Chapter 13

On the street, Wen Jianxin wandered aimlessly.

Passersby cast glances at her, but out of courtesy quickly looked away.

They only sighed silently in their hearts—what a beautiful girl.

In the corner, someone was quietly watching her.

His gaze was gentle, without a trace of possessiveness.

Huo Siyuan was gnawing hungrily on the corn in his hand, looking utterly famished.

Catching sight of his cousin’s pitiful appearance from the corner of his eye, Huo Siyu instantly lost his appetite.

After chewing a few more bites and swallowing, he pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, looking at him with disappointment.

“You’ve waited here so many days, finally caught sight of her, and you won’t even go say hello? How useless can you get?”

He was so anxious he almost wanted to rush over himself and tell the girl how his cousin had missed her all these years.

Huo Siyuan merely cast him a calm glance.

“Liking someone doesn’t mean you have to possess them. Just being able to quietly watch her like this is already a kind of happiness.”

He had always been used to living without desire, taking matters of the heart lightly—content to miss her silently, without expecting her to ever know his affection.

Huo Siyu rolled his eyes and cursed under his breath.

“Idiot.”

Huo Siyuan said nothing in response, only added lightly:

“She has a fiancé.”

That one sentence completely cut off what Huo Siyu had been about to say. He stared at him, dumbfounded, then shook his head in disbelief.

“So… you like that kind?”

Huo Siyuan’s brows immediately knit together.

“What do you mean, that kind?”

Rubbing his nose, Huo Siyu quietly got up and stepped away, tossing back a quick reply:

“A married woman.”

Then he bolted, running off as fast as he could.

Inwardly he muttered—never thought his cousin had such a peculiar taste.

No wonder he hadn’t liked any other girl all these years—turns out this was his thing.

At that, Huo Siyu gave up on the idea of trying to matchmake them.

Having a fiancé was no different from being a wife. He wasn’t about to meddle in something that would bring heavenly retribution.

At least now he understood why his cousin didn’t even dare to greet her.

He couldn’t help but pity him.

Finally liking someone, only to find it was love that could never be.

As the figure ahead drew closer, his eyes involuntarily followed her.

That same expressionless yet beautiful face, long black hair flowing down to her waist—cold and aloof, proud enough to keep all at arm’s length.

If it were him, he would never fall for such a girl.

Too proud, too unapproachable.

Liking her was no different from liking a stone statue.

When pleased, you could toy with it. When not, you could cast it aside.

He frowned, troubled by his own thoughts.

Yet he couldn’t deny she was alluring.

The kind of allure that stirred a desire to conquer.

For instance, after just one glance, he couldn’t help but wonder—

If someone were to be loved by her, would they tremble with excitement?

And lying beneath her, could they restrain themselves?

The more he thought, the more his gaze shifted, turning into something different.

A look of aggression, and a craving to dominate.

Wen Jianxin’s scalp prickled for an instant. Keenly sensing the stare, she searched around.

Yet there were only a few scattered passersby. None with the predatory gaze that had made her skin crawl.

Uneasy, she quickened her pace and left swiftly.

Huo Siyu lowered his head, hiding the gleam in his eyes.

After all, this was the woman his cousin liked—he shouldn’t be thinking such thoughts.

He missed her sharp glance around, and could only watch helplessly as she quickened her pace and left.

By then, Huo Siyuan had already disappeared from the wonton stall.

A few days later.

Wen Jianxin was called up early in the morning.

Bathing, makeup, slipping into the bridal gown.

In the dressing mirror, her rare, coldly enchanting beauty was reflected back.

So long as one ignored the iciness in her eyes.

Shang Lingzhu looked at her with heartfelt admiration.

“Beautiful. Truly beautiful.”

Her gaze carried both reluctance and nostalgia, but more than anything, a relieved sense of release.

Bai Chuqing nodded with a smile.

“Brides are always the most beautiful—especially our little sister.”

Wen Lingchu clutched Wen Jianxin’s hand, eyes brimming with tears.

“Auntie, after you’re married, will you still come back to see me?”

Wen Chenjing’s eyes too were misty, but acting the little adult, he lifted his chin proudly and shot her a disdainful look.

“Auntie’s only getting married, not abandoning us. Of course she’ll come back.”

Wen Lingchu wiped her tears, sniffled, and asked:

“Really, Auntie?”

Wen Jianxin nodded.

“Yes.”

Wen Lingchu instantly brightened, flinging herself into her arms.

“Auntie, you’re the best.”

Wen Jianmeng had just walked in when she heard that, and playfully asked in mock jealousy:

“So only your little aunt is good? Not your big aunt?”

