Chapter 23: His Current Fiancee

The flight back home did not cross paths with Wen Jinghuai, which brought a sense of relief to Jiang Mian.

She had been driven to the airport by Xu Mu himself.

"Ah Chen went off to handle other matters."

Seeing her glance behind her, Xu Mu assumed she was curious about Qin Mingchen. Jiang Mian blinked, realizing he had misunderstood, but she decided to follow his lead.

"Do you and Senior Brother Mingchen usually divide your responsibilities?"

"Yes, Ah Chen is capable; I couldn't possibly hold him back."

In this regard, Xu Mu was very much like Jiang Mian. Both were willing to lend a hand to those they deemed talented and promising.

As she was about to head through the gates, Xu Mu pulled her back.

"Mianmian, don't forget what I told you."

"I know. Once your company's brand is established, I'll be there on time."

She smiled, patted Xu Mu on the arm, and bid him farewell.

Once inside the airport, Xiao Li finally dared to voice what was on her mind: "Sister Mianmian, are you going to work for your senior brother?"

Jiang Mian reached out and pinched Xiao Li’s cheek. The young girl’s mind was clearly racing, and her anxiety was practically written all over her face.

"I’m just helping my senior brother out; it doesn’t mean I’m giving up my own studio."

It was only after a deep conversation with Xu Mu that she learned he had been preparing for the domestic market for some time. The location and renovation of the studio were already largely arranged. All that was missing now were the employees to staff it once it was ready. With Jiang Mian there to anchor the operation, Xu Mu felt half his worries dissipate.

The plane landed in the evening. Jiang Mian hailed a car, then turned to Xiao Li: "You’ve worked hard these past two days; get some good rest this weekend."

The white car pulled over. Jiang Mian dragged her suitcase forward, opened the trunk, and loaded it in. Xiao Li stood on the curb, watching her, and waved hurriedly as Jiang Mian got into the car.

"Sister Mianmian, you get some rest these next two days, too!"

"I will."

She smiled softly and waved back at Xiao Li.

As the car pulled away, Jiang Mian’s expression gradually faded, and she lowered her gaze, rolling up the car window. Her phone showed several missed calls from Jiang Zhouyi. These people were always like this; just when she was about to forget them, they would find a way to assert their presence.

The phone rang again as she stared at it. This time, Jiang Mian answered.

"Jiang Mian, have Second Uncle’s calls become unimportant now?"

The man's voice came through the line, causing Jiang Mian to frown. To her, this voice now felt like something out of a nightmare.

"If you have something to say, Second Uncle, you can just send me a message."

It didn't seem as though there was anything important enough to warrant a phone call. They had never been a close uncle-niece pair. She lowered her eyes, leaning her back against the seat, and stared out the window. The neon lights flashing on either side of the street dazzled her for a moment, and she caught a glimpse of her own reflection in the glass. She looked devoid of life.

The man continued, "Jiang Mian, we’re having dinner with Wen Yan’s family tomorrow. Remember to be there."

"I'm not going." The refusal came out almost instinctively.

Jiang Zhouyi grew angry instantly: "You will go whether you want to or not. I’m just informing you. Jiang Mian, let me be clear: if you still want those shares, you’d better behave yourself!"

Before she could say anything else, Jiang Zhouyi hung up. Staring at the darkened screen, Jiang Mian let out a slow breath. She closed her eyes and rested her head against the seat, a bitter, sour sensation rising in her throat.

Who would be attending a dinner with Wen Yan’s family? None other than his older brother, Wen Jinghuai.

Although Wen Yan was the eldest son of a branch of the Wen family, his parents had passed away from illness when he was young. Growing up, he had been under the control of the main branch. The few times Jiang Mian had heard Wen Yan mention Wen Jinghuai were back in school, when he needed his brother to pay his tuition fees. He had feared his older brother since childhood, so he rarely spoke of him to others. Only a few people knew that Wen Yan was being supported by Wen Jinghuai.

However, now that Old Master Wen was back, would he be attending as well? Probably not, right?

Jiang Mian opened her eyes and looked ahead; traffic seemed to be backing up. She had never heard anything about Old Master Wen from Wen Yan, perhaps because the two weren't close. She had heard gossip about the Wen family before—rumors that when Wen Yan’s mother married into the family, Old Master Wen had been vehemently opposed to it. But he couldn't stop them because they were so deeply in love, so he eventually let them be. Yet, his dislike for her was plain to see, which was why Wen Yan’s family had gradually distanced themselves from the main branch.

It was a pity how fate played its tricks.

"Excuse me, we've arrived."

The driver turned to remind her, and Jiang Mian finally snapped out of her thoughts. She nodded, got out of the car, and retrieved her suitcase from the trunk. Entering the residential complex, she pulled her luggage along quickly, trying to shake the chaotic thoughts from her mind.

It was past ten o'clock at night when Wen Jinghuai brought Old Master Wen home.

The old man was somewhat dissatisfied: "Couldn't you have booked an earlier flight?"

"Grandfather, I had to wait until the work was finished."

He couldn't just fly abroad solely to attend a press conference, could he?

Old Master Wen snorted, not wanting to engage with him, and went ahead to scan his fingerprint and open the door. Wen Yan was sitting on the sofa; hearing the door open, he assumed it was Wen Jinghuai and immediately stood up to greet him.

When he met Old Master Wen’s gaze, Wen Yan froze in place.

"Grandfather..."

He called out cautiously, his Adam's apple bobbing.

Wen Jinghuai entered behind him, lowering his head to change his shoes in the entryway. Hearing Wen Yan’s voice, he turned to look. Old Master Wen stared at Wen Yan without a word until Wen Jinghuai walked over from behind, placed a hand on the old man's arm, and guided him toward the sofa, at which point his expression softened.

Wen Yan stood where he was, feeling awkward, unsure whether to stand or sit.

"What brings you here today?"

Once seated, Wen Jinghuai finally turned his gaze toward Wen Yan. Ever since Wen Yan started university, he had rarely come to see Wen Jinghuai in person; most of the time, they communicated via phone. At worst, Wen Yan would go find him at the company. Wen Jinghuai had stopped managing Wen Yan’s family company once Wen Yan came of age. His ability was sufficient to support it, which was why Wen Jinghuai was generally quite lenient with him.

However...

Wen Yan pursed his lips. Seeing that the old man’s attention was elsewhere, he spoke cautiously.

"Big Brother, Xuanxuan’s father invited us to dinner tomorrow. It's meant to be a meeting between the families, so I came to find you."

Hearing this, Old Master Wen suddenly turned his head.

"Who is Xuanxuan?"

He remembered the child who had been betrothed to Wen Yan, and that wasn't her name.

"She is his current fiancée."