Chapter 64

Chapter 64

Although spending several thousand dollars was painful, it was fortunate that the loss had been minimized. Jiang Yiyan, naturally optimistic, thought this way and her mood immediately improved.

Now, Jiang Yiyan treated him with a strictly businesslike attitude. Since the debt was repaid, there was no need for them to stay together any longer. So, after leaving the store, she directly asked him, "Are you going back to the company? Should I call Little Chen to pick you up?" The implication was clear: she didn't want to spend more time taking him to the company.

Wen Mochuan glanced at his watch and, seeing it was almost ten, said calmly, "At this hour, Meimei should have returned from the park. How about we have lunch together?"

Jiang Yiyan: "…"

"Are you treating me?" she asked with a forced smile. She seemed to have forgotten that she had promised to treat her father and daughter to a big meal when she had extorted money from Jiang Xu.

Wen Mochuan remembered this, but seeing that she had forgotten, he didn't mention it. He could tell she was very concerned about money lately. Since he had just made her spend a considerable amount, it wasn't necessary to treat her again.

Enough is enough; otherwise, even a rabbit pushed too far will bite.

"Of course, I'll treat," Wen Mochuan emphasized the word "of course" and added teasingly, "Since Miss Jiang has given me such an expensive gift, how can I not return the favor with a meal to show my gratitude?"

Since he was treating her, Jiang Yiyan's thoughts naturally changed. She wasn't usually a stingy or petty person, but when it came to Wen Mochuan, she wasn't as generous.

As he said, she had given him such an expensive shirt, so why shouldn't he treat her to a nice meal? Besides, he was rich and had offered to treat her, so why not take advantage of it?

These thoughts flashed through her mind, and soon, Jiang Yiyan made a decision.

"Since Mr. Wen is being so sincere, then okay, I'll reluctantly accept," she replied with a playful tone.

After saying this, she smiled triumphantly, then took out her phone and called Meimei.

It was late August, past the beginning of autumn, and the temperature differences between morning and evening were significant. It was cool in the mornings and evenings, so Feng Ma would often take Meimei to the nearby park early in the morning or after dinner.

Meimei had only just returned from playing outside around nine in the morning. She was drinking fresh juice squeezed by Fang Fang when she saw her mother's call on her watch and immediately jumped up.

"Mom!" She answered quickly, her face showing concern, "Where did Mom go? I couldn't find you when I got back."

"I'm at the mall," Jiang Yiyan spoke gently and patiently to her daughter.

Meimei: "Mom went shopping?" She sounded a bit unhappy, "Why didn't you take me along?"

Jiang Yiyan felt this question should be answered by her father. So, with a hint of mischief, she said, "That's a question for Dad." Then, she provocatively handed the phone to Wen Mochuan, "Your daughter is asking you, explain it to her."

Wen Mochuan heard everything clearly.

He raised an eyebrow, giving his wife a meaningful look, but only smiled before calmly taking the phone from her hand.

Jiang Yiyan didn't step away but leaned closer to eavesdrop on their conversation. Or rather, she wanted to hear how Wen Mochuan would explain it to their daughter.

But instead of answering the question, Wen Mochuan simply said, "You went to the park this morning, so we didn't disturb you. We're at the mall now and plan to come back to pick you up. We'll all have lunch together later."

Meimei immediately forgot about her parents going shopping without her and focused on the fact that they were coming to pick her up for lunch. She jumped up happily.

"Then hurry back to pick me up. I'm lying on the sofa drinking the juice Auntie Fang Fang made for me, feeling so bored," she pretended to sound pitiful.

Wen Mochuan laughed, "Okay, we'll come back to get you right away."

"Love you, Dad, Mua~" Showing fairness, she kissed her dad and then loudly kissed her mom, "Love you too, Mom, Mua~"

After hanging up, Wen Mochuan handed the phone back to his wife.

Jiang Yiyan was quite impressed by his ability to divert attention. With people like him, who have countless tricks up their sleeves, she knew she still lacked the skills to outsmart him or make him look foolish.

It was a spontaneous idea, and if it didn't work, it didn't matter.

However, when choosing the restaurant for lunch, Jiang Yiyan took a small revenge. Since it was Mr. Wen treating, she didn't hesitate to choose an expensive one.

The revolving restaurant on the top floor of the World Trade Tower had an elegant and serene atmosphere. Upon entering, the beautiful sound of a violin greeted them. This was Jiang Yiyan's first visit to such a high-end place, and she was careful not to say or do anything that might embarrass her.

At this moment, she behaved like a shy turtle, tucking her head into its shell, while Meimei was more relaxed.

Clearly, Meimei had been here before and confidently ordered dishes. Jiang Yiyan remained politely smiling but didn't take the initiative.

Despite their years of estrangement, Wen Mochuan still remembered his wife's preferences in food.

Fortunately, Jiang Yiyan's tastes were similar to those of her original self. The dishes Wen Mochuan ordered for her were ones she enjoyed.

The meal was pleasant overall.

