Chapter 3: Stepmother

The Wen Family was descendant of a scholar family. The Wen Family’s old mansion was built with a lavish European-style structure, mixed with an internal Chinese-style courtyard. This type of mansion was unique and was a popular topic to talk about in the capital city.

Wen Xinya could recall clearly when she was brought back to the Wen Family in her previous life, she was deeply amazed by how grand and majestic the mansion appeared to be. During that time she was inspired and motivated, and yet at the same time felt worried and doubtful. She questioned herself repeatedly if this was really going to be her future home.

However, little did she expect that the Wen Family members were keeping watchful eyes on her. Materialistic—this was the first impression she had given to the Wen Family. They felt disgraced by such behavior. From then onwards, no matter how hard she tried, it was difficult to change their perspective of her.

Wen Xinya arrived back home at eight-thirty sharp. She grinned with satisfaction as she was back just in time when she saw the clock.

Ning Shuqian and Wen Yuya were sitting in the living room. They were shocked to see her.

Unable to suppress her astonishment, Wen Yuya asked, “Why… Why are you back so early?”

She certainly remembered she had made Wen Xinya drink till she was dead drunk. Shouldn’t she be in one of the private rooms in Black Sunday being violated and having her nude pictures taken? Why was she back so early?

Wen Xinya coldly smirked. “You are not being nice, Sister. You brought me to Black Sunday and left me there alone. Luckily, I got sober just in time. It’s hard to imagine what could have happened at such a sleazy place!”

Wen Yuya stared with eyes wide open, not expecting Wen Xinya to respond in this manner. She exclaimed, “Nonsense! How could I have brought you to such a sleazy place like Black Sunday? Don’t malign me!”

“Sister, you know what kind of place Black Sunday is?” asked Wen Xinya without expression.

Wen Yuya was tongue-tied. Glaring at Wen Xinya, she said angrily, “Don’t spout nonsense! How could I possibly know what kind of place Black Sunday is?”

Just with a few words, she got Wen Yuya trapped. Wen Xinya stood there quietly, calm like a viburnum tree, filled with confidence. Her face was fair and smooth just like a viburnum flower, magnificent and enchanting, radiant and elegant. She looked as pure as the white snow.

She was stunning and mesmerizing in white!

Is this the cowardly, inferior and stupid Wen Xinya? Ning Shuqian instantly noticed she was a changed person.

Could it be the personality traits of descendants from a scholar family? Even though she had been leading a wandering life on the streets at a young age, her uncouth behavior was unable to match her elegant and classy characteristics.

Ning Shuqian instantly diverted her thoughts. She brought a warm smile to her face and asked tenderly, “Xinya, it’s late. Are you hungry? Shall I get the servants to prepare some food for you?”

Though at the age of 35, Ning Shuqian was glowing with a beautiful and flawless complexion. The few fine lines at the corner of her eyes were like beautiful extensions from her willow leaf-shaped eyebrows. There were almost no traces of age on her charming and seductive face.

It was no wonder Father was attracted to this bewitching woman and had an affair with her while Wen Xinya’s Mother was pregnant with her. Within six months from her Mother’s death by dystocia, Father had remarried Ning Shuqian, who brought into the Wen Family her own child who was two months younger than Wen Xinya.

Wen Xinya remembered how she used to be easily deceived by Ning Shuqian’s caring and warm character. She drooped her head slightly, attempting to conceal the hatred in her eyes. “Aunt Ning, I am not feeling well and do not have any appetite,” she said while raising her head with a sincere smile on her face.

Seeing her innocence again, it was just like the same Wen Xinya that she knew. Ning Shuqian thought she was probably overly worried. “Oh, you are unwell. Do you need me to fetch the family doctor for you?” she asked.

Wen Xinya shook her head and responded, “It’s okay. I probably had too much alcohol just now. I think I should be fine after some rest.”

Ning Shuqian gave a sigh of relief. She said with a broad smile on her face, “I’m glad you are fine. You smell of alcohol. If Grandpa and Grandma find out, they will not be happy about it.”

Wen Xinya used to feel that these words from Ning Shuqian were words of concern. But after her rebirth, she saw through Ning Shuqian’s ulterior motive. She must be afraid of Grandpa finding out that Wen Yuya brought Wen Xinya to Black Sunday. She also knew that Wen Xinya would want to get into Grandpa and Grandma’s good books and not make them upset. Therefore, by putting it to her this way, Wen Xinya would definitely not mention this incident to Grandpa and Grandma.

Wen Xinya looked anxious and worried. Noticing how easily shaken she was and how she lacked the charisma of an affluent family’s daughter, Ning Shuqian felt at ease. “I don’t know what sort of place is Black Sunday, but it surely doesn’t sound like a nice place. In our circle of life, there are no boundaries on how we should enjoy ourselves or where we should have fun. Most importantly, Grandpa and Grandma must not find out about this incident.” she said with a sense of sarcasm.

Wen Xinya acknowledged. “Aunt Ning, I understand. Thank you for reminding me!” It sounded like a gentle reminder earlier, but now it surely served as a stern warning. This was what Ning Shuqian was capable of. She could make a warning sound like a moving speech.

Wen Xinya had been wandering on the streets at a very young age. She had lost all the opportunities to learn the good qualities a girl from a respectable family should possess—charisma, virtue, education and values. She did not even know how she should behave as a daughter from an affluent family. Ning Shuqian had been trying to mislead her by saying words like “there are no boundaries on how and where she could have fun”.

Ning Shuqian saw her obedience. She held Wen Xinya’s hands and said, “I’m glad you know. You just returned to the Wen Family and are not familiar with many things from around here. Grandpa and Grandma are old, I do not wish to see you agitating them with any of your bad behaviors. It wasn’t easy for you to reunite with the Wen Family. It could be daunting to constantly be worried for the children. Let’s not trouble them with all these unnecessary matters.”

Wen Xinya looked like she only had a hazy notion of Aunt Ning’s words. She said with her eyes wide open, “Aunt Ning, I understand that Grandpa and Grandma have spent a great deal of time and effort to look for me. I will not let them down.”

Wen Xinya smirked. Previously, she had said the same thing. And that was the reason why she had tried to hide the unhappy incidents from Grandpa and Grandma and dealt with them all by herself. In the end, she was mistaken by everyone in the Wen Family and was unable to seek any understanding nor praises no matter how hard she tried.

Ning Shuqian looked extremely satisfied. “I’m glad that you understand. You just returned to Wen Family, so approach me for any matters if you need,” she assured.

Wen Xinya smiled back and answered gratefully, “Thank you, Aunt Ning!”

“Promptly return to your room and have a good rest since you are not feeling well. Wake up early tomorrow morning for breakfast with Grandpa and Grandma. This is one of the traditions of the Wen Family.” Ning Shuqian told her in a gentle tone.

Wen Xinya left the living room after wishing both Ning Shuqian and Wen Yuya goodnight.