Chapter 56

Chapter 56

This day, Wen Mochuan invited Xie Mingfeng out for tea.

When Xie Mingfeng arrived at the designated location, Wen Mochuan was already there. A pot of tea sat in front of him as he slowly savored it.

"Wen, you sure have a lot of leisure time, not busy lately?" Xie Mingfeng and Wen Mochuan were very familiar with each other, so they often teased each other. Even if their words sometimes went too far, neither would take offense afterward.

Ever since Wen Mochuan withdrew from the competition for the Wen family's inheritance a few years ago, he had started his own company. The early days were naturally hectic, so even the closest friends from university rarely got to meet.

Xie Mingfeng was also busy, working at a large factory where overtime was common. But compared to Wen Mochuan, he was relatively free.

Usually, one had to inform Wen Mochuan half a month in advance to get him to come out for dinner. Who would have thought that now he would actually invite him out for tea on a weekday afternoon, during prime working hours?

Wen Mochuan didn't say anything but pushed a cup of tea towards him.

"You know I don't like tea," Xie Mingfeng shrugged, but despite his words, he drank the cup in one go.

That was because he was thirsty. It was a hot day, and he had rushed over, almost getting heatstroke.

"I don't care. I took two hours off today, so you, Wen the Third Young Master, owe me compensation." Xie Mingfeng continued to banter.

Wen Mochuan wasn't bothered and calmly said, "I called you here because I have some business to introduce to you."

"Really? What kind of business?" Xie Mingfeng immediately changed his expression, grinning widely. "I knew it; you, Wen, wouldn't waste your precious working hours unless it was something important."

Wen Mochuan wouldn't fall for his tricks and simply said, "That's later. I have something else to discuss with you."

"Not work-related?" Xie Mingfeng asked instinctively.

"Hmm." Wen Mochuan admitted.

After Xie Mingfeng's eyes darted around, he seemed to understand something and said meaningfully, "It's not about your wife, is it?"

Wen Mochuan remained silent, implicitly confirming it.

Xie Mingfeng immediately became interested. He exaggeratedly rolled up his sleeves, revealing his short-sleeved T-shirt, crossed his legs, and leaned back, ready to hear gossip.

"When you're in love, you're blind; when you're an outsider, you see clearly. What happened between you and your wife? Let me analyze it for you."

They had known each other for ten years, from school to the workplace. Their relationship had always been good, purely based on friendship without any ulterior motives.

Xie Mingfeng... was a witness to his romantic life. From Shu Yao to Jiang Yiyan, he knew almost everything about him.

Since Xie Mingfeng understood his situation so well, Wen Mochuan had no reason to hide anything. So, he briefly explained the recent changes in Jiang Yiyan and her attitude towards him.

Of course, he only mentioned what was necessary, avoiding details about their private life.

Wen Mochuan expressed himself clearly, and Xie Mingfeng understood everything.

"So you mean... your wife has become distant?" Xie Mingfeng rubbed his chin, recalling the class reunion. "Actually, I noticed something strange that day. Your wife's behavior towards you was different from before."

Previously, she had such a strong possessiveness towards him, though her personality could be annoying. As an outsider, he could see that her feelings for him were genuine. But that day, although she seemed more gentle and cute, he felt she wasn't as attentive or caring.

"At first, I thought her sudden change was due to Shu Yao returning. But later, she remained the same and didn't do anything against Shu Yao. So, my initial guess was wrong." He felt guilty for assuming the worst.

Xie Mingfeng scratched his chin, deep in thought. "But that's odd. How can someone's feelings just disappear overnight?"

Unless...

"In those two days when your wife's personality changed, did anything happen between you two? Did you argue about Shu Yao?"

Wen Mochuan frowned, recalling those days. "No."

Those days, he was swamped with a project at work and had no time to argue about Shu Yao. Besides, he found out about Shu Yao's return while on a business trip. When he returned, she had already changed.

"If it wasn't about Shu Yao..." Xie Mingfeng boldly suggested, "Then your wife might be doing this intentionally."

Wen Mochuan: "What do you mean..."

"It's a strategy to make you chase after her." Xie Mingfeng began to explain. "Don't underestimate women's tactics in relationships. Why are ancient palace dramas so popular? Because people relate!"

"You didn't argue with her, yet her sudden change must be part of her plan. Look, she's succeeded, hasn't she? You're thinking about her all the time now, aren't you?"

Wen Mochuan had considered this possibility before.

So, hearing Xie Mingfeng's theory, he felt it was plausible. But another part of him doubted it because he only felt her indifference and distance, not her affection.

Ironically, when her feelings were intense, he wished she could be calmer and less controlling. Now that she was calm, he felt something was missing.

Undeniably, when Jiang Yiyan stopped being unreasonable, he discovered many of her virtues. They now lived comfortably together, enjoying every day.

