With her weakness being seized, Wen Tiantian panicked.
On the day Wen Li got married, she had secretly taken one of Xu Zhouye’s books from the Xu household.
After returning home, she practiced for a long time before imitating his handwriting and writing those love letters.
The Xu family were all shrewd people—they would definitely be able to spot the flaws.
Besides, whether Xu Zhouye had ever written letters or not could be confirmed with a single question.
Wen Tiantian didn’t know what madness had come over Wen Li.
She had clearly believed it before—so why did she suddenly dig the letters out again?
No matter what, this absolutely could not be exposed to the Xu family.
Putting aside whether the Xu family would dislike her because of this, if her attempt at sowing discord were exposed and Wen Li and Xu Zhouye cleared up their misunderstanding, would she still have any chance of taking Wen Li’s place?
Xu Zhouye’s family background was excellent, and his personal qualities were beyond reproach.
Was a man like that really someone Wen Li deserved?
Jealousy and resentment twisted Wen Tiantian’s expression. “That’s mine—give it back!”
As she spoke, she reached out to snatch it again.
Wen Li raised her hand and slapped her across the face. “Get lost!”
Perhaps because the resentment had built up for too long, the slap rang out sharply. Wen Tiantian’s face quickly swelled.
She was completely stunned by the blow.
Her ears rang loudly.
Wen Mother widened her eyes, suspecting she was dreaming.
First splashing water, now slapping someone—what on earth was Wen Li trying to do?!
So angry that her breathing grew heavy, Wen Mother raised her hand to slap Wen Li. “Biting dogs don’t bark—you’re really good at pretending! People outside should see what you look like now!”
Her wrist was caught midair.
Wen Mother grew even angrier.
She felt that her dignity as an elder was being trampled under Wen Li’s feet.
“Beating Tiantian isn’t enough, now you even want to hit the woman who gave birth to you and raised you? Wen Li, do you have any conscience left?!”
Wen Li sneered. “Do people like you deserve my conscience?”
Meeting those icy eyes, Wen Mother’s lips trembled.
Besides anger, she felt an inexplicable panic.
But as Wen Li’s biological mother, she could not tolerate Wen Li humiliating her like this.
Turning her head, she said to Wen Tiantian, “Go call your father and your brother back. If we don’t teach Wen Li a lesson today, she’ll turn the world upside down!”
Wen Li had a biological older brother named Wen Zhiyuan.
When they were young, it was he who had lost Wen Li.
Later, after the family adopted Wen Tiantian, Wen Zhiyuan said he wanted to make it up to her and doted greatly on this younger sister.
But toward Wen Li, he showed a completely different face.
At first, Wen Li felt very wronged. Later, she understood—Wen Zhiyuan wanted to turn the page on what happened in childhood.
Her existence was like a thorn, constantly reminding him of the mistake he had made.
Wen Li had always felt that Wen Zhiyuan was the one who least wanted her to return.
Before Wen Tiantian could even go call anyone, Wen Zhiyuan arrived home first.
Hearing the noisy commotion, he froze for a moment.
Then he saw Wen Li gripping their mother’s wrist, and a glaring slap mark on his sister’s face. His expression darkened.
“Wen Li, what trouble are you causing again?”
Wen Li ignored him and walked straight out with the letters in hand.
If someone dared to covet her man, getting beaten was well deserved!
For Xu Zhouye’s reputation, she could handle this matter quietly—but her father-in-law and mother-in-law had to be informed.
So that next time the Wen family went to the compound, they wouldn’t still treat these people as honored guests.
It was disgusting.
Once she finished dealing with this mess, Wen Li didn’t want to have any further dealings with them.
Seeing a savior, Wen Tiantian cried out, “Brother, Wen Li stole my things—help me get them back!”
Hearing this, Wen Zhiyuan’s face grew even darker.
He blocked the doorway. “Hand them over.”
Wen Li rolled her eyes, turned her steps, and plopped down into a chair.
She took out the letter paper and began to read aloud.
The moment she started, Wen Tiantian shrieked and lunged forward. “Give it back to me!”
One hand reached for the letters, while the other tried to claw at Wen Li’s eyes.
Why did she have to come back?!
Why did she steal her man?!
Wen Tiantian’s eyes were full of malice. Wen Li had been harmed to death by her once before, and her instincts told her—Wen Tiantian meant it this time.
Wen Li suddenly stood up and slapped Wen Tiantian hard again.
She grew up in the countryside—she was rough!
She was uncultured!
All the labels the Wen family had stuck on her, she accepted every single one.
Since she accepted them, she might as well live up to them!
Don’t be fooled by Wen Li’s harmless looks, like a pure little white flower.
