Chapter 20: Ruanruan

My wife—

Qi Lanxi's mind was completely occupied by He Yanci's answer. There was chaos in her head, and she couldn't find a foothold.

She thought that the suffocating feeling of falling from a high place to the bottom couldn't be any worse than this.

Over the years, she had tried hard to follow behind him. In order to make him notice her existence, she had strived to make everything almost perfect.

She had always believed that their relationship was like a gentle stream flowing continuously, an unspoken understanding that came from being together day and night.

She had only been away for half a year. How could he have gotten married?

Who was she?

Was it the delicate and frail Miss Wen that Cheng Lian and the others had jokingly mentioned, who was said to be in poor health?

Or was it some other woman?

His note for her was: Ruanruan.

Was it that delicate Miss Wen who had been raised in seclusion?

Qi Lanxi smiled self-deprecatingly. Hadn't she answered the phone with the thought that it might be that Miss Wen?

She had thought that they only had a nominal relationship, just a familiar stranger lying in the phone contacts. But they had actually gotten married.

This time, Qi Lanxi's gaze fell on the ring on the ring finger of He Yanci's left hand. The wedding ring on his ring finger was somewhat dazzling.

Qi Lanxi turned her head away uncomfortably.

Before she knew it, Qi Lanxi's ten fingers tightly curled around the sofa. She forced a smile and said, "Congratulations."

"Thank you." He Yanci bent down to pick up the coat draped over the armrest of the sofa, stood up, and his voice was extremely indifferent.

Qi Lanxi still hadn't recovered from the shock of He Yanci's words "My wife". Even her breathing felt painful.

Suddenly, there was a burst of laughter, and a group of people entered. At the head were Cheng Lian and Yan Yue.

As soon as Cheng Lian entered, he shouted in his loud voice, "Brother He, congratulations! This experiment has made a new breakthrough that takes it to a whole new level. I heard from Yan Yue that Lanxi is the great hero this time. As the boss, you have to treat us."

He Yanci glanced at Cheng Lian: "It's our company that's treating. What does it have to do with you?"

Cheng Lian let out a "hey" sound. "Brother He, you're being too polite. What's our relationship? Even if we consider the worst-case scenario, I'm just here to take advantage of our great hero, right, Miss Qi?"

Qi Lanxi wasn't in the mood to joke. She forced a difficult smile.

Cheng Lian looked Qi Lanxi up and down for a while, held his chin, and praised, "Tsk, Miss Qi, you've become even more beautiful after not seeing you for more than half a year."

Qi Lanxi collected her emotions and absent-mindedly said thank you.

Cheng Lian, who was only focused on getting a free meal, didn't pay much attention to Qi Lanxi's expression. He raised his eyebrows at He Yanci and said, "Brother He, with Miss Qi, our great hero, here today, I not only want to drink the wine from your company, but I also want to have a good drink."

"Another day." He Yanci turned his wrist to look at his watch.

Cheng Lian smiled cheerfully. "Hey, it's not easy for us to get together. Why another day? Let's do it today on this good day!"

"I'm accompanying my wife to her parents' home." He Yanci said simply, and a trace of warmth appeared in his deep eyes.

Cheng Lian slapped his forehead. "Oh, look at my memory. I even forgot that Brother He is a married man now. When will Brother He bring our young lady out for a meal or something? Come to think of it, I haven't seen the young lady for several years."

He Yanci replied in a light voice: "We'll talk about it if there's a chance."

Cheng Lian didn't dwell on this topic. After all, they all knew that the young lady was delicate and it was difficult for her to come out for a meal.

He Yanci chatted briefly with everyone, took out a black card from his wallet, and handed it to Yan Yue, asking him to take everyone out for a gathering.

After He Yanci left, it took Qi Lanxi a while to recover from her dazed state of mind. Pretending to ask casually, she said, "Yanci, why did you get married? There wasn't even any notice or anything."

