Chapter 14

Bai Chuqing knew she shouldn’t feel jealous of her husband’s closeness with his younger sister, yet she couldn’t help it. A wave of sourness welled up inside her, and the brightness in her clear eyes dimmed noticeably.

The handkerchief in her fingers was twisted out of shape, and for a fleeting instant, a shadow of malice flickered across her gentle face.

From morning until now, her husband hadn’t spoken a single word to her. Not even to ask after their two children.

But when it came to his younger sister, he was endlessly careful, endlessly attentive—as though terrified she might suffer the slightest grievance.

A sense of helplessness washed over her. She wanted to question him.

Had she not done enough?

Why did he treat her this way?

Glancing around, she saw everyone’s faces alight with joy, their gazes on his sister filled with blessings and pity.

She had no choice but to take a deep breath, press down the ugliness and darkness in her heart, and step forward with a smile. Looping her arm through her husband’s, she spoke softly and gently, coaxing:

“Alright, today is little sister’s wedding day. Don’t look so stern. Brother-in-law may have made mistakes before, but he’s already paid the price. He’s waited so many years for her—he won’t let her down. Let’s not worry needlessly. What we should do now is give the newlyweds our sincere blessing.”

With that, she turned her gaze warmly toward Wen Jianxin.

“Little sister, congratulations on your marriage.”

Wen Jianxin regarded her for a moment before giving a faint nod.

“Mm.”

Wen Zhouyi’s brows drew together. Without a word, he pulled his arm out of his wife’s grasp. His voice, inexplicably cold, cut through the air.

“You really are… considerate.”

Bai Chuqing’s lips twitched violently, her eyes widening in shock.

What did he mean by that?

What was he implying?

Had she said something wrong?

But Wen Zhouyi no longer looked at her. Instead, he took his sister’s hand and led her toward their father, who had just entered.

“Dad, your daughter is about to be married. Don’t you have something you want to say to her?”

Wen Yan was a deeply traditional man, one who believed firmly that men managed the outside world and women managed the home. He rarely involved himself in family affairs.

As for what had happened some time ago, he had only heard bits and pieces. He had merely called his wife, told her to handle it properly, and never asked again.

Hearing his son now, he only gave a small nod. His stern gaze fell on his daughter, and in a formal, almost businesslike tone, he said:

“Xin’er, you’ve always been well-behaved and sensible. As your father, I’m gratified. After marriage, serve your in-laws with respect, support your husband, raise your children. Do not let down the upbringing and guidance I’ve given you.”

Wen Jianxin’s head buzzed, her hands at her sides clenching tight. She bit down hard on her teeth, barely restraining the urge to glare at her father with hatred.

Through gritted teeth, she forced out each word:

“Yes. Your—daughter—understands.”

Wen Zhouyi couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

“It’s late. Dad, let’s proceed with the tea ceremony.”

He glanced at a servant, who immediately stepped forward with a tray.

Xu Wangzhi moved to stand beside Wen Jianxin, his hand slipping to clasp hers. Tilting his head slightly, his eyes swept over her with an invasive intimacy. In a voice so low only she could hear, he murmured:

“You look beautiful today. I like it.”

Wen Jianxin tried to pull her hand away, but his grip was tight. If she struggled too hard, she would only draw attention. So she endured, turning her head aside, refusing to respond.

Xu Wangzhi’s spirits were high. Even her coldness didn’t dampen his mood. Taking the tea offered by the servant, he dropped to his knees before Shang Lingzhu and Wen Yan, his tone crisp and full of festivity:

“Father, please drink this tea.”

After Wen Yan drank and handed him a red envelope, he took another cup.

“Mother, please drink this tea.”

Shang Lingzhu didn’t accept right away. Instead, she regarded him for a moment, then said coolly:

“Treat Xin’er well.”

Xu Wangzhi’s eyes held a smile.

“I will, Mother. You can rest assured.”

He accepted everything with ease, promising freely.

Only then did Shang Lingzhu drink the tea and hand him the prepared red envelope.

Xu Wangzhi accepted it, rose to his feet, and instinctively glanced at Wen Jianxin.

His expression faltered.

They were already married, yet she still looked at him with indifference. The hurt he had inflicted on her in the past—she must have carved it deep into her heart.

A shadow crossed his eyes. For the first time, he felt a sense of failure.

If she didn’t reject him so fiercely, he wouldn’t have treated her the way he did.

But he couldn’t admit to himself that it was nothing but his own twisted mind at work.

He had only wanted to see her broken under his hands, to see her brought low, desperate, unable to escape.

Love had driven him mad.

He wondered sometimes—did he truly love her, or was it simply wounded pride, a bruised ego that made him so obsessed?

But no matter what the reason, he had to have her.

Unless he died, he would never let her go.

Wen Jianxin sensed the sudden heaviness in the air beside her. A wave of revulsion rose in her chest.

Turning her head, she found Xu Wangzhi watching her with a dark, predatory gaze. His expression was unreadable, but she knew he was already plotting new ways to torment her. Disgust churned in her heart.

And when she thought of spending the rest of her life shackled to him, her whole body felt ill.

What lay ahead filled her with dread.

His desire was excessive. Every time they were alone, he could not restrain himself. Each time left her body battered.

She couldn’t help but suspect—did he have some sort of perverse fetish?

As if he would never rest until he broke her.

What she didn’t realize was that it all stemmed from her.

Because she never cooperated, because her face always showed only loathing.

Even when Xu Wangzhi wanted to be gentle, her scorn would ignite his temper. His blood boiled, his restraint snapped, and his hands grew rougher. He wanted only to force her to beg.

But she never begged.

No matter how much he punished her, she endured. Her defiance only provoked him further.

What should have been passion and release between them became nothing but torment—mutual destruction.

Both of them were mad.

And still, they were wed.

The days ahead would be chaos at best, life and death struggle at worst.

Not a moment of peace in sight.

Just thinking of it was despair.

The comrades who had accompanied Xu Wangzhi began to cheer and tease.

“Carry the bride down! Carry the bride down!”

Xu Wangzhi glanced at them, then smiled and nodded.

Turning his back to Wen Jianxin, he bent one knee to the floor. His low, magnetic voice rumbled:

“Come on. I’ll carry you down.”

Wen Jianxin pressed her lips together. In front of so many people, she couldn’t make a scene. So in silence, she climbed onto his back.

Laughter and cheers erupted all around.

Gu Haijun winked at a fellow soldier.

“I’ll bet you anything—the commander is going to end up completely under his wife’s thumb.”

But the young soldier shook his head earnestly.

“No way. The commander will be absolute head of the household. His wife will definitely listen to him.”

The others quickly chimed in.

“I agree.”

“I think so too.”

Gu Haijun rolled his eyes.

“The stronger a man is outside, the weaker he is at home. Mark my words—your commander’s going to be afraid of his wife.”

Laughing and talking, the group filed out of Wen Jianxin’s room.