Chapter 028: Zhou Jingyi, I Want to Be Mrs. Zhou

Jiang Shaozhang: “…”

Is this right?

This was already the second time today he had run into Zhou Jingyi.

Was there some unspeakable bond of fate between them?

Jiang Shaobai let Zhou Jingyi in and said, “No outsiders here. My younger brother, whom you know, and your nephew’s wife—just family, please have a seat.”

Wen Ni pursed her lips.

In Zhou Jingyi’s eyes, that looked like she was displeased with their uninvited arrival, as if they were in the way.

Zhou Jingyi’s gaze was cool and indifferent.

By some fateful coincidence, he sat down directly opposite Wen Ni.

Jiang Shaobai sat beside Jiang Shaozhang.

He picked up the denim jacket and threw it over Jiang Shaozhang, frowning and rebuking, “What is this look? You’re dressed like some club kid serving at a lounge—put your clothes on properly!”

Jiang Shaozhang obediently dressed himself.

Before Jiang Shaobai, he was as meek as a new recruit.

Jiang Shaozhang’s voice was thick with complaint. “If you couldn’t get a table, why didn’t you just go to another restaurant? Did you really have to eat here? If I wasn’t here, would you have just shared a table with strangers?”

Jiang Shaobai replied irritably, “You are here, aren’t you?”

Jiang Shaozhang: “But what if I weren’t?”

Jiang Shaobai shot back, “Then I’d be at home, not here.”

Wen Ni couldn’t help but laugh.

That dry joke was actually quite funny.

Zhou Jingyi glanced at Wen Ni, and she glared right back at him.

Jiang Shaobai turned his gaze to Wen Ni, his demeanor toward her markedly different from when facing Jiang Shaozhang—polite and gentle. “Mrs. Zhou, how did you and Shaozhang become friends?”

Wen Ni answered sincerely, “Young Master Jiang sold us the silk he’d painstakingly acquired at cost price, helping our studio out of a tight spot. I’m deeply grateful to him.”

Jiang Shaobai turned to Jiang Shaozhang. “What did you buy silk for?”

Jiang Shaozhang: “…”

He coughed lightly. “Have you ordered yet? We’ve already picked a set menu—let’s just eat our own food, all right?”

Only then did Jiang Shaobai turn to his guest. “Jingyi, why don’t you order?”

Suddenly.

Zhou Jingyi’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

A shadow flickered deep in his eyes. “I haven’t been back in the country for a long time, I’m not familiar with things—you go ahead.”

Jiang Shaobai nodded. “Alright, I’ll recommend some of the signature dishes.”

As Jiang Shaobai placed the order, Zhou Jingyi fixed Wen Ni with a deep look.

Wen Ni acted as if she’d only accidentally kicked someone across from her, lowering her voice to speak with Jiang Shaozhang.

Jiang Shaozhang spoke in a disgruntled tone, “Next time, I’ll treat you in secret—just don’t let those who love to crash meals know.”

Wen Ni nodded.

She said something, but Jiang Shaozhang didn’t catch it and simply moved to the seat on her right, the two leaning together, heads bowed in conversation. “What did you just say?”

Wen Ni and Jiang Shaozhang whispered to each other.

The moment Jiang Shaobai looked away, the two were already huddled together again.

Jiang Shaobai frowned. “Jiang Shaozhang, do you need me to get you a custom hearing aid?”

Jiang Shaozhang couldn’t help but call out, “Brother, you’re already sharing a table—can’t we just pretend not to know each other? You talk to Uncle Zhou, I talk to Wen Ni, and we don’t interfere with each other, all right?”

Why so annoying?

Jiang Shaobai: “…”

His younger brother had long been spoiled by the family; Jiang Shaobai never expected him to shoulder any burdens, only considered that in a year or two, he’d arrange a marriage alliance for him to be of some use.

Who would have thought—

Today, someone suddenly sent him a photo of Jiang Shaozhang embracing Wen Ni.

