Chapter 006: Why Pretend? Why Not Pretend in Bed?

Wen Ni held her breath, focusing intently. Her tiny, delicate face revealed nothing, and she stood quietly to the side, like a beautiful vase. Zhou Jingyi withdrew his gaze.

Zhou Mingfan spoke softly, “Grandfather, before my eldest brother passed away, didn’t he and sister-in-law work together on the brocade project? I’d like to help finish this project for him.”

At these words, everyone present turned their attention to Zhou Mingfan.

He continued, “My brother shared some details with me. I want to complete the project perfectly—it was his last wish. I beg you, Grandfather, let me try.”

The old man watched impassively, his eyes drifting to Wen Ni. After all, the twins from the eldest branch of the family were involved, and reason dictated that Zhou Linchuan should avoid suspicion. However...

After a long hesitation, the old man tossed the difficult question to Wen Ni. “What do you think?”

Wen Ni secretly straightened her back. The old man was clearly testing her. With a calm face, she replied, “I’ll follow Grandfather’s decision.”

The old man asked, “Does seeing a face identical to your husband’s bring you sorrow?”

Wen Ni managed a fragile smile, like a gentle beauty swaying in the breeze. In a soft voice, she said, “There are no two identical leaves in the world. Even if two faces look alike, they are not the same person. My feelings for Mingfan have nothing to do with appearance. If I loved or hated someone only for their looks, I wouldn’t have been with Mingfan in the first place.”

The implication was clear: she disliked Zhou Linchuan’s face.

Obviously, the old man was satisfied with Wen Ni’s answer. He spoke gravely, “Very well, I permit it. Don’t let your brother’s spirit be disappointed.”

Zhou Mingfan immediately bowed his head.

Wen Ni’s body swayed slightly. “Grandfather, if there’s nothing else, I’d like to take my leave.”

The old man agreed.

Wen Ni turned and left the study.

Zhou Jingyi also stood and returned to his room.

Soon after, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” said Zhou Jingyi.

A housemaid, Sister Li, entered. “Fifth Master, I’ve come to collect your clothes for washing.”

“They’re in the bedroom,” Zhou Jingyi replied.

Sister Li nodded, slipped on disposable slippers, and walked into Zhou Jingyi’s bedroom. As he listened to her movements, something suddenly occurred to him.

He strode quickly into the bedroom, just as Sister Li picked up the laundry basket. “Is there something you need, Fifth Master?”

Zhou Jingyi responded with a quiet affirmation, his expression unchanged. He swiftly picked up his suit jacket and extracted a small item from the pocket.

Before Sister Li could see, Zhou Jingyi had already concealed it in his palm. “Thank you for your hard work.”

Sister Li was flustered by his kindness and hurriedly shook her head.

She quickly left.

Only then did Zhou Jingyi open his palm and gaze at the square packet—a condom. His eyes grew increasingly thoughtful.

After a moment, Zhou Jingyi made a phone call. “Investigate the accident in which Zhou Mingfan died—leave no detail unchecked.”

—

Wen Ni had just returned to her room when Aunt Liu, the trusted aide of Zhou Mingfan’s mother, arrived to say that Madam wanted to see her to discuss something.

Wen Ni replied politely, “I’ll change clothes and come right away. Thank you, Aunt Liu.”

Once Aunt Liu left, Wen Ni felt at ease. Min Xianshu had summoned her at such a critical moment merely to deliver a warning. Now that Wen Ni had received the old man’s protection, no matter how much Min Xianshu disliked her, she could not expel Wen Ni from the Zhou family.

With this thought, Wen Ni relaxed and walked to Min Xianshu’s door. She was about to knock when she heard Min Xianshu’s shrill voice inside, “Zhou Chengli, what do you mean by this? Our son is gone, and you want Wen Ni to stay in the Zhou family—what is your true intention?”

Zhou Chengli replied helplessly, “Mother has already said it. If Wen Ni is willing, she will always be the Zhou family’s daughter-in-law.”

Min Xianshu retorted angrily, “With that seductive face of hers, she’ll never behave herself. When her mother first came into the Zhou family, each of you brothers... Zhou Chengli, don’t tell me you’ve taken a liking to her?”

Zhou Chengli nearly choked in fury. He pointed at Min Xianshu for a long moment. “You’re simply unreasonable!”

Min Xianshu grabbed his tie, refusing to let him leave. “Back then, you almost broke off our engagement for her mother, that shameless woman!”

Zhou Chengli replied, “That never happened.”

Min Xianshu grew more aggrieved. “I heard it all! I heard you and the old man say, if my father hadn’t been in a high position, you might have succeeded!”

