Chapter 014: Fifth Master, Zhou Mingfan Has Been Impersonating Zhou Linchuan!

The old matriarch’s brow had not relaxed all evening. “What is it?”
Wang Sufang was too ashamed to speak.
She pressed her lips together in silence.
The old lady cast her a glance. “Show me.”
Wang Sufang had wrapped it in a piece of clothing to bring it back.
Not only did she think it would look bad to carry it openly, but she also found it disgusting.
She hadn’t unwrapped it yet.
Min Xianshu was already watching Wen Ni with a look of smug satisfaction.
This time, she was certain she could drive Wen Ni out with nothing—not four hundred million, not even four yuan, she wouldn’t give Wen Ni a cent, not even if it lay abandoned on the road.
Zhou Jingyi met Wen Ni’s gaze.
His eyes were deep and unreadable.
After three seconds, Wen Ni looked away, completely unruffled.
Wang Sufang had now opened the parcel.
The old matriarch took one look and immediately understood why Wang Sufang had wrapped it so tightly. It was truly… revolting.
It was an exquisite pair of women’s underwear.
The revolting part was—it hadn’t been washed.
The old lady waved her hand immediately. “Take it away, take it away.”
Wang Sufang hurriedly moved it aside.
Min Xianshu hadn’t even gotten a good look before she said anxiously, “Mother, things have gone this far, what do you think…”
The old matriarch looked at Wen Ni. “Come here.”
Wen Ni walked over.
Blood was still dripping from her palm.
Drop by drop.
Falling to the floor.
The wood reflected the shine of fresh blood, like tiny pearls made of crimson.
Wen Ni stopped beside the old matriarch.
The old lady’s eyes were full of disappointment, her tone reproachful. “Is this yours?”
Wen Ni glanced at it and shook her head. “No.”
The old lady glared.
Wen Ni spoke with a firm voice. “Grandmother, this is not mine.”
Min Xianshu hurried to say, “If it’s not yours, is it mine then? Wen Ni, you really are stubborn to the bitter end.”
With that,
She turned to Aunt Liu at her side. “Go pack up the young madam’s… no, pack up that wretch’s things, throw them all out, get her out of the Zhou house.”
Aunt Liu was about to leave.
Wen Ni suddenly said, “Grandmother, this underwear looks like it hasn’t been washed; there should still be traces of the owner’s DNA. Why not send it for testing?”
Min Xianshu: “…”
She froze.
She’d originally thought that if Wen Ni refused to admit it, she’d suggest a DNA test herself, and when the results came out, Wen Ni would be finished.

But now, how could Wen Ni dare say such a thing?
Wen Ni suddenly knelt before the old matriarch, every word clear and sincere. “Grandmother, this is not mine. I beg you to have a DNA test done. If the result shows it’s mine, I’ll go to the grave to accompany Zhou Mingfan!”
Min Xianshu stepped forward for a closer look at the garment.
Her face suddenly flushed red.
The old matriarch, meeting Wen Ni’s clear and innocent gaze, agreed to her request. “In that case, Sufang…”
She hadn’t finished her sentence.
Aunt Liu, who had guessed Min Xianshu’s intention, rushed forward. “That damn Zeng Weiyin, how perverse can he be? That’s my underwear!”
Everyone: “…”
Aunt Liu snatched it up. “I didn’t see clearly before, but now I do—this is mine. A few days ago, I went to the public laundry room. I just stepped out to use the restroom, and when I came back, it was gone. I thought I’d dropped it on the road. Who would have thought… that beastly man, he’s young enough to be my son!”
Aunt Liu’s face was full of anger.
Afraid the old matriarch would still insist on a DNA test, Min Xianshu quickly said, “Liu Lan lost her husband last year, so she must be the widow Yulan mentioned, the one Zeng Weiyin talked about. That Zeng Weiyin, he’s barely human.”
The old matriarch kept her eyes fixed on Min Xianshu.
The latter felt a chill run down her spine.
At last, the old matriarch just sighed. “Xianshu, go to the temple with me. Your temper needs to be cleansed by incense and meditation. Maybe then you’ll find some peace in your heart and rid yourself of these impurities.”
Min Xianshu: “…”
She opened her mouth, hoping to decline.
How could she go there!
Just then,
Footsteps echoed from the elevator lobby.
The old patriarch appeared, Zhou Chengli right behind him.
They entered abruptly.
The old man took one look at the scene—a mess everywhere—and his brow twitched violently. “What’s going on here?”
No one answered.
Anger flared in the patriarch’s eyes. “Has the sky turned upside down?”
Zhou Jingyi stood up leisurely, his voice low. “Shen Xuening found a condom I’d thrown away, said it was Wen Ni’s. Zeng Weiyin stole Aunt Liu’s underwear. My sister-in-law initially suspected Zeng Weiyin and Wen Ni of adultery, but the truth is now clear.”
The old man took a deep breath.
He turned to Zhou Chengli, his disappointment palpable. “Does your branch of the family exist solely to stir up trouble? Time and again, it never ends! Rumors, self-inflicted embarrassment, utterly absurd!”
Zhou Chengli couldn’t even raise his head.
The old matriarch hurried over. “The eldest daughter-in-law lacks discipline. I’ll have her go with us to the temple in two days—her heart has been restless lately.”
The old man grunted his reluctant assent.
Wen Ni suddenly stepped forward.
She spoke with difficulty, her tone pleading. “Grandfather, I may need a little more time to complete the task.”
The old man looked displeased.
Wen Ni opened her hand. “My hand is injured, the work I finished earlier was smashed by my mother-in-law, and the embroidery I started today was ruined by ‘Lin Chuan’.”
Min Xianshu: “…”
Zhou Mingfan: “…”
Zhou Chengli: “…”
Wen Ni pleaded softly, “Just give me two days to rest.”
The old patriarch nodded gruffly.
His look of reproach fell on Min Xianshu and Zhou Mingfan. “Your mother will go with grandmother to the temple, and you shouldn’t be idle either. Go to the construction site in the western suburbs for a while. As for the luxury collaboration project, I’ll assign it to…”
He paused, thinking.

