"Mom, this car drives nice, huh? Look, everyone's staring at it! Hehe, take it to work tomorrow, and your colleagues will be green with envy! You'll totally be the star of the office!" Wen Lan giggled, leaning over from the back seat, gazing enviously at her mom Shen Han driving.
"Little Lan, don't distract Mom. She's a newbie driver—barely driven since getting her license. Safety first," Wen Wan scolded Wen Lan.
Though Wen Wan didn't say it, she felt a twinge of jealousy.
Her husband Li Bin hadn't bought her a car but got one for her mom—and a pricey one at 500,000 or 600,000. It stung a bit.
Even if it was for her own mother, Wen Wan still felt reluctant.
Wen Ting, always quiet and cool, shot Li Bin a cold glance, saying sarcastically, "Brother-in-law, Sis doesn't have a car either. Why not get her one? Being so attentive for no reason—either up to no good or outright shady, heh."
"Little Ting, what's that tone?! Don't ever talk to your brother-in-law like that again, got it?! What's wrong with him getting me a car? You're so capable—what birthday gift did you, my daughter, get me?" Shen Han, fiercely protective of Li Bin, treated him better than her own son, unable to stand any criticism of him.
"Mom, Little Ting's always like this. It's fine. She's got a point—Wen Wan does need a car. I think a BMW 5 Series would suit Wan'er. I've made some money lately, so we'll go get one," Li Bin said, smiling awkwardly, feeling like Wen Ting had seen through him.
She wasn't wrong. His actions had a purpose—a shady one at that.
To steal his mother-in-law!
"Me too! Brother-in-law! I want a Porsche 911! When are you getting me one?～～" Wen Lan leaned over Li Bin's seat, teasing him with a coy giggle.
"Little Lan, stop messing around. How can you ask your brother-in-law for a car? Want a Porsche? Go find a successful husband! Or, like me, find a great son-in-law," Shen Han teased proudly, steering the wheel smoothly, her face radiating joy and pride.
"Hey, hey, Wen Lan, get it straight—this is my husband, not yours! I haven't even asked him for a car, and you're trying to jump the line? Dream on!" Wen Wan shot Wen Lan an annoyed glance. "What brother-in-law buys his sister-in-law a car? If anyone's getting one, it's me. Back off. Want a Porsche? Go ask your rich boyfriend—he's loaded, isn't he?"
Wen Wan shoved Wen Lan aside, leaning behind Li Bin, pinching his ear through the seat. "Li Bin, be honest—where'd all this money come from?"
"I told you, from writing. You don't think I borrowed it like Du Bin and them, do you? I'll give you my phone, my cards—check them yourself," Li Bin said, spreading his hands with a frank smile. "I made some money recently, spent it all on gifts for you and Mom. I'm almost broke now."
"But my money's hard-earned, clean as a whistle, not a cent borrowed. You think I'm some big shot? That's fake. The car and watch together were just 700,000 or 800,000. Uncle's family is way richer—their house alone's worth millions. I just don't mind spending on family."
"I know you and Mom had it tough over the years. I wasn't earning before, couldn't give you a good life, even embarrassed you in front of relatives. This time, I wanted to make you and Mom proud, give you face, so you can hold your heads high. Money means nothing to me. I just want you, Mom, and the family to be happy."
"Little Wan, what's that supposed to mean? Others doubt Little Bin, and you, his wife, believe their nonsense? Or are you just upset he got me a car and a watch?"
Wen Wan was about to press further, but Shen Han cut her off angrily. "You three daughters—I raised you for nothing. Not one of you has a conscience. Only our Little Bin's truly filial!"
"Heh, Mom, you've been bought off by Brother-in-law. Now you can't even see your own daughters—just your precious son-in-law. But Sis, really, I was just joking. Why so worked up?" Wen Lan, dripping with jealousy, glanced at Wen Wan, deliberately sour.
Wen Wan's words stung Wen Lan, leaving her annoyed, even harboring envious resentment toward her sister.