She didn't think much of the statement and, after a brief conversation, hung up the phone, telling him to rest.
The next morning.
Fang Miaomiao habitually reached for her phone on the bedside table.
It wasn't there?
Fang Miaomiao frowned, reluctantly opening her eyes. She almost jumped out of her skin at the sight before her, all sleepiness vanishing instantly.
"Wen Zhiyan, why are you back?"
And appearing in her bedroom without a sound.
"Sorry, Lin Ma just finished breakfast and said you'd be waking up around this time, so I wanted to give you a surprise," Wen Zhiyan said apologetically, rubbing his temples. "I shouldn't have entered your room without your permission."
The moment he returned to the apartment, he desperately wanted to see Miaomiao, so he entered without restraint.
"It's okay," Fang Miaomiao waved her hand. "Why are you back so early?"
"Miaomiao said that place wasn't ideal, so I booked the earliest flight back with Xin Xuan."
"Oh, okay."
Fang Miaomiao yawned, her body involuntarily shrinking back into the covers.
"Still sleepy?"
She smiled awkwardly, "Old habit, old habit."
When she wasn't working, she loved to lie in bed all day, ordering takeout when she was hungry.
Wen Zhiyan smiled knowingly. "Then you lie down a bit longer? I'll have Lin Ma bring breakfast to you later?"
"How could I impose?"
"It's fine, I'm just glad to see you. Rest well."
With that, Wen Zhiyan pushed his wheelchair out of Fang Miaomiao's bedroom.
He came face to face with Wen Yan'an.
"Dad?" Wen Yan'an rubbed his eyes in rare disbelief. "Weren't you on a business trip? Why are you suddenly at the apartment?"
And in Mom's bedroom, no less.
Wen Zhiyan grunted, "Let's eat first."
The father and son ate in silence.
"How is Mom's condition?"
"Uncle Yuan said Mom's wrist is recovering well and there won't be any lingering issues."
"That's good. I won't develop the Xinhui project in City S."
"Is it because of Grandma's family?"
Wen Zhiyan looked up at Wen Yan'an, "How did you know?"
"Grandpa told me. Grandpa said Grandma has gone back and asked when Mom and I can come back for a meal," Wen Yan'an added. "Don't worry, Dad, I didn't tell Grandpa about Mom's injury."
"It's alright, even if you don't say it, those people will find out."
Wen Yan'an was a little confused by Wen Zhiyan's words. "Did something happen?"
"Nothing, your task is to take good care of Mom." Wen Zhiyan thought of something. "By the way, where is the next episode of your variety show, and around what time is it?"
He had wasted too much time in City S these past few days and had almost forgotten that Miaomiao and An'an had a variety show to record.
Wen Yan'an shook his head. Just as he was about to speak, his phone rang.
It was his father's.
Wen Zhiyan gave Wen Yan'an a look and took his phone to the living room.
"Father."
"Where are you now?"
"The apartment."
"Have you finished dealing with things in City S?"
Wen Zhiyan lowered his head, hiding the sarcasm in his eyes. "Father, do you need to ask about this matter?"
"Wen Zhiyan, how are you speaking to your father?"
"Father, I don't think my tone is problematic at all," Wen Zhiyan said, fiddling with his pants, his voice devoid of any emotion. "If Father called this time to reprimand me, then I think it's unnecessary."
"Zhiyan, you child, why are you so stubborn?" Wen Renhe sounded tired. "That's your mother's relative, after all."
"So, my withdrawal from the competition for Xinhui is already doing more than enough, isn't it?"
"Nonsense, I asked you to help their Ran family, not to withdraw!"
News had come that the latest high-speed rail would be built around Xinhui, making it a rapidly developing economic area again. Wen Zhiyan wasn't competing, wasn't building relationships, and had even rushed back from Xinhui early in the morning.
"I have my own judgment on this matter."
"Wen Zhiyan, don't forget, the Wen Group is something I built with my own hands. I am now ordering you to go there as quickly as possible."
Wen Renhe's greatest wish was to see October Hotels open in all economically developed regions. Now, his most promising son had thrown away such a large piece of meat like Xinhui, how could he not be heartbroken?
The thought of the mockery from that phone call made him wish he could fly over himself and do the running and negotiating for Wen Zhiyan.
"Father, you also don't forget, the current chairman of Wen Group is me."
"Wen Zhiyan!" Wen Renhe stomped his cane in anger.
If before he was angry about Wen Zhiyan's short-sightedness and inability to see long-term interests, now he was angry about Wen Zhiyan's audacity and his open defiance.
It felt like the person he had painstakingly nurtured had turned around and betrayed him.
"Father, I didn't say I wouldn't open an October Hotel in Xinhui, but not now, at least."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Father, have you ever seen someone draw a 'big pie'?"
Wen Renhe's anger came as quickly as it went. "Wen Zhiyan, do you have any evidence for saying that?"
"The lack of evidence is the best evidence."
Last night, after hearing Miaomiao mention that the place had issues, he had used his connections and thoroughly analyzed materials all night, only to uncover some subtle details.
Xinhui City was talking about building a high-speed rail, but the commercial land aspect was only hearsay; there was no concrete evidence.
He hadn't seen any, and more importantly, the high-speed rail in Xinhui only mentioned construction, but there was no clear plan for where it would be built.
Wen Zhiyan felt that such an important matter couldn't have gone unnoticed, so he had Xin Xuan investigate further and only then discovered that the land's intended use had never been stated. It was only vaguely rumored from the Xie family that the area would be planned for commercial development.
Therefore, he booked his flight back overnight.
Bidding? He probably didn't need it for now. Even if he did, he would wait for official documents to be released.
Wen Renhe fell silent. "Then don't worry about it for now. I'll see if I can find someone to look into the situation in Xinhui. I hope this isn't you being overly suspicious."
If it turned out to be just speculation, the Wen Corporation might end up at the mercy of others in Xinhui, a feeling he strongly disliked.
"I act with discretion." Wen Zhiyan heard a movement. "I have something to attend to here, I'll hang up now."
With that, Wen Zhiyan hung up the phone.
He looked up and saw Fang Miaomiao coming out of the bedroom, wearing a rather loose white T-shirt and sweatpants.
"Did I disturb your call?"
"No, I just finished."
"Mom, breakfast."
Fang Miaomiao pointed towards the dining room.
"Go ahead."