What kind of person is Wen Dongrong?
Having shared a bed for years, Chen Ru naturally knows him well.
This man, born in the countryside, joined the system after graduating. He once sat on the bench for years after rejecting a leader’s matchmaking attempt, only later getting promoted by drafting speeches for a new leader.
This man has a habit of taking on the Wen family’s burdens, secretly supporting them behind Chen Ru’s back. He even treated his niece Shu Lu better than his own daughter Wen Ying, because Wen Ying was reserved while Shu Lu was clever and talkative.
This man, priding himself as a system cadre, looks down on businessman Deng Shangwei.
This man, adept at bureaucratic talk, always wants to display “authority”, acting the same at work and home.
Chen Ru knows better than anyone: her husband Wen Dongrong is a hypocritical, self-important bureaucrat.
Moving to Rongcheng was Chen Ru’s awakening and rebellion.
She could no longer tolerate Wen Dongrong’s self-righteousness or his hypocrisy.
Their strained marriage didn’t break from one fight but from years of accumulated negative emotions, reaching a breaking point where they’d either vent or burst.
Everything Wen Dongrong does is calculated for gain.
Would he use Wen Ying’s filial money to sponsor poor students in the countryside?
Of course!
If used well, it could boost his career. Spending a little to advance his prospects? Wen Dongrong would not only do it but rush to do it.
Chen Ru reread the letters.
One student wrote: Uncle Wen, I remember when you and Uncle Deng came to our school to donate books last year, my first time meeting you… I never expected your support. I’ll study hard to repay your kindness!
So, this dog Wen Dongrong had been doing such good deeds since last year, keeping it quiet at home for a whole year?
Not bragging at home meant he wasn’t boasting at work either.
This meant his donations and sponsorships were personal, not for career advancement.
Faced with this Wen Dongrong, Chen Ru was shocked and unfamiliar.
The weighty thank-you letters disrupted her thoughts.
Wen Dongrong seized the moment, “Though it’s for a good cause, I hid it from you, so it’s been weighing on me, keeping me up at night. You mentioned me humming in the bathroom, that was my embarrassment. Look at these students’ words, so sincere and simple. Knowing I’m helping them avoid dropping out fills me with joy! You know I came from the countryside, where studying is the only way to change your fate.”
Chen Ru stayed silent.
His words reminded her of their youth.
When they met through a matchmaker, Wen Dongrong was genuinely poor.
Though handsome, Chen Ru didn’t choose partners solely on looks… at least not entirely!
Back then, a system job wasn’t the best option; high-paying units were more sought-after.
Young, pretty, and unburdened by family, Chen Ru had better options but was moved by Wen Dongrong’s ambition, beyond his good looks.
In the ‘80s, cultured youths discussed ideals on blind dates.
Wen Dongrong’s sparkling eyes when talking about his dreams captivated Chen Ru.
Back then, he wasn’t the bureaucrat he became, full of youthful passion, driven at work, and sincere with people.
When did the light in his eyes fade?
Oh, after he rejected the leader’s matchmaking, chose Chen Ru, and was sidelined with no hope in sight.
Days, years, who knew how long it would last?
The endless bench-sitting eroded his youthful zeal, his ideals dimmed, and he went from restless to calm, impulsive to mature. After years of lying low, he seized an opportunity.
The naive youth died, replaced by a slick operator.
Since then, Chen Ru never heard him talk about ideals again.
Wen Dongrong only wanted to climb the ladder!
“Honey?”
Seeing Chen Ru’s expression, Wen Dongrong knew he wouldn’t sleep on the balcony tonight.
Sure enough, Chen Ru’s emotions were complex, unsure how to face him. When he called her, she waved impatiently, “Don’t bother me, let me think!”
“Alright, I’ll read in the study.”
Wen Dongrong was obedient, tiptoeing out.
Opening the door, he bumped into Wen Ying.
Careless!
Wen Ying cursed herself.
Her eavesdropping skills were lacking, and she didn’t retreat in time.
It wasn’t entirely her fault; Wen Dongrong’s actions shocked even Chen Ru, let alone Wen Ying.
Chen Ru had seen the idealistic young Wen Dongrong, but Wen Ying’s dad, in both her lifetimes, never had such a shining moment… secretly sponsoring students for no gain or fame. Was this really her dad?!
Was he possessed by some stray spirit, his soul swapped?
“Are you really my dad?”
Wen Ying questioned.
Wen Dongrong gently closed the door with one hand, while the other swiftly twisted her ear, his hushed voice seething, “Not your dad, your enemy. What kind of daughter are you?”
What a daughter!
He barely spent the monthly filial money.
Not for lack of places to spend, but because he didn’t dare.
Doing good deeds and not bragging at home was already torturous, but when trouble came, Wen Ying pushed him to the firing line without hesitation—fine, take the bullet, but couldn’t she warn him first? He nearly had a heart attack!
Thinking of the thank-you letters given to Chen Ru, Wen Dongrong’s heart ached.
Those letters were as good as get-out-of-jail-free cards.
He kept quiet, partly out of embarrassment, partly to save them for a bigger crisis, like the 10 million bombshell!
Now, the cards were used up. What would he use next time?
Angry, he twisted harder, making Wen Ying hiss in pain, “It’s not all my fault, you couldn’t hide it, Mom noticed something off. She came at me suddenly, so I mentioned the thousand yuan. We’re still pretty in sync!”
Wen Dongrong wasn’t easily fooled, dragging her by the ear to the study.
The study, carefully designed with soundproofing, was safe once the door closed. He sneered, “In sync? Save your nonsense, give me something real. You heard where I spent the money, doing good deeds for you. So, from now on, give me an extra thousand a month for my own use!”
Wen Ying was stunned.
—Moments ago, she thought Old Wen’s image was grand, now it collapsed in an instant!
