Chapter 16

Wen Jianxin was tired and didn’t want to quarrel with him. She turned her back to him.

“If you have something to do, then go. I’m a little tired and want to rest.”

Xu Wangzhi ground his jaw, his eyes dark and bloodshot with suppressed rage. His fists clenched so tightly the veins bulged, the pressure in the room sinking to a terrifying low.

“You really don’t want to spend time with me that much?”

Wen Jianxin’s hand, which had been rubbing her temple, stilled. Irritation flickered briefly in her eyes, but she forced herself to soften her tone, adding a hint of appeasement.

“The guests outside are waiting for you. Don’t keep them too long.”

It was her first concession in name—though she only wanted to send him away quickly, for her it was already no small effort.

But Xu Wangzhi was not a man who could read a room.

On the contrary—arrogant, selfish, domineering—he lived in a world where only others yielded. For him, her concession was nothing but another form of rejection.

His brow lowered further, his gaze shadowed and oppressive.

“What if I said…I’m not leaving?”

Wen Jianxin’s breath stalled for a moment before she exhaled slowly.

“Do as you please.”

The servants had been considerate; towels and water had been prepared.

She went to the vanity, carefully wiping away her makeup. Her pinned-up hair was undone, silky strands falling down to her waist, veiling her back.

The sight of her slender figure made her appear all the more fragile.

Without realizing it, Xu Wangzhi’s fury ebbed.

He stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, pressing his forehead into the crook of her neck. His voice carried a rare note of coaxing.

“Today is our wedding day. It only happens once in a lifetime. Let’s not fight, alright?”

For a moment, Wen Jianxin was dazed.

Was he speaking like a man—or a devil?

Hadn’t it been him pressing her, cornering her, demanding everything?

Hadn’t she already endured enough, sparing him public humiliation?

Wasn’t he asking her to obey him in all things, to yield without limit?

His breath warmed her ear, making her shift uncomfortably. A wave of nausea rose in her chest.

Since those earlier nights, his touch had only filled her with resistance.

The memory of pain swallowed her whole. What little color she had drained from her face, leaving her as cold and rigid as ice.

A shadow of mockery flickered in her eyes.

The thief crying “stop thief.”

Feeling the stiffness of her body, Xu Wangzhi frowned deeply.

He stroked her chilled skin with his thumb, trying to warm her.

But it made no difference. She remained cold, rigid, unyielding.

Frustration broke through his restraint, violence rising in him. His grip tightened.

“Does being in my arms disgust you that much?”

The words sounded like a question, but were laced with bitter mockery.

Wen Jianxin’s face blanched from the pain. At her limit, she shoved him away and darted across the room, eyes wary and guarded.

“I’ve already done everything I can to live in peace with you. If you’re still dissatisfied, you can find another room—”

Her words were cut off by his derisive voice.

“Barely a few words and you’re already driving me out? Newlyweds splitting rooms—aren’t you bold.”

His tone, dripping with sarcasm, was unbearable.

Wen Jianxin knew continuing would be pointless. She turned away, refusing to argue.

She went to the door, hand on the latch, ready to leave.

A hand shot past her shoulder, catching hers before she could open it.

“You try to drive me out, and I don’t get angry. But you can’t even let me speak? How fair is that?”

People said women’s hearts were unfathomable, like needles at the bottom of the sea. Compared to Xu Wangzhi, they were straightforward.

Wen Jianxin only wanted rest, not this endless, useless struggle.

Blocked at the door, she gave up and returned to the bed. Kicking off her shoes, she lay down, intent on sleeping until morning—then leaving the Xu household.

But Xu Wangzhi had no intention of letting her be.

When she lay down, he lay beside her, pulling her tightly into his arms, his grip unrelenting. His voice was low, ghostly, threaded with something disturbing.

“I’ll sleep with you.”

His tone lingered, emphasizing the last word.

A shiver raced through her. She instinctively tried to pull away.

But before she could, he pressed her down firmly.

Choice was no longer hers.

Outside, the sun blazed high, beating down on all below.

Inside, the bridal chamber glowed red with decorations, the air thick with festivity.

A grand rosewood bed stood draped in pale pink canopy, concealing the scene within.

Two blurred shadows twisted together behind the veil.

After a while, a pale, slender hand reached weakly past the canopy, clawing at the bedframe.

Moments later, a larger hand caught it, dragging it back inside.

The man’s low, taunting voice drifted out.

The woman’s muffled cry of anger—

“Get out!”

His laugh, quiet and cruel.

“No.”

Then nothing but breathless sounds, broken and uneven, rising and falling. Enough to set ears burning red.

Outside, a crowd had gathered.

They looked at each other, stifling grins, eyes filled with crude amusement.

Little Xu Zeling blinked in confusion.

“Mom, why are they laughing?”

Bai Chuyue’s expression didn’t change. She lied smoothly:

“Your uncle just got married. They’re happy, that’s all.”

“Really?”

Xu Zeling’s face showed doubt.

Bai Chuyue tugged her hand, trying to lead her away.

“Come on. Let’s go to the kitchen and get something for your uncle and aunt.”

But Xu Zeling stayed put.

“Mom, what does ‘dragon’s vigor and tiger’s strength’ mean? They said uncle is strong, and auntie won’t be able to handle it.”

Bai Chuyue’s face froze.

“Children shouldn’t repeat nonsense.”

Around them, laughter erupted again. But no one dared add to the vulgarity.

Inside, Wen Jianxin clutched the sheets, her face buried in the pillow.

Xu Wangzhi pressed against her, lips trailing across her shoulder and neck.

His hips moved with ruthless force.

Her flushed face twisted, mind blank for an instant, eyes wide with dazed confusion.

His lips brushed her ear.

“Do you like it?”

Wen Jianxin’s mind cleared a fraction. Her fingers tightened on the sheets.

“No…”

But a sound escaped her throat, breathy, involuntary.

“Mmm—”

Relentless, he pressed again.

“Do you like it?”

She bit down hard on her lip, refusing to answer.

It was nothing like before—yet she loathed the helplessness of being utterly at his mercy. She only wanted it to end quickly.

“Stop talking.”

A sly light flickered in Xu Wangzhi’s eyes. He feigned puzzlement.

“Can you endure it?”

Her face turned scarlet, fury flashing in her eyes.

His low chuckle followed.

“Good. Then I’ll give you what you want.”

He did everything he could to please her, as if to erase the shadows of their past.

But Wen Jianxin’s heart remained cold, though her body burned hot beneath his.

Two forces collided within her—

Driven to the edge of despair, caught between life and death.