Sure enough, upon hearing this, Jun Zheyuan immediately turned hostile: “I never expected you to be so reckless. Being careless is one thing, but harboring malicious intent to harm my son is another!”
Zhao Meijuan continued to fuel the fire: “Exactly, our Jun Family cannot have such a daughter-in-law. Otherwise, Xuanye might even be killed by her.”
Jun Zheyuan coldly stated: “It seems you are not suited to be our Jun Family’s daughter-in-law. Leave now. I will find another wife for Xuanye.”
Was this what they called summoning someone at will and dismissing them just as easily? But there is another saying: “It’s easy to invite a god, but hard to send one away.”
Lin Xingyao smiled: “I am now Xuanye’s lawful wife. Unless my husband personally says so, no one can casually tell us to divorce.”
Zhao Meijuan never expected Lin Xingyao to dare talk back to Jun Zheyuan. This was just as well, giving her even more reason to kick her out.
“Whether you want a divorce or not is not up to you. Call the security team and throw this wild girl out!”
Just then, a cold and hoarse voice rang out: “Who dares lay a hand on my wife, Jun Xuanye’s wife?!”
The moment the voice sounded, everyone was shocked.
Immediately after, the door opened, and Jun Xuanye slowly emerged in a wheelchair. His face was still somewhat pale, but his entire demeanor had completely changed. His eyes were no longer vacant and dull but instead darkly fixed on everyone, cold enough to freeze everything around him.
The current servants had all been replaced over the past two years and were unfamiliar with the former Second Young Master. However, Zhao Meijuan was the first to sense that he had truly returned! The Jun Xuanye of the past, though sparing with words, could intimidate everyone with just a glance, had returned!
Aside from Lin Xingyao, the happiest person present was probably Jun Zheyuan.
“Ah, Xuanye, you’ve actually regained consciousness? Do you recognize your father?”
Jun Xuanye lifted his gaze and gave him a cold look: “Dad, long time no see.”
It truly had been a long time. This father, who claimed to care for his son, had initially visited frequently after his son fell ill. Later, he grew weary and focused only on his own pleasures and enjoyment outside. It had been a full three months since his last visit to Jun Xuanye!
If it weren’t for his foolishness and indulgence, Jun Xuanye would not have suffered so terribly.
Jun Zheyuan failed to detect the sarcasm in his son’s words and eagerly moved to embrace him, but Jun Xuanye turned his wheelchair, avoiding the gesture.
His gaze fixed directly on Zhao Meijuan: “What, you want to drive away my wife?”
Zhao Meijuan had always feared this man who was like a god of death, and now she stammered nervously, unable to form a coherent sentence.
Jun Xuanye swept his eyes over the surrounding servants. “If you can’t even handle a minor issue like an elevator malfunction, what use are you, these useless lot? By the end of today, collect your wages and leave.”
All the servants in the household were Zhao Meijuan’s people, cultivated over many years. Was he going to replace them all just like that?
But before Zhao Meijuan could speak, Jun Zheyuan had already agreed: “Replace them! New people, new atmosphere—as long as it makes you happy, Xuanye!”
Zhao Meijuan: “…” After three years, this man was still as spineless as ever, blindly obeying his son’s every command!
At this point, Zhao Meijuan could only ask with concern: “Xuanye, are you still feeling unwell? Should we call Doctor Zhang to examine you?”
“That quack?” Jun Xuanye sneered. “No need.”
Not only would he never use that quack doctor again, but he would also send him to prison! Did they think that just because he had been ill for a few years, he didn’t know what they had been up to?
“Xuanye, why don’t we send you to the hospital for a check-up…” Before Jun Zheyuan could finish, Jun Xuanye rudely turned his wheelchair toward Lin Xingyao and said, “Wife, let’s go back to our room.”
Lin Xingyao pushed him into the room and closed the door, shutting out all the curious and probing gazes.
She peeled an apple for him and said, “Your body hasn’t fully recovered yet. Why did you suddenly come out?”
Today, Jun Xuanye had recovered even more, speaking fluently and even managing to stand up and take a few slow steps. However, it would likely take another day or two before he could walk briskly.
“You were being bullied, so of course I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing,” Jun Xuanye said seriously, looking at Lin Xingyao. “You saved me, and I will repay you. Whatever you want, you can have it.”
Through their interactions over the past two days, Jun Xuanye knew that Lin Xingyao was no simple person and that her purpose in coming to the Jun Family was not pure. But none of that mattered. She had saved his life, freeing him from the humiliation of being treated like a madman. What could be more important than that?
Lin Xingyao burst into laughter, and seeing his earnest expression, she suddenly felt like teasing him.
“Whatever I want? How about you?” As she spoke, she even reached out and lifted his chin. “Not bad-looking. You barely pass muster in this young lady’s eyes.”
It was meant as a joke, but Jun Xuanye’s face instantly flushed red. He turned his head away and slowly replied, “Alright.”
After a pause, he added, “As long as you’re willing, you will always be the Jun Family’s Er Shao Furen. I will also fulfill my duties as a husband, respecting and honoring you for the rest of my life.”
Lin Xingyao raised an eyebrow. “Just respect and honor me, but not love me?”
Jun Xuanye said guiltily, “I’m sorry, but my heart truly cannot be given to you. Five years ago, it was already given to another girl. Like you, she was also my savior, but unfortunately, I have never been able to find her. It may sound heartless to say this, but I’d rather be honest now than deceive you. Aside from that, you can have anything you want—reputation, status, money, even my life.”
“So you’re a devoted romantic after all,” Lin Xingyao laughed heartily, completely unfazed. After all, she was only here temporarily for a mission, and keeping emotions out of it was better for both of them.
“Alright then, let’s agree to be a couple in name only for now. When you find the girl you love, I’ll step aside as Er Shao Furen so you two can be together.”
Hearing her say this, Jun Xuanye thought she was magnanimous and selfless. Moved, he said earnestly, “Don’t worry, since you are my wife, I will never wrong you. Finding her is just to fulfill a wish. In the future, unless you fall in love with someone else and no longer want the position of the Jun Family’s Er Shao Furen, no one can force you to leave.”
His expression darkened. “To be honest, I’ve been searching for her for years but have found nothing. Everyone tells me she’s most likely no longer alive. But I don’t believe it. I always feel she’s somewhere in this world.”
Lin Xingyao grinned broadly and comforted Jun Xuanye, “I’ll help you look into it later.”
If she really wanted to find someone, there were probably few people in the world she couldn’t track down.
Jun Xuanye did not take Lin Xingyao’s words to heart, instead asking, “How many more days until my body fully recovers?”
“At the earliest tomorrow, at the latest the day after, you’ll be able to move around like a normal person. However, since you’ve been ill for three years, your body has been severely depleted. You’ll need to recuperate for a while and avoid overexertion.”