Chapter 156: A Bolt from the Blue

Mother Wen patiently listened to her guest complain about Song Wanning for the entire afternoon before finally managing to see her off.

As soon as she sat back down, Mother Wen rubbed her temples. She wanted to call her son; he had mentioned a few days ago that he would come home for a visit, but he still hadn't shown up. She had no idea what he was so busy with. In the end, she decided not to call, thinking it would be better to just ask Chen Shaoyuan, lest she disturb her son.

Meanwhile, Chen Shaoyuan had just finished dropping off Wen Jingxing and Song Wanning at the Fanjing Gardens estate. He had only just parked the car in the garage when his phone rang. Seeing it was Mrs. Wen, he answered immediately.

"Hello, Madam. Is there something you need?"

"Where is Jingxing right now? Has he been very busy lately?"

"Young Master Wen just returned from the company and has arrived at the gardens. He has to manage matters for the variety show during the day and handle company business at night."

The implication was clear: Wen Jingxing was extremely busy. However, as he wasn't Wen Jingxing himself and lacked the authority to speak on his behalf, Chen Shaoyuan simply described what his employer had been doing lately.

Hearing this, Mother Wen immediately said, "He's that busy? Tell him not to work so hard. He can leave the company affairs to his father for a while."

Chen Shaoyuan replied, "Young Master Wen has already given orders; he can handle the company matters on his own."

"Fine. Just tell him to get some rest and eat properly. Don't let him develop a stomach ulcer..." Mother Wen went on with a long string of motherly nagging.

By the end, Chen Shaoyuan wanted to laugh but felt it would be inappropriate. He never expected that someone like Young Master Wen, even as a grown man, still couldn't escape the maternal concern of Mrs. Wen.

Only at the very end of the conversation did Mother Wen ask the reason for her call.

"And what about Song Wanning?"

In truth, Mother Wen could have called even when Wen Jingxing was busy. A large part of why she had called Chen Shaoyuan was to inquire about Song Wanning's situation.

"Hmm? What about Miss Song?" Chen Shaoyuan asked, confused.

Mother Wen added, "Since she came to the capital, where has she been staying? Is it far from Jingxing?"

During the last episode, Mother Wen had missed the part where Li Weiwei mentioned the living arrangements for the next set of guests. Since she didn't usually watch the live streams, she had no idea that the two of them were living together.

Chen Shaoyuan didn't think much of it and replied, "Miss Song is also staying at Fanjing Gardens."

Hearing this, Mother Wen, who had been sitting comfortably on the sofa, could no longer remain calm. She stood up abruptly.

"Was this arranged by Wen Jingxing, or was it Li Weiwei's idea?"

Chen Shaoyuan wasn't sure either, so he said, "It must have been Young Master, right? If he didn't agree to it, who else could have moved in there?"

This wasn't part of a script!

Mother Wen's head buzzed as if struck by lightning. Her body went limp, and she collapsed back onto the sofa.

Everything was ruined now...

Could it be that her son actually had feelings for Song Wanning? If Song Wanning were the one interested, she might still be able to block the marriage, but if her own son was the one interested, how could she possibly stop it?

Back then, she had been a hundred percent against the engagement. Since her son hadn't wanted to set a date, she had pushed the matter along, resulting in the current situation. How could everything have changed just from participating in a half-month variety show!?

Hearing no response from Mother Wen, Chen Shaoyuan tentatively called out, "Madam... are you still there?"

Mother Wen held her forehead. "Yes. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

Sensing that Mother Wen's voice sounded faint, Chen Shaoyuan asked with concern, "Madam... are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Alright then."

Chen Shaoyuan sighed helplessly and hung up the phone. After getting out of the car, he helped carry the groceries from the trunk back to the villa.

Earlier, the ride had been very quiet; none of the three had uttered a word. But at that moment, Wen Jingxing’s stomach suddenly growled. Though the sound wasn't loud, the interior of the car was so still that it would have been hard for the other two not to hear it.

Chen Shaoyuan naturally pretended to be deaf and dumb. Song Wanning, however, checked the time and looked at Wen Jingxing. "You're already hungry at two in the afternoon?"

Having had his stomach growl in front of her, Wen Jingxing felt a bit embarrassed. He silently turned his head to the side without offering an explanation, deciding to let Song Wanning keep her misunderstanding.

However, the meddlesome Chen Shaoyuan in the front seat, thinking his boss didn't want to take credit in front of Song Wanning, spoke up for him.

"Miss Song, Young Master Wen came straight from the company to wait for you at Huadu Plaza, so he hasn't had lunch yet."

Chen Shaoyuan believed that if one loved someone, they should express that affection directly; being secretive only led to misunderstandings. To his surprise, he was met with a death glare from Wen Jingxing.

Chen Shaoyuan quickly pretended to be oblivious, acting as if he had to focus on the road. With his left hand on the steering wheel, he secretly fumbled with his other hand until he found a switch and pressed it. A black partition rose between the seats, blocking Wen Jingxing’s face. Chen Shaoyuan glanced at the rearview mirror, and only after confirming that he could no longer see the Young Master's face did he let out a long sigh of relief.

Being a secretary these days is truly difficult. One has to help facilitate the relationship between the boss and his lady, all while dodging the daggers shot from the boss's eyes.

Wen Jingxing stared fixedly out the window, refusing to look back. He felt so embarrassed to have waited for Song Wanning like a fool for two hours.

The scenery outside flew by, filled with green mountains and clear waters, showing no trace of winter. Yet, Wen Jingxing was in no mood to admire it; his mind was entirely occupied with how to explain things to Song Wanning later.

Suddenly, he heard a woman's soft laughter behind him. "Why didn't you go buy something to eat while you were waiting for me?"

Wen Jingxing thought to himself that Ah Ning would surely think he was a blockhead now. He hadn't even realized that he had spent two hours waiting without ever thinking to rush her, or even remembering that he hadn't eaten himself.

"I'll cook for you when we get back. I'll make sure you're full!"

Wen Jingxing finally turned his head to look at Song Wanning. "Ah Ning, you..."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Nothing."

Wen Jingxing turned his head away again, afraid that if he looked at her face for too long, he might actually start to believe she liked him.

Song Wanning smiled. "You waited for me for so long; it's only right that I cook a meal for you."

"I can have Auntie Li cook. It's cold out; don't get your hands wet."

"No need. Is there anywhere nearby to buy groceries?"

"I'll go tell Chen Shaoyuan."

Wen Jingxing reached out and tapped the partition, and Chen Shaoyuan lowered it. He wore a beaming smile. "Do you have any instructions, Young Master?"

"Go to the food market."

The smile on Chen Shaoyuan’s face froze. Go to the food market? Had he misheard? He tentatively asked, "What groceries should I pick up?..."

"Ah Ning and I will go ourselves."

Chen Shaoyuan couldn't believe his ears. The two of them were going to stroll through the food market!?