Cheng Lian shrugged: "It was very sudden, right? Don't just think that way. Even I, who have been following Brother He since we were kids, didn't expect him to get married so quickly. But it's normal. Now that the young lady is back, the old master will definitely put their marriage on the agenda."

Qi Lanxi's face didn't look good, and she forced a smile. "Hearing you guys call her young lady all the time, I still don't know which family's young lady she is." Qi Lanxi thought she was quite ridiculous. She knew who it was but still asked.

"Of course, it's our Miss Wen. Otherwise, who else would have the ability to put that kind of 'tightening spell' on our Brother He?" Cheng Lian stretched out his five fingers playfully. By "ability", he didn't mean how much He Yanci liked Wen Ruan. Instead, it was because the young lady was the person the old master He favored. Even if their Brother He didn't want to, he couldn't refuse.

"Brother He didn't lose out by marrying the young lady. She's really beautiful." Last time when he went to the south and took a quick glance, even though he only saw the young lady's back and didn't clearly see her face, just that back view was enough to outshine the famous ladies in the capital. Her figure was even better than that of many female celebrities. Although she was delicate, in his opinion, there was nothing wrong with that. A girl should be like the young lady.

"Does the boss really like her?" Qi Lanxi somewhat knew that He Yanci had a nominal fiancée whom he didn't take seriously, and she wasn't in good health either.

"With the old master He's order, who else could Brother He marry?" Cheng Lian clicked his tongue. He still couldn't figure out whether Brother He really liked the young lady or not. In his impression, Brother He had always liked to call the young lady a delicate girl since they were kids. Every time the old master He asked him to play with the young lady, he would look reluctant. But if he said he really hated her, he didn't think Brother He treated the young lady that badly.

"Yanci doesn't seem like someone who would blindly follow others' opinions. Why did he agree to get married?" Didn't He Yanci always dislike Wen Ruan? Didn't he think she was delicate, a crybaby, and overly clingy? And didn't he prefer capable and decisive women?

Over the past few years, Qi Lanxi had heard Cheng Lian talk about many things that happened when they were kids. Wen Ruan used to be very clingy to He Yanci when she was a child, and He Yanci would ignore her.

"Hey, who knows? Brother He's thoughts are always hard to guess. He doesn't tell us his thoughts either. My brain is good for looking at beautiful women and thinking about delicious food. But I can't figure out Brother He." Cheng Lian didn't really want to talk about this topic. It was too boring. It was better to drink, eat, and flirt with girls. He urged Yan Yue, who had just finished a phone call: "Let's go. Stop talking on the phone. Since Brother He isn't going, the three of us can go drinking. It's not easy to get Brother He's card. I'm going to make him pay a lot today."

*

After He Yanci came out of the office, he looked at his phone. There were several messages from Grandpa He on his phone.

[Don't forget what day it is today.]

[Go there early.]

[Don't cause any trouble. Now that you're married, live a good life.]

He Yanci raised his eyebrows slightly and didn't reply.

He pressed the elevator button while dialing the phone number of the villa.

The call was answered quickly. It was Aunt Li who answered.

"Has she woken up?" He Yanci asked in a gentle voice.

Aunt Li said in surprise: "Ah, the madam? She's gone back to her parents' home. Didn't you know, sir? The madam called you. She said you would meet her at her parents' home."

He Yanci frowned slightly and didn't say anything more.

*

The Wen family's home.

Father Wen was busy in the kitchen. Mother Wen was trimming two lush pots of "Jinyu Mantang" (a type of ornamental plant) in the hall, and Wen Ruan was helping her by the side.

Mother Wen, wearing gloves, patted Wen Ruan's slender hand and gave her a sidelong glance. "Hey, go and rest over there. Don't touch these flowers and plants casually. There are bacteria. Why don't you listen, you child?"

Wen Ruan really put down the pruned flower branches.

