After the Harem Novel’s Female Lead was Spoiled by the Comments - Chapter 31

Wen Hebai had come back this time not only because she had a gap in her schedule after finishing the variety show recording, but also because she needed to bring Yan Qingwen back to the Wen family and formally explain their situation to her family.

In truth, the Yan family had already spoken with the Wen family over the phone earlier, but what both sides discussed had mostly involved interests. This time, the two of them returning to the Wen family together was to discuss personal feelings.

Compared to the Yan family, the Wen family’s members were relatively simple. Wen Hebai’s grandparents had already passed away. Her father, Wen Yisheng, had once worked as a manager at a state-owned digital media company when he was young, and there he met the general manager’s daughter, Zhou Chunnuan. The two fell in love and married. Relying on the Zhou family, Wen Yisheng accumulated many connections, and later established the predecessor of the current Tianwen Group—Tianwen Advertising Company.

Later, Wen Yisheng founded Tianwen Group, acquired several newspapers, and began investing in film and television dramas.

In that era when digital media developed rapidly, he caught the express train of economic takeoff and grew Tianwen Group into the massive enterprise it was today, integrating media, entertainment, and the internet.

After Wen Yisheng’s parents passed away, he had only one relative left—his younger sister, Wen Qihuang, born to his stepmother. Although the siblings shared the same father but different mothers, there was an eighteen-year age gap between them. Wen Qihuang had basically been raised by Wen Yisheng and Zhou Chunnuan.

After Wen Qihuang graduated, she entered Tianwen Group. During the group’s development stage, she independently opened up the internet e-commerce sector, further expanding Tianwen Group’s business scale.

She was forty-one this year, but had remained unmarried.

Also unmarried in the Wen family were Wen Hebai’s three older siblings.

Her eldest sister, Wen Hegu, was ten years older than Wen Hebai. It was said that more than ten years ago, the Wen family had chosen the son of a Beijing media leader as Wen Hegu’s fiancé. However, Wen Hebai discovered that her future brother-in-law was a pedophilic scumbag, so she ruined that marriage arrangement.

Wen Hebai’s second older brother, Wen Heyao, was thirty-two this year and also unmarried. He had once had a marriage alliance partner too, but after the other party saw Wen Hebai on screen and realized he liked her more, he broke up with Wen Heyao.

Both of these siblings’ marriage matters were related to Wen Hebai, so among K City’s wealthy families, there had always been rumors that Wen Hebai deliberately obstructed the Wen family’s marriage alliances in order to fight for the family property.

As for the third Wen sibling, Wen Hexing, he had always been a playboy. One of his girlfriends had finally made it to the point of getting engaged to him, only for him to fall for someone else. After the marriage was called off, others also threw the blame onto Wen Hebai.

The Wen family never expected that among the four siblings, the youngest, Wen Hebai, would be the first to get married!

Since this was Wen Hebai’s first time bringing her wife back home after marriage, the Wen family attached quite a bit of importance to it. Not only was the semi-retired Wen Yisheng specially waiting at home, but the busy Zhou Chunnuan had also rushed back from out of town. Wen Qihuang, Wen Hegu, and the other two siblings naturally cleared their schedules for the day as well.

Yan Qingwen often encountered members of the Wen family at business events, so she was not unfamiliar with them. This visit did not make her restrained either.

After exchanging greetings and presenting gifts, the topic gradually shifted to work.

Although Yan Qingwen had taken a bite out of the Wen family’s cake when she entered the entertainment industry, she had not caused the Wen family any major losses. Therefore, aside from Wen Hebai, the Wen family’s attitude toward Yan Qingwen had not changed much.

Not only that, they greatly admired her for supporting Yan Corporation’s business empire at such a young age. The Wen family had allowed Wen Hebai to associate with Yan Qingwen because they hoped Wen Hebai would learn more from her.

Wen Hebai rolled her eyes. If she modeled herself after Yan Qingwen, more than half the joy in life would disappear.

After Yan Qingwen and Wen Hebai finished dinner at the Wen family home, they left without staying overnight. Wen Hebai felt it was too early to go back at this hour. With Yan Qingwen’s personality, aside from returning to the study to work overtime, there would not be a second choice.

“Let’s go to a bar for a couple of drinks!” Wen Hebai suggested.

Yan Qingwen said, “There’s alcohol at home.”

“President Yan, the atmosphere at home and outside is different. Occasionally, you still have to drink outside alcohol. That way, life has a little more flavor.”

“That theory of yours is quite similar to ‘the flowers at home are never as fragrant as wildflowers outside.’”

Yan Qingwen actually did not particularly like the atmosphere of bars. Her impression of them was noisy, chaotic, and filled with all sorts of people. However, Yiqi Bar, the one Wen Hebai had gone to last time, had piqued her interest. If that bar was truly safe and had good privacy, then it was not impossible to go there for a couple of drinks.

