Just like last time, Xu Wan's outfit was… utterly inappropriate.
She looked no different from the women who solicited customers outside the red-light district.
At this moment, she was sprawled at their doorstep, smoking without the slightest sense of decorum. Ashes and five or six cigarette butts were scattered messily across the floor.
Seeing the two of them return, she stood up impatiently.
"Where the hell have you been? Why are you only back now? I've been waiting so long I'm about to starve."
Mo Tingyan immediately stepped forward, his expression dark.
"Who sent you here this time?"
Xu Wan grinned lazily.
"No one sent me. I'm just broke and figured I'd come stay at my son's place for a few days."
Mo Tingyan's face sank.
"No money? Last time—"
He paused, glanced sideways at Wen Zhi, then continued coldly.
"You should've made quite a bit just from coming to mess with me last time. Where's the money?"
Xu Wan blew out a smoke ring, raised an eyebrow, and answered as if it were only natural.
"I lost it."
"You went gambling again?!"
She waved him off impatiently.
"Once money's given to me, it's mine. Whether I gamble it away or spend it is my business. Why are you nagging?"
"I'm hungry. Hurry up, open the door, and let that woman cook for me!"
Mo Tingyan let out a cold laugh.
"She's my wife. Not your maid."
"Then you cook," Xu Wan sneered, poking his shoulder with her finger.
"I'm your mother. You're legally obligated to support me. If you don't let me in, I'll call the police and have you arrested."
Mo Tingyan swatted her hand away in disgust.
"Then go ahead and call—"
Before he could finish, Wen Zhi suddenly laughed softly and stepped forward, deliberately blocking him.
"It's just someone coming to beg for food. No need to get angry, husband. Let her in."
Mo Tingyan froze.
Why would Wen Zhi…?
Wen Zhi shook her head at him calmly.
People like this couldn't be chased away with reason or manners.
She walked over, opened the door, and went inside.
Xu Wan shot Mo Tingyan a triumphant glance and followed in. Like a pampered ancestor, she kicked off her high heels, flopped onto the sofa, and barked an order.
"Hurry up and cook."
Wen Zhi didn't even bother looking at her. She grabbed Mo Tingyan—whose face was dark with rage—and dragged him into the bedroom.
The door closed.
Mo Tingyan's voice was low and tense.
"Why did you let her in? She has no bottom line. If you let her in once, she'll only push further next time—"
Wen Zhi could clearly see the fury and barely restrained madness in his eyes.
She raised her hand and gently pressed it against his chest, her voice soft and steady.
"Calm down."
"Since I dared to let her in, I already have a way to deal with her."
After saying that, she took out her phone and quickly dialed Lian Qiao.
"Qiao Qiao, help me with something…"
After hanging up, she pulled Mo Tingyan to sit on the edge of the bed.
Before long, Xu Wan lost her patience. Her shouting and foul curses echoed loudly from the living room.
Wen Zhi watched as Mo Tingyan's expression grew darker and darker, and something twisted painfully in her heart.
Was this… what he had lived with every single day?
Mo Tingyan tried to stand up, but Wen Zhi grabbed his hand and shoved his phone into it calmly.
"Play a game."
Ten minutes later, Xu Wan finally stormed over and tried to push the door open—only to find it locked from the inside.
She exploded, pounding on the door and hurling even filthier insults.
Mo Tingyan felt the fury inside him about to completely lose control.
Wen Zhi immediately stood in front of him, then lifted her hands and gently covered his ears.
Her voice was low and coaxing.
"Don't listen, don't listen—nonsense chanting."
"Just wait a little longer."
Mo Tingyan stood still, staring at her softly smiling face.
Suddenly, the cruel, cutting curses outside…
Didn't seem so unbearable anymore.
This was the first time—when he was on the verge of completely snapping—that he actually… endured it.
After a few seconds of eye contact, Mo Tingyan suddenly lifted his hands, cupped her face, and kissed her.
Wen Zhi didn't resist.
Her hands slid from his ears to wrap around his neck.
Lips and tongues tangled, neither willing to let go.
It wasn't until her phone chimed several times that Wen Zhi finally pulled away, breathing unsteadily.
She glanced at her screen, a sly glint flashing in her eyes.
"Let's go."
They walked out into the living room.
Xu Wan, who had just rested a bit, immediately reignited at the sight of them.
"Are you trying to starve me to death? Two unfilial brats!"
Wen Zhi walked to the fridge, took out last night's cold steamed buns and leftovers, placed them on the coffee table, crossed her arms, and looked down at Xu Wan.
"Here. Eat. Then get out."
Xu Wan shot to her feet.
"You dare make your mother-in-law eat leftovers?!"
"Don't flatter yourself."
"You're begging for food. I'm the one giving charity."
"Beggars don't get to complain about the quality of the meal."
"You—Wen Zhi, was it?!"
Xu Wan charged toward her.
Mo Tingyan immediately stepped forward, pulled Wen Zhi behind him, and stared at Xu Wan coldly.
"Get lost. Stay away from her."
Xu Wan was so furious she pointed at him.
"You disgusting bastard born to be hated—"
Before she could finish—
Wen Zhi stepped forward.
She grabbed Xu Wan's wrist and shoved her hard back onto the sofa.
"Dare insult my husband in front of me?"
"Who do you think you are?!"
"You—you're a junior! How dare you hit your mother-in-law! This is outrageous!"
Wen Zhi crossed her arms, smiling faintly, looking uncannily like Mo Tingyan when he was being roguish and ruthless.
"Who said I didn't hit you?"
"Even if I did, so what?"
"Didn't you like calling the police? Go ahead—call them."
Her smile deepened.
"At the station, explain carefully why I disciplined you."
Xu Wan screamed,
"Because you're an unfilial bitch!"
"Wrong," Wen Zhi corrected lightly.
"Because you engaged in illegal gambling—violating national law."
"You're lying!"
Wen Zhi chuckled.
"In just the last few minutes, I've already gathered evidence of your illegal gambling."
She waved her phone smugly.
"Ever been to prison?"
"Want me to help you call the police?"
Xu Wan stared warily at the phone.
This woman dared to hit her—reporting her would be nothing to her.
After a moment, she finally backed down and turned toward Mo Tingyan.
"Aren't you desperate for me to leave?"
"Fine. Give me money."
"One million. I'll leave immediately."
Mo Tingyan's face turned icy.
Wen Zhi scoffed.
"You think my husband is your personal ATM?"
"Even if we had one million, we wouldn't give it to you."
Xu Wan glared at her.
"You little vixen, stop talking nonsense!"
"I've asked around—captains earn a lot every year. Last time I came, he—"
"Xu Wan!" Mo Tingyan snapped sharply.
But she ignored him completely, rattling on excitedly.
"He gave me one million last time just to get rid of me!"
"That means he has plenty of money!"
"Don't even think about fooling me!"
One million?
Wen Zhi froze.
She turned her head slowly, disbelief written all over her face—
He gave Xu Wan… one million last time?