Chapter Eighteen: An Awkward Family Dinner

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Nan Jianlong’s chest rose and fell unevenly with anger, frightening Cai Juying, who hurriedly tried to calm him down, urging him not to be upset. Seeing Nan Jianlong’s expression, Nan Li suddenly felt a pang of regret. She had been too angry earlier and had spoken without restraint, letting those words slip out. But regret aside, apologizing now—especially in front of Tian Yulan and her son—was something she truly could not bring herself to do.

At this moment, Zhou Chen was a little stunned, but his reaction was swift. Sensing Nan Li’s mood, he quickly grasped her hand, silently comforting her. As for Tian Yulan, who had ignited the whole incident, she dared not utter a word now. She pursed her lips, glanced at Nan Jianlong, then at Nan Li, before finally lowering her head.

To be honest, although Tian Yulan had known Nan Jianlong through her mother for many years, it was the first time she had seen him so furious. While she was displeased with Nan Li and wanted to put her in her place, she never truly wished for father and daughter to fall out; at most, it was just venting through words. But who could have predicted that the venting would backfire and stir up even bigger trouble? Now, Nan Jianlong was so angry he could hardly catch his breath.

Yan Peng and the three children naturally dared not say a word. It was a perfectly good meal, and yet after only a few bites, it had descended into such conflict—who could still eat? Father and daughter were both angry, and neither was willing to concede. Zhou Chen felt this was no good either. If anyone was wronged, it was him—he had done nothing but had been harshly scolded by Nan Jianlong. Nan Li had only spoken out to defend him, which led to her confrontation with her own father.

After some thought, Zhou Chen said to Nan Jianlong, “Dad, Li Li didn’t mean it like that. She just lost control of her emotions in anger. Please don’t take it to heart.”

With Cai Juying’s soothing words, Nan Jianlong’s anger subsided somewhat. Though still upset, upon seeing his daughter silent and withdrawn, and aware of the three children present, as an elder, he had no choice but to suppress his displeasure.

“Let’s eat, let’s eat.”

Cai Juying immediately chimed in, “Yes, yes, food should be eaten while it’s hot. Once it cools down, it doesn’t taste good anymore. Everyone, please eat.”

At this moment, Tian Yulan was like a quail, not daring to say a word, eating cautiously. Nan Li, silently comforted by Zhou Chen, gradually calmed down. Seeing her father did not continue to rage publicly, she felt deeply guilty.

After all these years, although she still harbored resentment about what happened back then, this was not the occasion to speak so recklessly. Moreover, her father was ill—if he were to have some health issue from anger, she would bear full responsibility.

This meal was undoubtedly the most awkward family banquet Zhou Chen had ever attended. Although he had long anticipated that it would not be peaceful, he was still taken aback by how badly it had turned out.

For some reason, though he had previously looked down on Nan Jianlong’s behavior, seeing him endure his daughter’s public scorn and yet swallow his anger silently stirred many feelings within him.

The pitiable always have their hateful sides, and the hateful often have their pitiable ones.

This meal was finished in an atmosphere thick with awkwardness—just managing to finish it was no small feat.

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Take little Chaochao, for example—he was nearly frightened to tears but was only comforted by Nan Li’s coaxing.

After the meal, Nan Li prepared to leave, but Nan Jianlong called her, saying he had something to discuss, so the two went to the study.

Yan Peng had been complaining about Tian Yulan, blaming her for stirring things up. If it weren’t for his wife starting it, things wouldn’t have gotten so out of hand today.

Tian Yulan, who had been silent earlier, now faced her husband Yan Peng with a haughty air, retorting with sharp words. Yan Peng, frustrated, could only come over to find Zhou Chen.

“Brother, I’m really sorry about today. It’s all my useless wife’s fault. When I get home, I’ll make sure to have a serious talk with her.”

Yan Peng expressed his determination and begged for forgiveness.

“Ah, I shouldn’t have mentioned your novel-writing in front of Uncle Nan. It’s all my fault.”

Zhou Chen didn’t blame Yan Peng—there was no reason to.

“Alright, today’s mess isn’t really your fault. I share some responsibility too for not stopping it sooner, sigh.”

Yan Peng sighed, “Yeah, this meal was so awkward I almost felt embarrassed to the point of illness. My useless wife is just like that. Brother, please don’t take it too hard.”