Zhou Chengli took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice, “Look at yourself now. If Father sees you like this, you’ll have to kneel in the ancestral hall.”

Min Xianshu instinctively loosened her grip.

Zhou Chengli held her arm, exasperated. “Even if it never happened, that’s between elders. What has it to do with the children? Besides, Mingfan adored Wen Ni while he was alive—you and I both saw it.”

Min Xianshu bit her lip hard, unable to hold back. “Xue Ning once saw it herself—twice! Linchuan came out of Wen Ni’s room just days ago, when her husband’s body was not yet cold!”

Zhou Chengli was shocked. “Why didn’t you say so sooner?”

Min Xianshu pressed her lips together.

Zhou Chengli looked at her with disappointment. After sharing a bed for over twenty years, he knew his wife well—she was merely afraid their son would be blamed.

He pursed his lips and said, “In that case, Wen Ni truly cannot stay in the Zhou family.”

Originally, Wen Ni was engaged to Linchuan. Later, she married Mingfan. This scandal had already cost Zhou Chengli his reputation. If, after Mingfan’s death, Wen Ni and Linchuan became involved, it would be even more chaotic. Zhou Chengli would never allow such a thing to happen.

At that moment, Wen Ni stood at the doorway, listening to the conversation between Zhou Chengli and Min Xianshu, taking in every word.

Yet she was not angry.

She was simply curious. Who had received the phone call from Zhou Mingfan that she had accidentally overheard days ago? She had thought it was one of Zhou Chengli’s wife or himself. But now, it seemed neither of them knew about Mingfan impersonating Linchuan.

Suddenly, a wave of warmth swept over her from behind. Wen Ni turned in surprise, her fear quickly replaced by relief. “Ah, it’s Uncle.”

Zhou Jingyi frowned. His high, arched brows cast shadows over his cold, dark eyes. “Speak properly.”

Before he finished, Zhou Chengli suddenly opened the door, coming face-to-face with the two.

He paused. “Wen Ni, when did you arrive?”

Wen Ni lowered her head. “Just now. I didn’t expect Uncle to be here as well.”

Zhou Chengli silently glanced at Zhou Jingyi, who responded with a quiet affirmation. Only then did Zhou Chengli relax. “Wen Ni, come to my study. Xianshu, you too. Jingyi, come along to witness.”

Zhou Jingyi: “…”

Wen Ni tilted her head and smiled at him.

Zhou Jingyi looked straight ahead, ignoring her.

Wen Ni wrinkled her nose at his back—pretending now, yet not pretending in bed?

The four entered Zhou Chengli’s study together.

Zhou Chengli looked at Wen Ni. “I know you’re unhappy these days, but there are things I want to make clear in advance.”

Wen Ni murmured assent, her hands folded on her knees, eyes shimmering innocently, like a harmless little rabbit.

Zhou Jingyi absentmindedly fiddled with his silver cufflinks.

Zhou Chengli said, “Mingfan was taken from us too young. Your mother and I feel no better than you do. But what’s done is done; we can only accept it. Your mother and I think you’re still young. There’s no need to remain devoted to Mingfan. This is a new era; we don’t demand such virtue.”

Wen Ni replied softly, “It’s my own choice.”

Zhou Jingyi’s hand froze.

Zhou Chengli continued, “Listen first, Wen Ni. You are Mingfan’s wife. What is yours will not be withheld.”

Wen Ni gazed timidly at Zhou Chengli.

His tone softened. “The Zhou family will continue to invest in the Wen family’s brocade business. You needn’t worry about that. As for the inheritance, by law, you are entitled to half of Mingfan’s assets—about two hundred million. But your mother and I have decided to give you the entire sum.”

Wen Ni’s dark pupils widened instinctively. She pressed her lips together. “If Father believes this is best for the Zhou family, I am willing. When Mingfan was alive, he always said you were his role model.”

Zhou Jingyi: “…”

Mentioning his son again, Zhou Chengli was inevitably overcome with sorrow. “In that case, let Uncle be your witness. Once the luxury brocade project is completed, please go to your grandmother yourself. Is that agreeable?”

Wen Ni nodded. “I will do as Father says.”

Zhou Chengli smiled kindly at Wen Ni. “Though you won’t live with us, you’ll always be family. If you ever need help, come to me—I’ll always be there for you.”

Wen Ni thanked him.

Before she finished, her phone suddenly rang.

She glanced at the caller ID. “It’s the hospital—excuse me.”

Zhou Chengli waved her on. “Answer it quickly.”

As Wen Ni listened to the voice on the line, all color drained from her face, leaving her pale and exhausted.