Throughout the meal, Jiang Yiyan was quiet, unlike her usual lively self, and showed none of the calculating spirit she had displayed earlier in the store. However, towards the end of the meal, she suddenly stared at the entrance of the restaurant, her eyes wide open.

Wen Mochuan, who had been interacting with his daughter but also keeping an eye on his wife, noticed her distraction and instinctively followed her gaze.

He saw Jiang Xu and Shu Yao approaching together.

Wen Mochuan showed no particular expression. When they noticed the family and came over to greet them, he nodded slightly and exchanged a few pleasantries, acknowledging them politely.

Shu Yao was surprised and somewhat embarrassed to encounter them here. She hadn't fully let go of Wen Mochuan and felt a pang of discomfort seeing them having a family meal. She secretly glanced at Wen Mochuan's expression, finding no trace of the warmth he once had for her. Over the past five years, he had completely moved on and embraced his new life.

Only she... she was still trapped in the past, unable to move forward after five years.

At this moment, her anger at fate reached its peak.

If Jiang Yiyan had continued to suffer moral condemnation, public ridicule, and Wen Mochuan's disdain, she might have gradually accepted her situation. But now, with just a slight softening towards her father and a change in her behavior, she had been forgiven. Even her former classmates at the reunion had changed their views of her.

Including Xu Yan, her best friend, who merely advised her to let go and start anew.

Was it all her fault?

If Jiang Yiyan had continued to be morally condemned, ridiculed, and despised by Wen Mochuan, she might have gradually accepted her situation. But now, with just a slight softening towards her father and a change in her behavior, she had been forgiven. Even her former classmates at the reunion had changed their views of her.

But all along, what exactly did she do wrong?

Apart from being born into the wrong family and not having a good father, what else did she do wrong?

Shu Yao couldn't let go, couldn't completely put the past behind her. The brighter the person in front of her smiled, the happier she seemed to be, the more Shu Yao felt resentful.

But Shu Yao had always been reserved. No matter how aggrieved or angry she was inside, she wouldn't show it hysterically. She lowered her eyes and stood aside, barely speaking. Jiang Xu glanced at her, noticing her mood was off, and immediately said, "Hungry? Let's go sit over there." He then gave Wen Mochuan a slightly provocative smile, "Take your time eating."

Wen Mochuan remained polite yet distant, showing no change in his demeanor when facing Jiang Xu and Shu Yao.

Even Jiang Yiyan could no longer read him.

In the original novel, Wen Mochuan was portrayed as a deeply devoted supporting character who stayed in the shadows, silently giving everything he had. From beginning to end, the person in his heart was always Shu Yao. However, due to a sense of responsibility, he would never do anything to betray his wife.

If Jiang Yiyan hadn't acted so out of line in the story, Wen Mochuan might have continued living with his wife as he did. He might have had some familial affection for his wife, but certainly not love.

In front of their daughter, Jiang Yiyan wouldn't discuss the complicated emotions between adults. Therefore, even if she were curious about Wen Mochuan's thoughts at that moment, she wouldn't ask inappropriate questions.

"Meimei, are you full?" Since she wasn't focusing on Shu Yao anymore, Jiang Yiyan fully attended to her daughter. "If you're full, let's go home?"

This meal was a happy and satisfying experience for Meimei, dining with both her parents outside.

"Mm, I'm full." She patted her little belly. "I'm even a bit stuffed. Eating with Mommy and Daddy always makes me hungry."

Jiang Yiyan thought she was quite perceptive and pinched her chubby cheeks gently.

"Then next time, let's have Daddy take us here again." Jiang Yiyan didn't hesitate to take advantage of Wen Mochuan.

"Okay!" Meimei agreed enthusiastically, clapping her hands. "Next time, Daddy will bring Mommy and me here again."

Wen Mochuan kept smiling, agreeing to every request from his daughter.

"How about we come out for a nice meal every week with Mommy and Daddy? We'll follow today's standard." Wen Mochuan clearly had ulterior motives; bringing his daughter out to eat was secondary; the main goal was to have his wife present.

When Jiang Yiyan heard this, her smile froze momentarily. Her initial intention to tease him was just a spur-of-the-moment idea, not a serious one. But it seemed Wen Mochuan took it seriously.

Or perhaps, Wen Mochuan was doing this intentionally. Whenever he got the chance, he would say something kind or do something considerate.

Unknowingly, their relationship had developed to this ambiguous stage.

Somewhere along the way, his attitude towards her had gradually changed. From initial indifference and estrangement to now, accommodating and showing kindness... In her heart, she knew there must be a reason.

When she was calm and rational, she reminded herself that Wen Mochuan was acting this way out of a sense of duty. But deep down, she understood that if it were purely duty without any emotional change, he wouldn't act like this.

She had been in relationships before and was no longer an innocent young girl. She could tell when a grown man showed interest in her. Moreover, Wen Mochuan's recent concern for her was clear and unhidden, expressed in his own way.

Besides, she was still his wife, and he probably felt it was proper to pursue his wife within marriage.