She had suffered a lot growing up, done countless dirty and exhausting jobs—she was incredibly strong!
Before, the Wen family had controlled her because she yearned too much for familial affection, because she wanted to be loved.
Now?
Whoever she loved—or didn’t—was none of her concern!
Wen Tiantian lost her footing and fell heavily to the ground, hurt and humiliated. She burst into loud sobs.
Wen Mother and Wen Zhiyuan rushed to help her up.
Taking advantage of the gap, Wen Li continued reading the letters.
Xu Zhouye had never had any contact with Wen Tiantian—how could he possibly like her?
Wen Mother and Wen Zhiyuan’s expressions changed.
But seeing Wen Tiantian crying, they once again stood on her side.
Wen Mother glared at Wen Li. “She just likes A-Ye and wrote those for fun. She never actually tried to steal him from you—don’t go too far!”
“And this marriage was originally Tiantian’s anyway. You’re the one who intruded!”
Wen Zhiyuan said, “Family scandals shouldn’t be aired in public. Hurry up and tear the letters. If outsiders see them, how is Tiantian supposed to live?”
Used to their favoritism, Wen Li felt utterly calm.
Thinking of how Wen Mother had said she would give Wen Li’s share of the family property to Wen Tiantian, Wen Li suddenly didn’t want to let them off so easily.
When Wen Li had first been brought back, Wen Father had publicly stated—just to save face—that she would have a share of the family assets.
When she got married, her share would be converted into cash for her to take to her husband’s family.
But when Wen Li married, her dowry consisted of only a few quilts and a pair of trunks.
Money?
She hadn’t seen a single cent.
On the day she returned home after marriage, Wen Father lectured her, telling her not to compare herself with others.
He said money was something external and not worth valuing too much.
Originally, Wen Li didn’t want to argue about these things—but now she had changed her mind.
Wen Li said, “If you don’t want this family scandal exposed, then show some sincerity. Otherwise, don’t blame me for posting these letters everywhere.”
Her tone was calm, but everyone could hear that she was serious.
Wen Mother looked disappointed. “If I’d known you were such an ungrateful wretch, I never should have brought you back.”
Wen Tiantian thought Wen Li was after money.
She cursed inwardly—people from the countryside really had no shame, willing to do anything for money.
Crying, she said, “If you’re short on money, you could’ve just said so. I’ll give you all my wages.”
Wen Mother finally caught on too, her expression full of disgust. “Money, money, money—everything is about money with you! You injured Tiantian, and it’s already generous of us not to demand medical compensation!”
Wen Li still had to rush home to cook for her child and had no time to listen to their nonsense.
“I only want my share—the one you personally promised. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten?”
Wen Mother exclaimed, “You actually really want money?!”
Wen Li tilted her head, looking innocent. “Are you going back on your word? Fine. I’ll go out in a bit and help publicize things for you.”
The once obedient, submissive girl had suddenly become this hard to deal with. Wen Mother was so angry she felt dizzy.
She cursed, “You should’ve been left in the countryside, letting those scoundrels from your adoptive family cling to you forever!”
The scoundrel Wen Mother referred to was Wen Li’s adoptive brother.
After learning Wen Li wasn’t his biological sister, he had developed improper intentions toward her.
That was also why Wen Li was afraid of returning to the countryside.
Wen Li raised her wrist to check her watch. “You have three minutes.”
She shook the letters in her hand—everything was understood without words.
This matter could be big or small. If someone latched onto it, it wouldn’t only affect Wen Tiantian.
A child’s lack of discipline is the father’s fault.
Perhaps Wen Father would also be implicated.
Wen Zhiyuan’s face was dark. “Making such a scene—are you trying to sever ties with us?”
Wen Li said, “Isn’t it obvious?”
Wen Zhiyuan clenched his teeth. “Fine—then sever ties. Let’s see how you survive in your husband’s family without any natal support!”
Wen Tiantian tugged at his sleeve, signaling him to snatch the letters back.
As long as the letters were destroyed, she wouldn’t be threatened by Wen Li anymore.
Wen Zhiyuan was furious, but he still comforted Wen Tiantian gently. “She doesn’t have that much nerve. If she doesn’t apologize, she won’t get a single cent from the family. And we won’t care about her ever again!”
Wen Li asked Wen Mother, “Is that what you think too?”
Those clear black-and-white eyes were full of seriousness, and Wen Mother suddenly didn’t dare meet her gaze.
Though their bond wasn’t deep, Wen Li was still the daughter she had carried for ten months.
Wen Mother wanted to give her one more chance.
“As long as you apologize, we’ll forgive you.”