She was used to her mother's fussiness.

Min Qing sighed as she trimmed the branches and leaves. "Ruanruan, tell mom the truth. Is there something wrong with your relationship?"

"No, our relationship is really good." As a maid passing by was setting the fruit plate, Wen Ruan casually picked up a grape and put it in her mouth. It was sweet and cold, and she squinted her eyes in satisfaction.

"What's so good about it? If it were really good, would he let you come back alone? He should know how important today is. Mom has been through this. Don't think you can fool me." Min Qing said angrily. Originally, she and her husband had planned to find a chance to have a good talk with Grandpa He and call off the informal engagement between the two youngsters. After all, they only had this one precious daughter, and her happiness was the most important thing. But who would have thought that the two youngsters would get married without saying a word.

Just thinking that her precious daughter might have to live a life like those wives in the social circle who were estranged from their husbands even though they shared the same bed made her heart ache.

Min Qing lost all interest in trimming the flowers. If she had known it would be like this, no matter what anyone said, she wouldn't have agreed to the decision of the two of them getting married.

The more Min Qing thought about it, the more upset she became. She put down the scissors. "No, I have to call Song Yanhua and ask them what He Yanci's attitude is. If he didn't want to get married, why didn't he just say so directly in the first place? Now that he's married her and then leaves her feeling neglected like this, does he think our Wen family is easy to bully? Yes, our Wen family may not be as prestigious as the He family, but we're still prominent people in the capital. You were also doted on by your father, your grandfather, and me. We won't allow the He family to treat you like this."

Wen Ruan knew that her mother was really angry, and her heart was in her throat. She quickly said, "Mom, we're really fine. No one in their family would bully me. You know how much Grandpa He dotes on me. He really has something important to do and can't come today. If you call them out of the blue to ask now, Grandpa He and the others will definitely scold He Yanci. Then He Yanci will think that I'm complaining to you guys, and he'll definitely hold a grudge against me. Don't you think so?"

Min Qing knew very well that this was a matter between the two young people. Once the parents of both families got involved, many things would change, and it wouldn't be helpful for the relationship between the two young people. It might even have the opposite effect.

After all, their relationship wasn't like that of young couples who got married after falling in love. They were still in the .

It was just that when she thought of her precious daughter being wronged, she felt extremely distressed.

Seeing that Min Qing's attitude had softened, Wen Ruan comforted her softly. "He's really busy with work. His company is about to introduce top-notch medical technology, and there are so many people keeping an eye on him. If he's not careful, there will be big trouble. I can come back with him any day, not necessarily today. It would be great for the three of us to have a comfortable meal together today. There won't be many chances for us to have a meal alone like this in the future. He's giving us this opportunity."

Min Qing looked at Wen Ruan's innocent and silly appearance and smiled.

Although that was true, the precious daughter she had doted on for more than twenty years had gotten married and become someone else's daughter-in-law. After all, things wouldn't be as convenient as before.

However, it didn't make sense that on her daughter's first visit back home after getting married, the son-in-law didn't accompany her. Min Qing felt somewhat disappointed in her heart.

Min Qing chided Wen Ruan a few words. "You've only been married for a few days, and you're already speaking up for him? Ruanruan, you have to remember what mom said. We understand that men are busy with work, but you also have to know when to draw the line. If you're too understanding, it will become indulgence, and he'll take advantage of it."

Wen Ruan leaned her head against Min Qing's neck and acted coquettishly. "Oh, I understand. Dad is such a good man who follows the 'three obediences and four virtues' because you know how to manage him, mom."

"You naughty child, you've really gone too far. You even dare to make fun of your parents now." Min Qing was amused by Wen Ruan and gently hit her. "What do you want to eat? Your dad will cook whatever you want today."

Wen Ruan blinked and looked at Father Wen who came out of the kitchen.

