Chapter 15

At the doorway, Shang Lingzhu held her daughter’s hand. Under her daughter’s cold gaze, she pressed her lips together, and after a long while finally forced out a sentence.

“Come home often.”

She was someone who didn’t show her emotions, strong-willed by nature, and in such a moment, she seemed at a loss.

Pushing past her mother, Wen Jianmeng stepped up to her younger sister, smiling warmly at her.

“Live your life well. If there’s anything you don’t understand, just come ask me.”

Wen Zhouyi looked at his sister gently.

“Big brother will always be here.”

Wen Yuli’s expression was somewhat complicated.

“Second brother, too.”

Wen Yan was stern.

“Remember your status.”

Before she could say anything, Wen Jianxin was pushed into the car by Xu Wangzhi.

Looking through the car window at her family lined up in a row, a wave of melancholy washed over her heart.

The car slowly started, the family home growing more and more distant.

Turning her head to look back, she could still clearly see her mother—who had always kept her emotions hidden—red-eyed and sorrowful.

She couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

Hadn’t her mother always disliked her?

Then why was she so heartbroken now that she was married off?

She couldn’t make sense of it. Her brows furrowed slightly, her eyes clouded with thought.

Xu Wangzhi reached out to hold her hand, his gaze fixed intently on her.

“What are you thinking about?”

Wen Jianxin kept her eyes on the window.

“Nothing.”

This was already her best effort—suppressing all her negative emotions and responding to him with as much patience as she could muster.

She only hoped he wouldn’t press further, wouldn’t keep entangling with her.

Clearly unaware of her thoughts, Xu Wangzhi continued.

“From now on, do you want to follow me on assignment, or stay at the Xu family home?”

Wen Jianxin finally looked at him.

“I still need to study. There’s a house near my school.”

Xu Wangzhi’s face instantly darkened.

“What do you mean? You’ve married me but don’t want to live with me? Do I look like some big idiot without needs, someone who would tolerate you living alone outside?”

Wen Jianxin drew in a deep breath and said calmly,

“I told you, I have to study. Because of your behavior these past weeks, I’ve already taken two months off. If this continues, my education will be ruined because of you.”

Xu Wangzhi remained unmoved.

“No. You have to choose—either come with me, or live with the Xu family.”

Wen Jianxin finally lost her composure.

“What’s wrong with you? Don’t you understand human speech? I said I have to study, and that won’t change.”

Xu Wangzhi sneered.

“I don’t care if you study or not. You have to pick one—follow me or stay at the Xu home. If you don’t choose, I’ll choose for you. You’ll follow me. That way I can see you every day.”

Wen Jianxin’s expression went completely cold.

“My decision won’t change. Whether it’s living with the Xu family or following you, I won’t choose either.”

In the front, the driver trembled, wishing he could cover his ears and throw out everything he had just heard.

Damn it. Newlyweds, and they’re already fighting?

And right in front of him! Couldn’t they let a man live in peace?

All he wanted was a quiet drive. Why was it so hard?

He was crying inside, but outwardly forced himself to remain calm, pretending he had heard nothing at all.

The atmosphere froze in silence, neither of them saying another word.

Not until the car pulled into the Xu family compound did Xu Wangzhi finally speak, his voice cold.

“Give up this idea. The family housing has already been approved. Following me is inevitable. You can’t resist.”

He said this, then immediately opened the door and got out in one swift motion.

Wen Jianxin watched him coldly. As soon as he stepped out, he was smiling and chatting warmly with others, and a chill spread in her heart.

Two-faced. Utterly hypocritical.

Being entangled with such a man—she felt only stifling frustration.

The next moment, the car door opened again, and Xu Wangzhi’s smiling face appeared.

“Get out.”

Nearby, children peeked curiously.

A group of aunts and unfamiliar people whispered as they watched.

Wen Jianxin withdrew her gaze, stepped out of the car unhurriedly.

Xu Wangzhi took her hand; she didn’t resist.

He led her into the Xu family home.

Though not unfamiliar with the place, her feelings this time were completely different.

Huang Heli appeared, beaming, calling out affectionately.

“Jianxin.”

Wen Jianxin tugged at the corner of her lips, barely noticeable, and nodded.

Bai Chuyue smiled gracefully.

“Mom, it’s about time. Let’s bring them in quickly.”

Huang Heli slapped her forehead, looking regretful.

“Look at me, dazed the moment I saw the new daughter-in-law. Xin’er, come inside, your father’s waiting to drink the daughter-in-law’s tea.”

A sudden heaviness settled over Wen Jianxin.

No matter how indifferent she wanted to be, she knew things would never be the same again.

Whatever grudges she had with Xu Wangzhi, the fact remained: she had married into the Xu family, had become his wife. Whatever she wanted to do from now on, she would have to think carefully first.

Thinking of her mother’s tears as she left, an ache and unease rose within her.

Perhaps… not everything she had believed before was true.

Maybe her mother didn’t hate her as much as she had thought.

Her eyes dimmed.

But no matter how much she thought about it, nothing would change. She was married now. From this day on, the Wen family would drift farther from her.

And the man she resented would be right by her side, day and night.

A sudden exhaustion washed over her. Everything before her felt unbearably harsh to the eyes.

Someone beside her was speaking, but she didn’t catch the words.

She only reflexively took the teacup handed to her, slowly raised her head, and met the smiling face of Xu Wangzhi’s father, Xu Minchen.

His gentle voice drifted over.

“Good child, it must have been hard on you.”

His eyes, tempered by years, were warm and kind, filled with apology and pity.

Wen Jianxin tightened her grip on the teacup, her voice a little hoarse.

“Uncle…”

She wanted to say she didn’t want this marriage, but in this setting, the words stuck in her throat.

Xu Minchen nodded kindly, half joking, half earnest.

“Though I haven’t yet had the tea you’re supposed to serve, what I’d really like is to hear you call me Dad.”

Wen Jianxin fell silent.

She didn’t know why, but the word wouldn’t come.

She didn’t want to tie herself to anyone in the Xu family.

But at this moment, she had no choice.

Huang Heli laughed heartily, teasing.

“Look, you’ve made Xin’er so embarrassed.”

Her eyes on Wen Jianxin, however, glowed with warmth.

“Xin’er, though your father rushed things, this is my wish as well.”

Xu Wangzhi looked at her.

“Since both Dad and Mom said so, hurry and serve the tea.”

All eyes settled on her in expectation. Cornered, Wen Jianxin slowly bent her knees, held the teacup before them, and called out softly,

“Dad, please have some tea.”

Xu Minchen reached for the cup, nodding cheerfully.

“Good.”

He drank it down in one gulp, then handed her a prepared red envelope, his gaze full of fatherly affection.

“From now on, you’re part of the Xu family. If Wangzhi bullies you, tell me. I’ll discipline him myself.”

Wen Jianxin silently accepted the envelope, nodding lightly, not taking his words to heart.

Next was Huang Heli. She did the same—served tea, received a red envelope, listened to kind words.

Then the rest of the Xu family followed.

Only after a long while was the tea ceremony finished.

With the crowd cheering, Xu Wangzhi led her back to their room.

A gaggle of curious children followed behind, giggling.

He closed the door, shutting out all gazes.

Wen Jianxin dropped her pretense completely, her face cold as she faced him.

Xu Wangzhi let out a mocking laugh, eyes chilly as he looked at her.

“What’s with that attitude?”

A spark of anger rose in his chest.

From beginning to end, she hadn’t shown him a single good face. Just married, and already trying to run away from him? Did she really think he was so easy to brush off?