Chapter 5

Wen Xin had no choice but to brace herself and step inside.

As she entered the living room, her eyes swept over the space.

A strong sense of nostalgia hit her immediately, but it wasn’t unpleasant.

Although the decor lacked the refined, modern aesthetics of the future, it carried a grand and unpretentious charm that felt rather cozy.

To her, it was like flipping through the pages of an old book—there was a sense of history and time woven into the atmosphere.

The Yan family’s living room was spacious and well-lit, kept impeccably clean and organized. Across from the sofas and coffee table stood a set of wooden cabinets that exuded a deep vintage feel. Atop the tallest cabinet sat a television, its small rounded screen making it look almost delicate and charming.

It was Wen Xin’s first time seeing such an early model of a television, and she was fascinated by how tiny it was, stealing a few extra glances.

On the shorter cabinets, there were a thermos and a tea set neatly arranged.

To the left, the kitchen door was slightly ajar, revealing a glimpse of a green refrigerator.

The other two doors presumably led to storage rooms and bedrooms. Against the right wall, two large bookshelves stood side by side, with a framed calligraphy piece hanging beside them. The bold strokes of the characters carried a powerful, blade-like intensity, exuding a commanding presence.

…

He Wenyan led them to a side hall and had them sit down.

Luo Juan, who had entered the military compound with confidence and swagger, had completely lost her composure. The moment she stepped into the Yan family home, she was like a country bumpkin entering the city, her eyes darting around in astonishment.

It was no surprise.

While she had been proudly showing off her newly acquired sewing machine at home, the Yan family had already owned a refrigerator, a color television, and a radio.

When she had been thrilled about riding her brand-new bicycle, the Yan family had been driving a military jeep.

In this era, the difference in their quality of life was staggering. After all, these items weren’t just expensive—they required connections to obtain. Many of the best things were limited in supply or imported from abroad.

So even back then, certain goods were already restricted and imported.

He Wenyan glanced at Luo Juan, who was hunched over, her eyes darting greedily around the house as she forced a fawning smile. Internally, she felt a deep sense of distaste.

As someone who worked in a hospital, she had encountered plenty of people like this—outwardly meek but inwardly cunning. One look, and she could see right through them.

Compared to the others, Wen Xin, who had remained mostly silent, actually left a good impression. Unlike other young girls who were timid and overly deferential, she entered the house confidently, observing her surroundings openly instead of stealing glances. The only thing slightly off was her walking posture—it wasn’t quite in line with the usual norms.

If Wen Xin had known this, she would have laughed awkwardly. It wasn’t that she was deliberately walking in an unusual way; it was simply a habit she had formed. Back in art school, she had trained in posture.

Even if she sprawled out in her dorm room, drooling in her sleep in the most ungraceful manner, the moment she put on makeup, slipped into high heels, and donned a dress, she naturally adopted a poised and elegant demeanor. Whether it was a lady’s delicate steps or a model’s confident stride, as long as it accentuated her figure, she had practiced them all.

It had simply become second nature to her.

He Wenyan glanced at Wen Xin. Though there was a slight sway to her movements, she looked over at Yan Zeyang, who was still seated on the sofa. He hadn’t stormed off upstairs yet and was still downstairs. That was interesting.

She adjusted her glasses, her interest piqued.

“In terms of seniority, I should call you cousin. The house is big, but the work isn’t demanding—just preparing three meals a day, doing some laundry, and tidying up the main hall. You don’t have to clean the bedrooms; we handle those ourselves. My husband and his son are both from the military, and I’m a doctor, so we’re used to keeping things in order. There’s also a six-year-old girl at home, but she’s independent—just keep an eye on her when needed.”

Luo Juan immediately responded, “Oh, that’s easy work! If I weren’t working at the factory, I’d want to take the job myself!”

He Wenyan: “…”

Her husband, Wen Weiguo, was always busy with work and rarely home, and she had her own duties at the hospital. Yan Zeyang was stationed at the military base most of the time. The main reason she was hiring help was for the little girl at home. Even for a nanny, their family had to be selective—not just anyone could enter their household.

It wasn’t about money. Otherwise, why was Luo Juan so insistent on sending her daughter to work here? The Wen family wasn’t that desperate for a nanny’s salary. It was obvious what they were up to.

At first, He Wenyan had wanted to tell them to stop wasting their time. Did they think she couldn’t see through them? The military district was full of young and beautiful female performers hoping to catch Yan Zeyang’s eye—where did they think their daughter ranked among them?

But when she saw Wen Xin, she had to admit she was surprised. Without any makeup, the girl’s features were delicate and pure yet strikingly beautiful. Compared to the typical fresh-faced literary and artistic soldiers, Wen Xin had a unique charm—an alluring mix of innocence and elegance that set her apart.

This was why He Wenyan had been a little more welcoming than usual. When they first arrived, Yan Zeyang had clearly been in a foul mood, yet he hadn’t immediately kicked them out. That alone was telling.

Yan Zeyang wasn’t one to tolerate people he disliked—if he didn’t want you around, you wouldn’t even make it past the doorstep.