Father Wen took off the apron around his waist and handed it to the maid beside him, looking furious. "Your mom is right. No matter how busy he is, can't he spare a little time? He should know how important the return visit to the bride's parents' home is. It's only been a few days since they got married, and he's already like this. What does he want to do in the long run? Does He Yanci really think our Wen family is easy to bully? I'm going to ask Grandpa He what he really means. If there's anything he's not satisfied with, they can get a divorce right away today!"

Min Qing glared at Father Wen. "Bah, bah, bah. What are you talking about divorce for? Don't say such unlucky things. It's not proper for a daughter to get a divorce just after getting married. What will other people think of our daughter?" Wen Ruan had a weak constitution. Over the years, those ladies and wives had ridicule their daughter, saying that no matter how beautiful she was, with her poor health, it would be difficult for her to get married, and they were sure that the Wen family was clinging to the He family, a powerful family.

Originally, they had always wanted to find a chance to make things clear. Although she had hoped that He Yanci would become her son-in-law, many things depended on fate. She didn't want her precious daughter to be gossiped about behind her back.

Last time, they had wanted the two young people to meet, but they were still at odds with each other just like when they were kids, so they gave up on the idea.

Yet, these two young people had decided to get married again. Sigh.

Father Wen's face was filled with anger. "The He family doesn't care about face, so why should we be afraid?"

Wen Ruan knew very well that Father Wen was a man of his word. He might call Grandpa He in a while, and there might really be a dispute.

Grandpa He had always been partial to her. When she was a little wronged outside when she was a child, Grandpa He would blame He Yanci. He might scold He Yanci again. Even when she did something wrong, Grandpa He would scold He Yanci for not taking good care of her.

She and He Yanci weren't really a couple who were planning to live a life together.

It would be embarrassing if things got out of hand, and there was no need for that.

Instead, she would lose her confidence in front of He Yanci. After all, before the marriage, they had both tacitly understood that they were getting married for their own interests.

Moreover...

Wen Ruan thought of the woman who had answered the phone in the morning, and a shadow covered her bright eyes.

She was filled with anger in her heart. If He Yanci had told her that there was someone else beside him at the beginning, how could she have agreed to get married in this way?

Things had turned out like this, and it was really a headache. She had to think about how to deal with the situation now.

Wen Ruan soothed Father Wen, who was still angry. "Dad, don't be angry. It's not a big deal. It's not worth getting angry and hurting your health. I'll call him right away."

Wen Ruan made an excuse and went upstairs.

What was the point of calling?

Wen Ruan put her phone aside.

She might as well turn on the computer and write. After sitting in front of the computer for more than ten minutes, she still had no inspiration.

Wen Ruan propped up her head with one hand and stared blankly at the computer screen.

After a while, the phone beside her vibrated, and an incoming call showed on the screen.

Wen Ruan came back to her senses and looked at the caller. Her upset subsided a little.

He Yanci's car entered the courtyard of the Wen family's home. Aunt Lin was tidying up the courtyard outside.

There was a look of joy in her eyes. She wiped her hands, went to greet He Yanci, and at the same time, turned back and shouted into the house, "Madam, sir, the son-in-law is back."

He Yanci was welcomed into the house by several maids. His hands were full of gifts, and the maids following behind him also had their hands full. The whole scene was filled with a festive atmosphere.

Min Qing's previous unhappiness faded a little.

Father Wen sat on the sofa as steady as a mountain, pretending not to see He Yanci.

Min Qing tugged at the shirt around his waist, indicating that he should show some reaction.

Father Wen's face was gloomy, and he stared straight ahead at the TV background without looking sideways.

He Yanci handed the gifts in his hands to the maid and walked up to Father Wen and Mother Wen properly. "Mom, Dad."

Father Wen didn't respond. Min Qing quietly elbowed Father Wen.

Father Wen let out a cold snort and turned his face to the side.