At the moment, there was no one truly free.
He spoke irritably, “Your fifth uncle will take over.”
Zhou Mingfan swallowed his resentment. “Yes, sir.”
Before leaving, the patriarch gave Wen Ni a long look and left with Zhou Chengli.
Once in the elevator,
The old man said to Zhou Chengli, “When the luxury collaboration ends, Wen Ni can’t stay in this family.”
Zhou Chengli agreed.
…
The old matriarch stood up.
She had been delayed too long, and already not in the best health, her face was now drawn. “Xianshu, you know what to do next, don’t you?”
Min Xianshu nodded respectfully.
Supported by Wang Sufang, the old lady left.
Min Xianshu gave Wen Ni a vicious glare and took Shen Xuening with her as she left the sixth floor.
Blood still seeped from Wen Ni’s palm.
But she smiled, looking at Zhou Jingyi. “I did it. Tonight, Zhou Jingyi, you were my chess piece.”
In this game tonight,
Wen Ni had won by a hair's breadth.
But it only appeared to be a sweeping victory.
Zhou Jingyi knew perfectly well that the old man would not let Wen Ni remain in the Zhou household much longer.
The old patriarch liked clever people—
But no one liked being a piece on someone else’s chessboard.
Zhou Jingyi stepped closer.
His gaze slid from Wen Ni’s palm to her chin, which he lifted gently, his thumb stroking her skin. “Wen Ni, how much longer can you stay in the Zhou family?”
Wen Ni answered with certainty, “Not as short as you think. Care to make a bet?”
Zhou Jingyi frowned, “What’s the wager?”
Wen Ni’s smile was soft and warm. “You name the time you think I can stay. If you win, I’ll grant you a request. If I win, you grant me one.”
Zhou Jingyi’s voice was indifferent as he looked away. “No bet.”
Wen Ni moved to face him, curiosity sparkling. “You think I’m impressive, don’t you?”
She looked utterly serious—
Almost foolishly so.
Zhou Jingyi pressed his hands to her shoulders and pushed her back two steps. “Wen Ni, gamblers never come to a good end.”
Wen Ni paid him no mind. “Will you come with me to the studio tomorrow? You need to be familiar with the process of kesi weaving and the final renderings. I don’t have them here—they’re all at the studio.”
After a moment’s thoughtful silence, Zhou Jingyi gave a slight nod.
Wen Ni waved. “Then I’ll go. See you tomorrow, Zhou Jingyi.”
He watched her enter the elevator, his face frosty as he turned to go back to his room—only to receive a call.
He glanced at the caller ID
And answered at once.
The voice on the line said, “Fifth Young Master, Zhou Linchuan… may not be Zhou Linchuan at all!”
Zhou Jingyi replied, “Keep digging. I don’t want to hear ‘may’.”
The caller agreed.