Mo Tingyan calmly took another bite of food, acting as though Jin Guolun's words hadn't reached his ears at all.
"President Jin's chef is… passable," he commented lazily.
"But this meat's a bit tough."
Wen Renhao looked at him with unconcealed disgust.
"As expected of an illegitimate son with no manners. President Jin is clearly giving you a chance—can't you see that?"
Clang!
Wen Zhi slammed her chopsticks onto the table and snapped coldly,
"Say the words 'illegitimate son' one more time, and don't blame me for flipping this table right here."
"I have no upbringing, remember? I don't care about losing face."
Wen Xue finally found her opening and hurried to play peacemaker.
"Dad, please calm down. Xiao Zhi has always been like this—you know her temper."
She then turned toward Jin Guolun with a soft, delicate smile.
"Guolun, even though Xiao Zhi and I aren't biological sisters, I still don't want her to suffer in poverty."
"So please, help out my brother-in-law a little more."
She looked at Mo Tingyan sweetly.
"Mr. Mo, you don't need to be polite with us. If there's anything you need… just say the word."
Wen Zhi let out a mocking laugh, about to retort—
But Mo Tingyan raised a hand and gently patted the back of her hand, stopping her.
A sly, wicked smile curved his lips.
He casually rotated the lazy Susan, turning a dish of oyster soup directly in front of Jin Guolun, then spoke with blatant sarcasm.
"President Jin, men at your age—especially after just marrying a young, delicate wife—tend to fall a bit short in stamina."
"This stuff is good for you. Eat more."
"Otherwise…" he chuckled softly,
"what's the point of marrying a young, beautiful woman if you can't chew properly or taste the flavor? What a waste."
No man could tolerate words like that.
Jin Guolun's voice darkened.
"Young man, do you think you won't grow old someday?"
"Oh, I definitely will," Mo Tingyan replied cheerfully.
"That's why I believe in enjoying life while I can."
As he spoke, his arm wrapped naturally around Wen Zhi's waist.
"At my physical peak, I married the youngest, most beautiful woman in the world."
"I can spoil her however I like, enjoy her however I like."
"Life doesn't get any sweeter than this."
Wen Zhi: "..."
When others attacked him with money, he struck back at their manhood.
Impressive. Truly impressive.
Mo Tingyan rotated the table again, scooped a bowl of soup for Wen Zhi, and placed it in front of her. He gently rubbed her head, indulgence written all over his face.
"Since they're too proud to drink it, you have more."
"Who's capable at night and who isn't—we'll find out soon enough."
"You're not that strong either. Drink up and nourish yourself."
Wen Zhi: "..."
Wen Xue stared at the young, handsome man doting on Wen Zhi, then thought about the old, ugly man she had married—
Useless in bed, unwilling to even give her a proper wedding.
The more she thought about it, the more jealous she became.
She lifted her wine glass and began drinking bitterly.
Jin Guolun didn't want to embarrass himself in front of his friends either, so he simply stopped engaging with a man he considered a rogue.
Halfway through the meal, Mo Tingyan's phone rang.
He leaned close to Wen Zhi's ear and whispered,
"It's Nan Zhong. I'll step outside to take the call."
Wen Zhi nodded.
Mo Tingyan stood up and walked out toward the entrance.
Wen Xue watched his retreating figure, desire burning hotter in her eyes.
After drinking too much, she deliberately made herself look nauseous and leaned into Jin Guolun's arms, acting coquettish.
"I drank too much… I feel sick. I want some fresh air."
"Will you come with me?"
Jin Guolun shot her an annoyed glance.
"Why would a woman drink so much? There are still guests to entertain. Go by yourself."
Outside, Mo Tingyan leaned against the wall, finished discussing work matters with Jiang Nanzhong, and hung up.
Just as he turned to go back—
Wen Xue staggered out from the corner and blocked his way.
Her steps were unsteady, her eyes red as she looked at him.
"Mr. Mo… do you know?"
"The first time I saw you on that plane, I fell for you."
"I envy Wen Zhi so much… why doesn't she deserve your love instead of me?"
As she spoke, she opened her arms and tried to throw herself at him.
Mo Tingyan stepped aside in disgust, avoiding her entirely. He scoffed coldly.
"Miss Wen, today is your wedding day."
"Do you not know how to write the word 'self-respect'?"
"I never wanted to marry that old man!" Wen Xue cried.
"I'm still so young…"
"Captain Mo, can't you save me?"
Mo Tingyan stared at her as if she'd just told the biggest joke in the world.
"Save you?"
"You want me to abandon my fairy-like wife and elope with you?"
"Do I look like I've lost my mind?"
"Put that disgusting act away and go perform it for your filthy old husband."
"Don't come here and pollute my eyes."
He stepped past her, ready to leave.
But Wen Xue had truly lost her mind.
She turned and screamed at his back—
"Do you really think Wen Zhi is innocent?"
"Her heart is darker than anyone else's!"
"I married Jin Guolun because of her!"
"She set me up! She forced me into this marriage!"
"She's a venomous, heartless lunatic!"
At the corner nearby—
Wen Zhi, who had followed them out, froze in place.
Her fingers clenched slowly.
She didn't want to see Mo Tingyan's reaction.
She turned and hurried away.
Mo Tingyan's gaze darkened instantly.
He turned back, grabbed Wen Xue by the collar, and slammed her to the ground, his eyes filled with savage fury.
"I don't have a rule against hitting women."
"Watch your mouth."
"Say one more bad word about her, and I'll send those photos you sent Wen Zhi straight to your old husband."
"Care to guess how he'd deal with you?"
Wen Xue froze, sitting on the ground, not daring to move another inch.
Mo Tingyan snorted coldly and walked away.
Seeing Wen Zhi heading toward the villa exit, he quickened his pace and caught up with her, slinging an arm around her shoulders from behind. He raised an eyebrow with a roguish smile.
"Where are you going?"
"You heard her bad-mouthing you just now. Why didn't you come out and deal with her?"
Wen Zhi looked up at him.
"You… knew I was there?"
"I saw your shadow on the ground," he replied lightly.
"Why'd you run?"
Wen Zhi hadn't wanted him to know what she had done.
But—
Her heart sank.
"She wasn't wrong," Wen Zhi said quietly.
"Her marriage to Jin Guolun was designed by me."
"I hate her."
"She made my life miserable, so I wasn't going to let her off easy."
"I am that vicious."
"There's nothing to argue about."
Mo Tingyan laughed softly and ruffled her hair.
"Not bad at all."
"My precious treasure did a beautiful job."
Wen Zhi froze.
"What did you say?"
"I said—you did great."
"People who only know how to take hits without fighting back are idiots."
That day, when Mo Tingjue found out, he scolded her, saying she was too cruel, too malicious.
But Mo Tingyan—
He said she was right.
Wen Zhi stared at him, her heart suddenly tightening, pounding wildly.
Mo Tingyan chuckled.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Wen Zhi looked away, shook her head, and forced herself to calm down.
"I don't want to go back inside."
"Perfect," he said easily.
"Just looking at them makes me sick anyway."
"Let's go home."
With his arm around her shoulders, the two left the Jin family villa together.
Since Mo Tingyan had been drinking, Wen Zhi drove on the way back.
Their moods had just settled—
But the moment they reached their floor and looked up, both of their expressions changed.
Because sitting outside their door—
Was Mo Tingyan's mother, Xu Wan.