Xu Chengyi had little patience for this father of hers. “Just say what you need to say.”
Xu Yanle smiled. “Chengcheng, I know you hold a grudge against me, but don’t forget—you carry the Xu surname. You represent our entire family.”
“Now that you’re married into the Song family, you need to listen to the Songs. Don’t throw little tantrums like you do at home.”
“Song Wenzhou may have lost his mind, but that’s acquired, not hereditary. What you need to do right now is have a smart child with him and raise that child well. A mother’s status rises with her child—once you do that, the Songs will definitely think more highly of you.”
Xu Chengyi rolled her eyes. “You’ve been watching too many palace intrigue dramas.”
Xu Yanle wasn’t bothered by her retort. “You’re still young. You’ll understand these things in time.”
Xu Chengyi yawned. “Are you done? Then I’m leaving.”
With that, she turned and walked out, catching sight of Xu Shutong in the distance talking to Song Wenzhou.
Seeing her approach, Xu Shutong tucked away her mournful expression and resumed her usual elegant composure.
Xu Chengyi didn’t spare them a single glance as she stepped into the car.
Song Wenzhou got in right after her.
“Fifth sister, take care. Come back often when you have time.”
Xu Chengyi was truly drained of energy—she couldn’t even be bothered to respond. She closed her eyes and rested her head against the car window.
The car drove smoothly, and the interior was quiet.
Xu Chengyi slept leaning against the window, then with her head drooped, then tilted back—but she never once leaned on Song Wenzhou’s shoulder again.
They arrived back at Banyue Mountain Villa.
Xu Chengyi woke up on her own, but she was still groggy, stumbling as she walked.
Song Wenzhou reached out to steady her.
“Don’t fall.”
She looked up at him for a long moment, then said, “Song Wenzhou, I know you and Xu Shutong used to be together, and you were even engaged. But now she doesn’t want you anymore. You and I are the ones who share a bed now. Don’t cheat on me, or I’ll lose face.”
“Mm.”
Xu Chengyi’s emotions came and went quickly. She immediately flashed him a bright smile. “Let’s go.”
She caught up on sleep all afternoon and was full of energy by evening.
When Song Wenzhou came out of the shower, he saw her sitting at the desk with her legs pulled up, wearing earphones, eyes glued to the computer screen.
He turned to look—the images on the screen were indecent, definitely not suitable for minors.
Xu Chengyi was completely absorbed and hadn’t noticed that Song Wenzhou had already returned to the room.
This was a video she’d gotten from Lin Rui. Some of the scenes were too explicit for her to watch directly, so she covered her eyes with both hands, peeking through her fingers, or fast-forwarding through parts.
Song Wenzhou lay half-reclined on the bed, quietly observing her strange viewing habits, and couldn’t help but find it amusing.
But when his gaze inadvertently landed on the computer screen, his breathing faltered, and he quietly lay down.
After finishing her “studies,” Xu Chengyi took off her earphones and noticed the man was already lying down.
She looked up at the time—only nine o’clock.
She called out softly, “Song Wenzhou.”
No response.
She pursed her lips, turned off the computer, and went to wash up.
At ten-thirty at night, the bedroom lights went off, and Xu Chengyi played on her phone without restraint.
She kept at it until two-thirty in the morning. Feeling her heart thumping wildly, she knew it was time to stop. She put down her phone, coaxed herself to sleep, and resolved to play again tomorrow.
The next morning.
At seven, a knock came at the door right on time: “Second Young Master, Second Young Madam, time to get up.”
Xu Chengyi, sleeping soundly, irritably pulled the blanket over her head.
Song Wenzhou reluctantly got up and opened the door.
Aunt Wu smiled. “Second Young Master, good morning.”
Song Wenzhou’s expression was cold, and he didn’t respond.
Aunt Wu continued, “The Madam has enrolled Second Young Madam in etiquette and social skills classes, as well as economics classes. Please urge her to get up quickly—it wouldn’t be good to be late.”
“Mm.”
Aunt Wu added, “Someone will be coming shortly to style the Young Madam’s outfit and do her makeup.”
“Mm.”
The door closed, and Song Wenzhou said, “You should get up. Mother has enrolled you in etiquette and economics classes.”
Xu Chengyi threw off the blanket and sat up. The thin strap on her shoulder slipped down, offering a glimpse of skin. She slowly let out a sentence: “Why does your family always love to torment me?”
Song Wenzhou discreetly averted his gaze, didn’t take the bait, and turned into the bathroom.
Xu Chengyi picked up her phone and lay back down.
By the time Song Wenzhou finished washing up and came out, she sat up and spoke in a sugary, coaxing voice:
“Honey, can you tell your mom that we were going at it until two-thirty in the morning? You were too intense last night—you’ve left me unable to get out of bed today, so I can’t go to class.”
Song Wenzhou refused flatly: “No.”
Xu Chengyi scrambled up and threw herself into his arms. “Honey, but I’m really, really tired. My head is spinning, my arms can barely lift, and I’d collapse if the wind blew on me. I can take these classes anytime, but you only have one wife—can you bear to see your dear, sweet wife suffer like this…”
It was early morning, and her soft, warm body had just thrown itself onto him. He couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath, then firmly pushed her away.
“Yes, I can bear it,” he said.
Xu Chengyi flopped back onto the bed and pouted. “Song Wenzhou, you’re so heartless.”
Song Wenzhou turned his back to her, a faint smile unconsciously curling at the corners of his lips as he leisurely walked out of the room.
Xu Chengyi had only slept four hours last night and was too exhausted to move.