Chapter 28 Buddha Takes the Initiative to Back Him Up
"Mr. Yan?"
Wen Shuheng was clearly somewhat surprised and nodded in greeting, his voice gentle and polite.
The Wen family is a true century-old scholarly family in Beijing's elite circles, with a profound cultural heritage that far surpasses that of the nouveau riche Su family.
Wen Shuheng is a renowned scholar, while Shen Mingwei comes from a prestigious family and exudes the demeanor of an aristocratic family in every gesture.
Although they didn't have a close relationship with the Yan family, they were in the same circle and were somewhat familiar with each other.
"What a coincidence, I didn't expect to meet you here."
Wen Shuheng immediately extended his hand, his posture humble and polite, carrying the refined elegance unique to a scholarly family.
"Mr. Wen, Mrs. Wen."
Yan Tingnan shook hands with Wen Shuhong politely, his attitude distant yet his manners impeccable.
Shen Mingwei, standing to the side, gave Yan Tingnan a polite smile.
"President Yan also likes Qizhu's vegetarian cuisine? The Zen-inspired flavor here is indeed quite good."
"I'll talk to the employees about some business," Yan Tingnan said succinctly.
Shen Mingwei's gaze passed over Yan Tingnan and landed on Su Ruan, who was half a step behind him.
The word "subordinate" drew the attention of the Wen family back to Su Ruan.
Su Ruan stood half a step behind Yan Tingnan, like a quiet shadow.
She had no expression on her face, only a slight nod, which was her way of greeting.
"Ruanruan is here too?"
Shen Mingwei's voice was gentle, yet it conveyed a sense of distance.
"It's been a while, how are you?"
Su Ruan's body stiffened for a moment.
That "Ruan Ruan" was like a fine needle piercing the softest old scar in her heart.
She was once the apple of the Wen family's eye, their only daughter.
The love that Wen's parents gave her was real, and could even be described as spoiling.
They cherished her and gave her the most carefree childhood.
Yet, at the most crucial turning point in her life, they used the most dignified yet cruel method to strip her out of their world.
They hoped she would become the pride of their scholarly family and bring glory to the family by being admitted to Tsinghua or Peking University.
But she only had talent for painting and had no interest in boring textbooks.
During the most stressful time of her senior year of high school, she secretly serialized romance comics online, which resulted in her being publicly criticized by the school.
Her unconventional decision to change her application to an art school crossed the second line of the Wen family.
These have all become stains that the Wen family finds difficult to talk about.
Until the admission letter from the Central Academy of Fine Arts and the paternity test report appeared.
They corrected the mistake in the most dignified yet most ruthless way.
They chose the outstanding and well-mannered Wen Wanwan and unhesitatingly pushed her into the hands of the Su family, who had no feelings for her.
The methods used by the Wen family parents were far more insidious and cruel than those used by the Su family.
With their regret for her well-being and their helplessness at the inevitability of blood ties, they turned all the love she had received over the past eighteen years into an absurd mistake.
Even her hatred seemed ungrateful.
Su Ruan's fingers clenched silently at her side, her nails digging into her palms.
She suppressed the soreness in her eyes, forced herself to straighten her back, and forced a polite smile onto her face.
"Mrs. Wen, I am fine, thank you for your concern."
Upon hearing this distant and aloof form of address, Shen Mingwei's smile froze.
What did you call me?
For the past six years, even though Su Ruan changed her surname, she never changed how she addressed her.
"You used to call me..."
"I was ignorant before."
Su Ruan interrupted her with a faint smile.
"Now I understand that some names shouldn't be used carelessly."
“Wanwan is now your daughter, it’s not appropriate for me to continue using that title.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Mingwei's expression changed slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
She used to stubbornly call out "Mom," like a child begging for candy, clumsily trying to maintain the mother-daughter relationship that had long since ended.
Sometimes, she would even argue back because of Wen Wanwan's coquettish words, trying to win back that little bit of remaining attention.
At that time, Su Ruan was like a fledgling bird that was soaked but refused to leave its old nest, both foolish and pitiful.
But now...
Shen Mingwei looked at the bright-eyed girl in front of her.
The phrase "Madam Wen" completely severed ties.
