That voice was no less terrifying than Sadako’s.
Wen Zhiyun froze instantly, her steps halting abruptly. Caught red-handed, a thin layer of sweat broke out on her back from sheer guilt.
She didn’t dare turn around at all.
On the other hand, Qiao Jialv was quite the social butterfly upon seeing Cen Zhen.
“This must be my sister-in-law.”
“Sister-in-law, hello, I’m Qiao Jialv, A Yun’s childhood friend, and also a junior assistant learning under Brother Yuan.”
Qiao Jialv had a bright and handsome face, and when he smiled, a small dimple appeared at the corner of his right mouth.
He looked harmless and easy to get along with.
As the saying goes, you don’t hit someone who smiles at you.
Cen Zhen curved her lips into a smile. “Hello.”
Wen Zhiyun stood with her back to them, not daring to turn around for a long time. Fu Linyuan’s calm gaze fixed on her, his thin lips moving slightly.
“For no reason at all, why are you following us?”
Having grown up with Wen Zhiyun, Qiao Jialv knew all too well how much of a brother-obsessed fan she was.
Knowing she was thin-skinned and stubborn, too embarrassed to state her purpose, he quickly glanced at the bags Fu Linyuan was holding and hurriedly smoothed things over. “Brother Yuan, Sister-in-law, you’re buying groceries, planning to go home and cook, right?”
Cen Zhen smiled without saying a word.
Fu Linyuan, however, stared unblinkingly at the back of Wen Zhiyun’s head, his tone growing even colder. “Wen Zhiyun, speak!”
During this time, Qiao Jialv had been learning under Fu Linyuan and had somewhat figured out his temper.
Knowing he was on the verge of anger now, he quickly nudged Wen Zhiyun’s arm, hoping she’d soften up.
But the girl remained unmoved.
Standing stiffly, like a wooden stake.
Helpless, he could only force an awkward smile and explain on her behalf. “Brother Yuan, A Yun wanted to apologize to you, but you know her temper. She’s not good with words and doesn’t know how to express it.”
“…”
Silence.
Qiao Jialv rubbed his nose, not feeling embarrassed at all, and continued on his own. “Brother Yuan, since you and my sister-in-law got married, I haven’t been to your place yet. How about this—I have a bottle of good wine in my trunk. Why don’t we come over to your place for dinner tonight to celebrate your marriage?”
Still, no one responded.
Qiao Jialv had always been intimidated by Fu Linyuan.
Not daring to ask for his permission, he turned all his attention to Cen Zhen. “Sister-in-law, what do you think? Could we have the honor tonight?”
Hearing Qiao Jialv’s flattering and fawning words, Wen Zhiyun suddenly turned around, her eyes blazing with anger.
She lifted her chin and glared defiantly at Cen Zhen, her tone aggressive.
“That’s my brother’s house. We can go whenever we want. Why do we need her permission?”
To this, Cen Zhen merely raised an eyebrow, unbothered.
Fu Linyuan, however, darkened his expression.
“Wen Zhiyun!”
Called by her full name, Wen Zhiyun immediately lowered her head guiltily.
Muttering resentfully, she said, “Brother, do I really have to watch her expression just to have a meal at your place now?”
Cen Zhen didn’t spoil her.
“Tonight’s meal is being cooked by me. If you want to eat, I suggest you treat me better.”
Wen Zhiyun looked up angrily.
“You!”
Five minutes later, Qiao Jialv looked at Wen Zhiyun, who was still sulking in the passenger seat, and whispered in persuasion:
“Actually, I don’t think what Sister-in-law said was wrong. Isn’t there a saying, ‘He who eats another’s bread is bound to his words’? We’re about to eat the meal she cooks. There’s no reason for you to keep a straight face, right?”
Hearing this, Wen Zhiyun exploded.
“Qiao Jialv, who allowed you to call her sister-in-law!”
Qiao Jialv pursed her lips. “She’s already married to your brother. If I don’t call her sister-in-law, what should I call her?”
Wen Zhiyun’s eyes reddened as she raised her voice. “I don’t care what you call her, but you are absolutely not allowed to call her sister-in-law!”
Qiao Jialv, “…”
After arriving home, Cen Zhen paid no attention to Wen Zhiyun and headed straight into the kitchen to rinse rice and start cooking.
Originally, she had planned to prepare only four dishes and one soup.
But with two extra people now, it seemed she would have to add two more dishes.
Adding two more dishes naturally meant more time spent. Tying on her apron, Cen Zhen called out to Fu Linyuan without hesitation.
“Help wash the vegetables.”
Fu Linyuan had no objections.
Casually rolling up his shirt sleeves, he revealed a section of his well-defined forearm and reached for the vegetable basket.
In the living room, Wen Zhiyun overheard this and immediately exploded. She stormed into the kitchen, her demeanor fierce.
“Cen Zhen, how dare you order my brother to wash vegetables!?”
For this volatile and easily angered young lady, Cen Zhen couldn’t be bothered to even look at her.
While scaling a fish, she scoffed, “If you’re so heartbroken for your brother, why don’t you wash them instead?”
“Why should I wash them?”
Cen Zhen glanced up, giving her a sidelong look.
“Aren’t you heartbroken for your brother? If you are, then help him wash them. Otherwise, keep quiet.”
All along, whenever someone had designs on Fu Linyuan, Wen Zhiyun had been fawned over by those socialite young ladies. No one had ever dared to speak to her so recklessly.
Wen Zhiyun was left speechless, her face flushing red with anger. Just as she was about to erupt, she met her brother’s cold, stern gaze.
Instantly, she backed down, seething with rage but not daring to utter a word.
After leaving, she sprawled on the sofa, staring at the two in the kitchen who seemed unusually harmonious, filled with resentment yet helpless.
She truly couldn’t understand how her brother could have married such a woman.
Throughout the meal preparation, Cen Zhen and Fu Linyuan exchanged few words, yet an unspoken understanding existed between them.
Still grumbling in her mind—
No matter how fragrant it smells, the taste might just be average.
Qiao Jialv and her brother praising it as delicious might just be polite, giving Cen Zhen face.
But the moment she took a bite, a rich aroma exploded on her tongue—tender, flavorful, perfectly salted, mellow yet fresh—the taste swirling in her mouth made Wen Zhiyun instantly forget her anger.
Wow, how could it be so delicious!