Chapter 005: Sob, Thank Goodness Uncle Saved Me

Wen Ni suddenly looked up.

With a loud “bang,” her forehead slammed heavily into Zhou Mingfan’s brow.

A dizzying pain shot through Zhou Mingfan’s head, and he became acutely aware of his own physical reaction toward Wen Ni. Rage and frustration surged within him. How could Wen Ni be worthy of this?

He remembered why he had come here.

Grabbing Wen Ni by the collar, Zhou Mingfan yanked her down forcefully.

The pale lavender lingerie revealed the upper curve of her chest, marked with conspicuous finger-shaped bruises.

What kind of violent passion could leave such traces?

The thought of this woman spreading her legs for another man, servile and fawning, brought a sudden flush of crimson to Zhou Mingfan’s eyes. He gripped her throat, his voice hoarse with fury, “How could you do this… to me? To my brother?”

Wen Ni’s breath was brutally cut off. Her chest heaved, but no sound escaped her throat.

Zhou Mingfan has lost his mind!

Her eyes reddened, and a flurry of golden sparks danced before her vision. The world spun wildly. As her consciousness faded, she thought that if she ended up in the underworld, she must tell Zhou Linchuan to come and take away this impostor who pretends to be him.

Suddenly, with a loud crash, the door was kicked open.

Zhou Jingyi entered just in time to see Zhou Mingfan with his hands around Wen Ni’s neck, intent on killing her.

Zhou Jingyi’s gaze flickered with violent intensity.

He strode directly to the bed, landing a punch on Zhou Mingfan’s face. Before Zhou Mingfan could react, he was kicked to the floor.

Stunned, Zhou Mingfan scrambled up, panic-stricken.

He looked at Wen Ni, who lay motionless on the bed, as if lifeless.

His complexion changed.

He watched as Zhou Jingyi slapped Wen Ni’s face, but she showed no response.

Zhou Mingfan clambered to his feet and hurried out in confusion.

Without hesitation, Zhou Jingyi began performing artificial respiration on Wen Ni.

A few minutes later.

Wen Ni gasped for breath, instinctively raising her arms to push away the man in front of her, but Zhou Jingyi caught her hands.

His lips pressed into a thin line. “Wen Ni, it’s me.”

Hearing Zhou Jingyi’s hoarse voice, Wen Ni awakened as if from a dream.

She sat up and threw herself into Zhou Jingyi’s embrace. “Thank goodness you saved me, Uncle.”

Her clothes were already disheveled.

As she sat up, her shirt slipped from her arms, pooling at her waist.

The door was still wide open…

Zhou Jingyi pressed his hands to her shoulders. The warmth of her skin beneath his palms was soft and enticing. “Wen Ni, let go.”

Wen Ni whimpered, sneaking a sidelong glance at Zhou Jingyi’s expression. “I almost died, and you’re so fierce with me.”

Zhou Jingyi pushed her away. “Why did Linchuan try to choke you?”

Wen Ni’s eyes darted slyly.

Her gaze fell on the phone propped upright on the bedside table. She lifted her arm. “Look! ‘Zhou Linchuan’ wanted to take indecent photos of me to blackmail me into fooling around with him in the future.”

A trace of suspicion flickered in Zhou Jingyi’s deep eyes.

After all, it was Zhou Linchuan who had chosen Shen Xue’ning and abandoned Wen Ni in the first place.

Wen Ni pulled the quilt up, wrapping herself tightly, her large, round eyes filled with grievance. “What’s with that look? Are you blaming the victim?”

Zhou Jingyi: “…”

Wen Ni climbed out of bed.

Zhou Jingyi frowned, the curve of his mouth turning cold. “Where are you going?”

Wen Ni ignored him.

She wrapped herself more tightly in the quilt and marched forward.

From Zhou Jingyi’s angle, Wen Ni looked like an upright, wriggling, white silkworm inching its way across the floor…

Zhou Jingyi said, “Have you gone mute?”

Wen Ni retorted angrily, “Don’t talk to me! You’re all the same, I’m going to find Grandma to stand up for me.”

She had just reached the doorway when the man grabbed the end of her quilt and dragged her back, closing the door behind them.

Wen Ni turned to glare at him, her beautiful amber eyes full of disdain. “What are you doing?”

