Lin Shen

After witnessing the tragedy of the Zhao Family, Wu Wei actually felt a myriad of emotions deep down.

He reflected on himself for a moment.

Perhaps Wu Tian was not necessarily a perfect father, but he had never been a perfect son either.

Of course, since he was a child, he had always been the "child of other people."

However, Wu Tian never seemed to care about that.

Precisely because of this, while Wu Wei growing up to be the person he was today exceeded the expectations of many, in Wu Tian's eyes, he was still not doing well enough.

Wu Wei wouldn't change anything because of that, but swallowing his pride for his old man wasn't such a big deal.

However, this sense of being moved vanished without a trace the moment he returned home.

Watching the woman with a bare face bustling about in his home, the smile on Wu Wei's face stiffened.

A stepmother?

And so young?

Does she look about the same age as him?

That beast Wu Tian, to think he would lay his hands on such a young woman!

Although his reason told Wu Wei that Wu Tian was now free to pursue any woman over the age of sixteen, the massive age gap still made it impossible for him to accept.

"Wu Wei, you're back? Sit down first, Ruoxi will have the food ready in a moment." Wu Tian poked his head out, then vanished again.

Wu Wei took a deep breath, not letting his temper flare.

Endure for now, and see what kind of medicine Wu Tian was selling in his gourd.

If he really was acting in a way unbecoming of his age, well, there was truly nothing he could do about it.

It was just that the status of "father" would certainly not carry much weight with Wu Wei from now on.

Wu Wei had never been the type to suffer in silence.

Besides, Ruoxi?

Could her surname be Maertai?

As Wu Wei's mind wandered, his gaze suddenly sharpened.

Wait, this woman's appearance looked somewhat like his mother's.

Was he looking for a replacement?

A cry of surprise from the kitchen interrupted Wu Wei's thoughts.

He walked to the kitchen doorway and saw the woman called "Ruoxi" sticking out her tongue at the broken bowl on the floor, her expression exceptionally cute.

Of course, in Wu Wei's eyes, the expression was exceptionally affected.

"I'm sorry, I was just a bit nervous."

"Ruoxi's" words made Wu Wei feel a bit nervous as well.

Damn it, is today the day for a showdown?

What a waste that I actually wanted to have a heart-to-heart with Wu Tian, only to be met with this.

"It's fine, you go out and talk to Wu Wei. The dishes are already done, I can handle the rest myself."

Ruoxi looked at Wu Wei, her eyes darting away, but she still listened to Wu Tian.

The two sat opposite each other, neither taking the initiative to speak; the air was thick with an atmosphere called "awkwardness."

In the end, it was Wu Wei who broke the silence.

"My name is Wu Wei, what is yours?"

"Lin Ruoxi, the 'xi' as in a mountain stream."

Wu Wei raised an eyebrow. The 'xi' as in a stream—he had been getting the character wrong the whole time.

But that wasn't important.

The surname Lin?

Wu Tian really had gone to great lengths.

"You look a lot like my mother."

Wu Wei was blunt; as long as the other party wasn't a fool, she should be able to understand the hidden meaning in his words.

However, Wu Wei never expected Lin Ruoxi's reaction to be one of joy.

"Really? Thank you for the compliment!"

Wu Wei: "..."

Young lady, I know Wu Tian is very handsome, but you are so young—how could you be so bewitched by a middle-aged old fox?

What is there to be happy about? It's obvious you're just a replacement.

At this moment, Wu Tian walked out carrying two plates of food, and Wu Wei glared at him with fury.

Just how much of a worldview had this guy instilled in this woman to train her into what she was today?

Excessive.

Wu Tian caught the look in Wu Wei's eyes, though he didn't quite grasp its meaning.

After setting the dishes on the table, Wu Tian clapped his hands and brought out two bottles of red wine.

"Since our family is gathered together, let's have a drink to celebrate."

Wu Wei's right fist quietly tightened.

Family?

What kind of family was this?

Even if he remarried, he wouldn't mind, but the secrecy was handled far too well.

Even if it were just a formality, he should have at least asked for his opinion.

However, Wu Wei didn't voice his opposition; he decided to give Wu Tian a bit more face.

As it turned out, this was a very wise decision.

"Brother-in-law, I don't drink."

Wu Wei's hand instantly relaxed.

Brother-in-law?

Aunt?

Was there such a relative?

Why did he have absolutely no memory of her?

Wu Wei felt his brain struggling to keep up.

Although Wu Wei and Wu Tian had their own separate social circles, their connections to the Lin family should have been shared.

Something was definitely wrong somewhere.

Wu Wei was suspicious, but he didn't show it.

He wanted to see how this play would unfold if he simply refused to play along.

"Weiwei, eat up. We're so close, there's no need to be polite in front of me. I happen to know you have quite an appetite." Lin Ruoxi took the initiative to greet Wu Wei.

Wu Wei nodded obediently, thinking to himself that he never had a big appetite, and he wasn't close to her at all.

Where on earth did this so-called aunt pop out from? It was utterly baffling.

Yet, what felt baffling to Wu Wei clearly seemed perfectly normal to Wu Tian.

"Ruoxi, now that you're back in the country, have you thought about what you want to do?" Wu Tian asked proactively.

Lin Ruoxi stole a glance at Wu Tian and said with a smile, "Brother-in-law, if I said I wanted to work with you, would you refuse me?"

Wu Tian had majored in Chinese literature in college and was a well-known talent in his youth; later, he simply became a freelancer, making a living by writing novels and scripts.

However, turning talent into money was never an easy task. As far as Wu Wei knew, due to his pride, Wu Tian had always refused to leverage the connections of Lin Shen, and because he was a man who took things as they came with little desire for wealth, he had always remained in a mediocre position.

Now Lin Ruoxi wanted to work with him? What a joke.

The little money he earned made it hard enough to support two people.

What Wu Wei didn't expect was that Wu Tian would agree without hesitation.

"Brother-in-law doesn't earn much, but as long as I have a bite to eat, you'll definitely have one too."

Lin Ruoxi agreed with a beaming smile, adding confidently, "Don't worry, Brother-in-law. You're so talented, you'll definitely become a hit."

Even if you don't become a hit, I will make sure you do. Lin Ruoxi told herself inwardly.

Wu Wei couldn't take it anymore. Flirting right in front of him—wasn't that going a bit too far?

Besides, Wu Tian, you're so poor you only give me 2,000 in pocket money a month, yet you have spare cash to support a sister-in-law?

Wu Wei felt he had been far too lenient, which was why they were acting so recklessly.

Just as Wu Wei was about to blow his top, his entire body suddenly stiffened.

He saw someone who absolutely should not have been there walk out of the master bedroom.

"When did Weiwei get back? Why didn't you call me beforehand?"

Wu Wei's chopsticks hung in mid-air, his entire being completely stunned.

"Mom?"

How Wu Wei wished that what he was seeing was real.

Unfortunately, she could never appear again.