Chapter 008: Seducing Her Brother-in-law—Wen Ni Knows No Shame

Zhou Jingyi didn’t spare Wen Ni a single glance. “Wen Ni, could your lies be as few as your money?” With that, he slammed the car door shut.

Wen Ni: “……”

The playful smile faded slowly from Wen Ni’s face.

—

The Zhou family residence.

Wen Ni stood at the door of her room, meeting Shen Xuening’s gaze. It seemed Shen Xuening had been waiting there for quite some time. Wen Ni lifted her foot and walked over as usual.

Shen Xuening stepped forward, blocking Wen Ni’s path, and smiled gently. “Since our eldest brother passed, the two of us sisters haven’t really talked. Grandma asked me today to spend more time with you, saying that losing your man must have left you heartbroken, and that your health might suffer. But…”

Wen Ni’s expression remained cold and clear as she looked at her.

Suddenly, Shen Xuening leaned in close and whispered in Wen Ni’s ear, “But I can see you’re still a shameless, wanton woman. Your husband’s body is barely cold, and you’re already seducing your brother-in-law. Wen Ni, do you even know what shame is? You and your mother are exactly the same.”

Before Shen Xuening finished speaking, a sharp slap rang out.

Her face burned as if scorched by fire, and her ears buzzed. She had actually been struck by Wen Ni!

Shen Xuening, stunned, quickly recovered and, furious, prepared to confront Wen Ni.

Wen Ni seized Shen Xuening’s hair and dragged her toward the corner, slamming her head against the wall with force.

After two blows, Wen Ni yanked her back, forcing Shen Xuening to raise her head.

Shen Xuening’s neck stretched high, her face pale as she stared at Wen Ni. To her, Wen Ni looked utterly loathsome.

Wen Ni glared fiercely at Shen Xuening. “If I ever hear you speak ill of my mother again, I’ll send you straight to hell so you can apologize to her in person.”

Shen Xuening felt as if her scalp was being torn from her head. “Wen Ni, let me go!”

Wen Ni threw Shen Xuening to the ground with contempt, as if discarding a piece of trash. Pointing at her, Wen Ni said, “If you don’t believe me, feel free to try.”

With that, Wen Ni strode off with pride.

But at the end of the corridor, she caught sight of Zhou Jingyi.

Wen Ni clenched her teeth; every time she did something wrong, Zhou Jingyi was there to catch her. That man was her nemesis.

Zhou Jingyi’s gaze was sharp and deep as he stared at her.

Wen Ni pressed her lips together and murmured, “Excuse me.”

After a long silence, Zhou Jingyi stepped aside, and Wen Ni walked out.

Back in her room, Wen Ni wasn’t worried Zhou Jingyi would testify for Shen Xuening.

Shen Xuening certainly wouldn’t dare make a big fuss about it. Even if she denied saying those things, the Zhou family wasn’t foolish.

…

But Wen Ni overestimated Zhou Mingfan.

At half past nine that night, Wen Ni’s door was knocked upon.

The butler stood outside. “Young Madam, the Master wishes to see you.”

Wen Ni opened the door and greeted the butler respectfully. “Butler Song, it’s so late—do you know what Grandfather wants?”

Butler Song replied calmly, “Young Madam, you must be joking. How could I know such things? Please.”

Wen Ni followed the butler to the old man’s study.

Inside, Zhou Chengli, Min Xianshu, Zhou Mingfan, and Shen Xuening were all present.

Wen Ni approached the old man. “Grandfather, Father, Mother, what’s going on?”

Zhou Mingfan stepped forward and asked, “Did you lay hands on Xuening today?”

Before Wen Ni could reply, Zhou Mingfan scolded her, “Wen Ni, I truly misjudged you. Your former obedience was all an act. If my brother’s spirit could see your true nature, he would regret it deeply.”

Zhou Chengli frowned, disagreeing. “Wen Ni, did you really beat Xuening like this?”

Wen Ni nodded. “Yes, I did.”

Zhou Chengli took a deep breath and reprimanded her. “How could you hit someone!”

Min Xianshu let out a cold laugh. “Wen Ni, do you think that since you lost your husband, everyone in this family should cater to you, indulge you, and coax you? Just a few days ago, Butler Song invited you to dinner three times, and you didn’t come. Now this incident. You’re spoiled by favoritism.”

Wen Ni sneered inwardly. Min Xianshu—so impatient.

At that moment, the old man, who had remained silent, raised his eyes slightly. His gaze fixed on Wen Ni, tinged with dissatisfaction.

Wen Ni remained silent.

Zhou Chengli sighed. “Do you have anything else to say?”

Wen Ni stood upright, her voice steady and composed. “I did it. I won’t make excuses.”

Min Xianshu and Shen Xuening exchanged glances. Shen Xuening nodded subtly.

Min Xianshu immediately said, “Father, if Wen Ni dared to hit Xuening today, tomorrow she’ll dare to hit me, and the day after, you. I can’t accept such a daughter-in-law.”

The old man sat in a carved rosewood chair, his silver hair neatly trimmed. His deep eyes, hidden beneath thick brows, were like two bottomless wells—no one could fathom them.

He coughed lightly.

Everyone fell silent.

—

The old man’s voice was muffled and aged as he asked, “Wen Ni, tell us, why did you hit her?”

Wen Ni pressed her lips together, her voice faint but resolute. “Grandfather, I have nothing more to say. If you wish to punish me, go ahead.”

The old man stared intently at Wen Ni, his fingers rhythmically tapping the dragon head of his cane. “Kneel.”

With a thud, Wen Ni knelt.

The old man asked, “Do you admit your mistake?”

Wen Ni shook her head. “I did nothing wrong.”

Zhou Chengli couldn’t help but urge her, “Wen Ni, don’t anger your grandfather. If you did wrong, admit it quickly.”

Wen Ni straightened her back. “I did no wrong, so why should I admit it?”

As she spoke, her gaze swept over the ancient clock. Almost time.

Wen Ni withdrew her gaze. “Grandfather, punish me if you must, but I won’t admit fault.”

The old man scolded her quietly, “You impudent thing.”

He turned to Zhou Chengli. “Bring me the whip behind my desk.”

Zhou Chengli’s face darkened, but Min Xianshu eagerly went to fetch it.

The whip was soon placed in the old man’s hand. He gripped its handle tightly.

He spoke solemnly, “Wen Ni, for the sake of your grandmother being my old friend, if you yield now, I’ll let you off this once.”

Wen Ni said nothing.

The old man sneered. If her stubbornness matched her words, so much the better.

His expression unchanged, he called, “Lin Chuan.”

Zhou Mingfan didn’t realize at first he was being called. Shen Xuening pinched his arm sharply, and Zhou Mingfan stepped forward quickly. “Grandfather.”

The old man tossed the whip to him.

Zhou Mingfan caught it.

The old man ordered, “Wen Ni, since you insist, don’t blame me for being cruel. Lin Chuan, strike her until she admits her mistake.”

Zhou Mingfan: “Yes!”

He gripped the whip, stepped back two paces, raised his arm high, and with a sharp whistle, brought it down toward Wen Ni’s back.

“Stop!”