With one hand, Zhou Jingyi spun her around and pressed her against the door, pulling away her silk quilt. “Is this how you intend to appear before the old lady?”

Wen Ni’s face flushed red.

She shot the man a baleful look. “It’s all your fault! Now I have to swallow this humiliation in silence.”

Zhou Jingyi tilted his chin arrogantly. “Wen Ni, weren’t you twisting around like a worm, raising yourself up for me to touch?”

Wen Ni’s eyes nearly popped out. “If you listen to me so well, why didn’t you slow down when I asked you to?”

Knock, knock, knock.

Suddenly, there was a rhythmic rapping at the door, vibrating through Wen Ni’s shoulder as she pressed against the door panel.

Startled, Wen Ni instinctively leapt into Zhou Jingyi’s arms.

He held her by the waist with one hand. “Answer.”

Wen Ni called out hoarsely, “I’m sleeping.”

Zhou Jingyi: “…”

The butler’s gentle voice came from outside, “Master is in the study and wishes to see you.”

Wen Ni looked up.

Zhou Jingyi glanced at her. “Agree.”

Wen Ni replied, “Alright, I’ll be right there.”

They heard the butler’s footsteps retreating.

Wen Ni let out a long breath. “That scared me.”

Realizing belatedly that she was still in Zhou Jingyi’s arms, she wrapped her arms around his waist. “Did you just give me artificial respiration?”

Zhou Jingyi set her on the bed and left the room in exasperation.

Ten minutes later.

Wen Ni, dressed in white, appeared at the door of the old master’s study.

Accompanied inside by the butler, Wen Ni saw Zhou Jingyi playing chess with the old master.

Neither of the two men acknowledged her presence.

Wen Ni obediently stood there, unmoving.

Not until the old master lost did he laugh with that special tone unique to the wealthy. “I thought your years abroad would have dulled your chess skills, but you toyed with me for ten minutes and then took me down in two or three.”

He turned around, sitting up straight.

His sharp, profound gaze fixed on Wen Ni, and after a long moment, he spoke. “Strictly speaking, Mingfan has just left, so you shouldn’t be busy right now. However, the third-quarter launch of the collaborative haute couture dress with the international luxury brand is approaching, so I’m afraid you can’t slack off.”

Wen Ni nodded quietly.

She spoke softly, “Grandfather, please rest assured. This dress was designed by Mingfan and me together. I believe Mingfan would want to see the finished piece on the runway this year as well. I’ll overcome my emotions and devote myself to the work.”

The old master’s tone softened slightly. “You’ve worked hard.”

Wen Ni shook her head.

But she slowly lifted her eyes, her timid gaze landing on the old master. “Grandfather, I have a small request…”

He motioned for her to speak.

Wen Ni said, “Perhaps it’s because Mingfan just left, but I don’t feel like going out or seeing people at the moment. Would you allow me to temporarily move my office home exactly as it is, so I can complete the silk tapestry gown here?”

The old master nodded.

He instructed the butler, “Go make the arrangements. Whatever the young madam needs, see that she has it.”

The butler hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Young madam, how much space will you require?”

Wen Ni replied softly, “My workspace is about two hundred square meters.”

The butler glanced hesitantly at the old master.

Land was precious in the Zhou family’s old residence. It would be difficult to find such a large vacant room on short notice.

After a moment’s thought, the old master said, “Isn’t Jingyi the only one living on the sixth floor? Since he’s rarely home, just keep a study and bedroom for him and let Wen Ni use the rest for her silk tapestry work.”

Zhou Jingyi shot Wen Ni an unhappy glance.

She lowered her eyes, demure and silent—a model of proper upbringing, accepting the arrangement without protest.

Zhou Jingyi gave a short, scoffing laugh.

Wen Ni really should perform in the opera, for she was a natural-born actress.

The butler hurried to carry out the instructions.

As soon as he opened the door, he was startled to find “Zhou Linchuan” crouching at the threshold. “Third young master, what are you doing here?”

Zhou Mingfan forced a stiff smile. “I have something to discuss with Grandfather.”

The butler made a gesture of invitation.

Zhou Mingfan nodded slightly, straightening his posture as he entered the old master’s study.

He approached and stood beside Wen Ni.

She was about to excuse herself when Zhou Mingfan spoke. “Sister-in-law, please wait a moment. What I have to say concerns you as well.”