Chapter 21: Don’t Protect Me, He’ll Hit You Too

Song Kairui pried Gu Yuchen’s hand away from Wen Zhixian and released Qi Yanjing, positioning himself between the two men.

Qi Yanjing rubbed Wen Zhixian’s red wrist, realizing it must have hurt. What was up with her crazy ex-boyfriend?

“Don’t you dare touch her!” Gu Yuchen shouted, ready to throw a punch.

Wen Zhixian stepped in front of Qi Yanjing, fully aware that Gu Yuchen would likely hit her too.

Qi Yanjing shielded her, saying, “He’ll hit you as well.”

Song Kairui found the situation both amusing and exasperating as he shoved Gu Yuchen back.

“Who the hell is he?” Gu Yuchen was unnerved by the fact that this stranger said he would hit Wen Zhixian.

Wen Zhixian held onto Qi Yanjing, declaring, “He’s my husband.”

Song Kairui smirked; Wen Zhixian was clever. That statement would have a huge impact on Gu Yuchen. There was no way Gu Yuchen would sleep tonight; all he would think about was Wen Zhixian saying, “This is my husband!” while hugging Qi Yanjing.

Gu Yuchen laughed mockingly, his eyes icy. “He’s your husband? Who am I? Tell me, who am I?”

His voice grew louder with each question, enough to frighten anyone around.

Qi Yanjing gently stroked Wen Zhixian’s back, worried she might be scared.

Before Wen Zhixian could respond, Qi Yanjing shot a glare at Gu Yuchen, “What does it matter who you are? You’re just a loser who can’t keep hold of her, and now you blame others.”

Song Kairui was taken aback, impressed by Qi Yanjing’s boldness.

Without caring about Gu Yuchen, Qi Yanjing took Wen Zhixian and started to walk away, turning back to softly ask, “Does it hurt?”

Gu Yuchen tried to follow but was blocked again by Song Kairui. “What are you doing? Why are you losing your mind? She’s just trying to provoke you.”

Gu Yuchen was enraged, laughing bitterly, “Sure, great!”

Song Kairui watched as Qi Yanjing bought an ice pop and placed it against Wen Zhixian’s wrist, gently rubbing it before blowing on it. A glance at Gu Yuchen told him…

Never mind.

“Look at him and then look at you.” Though he didn’t want to discuss Wen Zhixian with Gu Yuchen, he couldn’t resist adding, “It’s quite a contrast.”

Gu Yuchen looked over and, just as he was about to step outside, he saw them getting into their car and leaving.

He scoffed, “She really knows me well, doesn’t she? She knows exactly how to get under my skin.”

He took several deep breaths, trying to convince himself it was all fake; she was just trying to annoy him.

---

In the car.

Today, Qi Yanjing got a firsthand look at Wen Zhixian’s unrefined ex.

He couldn’t help but think about how much it must have hurt when Wen Zhixian received that slap back then.

Glancing sideways at his wife, he noticed she seemed deep in thought.

She said, “Don’t you think we should buy a few more things? Should we go back to the mall and see if there’s anything else we need?”

Naturally, Qi Yanjing agreed and drove to the mall.

As she busied herself looking at items to buy, he pushed the cart beside her. After a while, he finally spoke, “Next time, don’t get hurt. And don’t stand in front of me; this is something I should handle.”

Wen Zhixian turned to look at him, a smile brightening her face. “Thank you.”

She raised her wrist in front of him, swaying it. “It’s already fine.”

Qi Yanjing took her hand and they strolled through the mall for a while longer.

After shopping, they finally headed to visit his parents.

Wen Zhixian looked out the car window. “My parents live pretty far away.”

“They enjoy peace and quiet, so they moved here after retirement.”

When the car stopped, she looked at the large Chinese-style residence in front of her and remained silent for a few seconds. “It’s quite big.”

Wen Zhixian felt it exceeded her expectations.

After getting out of the car, she picked up the items she had bought for her in-laws. Just as she was about to enter, Qi’s parents came out, accompanied by the butler.

The butler immediately took the items from her hands.

Qi’s parents looked her up and down, wearing smiles that were just right—neither too deep nor too shallow.

“Zhixian, is it?” Elder Mrs. Qi, Tan Ruigu, smiled at her. “Don’t just stand at the door; come in and sit down.”

Holding her hand, Qi Yanjing stepped inside the house with her.

“Dad, don’t be so serious,” Qi Yanjing said to Qi Yusheng, who was walking ahead.

He was afraid of leaving a bad impression on Wen Zhixian.

Qi Yusheng paused for a moment, but Tan Ruigu laughed, “Your dad is always like this. But it’s quite rare to hear you say something like that.”

Qi Yusheng chuckled helplessly and said to Wen Zhixian, “Zhixian, I have no complaints; this is just how I am.”

Wen Zhixian forced a smile, “Got it, Dad.”

She glanced at Qi Yanjing, feeling a gentle tickle on her palm as he lightly scratched it, sending a tingling sensation through her.

The spacious house felt quite empty due to the lack of people.

After the butler served tea, he quietly exited.

“How come you two got your marriage certificate so quickly?” Tan Ruigu was genuinely curious. When Qi Yanjing called them that day, he mainly talked about getting married, asking which girl he was marrying and why they had never heard about her before.

Qi Yanjing had replied that they hadn’t known each other for long. Although they respected his decision, they felt it was too soon—marriage was a significant matter, not a game.

Moreover, Qi Yanjing’s behavior was rather unusual; he had never complained about his father’s seriousness before.

“I proposed. I want to live with her,” Qi Yanjing said confidently.

Qi Yusheng glanced at his son, finding this eagerness quite uncharacteristic of him.

Tan Ruigu turned to Wen Zhixian, asking, “Zhixian, why did you agree to marry someone you’ve only known for a short time?”

“Well, he showed up at my apartment early in the morning in the rain. To be honest, I’ve never experienced something like that before. There was a bit of impulse involved, but I don’t regret it now.” It had only been a few days since they got their marriage certificate.

Tan Ruigu and Qi Yusheng stared at Qi Yanjing, astonished. Did he really go to someone’s home in the rain to propose?

Initially, they had assumed it was the girl who suggested marriage, but it turned out to be their son.

“Yanjing, have you visited your in-laws?” Qi Yusheng asked.

Since he was getting married, they might as well support him. Having gotten the certificate, it was important to show proper respect.

“Yes, I’ve been there, and they have temporarily accepted me,” Qi Yanjing replied.

Qi’s parents nodded in understanding. “When will you be able to meet the in-laws? We haven’t met them yet.”

“I will arrange it.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the butler came in to announce, “Dinner is ready.”

During dinner, Tan Ruigu asked about some general details.

“Zhixian, what do you do now?” she asked, smiling as if making small talk.

“I opened a coffee shop after graduation, and I’ve been running it ever since,” Wen Zhixian said. The business was doing well.

Hearing this, Qi Yusheng thought it sounded pretty good. “What do your in-laws do?”

“My father is a university professor, and my mother is a chief physician,” she replied.

Qi Yusheng smiled at Qi Yanjing, saying, “Well, then you match your father-in-law’s taste perfectly.”