“Here, son-in-law, have a chicken leg.” Her mother eagerly served Wen Tingyan, using serving chopsticks.
“No, no, no, please give it to father-in-law. Today is his special day.” Wen Tingyan moved his bowl away.
Jian Zhi secretly scoffed—Wen Tingyan didn’t like her family’s cooking at all!
He preferred spicy food but disliked greasy dishes. This pale chicken with its thick layer of oil perfectly hit every one of Wen Tingyan’s pet peeves.
But how could her mother’s enthusiasm be easily stopped?
She kept serving Wen Tingyan, repeatedly emphasizing she was using serving chopsticks. Instantly, Wen Tingyan’s bowl piled up like a mountain.
Watching Wen Tingyan’s trapped yet uncomplaining expression, Jian Zhi could only think: “Serves you right!”
In the past, she would have discreetly moved some food from his bowl to hers to help him out, but today she had no such intention.
You can handle it yourself!
Though Wen Tingyan shot her several glances, she pretended not to notice. His eyes filled with resignation as he took small, difficult bites.
Then, Liu Xiuyun began, “Zhi Zhi ah…”
Here it comes.
Whenever her mother called her “Zhi Zhi,” it meant she needed a favor—asking Jian Zhi but ultimately targeting Wen Tingyan.
Her mother knew well: you don’t complain directly to your son-in-law. You complain to your daughter while the son-in-law listens. This was Jian Zhi’s role as the tool in this family.
“Zhi Zhi ah…” Her mother smiled sweetly, “We have happy news at home!”
Jian Zhi didn’t play along.
Family happy news never concerned her unless it involved asking for money.
When no one bit, her mother continued, “Jian Zhou has a girlfriend.”
Jian Zhi remained silent, but Wen Tingyan chimed in, “That’s wonderful news. Congratulations.”
Jian Zhi could only sneer inwardly. Congratulations? How much would that congratulations cost?
Her mother immediately brightened, “Yes, we’re very happy too, but…” Liu Xiuyun hesitated, sighing, “The girl’s demands are too high. She insists on buying a new house before getting married.”
“Another house?” Jian Zhi frowned, “Wasn’t this house bought for Jian Zhou’s marriage?”
Years ago, they had used the excuse of buying a marital home for her brother to ask Jian Zhi—no, to ask Wen Tingyan—for money.
Her mother looked troubled, “Ah, girls these days are hard to please. She doesn’t want this lived-in house, insists on a new one, and wants her name on the deed…”
“So? What does that have to do with me?” Jian Zhi interrupted her mother, “I have no money. Not a single cent.”
Wen Tingyan tried to speak, but Jian Zhi stomped hard on his foot under the table.
Her mother dropped the pretense, directly appealing to Wen Tingyan with pleading eyes, “Son-in-law, we have no choice but to ask you. Think of it as a loan, we’ll pay you back later…”
“With what will you pay back?” Jian Zhi cut off Wen Tingyan again, “Do you have another daughter to sell? Or should I break another leg?”
BAM! Her father slammed his hand on the table.
After two drinks, her father was about to lose his temper again.
Jian Zhi matched his rage, throwing down her chopsticks, “No need to hit the table—hit me directly! Kill me and end all your schemes! Then everyone can be free!”
“You think I won’t hit you? I’ll beat you to death today! It’ll be like I never had such an unfilial daughter!” Jian Chengjun grabbed a bowl, ready to smash it.
Liu Xiuyun held him down firmly, pleading, “Don’t argue, don’t argue. For our son-in-law’s sake, please don’t make a scene.”
Jian Zhi found it ridiculous. For Wen Tingyan’s sake? As if Wen Tingyan actually cared about them.
Wen Tingyan reached out and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, speaking gently, “Let’s look at the house first. If you like it…”
“There’s no ‘if you like it’!” Jian Zhi shook off his hand and stood up abruptly, staring at her parents and brother across the table. “You want to get married?”
