Night Fire Lingering

The first rays of morning sunlight shone into the Gu family's old house.

Wen Yan was woken up by the maid who usually served Madam Gu: "Third Young Madam, it's time to get up, the guests are starting to arrive."

Upon hearing that there were two 'guests,' Wen Yan suddenly woke up from her drowsiness.

As soon as I moved, I felt soreness all over my body. There were obvious red hickeys on my arms, thighs, collarbone, and waist, which were particularly conspicuous on my snow-white skin.

The maid was a middle-aged woman in her forties. She could tell at a glance what had happened last night. Seeing this, she couldn't help but smile with a hint of mockery. But remembering that this was Gu Yanci's wife, she forcibly suppressed it.

Wen Yan recalled what happened last night and sighed, "People are indeed more impulsive at night."

However, she didn't regret it, nor did she have anything to agonize over. It's normal for things to happen between adult men and women; it's just a matter of a single thought and won't change anything.

Wen Yan is going to wear a lake-blue Suzhou-style cheongsam today. Her arms can be covered by her arms, but she has to put some effort into covering her collarbone with foundation.

Wen Yan had just stepped out of the bedroom when her phone rang.

"Wen Yan, where are you? I don't see you." Wen Yonghai's tone was harsh and reproachful.

There was some noise around on the other end of the phone, which meant that someone had arrived.

Wen Yan explained that she had something to attend to and quickly arrived at the banquet hall.

As in-laws of the Gu family, the Wen family attracted a lot of attention as soon as they arrived.

"Dad." Wen Yan saw the Wen family members in the crowd.

Wen Yonghai was dressed in a suit and tie, while Wan Ying and Wen Muzhi were also dressed up. Wen Junming stood to the side, lounging around, scratching his face, and acting all serious.

Wen Yan personally led the Wen family to celebrate Old Madam Gu's birthday.

"Xiao Yan, did you bring the birthday gift?" Wan Ying asked with a smile.

"What gift?" Wen Yan asked, puzzled.

Wen Muzhi added with a smile, "Naturally, it's a birthday gift from our family to Madam Gu. Didn't you say that string of green jade beads was a birthday gift from our Wen family to Madam Gu?"

So that's where she was waiting!

The Wen family really didn't want to secretly take a single penny out of their pockets; they only wanted to suck the blood of her and her mother!

Wen Yan smiled sarcastically: "Sister, you were at the auction that day. Don't you know the whole story best? It was because you were unwilling to spend money to get my mother's gift back that it was auctioned off to someone else."

Madam Gu frowned upon hearing this.

The ladies and wives around had heard a little about this matter, and now that the parties involved were on the scene, they never expected to be on the front lines of this gossip, and they were all listening intently.

Wen Muzhi was also prepared. He glanced at Madam Gu and said meaningfully, "But I heard that the mysterious buyer has already given you the jade bead necklace. I wonder who is so generous as to spend so much money to win a smile from you, my beauty."

It's practically an open declaration that Wen Yan might be seeing someone else!

Everyone knows that Wen Yan's backer in the Gu family is Old Madam Gu. Wen Muzhi said this because he couldn't wait for Old Madam Gu to dislike Wen Yan.

Everyone's gaze lingered between Old Madam Gu and Wen Yan.

Wen Yan stood quietly to the side, as if those words had no effect on him whatsoever.

The smile on Madam Gu's face was not as bright as before. She looked at Wen Muzhi and then at Wen Yan, clearly scrutinizing them.

"Tsk, Wen Yan is finished!"

Someone in the crowd muttered something under their breath.

A satisfied smile flashed in Wen Muzhi's eyes.

But this emotion didn't last two seconds before Old Madam Gu said, "It wasn't my grandson who took the picture?"

Madam Gu was shocked, angry, and ashamed: "Does our Gu family lack money? How could he let someone else buy his mother-in-law's belongings! It's outrageous! I'll have to teach him a lesson!"

