Chapter 66

Chapter 66

After waiting for a while and still receiving no reply, Yu Wenlai sent another message.

"If you're busy today, we can reschedule. I'm available whenever it suits you."

This abrupt message naturally aroused Wen Mochuan's suspicion and contemplation. He firmly believed in his wife's character, knowing she would never do anything inappropriate or betray him. However, her recent attitude towards him had led him into deep reflection.

Despite Wen Mochuan's integrity, even though he was curious, he wouldn't secretly check her phone or invade her privacy. His gaze remained fixed on her phone screen until it went dark, then he silently looked away.

At this moment, Wen Mochuan's mind was not on their daughter, Meimei. She chattered endlessly to him, but he barely heard a word, his thoughts consumed by the WeChat message from Yu Wenlai to his wife.

Unconsciously, his gaze drifted back to the kitchen.

Jiang Yiyan had already cut the fruit and arranged it on a plate. It seemed unreasonable to linger in the kitchen any longer, so she confidently brought the plate to the living room.

"Meimei, come have some fruit." Jiang Yiyan spoke to Meimei as she always did, unsure of what to say to Wen Mochuan.

Meimei, oblivious to the adults' subtle tensions, ran happily to her mother when called.

Jiang Yiyan sat far from Wen Mochuan and didn't initiate conversation with him. The two of them seemed like they were in a disagreement, neither willing to break the awkward silence. Jiang Yiyan kept engaging their daughter in conversation, while Wen Mochuan sat quietly watching.

After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly stood up.

Standing, he glanced at his wife again. Seeing her indifferent expression, Wen Mochuan silently headed upstairs.

Jiang Yiyan appeared to be interacting with their daughter, but her mind was fully on her husband. After he left, she felt a slight relief.

She let Meimei eat on her own and sat where her husband had been sitting. There, she found her phone and tapped the screen, revealing the latest message from Yu Wenlai.

Recently, Jiang Yiyan had been filled with worries. Especially these past few days, it seemed only a thin veil separated her and Wen Mochuan.

She knew that Wen Mochuan, being perceptive and thoughtful, couldn't fail to notice her changes. She wondered what he thought about her now.

When troubled, one seeks solace; when burdened, one seeks to confide. With no better option, Yu Wenlai seemed like a good listener.

But Jiang Yiyan hesitated. Her relationship with Yu Wenlai wasn't yet intimate enough for such personal conversations. They were friends, but not close enough to share deep secrets.

Moreover, there were boundaries between men and women. Although Yu Wenlai was single, she couldn't ignore propriety. When she invited him to dinner and shared those words, she used the guise of friendship, but she knew he must have realized she was talking about herself.

If she agreed to meet him again and discuss the matter further, she couldn't hide behind friendship anymore.

Yet, laying everything out plainly felt inappropriate. Boundaries were necessary, especially between adult men and women.

With these thoughts, Jiang Yiyan opened her WeChat chat with Yu Wenlai and replied, "Let's talk another day."

After thinking, she added, "I'll adjust my state soon and fully commit to work. Give me two more days."

Life and emotions were important, but so was work. Jiang Yiyan valued her job greatly and wouldn't let anything jeopardize it.

Besides, having signed a contract, she needed to be responsible to Yu Wenlai and his qipao shop.

Taking two more days off was already pushing the limit.

Yu Wenlai was understanding and quickly replied, "Take care of yourself first. Work can wait."

Without asking further, he left it at that.

Jiang Yiyan typed "Thanks" and sent it, then put her phone aside. Leaning back on the sofa, she closed her eyes to rest.

All of this was observed by Wen Mochuan, who had been hiding at the stair landing. Seeing her put down her phone, he resumed his steps upstairs, his face expressionless.

Entering the study, Wen Mochuan slumped onto the soft leather sofa, revealing his fatigue. His head leaned back against the sofa, his long legs stretched casually on the floor, his mind replaying the content he saw on his wife's phone.

The phone suddenly beeped—it was a message from Xie Mingfeng asking how things were with his sister-in-law.

Wen Mochuan sat up straight, holding the phone, hesitating for a moment before calling Xie Mingfeng directly.

Downstairs, Jiang Yiyan was resting when a beep startled her. Opening her eyes, she saw a message from Yun Lan.

They had added each other as friends after that night, but hadn't communicated since. Despite the pleasant conversation then, the effects of alcohol had faded, and memories of the previous night had dimmed. She believed Yun Lan felt the same way.

