Chapter 67 Wen Huilin's Soft Knife

The private room for hosting his parents was booked on the third floor of Lintian Pavilion. The floor-to-ceiling windows faced the Bin River, looking out onto a grey, overcast sky and a streak of muddy river water.

Chen Zhonghui, who was only in his early fifties but looked as weathered as someone in their late sixties, sat by the window. His back was straight, but his shoulders were slumped.

Chen Zhuo sat beside him, the two of them speaking in low voices. It was mostly Chen Zhuo doing the talking, while Chen Zhonghui remained his usual silent self, responding only with nods.

Qu Suping sat on the other side, holding four-year-old Chen Yijing in her arms. The little boy was leaning against the edge of the table, his two small hands clutching chopsticks as he carefully poked at a piece of brown sugar sticky rice cake.

Wen Huilin sat to Qu Suping's left, with Chen Zetian next to her.

Aside from occasionally picking up a piece of sticky rice cake for Chen Zetian, she spent most of her time chatting with Qu Suping.

This was the longest meal she had spent communicating with her mother-in-law since she married Chen Ang.

Although Qu Suping felt a bit surprised, since her daughter-in-law was willing to be close, she naturally went along with it.

The five of them sat around half of a round table. Five or six dishes had already been served, but no one had touched their chopsticks; they were all waiting for Chen Ang.

When Chen Ang pushed the door open, the atmosphere in the private room was lively.

Wen Huilin was leaning over to pour tea for Qu Suping, her movements gentle and slow. The spout of the teapot was held low, and not a drop of tea splashed out.

Hearing the door, she looked up and smiled at him.

"Chen Ang is here." Her tone was as natural as if she had been the one to arrange this meal.

Chen Ang scanned the private room without a word, his expression entirely unchanged, though there was a subtle pause in his step.

He took off his coat and draped it over the back of his chair, then greeted his parents before sitting down next to Chen Zhuo.

Chen Zetian looked up and called out "Dad." Chen Ang nodded without speaking, then poured himself a cup of tea.

He glanced at Wen Huilin from the corner of his eye. She had just finished topping off Qu Suping's tea with light, graceful movements.

"Mom, this is the herbal tea I specifically ordered; it eases the nerves and promotes sleep."

Qu Suping smiled and patted the back of her hand, telling her not to busy herself and to take a rest.

Wen Huilin acknowledged this, but still stood up to refill Chen Zhonghui's tea, and even used a tissue to wipe the brown sugar stain from Chen Yijing's mouth.

Her movements were fluid as she did these things, as if she had rehearsed them countless times.

Chen Ang picked up his teacup and took a small sip, his eyes watching the scene quietly from over the rim of the cup.

Chen Zhuo leaned in closer. "Brother, what is this woman planning?"

Chen Ang shook his head slightly and cautioned, "Don't say anything."

Chen Zhuo realized his mistake and smiled at Chen Zhonghui. "Dad, shall the three of us have a drink at lunch?"

Chen Zhonghui waved his hand. "Let's drink tonight. Chen Ang didn't take the afternoon off, did he?"

Chen Ang smiled and agreed, "Then we'll drink tonight."

As he spoke, he glanced at Wen Huilin, realizing that she probably hadn't spoken out of turn, but also realizing that she was using soft knives to manipulate him.

Chen Zhuo immediately opened a bottle of beverage and spun it across the turntable. "Then let's all have some drinks. It's been a long time since our family had a meal together."

Wen Huilin stood up to take the beverage and poured some for the two children, smiling as she said, "The last time was when we ate together at home during the New Year. Chen Ang and I are both very busy at work. It's thanks to you, Xiaozhuo, for taking care of Mom and Dad at home."

When she finished speaking, even Chen Zhonghui, who had been keeping his head down and unwilling to get involved in anything, gave her a look of surprise.

"There will be plenty of time for the family to be together in the future; let's eat first." Chen Ang smiled again.

Qu Suping reached out and patted Chen Zetian's head, saying with eyes full of love, "A family is only like a family when everyone is harmonious."

Afterwards, various dishes were served one by one, and the atmosphere at the table grew lively.

Chen Zhonghui finished a bowl of rice, and Chen Zhuo stood up to serve him soup. "Dad, have some seafood soup to nourish yourself. You look like you've lost weight again recently."

Chen Ang looked up at his father; he did indeed look more haggard than during the New Year.

He guessed it was because those relatives had been visiting again, compounded by the stress of Chen Zhuo's divorce.

He immediately said, "Dad, just spend these next two days relaxing in Bin City. Don't think too much about other things."

Chen Zhonghui looked at his eldest son and simply nodded.

Chen Ang looked at his mother, Qu Suping. She met her son's gaze and interjected, "Old Chen, the children are being filial; don't always burden them with your own emotions."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhonghui managed to force a smile.

Wen Huilin also seized the opportunity, "Dad, since Xiaozhuo has brought you here, just enjoy yourselves. If you keep a cheerful mood, your body will feel much better too."

Chen Zhonghui took the soup Chen Zhuo had served and said, "I know your good intentions. Don't worry, I'll follow my son's arrangements."

Chen Ang put away his smile, his eyes sweeping over Wen Huilin, his wariness increasing by another degree.

This woman was starting to play games.

He felt that he hadn't applied enough pressure, leaving her too idle, to the point where she had the mental energy to scheme against his parents.

This made him realize that this definitely couldn't have been her own idea; someone must be plotting behind the scenes for her.

In the following time, no one mentioned anything that would dampen the mood.

Everyone had their own thoughts, but on the surface, they were incredibly harmonious, engaging in a back-and-forth, choosing light and humorous topics.

Chen Zhuo spoke very little throughout the meal, occasionally looking up at Chen Ang, who remained unhurriedly picking at his food.

The meal lasted for an hour.

When they came out of Lintian Pavilion, it was past noon. Chen Zhuo took his parents and Jingjing to walk around the famous old street nearby.

Qu Suping said an affectionate goodbye to Chen Zetian and also urged Chen Ang to be more considerate of his wife.

Chen Ang smiled and agreed, watching them walk away, then said to Wen Huilin, "I'll call a car for you."

While waiting for the car, Wen Huilin stood beside him, holding the hand of Chen Zetian, who was stepping on ants by the flower bed.

The wind blew the hair at her temples into a bit of a mess. She turned her head to tuck that stray lock behind her ear, the corners of her eyes slightly upturned, as if waiting for him to say something.

But Chen Ang said nothing.

"Your parents are quite nice." She couldn't help but speak first, her voice neither high nor low. "I enjoyed this meal very much today."

"As long as you enjoyed it." Chen Ang smiled, turned to the side, and patted Chen Zetian's head.

Listening to this, and watching the intimate interaction between Chen Ang and their son, Wen Huilin suddenly felt a chill rise from the soles of her feet, and her expression darkened instantly.

Just then, a taxi stopped by the side of the road. Wen Huilin said nothing more, opened the car door, helped her son into the back seat, and then got in herself.

Before the door closed, she looked up at Chen Ang.

This look was completely different from the gentle and virtuous daughter-in-law in the private room just now; it was not a provocation, but an extremely calm confirmation.

Chen Ang showed no reaction, watching the taxi merge into traffic and disappear around the corner of the intersection.

He stood on the roadside, lit a cigarette, and then dialed Jiang Shan's number.

"Brother Chen?"

"Send me Wen Huilin's whereabouts from yesterday. Where she went, who she met. I want everything."