"Yanci is here." Min Qing smiled. "It's good that you're back. There's no need to bring so many gifts. Ruanruan also brought a lot when she got home. Do you two want to move all the good things from your little home to us old folks?"

He Yanci had brought excellent tonics and some rare treasures.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I'm late." He Yanci understood what Min Qing meant and immediately apologized.

"What do you mean late? It's not even evening yet?" Father Wen snorted, speaking in a sarcastic tone.

Min Qing rolled her eyes at her husband speechlessly. The son-in-law was being polite and clearly apologizing for being late. There was no other meaning.

"Yanci, you know your dad's temper. He doesn't mean anything by it." Min Qing tried to smooth things over between the father-in-law and the son-in-law. Her delicate face showed a lot of weariness. They also knew that the projects in He Yanci's hands were all related to life-saving technology, and the slightest mistake could lead to big problems.

Although He Yanci was neatly dressed and handsome in front of them at this moment, his face couldn't hide his weariness. Min Qing thought of what Wen Ruan had said before and couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

"Mom. It's really my fault. I was held up by some things in the morning and couldn't come with Ruanruan. I made Ruanruan feel wronged." He Yanci's words were sincere. His eyes swept around the living room, but he didn't see Wen Ruan.

Min Qing had always been satisfied with He Yanci. Just because of his sincere attitude at this moment, she didn't know what else to say.

After all, they were already married, and everything was settled. As a mother, she naturally hoped that the two young people would live a good life. Most of Min Qing's unhappiness had dissipated. "There's no such thing as being wronged. You've worked hard too. Have you taken care of everything?"

"Thank you, Mom, for your concern. Everything has been taken care of." He Yanci said humbly and politely.

"That's good." Min Qing was observant. She noticed that He Yanci had looked around several times with his peripheral vision and knew who he was looking for. She then said to Aunt Lin, "Aunt Lin, go and see what Ruanruan is doing upstairs. Tell her that Yanci is here and ask her to come downstairs."

Upon hearing this, He Yanci took over the conversation. "Mom, there's no need to trouble Aunt Lin. I'll go upstairs and find her."

*

He Yanci went upstairs, familiar with the way.

Wen Ruan's door wasn't closed tightly, leaving a crack. He could faintly hear Wen Ruan talking on the phone, and the volume was turned up. It was vaguely a male voice. He Yanci paused the hand that was about to knock on the door.

Fu Jingbai: "I've read the manuscript you sent me. It's really good."

Wen Ruan didn't believe it. Based on her understanding of Fu Jingbai, when he said "really good", there must be something strange. "Is it for real? Teacher Fu, what's our relationship? If there's any problem, just tell me directly. Don't hold back."

"Let me think about it." Fu Jingbai held his chin and thought for a while. He was on the film set. He nodded at his manager towards the rest area and then walked over. "If I have to say there's a small flaw, it should be that when the third key character appears, the emotional rendering lacks prominence in layers."

"Teacher Fu, you and I are on the same page. I've been struggling because I don't have any inspiration. I'll put it aside for a while and then refine it." Wen Ruan lazily propped up her chin and twirled the pen in her hand.

"I have an idea. Do you want to hear it?" Fu Jingbai thanked the assistant who handed him a glass of water.

"Yes, I definitely want to hear it!" Wen Ruan immediately sat up straight, picked up the outline book, and prepared to take notes.

Fu Jingbai smiled and analyzed seriously. "A person who has everything, including status, position, and reputation. In the eyes of the world, he is respected and in the limelight. Who would have thought that such a nearly perfect person could be so dark behind the scenes? What was the driving force that made him go from being in the light to the darkness? Personally, I think that compared to the cruelty in the later dark period, describing the moments of his past bright and beautiful days can better highlight his character. He has a passionate heart even while facing cruelty and punishment."

