Chapter 67: Someone Comes Looking

Wen Xiuyi silently lit a candle for his son in his heart.

Son, nineteen years old—that’s the maximum I could fight for you. From here on, it’s up to you. Whether you can win over your grandmother or not depends on yourself.

Mrs. Luo was so bewildered by Wen Yao and Wen Xiuyi’s alternating persuasion that, in the end, she agreed without even knowing how it happened. By the time she came to her senses, the whole family of four had already vanished.

Old Wen had been inside the house the entire time, watching as his wife was coaxed by his son and granddaughter. Only after they’d all left did he dare laugh out loud.

The more Mrs. Luo thought about it, the more she felt something was off. How had they managed to fool her so easily? Waiting three years—by then, Wen Jun would be nineteen.

“Don’t be upset. Three years is nothing. Look at Jiao Yang—he didn’t marry until he was over twenty. Our little Jun is following Doctor Jin; he’ll have a bright future. As long as he succeeds, he won’t have trouble finding a wife. Just rest easy,” Old Wen advised kindly.

What else could Mrs. Luo do? She’d already agreed, so she had no choice but to accept it.

On the way home, Wen Xiuyi recounted the story as a joke to Wen Jun, making Wen Jun feel numb all over.

In his previous life, he couldn’t escape being pushed to marry; in this life, he still couldn’t escape, and this time it started ten years earlier. Help!

Big Head was confused, not knowing what “betrothal” or “marriage” meant, but seeing his eldest brother’s reaction, he figured it couldn’t be anything good. So, he decided he wouldn’t marry either.

The little boy quietly squeezed Wen Jun’s hand in silent support.

When Wen Jun looked down, he saw the little one’s eyes full of sympathy. He closed his eyes and slapped his forehead.

What a mess.

For a long while after that, Wen Jun took pains to avoid the old house, afraid Mrs. Luo would corner him.

He could hide, but Mrs. Luo couldn’t. Barely half a month had passed since the Jiao family’s wedding, and already two groups of matchmakers had come to ask Mrs. Luo about Wen Jun’s marriage plans, introducing every good girl they knew.

Among them, Mrs. Luo was genuinely satisfied with a few, but remembering Wen Xiuyi and Wen Yao’s words, she steeled herself and sent the matchmakers away. Her reason was simple: Wen Jun’s priority was to distinguish himself, and for the next three years, marriage wouldn’t be considered. He needed to focus on studying medicine with Doctor Jin.

Though her eldest grandson’s marriage was postponed, she still had a fifteen-year-old second grandson. Turning her attention, she asked the matchmakers to keep an eye out for suitable girls for him as well.

The matchmakers wanted to earn the Wen family’s commission, so even if they couldn’t match Wen Jun, matching anyone else would do. They all promised to keep Mrs. Luo informed if they found a good candidate.

Besides the matchmakers, several families brought people to the house, all hoping to hire Wen Yao as head chef.

Wen Yao didn’t lower her price; she charged the same as at the Jiao family—two hundred coins a day. Anyone brought by Mrs. Luo had already been screened, so negotiations were swift and schedules didn’t clash.

Wen Yao even made herself a little notebook to keep track of her appointments. With the year nearing its end, there were quite a few families hosting celebrations.

However, few were as generous as the Jiao family, willing to pay for two days' work. When she encountered such clients, Wen Yao always explained how to prepare everything ahead of time, so that when she arrived the next day, there’d be no chaos due to missing ingredients. It was truly considerate service.

Many people thought Wen Yao, though young, was capable and kind. Word spread from one person to another, and before long, Wen Yao had gained a small reputation in several nearby villages.

She enjoyed her little enterprise—it wasn’t too busy, and she could earn a modest profit. After working for five families, she’d have a tael of silver.

Ever since Mrs. Luo learned about Big Head’s situation, she stopped asking them to take him for medical treatment. Still, every time she saw Big Head playing happily with Wen Ying, she sighed.

He seemed in good spirits now, so why wouldn’t he speak?

That day, Mrs. Luo and Wen Yao were preparing marinated dishes for the next day’s stall. Wen Ying played with Big Head in the courtyard, while Wen Di sat under the gallery sewing clothes for herself.

“Miss Wen Yao! Is Miss Wen Yao at home?” Suddenly, a voice called from outside the yard.

Wen Yao shook the water from her hands, recognizing Ah Wang’s voice. She hurried to open the door.

“Ah Wang, what brings you here?” Wen Yao asked in surprise. Had something happened to her brother?

Ah Wang jumped down from the carriage, bowed to Mrs. Luo, and then addressed Wen Yao, “Miss Wen Yao, Young Master Wen Jun asked me to fetch you to the clinic.”

As soon as Wen Yao heard, she began to untie her apron and sleeves, her brows furrowing. “What happened to my brother? Is something wrong?”

Mrs. Luo followed, growing anxious. “What happened? Is something wrong with Jun?”

Ah Wang quickly waved his hands to explain, “No, no, madam, don’t worry. Young Master Wen Jun is fine. I don’t know the details, but someone came to the clinic looking for him, saying they wanted to thank him. He asked me to bring Miss Wen Yao to the clinic; they’re waiting there.”

Wen Yao was puzzled. Thank him? For what?

She handed her apron and sleeves to Mrs. Luo, comforting her, “Grandma, don’t worry. Ah Wang said nothing’s wrong. I’ll go see what’s happening.”

Big Head burst from the courtyard, only to be held back by Mrs. Luo, who nodded, “Leave it to me. You go quickly.”

Big Head wanted to follow, but Mrs. Luo stopped him, coaxing, “Don’t make trouble.”

He stood still, his lips trembling in grievance.

Wen Yao patted his head, told him to listen to Grandma, then climbed into the carriage with Ah Wang.

Mrs. Luo watched the carriage depart, coaxing Big Head, “Be good, your sister will be back tonight.”

Big Head kept turning back every few steps until Wen Ying closed the gate, blocking his view of the carriage.

Wen Yao rode into town with Ah Wang, asking what was going on along the way.

Ah Wang had only been called to the clinic later himself, so he wasn’t sure of the specifics. However, several people had come, none seemed hostile, and they were polite when meeting Wen Jun.

That reassured Wen Yao. As soon as the carriage stopped at the clinic, she jumped down and hurried inside.

There were no patients in the clinic now. Doctor Jin, Manager Qiu, Wen Jun, and even Wen Xiuyi were present. Besides them, a well-dressed middle-aged man with two servants was talking with Manager Qiu and Doctor Jin. Both sides wore smiles; clearly, it wasn’t bad news. Wen Yao’s heart finally settled.

“Brother, you sent for me?”