Wen Renhao completely failed to catch the unhappiness in Wen Zhi's tone. Instead, he sounded exhilarated.
"Of course it's a joyous day."
Wen Zhi's voice turned icy.
"The day after tomorrow is my mother's death anniversary."
There was a brief silence on the other end before Wen Renhao snorted in displeasure.
"I've told you long ago—you don't have that mother anymore. Back then she divorced me and ran off with your sister. What does her death anniversary have to do with me?"
Wen Zhi's voice was cold as frost.
"This is exactly who you are—selfish and self-serving. All mistakes are always other people's. You never reflect on yourself."
Wen Renhao was sitting at his desk. Hearing her words, he slammed the table in fury.
"Wen Zhi! Do you really have to ruin my mood right now?"
He had just secured a fifty-million deal and was in high spirits—only for this wretched girl to deliberately spoil it.
"You're exactly like that ungrateful mother of yours—cold-blooded white-eyed wolves, both of you, impossible to warm!"
Wen Zhi let out a mocking laugh.
"If you despised me so much, why did you insist she leave me behind back then?"
"You think if she had given me a choice, I would've chosen you?" Wen Renhao sneered.
"If the obedient, gentle one had stayed with me, and I asked her to marry Jin Guolun, she would never have defied me like you do! That would've been a good daughter of mine!"
A desolate emptiness spread through Wen Zhi's heart.
Yes… wasn't that exactly how it was?
She had only been eight years old.
Yet when the adults were forced to choose between two children—
Neither of them wanted her.
And her mother, on that stormy, rain-soaked night…
What had she done wrong?
Wen Zhi closed her eyes abruptly, forcing back the sting in her eyes.
The tears she should have cried had long since been washed away by that night's rain.
Veins stood out on the back of her hand as she gripped the phone tightly. After holding back for a long time, she finally burst out—
"You're right. I was born rebellious, detestable. But so what if the whole world hates me? I'm still living just fine! And that perfect daughter you long for—no matter how good she is—you'll never have her again in this lifetime!"
Wen Renhao's face darkened with rage. He knew arguing further would only make things worse.
Remembering why he'd called in the first place, he suppressed his anger.
"That's enough. I won't waste words with you. The day after tomorrow, come back on time for the wedding."
Even biting down hard, Wen Zhi couldn't stop the hatred from spilling through her clenched teeth.
"Don't worry. The day after tomorrow, I'll definitely attend your precious stepdaughter's wedding banquet—right on time!"
She hung up the phone without hesitation.
When she turned around, she saw Mo Tingyan standing in the living room, looking at her.
A roguish, elegant smile curved his lips as he walked over to the balcony and rested a hand on her shoulder.
"I wasn't trying to eavesdrop," he said cheerfully. "You just didn't notice me when I came out."
Wen Zhi: "..."
She turned away, resting both hands on the railing, tilting her head up to look at the night sky.
"Wen Xue is getting married the day after tomorrow. I need to go back."
Mo Tingyan's long fingers mischievously rolled her soft earlobe.
"I also heard you say that the day after tomorrow is your mother's death anniversary."
Wen Zhi: "..."
"You were standing there for a long time?" she asked.
Mo Tingyan chuckled without answering directly.
"I'm free that day too. Perfect timing—I'll go with you. We'll visit Mother-in-law's grave first, then attend the wedding."
"No need," Wen Zhi refused instantly.
Mo Tingyan frowned.
"No need for what?"
"No need to visit the grave. And you don't need to accompany me to the wedding either."
"That won't do," Mo Tingyan said seriously.
"The Wen family is a den of wolves and tigers. As your legal husband, I must be present to protect my little white rabbit wife."
Wen Zhi: "..."
Did he really not feel how oily that sounded?
"I'm not that weak. But if you really want to attend the wedding with me, fine. As for the grave visit—no need."
She had already told President Jin that she and Mo Tingyan were married, and the Wen family knew it too. If she went back alone, people would only speculate that their relationship was bad.
Mo Tingyan looked at her and didn't argue further.
Early in the morning on the wedding day, Wen Zhi was still asleep when she vaguely heard soft noises outside her room.
She rolled over lazily and opened her eyes—only to realize Mo Tingyan wasn't there.
After coming to her room late last night and entangling with her until dawn, he had naturally stayed the night.
She sat up, rubbed her messy hair, opened the door, and walked into the living room—
Only to see the coffee table completely covered with funeral offerings.
Mo Tingyan was already dressed in a very formal suit. Seeing her, he said calmly,
"You're awake? Go wash up and change. We'll head to the cemetery first."
Wen Zhi's face darkened in displeasure.
"I already told you—there's no need to visit any grave."
"How can we not?" Mo Tingyan replied earnestly.
"I just married you this year. You should take me to see Mother-in-law. Or is it that… you think I'm not worthy?"
Wen Zhi sighed in frustration.
"That's not what I mean!"
"Then give me a reason," he said patiently.
"You have to convince me that I truly shouldn't go before I can give up. A son-in-law visiting his mother-in-law is basic courtesy."
"I don't remember my mother anymore," Wen Zhi said irritably.
"So what?" Mo Tingyan countered smoothly.
"She's already gone. I'm just paying my respects, telling her I'm her son-in-law. That reason doesn't hold. Try another one. If you can't—then as a junior, I really can't change my mind."
Wen Zhi clenched her teeth.
Why was this man so annoying when he got stubborn?
"Fine! Isn't it just a grave visit? If you want to go, then go!"
She turned around angrily and went back to her room to wash up, do her makeup, and change clothes.
Opening the wardrobe, she spotted the red dress she'd tossed into a corner.
Thinking of Mo Tingyan's reaction the last time she wore it—
Her heart hardened.
She deliberately changed into the red dress.
The moment Mo Tingyan saw her, just as she'd expected, his expression darkened.
He said solemnly,
"Zhangzhu, if you have emotions you can't settle, you can tell me. But the deceased is your mother. We're just paying respects. There's no need to do this."
Ignoring his words, Wen Zhi asked calmly,
"Then why don't you like seeing people wear red dresses?"
Mo Tingyan's hand at his side unconsciously clenched into a fist. He didn't answer, only said,
"Be good. Go change."
Wen Zhi stood firmly in front of him, refusing to budge.
"What I wear to honor my mother is my business. You don't get to decide—unless… you give me a reasonable reason too."
Seeing her relentless attitude, Mo Tingyan frowned.
"If I tell you, you'll change?"
"Yes."
"Alright," he said, eyes darkening.
"I'll tell you."