After considering it for a few seconds, Yan Qingwen said, “We have to go back before ten-thirty.”

Wen Hebai had not expected President Yan to actually agree. It was clearly just a very ordinary response, but perhaps because she had not needed to spend much effort persuading her, it gave Wen Hebai the surprise of winning the lottery.

They drove to the commercial street. Wen Hebai first took Yan Qingwen to change into a more casual outfit, then put on a hat and mask before walking into the neon-lit nightlife venue.

What Yan Qingwen had not expected was that Yiqi Bar’s environment was better than she had imagined. Not only was the decor stylish, but the place was not that noisy either. The speakers played upbeat music that could liven up the atmosphere, but it was not the deafening heavy metal rock kind.

“The kind you’re talking about is a nightclub. This place is somewhere between a sober bar and a club. If someone books the venue for a party, then the atmosphere isn’t much different from a nightclub.” Wen Hebai pulled her to a booth on the second floor and ordered two glasses of whisky.

Yan Qingwen actually had the feeling of being a country bumpkin entering the city.

Suddenly, she saw two familiar figures appear downstairs.

At the bar counter, Xiao Chen sat down with practiced ease and ordered a glass of Bruichladdich Port Charlotte.

Qi Zange, who was beside her, asked in surprise, “You’re drinking such strong liquor? What if you get drunk?”

“If I get drunk, I’ll have to trouble you to send me home!” Xiao Chen said with a laugh.

Qi Zange was speechless. After working together for several days, Xiao Chen had always given her the impression of being an extremely capable workplace elite. She had not expected her to reveal her true colors the moment she got off work.

Xiao Chen said, “Coming to a bar is about relaxing. You should order a glass too!”

Qi Zange ordered a glass of milk.

Bartender: “…”

Xiao Chen was speechless. “You came to a bar to drink milk? Are you serious?”

Qi Zange’s expression did not change. “Alcohol numbs my brain. I still have to work tomorrow, so I can’t drink.”

Xiao Chen shrugged and did not force her.

Qi Zange asked again, “If you’re hungover and not in good condition for work tomorrow, aren’t you afraid President Yan will scold you?”

“I know my limits!” Xiao Chen said with a smile.

Qi Zange seemed thoughtful. “Looks like you understand President Yan very well.”

“My first job after graduation was as President Yan’s assistant. It’s been five years, but even I wouldn’t dare say I’m the person who understands President Yan best.”

“Could it be that the chief secretary understands President Yan best?”

Xiao Chen laughed. “Are you silly? Of course the person who understands President Yan best is Madam. They’ve been childhood sweethearts for more than twenty years. Who would dare say they understand either one of them better than they understand each other?”

Qi Zange gave an “oh,” picked up her milk, and took a sip, hiding all of her thoughts.

In the second-floor booth, Wen Hebai had also seen Xiao Chen and Qi Zange. She said, “That fifth secretary of yours has some skill. She’s only been here a few days, yet she’s already become so close with Xiao Chen.” Although she did not know what the two were saying, the fact that they could come to a bar together meant their relationship was pretty good.

Yan Qingwen withdrew her gaze and commented on Qi Zange. “Her work ability is excellent. She handles workplace challenges with ease, and she’s quite good at managing interpersonal relationships too.”

“No wonder you’ve been bringing her around every day lately,” Wen Hebai said sourly.

Yan Qingwen looked at her, and she immediately pretended not to care, raising her glass to take a sip.

“Xiao Chen has been with me for five years. Although her salary and bonuses go up every year, she’s outstanding at her job and hasn’t made any mistakes. If I never promote her, it’s somewhat unreasonable.”

Wen Hebai understood. Yan Qingwen was preparing to promote Xiao Chen, but Xiao Chen’s vacancy still needed someone to fill it, so Qi Zange was one of the backup candidates she was observing. Xiao Chen had probably grasped Yan Qingwen’s intention and had begun training Qi Zange as well. With Qi Zange’s ability, she would likely be able to take over the assistant position within half a year.

As the two were talking, a man suddenly walked up beside them. His sharp cologne stirred the air until it felt murky, making Yan Qingwen frown.

“Two beauties, no male companions?” The man’s words were frivolous and ambiguous. By the dim light from the small table lamp, he unscrupulously sized up the two graceful bodies before him. He even leaned forward slightly, wanting to get closer and glimpse the faces hidden beneath their hats.

Wen Hebai lifted her eyes slightly and said unhappily, “Get lost.”