Everyone: "..." Old woman, is this the important point?

Wan Ying's expression was exceptionally unpleasant.

She is Wen Yan's stepmother, and she is also Gu Yanci's mother-in-law. The old lady Gu keeps talking about her belongings. Is she cursing her to die?

Besides, who has any evidence to prove that it belongs to Nan Yun? This makes it sound like they really did seize Wen Yan's property. What will others think of them in the future?

"Wen family girl, you're 24 years old this year, aren't you? Have you found a boyfriend yet?" Old Madam Gu asked suddenly after taking a sip of tea.

Wen Muzhi was overjoyed, thinking that Madam Gu was pleased with her, and obediently replied, "Grandma Gu, I don't have a boyfriend yet."

Old Madam Gu's gaze toward Wen Muzhi remained kind, but upon closer inspection, it held a sharp edge that sent a chill down one's spine for no apparent reason.

"That's perfect. There are many aunties and uncles here today, and quite a few outstanding and single young men from various families. We can introduce you to some. Tell everyone what kind of person you like, and if you can settle down sooner, your mind will be at peace."

The ladies present almost all followed Madam Gu's lead, and immediately began introducing the suitable single men around them.

Wen Muzhi's face turned deathly pale, and he almost stammered, "I...I..."

She likes Gu Yanci, so how could she introduce someone else?

If the marriage is arranged sooner, her mind will be at peace... Is this... is this a hint to her?

"Muzhi, you haven't given the old lady your birthday wishes yet, hurry up!" Wan Ying was the first to react and quietly tugged at Wen Muzhi's hand.

Wen Muzhi delivered his birthday wishes with a somewhat forced smile, during which Old Madam Gu turned slightly to the side, clearly disliking Wen Muzhi.

When Wen Yan stepped forward to speak to her, Old Madam Gu beamed with joy and held Wen Yan's hand affectionately, treating her like a precious treasure.

The Wen family, having been rebuffed, slunk away.

"Grandma, I'm sorry, I overslept." Wen Yan apologized softly. She remembered that she had set an alarm the night before, so why didn't it go off?

Not only did Madam Gu not blame you, but she was very pleased and said with a smile, "Grandma knows! How could Grandma blame you? You worked hard last night!"

After speaking, he winked.

Wen Yan stared in shock, her beautiful eyes seeming to say: How did you know?

Madam Gu smiled inscrutably.

"Could it be that he told you?" Wen Yan had a look on her face that said, "He's so shameless."

"He said you went to bed late last night and would be getting up later, so he asked us not to disturb you!" Old Madam Gu said with a smile, speaking kindly of her grandson. "See, he still cares about you!"

Wen Yan: "..."

What's the difference between this and saying it outright?!

Wen Yan touched her neck uncomfortably, suddenly feeling that wearing a cheongsam today had a hint of trying to cover something up, as if telling others that she was trying to hide something.

Wen Yan looked away, but as her gaze shifted, she suddenly met the eyes of a man on the other side of the crowd.

Gu Yanci was talking to the elder next to him. He glanced at Wen Yan for a few seconds, said "Excuse me" to the elder next to him, and walked over to Wen Yan.

Wen Yan subconsciously stood up and started to walk away.

Before she could even put her idea into action, Gu Yanci had already blocked her path.

"Are you feeling unwell?" Gu Yanci asked.

Wen Yan: "..."

Gu Yanci touched Wen Yan's forehead.

Wen Yan immediately stepped back, keeping a meter's distance from Gu Yanci: "What are you doing?"

Gu Yanci smiled enigmatically: "Mrs. Gu, what are you feeling guilty about?"

"You're the one who's guilty!" Wen Yan scoffed, denying it outright.

Gu Yanci didn't let Wen Yan off the hook. When he looked down at her, there was a hint of a smile in his eyes: "I wasn't the one who took the initiative last night, so I have nothing to be ashamed of."