Chapter 22.1

Two days later, He Wenyan received a call from Yan Weiguo.

When she heard what he said, she was a little surprised.

“Alright, don’t worry,” she responded twice before hanging up the phone. She stood still for a moment, then grabbed her bag and turned to Wen Xin, who was getting ready to take Yan Miaomiao to school.

“We’re having guests over tonight. Weiguo won’t be able to entertain them, so he wants me to handle it. They should be arriving around seven. Make sure dinner is a little more elaborate.”

“Guests?” Wen Xin didn’t find it troublesome at all.

Back in high school, she had worked at a breakfast shop to cover her living expenses—preparing a simple family banquet was nothing to her.

“Auntie, are they men or women? Do they have any particular tastes or dietary restrictions?” she asked. Better to get some details in advance, so she wouldn’t accidentally serve something inappropriate.

The Yan family was a high-ranking military and political household. They wouldn’t casually invite just anyone over for a meal, so their guests were likely to be of some importance. Proper hospitality was a must.

Wen Xin had always been meticulous and professional in these matters. She thought about details others overlooked, and she was always willing to help out. If she was asked to make a meal, she’d do it gladly and efficiently.

He Wenyan glanced at her through her glasses. Ever since Wen Xin had arrived, she’d repeatedly surprised people.

Such a thoughtful, considerate, and capable child—she was nothing like the rest of the Wen family.

Then again, her great-aunt had served in the imperial palace, tending to nobility. She had strict discipline and etiquette. Having grown up under her care, it made sense that Wen Xin would be well-mannered, perceptive, and attuned to others’ needs.

“There will be both men and women. It’s the political commissar of Zeyang’s regiment and the daughter of Staff Officer Wang. I heard the Wang family enjoys seafood. At noon, Weiguo will have the logistics team send some over. You don’t need to go overboard—just home-style cooking is fine.”

After a pause, she added, “Make it a bit refined, though. Avoid anything messy or difficult to eat, and put some effort into the presentation.”

Because of Wen Xin, He Wenyan’s standards had risen. If a dish didn’t look appetizing, she didn’t even feel like eating it anymore.

“Don’t worry, Auntie. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied,” Wen Xin replied cheerfully as she finished braiding Yan Miaomiao’s hair.

She wasn’t just saying that—when it came to this kind of thing, Wen Xin had never disappointed.

Originally, He Wenyan didn’t plan on telling Wen Xin about the female guest coming that evening. But seeing how she didn’t seem to care much after hearing about it, looking carefree as always, He Wenyan hesitated for a moment before calling her name.

“Wen Xin.”

“Hmm?”

Wen Xin had just picked up Yan Miaomiao’s school bag and was placing a chilled bottle of sour plum tea from the fridge into a military-style canteen. She prepared it to help Miaomiao cool down and quench her thirst. Many kids in her class loved the drink, so Miaomiao would often ask Wen Xin to bring extra to share with her friends. Wen Xin gladly agreed, using one of the military canteens Yan Zeyang had brought back to serve as her water bottle. It might not look large, but its capacity was impressive.

The summer heat was intense, and ever since Wen Xin had come to the Yan family, she had been brewing herbal teas almost daily. She would use whatever ingredients were available. Since they had dried plums, she made sour plum soup. But instead of the simple version, she added a blend of ingredients to enhance the flavor—only seven or eight plums in a small pot, resulting in a drink that was slightly sweet, slightly sour, and incredibly refreshing. It left a lingering taste and quenched thirst perfectly. Once cooled, she poured it into a jug and left it in the living room.

Everyone in the Yan family loved it. Each time they returned home from outside, the first thing they did was pour themselves a big glass of the chilled tea and gulp it down, instantly cooling off. She brewed a small pot daily, and it was never left unfinished.

“What is it, Auntie?” Wen Xin asked.

She had finished her morning tasks quickly and was getting ready to leave with He Wenyan. While He Wenyan headed to work, Wen Xin would take Miaomiao to school. Normally, they wouldn’t leave so early, but today, Miaomiao’s school had an event, so she had to be there ahead of time. The little girl had been urging Wen Xin to hurry since morning.

He Wenyan adjusted her glasses, her eyes flickering with thought. At the door, Yan Miaomiao was already growing impatient, calling for Wen Xin loudly. Ever since Wen Xin arrived at the Yan household, even Miaomiao had become much more cheerful.

After a pause, He Wenyan said hesitantly, “Your parents sent you to the Yan family, but not just to be a housemaid. You do understand their real intentions, don’t you?”

