It was also that year that she met her prince.
He was so young and naive back then, blushing before he could even speak his confession to her.
She couldn't help but chuckle, her white dress brushing against his long, straight legs in the wind.
When she came back to her senses, Aunt Liu and Wen Yan had been watching her for some time. Leng Xue lightly turned her face away, wiped the liquid from her face, and said in a calm voice, "Not bad. I'll give you the styling fee later."
"Alright, alright, I'll be going then. Make sure your cook makes something delicious tonight, or I won't eat," Aunt Liu said, pulling Wen Yan away.
As soon as they were outside, she sighed.
Wen Yan was filled with doubt but didn't ask.
She knew there were many things in wealthy families that couldn't be asked about.
But Aunt Liu was the type to speak her mind, especially since she felt Wen Yan was someone she could trust. She couldn't help but say, "Oh, don't let Leng Xue's high position and the respect she commands fool you. Many years ago, she was a very kind-hearted young girl."
Wen Yan listened quietly.
Leng Xue, the head of the Leng family in the capital, was always a formidable woman.
Her legendary business acumen was known to all.
Yet, Aunt Liu revealed a new side of Leng Xue to her.
"Many years ago, when Leng Xue's parents were still alive, she was a carefree little princess. She had an older brother, and her life should have been happy. But that year, the Leng family experienced a great upheaval. Her parents died, and the Leng Group was left without a leader. During that period of instability and decline, Leng Xue discovered that her grandparents were actually murdered by those so-called relatives.
"Of course, they didn't have the capability to do it themselves, so they colluded with her brother. It was then that Leng Xue realized her brother wasn't her biological brother at all, but adopted by the Leng family. A fortune teller had said that adopting a son would allow Madam Leng to have her own child. Little did they know, this son would almost destroy the Leng family.
"Betrayed by her own kin, Leng Xue grew up overnight and fought against those relatives. She eventually sent her brother to prison. Everyone called her ruthless, but she didn't care. In her heart, she only cared about one person."
Aunt Liu didn't say who it was.
This time, Wen Yan blurted out, "Leng Xunze's father?"
"Exactly!" Aunt Liu gave Wen Yan a deep look, but Wen Yan's expression was solemn.
This was the opposite of what she knew. Didn't Leng Xue abandon his father after she rose to power?
"Leng Xunze's father wasn't even from a humble background; he was a rare case from a poor family in a prestigious school. But he was smart and driven. After they had Leng Xunze together, he suddenly disappeared. He vanished when Leng Xue needed help the most. It was only years later that Leng Xue remarried."
Aunt Liu took a deep breath and exhaled, "She had no choice but to remarry. The Leng family's assets were vast, and she needed someone to rely on."
She never expected such secrets to lie within wealthy families.
"However, Leng Xunze is also remarkable. He was a prodigy from a young age. After returning home a year ago, he forcefully entered the company, and even Leng Xue couldn't stop him. Now, the Leng Group is practically run by him. It's all thanks to Chu Hansheng's good genes!" Aunt Liu realized her mistake after speaking but didn't dwell on it as Wen Yan didn't react much.
Chu Hansheng was a name Wen Yan heard for the first time, yet she guessed who he was.
C.
The initial of Chu Hansheng.
They strolled in the garden for a while. Aunt Liu wanted to check on Leng Xue, and Wen Yan prepared to leave, but Aunt Liu grabbed her hand and insisted she stay.
"The Leng family's cook is the best chef in China. It would be a shame for you to leave! Besides, taking this opportunity to get to know Leng Xue wouldn't be a bad thing!"
Aunt Liu truly cared for her.
Wen Yan's heart stirred. Not wanting to refuse her kindness, she decided to admire the garden alone.
A car drove in.
A car drove out.
The two cars met, with the incoming car blocking the outgoing one.
Wen Yan stood behind the dense branches of a tree, watching them through the gaps in the leaves.
"You're back, Xunze."
A middle-aged man got out of the car. He was dressed in a neat long shirt and trousers, looking exceptionally gentle and handsome.
His smile was warm.
Leng Xunze rolled down the car window but didn't get out, saying indifferently, "You're the first person I've seen who dares to greet me after seeing me."
"Xunze, we haven't seen each other for years. Are you sure you want to start like this? Your mother will be sad," the man said with a smile.
Leng Xunze ignored him. "Move aside."
"Our family hasn't reunited in a long time. Don't leave, let's have a meal together!" the man smiled gently.
Anyone would have thought he was a kind and benevolent man.
But Wen Yan felt something was amiss.
Leng Xunze's tone grew cold, "Just pretend in front of my mother; there's no need to pretend in front of me."
Despite Leng Xunze's harsh words, the man showed no anger. "Xunze, can't you let go of what happened to your father? That was an accident, and now that your father is gone, we should look forward."
Leng Xunze's dark, deep eyes suddenly blazed with a storm. "Shut up!"
The man continued to smile, "Xunze, I'm only doing this for your own good. Your father is already dead..."
Before he could finish, Leng Xunze's fist shot out from the car and landed on his face.
The man clutched his face in pain.
The driver also got out, checking on the man's injuries, and said to Leng Xunze with some displeasure, "Young Master, why did you hit your father?"
"He is not my father. Also, you have one minute to leave, or don't blame me for being impolite." He was filled with a dangerous aura.
Wen Yan, standing not far away, finally understood.
This stepfather was clearly a manipulative hypocrite.
His words just now were deliberately meant to provoke Leng Xunze.
For some reason, she felt a pang of sympathy for him.
The man had no choice but to get back into the car. However, Leng Xunze suddenly received a phone call. He frowned as he listened for a moment, then told the driver to turn around.
The man's driver asked in confusion, "What's wrong, Young Master?"
The man touched his wound and suddenly revealed an evil smile. "This little brat, no matter how arrogant he is, is just a subordinate of the Leng family. I am the head of the Leng family!"
His devilish grin was terrifying. His gaze suddenly swept towards Wen Yan, and she felt a chill, immediately crouching down.
"Who's there?" he asked immediately.
Footsteps approached.
Wen Yan's heart pounded in her chest.
She realized this man was two-faced and terrifying. If he discovered she knew his true nature, he wouldn't let her go!
Her mind raced faster than it had during her college entrance exams. The footsteps grew closer.
She decided to turn and run.
Suddenly, the man's phone rang.
Faintly, Leng Xue's voice could be heard, "Are you back? Everyone is waiting for you to eat together."
"Okay, my dear, I'll be there soon." The man's tone instantly became gentle.
Wen Yan felt a shiver run down her spine.
"Little mouse, don't let me catch you next time," the man said with a chuckle and got back into the car.
The sound of the car disappeared. Wen Yan found her forehead covered in cold sweat.
This man seemed even more terrifying than Wen Shihao!