When she had first married into the Yan family, he hadn’t even bothered to call her “aunt.”

Despite her position as a chief physician, she still had to tread carefully around him. A remarried family was already a complicated dynamic, and with two children left behind by the first wife—one of whom was already grown—it only made things more challenging.

The eldest barely acknowledged her, and the younger one, five years old when she had married in, could already tell the difference between a mother and a stepmother. Though she genuinely wanted to care for the child as her own, the reality was different. It was a delicate balance, and her busy job left her with little time to bond, making their interactions somewhat distant.

The family dynamics were still manageable for now, but if Yan Zeyang were to marry someone difficult, even this fragile peace would shatter. If the new wife was headstrong and spoiled, it would only make things harder for He Wenyan.

So, she had her own considerations. She didn’t want Yan Zeyang to marry someone from an equally powerful family—their already tense household couldn’t handle another dominant presence. If he were to marry someone from a more ordinary background, at least she would be easier to manage and less likely to stir up trouble.

That was why she found Wen Xin quite suitable. The girl was quiet, well-mannered, and undeniably beautiful. If she ended up with Yan Zeyang, He Wenyan wouldn’t mind—at least she was somewhat connected to the family. That way, her words would hold some weight with Wen Xin’s family as well.

However, knowing Yan Zeyang’s temperament, he probably had no interest in anyone from the Wen family. Not only would he refuse to marry, but he might even make things difficult for Wen Xin. After all, he had never hesitated to take revenge when he saw fit.

And this had nothing to do with He Wenyan.

Her role was simply to bring Wen Xin into the household. Whatever happened after that was none of her concern.

“I see this little cousin has delicate skin and tender flesh. Can she really handle the work of a nanny?” He Wenyen scrutinized Wen Xin, noting her slender fingers, soft and smooth, without a single callus.

Luo Juan immediately patted her chest in assurance. “Oh, don’t you worry about that! If nothing else, Wen Xin’s cooking skills are second to none. You have no idea—she grew up under the care of her great-aunt, who was once a palace maid in the imperial kitchen! The food she made was served to the royals, every dish crafted with precision and care. Wen Xin has been learning from her for years. Maybe she hasn’t mastered the craft perfectly, but her cooking is far superior to most!”

He Wenyen frowned at once. “What era are we in now? Talking about imperial kitchens and royalty—how does that sound to people?”

Luo Juan quickly slapped her mouth. “You’re absolutely right! What nonsense am I babbling? I should be smacked! But trust me, Wen Xin’s cooking skills—I’m not exaggerating one bit!”

Sitting quietly to the side, Wen Xin remained silent: “…”

What could she even say? She was barely holding back a nervous tremble. Learning imperial cuisine to perfection? That was an outright bluff! If she had to put together a full Manchu-Han banquet, she wouldn’t even recognize all the dish names…

“Just regular home-cooked meals will do.” Though He Wenyen said this, she couldn’t help but feel a bit intrigued. After all, hearing that someone’s great-aunt had worked in the imperial kitchen sparked some curiosity. It wasn’t about wanting to eat like a royal—it was just that if the food turned out to be exceptionally good, that would certainly be a bonus.

“Alright, normally hiring a nanny outside costs ten yuan. In our compound, it’s around fifteen to twenty. I’ll offer Wen Xin thirty. How does that sound?” He Wenyen pondered for a moment before making her offer.

Originally, she had planned to offer twenty, but considering the mention of an imperial kitchen-trained great-aunt, twenty felt a bit low. Adding an extra ten yuan wasn’t a big deal for a family like hers. If the food turned out to be great, spending a little more was worth it.

Luo Juan was so thrilled she rubbed her hands together excitedly. “That’s great, that’s great! She could do it even without pay!”

He Wenyen chuckled, then turned to Wen Xin. “Go check out the kitchen and get familiar with it. Once you head back, pack your things and come over tomorrow.”

“Why wait till tomorrow? I’ll have her pack up now and cook you dinner tonight!” Luo Juan was so eager she could barely contain herself.

He Wenyen almost laughed out loud. She had never seen anyone so impatient, not even willing to wait half a day. “Alright then, as long as Wen Xin doesn’t mind. Just pack your essentials and come over. The room is ready. No need to bring bedding—we have everything here, and it’s all clean.”

“Got it!” Luo Juan quickly nudged Wen Xin. “Go check out the kitchen while I chat with your Aunt He.”

Wen Xin was speechless.

She had been sitting comfortably, yet Luo Juan’s forceful push nearly sent her tumbling off the chair. With no choice but to stand up awkwardly, she walked toward the kitchen like a duck being herded to water.

She was already having second thoughts.

It didn’t seem like she’d be staying long in the Yan household.

She needed to figure out how to get that proof of identity. Once she got the information she needed…

As she walked through the hall toward the kitchen, she had to pass by the sofa.

The radio had already been fixed and was now placed on the solid wood coffee table. However, the man who had repaired it hadn’t left yet—he was still sitting there, his expression cold and unreadable.

As Wen Xin walked past, a faint, lingering fragrance trailed in the air. His chilly gaze flicked toward her.