Wen Lingchu immediately turned sycophantic.

“Big aunt is good too! I like both of my aunts.”

Wen Jianmeng laughed and scolded affectionately.

“You little rascal.”

Behind her was her own five-year-old daughter, Li Xiaomeng.

The little one had two pigtails and a pink dress—sweet and adorable.

Right now her big eyes were fixed on Wen Jianxin, and in a soft, milky voice she asked:

“Auntie, when will Uncle come?”

The child didn’t know her aunt disliked her uncle—only that whenever she saw him, he would sneak her candies her mother wouldn’t allow. So she only wanted to know when he’d arrive, so she could have another sweet.

Wen Jianmeng inwardly panicked, quickly pulling her daughter back, sighing.

“You little rascal, still thinking about your uncle’s candies? Didn’t Mommy already let you have one? No more.”

She glanced nervously at her sister.

“You and brother-in-law are about to wed. For Xiaomeng to call him ‘uncle’ isn’t exactly wrong.”

Wen Jianxin wasn’t petty enough to argue with a child. She nodded indifferently.

“I don’t mind. Call him however you like.”

Wen Jianmeng instantly blushed.

Her sister’s words made it seem as though she were the small-minded one.

Soon, noisy commotion rose from downstairs.

Xu Wangzhi entered proudly with his men.

On seeing Shang Lingzhu, he called her “Mom” without hesitation.

He greeted the others warmly too.

Only toward Wen Jianxin did he receive a cold, detached gaze.

She had thought about fleeing—but once again she was being watched.

The two watchers had doubled to four.

Whenever she left the house, they shadowed her step for step.

In the past few days, she had only gone out once—after that, never again.

As always, she reasoned: if she couldn’t escape, then she might as well endure it.

And wait for the chance to exact her revenge later.

One thing would never change though—she would never yield to Xu Wangzhi.

Wen Yuli walked in with his elder brother Wen Zhouyi.

Both men wore gentle smiles, gazes toward Wen Jianxin full of love and guilt.

Wen Zhouyi stepped forward, opened his arms, and embraced her gently.

“Remember, little sister—if anything happens, you come to me. I’ll always have your back. This will always be your home.”

Wen Jianxin’s eyes grew misty as she hugged him tightly in return.

“Big brother.”

Compared to her second brother, she had always liked her eldest brother more.

No matter what happened, he would always stand in front of her.

Just like last night, when he had come to her and said—

“Little sister, if you don’t want to marry, then don’t. With me here, Mother and Father will be convinced. The Xu family too. You don’t have to wrong yourself.”

She believed him. She knew he meant it.

But she couldn’t bear to make him suffer on her behalf.

Deep down, she knew—she had no choice but to marry.

Unless she gave up the surname Wen.

Wen Zhouyi patted her shoulder with a smile.

“Just remember what I’ve said.”

Wen Jianxin nodded firmly.

“Yes, big brother. I’ll remember.”

Bai Chuqing’s eyes flickered, her hands clenched tight as she looked at them with a complicated expression.

Her husband was gentle, a good brother indeed.

Only… he had no heart left for her and their child.

A bitter smile curved her lips.

If so, why had he married her in the first place?

Why let her sink deeper and deeper, only to find herself chasing a man who drifted further and further away—until finally, even his presence was gone?

Xu Wangzhi understood. His brother-in-law’s words were a warning.

Just like how his sudden stalled promotion had been a warning.

He smiled, stepped forward, and gave a solemn promise:

“Big brother, I was wrong before. I promise it won’t happen again. Please entrust Jianxin to me.”

Wen Zhouyi released his sister, scrutinizing him from head to toe, speaking evenly:

“I hope you’re worthy of that military uniform on your back. Don’t ever again do anything shameful that dishonors your family’s name. My sister is not someone you can bully as you please. If there’s a next time—I’ll make sure you pay a painful price.”

At such a young age, he was already the head of a province. Outwardly gentle, but in truth strong-willed. Toward this brother-in-law, only two years younger, his heart had always been full of disapproval.

And after learning what had happened recently, that disapproval had turned into disgust.

Now, even as he looked at him, he barely restrained the killing intent in his chest, keeping his words calm.

Xu Wangzhi nodded.

“If I ever wrong Jianxin again, you won’t need to act—I’ll end my own life.”

He spoke as if singing a tune. A few believed him. Most did not.

Wen Jianxin looked at him with mocking eyes.

As always—dogs don’t change their ways. She would never believe he could.

Wen Zhouyi’s gaze deepened, though his lips curved into a smile.

“If so—then all the better.”

Otherwise, don’t blame me for ignoring family ties, and sending you to your grave myself.