CHAPTER 29

On July 26, it was Xiao Yusheng’s first birthday. Xiao Yan sent an invitation to Wen Yang, inviting her to attend her son’s birthday party.

A video played on her phone, capturing Xiao Yusheng’s growth from birth. From a wrinkly newborn to a chubby, cheerful baby, until the end of the video, where a soft, childlike voice called out, “Mama.”

Aunt Zhang pointed at the round, chubby little face on the screen. “The child has big earlobes, a sign of good fortune.”

The old man nodded. “Indeed. All the hardships his father endured, the blessings have been passed down to his son.”

The two of them watched the video over and over like they were playing a game of spot-the-difference, never getting tired of it.

When Xu Yi returned to the villa, he had been bombarded with calls and WeChat messages for nearly a month—ever since that dinner with his unruly friends. They all wanted him to bring Wen Yang along so they could meet her, or else they’d assume his wife wasn’t presentable.

Ridiculous. My wife is not for you to see whenever you please.

Blocked. Blocked. All of them blocked.

When he walked through the door, he saw Wen Yang sitting on the living room sofa, flanked closely by her grandfather and Aunt Zhang.

Sitting between them, she looked like nothing more than a human phone stand, her face expressionless and unmoving.

“Aunt Zhang, let’s eat.”

Both Aunt Zhang and Lin Huashan looked up at the same time.

Aunt Zhang got up to serve the food, while Lin Huashan waved him over with a smile. “Come here and take a look at Xiao Yan’s kid.”

Xu Yi walked over and scoffed, “What’s so special about a drooling little brat?”

The old man snorted. “Better than you, who doesn’t even have one.”

Xu Yi didn’t care. Having a child would only take away from his alone time with Wen Yang. He didn’t need that kind of ‘better.’

Seeing that his words had no effect on Xu Yi, the old man huffed in frustration and turned away. Useless—this unfilial grandson had no understanding of an elder’s wish to hold a great-grandchild.

Wen Yang put away her phone and said to Xu Yi, “Xiao Yan invited us to her son’s birthday party tomorrow at noon.”

“You’re going?” Xu Yi asked.

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll go too.”

Aunt Zhang placed the dishes on the table. Wen Yang got up to wash her hands and said, “She invited both of us. If you want to go, then go.”

Xu Yi followed her to the sink. “I’m going because you’re going.”

And also, because Qi Chen would be there. He had to keep an eye on his wife.

Thinking about his friends who had been nagging him nonstop, Xu Yi reached out to fight Wen Yang for the faucet. She pulled her hands back to let him go first, but he grabbed them again, lathering soap into her palms. “Tomorrow night, I’ll take you to meet my friends, okay?”

Wen Yang let him have his way and said casually, “Alright.”

—

Early the next morning, Xu Yi knocked on Wen Yang’s door, asking her to help him pick out the most handsome suit.

She hadn’t locked the door last night, so Xu Yi pushed it open and walked in without hesitation. Wen Yang, still half-asleep, sat up with her blanket in her arms, her voice thick with drowsiness. “It’s a birthday party, not a beauty contest. The guests are all Xiao Yan and Qi Chen’s close friends and family.”

She finished speaking in one breath, then flopped back onto her pillow.

Xu Yi thought about it—no matter what he wore, he was still the most handsome. There was no need to stress over a small birthday party.

He tossed the suit onto the sofa, climbed onto Wen Yang’s bed, and pulled the blanket away to reveal her face. Hugging her through the covers, he admired her sleepy face for a while before falling asleep himself.

Wen Yang, trapped in his arms, struggled to move. When she opened her eyes, Xu Yi’s warm breath brushed against her forehead, making her break out in a sweat. She managed to free one arm and patted his face. “Xu Yi, get up.”

Xu Yi stirred slightly, then turned over, burying his face into her blanket. He lifted his head lazily, “Morning.”

Wen Yang reached for her phone on the nightstand, frowned, and said, “It’s eleven already.”

Why hadn’t her alarm gone off?

“It’s not early anymore; we’re going to be late.” Wen Yang got out of bed to find clothes. When she turned around and saw Xu Yi still lying there, she asked, “Are you not coming?”

Xu Yi sprawled across her bed. “I’ll wait until you finish changing.”

Wen Yang scoffed lightly, grabbed her clothes, and went into the bathroom.

Xu Yi chuckled, grabbed his suit, and headed back to his own room.

