Chapter 18

Ning Zhen returned home for five days.  

Several of her brothers also came back from the camp for a few days’ leave, and the house was in a frenzy. 

“…Eldest sister-in-law won the most, she should treat us to a meal,” said the second sister-in-law, pretending to playfully cheat after their card game ended. 

The eldest sister-in-law came from a wealthy family, and she was extremely generous. “Alright, I’ll treat you all to French cuisine.” 

Jin Nuan chimed in, “How about stopping by the jewelry store while we’re at it?” 

“Sure.” 

Ning Zhen added, “And maybe we can pick up a shawl from the foreign goods store?” 

“Let’s do it!” 

The next morning, Ning Zhen and Jin Nuan cheered as they crowded around their eldest sister-in-law to head out. Their three brothers trailed behind them as porters. 

They bought countless packages, and the second brother blushed. “Eldest sister-in-law, I’ll settle up the money with you later.” 

The eldest sister-in-law said, “I’m happy to buy gifts for the younger sisters. Why spoil the fun?” 

Second brother:  

The group went to have French food. 

There were only two private dining rooms in the restaurant, and both were occupied. Ning Zhen’s group was large, so the waiter seated them at the biggest table in a corner. 

“I left my shawl in the car,” said Jin Nuan. 

The corner was a bit chilly. 

The second brother offered, “I’ll go get it.” 

The eldest sister-in-law added, “Get mine as well. Not the golden-red one, the rose-purple one.” 

Second brother: “…What’s the difference?” 

Ning Zhen, seeing her brother already getting a headache over the mention of colors, stood up. “I’ll go fetch it. I could use some air anyway.” 

She took two sets of car keys and headed downstairs. 

The French restaurant was on the fourth floor. The building only had one elevator, and Ning Zhen waited for a moment before the doors finally opened. 

There was a doorman in the elevator responsible for closing the doors. Ning Zhen told him she was going to the first floor, but someone suddenly called out, “Wait a moment.” 

The doorman reopened the doors. 

A young man stepped inside. 

He wore a light-colored shirt and a dark brown suit. His hair was neatly combed, his features exceptionally handsome. His skin was pale, and his eyes were a light color, with an especially cold gaze. 

Ning Zhen noticed him and stepped aside to give him space. 

The young man entered the elevator and suddenly spoke. “Nowadays, when you see me, you don’t even greet me?” 

Ning Zhen responded, “Mr. Wen.” 

“I’ve been here for a while. Aren’t you curious about what I’m doing?” the young man asked again, his voice cold and distant. 

Ning Zhen replied, “I know what not to ask. I have my boundaries.” 

The young man sneered. 

The elevator reached the first floor, and the revolving door at the lobby was crowded. Somehow, the young man sped up and squeezed into the same door compartment with Ning Zhen, standing closely behind her. 

Ning Zhen felt as if time was crawling by. 

Every second was agony, and she probably began to sweat from her back. 

As the door revolved past, she hurried to step out, but suddenly froze. 

The man grabbed her arm. 

“Ning Zhen, let’s talk,” he said. 

Ning Zhen stood straight, avoiding eye contact. “Alright.” 

“When are you free?” 

Ning Zhen said, “I’m free anytime. Whatever you want to talk about is fine.” 

“I need to meet your father,” the man said. 

Ning Zhen raised her head and looked at his face. 

He had an exceptionally attractive face. If you covered his cold and sharp phoenix eyes, he resembled Ning Zhen’s fiancé, Wen Liangyu. 

The lower half of his face was very similar. 

“Mr. Wen, what exactly do you want?” Ning Zhen stepped aside. 

The man followed her. “It’s not a personal matter. At the beginning of April, a special envoy’s ship from the presidential office exploded in the port of Suzhou, killing twelve key personnel.” 

Ning Zhen remembered this incident. 

Coincidentally, it had happened on Ning Zhen’s wedding night. 

Sheng Changyu had said he was busy and couldn’t be with Ning Zhen at the old house for their wedding because of the ship explosion. 

“And then?” 

“My father sent me south to investigate the matter. Governor Sheng Changyu cooperated and set up a temporary investigation office, but the case has made no progress,” the man said. 

Ning Zhen responded, “My father isn’t involved in this matter.” 

