Chapter 034: Zhou Mingfan Calls Wen Ni "Wife"

Wen Ni instinctively released the drawer handle and quickly ran to the silk tapestry screen. On the other end of the phone, something was said, and Zhou Jingyi’s gaze fell upon Wen Ni. “She’s quite obedient, don’t worry. I’m watching her.” Wen Ni placed one hand on the screen, half her body hidden behind it, quietly muttering complaints about Zhou Jingyi. She watched as Zhou Jingyi ended the call, then stood at the doorway, refusing to leave.

Taking a deep breath, Wen Ni glanced at the screen a couple of times before finally walking up to Zhou Jingyi. Her face pale, she said coldly, “Get out of my way. A good dog never blocks the path.” Zhou Jingyi remained unmoved. Wen Ni shoved him hard, anger burning in her chest as she stormed out.

Zhou Jingyi’s body twisted slightly, leaning casually against the wall. He stared thoughtfully at Wen Ni’s retreating figure.

Returning to the sixth floor, Wen Ni sat before the silk weaving loom, resigned to her fate as a miserable silk worker. The sense of uselessness gnawed at her. She couldn’t conceive a child; the truth remained elusive. Why was she so foolish? She thought of her grandmother lying unconscious in the hospital, of being abandoned by Zhou Linchuan at their wedding, of Zhou Mingfan’s words when he claimed he would impersonate Zhou Linchuan. Her life, it seemed, was nothing but a farce.

What had she ever done to deserve this? Everyone treated her as if she were a foreigner, as if tormenting her was some sport. Unable to help herself, Wen Ni wiped her tears with her sleeve. She hadn’t intended to cry, but the emotions overwhelmed her. Trying to wipe away her tears only made them flow faster. Tears streamed incessantly, forcing Wen Ni to hurriedly grab tissues, fearful they might fall onto her work.

Zhou Jingyi stood behind her, witnessing the entire scene.

That evening, Wen Ni stretched, preparing to finish for the day. Zhou Jingyi emerged from his room.

“Wen Ni.”

Wen Ni kept her gaze straight ahead, pretending not to hear, heading downstairs. Zhou Jingyi casually tossed a string of beads to her.

She was momentarily stunned, failing to catch it. The beads landed heavily on the ground. After a brief pause, she eagerly bent down to pick them up. When she looked up to thank Zhou Jingyi, he had already turned and left.

Wen Ni tucked the beads into her chest, dashed downstairs, and hurried to her room to compare them. The beads were identical in every detail.

Apart from the slight difference in the grain, it was clear: they were wooden beads, carved from the same material. Therefore, the person responsible for her grandmother’s fall—the one who rendered her a vegetable—was someone who possessed this string of beads.

Wen Ni put away the beads, planning to return Zhou Jingyi’s string to him. She stepped outside and met Zhou Mingfan, who was visibly drunk.

Zhou Mingfan squinted, finally making out Wen Ni’s features. He suddenly walked over and grabbed her hand. “Honey, I’m drunk. I feel terrible.”

Her heart felt as if it had been struck hard. In an instant, disgust and revulsion washed over her. She pushed Zhou Mingfan away with force. He stumbled, looking confused and aggrieved. “Honey, I promise I won’t drink again next time. Please don’t be angry.”

He reached to embrace Wen Ni, relying on the habit that whenever they quarreled, a hug would soothe her anger. Wen Ni’s fury was intimidating, but she was always easy to placate.

As Zhou Mingfan opened his arms and moved toward her, Shen Xue’ning suddenly opened her door, just in time to witness the scene.

Her expression changed instantly. She strode over. “Linchuan, you’ve got the wrong person. She’s Wen Ni.” Shen Xue’ning firmly wrapped her arms around Zhou Mingfan’s, smiling at Wen Ni. “Linchuan is drunk and must have mistaken you for me. Don’t take it to heart.”

Wen Ni looked at Shen Xue’ning with a half-smile. Shen Xue’ning kept up her polite smile. “Sorry, we’ll head back to our room now.”

Zhou Mingfan pushed Shen Xue’ning away.

The three stood apart, forming a triangle.

Zhou Mingfan tried to approach Wen Ni again. Shen Xue’ning darted forward and slapped him hard.

Silence fell instantly.

The pain brought Zhou Mingfan back to his senses. He rubbed his face with both hands. “Ning Ning…”

Shen Xue’ning breathed out, relieved. “You went too far, almost mistaking Wen Ni for me and offending her!”

Hearing this, cold sweat broke out on Zhou Mingfan’s forehead. “Ning Ning, don’t be angry. I didn’t mean it. I mistook her for you because I drank too much.”

He quickly grabbed Shen Xue’ning’s hand. “Ning Ning, I love only you.”

Wen Ni felt her stomach churn.

Shen Xue’ning forcibly suppressed her annoyance. “It’s fine, but you should apologize to Wen Ni.”

Zhou Mingfan glanced at Wen Ni, said nothing, and left holding Shen Xue’ning’s hand.

Wen Ni muttered about lunatics and, losing interest in finding Zhou Jingyi, returned to her room.

—

Next door.

Fragrant warmth, tangled bodies.

But at the crucial moment, it still didn’t work.

Zhou Mingfan rolled over onto his back. “I… I’m sorry, Xue’ning.”

Shen Xue’ning lay gasping for breath. “It’s okay, I understand. I don’t blame you.”

Though she spoke softly, a storm was brewing within her.

Shen Xue’ning put all the blame on Wen Ni. At the banquet of the Lost and Found Society, she was determined to push Wen Ni into utter ruin.

Closing her drowsy eyes, she slowly got up, saying she needed to wash.

In the bathroom, she took out a small box from the shelf, retrieving a lifelike toy to satisfy herself. The tool, once a playful purchase with Zhou Linchuan, had now become her mainstay.

But a tool is a tool; it could never compare to a real person.

Shen Xue’ning hastily sought release, then sat in the bathtub, her gaze vacant, lost in thought.

Something was missing.

It wasn’t satisfying, not truly comfortable.

She couldn’t help but wonder: Was Zhou Mingfan truly incapable, or just incapable with her?

His physique was no worse than Wen Ni’s, right?

She reached out again, gripping the now neglected toy.

—

Weekend.

Wen Ni’s work was halfway done—a Phoenix Amidst Peonies. The completed portion was mostly peonies, vibrant and yet tasteful, with a unique charm.

Proudly, Wen Ni introduced her work to Zhou Jingyi. “Peonies are my specialty.”

Zhou Jingyi raised an eyebrow. “So you’re giving peonies to Jiang Shaozhang?”

Wen Ni slapped her forehead. “I’d forgotten! I promised Jiang Shaozhang a peony picture. What do you think I should make it into? A sachet? A lucky charm? Or a car ornament?”

Zhou Jingyi glanced at her and headed downstairs.

Wen Ni followed closely behind, looking up at Zhou Jingyi’s striking profile with a smile. “Are you really coming with me?”