hearing that it might scare Wen Xin, Old Master Jiang laughed heartily, “Your sister has the same temperament as your mother. It’s not easy to scare her!”
“Grandfather, you’ve already decided they’re exactly alike without even confirming her identity? There are too many impostors these days…”
“Shut your mouth! When did a young lady become so rude? A few years abroad and you’ve forgotten all your manners!” Old Master Jiang chided Jiang Linyan as she was about to speak ill, cutting her off before she could make any more disparaging remarks.
“Old Jiang, this family recognition has me all confused. What exactly is going on? I know this young Wen, he’s the young master from the Ma family, but who can explain the rest to me?”
Mu Chengxi sat down beside Wen Xin, uninterested in those old stories.
He noticed the mangoes in the fruit plate looked fresh and began to peel and slice them for Wen Xin, placing the slices on a small plate next to her.
Wen Xin was curious about the past but didn’t ignore Mu Chengxi’s actions. She whispered a thanks and started eating the mango slices he handed her attentively and gracefully.
Sitting across from them, Jiang Linyan, having been scolded by Old Master Jiang, quieted down and resumed her demeanor as a well-bred lady, her eyes red and head bowed, looking very aggrieved.
She pretended to glance casually in Mu Chengxi’s direction but was taken aback to find that not only did he not look her way, but he was also intently peeling mango for Wen Xin.
Even his usually cold gaze was filled with affection, almost sickeningly sweet.
She quickly averted her gaze, feeling nearly consumed by jealousy; she couldn’t accept Mu Chengxi treating Wen Xin this way.
“Sister-in-law, you might not know, but when I was visiting abroad years ago, I was attacked unexpectedly and was saved by a young girl.”
“That girl was none other than Wen Huai’s mother, Tang Xiaomei. I remember she was only about thirteen or fourteen when she saved me. Time flies, and now her children are all grown up.”
“Tang Xiaomei was indeed a remarkable person. Her only regret was dying too soon. When I heard of her death, I told Ma Wenyuan that I wanted to adopt Wen Huai, but Ma Wenyuan disagreed, so I could only have Wen Huai recognize me as his foster father.”
“For years, to ensure my status didn’t affect Wen Huai’s upbringing, not many people knew about our relationship.”
“Now that Wen Huai has found his sister, young lady, would you be willing…”
Old Master Jiang looked at Wen Xin expectantly, seeing the image of her mother in her. If he could take care of Wen Xin, it would also be a way to repay her mother.
“Old Master Jiang, I don’t randomly acknowledge fathers. I appreciate your care for Wen Huai over the years. You are Wen Huai’s foster father, and I will respect you, but I am just Wen Huai’s sister, nothing more.”
Wen Xin was aware of Old Master Jiang’s status and the complexities around her. There was no need to complicate her life further.
Hearing Wen Xin’s firm refusal, Old Master Jiang and Old Madam Mu were somewhat surprised. Having Old Master Jiang’s protection would be beneficial for her.
However, she had declined.
Wen Huai had guessed his sister would react this way, which is why he had never told Wen Xin about having a foster father, fearing she would accuse him of recklessly acknowledging a father.
The atmosphere became somewhat awkward after Wen Xin’s refusal. Wen Xin put down her plate, lowered her gaze, and smiled lightly. “Everyone looking at me like this makes me a bit embarrassed. My parents have been gone for many years, and I appreciate everyone in the capital who helped raise Wen Huai, but I really don’t need too much attention.”
Though Wen Xin spoke with a cool and distant tone, her politeness was evident.
Old Master Jiang laughed heartily, taking a sip of tea, “You have the same character as your mother, very good, very good indeed! You’re quite the lady!”
After a few more casual exchanges with Wen Xin and Old Madam Mu, Old Master Jiang, with the help of Jiang Linyan, stood up and left the Mu family estate, without revisiting the earlier discussion.
After Old Master Jiang’s departure, Wen Xin, Mu Chengxi, and Wen Huai returned to Old Madam Mu’s living room.
Old Madam Mu, visibly cheered by Wen Xin’s presence, took her hand and urged her to sit beside her. “You, young lady, disappear for so long every time you go out. I could still occasionally have you over for a meal in the first half of the year, but lately, you’ve been completely out of sight, making grandma miss you so much.”
Wen Xin, observing Old Madam Mu’s exaggerated manner, smiled gently. “Isn’t this why I came straight here to see you? You’ve been talking with Old Master Jiang for so long, didn’t it tire you? Shouldn’t you rest a bit?”
“It wasn’t long; they arrived just half an hour before you. I’m glad you came; otherwise, I wouldn’t know how to handle them!”
Old Madam Mu sighed helplessly, then glanced sharply at Mu Chengxi and sighed again.
“You see, you’re born so outstanding. The Jiang family’s girl came asking about you, wanting to set something up with you, even though I told them you have a girlfriend. But Old Master Jiang thinks no one is more suitable for you than Linyan!”
“I don’t know who started the rumor that Mu Chengxi’s girlfriend is just a country girl; I tried explaining for so long and still couldn’t clarify it. It’s good that you came back; otherwise, it would have been too troublesome.”
Old Madam Mu mentioned this with a bit of a headache, rubbing her temples before continuing to lecture Mu Chengxi.
“You better resolve this issue properly. If little Xin Xin suffers any distress because of this, I certainly won’t let you off.”