The Art of Teasing - Chapter 118
Chapter 118
Wen Shishu received Wen Zhengyu's call and immediately booked a same-day flight back to her family home.
For Wen Shiyi to rush home at this critical juncture was truly courting trouble and seeking death. When Lian Huaijin died, the Lian family had tolerated him for the child's sake. Now that Wen Zhengyu was grown, and Wen Shiyi, having already brought ruin upon someone else's daughter, had come to bring ruin upon his granddaughter—if she were a member of the Lian family, she would want him dead. And there was still that ruthless creature Ye Ling in the household. Ye Ling was capable of literally angering her own grandfather to death, then, at his memorial hall, tearing off the entire family's face and throwing it on the ground to trample, proceeding to torment her uncles and cousins to the brink of death, ripping them out root and stem. Since she treated her own family this way, and given that the father-daughter bond between Wen Shiyi and Wen Zhengyu was now thinner than paper, Ye Ling would feel absolutely no pressure whatsoever in dealing with Wen Shiyi. Wen Shiyi hadn't been able to outmaneuver Ye Ling and Lian Xin before, and now, with no money and no allies, his only reliance was the increasingly aged Old Master. He might not even be able to handle Wen Zhengyu herself.
Wen Shishu arrived home before dinner. As she stepped through the door, she encountered Zhan Cheng and inquired about the situation at home. As expected, Wen Zhengyu was already confronting Wen Shiyi. She said to Zhan Cheng, "Go inform the Old Master. I will first go see Xiao Yu."
She entered Wen Zhengyu's courtyard. Just as she reached the eaves, she heard Ye Ling's voice from inside, "Tired? You've been sweating."
Wen Zhengyu's indifferent voice rang out, "I'm fine."
Hearing the tepid tone in Wen Zhengyu's voice, Wen Shishu knew it was anything but fine. Just as she raised her hand to knock, she saw Wen Zhengyu already hurrying to the doorway, poking her head out. Upon seeing her, Wen Zhengyu's face broke into a blooming smile.
Wen Zhengyu came forward and latched onto Wen Shishu's arm, her eyes shining with joy as she called out, "Second Aunt, I knew it was you from the footsteps." Clinging to Wen Shishu's arm, she ushered her inside.
Wen Shishu asked, "What have you been busy with, working up a sweat?"
Wen Zhengyu said, "Just tidying some things." She invited Wen Shishu in, poured her some water, and asked, "Are you tired?"
Ye Ling emerged from the bedroom and greeted Wen Shishu, "Little Aunt."
Wen Shishu choked slightly. She turned her head to scrutinize Wen Zhengyu and asked, "So the two of you... are keeping it this low-key?" Even in the Imperial Capital, she had heard gossip about these two, and people had even obliquely inquired whether the Ye family intended to form a marital alliance with hers.
Wen Zhengyu said, "It's an honorable and open matter. No need to hide it."
Wen Shishu swept her gaze over Wen Zhengyu but refrained from saying more about her personal romantic affairs. She recalled that the last time, Wen Zhengyu had been so angered by Third Brother that her hands and feet went weak, and she couldn't get out of the car. Yet now, her expression was perfectly composed. She was moved both by how much Wen Zhengyu could now handle and by the severity of their father-daughter relationship's deterioration. As for the foolish things and disastrous moves Third Brother had made, she had no desire to elaborate.
She said, "Fine then. As long as you are well, that's all. I haven't been to see the Old Master yet. I'll go over now. Dinner is almost ready, so don't busy yourself further. Leave Third Brother to me." After speaking, she rose and left. Wen Zhengyu no longer had a shred of father-daughter affection for Wen Shiyi. The reason she had called her back was solely because Third Brother was her brother and the Old Master's son. Living under the same roof, if Wen Zhengyu were to clash with Wen Shiyi, the one who would suffer would still be the Old Master. One couldn't say Wen Zhengyu was in the wrong; this was her home, and it was Wen Shiyi who had sought her out. She couldn't ask Wen Zhengyu to leave either. From the way the Lian family doted on Wen Zhengyu, it was clear they were desperate to take the child back. If Wen Zhengyu went to the Lian family, the Old Master would naturally have to follow her to the Imperial Capital. Then, Third Brother would truly have no way out, and this family would completely fall apart.
