“What are you envious of?”
“I’m envious that you can receive Father’s praise.” Wen Zhijia said without hiding anything. “Even though Mother badmouthed you so much to Father, he always praised you and spoke of you the most to outsiders.”
It was truly enough to make one envious to the point of jealousy, even to the point of wanting to destroy it all.
Wen Zhiyan fell silent.
Wen Zhijia didn’t seem to care, shrugging, “Don’t you want to say something else?”
Wen Zhiyan shook his head, “No, it’s all useless to say these things now.”
Wen Zhijia looked towards the place of cremation in the distance and stopped speaking.
“Is there anything else?”
Wen Zhijia looked at Wen Zhiyan, not saying a word.
As Wen Zhiyan turned to leave, he heard Wen Zhijia’s voice from behind, “Wen Zhiyan, when I occupied all of Mom’s maternal love, did you ever think I would be jealous of you too?”
Jealous that he could get Father’s praise, jealous that Father handed over the company to Wen Zhiyan without a word. He didn’t understand, why? He had graduated with an economics degree, his abilities were sufficient, so why did Father never look highly upon him?
Wen Zhiyan paused, “I never disliked you.”
With that, he walked away directly.
Wen Zhijia sat dejectedly on the chair for a long time before getting up and following.
Taking the ashes from the cremation staff.
Fang Miaomiao held Wen Zhiyan’s hand.
Wen Zhiyan shook his head.
After a simple farewell ceremony, Wen Zhiyan left with Miaomiao and An An.
Wen Wenlan watched the three receding figures, his expression complex.
“What are you looking at?”
“Dad, did you and Uncle talk about anything just now?”
Wen Zhijia scoffed, “What? Are you afraid I’ll eat Wen Zhiyan or something?”
Wen Wenlan shook his head. He was more afraid his father would offend his uncle.
After taking over Wen Corporation, he realized how difficult doing business was. He didn’t know how his uncle had managed to develop the near-bankrupt Wen Corporation into what it was today.
“Father,” Wen Wenlan called out helplessly.
“Alright, alright,” Wen Zhijia said impatiently. “I didn’t say much to him. I’m in no state to say much now. Let’s go, we still need to place Father’s ashes in the tomb.”
Wen Wenlan shook his head helplessly and resignedly followed.
“Daddy,” Wen Yan'an looked at Wen Zhiyan with concern.
“I’m fine,” Wen Zhiyan held Fang Miaomiao’s hand and patted Wen Yan'an’s head with the other. “Your dad is sometimes stronger than An An imagines.”
Wen Yan'an thought for a moment and said seriously, “Actually, Daddy doesn’t need to be so strong. It’s okay to be a little weak sometimes. Mom and I are here with you.”
“Okay, thank you, An An.”
“You’re welcome.” Wen Yan'an held Wen Zhiyan’s large hand with both his small hands, seriously and earnestly, adding, “I really like Daddy, and Mommy too.”
Back home.
Fang Miaomiao asked Wen Zhiyan to rest on the bed for a while before answering the phone.
“Nian Jie.”
“Why did it take you so long to answer?”
Fang Miaomiao said, “Sorry, I was a bit busy just now.”
“Miaomiao, I have some good news for you.” Zeng Nian’s tone held a hint of excitement.
Fang Miaomiao raised her eyebrows, “I’m nominated?”
“So smart, you’re nominated for Director Chen’s zombie film.” Zeng Nian said with a trace of regret, “It’s just that you know zombie films aren’t that popular, and the judges usually prefer a more conservative approach.”
Therefore, the chance of winning was not very high.
“It’s okay,” Fang Miaomiao said with a smile. “Being nominated is already good. We’ve done our best, and the rest is up to fate.”
Zeng Nian on the other end of the line also chuckled, “You know, if it were any other actress, they would be so excited they wouldn’t know north from south. And you’re comforting me.”
“I’m just telling the truth. Besides, until the very last moment, we don’t know what will happen, do we?”
“That’s right, our Miaomiao is indeed steady. You’re truly the bedrock of our studio.”
“Not at all, not at all.”
“Okay, I just wanted to let you know. The studio will send a car to pick you up then.”
“Okay.”
Fang Miaomiao chatted casually with Zeng Nian for a while longer before hanging up.
“Mommy.”
Fang Miaomiao waved at Wen Yan'an, “What is it?”
“Don’t we need to go see Daddy?” Wen Yan'an asked, still worried.
Fang Miaomiao glanced at the bedroom door, “It’s fine. Let your dad calm down for now. I’ll go persuade him later.”
“Why?”
“Because we need to give Daddy time and space to calm down,” Fang Miaomiao said. “Daddy is a hero to us, but every hero gets tired. He also needs some quiet time. Let’s let Daddy be quiet for a while, okay?”
Wen Yan'an nodded, as if understanding.
“Then, if An An is still worried, how about we make Daddy a bowl of noodles together?” Fang Miaomiao suggested. “When Daddy wakes up and sees An An’s cooking, he’ll be very touched.”
Wen Yan'an’s eyes lit up, “Really?”
“Of course,” Fang Miaomiao nodded.
Wen Yan'an eagerly pulled Fang Miaomiao into the kitchen.
Under Fang Miaomiao’s direction, Wen Yan'an carefully cut a tomato and then cracked an egg into a bowl.
Fang Miaomiao fried the egg in hot oil, and when it was no longer splattering, she handed it back to An An.
Wen Yan'an’s little face tensed, continuing the task with seriousness and care.
He looked as if he were doing something sacred and great.
Fang Miaomiao’s lips curved upwards as she watched Wen Yan'an’s earnest yet clumsy movements.
“Mommy, is it like this?”
“Yes, An An is so good,” Fang Miaomiao encouraged, clapping her hands. “Put the lid on, and when the water boils, you can put in the noodles.”
“Mm-hmm.” Wen Yan'an nodded heavily and waited by the side for the water to boil.
“An An is truly the most capable and adorable child I’ve ever met,” Fang Miaomiao praised him without reservation.
Wen Yan'an shook his head, stepped forward, hugged Fang Miaomiao’s waist, looked up at her, and said with utmost sincerity, word by word, “Because An An met a very good mommy.”
It was Mommy who protected him, who taught him many things. She looked at him with eyes full of him, and praised him generously.
It was as if he were the best child in the world.
Because Mommy was there, he had the strength to do anything.
Because he knew that as long as Mommy was there, regardless of success or failure, if he just turned around, Mommy would always give him strength.
“I also think I’m very good,” Fang Miaomiao raised her eyebrows, then her old face flushed. “Um, you can start cooking the noodles now. Don’t forget there’s steam when you lift the lid, don’t get scalded.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Under Fang Miaomiao’s guidance, Wen Yan'an made a bowl of noodles.