Chapter 11: Apology

“Dad, Mom, tomorrow we’ll go to Uncle Wen’s house to apologize.”

Chen Jianbing’s eyes held an unreadable emotion. His right hand, hanging by his side, clenched into a fist, his resolve set.

Those present reacted with a variety of expressions.

“Third son, it’s good that you think this way. We’ll handle any objections from the Wen family,” Chen’s mother said, clapping her hands and smiling.

Chen’s father’s face was grim. He felt remorse, embarrassment, and guilt—a jumble of emotions. His lips moved, but he remained silent, finally letting out a sigh. He had to consider his son’s future.

Chen Jianbing said in a low voice, “Mom, it was my decision, and I’ll bear the consequences. I’ll personally apologize to Uncle Wen and the others tomorrow.”

He felt he had wronged Wen Wan, and he would face the storm.

Chen Jianmin felt the situation was inappropriate and was about to object, but Zhao Guizhen, who was beside him, quickly pulled his sleeve and shook her head, signaling him to remain silent.

She wasn’t as simple-minded as her husband. Chen’s parents and Chen Jianbing had all agreed on tonight’s decision. As the older siblings, they couldn’t interfere.

As evening fell, everyone returned to their rooms to rest.

At the same time, Wen Wan was still using a hammer and nails to reinforce her pasture. Today’s meat-buying incident reminded her of the harsh reality that money couldn’t buy everything.

However, she saw this as a great opportunity to get rich. She prepared to upgrade her space, buy some chickens, and let them multiply—chickens lay eggs, eggs hatch chicks, money makes money.

The next morning, as dawn broke, the faint light filtered through the roof tiles into the room. Wen Wan rubbed her eyes and sat up.

She no longer suffered from insomnia. After working in her space and lying in bed for a few minutes, she could fall asleep and sleep soundly until dawn.

“Mom, what delicious food did you make today?” Wen Wan stretched, cheerfully greeting Cui Yulan.

Cui Yulan chided, “It’s noodle soup this morning, with leftover chicken broth from last night.”

“Mom, I knew it smelled so good! I’ll eat a lot later,” Wen Jianguo wiped his face, shaking the water droplets from his hands, and echoed her words.

“Hurry up and bring Xiaochao the washbasin; you only care about your own ugly face,” Cui Yulan said, her words full of disapproval of her son.

Within minutes, everyone had a bowl of chicken noodle soup and sat under the eaves, eating heartily.

Despite having a carpenter in the family and a small household, the Wens weren’t poorly fed.

However, Wen Wan’s previous studies and the resumption of the college entrance examination had cost a considerable amount of money. Their meals often consisted of cornmeal porridge with sweet potatoes.

“Knock knock knock…” Chen’s father knocked on the door. “Brother Dafu, are you still eating?” He said, pushing open the door and entering the courtyard.

Wen Dafu looked up and saw Chen’s parents and two other people. He stood up and greeted them, “Brother Dongzi, have you eaten?”

His words were polite, but his heart was full of suspicion. Were they here to see his daughter with such smiles on their faces?

Wen Wan put down her chopsticks and glanced at the four people. Chen Jianbing, as the male lead, was indeed handsome, with sharp eyebrows and a straight posture, though a little short—probably around 1.75 meters tall.

She thought, no wonder the reborn Liu Xiaoling tried so hard to marry Chen Jianbing. In the whole team, no one was as promising as him.

“We’ve eaten,” Chen’s father forced a smile and sat down. “Brother Dafu, sister-in-law, sorry, we came a little early and disturbed your meal.”

Cui Yulan suppressed her dislike and smiled, “It’s fine, we’ve finished eating.”

She began to collect the bowls and chopsticks, quickly carrying them into the kitchen.

From the moment she entered the courtyard, Chen’s mother had been eyeing Wen Wan. Seeing Wen Wan smile and greet them without even calling them by name, she felt displeased.

When Wen Wan didn’t offer to help with the dishes, she felt even more justified in her actions. She didn’t want to serve her mother-in-law and then her daughter-in-law.

“Ahem…Brother Dongzi, you came to…” Wen Dafu cleared his throat and asked.

“Oh, I heard about yesterday’s incident. We’re here to see how she is,” Chen’s mother quickly responded, her tone full of kindness and concern.

“My daughter suffered a lot yesterday. She was so scared she didn’t sleep well last night, and she’s lost weight,” Cui Yulan added. “It’s all thanks to that damned…”

“Ahem…Mom, don’t say it, it’s all in the past,” Wen Wan deliberately stopped Cui Yulan.

She secretly thought that the Chen family’s visit didn’t seem like a friendly one. Chen’s father’s evasive gaze confirmed her suspicion—they were here to break off the engagement.

Silence fell. The Wen family watched the Chens, waiting for them to continue.

Chen Jianbing stepped forward, standing before Wen Dafu and Cui Yulan, his expression serious. “Uncle Wen, Aunt Cui, I’m here to break off the engagement with Wen Wan. I…”

“Slap!” Wen Dafu interrupted him with a slap, his face turning green, his eyes wide with anger. “Chen Jianbing, what did you just say?”

“Ah…” Chen Hongxia exclaimed.

“San’er, what’s wrong with you?” Chen’s mother rushed over, holding Chen Jianbing’s face anxiously.

Wen Wan rushed to Wen Dafu’s side, her inner self wildly applauding her brave father. Well done, that scumbag deserved it.

Wen Jianguo also quickly stood up, standing beside Wen Dafu, his eyes fixed on Chen Jianbing.

Chen Jianbing’s lips were tightly closed. He could have dodged the slap, but he felt guilty and his reason forced him to stand still, enduring the blow.

“Uncle Wen, Aunt Cui, I’m sorry,” Chen Jianbing gritted his teeth, his face flushed, and roared, “I have to marry Xiaoling. I can’t hurt an innocent and kind girl.”

Having said that, he felt a great relief. He had finally said what he needed to say.

Upon hearing this, the Wen family looked at Chen Jianbing with complex expressions, all thinking the same thing: the murderer Liu Xiaoling is an innocent and kind girl.

“Yes, we’re here to break off the engagement. Hurry up and return our things,” Chen Hongxia said, her face beaming with unconcealed joy.

Great, she could finally go find Sister Xiaoling. Thinking of the letter, Chen Hongxia’s face flushed with shyness.