Sigh, Uncle has really learned to be bad!
The car keys in Wen Ying’s hands felt like a hot potato. She wanted to call Deng Shangwei back, but he ran faster than a rabbit, coming and going like a tornado, leaving her with a used Fukang car that wasn’t easy to hide.
Wen Ying’s head ached at the thought of facing Manager Chen.
She turned to Scholar Xie for help, who suggested she take a step back.
“You and your mom can’t talk as equals, and neither can your uncle.”
One must acknowledge their shortcomings, especially at times like this—let the capable handle more.
The only one who could talk to Manager Chen as an equal was, of course, Wen Dongrong.
“You’re so right!”
The car was for Old Wen—why should she take the scolding alone while he enjoyed the benefits without effort?
The Fukang was parked in the complex courtyard. Wen Ying pretended it didn’t exist, holding out until Old Wen came to Rongcheng. While Chen Ru was still at work, Wen Ying had a heart-to-heart with her dad.
“Dad, with the New Year coming, is there anything you want?”
Wen Ying’s rare warmth didn’t move Wen Dongrong; it made him wary.
What did he want?
He had leather shoes.
He had a tie.
Wen Ying bought him a belt from her Shanghai contest trip.
Plus the Walkman, supposedly for music but used for English practice… Wen Dongrong felt quite well-off, lacking nothing. Still, if Wen Ying insisted on a filial gift, he thought a new leather jacket would do. A good one easily cost over a thousand—beyond his means.
It was pitiful to say, a mid-level agency leader who couldn’t afford new clothes for the New Year. Since his private stash was exposed, Chen Ru capped his pocket money.
To renovate the house and buy a car, despite her hefty year-end bonus, Chen Ru wasn’t planning new clothes for the family.
No new clothes for the New Year—did that even count as a celebration?
Old Li at the office was already flaunting a new leather coat!
Once Wen Dongrong’s mind wandered, his guard dropped. With half restraint and half expectation, he looked at Wen Ying, cleared his throat, and said: “I don’t care about new clothes. If you have money, buy your mom a couple of outfits. She works in Rongcheng, and her bank colleagues will surely compare.”
So Old Wen was counting on her for new clothes?
Sorry, that would disappoint him.
Wen Ying said earnestly: “Mom is mom, you are you. You’re undeniably the head of our family—your needs come first!”
“Head of the family” hit Wen Dongrong’s soft spot.
He was the head, no need to stress it!
In his smugness, Wen Ying leaned closer: “Actually, I think you need a car. Running to Rongcheng weekly is too hard.”
Wen Dongrong agreed he needed a car, nodding slightly.
In the past, the family would’ve prioritized his needs without him asking. Chen Ru would’ve pitied his weekly commutes and bought him a car.
Now? He felt like Chen Ru’s second husband, the kind that could split any time.
Chen Ru’s big bonus was set for renovating a house after the New Year. Car plans were pushed to the year after.
Wen Dongrong regained some sense: “Why talk about this? Your mom and I have plans. You don’t need to worry—what’s this?”
Wen Ying placed the car keys on the table. Wen Dongrong stared, unmoving.
“Go downstairs and see!”
Wen Ying bought a car?
How dare she not discuss it with her parents?!
No one knew how much money Wen Ying had. Wen Dongrong wasn’t sure if she was joking, so he grabbed the keys and went downstairs.
In the courtyard was a Fukang he hadn’t seen before. He tried the door—it opened… Wen Ying really bought a car!
Wen Dongrong returned upstairs, brows furrowed.
“Why didn’t you discuss this? Did you use shop dividends? Can your shop earn that much?”
A teenage girl wouldn’t know cars!
Wen Dongrong had a bellyful of words, but Wen Ying shut him down: “I didn’t discuss with Mom, but I’m discussing with you now. If you don’t object, that’s agreement! Anyway, I don’t care—you tell Mom. I’m off to the library!”
Before Chen Ru got home, Wen Ying wasn’t staying.
Having tossed the hot potato, she followed Deng Shangwei’s lead and bolted.
Poor Old Wen, left behind, was both thrilled and worried, stunned by Wen Ying’s combo punch.
Privately, he wanted a car, especially one from Wen Ying—extra meaningful. The girl, stubborn as she was, still saw him as her dad, calling him the head of the family… At his workplace, unlike Old Li’s son, no colleague’s kid bought their parents cars or houses.
Most young people mooch off parents, let alone support them. Who knew if they’d ever contribute, even after parents retired?
After his excitement, Wen Dongrong caught on.
Wen Ying’s car gift was praiseworthy, but her intent to set him up was clear. Discussed with him? It was clearly act-first, report-later, pushing him to take the heat!
The car, he’d keep.
But how to explain to his wife?
Before Wen Dongrong could prepare, the door lock turned—Chen Ru was home!
“What are you zoning out for? I saw Wen Ying downstairs, said she’s going to the library and that you’ve got a surprise for me.”
Old couple, what surprise?
Chen Ru wasn’t expecting one. She just wanted Wen Dongrong to behave and not cause trouble.
At that moment, Wen Dongrong wasn’t the head of the family but a martyr about to sacrifice himself. Holding the keys, he braced himself and approached Chen Ru.
“There’s something, let me explain…”
Wen Dongrong recounted the car purchase honestly, placing the keys on the table.
“That’s about it. I haven’t even touched the car. Go downstairs and see.”
Chen Ru glanced at him, then the keys, and went downstairs silently. Led by Wen Dongrong, she found their new car. After a long pause, she asked how much it cost. Wen Dongrong shook his head: “I don’t know, Wen Ying didn’t say.”
Chen Ru crossed her arms, sneering: “You think I’ll believe you? You wanted a car, used Wen Ying’s money, and now push the blame on her. Have you no responsibility?”
What bond did the father and daughter have? She knew!
Chen Ru didn’t believe a word that Wen Ying bought the car on her own.
Wen Dongrong always dug traps for others, but this was the first time he was trapped, unable to defend himself. He’d evolved from stunned to gobsmacked—he only knew a few minutes before Chen Ru!