Jian Zhou nodded.
“You want to buy a house?”
Liu Xiuyun was taken aback for a moment, then also nodded, unsure what Jian Zhi was planning.
Jian Zhi sneered, “I have a solution.”
“What is it?” Jian Zhou and Liu Xiuyun asked in unison, their eyes gleaming.
Jian Zhi picked up her purse and said sarcastically, “Wen Tingyan and I get divorced, then Jian Zhou’s girlfriend can marry him. Not just a house—everything Wen Tingyan owns would be hers. Cut out the middleman!”
Her family of three was stunned by her words.
Only Wen Tingyan beside her suddenly burst out laughing.
This surprised Jian Zhi. She had thought her words would offend him. She looked down and saw that he was genuinely laughing, the smile still lingering on his face.
Regardless, there was no point in continuing this meal. She turned and walked out.
Her family didn’t react in time to stop her.
She didn’t care how Wen Tingyan handled the aftermath. She pressed the elevator button.
When the elevator arrived and the doors opened, Wen Tingyan emerged as well, and they entered together.
“What’s going on today? Why so angry?” Wen Tingyan pressed the B1 button.
Jian Zhi took a deep breath. “Wen Tingyan, I want to ask you a question.”
He was slightly taken aback. “Go ahead.”
“How much is my leg worth to you?” Jian Zhi pointed at her own foot.
Wen Tingyan’s eyes darkened. “Why are you asking that?”
Tears welled up in Jian Zhi’s eyes, her heart aching. “I want to know—how much debt are you planning to repay for this leg of mine?”
Wen Tingyan fell silent.
“I know you don’t like them, and I know why you agree to whatever they say. It’s because of this leg, isn’t it? Is there even a limit to the price you’re willing to pay for it? How long do you plan to keep paying for this leg?”
“Jian Zhi…”
The elevator doors opened again. Someone stepped in, but upon seeing Jian Zhi’s red-rimmed eyes and Wen Tingyan standing opposite her, they hesitated about whether to enter.
Wen Tingyan nodded, then gripped Jian Zhi’s shoulders, turning her face toward him to shield her tear-streaked eyes from the stranger.
The conversation couldn’t continue.
The elevator descended to the parking garage.
Without realizing it, Wen Tingyan tightened his grip, and at some point, he had pulled Jian Zhi firmly into his embrace. She was pressed tightly against him.
The stranger quickly left the elevator. Jian Zhi’s breaths were filled with the scent of his shirt. She pushed him away forcefully and strode out.
Wen Tingyan watched her retreating back and followed.
After they got into the car, Wen Tingyan started the engine but didn’t drive off. After a moment of silence, he said, “Jian Zhi, I’ve told you—just live peacefully as Mrs. Wen. You don’t need to stress over these trivial matters. They mean nothing to me.”
“Yes.” Jian Zhi choked out, “To you, money is trivial—whether it’s a house or a car, it’s just a drop in the bucket. But to me, it feels like I sold this leg to you, and you’re constantly paying for it! Wen Tingyan, I don’t like this. Even if you really are paying for my leg, five years is enough. Wen Tingyan, can we just end it here? The transaction is over, the compensation is done, let’s go our separate ways…”
He remained silent and started driving.
A Cantonese song began playing in the car: “I once heard you got married one night, without a trace of a smile, truly afraid to know I was the culprit. Probably back then I didn’t know how to be cautious, my youthful recklessness ruined you, making you taste the bitterness of injury—perhaps even more pitiable. With this conscience, no matter how kind, how can I face a lifetime? I say sorry to you, my conscience is guilty. It turns out a careless mistake can destroy someone’s entire life…”
Every word and phrase pierced her heart. The pain, surging with the music, drowned her like a tide.
Jian Zhi covered her face, tears gushing wildly through her fingers.
“Wen Tingyan, why are you listening to this kind of song? Can we please… stop torturing each other…” She broke down into loud sobs.