Chapter 38: A Dramatic Change

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

When Wen Xinya and Old Master Mo arrived back home, Old Mr. Wen was enjoying his tea in the living room. When he saw them, Wen Xinya was holding Grampy’s arm and they were having a happy conversation. He felt envious and jealous at the same time. That was his granddaughter, but they had never been this close.

When Old Master Mo saw Old Mr. Wen, the smile on his face disappeared. Xinya was changing for the better and Grampy loved her even more, but at the same time, he resented the Wen Family for treating her badly.

Wen Xinya was surprised. “Grandpa, why are you here?”

She looked amazed, as she’d never have expected he would come to visit her. Old Mr. Wen was a little unhappy. “You’ve stayed at the Mo Family for some time, so I’ve come to visit and see how you’re doing.”

He had heard about Xinya learning chess, calligraphy, and music at Grampy’s place, so he came specially to visit her.

Wen Xinya was touched. She sat down beside Grandpa. “Thank you, Grandpa. I should be the one visiting you instead. However, I have been busy lately learning the courses of Secondary Three, and couldn’t make time. Please pardon me, Grandpa.”

“I know you have been working hard lately. I am happy you are putting in the effort to learn and will not blame you for not being able to make time,” replied Grandpa while patting her hand in consolation.

When Grandpa found her and knew about her unglamorous past 15 years, he was hesitant about whether to fetch her back to the Wen Family. However, he decided to do so because she was the only heir to the family. When she had returned, her bad behaviors made Grandpa unhappy, but he still held some hope that she would change someday. Seeing her hardworking now, he felt a sense of comfort within.

“Xinya, please stay in the living room to accompany your guest.” Old Master Mo did not even greet Old Mr. Wen. He turned around and proceeded towards the backyard, intending to go back to rest in his room.

Though Old Master Mo was well educated, he had a sense of pride in him. When faced with someone he didn’t like he would not give them much attention.

Wen Xinya was in a difficult position as she was found that Grampy was just finding an excuse to leave them. However, there was nothing she could do. “Okay, Grampy, please have a good rest.”

Old Mr. Wen felt embarrassed as well as Old Master Mo didn’t even acknowledge his presence nor greeted him. They were relatives by marriage, but their relationship ended up this way.

“Grampy went to the Southern City for a convention and just returned. He’s probably just tired due to the long flight!” Wen Xinya said with a smile, trying to ease the embarrassing situation.

Old Mr. Wen felt a little better. He sighed. “We have been friends for so many years. How would I not know his temperament? Yunyao married into the Wen Family and had such an ending. And you led a wandering life for the past 15 years. After all these years you finally returned to the Wen Family, and yet we have not done anything to compensate for the sufferings you’ve gone through…”

Wen Xinya was not in a position to comment about what happened between her elder generations. She started brewing tea for Grandpa, her actions elegant and smooth like water. She had been practicing well and was getting more skillful over time. There were pureness and calmness in her eyes — the demeanor of an expert. Looking at her, Grandpa was reminded of Xinya’s mother.

Within less than a month, Wen Xinya was a totally changed person. She had acquired the good virtues of a wealthy family’s daughter, and even Ruya could not be compared to her!

He had to admit that Old Master Mo was indeed much better than him in guiding the younger generation.

“Grandpa, how is your health lately?” Wen Xinya placed a cup of brewed tea in front of him.

“It’s still the same. Nothing much has changed. When you grow older, every day counts.” Old Mr. Wen held the teacup close to him, smelling the nice fragrance from the tea. As he took a sip, the fragrance from the tea leaves lingered in his mouth. Though there was room for improvement, he was very impressed by Xinya’s change in such a short time.

Wen Xinya continued asking, “How are Grandma and Father?”

Old Mr. Wen put the teacup on the table. “Your Grandma is still the same. She goes out every day for a game of Mahjong. Your Father is always busy with work in the office. He is the busiest person in the world.”

“Grandpa, please remind Father to take care of himself. Though work is important, he must not neglect his health.”

Old Mr. Wen suddenly looked at her and said, “You too. Though learning is important, you must also not neglect your health.”

He was surprised to see her growth in such a short time. This proved that she must have put in an enormous amount of hard work.

Wen Xinya was touched. “Grandpa, I understand. With Grampy’s guidance, my education was made easy. I plan to return to school in September this year.”

Old Mr. Wen looked at her in disbelief. “You plan to complete all the courses of Secondary Three in six months by self-learning?”

It was easy for children from wealthy families to get into reputable schools. They just needed to spend a little more money. But for Xinya it was a different case. She had been leading a wandering life for many years, so she had never been to a proper school and never gone through Secondary education. It was no longer a question of how much money to spend to let her get into a good school. Since she had just returned to the Wen Family, she was now the focus of everyone’s attention. It wasn’t that bad if she wasn’t educated. However, if she went back to school knowing nothing at all, it would impact badly the Wen Family’s reputation.

Grandpa’s initial plan was to let her return to school in the following year. So he would have ample time to engage a tuition teacher for her. Though she would be one year later than her peers in class, it wouldn’t hurt the Wen Family’s reputation.

Wen Xinya nodded confidently. “Mmm! With Grampy’s guidance, I am confident to complete the courses for Secondary Three on my own.”

Old Mr. Wen didn’t believe it at first. But he had seen the great change in his granddaughter in just these few weeks. Moreover, with a literary master like Old Master Mo to guide her, he started to have faith in her. “Sounds like a good plan. You have Grandpa’s support.”

“Thank you, Grandpa.” Wen Xinya thanked him happily.

Before he saw Xinya, Old Mr. Wen was worried about the banquet event three months later, but it seemed like his worry was unnecessary. He thought for a while and said, “Xinya, you have been staying at Grampy’s place for a period of time. Why don’t you go home with me today?”

Wen Xinya lowered her head. After some consideration, she looked up and said with sincerity in her eyes, “I would like to stay here until the banquet event three months later. I will return to the Wen Family with a good name. Only then no one would have any further excuse to throw me out of the Wen Family again.”

There were such clarity and determination in her eyes that could pierce through souls. Old Mr. Wen felt sorry for her, feeling a strong sense of guilt within. She probably could sense it too. It was all within his control and jurisdiction to protect her against all the harm she was going through. However, he chose not to do anything in order to not bring a bad name to the Wen Family. In other words, he chose to protect the Wen Family’s reputation over her interests.

“Xinya…” Old Mr. Wen was speechless for a while.

“Grandpa, I have already made up my mind. Please do not try to dissuade me.” Wen Xinya affirmed her decision. She said this with the intention to make Grandpa feel even more guilty towards her so that she could fight for more beneficial gains for herself.

Whether it was unscrupulous or a method to her madness, she was determined to achieve her goals. There were a lot of things she didn’t understand in her previous life. Since her rebirth, she seemed to be more aware of how to plan to achieve her objectives. She wouldn’t feel guilty about it.