As they got ready to leave, Wen Yang said as they walked, “You turned off my alarm.”

Xu Yi explained, “I thought it was still early and wanted you to sleep a little longer.”

What he didn’t say was that he had planned to wake her up himself but ended up sleeping past it.

In the car, Wen Yang and Xu Yi sat in the back.

Xu Yi glanced at her outfit and said sourly, “It’s the first time I’ve seen you wear a dress.”

Wen Yang twirled a lock of hair in her fingers. “What are you thinking now?”

Xu Yi shut his mouth.

Her phone chimed with a notification. Just as she reached for it, Xu Yi snatched it up first.

She held out a finger, and he pressed the phone against it, unlocking it with her fingerprint. He opened WeChat. “Xiao Yan is asking if we’re stuck in traffic.”

Wen Yang said, “You reply to her.”

Xu Yi simply replied: “Yes.”

Xiao Yan quickly sent another message.

Xu Yi read it. “She said there’s no rush, the party hasn’t started yet.”

“Oh.”

Wen Yang wasn’t particularly concerned. Right now, she was more looking forward to the evening.

When they arrived at the hotel, the party was on the top floor. They took the elevator up, and at one stop, the doors opened to reveal a woman wearing a hat and a mask.

She lifted her head slightly, her eyes locking onto Wen Yang and Xu Yi for a brief moment before she silently turned away.

System: That’s Lin Minjing.

Wen Yang: I forgot to ask before—can you get rid of her?

System: No.

Wen Yang: Then she’s a hidden threat to Xiao Yan and Qi Chen. The main story is over; her problem isn’t mine to solve.

System: But… she…

The system trailed off, unable to find the right words.

Wen Yang: You want me to reform her? I’m not good at talking, don’t count on me.

The system thought: It’s not that you’re bad at talking; you’re just too lazy to bother.

System: I’ll figure something out.

As soon as Wen Yang and Xu Yi entered the venue, multiple gazes fell upon them. A stunning couple like them was bound to draw attention.

Xiao Yan came over to greet them, with Qi Chen following behind, holding the birthday boy. She glanced at the lounge area. “Let’s go sit over there.”

“When did you two get together?” Xiao Yan’s curiosity was practically overflowing.

“The day after you went abroad.”

Xiao Yan gave Xu Yi an impressed look. “Impressive.”

Seven years apart, and he managed to bring her home in just one day.

Xu Yi wore a satisfied smirk.

After the party, Xu Yi took Wen Yang to meet his friends. As they stepped into the private club, he tightened his grip on her hand and introduced her to the group.

“This is Wen Yang, my girlfriend—my future wife.”

The private room, steeped in an ancient charm, was suddenly filled with the wailing cries of a group of well-dressed men. Xu Yi aimed a swift kick at the nearest and loudest of them.

“If you keep yelling, get the hell out.”

The room instantly fell silent. Three seconds later, in unison, they all greeted, “Hello, Sister-in-law,” before pulling out chairs and sitting down.

Clearly, the title of “Crown Prince of A City” was no empty boast.

The man who had taken Xu Yi’s kick, sporting a buzz cut, asked, “Sister-in-law, how old are you this year?”

Wen Yang replied, “Twenty-four.”

“How long have you been dating my brother?”

“Two and a half months.”

Xu Yi noticed how naturally Wen Yang accepted the title “Sister-in-law” and took a sip of tea to hide the smile at the corner of his mouth.

“When are you two getting married?”

Wen Yang: …

“When’s the wedding?”

“Yeah.”

“We’re waiting for the banquet.”

Xu Yi shot a glance of approval at the young man who asked, his tone lazy but carrying a hint of threat. “Is that something you should be worrying about?”

Having just been scolded, the group was highly attuned to danger and fell silent immediately.

During the meal, they couldn’t help but watch as Xu Yi fussed over Wen Yang, tending to her as if he wished he could chew her food for her. A thought crossed their minds—was this the power of love?

Midway through, Xu Yi received a phone call. He wiped his hands and told Wen Yang before stepping outside to answer.

In the hallway, a waitress peeked out from the restroom, looking suspicious. The moment she spotted Xu Yi, she hurried toward him, pulling down her mask. Her voice was no longer as sweet as it had been seven years ago—now it was hoarse.

“I have something to tell you. It’s about Wen Yang.”

The courtyard outside was softly lit by night lamps. Lin Minjing removed her hat and mask. Without the lavish, luxurious life the system had once arranged for her, she looked like a wilting flower, aging prematurely.

