After finishing her words to Wen Zhi, Lian Qiao turned to Mo Tingyan and said bluntly,
"Mo Tingyan, listen carefully. Don't you dare turn into a scumbag like your brother. Being able to marry our Xiao Zhi is the kind of luck your family must've burned incense for eight lifetimes to get. Keep your distance from other women. If you don't, I will help her find trouble for you."
Mo Tingyan raised an eyebrow, amused by her half-warning, half-negotiation tone. A rogue smile curved his lips.
"Rest assured, bestie. The kind of man who eats from his own bowl while eyeing the pot is exactly what I despise most. I won't give you the chance to help my wife catch me wearing a green hat."
After speaking, he turned toward Wen Zhi, smiling with lazy affection.
"Zhangzhu, it's already eleven."
Wen Zhi glanced at the wall clock and immediately stood up.
"Qiao Qiao, go play a couple rounds of games. I've got two more dishes left—once they're done, we can eat."
Lian Qiao pulled out her phone, leaned back into the sofa, and waved them off.
"Alright. I'll start a match. You two lovebirds, go on."
Normally, Wen Zhi had no use for Mo Tingyan in the kitchen.
But this time, she deliberately called him in.
The moment the kitchen door closed, Mo Tingyan wrapped an arm around her waist, leaned down, and stole a quick kiss from her lips. His warm mouth lingered teasingly against her cheek as he murmured,
"So… how did your husband perform just now? After lights out tonight, am I worth adding a little extra meat to the menu?"
Wen Zhi pressed a hand to his shoulder, lowering her voice.
"Stop fooling around. Tell me—what Qiao Qiao mentioned earlier about Mo Tingjue… was that your doing?"
The smile on Mo Tingyan's face faded slightly. His gaze darkened, unreadable.
"Ever since she mentioned that man, your expression hasn't been right," he countered. "What, you feel sorry for him?"
Wen Zhi frowned. This man really knew how to twist things.
"I'm just saying," she replied calmly, "there are plenty of disgusting people in this world. There's no need to ruin your own future over them—especially by doing something illegal. They're not worth it. You are."
Her words soothed him more than she realized. The trace of irritation in his chest slowly dissolved. He lowered his head and kissed her lips again, gently this time.
"Don't worry. Trash like that doesn't deserve to affect my future. Okay?"
Wen Zhi looked at him.
Even now, he still hadn't given her a clear answer.
Yet deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling—this had everything to do with him.
She wanted to ask him:
Mo Tingyan… just how many things are you still hiding from me?
But… she shouldn't interfere anymore.
What she needed to say, she had already said.
What happened next—he would have to decide for himself.
"I know," she said softly. "Go keep Qiao Qiao company. I'll be done in about ten minutes."
Mo Tingyan pinched her fair cheek affectionately.
"As you command."
Back in the living room, Mo Tingyan sat down and saw Lian Qiao playing PUBG. He asked casually if she wanted to team up.
"Sure," she said. "Let me finish this round and I'll invite you."
A few minutes later—
Lian Qiao charged straight into danger and died spectacularly.
Mo Tingyan took out his phone and logged into the game. As he did, he asked in a seemingly offhand tone,
"Based on what I know of Zhangzhu, she doesn't open her heart easily. I got lucky—thanks to Mo Tingjue—and used my looks to seduce her. But you? You two are total opposites. How did you become friends?"
Lian Qiao thought for a moment.
"Xiao Zhi's life over the past twenty-something years hasn't been smooth at all. She's suffered too much. You met her late—you don't know how hard she fought her way out of repeated darkness and baseless slander."
She continued quietly,
"I happened to be there during the time she needed security the most. I stayed by her side without leaving. That's how I earned this friendship."
Mo Tingyan fell silent for a long while.
"What darkness? What slander?"
Lian Qiao shook her head.
"She won't let me talk about the past. Just know this—she looks cold, but her heart is softer than anyone's. Truly. Don't ever betray her. If she loses her heart, you will lose her."
"This isn't a warning," she added. "It's a reminder."
Mo Tingyan barely heard the latter half.
Doubt churned in his chest.
Wen Zhi… when she was young, she shouldn't have been like this.
So what exactly had she been through all these years?
Just as Lian Qiao sent him a friend request, Wen Zhi came out of the kitchen carrying dishes.
"Dinner's ready."
Lian Qiao immediately tossed her phone aside and grinned.
"Guess gaming's off the table tonight. I've missed my dear's cooking way too much—I'm eating first."
The three of them ate together, laughter filling the room.
As Lian Qiao praised Wen Zhi's cooking nonstop, Wen Zhi—who rarely smiled—found herself smiling again and again.
Mo Tingyan watched quietly, a strange jealousy creeping in.
He didn't see this many smiles from her in an entire week.
Yet today alone…
How was Lian Qiao better at making her smile than him?
After dinner, Mo Tingyan took the initiative to wash the dishes.
Listening to the sound of running water from the kitchen, Lian Qiao nodded in satisfaction.
"Not bad. He can't cook, but at least he knows how to share housework."
Wen Zhi: "..."
This man had clearly been using the dishwasher these past few days.
Today, he was really putting on a show.
"I guess he's… okay," she said lightly.
Lian Qiao elbowed her playfully, grinning wickedly.
"Okay in that sense… or that sense?"
Wen Zhi immediately covered her mouth.
"You single woman, why are you asking everything? You've only got one face—save it."
Lian Qiao burst into laughter.
"Seems harmonious enough. Fine, I'm relieved. I'll give him seventy points for now—a passing grade."
Lian Qiao stayed for another half hour before leaving due to other commitments.
The moment she left, Mo Tingyan wrapped his arms around Wen Zhi again, asking shamelessly,
"So… did this ugly son-in-law pass the inspection?"
Wen Zhi laughed, just about to answer—
when his phone rang.
Mo Tingyan glanced at the screen.
The smile in his eyes vanished instantly.
Wen Zhi saw the contact name:
"Mo Family Old Witch."
He hung up immediately.
But soon, a message came in. He tapped it open.
[Bring your woman and come back to the Mo residence.]
Mo Tingyan let out a cold scoff and tossed the phone aside.
As if knowing he wouldn't comply, another message followed.
[Don't wait for me to send people to "invite" you. I know your skills—but do you think Wen Zhi can avoid my people too? Be sensible and come back on your own.]
Wen Zhi had seen the message as well. She looked up at him calmly.
"Mo Tingjue's mother?"
"Yes."
Mo Tingyan looked at her breathtakingly cold yet beautiful face.
He didn't want to deal with that old woman at all.
But Wen Zhi would worry about him being targeted by the Mo family.
After all… what she feared most—
was something happening to her loan-repayment machine.
After a moment of thought, he said,
"I'll go take a look. See what they want. You stay home and rest."
He released her and stood to leave.
Wen Zhi hesitated, thinking of the rumors about how the Mo family treated him.
Then she reached out, grabbed his arm, stood up, and said calmly—
"I'll go with you."