Wen Shuheng frowned, a hint of embarrassment and subtle displeasure flashing across his refined face.
"Blood ties may be severed, but affection remains..."
Yan Tingnan suddenly cut off that tender speech.
"Mr. Wen."
"The key to raising children lies in perseverance."
Why pretend to be a loving family when the relationship was abandoned halfway through?
Shen Mingwei's face suddenly turned pale.
"Mr. Yan may have misunderstood."
She forced herself to maintain the demeanor of a noblewoman.
"We've always treated Ruan Ruan as..."
"As a defective product?" Su Ruan suddenly chuckled.
Wen Shuheng sensed the tense atmosphere and stood silently in front of his wife, his smile refined and courteous.
"Mr. Yan is right."
"Ruan Ruan has been spoiled by us since she was little. She has a lively personality. I hope she hasn't caused any trouble for President Yan while working at Qing Yan?"
Shen Mingwei responded at the right moment, her tone carrying a nostalgic intimacy.
"Yes, Ruan Ruan has always been restless since she was little. She loves to draw all sorts of imaginative things and has a wild mind."
"Back then, we always thought we'd get her to settle down, get into a good university, and live a stable life..."
"It's a pity that this kid is so determined; he insisted on changing his application to the Academy of Fine Arts."
"But now it seems that it's her good fortune to be able to work for President Yan in Qingyan."
"It's good for a girl to have a stable job."
Su Ruan suddenly wanted to laugh when she heard these words.
It was as if her life choices were nothing more than childish foolishness, requiring their condescending tolerance.
Her life's value lies solely in the word "stability".
Su Ruan concealed the emotions in her eyes and was about to speak.
Yan Tingnan's voice had already fallen.
"You two are overthinking it."
He turned slightly to the side, his tall figure completely enveloping Su Ruan, forming an invisible barrier.
"Ms. Su is highly professional. She led the core solution and achieved remarkable results."
"As for the idea that it's good for a girl to have a stable family, that's rather narrow-minded."
"Qingyan only looks at ability when hiring people. Assistant Su's professional competence is the reason why Qingyan's collection department made an exception and hired her."
"It is indeed the spoiled person that Mr. Wen mentioned..."
Yan Tingnan paused, a sarcastic smile playing on his lips.
"If we really talk about the whole process of raising children, the Wen family's belated concern for Miss Su is even more puzzling."
Su Ruan was stunned.
Standing behind him, looking at his tall and straight back, she suddenly felt her eyes welling up with tears.
So this is what it feels like to be blatantly favored.
The polite smiles on Wen Shuheng and his wife's faces froze slightly, clearly not expecting Yan Tingnan to praise Su Ruan so directly.
"President Yan, a large group like Qingyan must have strict regulations on its employees' business dealings outside the company, right?"
Wen Wanwan stepped forward from behind her parents, a sweet smile on her face, her gaze sweeping meaningfully toward Su Ruan.
"I heard Miss Su just registered a jewelry studio? Called SoftVoice?"
"Does Qingyan's non-compete clause and employee handbook really allow core project leaders to so openly engage in side businesses?"
Recently, Song Shengsheng has been busy registering a company and has asked a lot of friends in the industry for help. This eventually reached Wen Wanwan's ears.
She had planned to wait, but now was the perfect time.
"allow."
Wen Wanwan's smile froze.
Yan Tingnan didn't even look at her, only adding casually.
"Furthermore, SoftVoice will become the first emerging jewelry brand to be deeply integrated with Qingyan's contemporary art sector."
"The VIP preview area of the upcoming 'Breaking the Cocoon' exhibition will exclusively display SoftVoice's series of high-end jewelry, which is the first recommended co-branded art derivative product."
Su Ruan suddenly looked up, her almond-shaped eyes wide open.
Exclusive display? First deep partnership?
These conditions are so generous, it's practically like they're giving away money!
This is like giving SoftVoice a rocket boost!
Wen Shuheng and Shen Mingwei exchanged a surprised glance.
They know all too well the weight of the words "Qingyan Exclusive Collaboration"!
This is using Qingyan's prestigious brand to endorse a fledgling studio—a resource that many established luxury brands in Beijing's elite circles would fight tooth and nail for!
Yan Tingnan actually went to such lengths for her?
