At first, Wen Zhi thought Xu Wan was lying.
Until—
She noticed that Mo Tingyan didn't dare meet her eyes.
His gaze shifted left and right, clearly avoiding hers.
That was guilt.
What was he feeling guilty about?
Had he really given Xu Wan one million?
But he… where would he even get that kind of money?
Meanwhile, Xu Wan only cared about one thing—getting paid and leaving as soon as possible. She couldn't care less whether the couple was angry or upset.
She looked straight at Mo Tingyan and said matter-of-factly,
"I'm your mother. Even if you handed over every penny you earn to me, it would be only right."
"And now I'm asking for just one million. You—"
"Shut up!"
Wen Zhi finally snapped.
Her voice was sharp and furious, cutting Xu Wan off mid-sentence.
Seeing Wen Zhi explode, Xu Wan was actually pleased. She turned smugly and sneered,
"I'm talking to my son. Who do you think you—"
She didn't even get to finish—
Wen Zhi suddenly reached out, grabbed Xu Wan by the collar, and dragged her straight toward the bathroom.
Xu Wan tried to slap her away, but to her shock, this slim-looking girl was far stronger than she looked.
She was shoved forcefully into the bathroom.
Before she could rush back out—
Bang!
The door slammed shut from the outside.
Wen Zhi immediately pulled open the nearby cabinet drawer, took out the spare key, and locked the door from outside.
Xu Wan went berserk, pounding on the door and screaming curses.
"You little bitch! Open the door right now!"
But Wen Zhi was far too angry to care.
She turned back and strode straight up to Mo Tingyan, arms crossed, eyes cold and sharp.
"One million."
"Where did it come from?"
"Explain."
"I hate being lied to."
"So I'll give you one chance, Mo Tingyan."
"Try lying to me and see what happens."
Mo Tingyan knew better than anyone—
Once this girl got angry, she wouldn't let anyone touch her or talk her down.
He didn't dare hide anything.
A helpless smile tugged at his lips. He raised a hand, trying to pull her into his arms—
Only to be frozen by one cold glare.
He immediately withdrew his hand, stood properly, and surrendered.
"Alright, alright. Treasure, don't be angry."
"I'll tell you the truth."
"That day she came looking for me. I wanted her gone as fast as possible… so I gave her one million."
Wen Zhi was stunned.
"You had one million?"
"Where did you get it?"
Mo Tingyan answered honestly,
"I made a small investment with Nan Zhong a while ago."
"I saw how anxious you were about the mortgage, so I thought maybe I could pay off part of it early—to make you happy."
"So I went to withdraw the principal and interest from him."
"I was planning to surprise you… but before I could do that, Xu Wan showed up."
Wen Zhi: "..."
She pressed a hand to her forehead.
Listening to the crashing and smashing noises coming from the bathroom, and thinking about that one million—money meant for their mortgage—going straight down the drain…
She suddenly felt dizzy, her heart aching.
Mo Tingyan reached out to steady her arm, but she shook him off sharply.
Her eyes were sharp as knives as she pointed toward the bathroom door.
"Let me ask you something."
"Do you really think throwing money at a bottomless, greedy gambling addict actually solves anything?"
Mo Tingyan frowned slightly and lowered his head, looking pitiful.
"I know it doesn't."
"But at the time, I just wanted her out of my sight as fast as possible."
"Treasure… you don't know how much I hate seeing her."
"Even more, I didn't want you to see her."
"I thought one million was a lot. I thought she'd take it and disappear."
"But I didn't expect—when she had little money, she gambled small."
"And when she had more… she dared to gamble big."
Wen Zhi fell silent.
Thinking about how Mo Tingyan had grown up feeling inferior because of this woman—
She clenched her teeth, turned away angrily, and slumped onto the sofa.
Mo Tingyan knew she was furious.
This was a woman who would get upset if he casually spent a few thousand.
Now one million had vanished right in front of her eyes.
He immediately scooted closer and coaxed her softly.
"Treasure, I really wanted to give you a surprise."
"I never imagined it would turn out like this."
"I was wrong. Please don't be angry, okay?"
Wen Zhi knew—
Being angry now wouldn't help.
They had to solve the problem first.
That one million—
Even if they couldn't get it back, it couldn't be paid in vain.
She pulled her hand out of his grasp, thought for a long moment, then turned to him.
"When she didn't have money before, how did she usually handle it?"
"She went to the Mo family to make trouble."
Wen Zhi's expression darkened.
"Good."
"Since it was the Mo family who brought her out—then let them reap the consequences themselves."
Mo Tingyan was surprised.
"You… know who sent her?"
Wen Zhi didn't hide it.
"After Xu Wan showed up, Mo Tingjue called me."
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
She paused, her voice lowering.
"I didn't want you to feel worse."
Mo Tingyan looked at her, and for some reason, his heart felt warm.
He smiled.
"Then we really are on the same wavelength."
"I already knew too."
"The day I gave Xu Wan the money, she told me Gu Nian was the one who got her out—and even gave her some money to come mess with our relationship."
"I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry."
They exchanged a look.
Neither spoke.
The crashing sounds from the bathroom continued.
After thinking for a moment, Wen Zhi said calmly,
"Later, no matter what I do—don't interfere."
"And don't stop me."
Mo Tingyan nodded without hesitation.
As long as she wasn't angry, she could do whatever she wanted.
Wen Zhi stood up, walked to the bathroom door, and unlocked it.
Xu Wan had never suffered such humiliation. The moment the door opened, she rushed forward, raising her hand to slap Wen Zhi—
Only to have her wrist caught midair.
Mo Tingyan stepped out from behind Wen Zhi, shoved Xu Wan back hard.
She stumbled, then began screaming curses.
"You damned bastard! You dare disobey me—I'm your mother—"
Wen Zhi crossed her arms and cut her off coldly.
"Clean this place up."
"Then come out."
Xu Wan sneered.
"Who do you think you are, telling me to clean?"
Wen Zhi casually lifted her phone and shook it.
"Because of this."
"Don't want to go to prison?"
"Then behave. Clean. Now."
Xu Wan had thought things through in the bathroom.
She didn't believe Wen Zhi would really call the police.
She sneered viciously.
"Don't think I don't know anything."
"My son is a pilot."
"If you call the police and stain my record, his career will be ruined."
"What—are you willing to let him be buried with me?"
Mo Tingyan's eyes turned cold.
"You think I care?"
"It's just a job—"
Wen Zhi shot him a look and cut him off.
"No need to waste words on her."
Then she turned back to Xu Wan, her smile thin and dangerous.
"Xu Wan, let me tell you something."
"Even if I don't call the police—"
"I still have plenty of ways to make sure you won't have a decent life for the rest of your days."
Xu Wan had spent half her life in chaos and never feared threats.
She laughed mockingly.
"Oh really?"
"And how exactly do you plan to deal with me?"
Wen Zhi smiled.
She stepped closer, deliberately invading Xu Wan's space.
She leaned in, her lips close to Xu Wan's ear, and spoke slowly—one word at a time.
"I…"
Her voice was gentle, almost lazy.
Yet the moment Xu Wan heard it—
Her entire face froze.
Every trace of arrogance vanished in an instant.