Chapter 30: She Refused to Swallow This Half-Cooked Mess!

Lu Jinchuan withdrew his gaze, set down his chopsticks, and stood up. "I have some matters to attend to. Go ahead and eat without me."

He did not glance at Wen Ying again, striding upstairs with his long legs.

Wen Ying had just caught that inscrutable look from him. She couldn't quite grasp his meaning, but a sense of anxiety stirred within her. When exactly did Lu Jinchuan plan to tell Grandmother?

Beside her, Lu Siran curled her lip. "My brother has lost his appetite, so I’m not eating either."

Lu Siran went off to play video games.

Wen Ying remained composed, continuing her meal. How others viewed her was their business; she saw no reason to exhaust herself with internal conflict.

After dinner, the old lady took Wen Ying’s hand and sighed helplessly. "My dear, Jinchuan is just that kind of person. Grandma knows you’ve been wronged. Don't worry, I am firmly on your side—I won't let him treat you poorly!"

Looking at the old woman's worried expression, Wen Ying felt a pang of heartache. Grandmother had always been kind to her, hoping for their marriage to thrive, and had spared no effort in trying to help her win Lu Jinchuan's heart.

But... they had reached the end of the road. His heart and soul belonged to another woman, and she had no desire to force a stale, unwanted connection. Furthermore, her illness was a ticking time bomb; she did not want to become a burden to anyone.

"Grandma, I actually have something to tell you today," Wen Ying said, taking a deep breath. "I’ll go ask Lu... Jinchuan to come down so we can talk to you together."

She fled upstairs, unable to bear the sight of the old lady’s caring eyes.

She arrived at the door of the bedroom she used to share with Lu Jinchuan and knocked politely. She needed to discuss their divorce.

There was no response from within.

Wen Ying knocked again, with the same result. Hesitating for a moment, she gently pushed the door open. "Lu Jinchuan?"

Taking two steps inside, she was caught off guard by the sight at the floor-to-ceiling window. The man stood with his back to her, and on the screen of the phone in his hand was the smiling face of Su Nian. They were video chatting, looking like lovers in the heat of a new romance.

Lu Jinchuan turned his head. The gentle smile he had worn while talking to the person on the phone vanished the second he saw her. He made no effort to hide or shield the video call with Su Nian.

Wen Ying froze in her tracks. Meeting his cold,沉 gaze, she felt a sudden, sharp squeeze in her heart.

"Where are your manners? Don't you know how to knock?" Lu Jinchuan’s tone was void of emotion.

Even though they were on the verge of divorce, Wen Ying could not remain completely unaffected by the man who had been her husband for three years. She looked at him steadily, refusing to blink, and asked calmly, "Do you think I’m spying again?"

Once at Qingxu Mountain, and now this? Did he think she was repeating her old tricks?

Lu Jinchuan frowned.

Moments later, the door was pulled open. Lu Siran grabbed Wen Ying by the wrist. "Why are you in my brother's room? Come over here."

Without giving her a choice, Lu Siran dragged Wen Ying to the guest bedroom across the hall. Blocking the doorway with her arms spread, she said, "I have some difficult problems I need my brother to help me with. He’s going to be very busy tonight, so just go to sleep."

Lu Siran slammed the door and ran off.

Wen Ying stood in the dimly lit room for a long while before she could slowly loosen her stiff limbs.

Lu Siran was young, and her intentions were written all over her face. She didn't have any schoolwork for Lu Jinchuan to help her with; she was simply keeping watch to prevent Wen Ying from getting close to her brother.

Wen Ying could only wait quietly. The matter of the divorce had to be told to the old lady eventually, and she needed to know what Lu Jinchuan’s plans were first.

At ten o'clock that night, it was time for Wen Ying’s medication. She opened her door and went downstairs for water.

As she reached the corner of the stairs, she heard Lu Siran’s playful voice from the kitchen island: "Don't worry, Sister-in-law, I won't let Wen Ying try to get close to my brother. I will defend your love for him with my life!"

Wen Ying paused.

Through the earpiece, Su Nian’s voice drifted over—a light, confident, and composed laugh.

"Your brother wouldn't allow it," Su Nian said. "I never worry about such things."

Wen Ying lowered her eyes, remaining silent and choosing not to interrupt their exchange of intelligence.

Lu Siran, having come down for a drink, returned to her room immediately after getting it.

Wen Ying poured her water, took her medicine, and headed straight for Lu Jinchuan’s room. This time, she pounded heavily on his door.