Chapter 280: Chapter 279: The Highly Sought-After Brother-in-Law
Wen Nuan looked in the direction he pointed, the smile on her face suddenly faded. She looked up at him, her black eyes filled with rolling hatred.
The Wen Family, her weakness, he always knew, and that’s why he dared to hurt her like this.
Leng Yan stood at the stairway, looking at her, his gaze complex. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, yet seemed unsure how to express it.
"Nuannuan." His throat was dry, but he forced a smile, his heart in a panic. He was really afraid that Wen Nuan would immediately kick him out of the Wen Family, giving him not even a sliver of hope.
Leng Yan’s smile was full of apology, but in her eyes, it was extremely sarcastic.
She really wanted to rush over and kick him out of the Wen Family. But her hand was held by Pengfei, and she was acutely aware of her presence in the Wen Family, of Pengfei watching her, and of her father waiting for her birthday celebration. She gritted her teeth and endured, looking at him with a half-smile: "How did you know today is my birthday? I didn’t tell you."
"Pengfei called because your phone was off and told me." Leng Yan smiled awkwardly.
"Nuannuan, Yan arrived early. You really are something. Even if you wanted to surprise him by not telling, how could you not say it on the actual day?"
Wen Qingyan observed their expressions, his heart sinking slightly, thinking the couple was having a minor tiff. But what couple doesn’t have spats?
Fortunately, Leng Yan seemed truly to love his daughter. So he said, "These balloons were put up by him and Pengfei together." Wen Qingyan cheerfully came out, patting Leng Yan on the shoulder: "Nuannuan is back. Come, let’s go to the dining room and eat."
"Sister, what’s wrong? Are you so touched that you can’t talk? What kind of questions are you asking?" Pengfei cheerfully pulled Wen Nuan’s hand, dragging her to the dining room: "Look at the big cake brother-in-law bought you, it’s so beautiful."
Wen Nuan barely maintained the smile on her face, mechanically walking to the dining room. Leng Yan immediately stepped forward to pull out a chair for her to sit on, leaning close to her: "Nuannuan, happy birthday!"
"Thank you!"
She said somewhat coldly, the sarcasm in her heart stabbing her like a sharp knife.
Happy? Yes, she really should be "happy."
In the morning, she received a "special" big gift from her husband, how could she... be happy?
A very big cake, stunningly beautiful, adorned with her favorite fruits, and inscribed with "Dear, Happy Birthday."
She blew out the candles quickly, not even making a wish.
When Pengfei cut it, he deliberately cut the words "happy" together and placed them on a plate for her: "Sis, wishing you eternal happiness."
"I will." Wen Nuan smiled, her nose tingling, but what Wen Qingyan and Wen Pengfei saw was only delight.
After a few bites, she set it aside. She picked up the wine and poured Wen Qingyan a glass, lifting her own cup: "Dad, I wish you good health."
"Good! Good!" Wen Qingyan smiled happily, gesturing for Leng Yan to raise his glass too: "Dad hopes the two of you find happiness."
Wen Nuan’s tears finally couldn’t be held back, gushing out. This was the first time she cried in front of Wen Qingyan after being married.
Trying so hard to control it, but because of Dad’s words, she couldn’t hold it back anymore.
She wasn’t happy, not at all!
"Nuannuan..."
Leng Yan sat beside her, instinctively reaching to grasp her hand under the table, but she forcefully shook it off.
Never happy again...
The goddess of happiness was so stingy towards her, granting but a short period, and this morning, once again, closed the door on her.
She didn’t want his pity and concern, having been unfaithful, just don’t come looking for her anymore.
"Nuannuan..."
"Sister..."
Wen Qingyan and Wen Pengfei, with wine glasses in hand, trembled at the sight, hastily setting them down, looking at her in confusion: "What’s wrong?"
"Nothing, just moved." Wen Nuan sniffed, looking at the tissue Leng Yan handed over and wanting to bypass it to get a new one. Glancing at Wen Qingyan and Wen Pengfei, she bit her lip and took it. Wiping away the tears, she took a deep breath, a smile broke across her face: "Moved to tears."
Leng Yan, sitting beside, exhaled in relief, yet felt even guiltier.
He would rather Wen Nuan slap him, curse him, than see her suppressing her emotions like this. But, on the other hand, he feared Wen Nuan would get angry and leave, giving him no chance to explain.
Wen Qingyan saw the smile on her pretty face, finally feeling relieved: "It’s okay, Nuannuan eat some food, everything is made to your taste. Some are a bit spicy, Yan’s stomach is uncomfortable, originally they were going to make it all non-spicy, but he said you like it and insisted not to change."
"Thank you." Wen Nuan looked at him, expressing gratitude. Her gaze was light, without any ripples.
Such a considerate man, isn’t he? Yet, why did you use your thoughtfulness to conquer me, only to place me in this awkward situation now?
"No need to thank me, Nuannuan, eat more, you’ve gotten thinner." Leng Yan’s throat felt like there was a burning iron piece, painfully hot, he had to exert much effort to speak even a word.
Today, she already thanked him twice. If it continued, he might die of shame.
"Pengfei, talk about things at university, I’d love to hear." Sitting with Leng Yan, Wen Nuan felt her breath constricted, she hated this atmosphere. She didn’t want to see him, but she couldn’t drive him away now. This feeling made a fiery anger burn in her chest, urgently needing something to divert attention.
"Alright, I’ll tell you some of the funny stories from my class, some of them are exceptionally amusing."
Pengfei was great at storytelling, animatedly narrating, making Wen Qingyan chuckle several times, tapping his head: "You, it was not funny, but you make it sound like that."
"This means I have a talent for comedy." Pengfei raised his eyebrow, laughing more joyfully.
Wen Nuan laughed several times, so did Leng Yan.
But, only they both knew, how helpless their laughter was. The things on their minds, the situations they were in, left no room for entertaining thoughts.
The meal, on the surface, was eaten harmoniously. Wen Nuan felt her face would lock from smiling too much. If she stayed any longer, she might worry about getting facial paralysis.
"So full, so happy!"
Pengfei exaggeratedly rubbed his belly: "Seeing my sister and brother-in-law happy is great; now that I’m in college, Dad, do you agree I can have a girlfriend?"
"There must be girls chasing you, so handsome, naturally stirring girls’ hearts!" Wen Nuan pinched his nose, teasing.
Pengfei quickly dodged, playfully pushing her towards Leng Yan: "I could never be as handsome as brother-in-law, I wonder how many girls chased him when he was in university. Sis, you need to keep a good watch on him, don’t let other women take him away."
"Pengfei." Leng Yan’s face turned slightly pale, a wry smile: "Not as you say."
Mentioning this now embarrassed him enough to want to find a hole to hide in. Realizing Wen Nuan’s shoulders stiffened slightly, he reached to embrace her. But his hand touched nothing but air.
"Yes, he was very popular. Whether in the past, or now."
Wen Nuan’s smile became even more forced, subconsciously distancing herself from him.
She didn’t want to contact him. At this moment, he just felt very dirty to her.