Wen Wanwan was struck dumb, and her expression changed drastically.
She couldn't maintain her sweet smile, and her voice rose.
"President Yan! Isn't this against the rules?"
"How will her subordinates feel about you openly granting her special privileges? What will our other partners think?!"
She tried to intimidate people by emphasizing rules and fairness, accusing Yan Tingnan of favoritism and implying that Su Ruan was manipulating the system.
The atmosphere instantly froze, and even the rustling of bamboo leaves sounded jarring.
Yan Tingnan seemed to have heard an extremely absurd joke, and ground her fingertips over the sandalwood prayer beads.
"I made the rules."
He parted his thin lips slightly, his voice low, carrying a sense of self-righteous disdain.
"I am the law, I am the rule."
"Whom do I, Yan Tingnan, need to explain to whether my actions are fair or unfair?"
The atmosphere immediately plummeted to freezing point upon hearing this.
Wen Wanwan's face alternated between pale and flushed, her throat tightened by Yan Tingnan's words, and she couldn't utter a single word.
"cough……"
Wen Shuheng cleared his throat, quickly putting on a conciliatory smile, and was the first to break the suffocating silence.
"President Yan, you flatter me. Wanwan is young and impetuous, and her concern makes her confused."
"Ruan Ruan is exceptionally talented. The fact that she has won President Yan's appreciation is a testament to her ability and also reflects Qing Yan's unconventional approach to talent management."
Yan Tingnan's gaze fell on Wen Shuheng and Shen Mingwei, and a smile curved his lips.
"I've heard that the Wen family has a long tradition of scholarship and values self-cultivation and family harmony above all else?"
Wen Shuheng nodded reluctantly.
"Mr. Yan, you flatter me. My ancestors did indeed give me some minor admonitions."
Yan Tingnan suddenly looked at a clump of crooked bamboo outside the corridor.
"We know to straighten bamboo when it grows crooked, but if people don't teach them properly, they just let it grow wildly?"
Wen Shuheng could barely keep his smile on his face and could only nod repeatedly.
"What President Yan said is true. Family traditions and education cannot be taken lightly. We will definitely discipline them strictly when we get back."
Wen Wanwan watched as her father was completely defeated by Yan Tingnan's few words, and even turned around and mocked her.
The panic that had been subtly spiraling out of control with Yan Yunye, combined with the embarrassment of being publicly humiliated by Yan Tingnan, caused all his emotions to erupt at once!
"Mr. Yan is right, family education and family traditions are indeed important."
Wen Wanwan suddenly spoke, her voice still gentle and graceful.
"That's why I'm even more worried about Ruan Ruan."
She furrowed her delicate brows slightly, her eyes filled with worry as she looked at Su Ruan.
"President Yan, you hold a high position and great power, so it is only natural that you have good intentions in mentoring younger generations."
"But if we don't clarify some things, I'm afraid it will bring unnecessary trouble and gossip to you and Qingyan in the future."
Yan Tingnan turned and glanced at Wen Wanwan, his gaze carrying a silent, imposing aura.
"Oh? What does Miss Wen mean?"
Wen Wanwan took a deep breath, as if she had made a great decision, before she spoke with difficulty.
"Mr. Yan, you are unaware of this."
"Just recently, Ruan Ruan in the penthouse suite of Nebula had some intimate contact with an unidentified man that went beyond the bounds."
“Yunye witnessed this firsthand, and the scene was quite unseemly.”
Upon hearing this, Su Ruan couldn't help but burst out laughing.
She covered her mouth and laughed so hard her shoulders shook, tears welling up in her eyes, as if she had heard some kind of joke.
Help!
Does this green tea connoisseur even know who she's complaining about?
"Miss Wen is right."
Su Ruan raised her hand to wipe away the tears that had welled up from her laughter.
"That night was indeed quite undignified."
She subconsciously turned her head to look at Yan Tingnan, her almond-shaped eyes filled with a mischievous, spectator-like gaze.
The male protagonist from that night in the penthouse suite in Nebula is now standing beside her.
He was dressed in a suit and tie, with Buddhist prayer beads around his wrist, and had a cold and aloof expression.
Wen Wanwan was enraged by her laughter, but she suppressed her anger.
