Chapter 3

“Divorce?”

Shock flickered in Wen Lin’s eyes, his brows furrowing tightly. He even wondered if he had misheard.

But Mu Wanwan continued, “I know the only reason you married me was because of Grandfather Wen. You don’t like me. I heard everything Song Tingyu just said, and to be honest, he wasn’t wrong. Between you and me, it’s true—I married above my station.

A forced melon isn’t sweet, and feelings can’t be forced either. Before, I was too foolish, clinging to you for so long. But you don’t need to worry. I’ve thought it through now. Instead of being bound together in misery, we should just divorce early.”

As soon as she said what had weighed on her heart, Mu Wanwan felt an immense relief, as though a heavy stone had been lifted.

What she didn’t notice was Wen Lin’s expression darkening bit by bit, turning grim and frightening.

“Mu Wanwan! Even if you’re angry, you shouldn’t say such things! Do you take marriage as some kind of game?”

His tone was severe and icy. To him, she was clearly just being petulant.

“I’m not speaking out of anger. These are my true feelings.”

Mu Wanwan hadn’t expected such a reaction. By all logic, wasn’t he supposed to want a divorce? Could it be because of Grandfather Wen?

Suddenly realizing this, she quickly added, “You don’t need to worry about Grandfather. I’ll find a way to explain it to him and make sure he agrees to our divorce.”

Wen Lin’s jaw tightened as he stared at her.

“Mu Wanwan, if you’re upset about last night, I can explain. Huiru was very ill—I had no choice but to stay and look after her.

But you’d better not keep playing hard-to-get with me. Otherwise, when things get out of control, it’s you who’ll regret it!”

At that, Mu Wanwan’s lips curved into a mocking smile.

So, in his mind, she was just trying to play coy with him?

How had she never realized before just how thick-skinned this man was?

“Don’t worry. I will never regret divorcing you.”

Her words were resolute, her almond-shaped eyes clear and bright, devoid of the lingering affection they once held. Wen Lin felt a surge of inexplicable anger, though his face remained expressionless.

“Fine. You said it yourself! Then you’d better explain everything to Grandfather as soon as possible!”

With that, Wen Lin turned and left.

Mu Wanwan was not affected in the slightest. Instead, she hummed a little tune as she headed into the kitchen.

In her past life, she had poured all her time and energy into Wen Lin, only to be met with cold indifference—and, ultimately, to lose her very life.

She finally understood: men were nothing. Money was everything. With money, she could do whatever she wanted, and choose any man she pleased.

Cleaning pig intestines wasn’t easy, but Mu Wanwan was patient. She scrubbed and cut them carefully before preparing her braising spices.

Two hours passed in the kitchen. By noon, she had finished braising. She tasted a bit for herself. Braised foods only grew richer with time, so she planned to sell them tomorrow.

After filling her stomach, she napped briefly. When the sun grew less harsh, she took Old Master Wen to the hospital.

To be safe, Mu Wanwan wanted him to have a full examination. Since there were many items to check, she planned to line up for another appointment while he was undergoing tests.

The hospital was bustling. Wen Lin was walking out with something in his hand when a familiar figure caught the corner of his eye. He stopped in his tracks instinctively.

Lin Huiru and Song Tingyu, walking with him, noticed and followed his gaze.

“Isn’t that the country girl? No way, Old Wen—did she follow you here? She really is like a plaster that won’t come off!”

Song Tingyu snorted, convinced Mu Wanwan was once again pestering Wen Lin. She had done it often enough in the past.

Wen Lin shot him a cold glare.

Realizing he had angered Wen Lin again—just after being scolded earlier—Song Tingyu quickly shut his mouth.

Lin Huiru, however, picked up on Wen Lin’s protective stance toward Mu Wanwan. A flicker of jealousy flashed in her eyes before disappearing.

She then walked over in Mu Wanwan’s direction, calling softly, “Wanwan.”

Mu Wanwan turned at the voice. When she saw Lin Huiru approaching, her fine brows furrowed instinctively.

“Wanwan, how troublesome of you to come see me. But I’m being discharged this afternoon. You’ve really made the trip for nothing.

Oh, and I’m so sorry about last night. Because of my illness, Brother Wen Lin had to care for me all night, ruining your wedding night. It’s my fault. Please don’t be angry at him.”

Her face was pale, but she smiled gently with an air of guilty kindness. To those who didn’t know her, she looked every bit the fragile, selfless flower.

But Mu Wanwan had suffered enough at her hands in her past life.

Lin Huiru’s older brother, Lin Jun, had once been Wen Lin’s comrade-in-arms. In one mission, he sacrificed himself to protect Wen Lin. His dying wish was for his sister’s well-being.

Wen Lin swore he would look after her. After the mission, he personally brought Lin Huiru and her mother from the countryside, bought them a house near the Wen family, and settled them there.

In front of others, Lin Huiru always played the delicate, pitiable act. Only Mu Wanwan knew how despicable she truly was.

In her previous life, Lin Huiru feigned illness time and again to keep Wen Lin by her side. At first, Mu Wanwan hadn’t suspected anything. But over time, she realized Lin Huiru’s intentions.

She would never forget the time on her birthday when Lin Huiru feigned illness again. Though she begged Wen Lin to stay, he left anyway, even accusing her of being unreasonable.

Later, Lin Huiru flaunted it in front of her deliberately, stabbing her heart with unbearable pain.

Suppressing her turbulent emotions, Mu Wanwan forced herself calm. Her face expressionless, she said to Lin Huiru, “I didn’t come to see you, and I have nothing to be angry about.”

Lin Huiru’s smile stiffened. What was going on? Why was Mu Wanwan so composed?

“Of course you didn’t come for Huiru. You came chasing after Wen Lin!”

Song Tingyu’s tone was laced with disdain. To him, the country girl was meddling far too much, even trailing Wen Lin to the hospital.

Mu Wanwan couldn’t be bothered with him. Grandfather was still in the middle of his check-up, and she needed to line up, so she turned and left.

Song Tingyu was startled, but then realization struck him. Slapping his thigh, he exclaimed, “Old Wen, that country girl has learned to play hard-to-get! She used to chase you everywhere, but now she’s switched tactics!”

“You take Huiru back first. I’ll go check on her,” Wen Lin instructed, then hurried after Mu Wanwan’s retreating figure.

Lin Huiru bit her lip. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Mu Wanwan had changed—grown sharper.

——

“Mu Wanwan, wait!”

Wen Lin caught up in a few quick strides, his hand closing around her slender wrist.

“What is it?”

She flung his hand off.

“Why are you at the hospital?”

“I brought Grandfather for a check-up.” She saw no need to hide it.

“Where is he? I’ll go with you.”

Wen Lin had been raised by Old Master Wen. Their bond was deep, so he assumed Grandfather must be unwell and felt concerned.

Mu Wanwan nodded. She was about to tell him to go find Grandfather while she queued for another appointment, when suddenly a loud voice rang out nearby.

“Make way, quickly!”

Two doctors rushed past, carrying a stretcher. Mu Wanwan had no time to dodge and was about to be hit.

“Careful!”

Wen Lin grabbed her arm with one hand and pulled her waist with the other.

The two were so close that Wen Lin could smell the faint fragrance clinging to her.

“Move aside!”

Before they could part, another stretcher came barreling through. Mu Wanwan was jostled, and suddenly their lips collided.

Wen Lin’s throat bobbed as his Adam’s apple moved.

Mu Wanwan’s eyes flew wide. She immediately shoved him away and wiped her lips in disgust.

That gesture stung. Wen Lin was enraged. She despised him?