Before Xu Yao arrived, Lin Meixian was so overcome with anger and anxiety she couldn't even get out of bed, looking utterly dejected.
After an unknown conversation between mother and daughter, Lin Meixian regained enough energy to escort Xu Yao downstairs.
Fearing his daughter would stir up trouble again, Wen Zhicheng sternly insisted Wen Yiyi return to her room to rest. By the time Xu Yao descended the stairs, only Wen Zhicheng remained.
"It's so late. Why not stay the night?"
Wen Zhicheng asked Xu Yao. Lin Meixian quickly interjected, "She's married now! How could she leave her husband at home and spend the night out? But it's so late, and I don't feel comfortable letting her go back alone. Zhicheng, have the driver take her home."
Xu Yao agreed, "Mom's right. I won't be staying."
Even if no one was waiting for her at home, Xu Yao wouldn't have stayed overnight at the Wen residence.
Wen Yiyi guarded this territory like a little dog. Xu Yao staying at the Wen house would be an invasion of Wen Yiyi's territory—she'd tear the roof off.
As the Wen family driver drove Xu Yao away, Wen Zhicheng asked Lin Meixian, "Did you thoroughly investigate the groom's background?"
Lin Meixian gave a bitter smile. "He's not a bad match, but how could he compare to Shen Yan? Yao'ao is such a stubborn child. Now that it's done, I only worry she'll suffer in the future."
Wen Zhicheng clearly shared her concerns. "Young people are all headstrong. Rest assured, if Yao Yao truly can't endure it, I won't stand idly by. This family's door will always be open to her."
Though he didn't mention repaying Xu Yao's debts, as her stepfather, he wouldn't let her go hungry.
Lin Meixian looked deeply moved. "Zhicheng, thank you!"
Wen Yiyi watched from her second-floor window as the family driver escorted Xu Yao away.
Earlier, Wen Zhicheng had summoned her to his study for a father-daughter talk. He made it crystal clear: everything in the Wen household would be hers someday. Xu Yao wouldn't take away his affection or the family's wealth.
Wen Yiyi found it hard to believe. Even if Xu Yao didn't take the family's money, what about Lin Meixian?
Wen Zhicheng lost his temper, saying Lin Meixian would be his wife. It was only natural for a man to provide for his wife, so of course Lin Meixian could spend the Wen family's money.
He had never remarried precisely because he feared a stepmother might mistreat Wen Yiyi. Now that she was grown, he was finally considering it—wasn't that proof he cared deeply for her?
Wen Zhicheng urged Wen Yiyi to see things from his perspective, to consider his position too.
She refused to listen, convinced her father had been completely bewitched by that old fox.
Now she stood alone in defending the Wen family.
In front of Wen Zhicheng, Wen Yiyi humbly apologized. Privately, she messaged Uncle Liu, the driver: "When you take Xu Yao home, observe carefully. See if she's truly married."
Nearly an hour later, the driver returned.
Yi Yi yawned as she asked Uncle Liu, "How did Xu Yao's wedding go?"
"Miss Xu moved into Shenghai Garden. When I went upstairs, her husband was still awake. He's quite young and handsome."
The driver spoke truthfully. Yi Yi perked up immediately. "They're really living together?"
The driver nodded. "It didn't look fake."
Wen Yiyi couldn't wrap her head around it. "Living in Shenghai Garden? The conditions can't possibly be as good as Shen Yan's. What good is being handsome? Xu Yao has truly lost her mind!"
At first, Wen Yiyi had assumed Xu Yao was playing hard to get. But now that Uncle Liu had confirmed Xu Yao's whirlwind marriage and cohabitation, Wen Yiyi found herself even more baffled by Xu Yao's motives.
Has Xu Yao lost her mind?
Besides Shen Yan, that sucker, who would willingly bail out the Xu family's debts?
Even if Xu Yao was dead set on becoming a deadbeat debtor, could she really be content with an ordinary life?
If Xu Yao was willing to sink so low, how could Wen Yiyi not lend a hand? She immediately sent Xu Yao's current situation to Shen Yan.
—Xu Yao's surprisingly open-minded. After all those years together, she broke up with you and rushed into marriage with someone else almost immediately. Oh, and my driver met her new husband—he's quite handsome.
Shen Yan must have been asleep, as he didn't reply to Wen Yiyi's message. She wasn't in a hurry.
After fighting for so long, Wen Yiyi had finally secured her victory. That night, she slept exceptionally soundly....
Shenghai Garden.
Xu Yao hadn't expected Gu Jun to be home when she returned.
He hadn't replied to her messages, so she'd assumed he wasn't coming back.
Wen Zhicheng's driver insisted on escorting Xu Yao upstairs. Unable to refuse, she reached for her keys to unlock the door when it swung open from the inside. Gu Jun, dressed in casual loungewear, politely thanked the driver for bringing Xu Yao home.
"Let me pick you up next time. No need to trouble others."
In the eyes of Uncle Liu, the driver, Gu Jun was a handsome and considerate man. Xu Yao, however, couldn't quite figure out what had gotten into him.