“Do you love Wen Yang?”

“If you have nothing worthwhile to say, don’t waste my time.”

“Wen Yang… she doesn’t belong to this world. She’s a book traveler, and you’re all characters in a novel. Her mission was to make you fall for her, then abandon you mercilessly.”

Xu Yi’s voice remained calm, but his body was tense. “Is there anything else?”

“Her task is complete. She’ll be leaving soon.”

Xu Yi turned and walked away.

Lin Minjing watched him enter the club, a vengeful smile creeping onto her face.

Why? Why, when we were both book travelers, did my fate turn out so miserable while she lived in wealth and comfort—all because of a man?

Qi Chen… She could have had the life of a novel’s heroine too. But Wen Yang had ruined everything. Now, she would make sure that man saw through Wen Yang’s true face. Everything Wen Yang enjoyed now would be stripped away, just like it had been for her. She would be discarded like trash—left with nothing.

Back in the private room, Xu Yi sat there, dazed, staring at Wen Yang as if trying to engrave her every move into his memory.

Wen Yang had already heard from the system about Lin Minjing’s visit and knew exactly what she had said.

“Aren’t you eating?”

Xu Yi looked at her. “I don’t have an appetite tonight.”

Wen Yang peeled a shrimp and held it to his lips. “Just eat one.”

Xu Yi obediently took a bite.

The gathering ended early due to Xu Yi’s sour mood.

Back at the villa, as usual, after showering, Xu Yi lingered in Wen Yang’s room for a while.

He was always quick in the shower. By the time he came out, Wen Yang was still in the bathroom.

He used her hairdryer, dried his hair, then collapsed onto her bed. Maybe it was because of what Lin Minjing had said, but tonight, he felt particularly sour—yet also unusually bold.

When Wen Yang stepped out, she saw him lying there, towel-drying his hair.

Xu Yi simply lay there, watching her quietly, his eyes filled with an almost sorrowful longing.

Wen Yang finished her routine, walked to the bed, and turned off the lights.

Her action caught Xu Yi off guard. The bed dipped slightly as she got in.

“Xu Yi, are you using the blanket or not?”

Xu Yi stared blankly for a few seconds before pulling up the covers and slipping underneath, mirroring Wen Yang’s posture as they lay facing each other.

Tonight, for once, he didn’t pull any of his usual stunts.

“You said before that I wouldn’t be able to guess. If the answer is what I think it is, then you’re right—I never would have guessed.”

“You already know.”

“Mm.” Xu Yi placed his hand against her cheek. “Will you still leave?”

Wen Yang took his hand and moved closer to him. “I haven’t even asked what exactly you know. Why don’t you hear it from me first?”

Xu Yi suddenly tightened his embrace. “Will it be something I want to hear?”

Instead of answering, Wen Yang got straight to the point.

“You already know this is a novel world. The male and female leads are two people you’re familiar with—Xiao Yan and Qi Chen. I got into a car accident and was bound to a system, becoming the villainous supporting character ‘Wen Yang.’ But don’t worry—my real name is also Wen Yang, and this is my real body. My mission was to sabotage the main couple’s relationship.

“As for that supposed infatuation with Qi Chen? You can put your mind at ease—it never existed.

“In those seven years I was gone, I was following the original villainess’s fate. When I ran into Xiao Yan again, that was my final mission. But I never expected her to entrust her child to me.

“In the original novel, the child was supposed to be raised by you. That’s why I sought you out—to pass the child to you. But then, something unexpected happened. I lost my way back to my real world. That’s why I lost control in the restroom that day and kissed you.

“After that… well, everything happened just as you saw. I helped Xiao Yan reunite with Qi Chen. Their story reached a happy ending.”

Wen Yang kissed Xu Yi on the cheek. “So now, it’s our story. And I will never leave you.”

Xu Yi’s arms tightened around her inch by inch. “No more lies?”

Wen Yang kissed his lips lightly. “No more.”

The night escalated in ways that quickly spiraled beyond control. The vivid imagery of a steamy romance novel filled Wen Yang’s mind.

She really, really shouldn’t have let him stay.

Kneeling between her legs, Xu Yi said, “Let’s get our marriage license tomorrow, and have the wedding the day after.”

In the dark, Wen Yang’s face burned bright red—not from shyness, but from sheer frustration.

She clenched her teeth and refused to say a word.