Chapter 041: You Made Me Cry This Morning...

Wen Ni wiped her tears and said, "That's right, I'm just a pitiful little widow who just lost her husband. Why are you all making things so hard for me?"

Shen Xue-ning was speechless.

She looked at Wen Ni’s affected, melodramatic behavior, feeling utterly disgusted inside.

But it was obvious.

Zhou Jing-yi was siding with Wen Ni.

Shen Xue-ning forced an awkward smile and said, "Uncle, you misunderstand. There’s no deep hatred between me and Wen Ni."

Wen Ni cut off Shen Xue-ning’s formal, self-righteous words without mercy. "But, Uncle, the deep hatred between me and Shen Xue-ning is endless."

Shen Xue-ning’s eyes widened. Her exquisitely made-up face nearly cracked.

Wen Ni.

How dare she!

Wen Ni propped her chin on her hand, saying, "Wen Jun-cai stole our Wen family’s secret recipe and married into Shen Wei’s family. They were already involved while my mother was pregnant. Shen Wei took Wen Jun-cai, that ungrateful scoundrel, and that’s one thing. But then her daughter, Shen Xue-ning, seduced my fiancé, Zhou Lin-chuan, making a spectacle of me at my own wedding. Uncle, tell me, how can there be such shameless mother and daughter in this world, always tormenting our family?"

Shen Xue-ning’s face turned ashen with anger.

Under the table, Zhou Ming-fan gripped Shen Xue-ning’s hand and berated Wen Ni, "Those are all ancient, trivial matters. Why bring them up? Uncle’s time is precious; he doesn’t have time for your senseless talk."

Wen Ni sighed.

She shook her head and said, "Uncle, if anyone can’t let go, it’s me and Shen Xue-ning. But I’m soft-tempered, gentle and kind—never stooped to her level. Who knew Shen Xue-ning would always turn the blame on me?"

Shen Xue-ning immediately protested, "I did not!"

Wen Ni’s eyes burned into Shen Xue-ning, her gaze aggressive and unyielding. "You didn’t what?"

Shen Xue-ning hesitated, swallowed, then said, "Lin-chuan and I are in love with each other."

Zhou Ming-fan loudly backed her up, "Yes, we’re in love. Wen Ni, you just weren’t attractive enough to keep your man. Don’t push all the blame onto others!"

Wen Ni looked pitiably at Zhou Jing-yi.

She said softly, "Uncle, they say I’m not attractive."

Zhou Jing-yi shot Wen Ni a faint glance, signaling her to restrain herself.

Wen Ni pouted and sat up straight.

Zhou Jing-yi’s oppressive gaze bore down on Shen Xue-ning and Zhou Ming-fan, making them both freeze, barely daring to breathe.

But Zhou Jing-yi simply said, "I don’t want to see anything like this happen again. Otherwise, I won’t mind throwing you both out together. I won’t tolerate filth under my roof."

With that, Zhou Jing-yi rose with measured calm and headed upstairs.

Wen Ni languidly finished her breakfast. "Go ahead, keep making a scene, keep framing me. I can’t wait to see you both thrown out. Heh heh heh." She flexed her fingers. "Bye now. I’m off to work on the silk tapestry. Miss Shen, the AI chef, you’d better practice your cooking more."

Wen Ni’s voice was lovely.

She deliberately trailed her words, melodious and lingering, all the more pleasing to the ear.

But to Shen Xue-ning, it was blatant provocation.

Shen Xue-ning stood and left.

Zhou Ming-fan hurried after her.

Crying, Shen Xue-ning said, "I need to be alone, Lin-chuan. Don’t follow me. I need to reconsider our relationship. Maybe we really aren’t meant to be." She ran out, sobbing.

Zhou Ming-fan stood there, at a loss, scratching his head in frustration.

Watching Shen Xue-ning's retreating figure vanish, Zhou Ming-fan felt a stabbing pain of guilt and once again shifted all the blame onto Wen Ni.