“I don’t have any connections in Suzhou. Ning Zhen, my brother is dead, and yet you’re living your life and even got married. You owe my family,” the man said. 

The man was named Wen Weinian, the older brother of Ning Zhen’s fiancé, Wen Liangyu. 

Years ago, when Ning Zhen set out from Hong Kong, Wen Weinian was on the same ship. They were also both applying to the same school, so during the two-month voyage, they got along very well. 

She thought Wen Weinian had become a very good friend. 

Wen Weinian’s younger brother, Wen Liangyu, had left for London three years earlier. After they disembarked, he welcomed them and took good care of Ning Zhen. 

Ning Zhen was efficient and quick-witted. She made friends easily, and through Wen Liangyu’s introductions, she quickly got to know a large group of people. 

She also got along well with her classmates. 

But somehow, she managed to upset Wen Weinian. 

Even though she had known Wen Weinian first and shared a bond from their time on the ship, which should have made them closer than anyone else, Wen Weinian became particularly distant from her. 

Ning Zhen felt hurt. 

She didn’t know what she had done wrong for Wen Weinian to suddenly turn against her. 

However, she was soon distracted by the allure of her new life. She immersed herself in it. During the week, she focused on her studies with great interest; on weekends or holidays, she would dance, play cards, or drive out for picnics. 

Before long, Wen Liangyu began to pursue her. 

Ning Zhen liked his handsome appearance and was charmed by his gentle, attentive personality. The two of them started dating. 

From that point on, Wen Weinian never showed Ning Zhen a friendly face again. 

“Ning Zhen, do you even know who these brothers are? They’re the sons of a major northern warlord, and their father is about to become the president.” 

A well-informed classmate told Ning Zhen. 

Ning Zhen was shocked. 

However, her family wasn’t inferior either, and she had been doted on and spoiled her whole life, so she didn’t feel inferior. 

She asked Wen Liangyu about it. 

Wen Liangyu confirmed the information. 

Only then did Ning Zhen realize why Wen Liangyu and Wen Weinian always had two “drivers” with them who looked like they were skilled fighters. 

At the New Year’s Eve ball, Ning Zhen overheard a conversation in the next room. 

Wen Weinian’s friend said, “Don’t you think that woman is especially opportunistic? She came here treating you brothers like her prey. Your younger brother is too naive, but you see through it better.” 

Ning Zhen was so furious that she stormed into the room. 

She argued with the man, while Wen Weinian remained silent on the side. 

“Say something! Did I try to scheme against you two?” Ning Zhen demanded of Wen Weinian. 

When they met on the ship, neither of them had known about the other’s background. 

Ning Zhen believed she had always treated him kindly, without any ulterior motives. 

Wen Weinian gave her a cold glance. “Are you done? Someone who benefits from the situation has no right to shout.” 

Ning Zhen was stunned. 

She never expected that Wen Weinian would not only refuse to explain but would also affirm her bad reputation. 

She couldn’t understand why he was treating her like this! 

Wen Liangyu found out about the incident later and had a big argument with his brother. 

The next day, on New Year’s Day, Wen Liangyu proposed to Ning Zhen at St. Paul’s Cathedral. 

Ning Zhen accepted. 

Wen Liangyu used his scholarship money to buy a small gold ring. 

After that incident, Ning Zhen no longer spoke to Wen Weinian. 

Later, an apartment fire claimed Wen Liangyu’s life. 

Wen Weinian’s attitude toward her became even worse. 

That fire had something to do with Ning Zhen, however slight. No matter how much Wen Weinian made things difficult for her, she silently endured it. 

Wen Weinian’s father had since become the president. He should have been living in the north, yet here he was in Suzhou. 

“…Ning Zhen, I’m here on official business, not to dig up the past. Please ask your father to help me,” he said. 

It wasn’t a request—it was a command. 

Ning Zhen thought of Wen Liangyu. 

If he were still alive, he would have said, “Don’t pay attention to him. No one has the right to order you around, not even my brother.” 

Ning Zhen felt a deep sadness. 

She hadn’t thought of Wen Liangyu in a long time. Overwhelmed by a sudden surge of emotions, she quickly turned her face away, but her tears had already rolled down to her lips. 

At that moment, she saw Sheng Changyu.