Chapter 16: From Then On, An Lang Is a Stranger

Chapter 16: From Then On, An Lang Was a Stranger

After walking for a while, the two arrived at the Shen family home. Shen Yun's face lit up at the sight of Wen Xi, and he grabbed his hand, chattering on: "Xiao Xi, why are you here? Did you come specifically to play with me?"

Wen Xi gave a shy smile and said, "I came by to get some embroidery thread for my sister-in-law."

"Hold on, I'll have my brother grab it for you." With that, Shen Yun called into the house, "Shen Liang, Xiao Xi needs embroidery thread, bring some out quickly."

Before long, a tall, sturdy man emerged from the house. He handed the thread to Yan Feng'an while scowling at Shen Yun, "You're always so disrespectful, not acting like a proper young man. Aren't you scared people will laugh at you?"

Shen Liang spent much time traveling and had a darker complexion; his stern face was pretty intimidating. Wen Xi instinctively edged closer to Yan Feng'an, but saw Shen Yun stick out his tongue at him, saying, "See how scary my brother is? No wonder he can't find a wife."

Shen Liang teased him on purpose, "With such a spoiled kid at home, who'd dare marry me?"

Shen Yun stomped his foot, all huffy, "So annoying."

He pulled Wen Xi aside and muttered, "He probably thought I was in the way, so he went and betrothed me to someone else."

Anyone could tell the brothers were just bickering. Wen Xi didn't call it out, just asked, "Have you already met someone?"

Shen Yun shook his head, "Not that fast. I've been taking my time, like you said. You can't rush these things."

He was shy out in public but bold at home. Noticing Yan Feng'an's smile, Shen Liang said, "My brother's a bit willful and rude. Scholar Yan must be getting a laugh out of this."

He was just spoiled, so Yan Feng'an didn't think much of it. He said, "It's normal for a kid his age to have a bit of a temper. He's kind of cute and innocent like this."

One was a peddler, the other a scholar—they didn't know each other, so after the pleasantries, there was nothing left to say.

Wen Xi spoke with Shen Yun for a moment, then asked, "How much for the embroidery thread?"

Shen Yun waved his hand, "We're friends, how could I charge you? If you need it, just take it, no worries."

Shen Yun didn't have many close friends in the village, and he rarely clicked with anyone like he did with Wen Xi. For such a small amount of thread, Shen Liang wasn't about to charge them either.

The brothers were so generous, but Wen Xi felt bad taking it for free. He was tongue-tied and didn't know what to say, so he instinctively glanced at Yan Feng'an, who said, "We shouldn't get all formal over such a small amount of money. But we're making clothes at home right now, and later my two sisters-in-law might take on some embroidery work, so we'll need plenty of thread. If we kept taking it for free, we'd feel bad about it."

He pulled some copper coins from his sleeve and handed them to Shen Liang, signaling for him to take them.

Shen Liang couldn't be bothered to argue over such a small sum, so he took them and said, "I head to the county town every few days. If you need anything, just say the word."

Yan Feng'an nodded, then smiled at Shen Yun, "If you're ever bored, you're welcome to come by our place anytime to hang out with Xi Ge'er."

Shen Yun said happily, "I can really come over anytime to hang out with him?"

"Of course."

Yan Feng'an wasn't just being polite. He figured it'd be good for someone Wen Xi's age to keep him company, to chat and help pass the time.

Wen Xi had more freedom now, and Shen Yun genuinely wanted to visit him every day. He'd been a bit wary of Yan Feng'an before, afraid of upsetting him, but hearing this now made him genuinely happy.

He hadn't had much contact with Yan Feng'an before—just passing encounters from a distance—and he'd always found him cold and a bit dismissive of the villagers. Later, when he found out Yan Feng'an was betrothed to Wen Liu, Shen Yun's opinion of him only got worse.

But seeing him today, he felt the guy wasn't as bad as he'd thought.

Shen Yun winked at Wen Xi playfully, "Now I finally have an excuse to bug you every day."

Wen Xi was happy too, though he didn't show it as much as Shen Yun. Still, if you looked closely, you could see a hint of it on his face.

As the two left the Shen family and were about to head back, a hesitant, hurt voice called out from behind: "An Lang..."

The Shen and Wen families lived close by, and before leaving, Wen Xi had wondered if they might run into the Wen family.

He'd been bullied by that family so much that just thinking about the three of them made his skin crawl. Hearing Wen Liu's voice now, his face went pale and his steps faltered.

Yan Feng'an wasn't sure at first if the call was for him, but seeing Wen Xi's reaction, he figured it out.

Turning around, he saw Wen Liu with tearful eyes, staring at him in surprise: "It really is you, An Lang. You're... better?"

An unmarried young man calling someone else's husband so intimately—Yan Feng'an's smile faded, and he said sternly, "In public, please show some decency."

Wen Liu wiped his tears and said weakly, "I'm sorry. I was so happy to see you recovered that I got carried away. I didn't mean to make things awkward for you."

Yan Feng'an said flatly, "If you knew it'd be awkward, you shouldn't have called out to me."

Wen Liu was choked by his words, then sobbed, "After everything I've done for you, it's only right that you hate me. But you don't know, I had my reasons."

Yan Feng'an met his gaze calmly, "I'm not really interested in your reasons."

Wen Liu pretended not to notice the coldness and stepped forward, like he was trying to get closer. Yan Feng'an's brow furrowed slightly in annoyance, but he didn't snap, instead shifting his body toward Wen Xi.

"An... Scholar Yan, let me explain."