But Uncle Liu was the Wen family's driver. After returning from here, Lin Meixian might ask about the situation. Xu Yao immediately played along with Gu Jun's act of affection. "Next time, I'll definitely ask you to pick me up. It was too late tonight, and I
worried you'd be late for work tomorrow."
Gu Jun smiled. "It's fine. I couldn't sleep anyway until you got home." Even Xu Yao, the one involved, felt goosebumps on her arms—let alone an outsider like Uncle Liu.
Uncle Liu exchanged a few polite words and hurried away.
Gu Jun closed the door, his tone shifting instantly. "Next time you go somewhere, tell me. I don't even know if I should lock the door."
"I went to see my mom. She went to my rental place looking for me and got upset when I wasn't there. I'll definitely let you know next time I go out. Likewise, shouldn't you notify me when you're coming home?"
People have mouths for a reason—Xu Yao explained her whereabouts and immediately seized the opportunity to push further.
It couldn't be that Gu Jun alone demanded she report her movements. Before making such a request, he should practice what he preached!
Gu Jun turned to look at Xu Yao, his expression impenetrable. After a long moment, he uttered a single word: "Fine."
Xu Yao took a half step back. "I kept you up late tonight. How about I buy you breakfast tomorrow? Consider it my apology."
"No need."
Gu Jun declined. "You don't know my tastes, nor my schedule."
Xu Yao had hoped Gu Jun would accompany her to meet Lin Meixian another day. If he continued this icy formality, wouldn't it blow her cover? Pushing her luck, she blocked his path. "This is my first marriage too. I don't know how other wives and husbands interact, but you should give me a chance to learn. Even if we can't be a loving couple in the conventional sense, can't we at least be good roommates while this marriage lasts?"
Xu Yao had a point, and Gu Jun couldn't afford to be too cold. Reluctantly, he relented, "I'm not picky. Whatever you buy is fine."
Only after Gu Jun returned to his room did a smile finally appear on Xu Yao's face.
Who doesn't have a little temper?
Xu Yao wasn't afraid of Gu Jun's eccentric temper—she feared being unable to communicate with him!
The night passed without incident. Early the next morning, Xu Yao, this chosen worker, was roused by her alarm clock. She went downstairs to buy breakfast for Gu Jun before heading off to work.
At nine o'clock, Gu Jun glanced at the dining table before leaving.
Uncertain of Gu Jun's preferences, Xu Yao had deliberately bought two breakfasts: one with millet porridge and steamed buns, the other with coffee and a sandwich.
"Pick whichever you like. I'll put the leftovers in the fridge for when I get back tonight."
Gu Jun noticed Xu Yao's note.
Xu Yao really knew how to live frugally now—saving leftovers for dinner. Back in high school, she'd often treat the entire boys' basketball team to drinks… For some reason, Gu Jun ended up taking both breakfasts with him.
…
When Gu Jun arrived at the office, Jiang Zhiyan looked at him pitifully, his eyes puffy like a panda's.
"Did you bring me breakfast?"
Jiang Zhiyan reached out to take the bag from Gu Jun's hand, but Gu Jun refused. "It's not for you."
"Huh? There are clearly two portions—"
"I'm feeling extra hungry today. Can't I just eat two portions?"
Gu Jun declared with righteous indignation. Jiang Zhiyan was speechless. "Back then you were generous enough to give me extra shares, but now you're nitpicking over a single breakfast?"
Gu Jun ignored Jiang Zhiyan, who began circling him with a mischievous grin.
"This isn't some legendary 'love breakfast,' is it? Last night I didn't get a chance to ask—when are you planning to introduce your new wife?"
Jiang Zhiyan was intensely curious about Gu Jun's new bride. He desperately wanted to know what kind of rival his sister, Jiang Mingjia, had lost to!
Gu Jun, however, had no intention of satisfying Jiang Zhiyan's curiosity.
"You'll meet her when the time is right. By the way, don't mention my marriage to anyone. I don't want too many people knowing."
If it turned out Xu Yao really was sent by the Shen family, Gu Jun's marriage would become utterly ridiculous.
The fewer people who knew about this embarrassing affair, the better.
Seeing Gu Jun's serious expression, Jiang Zhiyan adopted a solemn tone himself. "Rest assured, I'm tight-lipped!"
Jiang Zhiyan filled in the blanks in his mind, assuming Gu Jun was protecting his new wife.
Gu Jun offered no further explanation, letting Jiang Zhiyan's misunderstanding stand.
Having eaten two breakfasts, Gu Jun felt drowsy in the office that morning. He found himself oddly curious about Xu Yao's expression when she returned home that night, opened the fridge, and saw both breakfasts gone.
Gu Jun had a heavy workload to tackle today. When he finally found time to check his phone in the afternoon, Xu Yao had already beaten him to reporting her whereabouts.
"I won't be home for dinner tonight. Not sure what time I'll make it back. My ex showed up at the office again. I'm determined to settle things with him once and for all today!"
Gu Jun read this text message over and over, three times.
Xu Yao's tactics were baffling him!
Was this really a status update?
It felt more like a provocation!
Did Xu Yao actually expect him to show up and face off with Shen Yan?
Gu Jun sneered. If he did go, Xu Yao and Shen Yan's little drama would be ruined.