Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Old Mr. Wen lied down on the hospital bed, appearing as pale as a sheet. He was put on the drip and there was a needle attached to his wrinkly hand. She could vaguely see the blood flowing through his veins.
It was as if he had aged ten years.
She had never seen her grandfather this haggard before, not even in her previous lifetime. It was as if all of his energy had been drained out of him, leaving behind nothing except a bag of skin and bones.
Wen Xinya teared up and sat beside him. She then held his hand gently and exclaimed, “Grandpa!”
Old Mr. Wen’s palm was large and his fingers were wrinkly and dry like tree bark.
Old Mr. Wen moved his hand and gazed at Wen Xinya, who was looking at him with tears in her eyes. He was heartened to see that he still had a granddaughter to care for him, though his son was unfilial.
“I’m alright, don’t worry,” said Old Mr. Wen in a feeble voice. He then retracted his hand and patted hers.
Wen Xinya felt a huge sense of relief. “Grandpa, the doctor said that there’s nothing wrong with your body now, but you’ll have to be hospitalized for further observation for a few days.
She had no idea what Wen Haowen had said to Old Mr. Wen to make him so agitated and exasperated to the point of passing out. She had no choice but to try and comfort him.
Recalling the words that Wen Haowen had said to him, he lied down on the bed and his hands began to tremble. “Xinya… your father told me that the Wen Corporation belongs to him and that he’s the rightful successor. He resents me for making you the potential successor and also detests you to the core.”
He did not plan to hide the truth from his granddaughter, for he was more determined than ever to keep the Wen Corporation away from Wen Haowen’s reach. From now on… Wen Xinya would be the only successor.
Wen Xinya was not at all surprised. However, she did not expect that Wen Haowen would openly fall out with Old Mr. Wen. No wonder Grandpa was so infuriated , she thought. “My father is selfish and self-centered. He has never tried to hide his ambitions before. I believe you’ve already guessed it too, Grandpa. You’re just carrying some hope for him. That’s why you chose to turn a blind eye to it.”
Since her Grandfather was willing to speak to her openly, she ought to share her honest opinions with him too. It was the perfect time for her to say the words that she had been keeping inside.
Old Mr. Wen sighed and said, “You’re right. I may be extremely disappointed in him, but he’s still my son at the end of the day. How could I really give up on him? Actually, there are just a lot of facts that I’m aware of but refuse to admit. Yet, I ended up feeding his greed. I have failed to educate him well. I’m far worse than your maternal grandfather when it comes to educating children.”
Wen Xinya was at a sudden loss for words.
Seemingly having regained some of his vitality, Old Mr. Wen said, “If Haowen were really that capable and had what it takes, I’d let him go ahead and do whatever he wants. However, he’s so incompetent and can’t even tell right from wrong. He even has the heart to be so relentless and cruel towards his own flesh and blood. He’s self-righteous and petty… In conclusion, he’s simply a good for nothing. How could I let him take over the lifelong career that I painstakingly built?”
Wen Xinya looked at her grandfather’s wrinkled and trembling hands. Feeling extremely aggrieved, she held his hand and said, “Grandpa, I know your greatest worry is Ning Shuqian. Ning Shuqian is so vicious and wicked. She has managed to play Father like a puppet. Given how greedy she is, the Wen Corporation will definitely land in her hands one day, should Father be in charge of it.”
Staring at her, Old Mr. Wen said, “You’re right. This is indeed my greatest concern. It’s also the reason why I’ve decided to make you my successor.”
He could accept it if his family were to go bankrupt. However, he could not accept letting his fruit of labor end up in someone else’s pocket.
Staring at him earnestly, Wen Xinya said, “Grandpa, you should take good care of your health. Your health is of paramount importance. With you around, Ning Shuqian won’t dare to act brazenly, regardless of how greedy she may be.”
No matter how much Ning Shuqian resented Wen Xinya, she had never dared to go overboard, for she was afraid of both Old Mr. Wen and Old Mr. Mo. Hence, nothing must happen to Old Mr. Wen. Otherwise, she would definitely be in a dangerous situation.
Old Mr. Wen gazed at her and recalled the time when he first brought her home. In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed. Yet, she had exceeded his expectations and proved herself to be extremely outstanding. “Xinya, do you resent your father?” he asked.
Wen Xinya stared at him in shock and bewilderment.
Old Mr. Wen looked at her and said, “After all, your mother passed away because of your father… and he’s so cruel and cold towards you as well. Do you resent him for that?”
Wen Xinya hurriedly hid her emotions of puzzlement, but she could not hide her agony. She looked down and said softly, “I’d be lying if I said that I don’t resent him. I may be upset about Mother’s death, but because of the fact that he’s my father, I can’t berate him… However… ” She took a deep breath and continued, “I’ve been feeling extremely indignant because he treats his adoptive daughter better than he treats me, his own flesh and blood.”
Although Old Mr. Wen could tell that she was stuck in a dilemma, he could not figure out if she resented Wen Haowen or not… It was almost impossible to tell.
Wen Xinya held her grandfather’s gaze and looked into his bright eyes which were as clear as water. “I’m sorry, Grandpa. I can’t tell you my innermost thoughts. I’ve already given up on my father, however.”
Old Mr. Wen was instantly overwhelmed with dejection again. “Forget it, I was forcing it. I was just hoping that you’d spare your father one day, on my account.”
He could no longer stop the inevitable battle between his overly ambitious son and his ruthless granddaughter. Hence, that was the only way he could help his son and prevent him from ending up in a pathetic plight.
Wen Xinya said, “Grandpa, you’re reading too much into things. Although I’ve already given up on Father, I can’t deny the fact that I’m his flesh and blood. Even if not for you, I ought to show him mercy on the account that he brought me into this world.”
Old Mr. Wen finally realized that he had belittled his granddaughter. She had taken after the members of the Mo Family and her character was much more like them, as compared to the Wen Family. She had her own set of principles that she would always adhere to.
Wen Xinya said softly, “Father is outside. Do you want to…”
Old Mr. Wen closed his eyes slowly and answered, “I’m tired. You may go out!”
He did not wish to see Wen Haowen.
