Yu Wanzhi gave the man’s sleeve a gentle tug. “I don’t want to stay here… What if I go to a hotel instead?”
“A hotel? What hotel? You mean the distillery? It’s reeking of fermented grain mash in there—how could anyone live in that?” Fu Zhoujing grew more certain of his judgment: this woman must have lost her mind!
Xiao Yunting’s heart softened at her plea. Before he could think it through, the words spilled out: “Then… come stay at my house. Until I find a safe place for you.” The moment he spoke, he realized how forward it sounded and hurried to explain. “Housing is hard to come by these days. And without a letter of introduction, you won’t be allowed at the guest house either…”
Fu Zhoujing’s eyes went wide. “Boss! You’re bringing a stranger of unknown origin back to your home? What if she’s only approaching you on purpose? What if something happens to Old Master Xiao because of her?”
Yu Wanzhi rolled her eyes. “You’re the one with shady origins!” She lifted her little face—smudged and dirty—and looked him up and down. “Your name is Fu Zhoujing. You’re twenty years old. Your mother passed away from illness when you were five. Your father promised her he’d never remarry… but the very next year, he brought home another woman!”
“Everyone thinks she’s such a wonderful stepmother. But in truth? She’s a viper in human skin. She plays the loving wife and mother in front of your foolish father… but behind his back, she starves you and mistreats you every single day.”
“If it weren’t for Xiao Yunting bringing you home with him all the time, you’d never have had enough to eat or warm clothes to wear. That’s why you’re so fiercely loyal to him—you’d follow him to the grave without a second thought!”
Fu Zhoujing’s expression remained calm and composed… yet his eyes darkened with a cold, dangerous glint. “How do you know all this?”
This woman had dug up quite the thorough report!
Yu Wanzhi paid his reaction no mind. After all, aside from Old Master Xiao, Fu Zhoujing cared for Xiao Yunting more than anyone else. “You told me so yourself. Back in 1987, you found out about her lover… and personally led your fool of a father there to catch them in the act. You’ve always said that was the most satisfying day of your entire life—over thirty years of it!”
“1987? Over thirty years?” Fu Zhoujing’s brows drew together in confusion. “I’m only twenty this year!” Every word made sense alone… but strung together? Complete nonsense!
Yu Wanzhi nodded. “To be honest… I’m his wife from the future. I traveled here from the year 2000. That’s how I know everything about all of you!”
Fu Zhoujing: “???”
Xiao Yunting looked at him with a complicated expression, then gave a subtle, confirming nod.
After a long, stunned silence—Fu Zhoujing finally snapped out of it. Leaning forward, he asked eagerly: “You just said Tian Xiao’e has a lover? Since when? Is she seeing someone now? Who is he?”
Yu Wanzhi shook her head. “You never told me that part. I honestly don’t know.” She turned back to Xiao Yunting, voice soft and pleading. “I’m tired… I want to rest. Please take me somewhere to rest, okay?”
Xiao Yunting looked down at her—so small, so gentle—and his heart melted all over again. “Come home with me and rest. If anyone asks… you’re a distant relative of the Xiao family, here in the capital to deliver something for me. Got it?”
“Zhoujing… don’t rush into things regarding that wicked woman. Don’t act recklessly and alert her. In a day or two, I’ll go with you to look into this properly.”
The three returned to the military compound together. The guard at the gate stared in absolute shock—he could’ve fit an entire egg in his mouth seeing the two most formidable young men of the Xiao and Fu clans bringing a woman back with them.
“Comrade Xiao… who might this be?”
Yu Wanzhi stepped forward and answered earnestly. “I’m a distant relative of his family! I’ve just come to bring him some things. And we are not engaged or courting!”
Xiao Yunting, Fu Zhoujing, and the guard: “………”
“Register her. She’ll be staying at my place for a few days,” Xiao Yunting said. His ears had turned bright red, and even his neck was flushed pink.
Beneath the guard’s bewildered gaze, the three finished the registration and walked right in. Fu Zhoujing, eager to keep an eye on Tian Xiao’e, soon parted ways with them.
Old Master Xiao was Commander-in-Chief of the Capital Military District. Naturally, the Xiao residence was the finest in the entire compound—complete with private courtyard, well-preserved two-story red-brick building, still in nearly-new condition.
“Listen… you already know how things are in this family, don’t you?” Xiao Yunting said quietly. “If she says anything rude or unpleasant… pay it no mind. As long as my grandfather is here, she does not run this house. Stay close beside me and let me handle everything.”
His gaze wavered, his dark eyes clouded with shame and unease.
His family situation was much like Fu Zhoujing’s—only worse. His own father had married the very woman his birth mother despised: her younger half-sister.
Years ago, his maternal grandfather had been a notorious playboy of old Shanghai—handsome, charming, and endlessly prolific. He’d taken more than a dozen concubines and fathered many children by them.
Then came the war. Wives, concubines, and children scattered or perished. In the end, only his grandfather’s lawful wife—and one favored concubine—remained.
That concubine’s daughter was none other than Qin Mengshuang. After the deaths of his grandparents and the concubine, she had come to the capital, claiming it was her late father’s wish that she seek refuge with her elder half-sister.
But Xiao Yunting’s birth mother, Qin Mengxue, had little affection—and even less patience—for this sister she barely knew. She wanted nothing to do with her. So she hastily found her a husband and married her off.
Not long afterward, Qin Mengshuang’s husband fell ill and died. Then Qin Mengxue herself passed away—giving birth to Xiao Yunting. Before he was even three months old, Qin Mengshuang had moved into the Xiao household, claiming she wished to care for the infant… and bringing along the daughter she’d had with her late husband.
Old Master Xiao had been away on duty at the time. By the time he learned of it—a full month later—Qin Mengshuang and Xiao Yunting’s father had already obtained their marriage certificate…
“Of course I know all that,” Yu Wanzhi said firmly. “And I know exactly what she is—and what awaits her in the end. Now that I’m here… her days of comfort are finished for good!” She couldn’t bear to see him so dejected. Reaching up, she playfully hooked a finger under his chin.
Xiao Yunting’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He looked away, helpless. “Stop that… someone might see. They’d think we’re indecent and arrest us both.”
Yu Wanzhi blinked. “Oh. People sure are prudish in this era, aren’t they? Can’t do this, can’t do that… where’s the fun in living like that?”
“Shh… don’t ever say such things aloud again,” he warned, voice tight with worry. “If the wrong person hears, it could mean serious trouble. Even if I were able to protect you… you would still suffer for it. Promise me—think carefully before you speak.”
He looked at her with genuine concern. This girl understood nothing of the times they lived in—seemed so innocent, almost naive. How would she ever survive all alone?