In the photo, Jiang Shaobai even noticed Zhou Jingyi’s silhouette, so he’d arranged to meet Zhou Jingyi to ask about it. But as soon as he entered One Thousand and One Nights, the front desk told him his brother was also there.

So Jiang Shaobai hurried over.

And sure enough, he saw Jiang Shaozhang and Wen Ni together.

He felt his head throb as if it had tripled in size.

Of all people, why did his brother have to fall for Wen Ni? Everyone knew the tangled history between Wen Ni and the Zhou brothers, and now she was a widow.

The wealthier the family, the more superstitious they became.

A woman like Wen Ni had long become synonymous with “husband-killer” in their circles.

Jiang Shaobai suddenly spoke. “Shaozhang, come with me for a moment.”

With that—

His tall, straight figure strode out to the balcony.

After bidding Wen Ni goodbye, Jiang Shaozhang quickly followed.

What Jiang Shaozhang feared most about Jiang Shaobai was that his brother held the purse strings to his entire life.

Once the two had gone—

The vast private room was left with only Wen Ni and Zhou Jingyi.

Wen Ni propped her chin in her hand, apologetic. “I’m sorry about earlier, Uncle. I didn’t mean to kick you. I had no idea you’d react so strongly—that was my mistake.”

Zhou Jingyi lowered his eyes to glance at the spot she’d stepped on, his voice cold. “On the one hand, you say you want to stay with the Zhou family; on the other, you’re getting involved with Jiang Shaozhang. Wen Ni, do you want to be Mrs. Zhou, or Mrs. Jiang?”

Wen Ni seemed anxious, quickly replying, “Zhou Jingyi, of course I want to be Mrs. Zhou.”

She called him by his full name, but added the title “Mrs. Zhou” after, and the flavor was never quite the same.

Ambiguous and unclear.

Zhou Jingyi deliberately ignored it. “Then stay away from other men.”

Wen Ni looked at him with distress. “Uncle, I’m only diverting my attention. If you won’t let me chase after you, I have to find someone else to focus my energy on for now, somewhere to place all this bottled-up passion.”

Zhou Jingyi gritted his teeth. “Wen Ni!”

Wen Ni asked curiously, “Uncle, in our agreement, wasn’t there nothing about not making friends with other men? Aren’t you being a bit overbearing?”

Zhou Jingyi: “…”

His expression darkened.

Just then—

The two Jiang brothers returned.

Jiang Shaozhang wore a smug look, like a triumphant rooster.

Just as the food arrived.

Without another word, Jiang Shaozhang put on disposable gloves and began peeling shrimp for Wen Ni. “Their garlic shrimp is my all-time favorite. You have to try it.”

He peeled a shrimp.

And held it right up to Wen Ni’s lips.

Wen Ni felt awkward all over.

But Jiang Shaozhang said, “Try it, come on, open up.”

Wen Ni reluctantly parted her lips, took a bite, nodded, and said, “It’s delicious.”

Jiang Shaozhang asked, “Aren’t you going to compliment me?”

Wen Ni coughed lightly. “You peeled it very well, so smooth—clearly an expert.”

Jiang Shaozhang replied meaningfully, “Of course I’m an expert. I can peel anything.”

Wen Ni gave an embarrassed laugh and picked up her chopsticks.

But as luck would have it—

Her chopsticks and Zhou Jingyi’s reached for the same piece of sticky rice pork rib at the same time.

Wen Ni withdrew her chopsticks first, moving on to another dish.

Zhou Jingyi seemed a bit incredulous, took the rib and placed it on his own plate.

Jiang Shaozhang said, “We have a hundred-year-old peony tree at home, and it’s about to bloom. I’ll invite you to come see it.”

Wen Ni replied, “I’m very busy lately, working on silk tapestry.”

Jiang Shaozhang said without hesitation, “That’s fine, I’ll cut one and send it to you by express delivery.”

Jiang Shaobai: “…”

Wen Ni nodded. “Alright, when I finish my current work, I’ll make a silk tapestry of it for you.”

Jiang Shaozhang declared dramatically, “I’ll have to enshrine it.”

Suddenly, Zhou Jingyi set down his chopsticks.