Seeing Jun Xuanye frown, Lin Xingyao guessed what was on his mind: “Revenge is a dish best served cold. Why rush it in these two days? The one who harmed you is likely Zhao Meijuan. Getting rid of her shouldn’t be difficult.”
Jun Xuanye gave a cold smile. “Just her? That brainless woman is at most someone else’s pawn. I have plenty of ways to deal with her; I just don’t want her to die too easily. Otherwise, how could I make up for these three years in shackles?”
His tone was indifferent as he spoke, yet the murderous intent it carried was impossible to ignore.
Lin Xingyao couldn’t help but recall a comment she had once seen in Jun Xuanye’s file: This man is cold-hearted and vengeful. Anyone who offends him meets a miserable end.
So, Lin Xingyao silently lit a candle for Zhao Meijuan in her heart and settled in comfortably to await the opening act of the show.
In the evening, Jun Zheyuan personally came to call Jun Xuanye downstairs for dinner, saying with a cheerful laugh, “I heard you’ve woken up. The eldest brother and his wife rushed back from H Province especially. Feifei has also returned. See, your face is even bigger than your old man’s. Whenever I come back, I never see them so attentive.”
Jun Xuanye didn’t hesitate to twist the knife: “That’s because every time you come back, it’s to ask for money, and every time you leave, it’s to chase women.”
Despite being the head of this family, Jun Zheyuan had managed to turn himself into a playboy, and even his own son showed him no respect. Back in the day, his father had been repeatedly hospitalized by his antics, so he simply skipped over this unfilial son and passed the position of head of the Jun Family directly to his grandson, Jun Xuanye.
Jun Zheyuan laughed awkwardly. “Xuanye, at least give your father some face in front of outsiders.”
Lin Xingyao raised an eyebrow slightly: Outsiders? Is he talking about me?
The next moment, she felt a warmth on her hand—Jun Xuanye had taken hold of it. He looked up at her and gave a slight smile. “Since we’re married, my wife is my closest family.”
Jun Zheyuan was inexplicably fed a mouthful of dog food and felt indignant. “This brat has never given me a proper smile since he was little. How can he be so gentle with a woman he’s only known for a few days? Does marrying a wife really make you forget your father?”
“Ah, forget it! I’ll go first. Come downstairs soon. Everyone is waiting to dine together.” Jun Zheyuan left with a touch of bitterness.
As soon as the door closed, Lin Xingyao pulled her hand away from Jun Xuanye’s grip. “Don’t touch me casually without my permission in the future.”
Jun Xuanye, having grown up with little contact with girls, had only taken her hand earlier to show respect for Lin Xingyao.
“Jun Zheyuan has always been selfish and ungrateful, often burning bridges after crossing them. When he called you an outsider just now, it was actually a test. If I hadn’t made a gesture, he would have started causing trouble for you next.”
Lin Xingyao scoffed. “Burning bridges? He’d have to see if he has the ability first.”
Jun Xuanye said, “I naturally know you’re not afraid. I just don’t want to cause you too much trouble.”
Ever since she entered this household, his family had been constantly causing trouble for her. At that time, although he knew about it, he could only watch helplessly from the sidelines and even had to rely on her for protection. From now on, he would no longer be so pathetic.
When Jun Xuanye and Lin Xingyao descended from the fifth floor, the spacious dining room was already filled with people. In addition to the previously seen Jun Zheyuan, Zhao Meijuan, and Jun Yufei, there was also an unfamiliar man and woman.
The man wore a crisp suit and gold-rimmed glasses, appearing very refined. He was precisely the eldest young master of the Jun Family, Jun Chenghao, aged 32.
Back when Jun Zheyuan was 17 and still in school, he had already gotten a woman pregnant. Before the child was born, Jun Zheyuan grew fickle and hooked up with someone else, leading to Jun Chenghao’s birth mother committing suicide out of grief and anger after giving birth.
The woman was Jun Chenghao’s wife, Wu Lianlian, originally born into a wealthy and prominent family. However, a few years ago, their business encountered a major crisis and suddenly went bankrupt. Wu Lianlian’s status in her husband’s family plummeted as a result, but fortunately, her husband did not look down on her.
Jun Chenghao said with a cheerful smile, “Second Brother, you look well. It seems you’ve recovered nicely. I’m truly happy for you.”
He also made sure to greet Lin Xingyao: “This must be the new sister-in-law, right? I’ve been away on a business trip these past few days and didn’t have a chance to meet you earlier. Please don’t take offense.”
As he spoke, he glanced at his wife beside him.
Understanding his hint, Wu Lianlian took out a red velvet jewelry box: “This is the wedding gift your elder brother and I prepared for you. Take a look and see if you like it.”
Lin Xingyao accepted the gift and opened it: Good heavens, it was actually a ruby necklace! The necklace’s design was quite beautiful, especially the ruby pendant that sparkled under the light.
Those who didn’t know better might have thought it was very valuable, but Lin Xingyao’s discerning eye immediately recognized that the quality of the gemstone was rather ordinary. The chain was merely plated with a thin layer of K-gold. In plain terms, it was just a showpiece, not worth much at all.
Lin Xingyao didn’t expose the truth, but she didn’t show much enthusiasm either, merely saying calmly, “Thank you, Elder Brother and Sister-in-law.”
“As long as you like it, no need to stand on ceremony among family,” Wu Lianlian said with a bright smile on the surface, while inwardly mocking Lin Xingyao for being rustic and unsophisticated. She had long heard that her father-in-law had found a Chongxi bride for Jun Xuanye, someone from a humble background who likely had never seen fine things. It was enough to give her some leftover trinkets as a gift. Although she wasn’t short on money, she wouldn’t waste it on an outsider.
Nearby, Jun Yufei was holding her pet dog and glanced over from a distance. She couldn’t clearly see the quality of the necklace, only that the style looked nice. She said sourly, “Elder Brother and Sister-in-law, why did you give her a gift as soon as you arrived? I’m also in need of a necklace—why not give one to me?”
Jun Chenghao chuckled, “How old are you now, still asking for gifts? Fine, tomorrow I’ll have your sister-in-law pick one out for you too.”
But then Lin Xingyao spoke up, “Fourth Sister, do you like this necklace? How about I give it to you?”
“Really?” Jun Yufei was a bit incredulous. Was this woman really so easygoing? The other day, she had guarded a few pieces of clothing like treasures. The jewelry given by her elder brother must be valuable—how could she bear to part with it?
Yet she saw Lin Xingyao give a charming smile, publicly take the necklace out of the jewelry box, and even walk over to Jun Yufei’s side.
Jun Yufei thought to herself, “This wild girl is definitely putting on a show of being kind in front of everyone. Hmph, since she dares to pretend, I won’t hold back and will accept it.”
Her heart swelled with smug satisfaction as she reached out to take it. But Lin Xingyao deftly dodged, leaving her grasping at air. Instead, the necklace was casually slipped around the pet dog’s neck. “Not bad, it suits you quite well.”
Jun Yufei was just beginning to feel annoyed when she lowered her gaze and caught a clear look at the necklace’s quality. Instantly, she burst into carefree laughter: “Hahaha, sister-in-law, you’re really too stingy, giving a gold-plated necklace as a gift. Hahaha, but honestly, it looks quite nice on my dog.”
Jun Xuanye spoke coldly: “So this is the gift my eldest brother carefully prepared for my wife? Does he really think that just because I’ve been bedridden for three years, I’ve become useless, and he can fob me off with a fake?”