Wen Zhi had already made up her mind.
As long as he said he wanted a child, she would—from this moment on—add having a child to her future life plans…
With a trace of unconscious anticipation, she looked at Mo Tingyan.
But Mo Tingyan failed to notice her subtle emotions. While driving, he spoke calmly,
"No. Kids are noisy and annoying. You have to manage what they eat, where they sleep, their schooling, their upbringing—just thinking about it gives me a headache. Isn't it better for us to just live our two-person world?"
Wen Zhi's heart cooled slightly.
The chief steward had said that if a man truly loved you, he would naturally want to build a family with you and have children together.
Mo Tingyan rejected the idea so decisively—was it simply because he didn't like children, or… because she never truly mattered in his heart?
Seeing her fall silent, Mo Tingyan freed one hand and pinched her thigh lightly.
"Why aren't you talking?"
Wen Zhi snapped back to her senses.
From the very beginning, Mo Tingyan had been honest—he married her for her body. He had never changed his original intention. She couldn't push him too hard either, or it would only make him feel pressured.
She forced herself to smooth out the disappointment in her heart and curved her lips faintly.
"Nothing. I also think being DINK is pretty good."
She then主动 changed the subject, chatting about the chief steward and her husband instead.
After returning home, Wen Zhi, who couldn't tolerate the heat, rushed into the bathroom to take a quick shower.
When she came out, Mo Tingyan was also showering in the shared bathroom outside.
She transferred the pickled dishes they had brought back into fresh containers and placed them in the fridge. After tidying up the kitchen, she carried the trash downstairs so the food waste wouldn't smell.
The heat outside was scorching.
After throwing the trash bag into the bin, she turned and jogged toward the building entrance.
But after only a few steps, several men suddenly emerged from the corner and blocked her path.
Wen Zhi stopped short.
Seeing their eyes fix on her, it was obvious—they were here for her.
She immediately stepped back warily.
The man leading them ogled her from head to toe with a lecherous gaze and asked,
"You're Wen Zhi?"
Hearing her name made her even more alert.
"Who are you?"
"That old witch didn't lie. You really are a beauty—and a valuable one."
A man behind him chimed in eagerly,
"Yeah, boss. I've been with plenty of women, but I've never seen one this tempting. Why don't we let the brothers have some fun first before selling her?"
The words made Wen Zhi feel sick, but she kept her composure and asked coldly,
"Which one of you sent you?"
Her calling him 'big brother' pleased the leader. He didn't bother with small talk and answered directly,
"Your mother-in-law is named Xu Wan, right? She owes us two million and can't pay it back, so she sold you to us to settle the debt. With your looks, a little grooming and you'll be ready to entertain clients. So—are you coming with us obediently, or do we do this the hard way?"
"Go to hell!" Wen Zhi shouted furiously.
She turned and sprinted away, screaming at the top of her lungs,
"Help! There are human traffickers in the neighborhood! Help!"
The men clearly hadn't expected her to run.
To avoid drawing attention, they chased after her frantically. Someone shouted,
"Don't make this big! Cover her mouth—knock her out!"
This was Wen Zhi's regular neighborhood. She knew the route to the security booth far better than they did.
But they were men—much faster than her.
She hadn't even run twenty meters before someone grabbed her shoulder. She stumbled and fell to the ground.
Reacting instantly, she twisted around and kicked hard between the oncoming man's legs.
Caught off guard, he howled in pain, clutching himself.
The others were instantly enraged—especially the leader. Soaked in sweat from the chase, he seethed with anger. He grabbed Wen Zhi by the hair and raised his hand to slap her—
But before his palm could land, a powerful kick struck his lower back, sending him flying face-first to the ground.
Wen Zhi looked up.
Mo Tingyan—his hair still dripping with water—strode toward her with a tall, imposing figure and helped her up.
Golden sunlight bathed his body like a god descending from the heavens, turning Wen Zhi's eyes red.
He scanned her up and down. When he saw the scrape on her knee, his gaze turned icy.
"Anywhere else hurt?"
Wen Zhi shook her head, suppressing her emotions as she quickly explained,
"Xu Wan owes them two million. She sold me to them to repay the debt—to be trafficked and prostituted."
Mo Tingyan's fists clenched tightly, veins bulging on the backs of his hands. He forced his voice to remain calm.
"Alright. I understand. Go home. I'll handle this."
"But—"
"Be good. I can deal with it. No need to call the police."
By now, the leader had climbed back to his feet, rubbing his aching waist as he cursed,
"You piece of trash. You think you can touch me? Today I'll take your woman, screw her right in front of you, and see if you still dare to act tough!"
Savage fury flashed in Mo Tingyan's eyes.
All reason vanished.
The moment the man ordered his underlings to attack, Mo Tingyan stepped forward and kicked him down again.
Immediately, seven or eight men rushed at him together.
Wen Zhi instinctively turned, grabbed a solid rock from the lawn, and charged back toward the fight.
Even if they were outnumbered, even if they both got hurt—
She wouldn't let Mo Tingyan fight alone.
But in the brief moment she turned back with her 'weapon,' Mo Tingyan had already knocked down three men.
She froze.
She watched as Mo Tingyan used both fists and feet, overpowering one man after another without suffering any disadvantage.
When all of them lay twisted on the ground, crying in pain, Mo Tingyan stood before the leader, straddled his chest, grabbed his collar, and roared,
"You want to touch my woman? Then die! Go to hell!"
He raised his fist and smashed it into the man's face again and again—each punch bone-deep—until the man screamed and begged for mercy.
By the time Wen Zhi snapped back to her senses, the leader's face was swollen beyond recognition.
But Mo Tingyan had completely lost control—there was no sign of stopping.
Wen Zhi stood there, staring blankly at him.
He looked like a demon possessed—face twisted, eyes bloodshot, murderous intent raging.
Her heart trembled.
This… was this really the Mo Tingyan she knew?