A thought flashed through his mind.

He entered the elevator, going straight to the sixth floor.

Wen Ni was seated before the silk tapestry loom, her fingers moving so quickly they left afterimages, lost in her work.

Zhou Ming-fan approached from behind. "Wen Ni, stop a moment. I need to talk to you."

Wen Ni didn’t even raise her head. "You’re no longer in charge of the luxury brand collaboration. I have nothing to say to you."

Zhou Ming-fan steeled himself.

He stared at the back of Wen Ni’s head. "As long as you stop targeting Xue-ning, name your price—I’ll agree to anything."

Wen Ni’s hands paused.

She heard Zhou Ming-fan continue, "You’ve always been wild. Xue-ning is no match for you. Wen Ni, if you’re doing this because of Lin—me, let me make it clear: I have never, ever loved you. Even if we once shared warmth, it was only because I pitied you. It was charity, nothing more. Wen Ni, the only one I’ve ever loved is Xue-ning. You’re difficult and selfish—anyone who fell for you would have to be blind!"

Wen Ni’s whole body trembled.

Her left hand gripped her right with all her strength, holding on tight.

Her right fingers turned white from the pressure.

She bit down hard on her molars. "Zhou Lin-chuan, get out."

Zhou Ming-fan replied, "Wen Ni, don’t think Uncle’s defense today means he’s on your side. Don’t kid yourself. A man like him giving you a glance is already a favor. Don’t expect to use him against me and Xue-ning."

Wen Ni’s chest tightened painfully.

So this was Zhou Ming-fan—her husband.

All along, in his heart, she was nothing but a twisted, selfish person.

And yet—

Countless times before,

He had gazed at her with tenderness, saying, "I love every side of you, Ni-ni."

Tears traced down her cheeks, soaking the silk.

Wen Ni squeezed her eyes shut, forcing back the heat.

She stood up,

Turned around,

Raised her hand,

And slapped Zhou Ming-fan hard across the face.

He hadn’t expected it; his head snapped to the side.

Wen Ni gritted her teeth and spat, "Call me blind, I couldn’t tell man from dog—but now I see clearly. You mongrel, get out!"

Zhou Ming-fan was furious and humiliated.

He raised his arm high.

Wen Ni showed no fear,

Even leaned her face toward him. "Go on, hit me! I dare you!"

His raised hand trembled, poised in the air. After a long moment, he clenched his fist and dropped his arm. "I don’t hit women. Wen Ni, you brought this on yourself."

Wen Ni gripped the hem of her clothes, her knuckles white.

She watched Zhou Ming-fan storm out, tears streaming down her face,

But she made no sound.

Zhou Jing-yi stood at the bedroom door,

Watching Wen Ni.

She slowly realized and turned, glaring at Zhou Jing-yi. "What are you staring at? Never seen a fairy cry before?"

Her tone was especially sharp, her mood especially foul.

She dropped herself heavily onto her little stool, pouting in silence.

Zhou Jing-yi strode over,

Standing before her.

Even with her eyes downcast, Wen Ni could see those impossibly long legs, and her mind flashed back to being held down by him, his legs pinning her in place.

"Look up."

"No."

"Wen Ni."

"Why are you shouting? Trying to summon spirits? Are you the First Emperor? Why should I listen to you?"

Zhou Jing-yi’s expression darkened.

He gripped her chin, forcing her head up.

She clenched her teeth, her eyes bloodshot, eyelashes clumped together by tears.

Zhou Jing-yi looked down at her,

His pupils growing darker.

He pressed his thumb at the corner of her eye, rubbing back and forth with a hint of disdain. "You look hideous when you cry."

Wen Ni hated being called ugly more than anything.

She opened her mouth to retort,

But as soon as she tried, a sob burst out, and her voice broke, "You’re the ugly one! This morning in bed when you made me cry, why didn’t you say I was ugly then?"