The sunlight grew warmer with each passing day, as if it infused the air with a brilliance that felt almost unreal.
Wen Nuan brewed a cup of lemon water, gently held it in her hands, and sat in a daze at the desk by the window. For the Wen Family, for her father and brother, for her late mother, she had returned.
The window was open, letting in the faint fragrance of gardenias, which made her involuntarily close her eyes and take a deep breath.
Gardenias... the language of flowers: waiting for love.
She opened her eyes, her gaze empty, yet a faint smile curved her lips, tinged with irony.
She had always been waiting for love, but in the end, it remained distant and unreachable to her. From now on, even waiting might become a luxury, right?
She loved these flowers, so the gardener took extra care of them. Flowers that usually bloomed in May or even later started to blossom in April.
Tomorrow was her wedding day, and according to people from the Leng Family, the groom left for a business trip to France three days ago and hasn't returned yet.
How laughable it was that she had just returned from France, and he had gone off to France.
"Nuannuan, Leng Yan will make it back in time for the wedding. I just called the Leng Family, and Leng Yan's father said it himself." Wen Qingyan had come in at some point and patted Nuannuan on the shoulder.
"It's okay, Dad, I'm not worried." Nuannuan smiled gently and turned her head slightly, not wanting Wen Qingyan to see the sadness in her eyes.
"You've been wronged; you and Leng Yan haven't even met and you're getting married. But I have no other way to save the Wen Family, and as for your relationship, it will have to develop slowly."
"Dad, don't worry, we will get along well."
She erased her sorrow and sweetly curved her lips in a smile. From the moment she decided to marry Leng Yan, she had been comforting herself in her heart. She deliberately buried the love she once hoped for, along with a face marked by melancholy and stubbornness.
Besides, she didn't even know what that person's name was. Moreover, he might already be married.
"The Second Young Master was voted the most handsome and charming man in N City. Nuannuan, are you interested in seeing his photo?"
Seeing her lost in thought, Wen Qingyan picked up the mouse, "Nuannuan, he'll be back tomorrow, better to see what he looks like in advance to avoid a sense of unfamiliarity."
Wen Nuan shook her head, "No need, Dad."
Even if seeing him made tomorrow's encounter more familiar, what difference would it make?
Familiarity was of the eyes, not the heart. And if true familiarity was to develop, there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.
"Nuannuan, I'm sorry."
Because of this financial crisis, he had exhausted all his money and efforts, but was still powerless, unable to even afford his daughter's tuition in France.
A while back, he had been driven to the brink of jumping off a building by creditors. The butler told him that Leng Family's President Leng Siyan wanted to meet him...
"Dad, I don't blame you." Seeing the worry etched on Wen Qingyan's face, Wen Nuan bit her lip and looked at him with eyes like clear pools, "Dad, how did you convince the Leng Family to marry me?"
"Didn't I tell you?" Wen Qingyan smiled gently, "The Leng Family wishes for their son to marry early and have the next generation soon. It's what all parents hope for, quite normal."
"Really that simple?" Wen Nuan remained doubtful at heart, feeling that things weren't that straightforward.
"Really." Wen Qingyan smiled faintly, though his gaze was somewhat evasive. After leaving his daughter's room and returning to his own, he dared to let out a bitter sigh.
Nuannuan, I made a promise to the Leng Family that I would bury the real reason you can marry into the Leng Family deep within me and never speak of it to anyone. For the Wen Family, you have been wronged.