"The lunatic I met this afternoon must have mistaken me for someone else. Since they were mentally unstable, I couldn't possibly hold a grudge. I'll just let it go and hope they get better," Li Qiuyun muttered, considering herself unlucky.
However, Wen Yan's anger simmered.
If she had been there, she would never have let that person off so easily.
Fearing she might upset her mother, Wen Yan said no more.
After dinner, Leng Xunze stayed in the ward to attend to some work, while Wen Yan accompanied her mother for a stroll.
In the corridor, they couldn't help but notice the nurses' peculiar glances.
They were whispering and pointing.
Feeling uncomfortable, Wen Yan directly grabbed one of them.
"What are you talking about?"
The nurse was startled and looked guilty. "Nothing."
"I saw you. Speak up, or I won't let you leave."
"Um... it's really nothing," the other stammered, looking at them curiously. "We heard you're Wen Shihao's daughter?"
Wen Yan frowned. "How do you know?"
"So it's true... Well, someone said your mother is the former Mrs. Wen."
Wen Yan could tell from her expression that it wasn't that simple.
"Did they also say my mother had an affair?"
The nurse looked guilty but didn't deny it.
"Who said that?" Wen Yan's eyes were sharp.
"Everyone in the hospital is saying it. I don't know who started it."
Wen Yan was stubborn. "My brother is a VIP patient here, and you're discussing us like this? Believe it or not, I'll report you right now!"
At the mention of reporting, the nurse's face changed immediately. "I... I'll tell you!"
The environment here was high-end with excellent care, and getting admitted was not easy.
The nurse reluctantly led her to another nurse, who then revealed the source of the gossip.
The junior nurse was changing in the locker room, happily anticipating her shift's end.
She turned around and suddenly saw someone, letting out a startled scream.
"Who... who are you?"
"You don't need to know who I am. Tell me, who told you to spread these rumors?" Wen Yan pressed closer. The nurse, feeling guilty, turned pale but insisted, "I heard it from someone else."
"Then tell me, who?"
"I forgot..."
"A fine 'I forgot.' But I believe you still remember your hospital's rules. I'll call your director right now. Do you think any other hospital will hire you in the future?"
"No!" The junior nurse's face turned ashen, and she was on the verge of tears. "Please, don't."
"Then tell me."
But the junior nurse dared not.
On one side was the Wen family, the overlords of Haicheng; on the other, her own future.
She couldn't make a choice.
However, Wen Yan didn't force her. She could tell what was going on from the nurse's expression.
After leaving, she was filled with a cold fury. Li Qiuyun looked at her, understanding without a word.
"Mom, I will get justice for you!" Wen Yan suddenly declared.
"What do you want to do?" Li Qiuyun looked at her anxiously. "Yan Yan, forget it. My only hope now is for you and your brother to be safe and sound. Hasn't the Wen family done enough disgusting things? I don't respect them, and I don't want to deal with them anymore."
"Don't worry, Mom, I know what I'm doing," Wen Yan reassured her.
This time, they didn't even know how much information had been spread.
Someone had already attacked her mother.
If the situation worsened, and someone else targeted her mother, what then? Would they have to live like rats on the street? Wen Yan couldn't bear to see any of that.
Wen Ya's birthday banquet was tomorrow.
There wasn't much time to prepare.
Wen Yan had no intention of preparing anything and went directly to the Golden Splendor Hotel.
As she entered, the attendant scrutinized her several times, clearly doubting her identity.
Everyone attending the banquet today was exceptionally well-dressed.
Wen Ya's birthday banquet was filled with socialites and various celebrities from the entertainment industry.
It was, in essence, a rare display of luxury in Haicheng.
The hotel's banquet hall had been specially decorated, with dazzling chandeliers and luxurious, high-end furnishings. Even the wine glasses were flown in, each of considerable value.
The guests were all dressed in opulent attire, wearing custom-made suits or limited-edition designer pieces.
Amidst the clinking glasses, a scene of decadent revelry unfolded.
Wen Yan's appearance seemed out of place.
Her simple blue long dress drew everyone's attention.
"Who is that? Is she a guest or a server?"
"She's not in uniform, so she must be a guest. What kind of guest does the Wen family have?"
Curious and bewildered gazes fell upon her. At this moment, Wen Ya, who was the center of attention, walked towards Wen Yan and linked arms with her.
"Sister, you're here~ I thought you wouldn't come." She smiled innocently and charmingly.
At the banquet, Wen Ya wore a high-end custom-made pink princess dress adorned with genuine diamond embellishments on the hem. The crown on her forehead was made of crystal, sparkling brilliantly, making her look like a true princess from a fairy tale.
She was the focus of everyone's admiration.
In contrast, Wen Yan appeared even more plain and shabby, as if from a different world.
"So this is Wen Ya's sister, the daughter of Mr. Wen's ex-wife?" people suddenly realized.
Their gazes, however, were now filled with amusement and disdain.
"I really don't know what nerve she has to attend Wen Ya's banquet. She's dressed so shabbily. It seems the former Mrs. Wen isn't living well after her affair."
"In ancient times, she would have been drowned in a pig cage. It's already good that Mr. Wen hasn't done anything to her! Women are just cheap; they can't live a good life and have to do such disgusting things."
"Mr. Wen worked so hard to support the family, and his wife had an affair with the butler. It's disgusting. If it were me, I would never let that pair of dogs and bitches go."
"Could this girl be here on her mother's orders, wanting something? How ridiculous, utterly shameless!"
"It must be. After all, this woman is Mr. Wen's child. She's probably here for favors."
Malicious, mocking gazes, like a dark tide, slowly enveloped Wen Yan.
Wen Yan had experienced such things more than once. When she and her mother returned to the Li family, those people had the same expressions.
Disgust and aversion.
Yet, they had done nothing wrong.
They were forced to live amidst the gossip of others.
Wen Yan lowered her eyes, appearing somewhat flustered. "You invited me, and I wanted to see everyone. And Father, I haven't seen him in many years. I just wanted to see you. I prepared a gift for you. Isn't Father here?"
She finished speaking, her bright, hopeful eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Father will be here soon."
"Alright, then this gift is for you. I'll leave now."
Wen Yan whispered, then turned to leave.
Her slender, frail back now appeared exceptionally forlorn.
For a moment, it inexplicably pierced through everyone's hearts.
They had assumed she was here to beg for favors, but she had only come to give a gift and perhaps see her father.
And judging by her words, she hadn't seen her father in years.
Everyone's feelings were complex.
The mother's affair, the child was innocent. Especially since Mr. Wen's divorce from his ex-wife happened long ago, and Wen Yan was too young to understand then.
As she neared the entrance, Wen Yan looked back once more.
Seeing that her father was not present in the grand banquet, her pure and bright eyes instantly dimmed.
She turned and left, looking even more dejected.
"This girl, she seems quite pitiful."
"Yes, as daughters of the Wen family, Wen Ya is like a princess, while she is so humble."
"Although Mr. Wen's ex-wife's actions were disgraceful, this child is innocent. She's truly pitiful. Speaking of which, Wen Yan is Mr. Wen's child after all. Hasn't Mr. Wen seen her in so many years?"
"It feels a bit cruel to her. She's his own flesh and blood..."
Wen Ya's heart skipped a beat at these words.
The Wen family had an impeccable reputation for generations, and this was the first time a crack had appeared.