“Beauty, why so rude?” The man smiled and looked her over. Her figure was very good, especially that waist. It must be very exciting when it twisted in bed. However, he was more interested in the woman across from her. Whether in posture, behavior, or temperament, that woman seemed somewhat out of place in a bar. At a glance, one could tell she rarely came to places like this. A woman like that must be very innocent, and also the easiest to hook.

“Heh, why pretend? Women who come to bars without male companions are here to fish for men, aren’t they?” The man tore away his hypocritical mask, one hand in his pocket, arrogant and showy.

Wen Hebai sighed. She had rarely brought Yan Qingwen to a bar, yet they just had to run into trash like this. What if this worsened Yan Qingwen’s misunderstanding of bar culture?

Yan Qingwen, however, calmly picked up her glass and took a sip. From beginning to end, she paid no attention to this man, who had failed to strike up a conversation and instead resorted to belittling and insulting them.

At that moment, a woman walked up and spoke lazily. “Since when did my bar have such an unspoken rule?”

Wen Hebai looked up and saw that the woman who had arrived was none other than the bar’s owner, Lin Yixiao.

“Aunt Lin.” Wen Hebai stood up.

The man saw her face clearly, and his expression stiffened.

“Will you leave on your own, or do I have to personally invite you out?” The way Lin Yixiao looked at the man was as if she were looking at something filthy.

The man’s face turned pale, and he fled in embarrassment, completely failing to notice the extra tail behind him.

“Enduring so meekly isn’t your style,” Lin Yixiao said to Wen Hebai.

Wen Hebai laughed awkwardly. Wasn’t it just that she had not had time to act yet! Besides, with Yan Qingwen here, she had to restrain herself somewhat. If she made a big scene and word spread, it would only leave Yan Qingwen unable to step down.

Yan Qingwen also stood up. From Lin Yixiao’s words, she already knew that the other party was the bar’s owner. Rumor had it that Lin Yixiao had official backing, and Yan Qingwen was rather curious about the truth of that as well.

“Aunt Lin, this is—”

Wen Hebai was just about to introduce Yan Qingwen when Lin Yixiao’s gaze had already circled Yan Qingwen once. She said, “I know. President of Yan Group, Eldest Miss Yan. Who in K City doesn’t recognize you?”

“Boss Lin, a pleasure to meet you.” Yan Qingwen smiled faintly and took the initiative to extend her hand.

Two seconds later, Lin Yixiao finally reached out and shook it. “Lin Yixiao.”

The calluses on this hand… Yan Qingwen vaguely thought of something and understood.

“Wife, calling her Boss Lin is too distant. She’s my aunt’s friend. Just call her Aunt Lin with me,” Wen Hebai said with a smile.

Once she spoke, the atmosphere shifted from a formal and serious business meeting to a relaxed private exchange.

“Aunt Lin, please sit.” Wen Hebai moved to sit beside Yan Qingwen and gave her own seat to Lin Yixiao.

Lin Yixiao waved her hand. “No. I heard movement and came over because I didn’t want anyone ruining my bar’s reputation. I won’t disturb your private time together.”

After saying that, she went upstairs.

The third floor was the bar’s office area and was not open to the public.

Yan Qingwen withdrew her gaze and suddenly turned her head to ask Wen Hebai beside her, “I remember your aunt’s name is Qihuang?”

The fragrance of honey mixed with vanilla spread through the air. It was the aroma of the whisky Yan Qingwen had drunk, but when it came from her mouth, it seemed especially mellow. Wen Hebai’s mind sank slightly, giving her the feeling of being drunk.

Only after a brief daze did Wen Hebai quickly sober up. She hurriedly grabbed her glass and took another sip of alcohol to ease the dryness in her throat.

Absentmindedly, she asked, “Are you drunk?” Yan Qingwen had not met her aunt for the first time. Why would she need to confirm her aunt’s name with her?

Yan Qingwen smiled. There were many things she had not noticed before, but now that she thought about them carefully, everything made sense at once.

That drunken feeling surged up again. Wen Hebai said, “Didn’t you say we had to go back before ten-thirty? It’s already ten. Let’s go!”

Yan Qingwen was somewhat surprised that she was so proactive about going home, but she had already experienced the bar’s atmosphere and drunk the alcohol. Staying longer would only be a waste of time.

When they went downstairs, Xiao Chen saw them and hurriedly shrank her head back, muttering, “You can’t see me, you can’t see me!”

Yan Qingwen originally wanted to go over and remind her to pay attention to safety, but Wen Hebai pulled her away. “That fifth secretary of yours didn’t drink at all. She’ll watch over Xiao Chen. Let’s hurry back!”

When something was abnormal, there had to be a demon. Yan Qingwen secretly pondered why Wen Hebai was acting so unusual.

After they returned home, she finally understood why Wen Hebai, who would normally stay outside as long as possible and never willingly go home, had been so eager to return.