Chapter 36: An Unexpected "Surprise"

The night, like a shy maiden, slowly drew its curtains shut.

In the eastern sky, a faint, pearlescent white began to emerge; the soft light of dawn heralded the approach of a new day. Inside the car, Wen Wan'er felt her taut nerves begin to unravel, soothed by Wen Yun'an's steady and skillful driving. She leaned back against the seat and turned her gaze toward the window. The receding darkness, resembling a fading ink wash painting, gradually dissolved into the morning glow. As fatigue crept over her eyelids, she closed them and quickly drifted into slumber.

"Wan'er, we're home."

When Wen Wan'er awoke, it was to the sound of Wen Yun'an's gentle voice. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she realized they had arrived. She quickly smoothed her disheveled hair and adjusted her clothes before stepping out of the car alongside him. Yet, as they reached the front door, they were met with an unexpected sight: their parents, Wen Kai and Wu Xi, were waiting there.

Wen Wan'er’s heart tightened, and she instinctively took two steps back. She had never expected that her parents, who usually slept in, would be waiting for them at such an early hour. The morning breeze tugged at their clothes, and the expressions on their faces were both stern and laced with suspicion.

Forcing a stiff smile, Wen Wan'er asked with a slight tremor in her voice, "Mom, Dad, why are you up so early?"

Wen Kai and Wu Xi remained cold, clearly puzzled by their arrival. Wu Xi furrowed her brows, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction. "Why are you two coming home from outside at this hour? You returned so late last night; why go out again at the crack of dawn?"

Feeling a surge of guilt, Wen Wan'er stammered, "We returned in such a rush yesterday that I left some things at the hospital. I just remembered, so we went to retrieve them." As she spoke, she unconsciously clutched her handbag tighter, her eyes darting nervously.

Wen Kai’s brow furrowed even deeper. "Could you not have sent someone else? With so many servants and drivers at home, why go yourself? You, of all people, love to sleep in."

Just as Wen Wan'er was about to explain, Wen Yun'an stepped in. "Because the items were too precious, they required a personal touch," he said. He opened the trunk and pulled out two exquisite gift bags. Under the morning light, the gold zippers shimmered brilliantly. He handed the bags to Wen Kai and Wu Xi. "Wan'er personally selected these massage devices for you both. Knowing you have been struggling with cervical spine issues, she chose these with the utmost sincerity."

Wen Wan'er looked at Wen Yun'an in surprise, never expecting her brother to come to her rescue or to have prepared such a gift. She immediately put on a bright smile and chimed in, "Yes, that's exactly right!" She patted her chest, feigning relief.

As Wen Kai and Wu Xi took the gifts, their expressions softened instantly. They opened the bags to find two brand-new, stylish massage devices with comprehensive features. Satisfied smiles blossomed on their faces, and their earlier doubts seemed to vanish into thin air. "Our daughter has grown up; she knows how to care for her parents now," they remarked, hurrying off to the sofa, eager to unwrap their presents.

"Brother, I am truly impressed. I had no idea when you prepared these!" Taking advantage of their parents' distraction, Wen Wan'er gave Wen Yun'an’s arm a playful pinch and offered him a thumbs-up.

Wen Yun'an smiled faintly, a mysterious glint in his eyes. "I'll deal with you later."