Chapter 57: Winter Melon Pork Rib Soup

Chapter 57 Winter Melon Pork Rib Soup

Wen Haochen watched, wide-eyed, as his elder brother held Yun Fan's hand, his mouth agape and momentarily speechless.

Looking at Yun Fan, he remained completely calm—smiling gently at them all, composed as a true sister-in-law should be.

Despite having focused all his attention on Cheng Yu and Liu Erxing, who were far away, Wen Haochen never expected the real threat to be standing right beside him—Wen Zhaofu was glaring at him fiercely!

Good heavens! How could he possibly stand a chance against his own elder brother? While Yun Fan stayed unruffled, Wen Haochen was panicking. Against Cheng Yu and Liu Erxing, he still felt confident thanks to sharing the Wen family name. But facing Wen Zhaofu? He had nothing—utterly outmatched in an instant!

Seeing the two siblings suddenly barge in and ruin the moment, Wen Zhaofu frowned, finally releasing Yun Fan’s hand and placing his own on the armrest of his wheelchair. Coldly, he asked, "What do you want?"

"Oh, not you—not you," Wen Haochen stammered, stepping forward and trying to wrap his arms around Yun Fan’s.

Yun Fan startled, quickly sidestepping to the right and using Wen Zhaofu’s body as a shield. An Liwen approached, and only then did Yun Fan notice her eyes were red and swollen from crying.

"My endorsement... it’s gone..." she sobbed.

Yun Fan and Wen Zhaofu exchanged glances. The young lady was weeping so bitterly that neither knew how to respond.

Tears streaming down her face, Wen Haochen hurriedly explained, "I told Liwen Butler Yun is amazing at comforting people, so I brought her here. I didn’t expect you to be here, Brother."

"What, am I in the way?" Wen Zhaofu glanced casually at Wen Haochen.

"No, no, no!" Wen Haochen waved his hands frantically, forcing an awkward smile.

Once An Liwen had calmed slightly, Yun Fan turned to her gently and said, "Let’s go for a walk."

On their way to Taiping Qingshui Residence, An Liwen tearfully recounted what had happened. She had done her hair and makeup that morning, ready to shoot an advertisement for her product endorsement, only to arrive and be told they had dropped her as spokesperson.

"Third Grandfather was furious—he nearly fired the entire branding department," An Liwen sniffled. "I told him to wait, to first find out why."

Wen Zhaofu nodded solemnly. "This is a serious oversight by the brand. There must be a reason behind it."

"Liwen, rest at home for now," Wen Zhaofu softened his tone. "Later, I’ll speak with Third Grandfather. You shouldn’t have to suffer in silence."

Yun Fan also nodded. "With your elder brother here, don’t worry. Everything will be sorted out."

Wen Zhaofu smiled and pointed toward the gate of Taiping Qingshui Residence. "I’ll go make some yuan-yang tea for everyone. Xiao Yun, why don’t you talk with Liwen?"

"Sure, I’d love extra tea," Yun Fan replied with a smile, tilting his head.

Wen Haochen tried to push Wen Zhaofu’s wheelchair but got his hand slapped away. Dejected, he could only trail behind, stealing glances at Yun Fan every few steps.

"Walk properly," Wen Zhaofu said helplessly. "Xiao Yun knows what to say."

Inside Taiping Qingshui Residence, Grandmother was reading the newspaper. She removed her glasses, glanced over, and grumbled, "Hao Chen is here too."

"Grandmother! I came with Brother to see you," Wen Haochen chirped.

Noticing the elderly lady’s displeasure, Wen Zhaofu quickly interjected, "Xiao Yun and Liwen are in the garden—they’ll come in later. Grandmother, would you like some yuan-yang tea? I’ll make it."

"Of course. Why not? One cup fewer, one step closer to the end," Grandmother waved her hand dismissively.

Wen Haochen grew uneasy at her words, but seeing Wen Zhaofu’s calm demeanor, he dared not speak. He slumped onto the sofa, swinging his legs. Grandmother glanced at him and asked, "Are you going to graduate?"

"Yes! I’m preparing for my makeup exams!" Wen Haochen puffed out his chest proudly.

Grandmother clicked her tongue and picked up the newspaper again.

*

Yun Fan and An Liwen each sat on a swing. Yun Fan swayed gently a few times, noticing that An Liwen seemed dispirited, her heels barely brushing the grass.

"Liwen, you look beautiful even when crying—a natural-born star," Yun Fan said with a warm smile. "At home, you can cry as much as you want. I’ll keep you company."

"Thank you, Butler Yun," An Liwen blinked, her wet lashes glistening. "I won’t cry anymore. I’m just a bit thirsty."

Just then, the household butler emerged with two cups of yuan-yang tea, smiling as he said, "Young Master Zhaofu said he made extra today. Let me know if you’d like more."

"Thank you," Yun Fan took the cup.

An Liwen took a small sip. "It’s been so long since I’ve had this. Brother never makes it for us."

Yun Fan’s grip tightened slightly on his cup. He defended Wen Zhaofu gently, "He’s in a wheelchair, after all. It’s not very convenient for him."

"Mm-hmm, yes. I think Brother is very strong," An Liwen agreed. "Maybe that’s why so many people are willing to work with him in business."

Yun Fan turned to her. "Exactly. His attitude shapes how others perceive his work. Can you apply that to what happened today?"

"Huh? How?" An Liwen looked at him curiously.

