When Mo Tingyan returned home, he saw Wen Zhi sitting on the sofa, watching TV with a frosty expression. He immediately changed into his slippers, walked over with a shameless grin, and sat beside her.
He studied her face and called softly, "Palm Jewel?"
Wen Zhi ignored him completely.
Mo Tingyan thickened his skin, turned sideways, and gently pressed her down onto the sofa. Holding her hand, he patted his own face a few times, smiling playfully.
"How about you hit me a few times to vent your anger, okay?"
Wen Zhi pulled her hand back, shot him a glare, and pushed at his chest, trying to shove him off.
Seeing that she truly wasn't humoring him, Mo Tingyan felt a little defeated. It seemed that this one million had really crossed her bottom line—his old tricks didn't work anymore.
He sighed and said sincerely, "Palm Jewel, you may not know this, but to me, Xu Wan is like a nightmare. Every time I see her, my mind fills with dirty, terrifying memories…"
Wen Zhi's struggling gradually slowed. She finally looked at him properly.
Mo Tingyan's voice softened, pitiful and low. "If giving her money could make her disappear from my life forever, I'd rather lose everything… just to send her away."
Wen Zhi knew he had his pain. She was angry—not because of the difficulty, but because such a huge matter, such a large sum of money, and he had…
She pretended to sulk and said, "Then why didn't you listen to her the first time she came and told you to break up with me?"
"Because that's impossible." Mo Tingyan answered without hesitation.
"You're not my possession. You're part of my life. You're my wife. I will never treat you as a bargaining chip—ever."
The gloom that had been pressing on Wen Zhi's heart finally eased. Warmth quietly spread through her chest.
Mo Tingyan continued seriously, "I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have hidden it from you and secretly given our money to her. But at that time, I really—"
Wen Zhi cut him off. "I care about the money, yes. But what I hate even more is being deceived. If you had told me the truth the day you came back, even if it hurt, I would have understood. That money was earned by you anyway—I wouldn't have interfered."
Mo Tingyan, still hovering over her, raised his hand solemnly. "I swear, there won't be a next time. Forgive me this once, okay?"
Wen Zhi shot him a sharp look but said nothing.
Mo Tingyan instantly knew—her anger had mostly dissipated. He lowered his head, intending to seal the peace with a kiss, hoping to repay his debt with himself.
But just as his lips were about to touch hers, Wen Zhi suddenly raised her hand and covered his mouth, glaring at him.
Mo Tingyan: "..."
"Palm Jewel, what do you want me to do so you won't be angry anymore? Just say it. I'll do it. Anything."
Wen Zhi said solemnly, "I didn't eat enough at noon. I'm hungry."
Mo Tingyan immediately sat up. "Got it, got it! I'll cook for you right now. But you haven't taught me spicy dishes, so—"
"Just make whatever you can."
"Yes, ma'am."
For the first time in his life, Mo Tingyan was this happy to cook. But once he entered the kitchen, he realized there was no meat at home.
He came back out, heading toward the door. "Palm Jewel, we're out of meat. Wait a bit—I'll go buy some outside the complex."
Wen Zhi glanced at him but didn't respond.
Still, seeing him leave while humming cheerfully, her lips curved unconsciously.
A million gone—and he wasn't even heartbroken.
Having a big heart did have its advantages.
After Mo Tingyan left, Wen Zhi continued watching TV.
After quite a while, the doorbell rang.
Thinking Mo Tingyan had forgotten his keys, Wen Zhi went straight to open the door.
But to her surprise, standing outside was Mo Tingjue—reeked of alcohol, eyes bloodshot.
The moment he saw her, he stepped forward and grabbed her shoulders tightly, questioning her in pain.
"I checked! You got married the day after that incident! When did you hook up with him? Had you already betrayed me long ago? You're nothing but adulterers!"
Wen Zhi didn't restrain herself at all. She raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face.
Her voice was cold. "Are you sober now?"
Mo Tingjue was stunned, frowning as he looked at her.
Wen Zhi said calmly, "Listen carefully. I found Mo Tingyan on the very day you betrayed me—and I deliberately approached him. That was my revenge on you. But deciding to marry him the next day was a choice I made after thinking it through."
"Why?" Mo Tingjue couldn't understand. His grip tightened, his voice hoarse with pain.
"Why would you rather marry him than choose me—the one who guarded you for two years? Two whole years! You said no holding hands, so I didn't. You said don't touch you, and I respected you completely. I never dared to slack off, afraid you'd dislike me. That night… that night I just drank a little. Wen Xue said too many soft words. I got carried away and made one mistake…"
Wen Zhi tried to push him away but couldn't. Her voice turned icy.
"Because I was exhausted. Even someone I trusted that much could betray me. I don't want to waste another two years on a relationship that leads nowhere. Mo Tingjue, what we had is over. I'm married now. Don't come looking for me again."
"Over?" Mo Tingjue roared, shaking his head.
"How could it be over? I treated you as the love of my life! You didn't even give me a chance to make things right—and instead married someone I hate. What am I to you?"
Wen Zhi looked at him quietly. "I once treated you as someone I could spend my life with. You said you respected me—didn't I respect you too? I had countless admirers. Even knowing I had a boyfriend, some still tried their luck. Which one did I not reject cleanly, without leaving even the slightest hope?"
She laughed at herself.
"But what did you do? Wen Xue. The person I hate most in this world—and you slept with her. From the moment you couldn't control yourself, we were already finished."
Mo Tingjue shook his head in agony.
"No, Xiao Zhi, I don't want us to be finished. I love you. I really love you. Mo Tingyan isn't worthy of you. Divorce him. Come back to me. I'm begging you. Otherwise, I'll go insane—I don't even know what I might do!"
As he spoke, he pulled her into his arms and lowered his head to kiss her.
Seeing him drunk and out of control, Wen Zhi turned her face away.
But Mo Tingjue was like a madman. He pressed her against the open door, tugging at her clothes as he tried to force his lips onto hers.
He regretted it—regretted that in those two years, he had never truly made Wen Zhi his.
Today, no matter what,
he had to have Wen Zhi.
He had to make her belong to him—completely.