Chapter 17

“Then I wasn’t wrong, was I…”

Song Tingyu muttered under his breath, feeling a little aggrieved.

“Yesterday she misunderstood me and Xiaoru again. I explained to her, but she still didn’t believe me.”

Wen Lin suddenly said this.

Song Tingyu slapped his thigh. “So that’s it—she’s jealous and sulking? I knew it! That little village girl has quite a temper.

I think she’s just playing hard to get, waiting for you to coax her! Old Wen, don’t fall for it, or she’ll get exactly what she wants!”

“She has a name,” Wen Lin reminded coldly.

“All right, all right, I’ll call her by her name from now on, okay? When did you start protecting her like this?”

Song Tingyu really was afraid of Wen Lin’s stern face.

Meanwhile, Mu Wanwan was in the kitchen simmering old duck soup. She had asked Huzi to buy her a duck—plump and fatty.

Old duck soup nourishes the stomach and replenishes yin. It was just right for Old Master Wen.

But only soup might get cloying, so Mu Wanwan also made a dish of eggplant salad.

Very soon, the rich aroma drifted out of the kitchen. Song Tingyu’s nose twitched.

“Smells so good. What is Mu Wanwan making? Her cooking’s actually this good?”

He could hardly believe it.

Wen Lin lowered his head to his book, ignoring him, though inwardly he was also looking forward to lunch.

He even began to think about what he might say to Mu Wanwan when she came in.

That morning, when she brought him breakfast, she hadn’t said a word, leaving in a rush. He hadn’t had the chance to speak.

He could clearly feel that her attitude toward him had cooled again. But he had already explained—so how could he make her stop being angry?

As he thought, Wen Lin suddenly caught himself.

Wait a moment. Why did it matter to him whether Mu Wanwan was angry or not? He had explained himself, and besides, they were set to divorce at the end of the month.

After the divorce, they would have nothing more to do with each other. Whether she was angry or not would have nothing to do with him—and it would mean fewer troubles for him.

“Old Wen, you’ve done well this time, even got injured carrying out the mission. Doesn’t that mean you might get promoted again?”

Though Song Tingyu hadn’t served in the army, in their residential compound many families were military families, so small tidbits of news always spread.

Wen Lin was the most admired figure in the compound. At such a young age, he had already become a regimental commander through his own ability.

Every mission was perilous, yet he always completed them successfully. Anyone could see his future was limitless.

Wen Lin frowned. “Nothing has been decided yet. Don’t believe idle gossip.”

As they spoke, Mu Wanwan carried in lunch.

The aroma of old duck soup was so strong that it filled the whole house.

“What? None for me?”

Song Tingyu immediately complained when he saw her bringing in just one serving.

Mu Wanwan said calmly, “This is food I made. I’ll give it to whomever I want.”

Then she left without lingering a moment.

Song Tingyu was left speechless, choked by her words.

Wen Lin, on the other hand, could not help the slight curve of his lips. Sometimes Song Tingyu’s mouth was indeed too sharp—it was good for him to be taken down a notch.

He quickly tasted the duck soup. Rich, fragrant, and smooth; the broth was clear, the duck meat stewed until tender and falling off the bone at the lightest bite.

On the white rice, sesame seeds had been sprinkled, making it more fragrant than ordinary rice. Paired with the refreshing, soft eggplant salad, Wen Lin felt completely satisfied.

Even though he had long ceased caring much about food, he could not resist such cooking.

Seeing Wen Lin eat so contentedly, Song Tingyu’s appetite was provoked.

“Is it really that good? Let me try a bite!”

He reached for the chopsticks. At first, he thought Wen Lin was exaggerating. But once he tasted it, his eyes widened, and he swallowed hard.

He wanted more, but Wen Lin blocked him.

“This is my meal. If you want to eat, go home.”

“It’s just some food! Old Wen, you’re too stingy!”

Frustrated, with the smell still filling the room, Song Tingyu finally left, grumbling.

After the meal, Wen Lin called Mu Wanwan into his room. From the bedside cabinet, he took out a large iron box.

“All the money I’ve saved over the years is here. Take it for your expenses.”

He knew his grandfather had given her some money, but recently she had been the one buying food and household items. He didn’t know how much she had left.

In any case, until they divorced, he still had the responsibility of supporting her.

“No need. We’re divorcing soon. How could I take your money?”

Mu Wanwan shook her head, refusing to even reach for it.

Wen Lin’s brows furrowed instantly. He felt she was being unreasonable.

He said coldly, “Mu Wanwan, let me explain again my relationship with Lin Huiru. I only see her as a younger sister.

I owe her brother my life. I once promised him I would take good care of her. If you really want a divorce just out of jealousy over her, that’s unnecessary.”

He still thought she wanted a divorce out of spite. Mu Wanwan almost laughed in anger.

“Wen Lin, listen carefully. I am not divorcing you out of spite. I have thought it through. And didn’t you also want a divorce?

You were forced into marrying me in the first place. Now that I’ve brought it up, isn’t this exactly what you wanted?”

Wen Lin stared straight at her, suddenly finding her unfamiliar.

In the past, whenever she looked at him, her eyes had always sparkled with admiration. But now they were cold.

It seemed she truly didn’t like him anymore, and truly wanted a divorce.

He had thought he would feel relieved at this point. But instead, there was an odd discomfort in his heart—perhaps he just wasn’t used to her change.

“Divorce is fine. You’re right, it will save us both a lot of trouble. But take this money anyway.

These past days, you’ve been looking after me and Grandfather, buying everything we needed.”

Since Wen Lin insisted, Mu Wanwan did not refuse again. Might as well use his money.

Just as she accepted it, a commotion sounded outside. She ran to the door and saw Old Master Wen being helped in by his orderly.

“Grandfather, why are you out of the hospital?”

“I was bored staying there so long. The doctor said my condition is stable now. I can recover at home for a few days, as long as I go back early next month.”

Old Master Wen disliked the smell of disinfectant in the hospital and felt uncomfortable there. The moment he was discharged, he went straight to his grandson’s home.

His greatest concern had always been the young couple’s relationship. Falling ill had made him feel his age more keenly.

As a grandfather, he needed to push things along—so that perhaps soon he might hold a great-grandchild.

Mu Wanwan eyed him suspiciously.

“Grandfather, you didn’t sneak out of the hospital, did you?”

The orderly, Xiao Zhang, quickly explained, confirming Old Master Wen’s words.

Only then did Mu Wanwan relax.

“Xiao Zhang, take my things and put them in the guest room.”

The guest room? Then where was she supposed to live?

Mu Wanwan was dumbfounded.