"You know why you were able to marry Uncle Jin so smoothly?" Wen Zhi said softly.
"Your wonderful stepfather and mother played a huge role in it."
Wen Xue froze on the spot.
"What do you mean by that?"
"You really think I would've gone to see Jin Guolun yesterday and persuaded him to set you up without their consent?" Wen Zhi's lips curved faintly. "If the Wen family wanted to survive this crisis, one daughter had to be sent to that old man. I refused to trade myself for money, so naturally… whoever loved money most would go."
"You!"
Wen Zhi took a step back and laughed lightly.
"Now you only have two choices. Either marry that old man, or marry some random beggar. If there's a third option—any third option at all—I'll release the video in my hands to the public. I'll make sure you never lift your head in front of people for the rest of your life."
"Are you trying to dirve me to my death ?" Wen Xue screamed.
Wen Zhi turned her face slightly and sneered.
"Oh? You want to threaten me with death? Then go ahead and die. I'd be delighted."
With that, she shot Wen Xue a look full of disdain, turned around proudly, and walked back into the building.
Wen Xue stared at her retreating figure, an icy chill crawling up her spine.
She used to be so easy to control when they were kids.
Since when had Wen Zhi become this terrifying?
No matter what—
She would make every man around Wen Zhi see her true, vicious face.
When Wen Zhi got home, Mo Tingyan was in the bathroom showering.
She went into the kitchen, planning to cook quickly, eat early, and then start her livestream.
She was busy when her phone rang in the living room.
Turning off the water, she went out and picked it up.
Seeing Mo Tingjue's name on the screen, her expression darkened.
Not wanting his relentless nonsense to affect her mood later, she answered.
On the other end, Mo Tingjue's voice was no longer as forceful as before. Instead, it carried an odd gentleness.
"Xiao Zhi… was it you who set Wen Xue up, forcing her to marry a man more than twenty years older than her?"
Wen Zhi replied coldly, "So what if it was?"
"Xiao Zhi," he said earnestly, "I know you hate Wen Xue, but she's still your stepsister. If you dislike her, there are many ways to retaliate. But ruining someone's future like this… it's really not right."
Wen Zhi laughed.
"Since you're such a saint, why don't you agree to marry her instead? She'd probably be overjoyed. Just don't forget to have your mother prepare fifty million as bride price to patch up the Wen family's hole."
Mo Tingjue: "..."
"Xiao Zhi," he sighed helplessly, "I'm not trying to defend Wen Xue. I've said it before—I don't love her. I only love you. I called because I don't want you to turn into a vicious person because of her. I want you to go back to being the clean, pure girl you used to be."
Wen Zhi cut him off with a mocking laugh.
"That's enough. Stop using so-called morality to bind me. If you truly had such a thing, you wouldn't have betrayed anyone in the first place. And put away your so-called love—I don't want it. Your 'good intentions' neither."
She hung up without hesitation.
With a cold snort, she tossed the phone back onto the side table and turned to head back into the kitchen—
Just as the bathroom door opened.
As usual, Mo Tingyan came out without a stitch on, casually wiping his hair, looking at her with that lazy, roguish smile.
"I heard you were pretty angry on the phone just now," he said lightly. "What, did that woman piss you off again?"
Wen Zhi cleared her throat. Even though she was used to his shamelessness, she still wasn't comfortable.
"How many times do I have to tell you—put clothes on before coming out!"
Mo Tingyan walked straight up to her, pressed his body against hers, and wrapped an arm around her waist.
"It's our own home. Why be so uptight?" he teased. "Or is it that my Zhangzhu prefers men who pretend to be proper? Then what if I… act a little?"
He lowered his head and stole a kiss from her lips.
Wen Zhi tilted her head back.
"..."
What kind of 'proper' was that?
His fingers brushed gently along her cheek, voice low and tempting.
"So? What did that woman want?"
Wen Zhi hesitated, then said, "It was Mo Tingjue."
Mo Tingyan raised a brow.
"He's still trying to cling to you?"
She shook her head.
"Wen Xue is about to marry Jin Guolun. He called to ask what was going on."
Mo Tingyan was mildly surprised.
"Oh? Things changed fast. Your stepmother is actually willing to marry Wen Xue off to an old man?"
Wen Zhi looked at him. For some reason, she could admit all her schemes calmly in front of Mo Tingjue, yet she didn't want Mo Tingyan to know everything.
She lowered her gaze and said coolly,
"You sure like meddling. If you feel sorry for her, go find her and help her escape."
She broke free from his arms and turned to go back to the kitchen.
But Mo Tingyan's grip was strong. He yanked her wrist, pulled her into his arms, lifted her effortlessly, carried her to the sofa—and pressed her down.
He lightly tugged her earlobe, speaking teasingly.
"My Zhangzhu, what kind of dangerous words are you saying? I was just casually asking. Who she marries has nothing to do with me."
Wen Zhi stared into his eyes, her heart heavy.
If he knew that Wen Xue's fate was something she'd personally orchestrated…
Would he also find her frightening?
Her expression turned solemn. She pushed against his shoulder.
"Enough. I still need to cook."
Mo Tingyan pressed down firmly, not giving her any room to move. He pinned her wrists above her head, leaned down, and brushed a few hot kisses over her collarbone, a wicked smile curling his lips.
"Cook what? You're so angry you're telling me to find other women. I'd better show you my loyalty properly."
Wen Zhi hadn't been in the mood at all—
But under Mo Tingyan's relentless teasing and pursuit, her resolve slowly crumbled, and she was once again pulled into a storm of passion with him…
Wen Xue's wedding date was set very quickly.
On the third day after the scandal broke, Wen Renhao recovered enough to be discharged from the hospital and personally went to discuss the marriage with President Jin.
President Jin agreed immediately, promising ten million in bride price and an additional forty million in follow-up cooperation projects—instantly easing the Wen family's crisis.
The Jin family's only requirement was that the wedding be kept low-key.
Eager to get the funds as soon as possible, Wen Renhao agreed—just a simple family dinner.
Naturally, Wen Xue was unwilling to be sold off so easily. After some calculations, she deliberately set the wedding date for two days later.
Wen Renhao agreed without hesitation.
After returning home, he called Wen Zhi and informed her of the news.
"Others may not come back, but you're in Jiang City," he said sternly. "You must attend the wedding. Don't forget—this is a marriage you planned yourself."
Listening to his words, Wen Zhi felt nothing but coldness in her heart.
She replied calmly,
"Then do you remember what day it is… two days from now?"