Volume One, Chapter 18: Peach Blossoms Blooming in Winter

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After breakfast, at around ten o’clock, Wen Yang came upstairs to see Wen Li. He stopped outside her room and raised his hand to knock.

“Li, are you busy? May your brother come in?”

Wen Li opened the door and motioned for him to enter. Then she sat down on the bed with an air of complete indifference.

It was the first time Wen Yang had formally entered her room since she returned from Germany. He froze where he stood, not knowing where to rest his eyes.

He was still holding two tubes of burn ointment meant to reduce swelling and bruising, and now he could not even find a place to put them.

“Li, this is…”

He could not exactly say he was frightened—only that he was utterly astonished.

In the vast, empty room, the only things within sight were a bed, a cabinet, and a suitcase. Some toiletries and cosmetics lay scattered across the bathroom counter.

There was nothing else.

Wen Li took the ointment from his hands and gave a bitter smile. “The day after I came back, she said she wanted someone to clean up my room. This is the masterpiece they produced.”

She said it with the unmistakable intention of showing it off to Wen Yang, even inviting him to look around as he pleased.

Wen Yang had known nothing about Shen Jingshu’s actions. If Wen Li had not explained, he would have thought their mother was secretly preparing for a move.

“Mom does go too far sometimes. If you need anything, you can have someone furnish the room again.”

“It’s not important. Don’t let it trouble you.”

Shen Jingshu had said as much, but Wen Li saw no point in doing it.

At first, she had thought she would soon be returning to Germany, so there was no need to go to such lengths.

Now that she had decided to move out, there was even less reason to do so.

After all, every bit of the Wen family’s wealth and power had been hard-won. Wen Li did not dare squander it lightly.

She had no intention of continuing a conversation that was meaningless and could lead nowhere. She went straight to the point and asked Wen Yang, “Brother, did you come here to speak to me about something?”

Wen Yang said, “How is your face? You were scalded just now, weren’t you?”

“I’m fine.”

The porridge had sat in the bowl for some time and had cooled somewhat, so it had not been particularly hot. Apart from some redness and swelling, there was no serious damage. Besides, it was winter, so there was little risk of inflammation. With a few days of proper care, it would be fine.

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Wen Yang asked again, “You were living perfectly well at home. Why did you suddenly decide to move out?”

Wen Li replied, “I’m not going back to Germany. The university has established a new research institute in South City. I’ve already had some preliminary discussions with them, and I’ll be working in South City from now on.”

She added, “The institute is rather far away, so commuting from home would be inconvenient.”

“When did you make this decision? Why didn’t you discuss it with your brother?”

Wen Yang had always felt that Wen Li had changed a great deal since returning from Germany. She was no longer the sweet, well-behaved younger sister who used to trail after him, calling out “Brother” this and “Brother” that.

“It’s been some time,” Wen Li answered. “It wasn’t officially settled before. Now I’ve made up my mind.”

The plan to establish a new research institute in South City had been in the works for nearly two years, but the final approval documents had never been confirmed, and the staffing arrangements had not been finalized.

Her return had been partly to attend Ling Dan’s wedding, but also to test the Wen family’s attitude toward her coming home before making her final decision.

Zhou Huaiqing had been right. She should begin again—begin again and pursue the life she wanted. If she wished to speak, she should speak; if she wished to act, she should act. She no longer needed to watch other people’s expressions.

Even if she bent over backward to accommodate everyone, she would never win a word of approval from Shen Jingshu. So why bother?

Wen Yang patiently asked, “Can you tell your brother why?”

Wen Li said nothing.

Wen Yang still tried to persuade her. “Even if you’re not planning to return to Germany, you don’t have to move out. You can stay at home. There are drivers and housekeepers—it would be far more convenient than living alone outside.”

In the calmest possible tone, Wen Li said something chillingly cold.

“Brother, this isn’t my home. It’s yours.”

Wen Yang clearly disliked hearing her repeat words so hurtful in their implications. His tone hardened.

“Li, I won’t allow you to say things like that.”

To Wen Yang, family was his bottom line, one of his deepest taboos.

Wen Li, like everyone else in the Wen family, was among the people dearest to him.

Wen Yang sighed, his manner softening. “If you’re angry with Mom, I’ll speak to her later. And don’t blame her for what happened this morning. She was acting on impulse and couldn’t accept it for the moment. Deep down, she does care about you.”

“Li, listen to your brother.”

Wen Yang was the eldest son and the only son, the next heir whom the entire Wen family had devoted all its strength and effort to cultivating. Naturally, he could not truly put himself in Wen Li’s place and understand what she felt inside.

As her brother, Wen Yang’s kindness toward her was beyond reproach. Being caught between family members was difficult and painful, so Wen Li did not blame him, nor did she expect him to understand.

But no one could live forever inside a false illusion.

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“Brother, I didn’t sleep well last night, and I’m tired now. I want to sleep for a while. Is that all right?”

After saying this, Wen Li lay down on the bed, pulled the covers over herself, turned onto her side, and closed her eyes. She did not want to continue the conversation.

Wen Yang stood there without speaking. At last, as he left the room, he reminded her, “Remember to apply the ointment.”

* * *

The Wen family’s old residence, tea room.

Zhou Huaiqing had come to see Wen Yang again. His daily visits were punctual enough to seem like an official routine.

The two men sat facing each other beside the tea table, drinking tea and chatting.

Seeing Wen Yang’s worried expression, Zhou Huaiqing deliberately teased him. “Surely the eldest young master of the Wen family hasn’t fallen for some young lady in the bloom of winter?”

Wen Yang changed the subject and complained, “You’re well into your thirties and still haven’t learned to behave properly. No wonder you can’t find yourself a wife.”

“Likewise.”

As he spoke, Zhou Huaiqing sighed with feeling. “Thank goodness you’re in front of me, taking all the blows. Otherwise, the old man in my family would have struck me dead by now.”

Strictly speaking, Wen Yang was a few months older than Zhou Huaiqing. The two had always been close, forever spending time together, and both were still single. Whenever the holidays came around and their families began urging them to marry, Wen Yang was usually the first to bear the brunt of it.

Besides, Wen Yang had a good nature and an even temper, and he was willing to listen. Zhou Huaiqing, on the other hand, would lose his temper after only a few words. Naturally, everyone preferred to nag Wen Yang.

Years ago, when Mrs. Zhou and Mrs. Wen discovered, one after the other, that they were pregnant, the families had even mentioned the possibility of arranging a betrothal between the children if one turned out to be a boy and the other a girl.

Even now, the two families’ elders still regretted that both babies had been boys. If only they had been one of each, they could have paired them off and spared themselves the trouble of worrying about their marriages.

Wen Yang laughed. “Uncle Zhou wouldn’t have the heart to do it. Even if he wanted to strike you dead, he’d wait until after you gave him a grandson.”

“That’s true.”

Zhou Huaiqing casually picked up a piece of pastry and put it in his mouth. Nodding emphatically, he said with profound feeling, “Why do you think the older generation is so obsessed with getting married, establishing a career, and carrying on the family line?”

“People want to leave something behind while they’re alive. It’s only human nature. If you refuse, they won’t actually put a knife to your throat and force you to marry and have children.”

Wen Yang refilled his cup with hot tea. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Zhou Huaiqing, then abruptly changed tack.

“I heard you attended the welcoming banquet a few days ago?”

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