Wen Xin froze and turned to look at her.

“What are your own plans?” He Wenyan asked.

In this era, it wasn’t uncommon to see heartless parents who disregarded their daughters for the sake of their sons. In the eyes of Wen Xin’s mother, sending her daughter to work as a housemaid in such a prestigious family was something Wen Xin should be grateful for, not resent. After all, without her mother’s arrangement, Wen Xin wouldn’t have even had the chance to enter this household.

But He Wenyan, Yan Weiguo, and most importantly, Yan Zeyang, all knew the real reason.

Wen Xin had been sent here as nothing more than an offering—meant to serve as a way to appease or satisfy someone, as if she were a mere object.

Had this been any ordinary high-ranking military family, one with some arrogant and unscrupulous young master, she might have already been taken advantage of. What could she have done about it? No matter what happened to her, the Wen family wouldn’t have objected. In fact, they probably would have breathed a sigh of relief.

But Wen Xin was lucky.

With her looks, if she had been sent to any other family, her fate could have been tragic.

After all, in He Wenyan’s years working at the hospital, she had seen too many young women from humble backgrounds get ruined by powerful playboys. Those men didn’t need a reason to exploit women—it was simply because they could. And for families trying to curry favor or avoid trouble, sacrificing their daughters was an easy solution.

It was ridiculously easy for men in power to ruin a woman’s life.

Yet Wen Xin had been in the Yan household for so long and still remained untouched, living her days peacefully.

He Wenyan adjusted the frame of her glasses and looked at the young girl before her—fresh-faced, delicate, dressed in a crisp white blouse and a long pleated blue skirt. Her waist was slim, her features soft and alluring. When she looked at people, her bright eyes shimmered like starlight, making her effortlessly endearing.

She couldn’t understand it.

Could Yan Zeyang really not be interested?

Given Yan Weiguo’s position, his only son had no need for a political marriage. Yan Weiguo himself had married for love, and when it came to his son, he had always maintained the same stance—he wouldn’t interfere in his marriage. He had given him full freedom. As long as Yan Zeyang brought home someone he truly liked, no matter her background, he would support their marriage.

This was his silent promise to his late wife, and his way of showing love for his son.

Thinking about it, He Wenyan felt a bit emotional.

“Auntie, my parents may be ignorant, but Uncle Yan and the Commander are upright men. They won’t be easily swayed by tricks like that,” Wen Xin responded casually.

He Wenyan: “…!”

Yan Zeyang might be an honorable man, but she had yet to see a man who wouldn’t fall for a little charm. Lately, he had been coming home every night—wasn’t that obvious enough? With such a golden opportunity, Wen Xin was just going to let it slip through her fingers?

From He Wenyan’s perspective, she would rather see Wen Xin marry into the Yan family than let that Staff Officer Wang’s daughter enter their home. If that girl became the mistress of the household, their peaceful life would be over.

If Yan Zeyang really ended up marrying her, who knew what chaos would ensue? And as a stepmother, how much respect would He Wenyan even receive? That woman’s mother had already gossiped about her endlessly behind her back—did she really think He Wenyan didn’t know?

And now, Wang’s daughter was about to be formally introduced into the Yan household. Even Yan Weiguo had been informed.

This Wen Xin… What a waste of an opportunity.

Still, He Wenyan wasn’t the type to harp on things. If the matter was already settled, there was no point in arguing. Without another word, she stepped forward and walked out the door.

…

That afternoon, just as expected, Xiao Wu from the canteen’s logistics department arrived with a large basket of fresh crabs.

When Wen Xin saw the basket full of enormous crabs, she was overjoyed. Just thinking about crab roe oil made her mouth water.

“These were specially delivered overnight by the military district’s transport team—fresh as can be. Ordinary folks wouldn’t even get a chance to have these. Only a few high-ranking leaders’ families each got a basket,” Xiao Wu said, grinning as he set down the basket. He was a regular food delivery guy for the Yan family and had gotten familiar with Wen Xin over time.

“I’m telling you, this is the absolute best season for eating crabs. Haven’t you heard the saying? ‘In the eighth lunar month, the roe is rich, and the crabs are fat.’ That crab roe is unbelievably fragrant. I guarantee you’ll be craving more after just one bite.”

“Anyone who doesn’t know better would think you’re selling crabs,” Wen Xin chuckled as she examined the basket from all angles. The crabs were plump and fresh, undeniably top-quality.