Mo Tingyan never wanted Wen Zhi to see the darkness he carried behind him.
But she insisted—and this time, he couldn't stop her.
They changed clothes and left together.
Although Wen Zhi had dated Mo Tingjue for two full years, this was her first time stepping into the Mo family villa.
Back then, Mo Tingjue had suggested bringing her home more than once.
But his mother had already sent someone to find her—coldly and bluntly informing her that she would never accept Wen Zhi as a Mo family daughter-in-law.
So Wen Zhi had refused outright.
A woman who rejected her without even trying to understand her—
That kind of "mother-in-law," she didn't want.
Even if she married Mo Tingjue, she would never associate with someone like that.
At the time, Mo Tingjue had sworn he would convince his mother.
That she would apologize.
Now that Wen Zhi thought about it…
He really was excellent at selling empty promises.
On the living room sofa sat Mo Zhenghan, Mo Tingyan's father, alongside his wife, Gu Nian.
Mo Tingyan shared three or four parts of his facial features with Mo Zhenghan—
But their temperament and presence couldn't be further apart.
Beside him sat Gu Nian.
Her looks were ordinary, yet her aura screamed dominance. She sat like a queen on her throne, sharp eyes sweeping coldly over the pair as they entered.
Her gaze lingered on Mo Tingyan's increasingly striking face.
Her eyes darkened.
Why didn't her son look like this?
She let out a scornful sneer.
"I thought a nobody bastard like you would've been tossed out long ago—left to starve to death. Who knew you'd cling to life this long, scraping by in poverty?"
The moment the words landed, Wen Zhi's heart sank.
Who cursed someone to death the moment they met?
Before Mo Tingyan could react, Wen Zhi spoke first—her voice calm, her blade sharp.
"Mrs. Mo, you should accumulate some virtue when you speak. If you're already this old and still alive, then Mo Tingyan—young and healthy—will certainly live even better. When you pass away one day, as your stepson, he might even be kind enough to engrave your epitaph."
"You—!"
Gu Nian exploded. "What are you, to dare curse my death?!"
Wen Zhi raised an eyebrow coolly.
"I don't consider myself a 'thing.' I'm a person."
Mo Tingyan's brow lifted, his usual rogue curve returning.
So… his Zhangzhu was protecting him?
That fierce, sharp-tongued look of hers—
It was incredibly satisfying.
Suppressing a laugh, he wrapped an arm around her and led her straight to the sofa opposite, sitting down lazily with one leg crossed.
Gu Nian glared down at them and barked,
"Uncultured trash! Who gave you permission to sit?!"
Wen Zhi replied evenly,
"I grew up like an orphan. No one taught me—how could I have manners?"
Mo Tingyan chuckled and followed seamlessly,
"What a coincidence. I'm fatherless and motherless too. I don't know what 'manners' are either."
Gu Nian shot Mo Zhenghan a vicious glare.
Mo Zhenghan, who had been silently observing, immediately spoke sternly,
"Tingyan, watch your words. I'm still alive—are you cursing me?"
For the first time since entering, Mo Tingyan's cold, distant gaze settled on his biological father.
His voice was flat and indifferent.
"Whether you're alive or dead—what does that have to do with me?"
Mo Zhenghan's face darkened.
"You—!"
Mo Tingyan leaned back comfortably, eyes cool.
"Enough. You called us here—what exactly do you want?"
Gu Nian straightened, resuming her imperious posture.
"Mo Tingyan, tell me—Tingjue's car accident. Was that your doing?"
At the mention of this, Wen Zhi's nerves tightened.
The Mo family wasn't some powerless household.
If they wanted to investigate the accident, it wouldn't be difficult.
If they turned on Mo Tingyan—
Mo Tingyan, however, looked completely at ease.
His voice was light, almost amused.
"I don't recall hearing anything like that. He was in a car accident? Tsk. How unfortunate."
Gu Nian snapped,
"Stop pretending! You threatened him before—it was clearly you!"
Mo Tingyan laughed softly, every word dripping with provocation.
"Gu Nian, if you don't understand the law, maybe hire a lawyer. Framing someone is illegal."
Her jaw clenched.
"Fine. Very fine," she said coldly. "Just wait until I uncover the truth. I'll see how you end then."
She turned her sharp gaze to Wen Zhi.
"And you—how dare you betray my Tingjue for this pathetic, low-class nobody? Are you trying to disgust my son?"
Wen Zhi smiled.
"Mrs. Gu, did you get your information from a landfill? Go investigate properly. Your son slept with my stepsister while dating me. He was the one who crossed the line. I dumped him."
Gu Nian snorted dismissively.
"Men making mistakes is normal."
"Oh?"
Wen Zhi feigned surprise, glancing at Mo Zhenghan, then back at Gu Nian, her tone laced with sarcasm.
"You're very generous then. I'm not. I have a cleanliness obsession. The man I want isn't allowed to make mistakes. If he does—he's out."
Gu Nian felt it then.
These two were cut from the same cloth.
"You think you're something special?" she sneered. "My son made a mistake, and you immediately ran to his half-brother. Do you have any shame?"
"Why don't you ask your son first," Wen Zhi countered smoothly,
"if sleeping with his girlfriend's stepsister required shame?"
Gu Nian scoffed.
"And why do you think Tingjue went after Wen Xue? Because you're inferior to her in every possible way."
Wen Zhi laughed—completely unbothered.
"Thankfully, I'm nothing like a woman without moral boundaries. If I shared even half her traits, I'd be disgusted. But your son? He and her are indeed a perfect match. I sincerely hope he marries her soon. Birds of a feather, after all."
"Wen Zhi!"
Gu Nian's head throbbed with rage.
She forced herself to calm down, lifting her chin arrogantly.
"Enough of your tricks. I don't buy them. Because of you, my son is heartbroken. You will kneel before him, apologize, and repent."
Mo Tingyan had been enjoying Wen Zhi's combat skills and hadn't planned to interfere—
But now?
He really couldn't listen anymore.
"Spare me," he scoffed. "That trash of a son deserves that? What—did you drink fake liquor?"
Gu Nian slammed her hand on the sofa and stood up.
"Mo Tingyan! You're nothing but a bastard born of a cheap mistress! Who do you think you are, daring to shout at me?! Didn't that prostitute mother of yours teach you to keep your tail tucked between your legs?!"
Mo Tingyan's body went rigid.
The secret he had buried so deeply—
Was ripped open, bloody and raw, exposed right in front of Wen Zhi.
He didn't even dare look at her reaction.
In an instant, violent fury flooded his face.
"Gu Nian!"