"Your competitors must be thrilled to see you so upset. If you’re heartbroken, you’re only playing into their hands."

"So why not let it go? The next opportunity will be better."

After Yun Fan finished speaking, An Liwen stared blankly. After a pause, she whispered, "But this endorsement meant so much. My team fought hard to secure it."

"I know. You feel bad for your team, but this isn’t your fault," Yun Fan smiled at her. "Now, you need to believe me—the next one will be even better."

Perhaps Yun Fan’s tone was too infectious. When An Liwen looked up at him, a flicker of hope sparked in her eyes. She murmured, "Yun Fan, what should I do?"

Yun Fan set his milk tea cup on the small table, stood up, and spread his arms wide toward the sky. Turning back to An Liwen with a bright, radiant smile, he instantly captivated her. Bathed in the golden sunset, Yun Fan appeared pure, carefree, and vivid.

"Screw it! Who cares! Let it be!" Yun Fan shouted joyfully.

Inside the house, Wen Haochen nearly dropped his cup from the shock. Grandmother glanced at him again, commenting on his fragile nerves.

Wen Zhaofu merely smiled faintly, utterly unperturbed. Wen Haochen felt his elder brother somehow knew Yun Fan would do exactly this—everything under control.

On the lawn, An Liwen imitated Yun Fan, shouting with all her might, "Who cares! Losing me is your loss!!!"

Yun Fan burst into laughter and clapped enthusiastically for her. Once the young lady had released her emotions, he handed her a wet wipe and whispered, "Tomorrow, dress to impress and go out for a stroll. Show everyone you couldn’t care less."

"Okay! I’ll listen to you, Brother Yun Fan," An Liwen nodded vigorously.

That evening, Grandmother insisted that Wen Zhaofu and Yun Fan stay for dinner at Taiping Qingshui Residence, sending the twins back to Baofeng.

Grandmother remarked that Wen Zhaofu used to worry about these two siblings, and now he had Yun Fan to care for as well. The parents at Baofeng were truly irresponsible.

Yun Fan thought the same but didn’t dare say it aloud. Wen Zhaofu, however, spoke directly: "My father only knows how to have kids."

"Who says otherwise!" Grandmother chimed in. "Xiao Yun, don’t bother with Qichang. He’s so annoying."

"Okay, okay!" Yun Fan nodded repeatedly.

The generational banter flowed easily until Wen Zhaofu’s Third Grandfather stormed into the residence. Still dressed in brightly colored dopamine-stimulating clothes, he threw his hat onto the sofa the moment he entered.

So, Elder Wen Tingwang was bald! Yun Fan realized in surprise, eyes widening.

"It’s all Fiona Wu’s doing!" Wen Tingwang fumed. "Zhao Fu, what’s the plan?"

Zuzu looked at her son's rudeness, angrily slapped the table, and scolded, "Don't disturb our meal! Xiao Yun hasn't finished eating yet!"

"Oh, Mom, I'm sorry..." Wen Tingwang immediately behaved himself, sitting quietly to the side and waiting. He was hungry too, but he hadn't had a chance to join the table.

Wen Zhaofu wiped his mouth and said calmly, "Third Grandfather, do whatever you want. Fiona Wu has nothing to do with me."

Yun Fan was drinking the winter melon and pork rib soup—fresh but not greasy, with the winter melon stewed until soft and melting in the mouth. He didn't speak, but his ears were sharp, and he immediately understood that Wen Zhaofu's words were meant for him.

Outwardly, he showed nothing, but inside, Yun Fan's heart was bubbling over with feelings. So, he turned his feelings into appetite and ate another bowl of steamed egg custard.

Zuzu loved children who ate well, and even after finishing her meal, she stayed at the table, watching Yun Fan eat.

Wen Tingwang was still chatting with Wen Zhaofu. The old man was trying to pressure Wen Zhaofu—if Wen Zhaofu insisted on protecting Fiona Wu, it would be killing several birds with one stone. But Wen Zhaofu remained exceptionally firm, insisting on protecting his sister.

In front of Zuzu, Wen Tingwang didn't dare to take sides against family, so he had to comply.

Once the matter was settled, Wen Zhaofu looked at Yun Fan like he was looking for credit, but Yun Fan remained unmoved, his gaze drifting elsewhere. Zuzu glanced at her impatient great-grandson and then at the adorable little butler, her eyes lighting up.

*

The next day, An Liwen followed Yun Fan's advice and went shopping at the busiest mall in Hong Kong. She bought a pile of things, and Wen Haochen couldn't even hold them all, eventually hanging one of the shopping bags around his neck.

That "queen energy" was quickly captured by onlookers and posted online. Those watching from the shadows panicked and reiterated that An Liwen had lost an important endorsement, but no one paid them any mind.

Setbacks are nothing; how one faces them is what truly moves people.

The day after, while helping Wen Zhaofu organize data at Langyun Terrace, Yun Fan received good news. Several brands, impressed by An Liwen's sunny disposition, had extended olive branches to her, with offers much more valuable than the one she had lost.

An Liwen, wearing a casual dress, bounced her way into Langyun Terrace and couldn't stop praising Yun Fan: "Oh, Brother Yun Fan, you're too talented to be just a butler."

"You should work at the Wen family company."

"You should be our sister-in-law!"

Oops, An Liwen had accidentally spoken her mind.

The touch pen in Yun Fan's hand clattered to the floor.

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Author's note: Off tomorrow, see you the day after!