Chapter 5: No Pretending to Be Familiar  

Wen Li had a surgery in the morning but was off duty in the afternoon, leaving work on time. As she was leaving, she received another call from the Wen family. This time, she agreed without hesitation.  

She sent Shen An a text, asking if he was free that evening. If not, she would go meet that family alone.  

“Come downstairs when you’re ready,” Shen An replied instantly.  

Wen Li spotted Shen An’s car in the parking lot immediately. Probably worried she wouldn’t find it, he had rolled down the window, and passing girls couldn’t help but peek inside.  

Wen Li walked up to the car and asked, “Have you been here long?”  

“Not really, just about ten minutes. Get in,” Shen An said, tilting his head to gesture.  

On the way to the Wen residence, Wen Li repeatedly reminded him, “Once we get there, just let me do the talking. You only need to back me up.”  

Shen An nodded. “Got it.”  

“If they make any unreasonable demands and you disagree, just signal me,” she said, then muttered in frustration, “What kind of signal should we use…”  

Shen An glanced at her and said without hesitation, “If I hold your hand, it means I disagree.”  

Wen Li paused, seeing how serious he was, and didn’t object. She nodded in agreement.  

When the car stopped at the Wen family’s doorstep, Shen An said as he locked it, “There are gift boxes in the trunk. Pick a few to bring.”  

Wen Li refused. “No need. They’d be thrilled just by your presence. If they don’t give you gifts, it’d be them being stingy.”  

The couple truly arrived empty-handed, and just as Wen Li had said, Shen An’s presence was the greatest gift of all.  

Before entering, Wen Li smirked and asked, “Mr. Shen, need a Heart-protecting pill first?”  

“Go ahead and stir things up. I’ll handle the fallout,” Shen An replied, thinking to himself that she really had guessed his condition. This woman was clever in just the right way.  

The Wen couple’s eyes lit up at the sight of Shen An. Was this really the same sickly Shen An from over a year ago?  

Wen Zongming invited Shen An to sit. “It’s been over a year since you left. Are you back for good this time?”  

Originally, Wen Zongming had intended to assert his authority as the elder, using Shen An’s post-marriage departure to intimidate him into compliance. But Shen An didn’t play along, responding indifferently as if oblivious to the implied criticism. “I’m not leaving again.”  

His lukewarm attitude left the seasoned businessman momentarily at a loss for words.  

Wen Zongming shifted his gaze to Wen Li, who had remained silent since entering. “Lili, you’ve lost weight.”  

Wen Li scoffed inwardly. Here we go again. Mentioning her weight loss was just a veiled jab at Shen An for not taking good care of her.  

“I haven’t. I’ve actually gained five pounds,” she said. In truth, her weight had stayed the same—neither gained nor lost.  

Wen Zongming awkwardly sipped his tea. These two were impossible to talk to. He shot Zhao Lanzhi a meaningful look.  

Catching on, Zhao Lanzhi stepped forward and took Wen Li’s hand, feigning affection. “Lili was always pretty, and a little weight just makes you look even better. Your complexion has improved so much.”  

Wen Li smoothly withdrew her hand and pretended to take a sip of tea. “Really? After over a year apart, yours seems to have worsened.”  

Stop pretending to be close.  

Wen Li’s blatant refusal to play nice made Zhao Lanzhi’s expression visibly darken, though she held back for Shen An’s sake.  

With neither of them speaking, Wen Li lost patience. “Why did you call me back? And why did it have to include Shen An?”

Wen Zongming could clearly see that Wen Li had been picking fights since she walked in. His eyes held a silent warning, yet his tone was indulgent: “This child, what could be the matter? Ever since your marriage, our family hasn’t had the chance to sit down for a proper meal together.”  

Wen Li did her best to control herself, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. Was this level of hypocrisy really necessary to succeed in business?  

“Then let’s eat quickly,” Wen Li said, her tone impatient, as if she couldn’t wait to leave as soon as the meal was over.  

“Hungry, are you? Then let’s eat, let’s eat.” Zhao Lanzhi stood up and ushered them toward the dining room. “Everything’s been ready for a while now, just waiting for you all to arrive.”  

Once seated, Wen Li glanced around. “Didn’t you say it was a family meal? Where’s Wen Yan?”  

“Your sister went to Hong Kong with friends and hasn’t returned yet,” Zhao Lanzhi replied, her expression softening slightly when mentioning Wen Yan.  

Wen Li scoffed. “Don’t say it like that. Who’s older and who’s younger isn’t even certain.”  

Born on the same day—how could anyone be sure she was older than Wen Yan?  

Seizing the moment, Wen Zongming complained to Shen An: “Wen Li’s younger sister isn’t as accomplished as her. All she does is indulge in leisure, with no ambition whatsoever. Shen An, if you have any openings around you, maybe Wen Yan could learn a thing or two from you instead of idling around all day.”  

Shen An glanced at Wen Li, catching the unmistakable disdain in her eyes. He declined, “Apologies, but everyone around me has been with me for years—trusted people I’m accustomed to.”  

Wen Zongming waved it off. “No matter, no matter. I’m just grasping at straws, desperate to get her into something proper.”  

Sweat beaded on Wen Zongming’s forehead. Shen An truly lived up to his reputation—unmoved by anyone’s influence. Even his own father-in-law’s request was met with silence.  

“Let’s eat, let’s eat.” Wen Zongming’s confidence visibly waned as he picked up his chopsticks and served Wen Li a piece of sashimi.  

Shen An immediately interjected, “Wen Li doesn’t eat raw food.”  

Wen Zongming withdrew his chopsticks and instructed the servants to bring fresh tableware.  

Wen Li’s pupils constricted in shock, disbelief written all over her face. How did he know she didn’t eat raw food? Strictly speaking, they’d never even shared a full meal together.  

“Shen An is so attentive. Seeing how well you take care of Lili puts my mind at ease,” Wen Zongming said, trying to save face.  

Shen An remained indifferent throughout, refusing where necessary, showing none of the deference a son-in-law ought to have toward his father-in-law.  

In contrast, Wen Zongming tread carefully, constantly trying to please Wen Li—though she remained cold and unresponsive the entire time.  

As the meal neared its end, Wen Zongming finally broached the real topic: “Shen An, I haven’t been able to get through to the person in charge at the port. Now that you’re back, could you do me a favor?”  

The Wen family relied entirely on Shen An’s private port for shipments. If they could secure his cooperation, they’d save a significant amount of money, and the shipment standards wouldn’t be so strictly enforced.  

“Oh? What’s the issue?” Shen An feigned ignorance.  

“You know the Wen family deals in steel. With the real estate market downturn, steel has been affected too. Shipments are difficult, and we have a backlog at the docks. Do you think the storage fees and other charges could be waived?” Wen Zongming put on an awkward, hesitant expression.  

Shen An fell silent, lowering his gaze and pressing his lips together as if deep in thought. No one noticed the flicker of amusement in his eyes.  

He was waiting for Wen Li to step in—it was her turn to take the stage.