Zhou Chen replied, “I’m not that petty. But you should tell her—grown-ups should settle their conflicts among themselves. Next time, don’t involve the kids.”

“Yes, yes. This time Tian Yulan really went too far. No matter what, she shouldn’t have dragged the kids into it.”

Yan Peng nodded repeatedly, then grew serious. “Last time, brother, you told me about Ziyou’s issues. I didn’t pay much attention then, but now it seems Tian Yulan does have some problems. I have to have a serious talk with her.”

Zhou Chen rolled his eyes. After a few sentences, Yan Peng kept saying he would “deal” with Tian Yulan—does he really have the ability?

Nan Jianlong and his daughter talked for a long time in the study. When they emerged, they seemed to have reconciled, which finally relieved everyone. Whether it was genuine peace or for some other reason, at least the conflict didn’t escalate further, which was already good enough.

On the way home, Nan Li drove. With Huahuan and Chaochao in the car, neither spoke about what had happened today.

After returning home, Nan Li took Huahuan and Chaochao to her mother’s house across the street, apparently needing to vent, leaving Zhou Chen alone at his computer to continue typing.

In the late afternoon, Zhou Chen heard the door open. Stepping out of the study, he saw it was not Nan Li but Mi Tao’s mother, who had come to clean.

“Mi Tao’s mother is here.”

Zhou Chen greeted her proactively. Mi Tao’s mother was supposed to come at noon, but since they had been out then, Zhou Chen had called to ask if she could come in the late afternoon, to which she agreed.

“Hello, Huahuan’s dad. Sorry for coming a bit late.”

Mi Tao’s mother was a very simple and kind woman, especially skilled in her work. Every time she came, she cleaned diligently.

Nan Li had dinner across the street. Zhou Chen, after Mi Tao’s mother left, just made himself a quick meal.

At night, after putting Chaochao and Huahuan to sleep, Nan Li ran on the treadmill, venting her emotions.

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“Li Li, take a break. You’ve been running for half an hour already. If you keep going, you’ll hurt your legs.”

“Ha, ha, ha!”

Nan Li slowed to a stop. Zhou Chen seized the moment to say, “Li Li, you were really amazing today. When you stood up for me, I was truly moved.”

Nan Li caught her breath and rolled her eyes at his teasing.

“I only did it to defend you. That’s why it ended up like that.”

“It’s my fault, my fault. I didn’t expect the old man to drag me into it at the end. I didn’t even react in time—I just saw you storm in like a tornado…”

Nan Li snorted, “He was wrong from the start. Even if he wanted to stop me from dealing with Tian Yulan, he shouldn’t have involved you. Besides, Tian Yulan started the provocation today. Look at her, desperately praising her son while belittling our Huahuan. Wouldn’t you be angry?”

“Of course I’m angry. But we won’t stoop to her level. Like you said, it’s her dysfunctional family background. She’s trying to overcompensate for something she lacks. It’s pointless to argue with her.”

“I never wanted to argue. It’s just that today her words were so infuriating, like she’d been shot with a gunpowder keg.”

“The reason she acted like that is because the gift the old man gave to Ziyou was the same as last time. She felt uncomfortable, so she used that as an excuse to lash out. You get what I mean, right?”

“Ah? There’s that too?”

Nan Li really hadn’t noticed that detail. If that was the case, everything made sense.

“What Dad did was definitely wrong, but that’s not a reason for her to take it out on us, especially not on Huahuan. That’s unacceptable.”

“Forget it, let’s not talk about this anymore. Honey, how’s that cryptocurrency investment you mentioned before going?”

“Not bad. The trend is good. So far, it’s risen almost thirty percent.”

Nan Li’s eyes widened in surprise. “Thirty percent? That means apart from the principal, you’ve made over a hundred thousand, right?”

“Just over a hundred thousand. Li Li, why are you asking about this now? Weren’t you always against my investments?”

Zhou Chen was puzzled. He had been investing for a while—why did Nan Li suddenly bring it up today?

Nan Li rested for a moment, having recovered, then sat down on the chair beside him.

“I was thinking, if Huahuan and Chaochao really aren’t cut out for academics, maybe we should be more prepared. While we still have the ability, we should earn more money. Even if they don’t achieve much in the future, at least we can leave them some inheritance.”