Yet, he felt she was distant, lacking the warmth she once had, making him feel insecure.

In front of Xie Mingfeng, Wen Mochuan shared his true feelings.

"I admit, I've discovered her good qualities. This peaceful life is what I've always wanted—simple and happy. But we've become more like partners rather than a couple." Wen Mochuan smiled bitterly. "I know I'm being unreasonable, wanting both things. But... if given a choice, I still hope we can truly love each other and understand each other's hearts."

Xie Mingfeng added poetically, "May we find a devoted partner, never to part."

Wen Mochuan gave him a cold look.

"Alright, let's get back to the point." Xie Mingfeng winked mischievously. "Since your wife's personality changed, have you... you know?"

As adults, and with Wen Mochuan being a father of a five-year-old, he couldn't misunderstand Xie Mingfeng's implication.

"No." Wen Mochuan replied truthfully. "Recently, I've been sleeping in the study."

"This..." Xie Mingfeng was surprised. "For nearly a month, you've been sleeping separately?"

Wen Mochuan evidently understood where the issue lay, thus he refrained from speaking further, instead furrowing his brows in silent contemplation.

Xie Mingfeng coughed lightly and said, "Brother, it's a matter of course for a man to pursue a woman. Since you don't want to live in confusion, you must act when the time is right. You can't just wait for your wife to chase you again, can you? It was her who took a fancy to you before, and it's understandable that she pursued you actively. But now the situation has changed; now it's you who has fallen for her! If you don't express your feelings, what are you waiting for?"

Wen Mochuan had never pursued anyone. Even during the ambiguous period with Shu Yao at school, it was a mutual and unrestrained attraction between them. Their affectionate harmony naturally drew them closer, without the need for one to pursue the other.

Thus, in the pursuit of women, he is evidently inexperienced.

The person before him had ample experience, yet Wen Mochuan was not yet inclined to seek advice from him. Some things, he believed, were more effectively understood through his own contemplation rather than being taught by others.

.

In the evening, after dinner, Feng Ma and Fang Fang took Meimei out for a walk together. After a round, they returned and watched some cartoons with Meimei for a while. Around half past eight, Feng Ma came over to turn off the TV and took Meimei to take a bath and go to sleep.

Jiang Yiyan and Wen Mochuan, like every evening before, each stayed in their respective studies, occupied with their own affairs.

Jiang Yiyan was earnestly occupied with work, but Wen Mochuan, with something weighing on his mind, was always somewhat absent-minded.

After spending these days together, Wen Mochuan has come to understand his wife's routine lately. Generally, she would work until almost ten o'clock, then go downstairs to find something to eat, and then go back to take a bath and sleep.

So, timing it just right, around a quarter past ten, Wen Mochuan also came downstairs.

As expected, at this hour, his wife was busy in the kitchen, cooking instant noodles for herself.

Wen Mochuan, pretending to come downstairs for a drink, took a bottle of mineral water from the fridge for himself. Hearing the movement behind him, Jiang Yiyan didn't even turn his head and directly asked, "Are you hungry? Would you like me to cook more and eat together?"

"No need." Wen Mochuan didn't have the habit of eating late at night. He had only joined her before because of her warm invitation, which he found hard to refuse. However, today, he clearly had more important matters to attend to, and his mind was not on eating.

He did not eat, but he did not leave either. Instead, he took some water and approached.

Just as before, the noodles were boiled in plain water, with some eggs and vegetables added in.

Instant noodles are fine as an occasional meal, but consuming them too frequently isn't good for health. It seemed that she had been having instant noodles and barbecue for her late-night snacks recently. Worried that it might affect her health, Wen Mochuan frowned and said, "There are milk and bread in the fridge, as well as some fruits and vegetables. Why always eat instant noodles?" His earnest and persistent advice, though a bit nagging, was for her own good, "Eating too many instant noodles is not good for your health, especially with the high work pressure you're under now; you need more nutrition."

Jiang Yiyan chuckled, "With such a good diet for my three meals a day, could the nutrition possibly be lacking? Don't worry, I won't mistreat myself." She continued, "Coca-Cola and Sprite aren't good either, so why do so many people drink them? People, when alive, should be more spontaneous. Occasionally, one must indulge a bit to be happy."

Wen Mochuan did not deny that she was right. He did not wish to forcibly change some of her habits and perceptions.

However, Wen Mochuan said, "But consuming too many preservatives can also be harmful to the skin. Moreover, eating barbecue and instant noodles late at night often can lead to weight gain and cause skin to become loose. You're already busy with work, which means you have less time for exercise and maintenance. If you don't pay attention to your dietary habits, the consequences can be imagined."

Jiang Yiyan: "..." Looking at the pot where the instant noodles were still bubbling and exuding a tantalizing aroma, she suddenly felt that they were no longer appealing.

Ah, ah, ah, does Wen Mochuan even know how to hold a conversation?