Fu Jingbai's words suddenly enlightened Wen Ruan. A light of understanding flashed in her gentle eyes. "Teacher Fu, I understand! There's nothing wrong with my character design. It's just that I've weakened the conflict between the dark and the light, and the tension is not enough. I should seize on the contradictions in human nature to make the character more three-dimensional, with twists and turns."

"That's even better." Fu Jingbai hadn't thought that deeply. He agreed with Wen Ruan's ability to draw inferences from one instance.

"Teacher Fu, you're the best! I don't know how to thank you!" Wen Ruan was in a very good mood and quickly wrote down the key points.

"Then treat me to a meal? You still owe me a meal from last time, and I'm still waiting for it." Fu Jingbai smiled faintly.

"I definitely will treat you! I promise!" With the problem that had troubled her for a long time solved, Wen Ruan felt much more relaxed.

He Yanci could imagine the light shining in Wen Ruan's gentle eyes even outside the door.

If he remembered correctly, Wen Ruan had never shown this side of herself in front of him. Except when he was rough with her in bed and she would pitifully beg him for mercy; or when she wanted to take the initiative, she would boldly arouse him, with her eyes misty and looking at him innocently, asking him to satisfy her needs.

Outside the bed, she always had a composed and indifferent appearance. But she could be so lively in front of Fu Jingbai?

Was chatting with Fu Jingbai really that enjoyable?

Wasn't she supposed to have poor health? Why was she getting so excited?

He Yanci's originally smooth eyebrows furrowed a little.

Fu Jingbai: "When are you planning to go back to the south?"

Wen Ruan's expression paused slightly, and the smile on her delicate face faded a little. "When I finish dealing with things here. Maybe soon." Given He Yanci's character, now that the woman beside him had been revealed to her, he should come to talk to her about getting a divorce.

Fu Jingbai: "Okay then. Sister Zhou was still talking about your two pots of red sandalwood yesterday. If you don't come to pick them up soon, she'll take them home."

Wen Ruan playfully blinked her eyes. "That's just right. I'm too lazy to take care of them. Sister Zhou is kind-hearted and beautiful. Let her take care of them for a few years, and then I'll pick them up." Sister Zhou was Fu Jingbai's manager and had a good relationship with Wen Ruan.

"I'll convey your meaning properly." Fu Jingbai smiled faintly.

He Yanci listened to the two of them chatting on the phone, and a wave of anger welled up in his heart.

From what Wen Ruan said, she was still planning to go back to the south?

They were already married. What was she going back to the south for?

For Fu Jingbai?

Hmph~

He Yanci let out a cold laugh, and his cold face darkened slightly. He pushed the door open with a rather forceful movement.

Wen Ruan was startled. She turned her head to look while still on the phone. She had thought it was her mother, but she was surprised to see He Yanci.

"Why are you here?" Wen Ruan said in a light voice.

Did the woman beside him really allow him to come and be with another woman, especially when they were supposed to go back to her parents' home together?

He Yanci didn't answer Wen Ruan. He walked towards her with his long legs, holding a gift bag in his hand.

He Yanci was always calm, and Wen Ruan couldn't figure out what he meant.

She just felt that the atmosphere was strange. This man didn't seem very happy?

He had some emotions, and his face didn't look good either.

What was he unhappy about?

It shouldn't be like this.

She hadn't asked him to come. She had already done her best to talk to her parents, and they wouldn't talk to Grandpa He about this matter, let alone cause trouble for He Yanci.

Was he having a fight with the woman he was hiding?

So he came to find trouble with her?

Fine. That was great. Coincidentally, she had a lot of anger pent up and had nowhere to release it.

Before they decided to get married, she had clearly asked him if he had someone he liked.

He didn't say anything at that time, and now he was coming to pick a fight with her. She wasn't going to be lenient.

To put it bluntly, even if he cherished the woman he was hiding, in her eyes, that woman was nothing more than a mistress.

Fu Jingbai heard that the atmosphere on Wen Ruan's side seemed wrong and asked on the phone, "Who's there?"