"Go ahead, my husband and I are all ears."

Yan Feng'an's tone was faintly mocking, and Wen Liu's carefully built-up emotions got interrupted again. He said excitedly, "You admit he's your husband?"

The question was ridiculous. Yan Feng'an replied, "We exchanged betrothal cards and bowed in ceremony. Why wouldn't I acknowledge him?"

Wen Liu hadn't expected him to accept Wen Xi so easily. Furious and bitter, his lips trembled as he said, "How is he worthy..."

Yan Feng'an cut him off, "I like him, so that makes him worthy."

Wen Liu cried out in despair, "But you loved me!"

Luckily, there was no one around, or they'd have been shocked by his shameless words.

Yan Feng'an was a respected scholar; he didn't have time to argue with him here. But he knew some things needed to be settled once and for all.

With that thought, he said, "Since we got married, I haven't taken Xiao Xi back to his family home. Today, go tell your parents I'll come by your house tomorrow. You said you had reasons, right? I'll be all ears then."

It sounded like a chance, and Wen Liu's mood softened, his voice going gentle: "Alright, you must come." He knew Yan Feng'an couldn't let him go. Out in public, neither could save face, but behind closed doors tomorrow, he'd pour his heart out to Yan Feng'an, hoping to win him back and get Wen Xi, that little wretch, divorced.

With that thought, Wen Liu shot Wen Xi a smug look. It had been days, and the little wretch had dressed himself up nicely, but even with a bit of looks, a pheasant was still a pheasant. Did he really think Yan Feng'an would treat him well? Dream on—tomorrow, he'd knock that bastard down a peg.

After sending Wen Liu off, Yan Feng'an took Wen Xi's hand again. It was a bit cold, but at least it wasn't trembling. Afraid he might get the wrong idea, Yan Feng'an explained, "Tomorrow I'll clear things up with him. Do you want to come with me?"

Wen Xi shook his head, looking down, "I don't want to go."

He really couldn't bear to go back to that house.

Seeing his face go pale, Yan Feng'an soothed him, "That's fine. If you don't want to go, then don't."

They headed home with the thread, and shortly after entering the courtyard, Yan Feng'an called Chen Lanfang into the room. Mother and son whispered about something.

Li Wan noticed the couple's grim expressions and couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Xi, did something happen when you went out with Third Brother?"

Wen Xi hesitated, then said, "We ran into my brother on the way back."

He Jin had suspected as much and asked worriedly, "Did he humiliate you again?"

Wen Xi shook his head. Judging by what had just happened, it was actually Yan Fengan who had embarrassed Wen Liu. He was feeling down now, thinking about how Yan Fengan would be going to the Wen family tomorrow.

Wen Xi was feeling restless and at a loss. Figuring he got along well enough with his two sisters-in-law, he told them about it and asked, "Do you think I should go along tomorrow?"

"Are you stupid? Of course you should go." He Jin was quick to speak her mind. "He dared to say those things right in front of you. Tomorrow, when it's just him and Third Brother alone, who knows what kind of twisted story he'll spin for them. You and Third Brother just started getting closer. If Third Brother buys his lies and forgives him, what are you gonna do then?"

Li Wan chimed in, sounding worried, "Xiao Xi, even if it's just for yourself, you need to keep a close eye on Third Brother."

They really did hate Wen Liu, but they genuinely cared about Wen Xi. If Yan Fengan and Wen Liu really got back together, how would this poor kid handle it?

A trace of bitterness rose in Wen Xi's heart. Was keeping a close eye on Yan Fengan even gonna help? He'd seen how lovey-dovey he and Wen Liu used to be. Could Yan Fengan really forget that past in just a month or so?

Wen Xi thought, feeling heavy-hearted: Actually, he didn't care much about who Yan Fengan held in his heart or who he liked. What he cared about was whether he could keep living in the Yan family for good.

Yan Fengan's family was warm, and his family members were kind. Wen Xi really liked it here.

If Wen Liu and Yan Fengan were left alone together, who knew how many lies that man would fabricate. He'd only just managed to get a life like this, and he absolutely couldn't let Wen Liu destroy it.

After a sleepless, restless night, the next day Wen Xi took the initiative to tell Yan Fengan that he wanted to go to the Wen family with him.

Last night he had stayed awake for a long time, so Yan Fengan had guessed he was struggling with something. Now that Wen Xi had changed his mind, he wasn't surprised. He only comforted him gently, "Don't be afraid. When we get there, you don't have to do anything. Just stay close by my side and listen to what I say."

Wen Xi nodded. He noticed Yan Fengan pick up a piece of paper with writing on it from his desk, and though he was curious, he didn't ask.

They had agreed to go to the Wen family, but Yan Fengan didn't make a move to leave all morning. In fact, he leisurely called Wen Xi over and took out a beginner's copy of the *Three Character Classic* to teach him to read.

Wen Xi was restless and barely managed to follow along with a few characters. Yan Fengan lightly tapped his head and said, "A student like you would get his palms smacked by the teacher in a schoolroom."

Hearing this, Wen Xi instinctively hid his hands behind his back and said pitifully, "How can you expect me to focus at a time like this?"

"Nobody else is anxious. Why are you?"

How did he know nobody else was anxious? Wen Xi looked up, his affectionate eyes gazing at him softly and timidly. He didn't say a word, yet it seemed like he had said everything.

Yan Fengan turned his head away, avoiding his gaze, and sighed, "Forget it. I'm truly afraid of you. I'll take you over after lunch."

Author's note:

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