Chapter 6

Wei Yanzhen was no stranger to Shi Hui. He had seen the pair—Shi Hui and Deng Zhilán—together countless times: at the cinema, the library, the department store, the supply and marketing cooperative. Wei Yanzhen had witnessed it all.

Undeniably, it was Song Yitao who had reported them behind their backs.

But that didn’t mean Song Yitao was a good person. Wei Yanzhen believed that if Song Yitao hadn’t egged them on, he and his wife wouldn’t have come close to divorce.

The two of them, a man and a woman, were partners in crime, utterly despicable.

“I…”

“Zhilán, I really like you.”

After saying this, facing Wei Yanzhen’s murderous glare, Shi Hui immediately slipped away.

Then Wei Yanzhen released Deng Zhilán’s hand.

Without a word, he turned and left.

Actually, it would have been better if he said something. Instead, he said nothing, and the temperature of his aura dropped sharply, making him seem even more unapproachable.

Even Deng Zhilán was at a loss about his mood and didn’t immediately follow him.

Song Yitao leisurely picked up her bag from the ground, took out a small mirror, wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, and sneered:

“Tsk tsk tsk, you really are pitiful.”

“When Wei Yanzhen was in the army, at least he had money. Now that his family is being denounced, you’re going to live a hard life with him — and with someone you don’t even like.”

Song Yitao chuckled smugly twice, then closed the small mirror.

“The money I gave you? Consider it a gift.”

“We’re done here. Don’t expect to see me again.”

Deng Zhilán grabbed a brick from the ground and quickly smashed it onto Song Yitao’s shoulder. Song Yitao screamed out loud, turned back, and made a mocking face at her.

Deng Zhilán stepped forward to chase after her, but the woman had already run back home and firmly shut the door.

Deng Zhilán shook her head helplessly, then headed toward the Wei family’s home.

Back at home, Wei Jinyue approached her.

“I just overheard something outside. My brother was pretty upset by you. You really have guts!”

She spoke while raising her eyebrows, gloating and full of swagger. Deng Zhilán almost laughed.

This little sister-in-law was just waiting to see her fail, but then again, it was the original woman’s fault for bullying this sister-in-law so much before.

“Wei Jinyue, how can you say that?”

“Xiaolan is your sister-in-law. Don’t interfere in their business.”

Qin Ping and Wei Xiaotian were both home and hadn’t heard the noise outside. But seeing their youngest daughter so smug, they knew the couple had been arguing again.

“Xiaolan, Yanzhen just came back looking upset. If you two have any misunderstandings, make sure to clear them up quickly.”

Deng Zhilán nodded.

She slowly climbed the stairs to the second floor.

Inside, Wei Yanzhen stood quietly by the window, his face dark. Seeing Deng Zhilán acting close with another man had stirred a sharp jealousy in his heart.

Even though there was nothing inappropriate between them, Shi Hui was like a thorn in Wei Yanzhen’s side.

Deng Zhilán knocked on the door.

A voice came from inside: “Come in.”

She pushed the door open and stepped inside to find Wei Yanzhen standing there, looking gloomy.

Noticing his unusual mood, she gently stepped forward, her arm like a vine wrapping around his neck, and tenderly kissed his cheek.

But this didn’t immediately dispel the gloom in Wei Yanzhen’s heart.

He still furrowed his brows and pulled her away.

Deng Zhilán patiently coaxed him, “What’s wrong? Didn’t I already explain? There’s really nothing between me and Shi Hui. Don’t you believe me? Besides, I’m carrying your child!”

A hint of grievance appeared on Wei Yanzhen’s face. For a moment, he turned away, not looking at her, and tried to sound casual:

“You never liked me before. You always looked down on me.”

“You even said, if it weren’t for our parents’ hard work raising you, you wouldn’t have chosen to marry me!”

His voice trembled slightly at this, as if those words still stabbed at his heart.

Seeing this, Deng Zhilán hugged Wei Yanzhen’s neck again and whispered softly to comfort him:

“Don’t be mad. That’s all in the past. Yanzhen, I really like you now.”

She then planted a lingering kiss on him.

Her lips brushed his lightly like a feather drifting down, sending a tingling shiver through him—fleeting and delicate, like a dragonfly skimming water.

But Wei Yanzhen wasn’t satisfied. He pulled her tightly into his arms, a greedy desire shining in his burning eyes.

Deng Zhilán let out a soft whimper, gently patting his shoulder, and only then did Wei Yanzhen relent.

His mood eased slightly but he still wore a stern expression as he warned her:

“Don’t ever have any dealings with strange men again. If I find out…”

Before he could finish, Deng Zhilán cheekily interrupted him.

“And what if you do find out?”

She blinked her bright eyes at him, glistening with moisture, her pale pink cheeks spreading a teasing charm that melted Wei Yanzhen’s heart.

Still, he grit his teeth angrily, glaring at her, then growled:

“Deng Zhilán, if I catch you flirting with other men again, I’ll lock you at home, chain you to the bed, and you won’t be allowed to step down!”

Hearing this, Deng Zhilán first froze, then burst into uncontrollable laughter.

She laughed so hard she nearly doubled over, waving her arms about and saying through her laughter:

“Fine! I’m more than willing to be locked up by you~”

Looking at this woman who could stir his emotions at any moment, Wei Yanzhen shook his head helplessly and finally smiled indulgently.

That evening, when they went downstairs, the Wei household was once again filled with laughter.

Wei Yanzhen felt a bit emotional — all of this was thanks to his wife.

He silently vowed to treat her twice as well from now on and never let her leave him again.

The train tickets were booked for three days later.

The next day, Wei Yanzhen accompanied Deng Zhilán to the textile factory where she planned to sell her job as a female worker.

The original owner had done a decent job at the factory and brought in several big orders.

Deng Zhilán said she wanted to quit, but the factory manager kept trying to persuade her to stay and promised a raise.

She politely declined with a smile.

She didn’t reveal the situation of the Wei family’s denouncement, only gesturing to her belly.

“Manager, I’m pregnant and plan to stay home to rest.”

The manager smiled warmly and let her go.

At the meeting point, she sold the job to a relative of her original colleague for 1,500 yuan in total.

After receiving the money, Deng Zhilán begged Wei Yanzhen to take her to the black market to browse.

Wei Yanzhen initially refused but couldn’t say no to her.

When they arrived at the black market, Deng Zhilán understood why Wei Yanzhen disapproved.

The black market was just a few makeshift stalls scattered around, where stall owners were watchful, always alert to any unusual movement nearby.

The stalls displayed various scarce items: brand-new fabrics, imported cigarettes, a few electronic gadgets. Under the dim light, these goods carried an air of mystery.

For most people these days, these were rare treasures, but Deng Zhilán wasn’t particularly interested in buying anything.

Feeling a bit bored, she was about to leave when suddenly—

“Stop the thief!”

“Those kids up front just stole my bag!”

Wei Yanzhen, as a soldier, comforted Deng Zhilán before stepping forward and chasing after the thieves.