Unexpectedly, Yun Lan had initiated a dinner invitation, speaking as if they were old friends.

Yun Lan seemed mature beyond her years, appearing younger than Xie Mingfeng but more psychologically mature.

Yun Lan excelled academically and now worked in an admirable profession. People naturally admire strength, and Jiang Yiyan instinctively liked Yun Lan.

Moreover, Jiang Yiyan appreciated Yun Lan's personality. During their conversation, she noticed Yun Lan's independent views and principles, making her a delightful companion.

Hesitating slightly, Jiang Yiyan replied, "I'm free. But... why the sudden dinner invitation?"

Yun Lan had just finished work and was picked up by Xie Mingfeng. Sitting in the passenger seat, she thought for a moment before replying, "We had a great chat that night. If you're free, let's meet again, but without drinks this time." She followed it with a crying-laughing emoji.

Jiang Yiyan understood Yun Lan's humor and smiled.

Jiang Yiyan responded promptly, "You choose the time and place; I'll be there."

Suddenly realizing something, she hesitated and added, "Just the two of us?"

Not a four-person gathering?

This situation arose because Xie Mingfeng had texted Wen Mochuan to ask about his and Jiang Yiyan's recent situation. Wen Mochuan, having seen Yu Wenlai's message, felt frustrated and called Xie Mingfeng to vent briefly.

He didn't mention the ambiguous message from Yu Wenlai, only sharing that things weren't going well recently.

It just so happened that Xie Mingfeng came to pick up his girlfriend after work. Upon hearing this, his mind immediately started racing.

He noticed that his girlfriend and his sister-in-law had chatted quite well the other day, and afterward, his girlfriend spoke highly of his sister-in-law. Perhaps they had some affinity and could get along? So, Xie Mingfeng briefly told his girlfriend about what was going on between Wen Mochuan and Jiang Yiyan, and casually asked her to talk to Jiang Yiyan, his sister-in-law.

Perhaps some long-held secrets, which she didn't want to share with her husband, could be confided in a like-minded female friend?

Even if his sister-in-law remained tight-lipped in front of Lan Lan, at least he would have tried his best and have no regrets.

Yun Lan was initially reluctant to get involved in others' private affairs, but she couldn't resist Xie Mingfeng's persistent pleading. Besides, she did feel a connection with Mrs. Wen. If she could genuinely help the couple, it would be a good deed for her.

However, she had her own principles and limits. She could follow her boyfriend's suggestion and invite Mrs. Wen out for dinner and a chat, but she wouldn't pry into matters that were none of her business. Moreover, it had to be just the two of them dining together.

No matter what had transpired between Mrs. Wen and Mr. Wen, she didn't want to be used as a tool for Mr. Wen's attempt to win back his wife within their marriage.

So, when she saw the message from Jiang Yiyan, Yun Lan replied without hesitation: "It's a girls' night out; why bring a guy?"

Yun Lan's straightforwardness suited Jiang Yiyan's taste, and a smile instantly appeared on her face. She quickly sent an OK emoji in response.

Coincidentally, Wen Mochuan came downstairs at that moment and saw Jiang Yiyan smiling.

The two of them hadn't had any real conflicts or arguments. Both being intelligent, they knew something was off recently, even though nothing had been openly discussed. They both understood the situation clearly.

Still, Jiang Yiyan didn't want to appear too standoffish. Occasionally, when there was something important to discuss, she would still speak to Wen Mochuan.

For instance, now, seeing him come downstairs, Jiang Yiyan promptly said, "Lan Lan invited me for dinner tonight, so I won't be eating at home."

Although Wen Mochuan wasn't aware that Yun Lan had invited his wife to dinner, upon hearing her words, he understood the situation. It must have been Xie Mingfeng who asked Yun Lan to do so.

He had no objections to her going out to dinner with Yun Lan; in fact, he approved.

Thus, Wen Mochuan nodded calmly and said, "Come back early tonight. And..." remembering the last time she got drunk, he hesitated slightly before adding, "Try not to drink too much."

Knowing he was worried about her, Jiang Yiyan responded straightforwardly, "We're not big drinkers. It's just two girls having dinner; why would we drink? The last time was purely an accident."

Jiang Yiyan's words indirectly blamed Wen Mochuan and Xie Mingfeng for her getting drunk last time.

Wen Mochuan understood her implication and smiled, nodding in agreement.

"You're right."