Chapter 29: Her Unrestrained Nature Made Him Uneasy

"You come from a poor background and have mediocre qualifications. Do you expect Jinchuan to tell people that his wife is just a full-time housewife?" Lou Xu spoke with undisguised disdain, her tone heavy with contempt.

She had never approved of this daughter-in-law in the slightest.

She felt it was a complete waste for her son, though it had been a desperate last resort to bring her into the family back then.

However, Su Nian, who had been spending a lot of time with Lu Jinchuan lately, was someone who could hold her own in high society. Although her background was still a far cry from the Lu family's standards, that young woman was highly educated—something Wen Ying simply could not compare to.

Wen Ying understood Lou Xu’s thoughts and said calmly, "You won't have to worry about that for much longer."

Lou Xu frowned. "What do you mean?"

Before Wen Ying could answer, the sound of a car horn echoed from outside.

A tall, upright figure appeared in the main hall. Lu Jinchuan’s dark eyes swept over the scene. For the past three years, it wasn’t as if he hadn't seen his mother giving Wen Ying a hard time; Wen Ying never had a temper, always bowing her head and acting submissive. He figured she didn't feel wronged herself, so why should he intervene?

"I had some matters to attend to, so I'm late." His gaze brushed over Wen Ying before he finally stood beside her. "Grandmother, why are you unhappy?"

As he stood at her side, Wen Ying clearly caught the faint scent of women's perfume on him.

It was a base note of white musk—impossible to ignore.

It was the scent on Su Nian...

If they hadn't been intimately close for a long time, how could he have been stained with such a lingering fragrance?

The old lady patted Lu Jinchuan’s sturdy arm. "You finally decided to come back? Was there something so pressing?"

Lu Jinchuan curled his lips, offering no explanation. "I'm hungry. Shall we eat?"

His arrival interrupted whatever Lou Xu was about to say. She glanced at Wen Ying with a frown, rose from her seat, and said, "I have no appetite. You all go ahead."

The old lady, knowing that Lou Xu had always harbored resentment toward Wen Ying’s place in the family, didn't press the issue and ushered Wen Ying and Lu Jinchuan to the dining room.

Lu Siran arrived just then. Seeing Wen Ying, she said nothing, but ran happily to Lu Jinchuan’s side, plopping herself into the seat right next to him. Whether intentional or not, she clearly didn't want Wen Ying sitting near him.

The old lady noticed this too. "You child, your sister-in-law is right here. Come sit by me."

"I have something to talk to my brother about." Lu Siran blinked, looking at Wen Ying. "You shouldn't be so possessive, should you?"

Wen Ying sat down calmly. "Suit yourself."

Lu Jinchuan raised his eyes to look at her because of her response.

Wen Ying pretended not to notice. She knew that in the past, she had always loved clinging to him, never missing a chance to build intimacy, and would always sit by his side. But since they were going to get a divorce, there was no need for that anymore.

"Xiao Liu, bring out the soup simmering in the kitchen for Jinchuan," the old lady instructed.

A bowl of soup was soon served, prepared exclusively for Lu Jinchuan.

Lu Jinchuan lifted the lid and glanced at it. His refined, handsome face showed no emotion, but he said with a half-smile, "Grandmother, I’m in perfect health. I don't need this."

Only then did Wen Ying look over, her eyes pausing.

Soft-shelled turtle, goji berry, and lily bulb soup...

It was a potent tonic, excellent for kidney health and vitality.

The old lady smiled as she ladled a bowl for him. "Who would complain about being in even better health? It’s been simmering for three hours. It’s good for a happy and harmonious marriage."

Lu Siran, being young, didn't understand the implication and just lowered her head to pick at her food.

Wen Ying also acted as if she hadn't heard.

The old lady still hoped they would share a room more often and have a child. Putting aside Wen Ying’s own health issues, Lu Jinchuan had always only performed his duties a few times; to him, she was likely nothing more than a chore. He was practically sexless where she was concerned.

Especially now that they were on the verge of divorce.

As expected, Lu Jinchuan took the bowl but didn't touch a single drop throughout the meal.

The old lady knew that persuasion was futile, and unable to do anything else, she couldn't help but sigh several times. Why couldn't this stubborn boy appreciate how good Wen Ying was?

During the meal, Wen Ying kept thinking about how to bring up the divorce. She was waiting for Lu Jinchuan to open the subject, but he remained silent, and she couldn't help but glance at him several times.

Lu Jinchuan noticed her gaze.

He lifted his eyes and caught Wen Ying staring at him. His pupils were clear and cold, and his brow furrowed as if he were... displeased.

In the last twenty minutes, Wen Ying had looked at him no fewer than five times.

Ever since the old lady had served him that tonic soup.

Her lack of restraint made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.