Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Lin Wan thought for a moment. âJust telling her wonât make her believe it, but giving her unnecessary gifts wonât do much either. I donât know how to explain to you that there are other ways to show that you care. You donât really need to spend money on it,â said Lin Wan. She really wanted to help Mrs. Wang because she knew that Mrs. Wang meant well.
âIn the first episode, Li Zexuan played the guitar so nicely, but Mr. Li wouldnât compliment him at all. I stood up for him. Xinxin told me that no one had ever done that for them before. They felt that I was on their side, and I cared for them.â
âHm⦠so what can I do for little Wang? I heard from my husband that she is working on her latest computer model. How do I make her happy?
Lin Wan spread her hands helplessly. Mrs. Wang was usually very smart, but Lin Wan didnât know why she was being so dumb today. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âI canât tell you what to do. You know her more than I do.â
Mrs. Wang shook her head. âSadly, I donât. Last time, old Wang shouted at her for building a new computer, which was very costly. I stood up for her, but she doesnât really appreciate it. He even shouted at her because she had a boyfriend. She is studying at a university. She is a twenty-year-old adult. She deserved a bit of freedom, right? I defended her then too, but⦠nothing worked! Old Wang blames me for spoiling her. I am trying to win Little Wangâs approval and my husband shouts at me. What should I even do?â
âWanwan, itâs been so hard for me to fit into this family. Little Wangâs temper is like Li Zexinâs. No matter what I do, she always sees me as the enemy.â âIt is a difficult job,â said Lin Wan.
âIt is! Once, Old Wang and Little Wang had a big argument, and they asked me who I felt was right. I didnât take a side. Little Wang got angry and said that I was a horrible person. Old Wang is too strict with his daughter, and little Wang is so hard to get along with. Their relationship is so bad with each other, but everyone blames me for coming between them. I didnât even do anything!â Mrs. Wang was on the verge of tears.
Lin Wan did not want to hear about the differences between members of wealthy families. To her, this seemed like a simple misunderstanding that could be solved with open communication.
âThe problem is that Little Wang doesnât see the efforts you make. Instead of defending her in front of her father, you just fight with old Wang behind her back. She doesnât see your efforts because you never show it to her.â
Lin Wan hoped Mrs. Wang understood her now.
Lin Wanâs mouth was dry from explaining so much. After an hour, she couldnât take it anymore. She made an excuse and left.
Mrs. Wang saw that it was already dark, so she couldnât really hold Lin Wan back. She walked Lin Wan to the door.
Li Yanchen was waiting for Lin Wan in the living room.
âDo you have any lozenges at home? My throat feels sore,â said Lin Wan.
Li Yanchen took out the first aid kit from a drawer. He thought Lin Wan and Mrs. Wang had quarreled. âWhat happened? Did you fight with Mrs. Wang?â Lin Wan accepted the lozenge that he handed to her. âThanks.â She put it in her mouth. âIâve never seen such a thickheaded person before.â
Auntie Huang and Auntie Bao also came out of the kitchen. âWhatâs wrong?â they asked.
âNothingâs wrong,â said Lin Wan. âWhy do you all think something must have gone wrong? I never quarrel with people.â Her throat finally felt a bit better.
âDid Mrs. Wang ask you⦠strange questions?â asked Li Yanchen. Lin Wan had told him that the ladies of the Royal Water Bay talked about everything from personal matters to business ideas.
Lin Wan nodded. âShe asked me to teach her to get along with her stepdaughter. I explained to her, but I donât think she gets it. Iâm a little worried. â
Auntie Huang and Auntie Bao both heaved a sigh of relief. âYou scared us,â said Auntie Huang.
âSee? Nothing to worry about. Itâs already 10 p.m. Arenât you two going to bed?â asked Lin Wan.
âWe were just talking and forgot the time. We are going to go and rest now. You should too,â said Auntie Huang.
Lin Wan and Li Yanchen went upstairs to their bedroom.
It was a completely different world inside and outside the villa. After returning to the room, Lin Wan changed into a short-sleeved nightdress. Li Yanchen had already taken a shower, and he was flipping through some channels on the TV. He raised the volume deliberately so no one would try to disturb them.
The light in the room was on, and there were two glasses of red wine in the cabinet.
âWanwan, have a drink.â Li Yanchen raised his glass.
âNo, thatâs alright. I think my throat is too sore. Maybe Iâm coming down with the flu,â said Lin Wan as she sat beside him on the sofa.
âIâll make you some ginger tea.â
âThatâs alright. You donât have to. I thought you would be disappointed after so many preparations.â
He kissed her on the cheek. âWhy would I do that? I want my wife to rest well and be healthy. I promise to leave you to recover for the next few days. I wonât try anything,â he said. âLet me dry your hair. Youâll catch a cold.â He handed her a book while he got up to get the hair dryer.
Lin Wan raised her head. She was shorter than him. When she raised her head, she could see his sculpted neck. Her eyes moved to his jawline.
She put down the book and pulled him close. Li Yanchen was startled by her sudden change of mood..