"Ruan Ruan, what's so funny about something so shameless?"
Seeing that her daughter's words were becoming increasingly outrageous, Shen Mingwei's expression darkened slightly, and she whispered a reminder.
"Wanwan, be mindful of the occasion."
"Stop talking."
The Wen family is a family with a century-long tradition of scholarship, and they place great importance on family values and upbringing. How could they discuss such a scandalous affair in public?
What's more, it was done in front of Yan Tingnan, revealing the privacy of the Wen family's adopted daughter.
Especially such egregious accusations; it's practically self-destructive!
Wen Wanwan gently pulled away from her mother's hand, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Mom, don't worry."
"I just think that since Ruan Ruan had a past with Yun Ye, and now President Yan values Ruan Ruan so much, he should know some of the truth."
Wen Wanwan continued speaking regardless of the consequences, her voice still gentle and soft, yet every word was barbed.
"Ruan Ruan is young after all, and it's not uncommon for her to make a mistake at times."
She paused meaningfully, her gaze sweeping over Su Ruan.
She bit her lower lip, revealing a troubled and heartbroken expression.
"President Yan, you value her so much that you even made an exception and granted her such top-tier resources."
“I’m worried that if these old stories are brought up by someone with ulterior motives and made a big deal out of them, wouldn’t that just tarnish your reputation and Qingyan’s brand?”
"Wanwan!"
Wen Shuheng sternly stopped him, a rare stern look appearing on his face.
"Can you really make baseless accusations?"
Wen Shuheng took half a step forward, barely maintaining his scholarly demeanor, but his voice lost its composure.
“Mr. Yan, Wanwan is young and doesn’t know any better. She speaks without thinking. Please don’t take offense.”
Yan Tingnan's gaze swept over the three members of the Wen family indifferently, as if he were watching a clumsy farce.
"Twenty-two is still young?"
"Professor Wen is an academic, so he should know about the adulthood of primates."
Wen Shuheng's back stiffened, and his face turned from red to green.
Yan Tingnan paused, his gaze falling on Wen Shuheng's sweat-drenched face, his tone laced with sarcasm.
"When children misbehave, the root cause often lies in the parents' failure to supervise them."
“Teaching without understanding the principles, raising without restraining the mind, and allowing them to behave improperly and speak nonsense in front of others.”
"It seems that not everyone can bear the weight of this century-old literary heritage."
"Mr. Wen, the right way is to manage the incense burner in your own temple and prevent evil influences from affecting others."
There were no insults or names mentioned, and the tone was even quite polite.
Every sentence, though not mentioning Wen Wanwan's name, was a reference to her.
It was a slap in the face to Wen Shuheng and Shen Mingwei!
Wen Shuheng's face flushed red, filled with shame and indignation.
Shen Mingwei was so ashamed that she couldn't lift her head.
"Mr. Yan is right."
"It's an unfortunate occasion for our family; I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Mr. Yan!"
Yan Tingnan's gaze swept over the three members of the Wen family, finally settling on Wen Shuheng's face.
"Mr. Wen was so wise to choose the rough stone over the rough jade, cutting through the hemp with a swift knife."
Upon hearing this, Wen Shuheng's face darkened.
These words directly refer to the past when they couldn't wait to push Su Ruan to the Su family and happily welcomed back Wen Wanwan, a top student from Tsinghua University.
"Now it seems that the jade that Mr. Wen chose has dimmed the brilliance of the Wen family's century-old reputation?"
Wen Shuheng felt as if something had exploded in his mind.
Yan Tingnan didn't utter a single curse word, nor did she raise her voice, yet every word she spoke was piercing to the heart.
They trampled his most prized family traditions and choices into the mud!
Su Ruan watched the three men's faces, which were alternating between pale and flushed, and listened with great interest.
Wow, old men really know how to insult people in a sophisticated way.
"I have other matters to attend to, please excuse me."
Yan Tingnan stopped watching the farcical defeat and nodded slightly to Su Ruan.
"They're gone."
Before Su Ruan could react, her wrist was gripped by a warm and strong hand.
Wen Shuheng and Shen Mingwei stood frozen in place, watching helplessly as Su Ruan left with Yan Tingnan without looking back.
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