Wen Shishu arrived at the Old Master's courtyard and saw Wen Shiyi was there too. Father and son were sitting with dark expressions, discussing something. She sat straight down in a chair and called out, "Dad."
Wen Shiyi glanced at Wen Shishu, then averted his eyes, burying himself in his tea.
Old Master Wen asked, "Have you seen Yu'er? Is she alright?"
Wen Shishu sighed and said, "Things have reached this point, I won't hide it from you. I'll ask you one question: do you want to protect your granddaughter or your son?"
Wen Shiyi, his eyes red, cried out, "Second Sister, I have fallen so low. Yes, I made mistakes, I am irresponsible, I am selfish, but this is my home. I am at the end of my rope now. You are my own second sister. You sent your personal assistant to personally lead people to break my legs. I borrowed from loan sharks to escape and come back. Those people are now staying in the guest courtyard, waiting to collect the debt."
Seeing her brother reduced to such a state, Wen Shishu felt deeply pained.
Wen Shiyi said, "I knew that if I took the money and ran, life for the old man and the grandchild would be hard, but the Lian family values the child; they wouldn't stand by and let Yu'er go unattended. Yu'er has her mother's dowry, such a formidable grandmother, and you. You could all protect her. I owe Huaijin a life. If I hadn't run, I would have suffered a fate worse than death. But even so, I still couldn't get away. You... you all..." He covered his face and wailed loudly, crying out, "You are my own second sister, and you sent people to break my legs. How could you be so heartless..."
Wen Shishu turned her head away, dabbed the corner of her eye, and snapped, "Enough! A man past fifty, weeping like this—what kind of appearance is that!"
Wen Zhengyu had followed Wen Shishu out the door, with Ye Ling right behind her. Wen Zhengyu originally wanted to see how her second aunt would handle things, but unexpectedly, just as she reached the entrance of her grandfather's courtyard, she heard Wen Shiyi's earth-shattering wail. Her footsteps seemed to take root, stopping her in place. At this moment, she should have turned away and left with Ye Ling, but she couldn't move her legs.
Ye Ling wished to retreat, but seeing Wen Zhengyu motionless, she couldn't very well leave her here. Very tactfully, she remained silent, quietly staying by Wen Zhengyu's side. She reflected inwardly: Wen Shiyi, at this moment, facing the two people who care for him most in this world, only had this desperate, pitiful tactic left to use.
For a man of his background, at his age, to weep like this—even Ye Ling found it must have been difficult for him.
She glanced at Wen Zhengyu, who was listening silently, her face betraying no emotion.
She thought Wen Zhengyu would turn and leave, but instead, Wen Zhengyu slowly walked inside.
Even as thick-skinned as Ye Ling was, she felt it inappropriate to follow in at this moment. She stood outside the main courtyard. It wasn't that she wanted to watch Wen Shiyi's humiliation; rather, she needed to know if her intervention was required.
Wen Zhengyu went into the Old Master's room, fetched the blood pressure monitor, and first measured the Old Master's blood pressure. Seeing it was elevated, she told the Old Master to take his medication first.
The Old Master's chest was so tight with distress that he waved his hand, refusing to take it.
Wen Zhengyu said, "At such an advanced age, what if you get truly upset? I just came from accompanying Grandmother out of the hospital. You can't have me check in again to accompany you." She placed the water cup before Old Master Wen and said, "Our family endured when times were even harder. Now, the people are still here, the family hasn't scattered, so whatever the problem, we can always resolve it properly." She placed the medicine into the Old Master's hand and said, "It's mealtime. Take your medicine first, then eat. Afterwards, take a walk, calm down, and then we'll discuss a plan for this matter." She then said to Wen Shiyi, "Mr. Wen, please go wash your face. It's time for dinner."
Mr. Wen Shiyi, who had been wailing loudly, suddenly felt as if his own daughter had shot another arrow straight through his chest. His weeping halted abruptly. Grief welled up from within: This daughter of his was truly born to collect a debt! He had always suspected that when Lian Huaijin died, her soul had transferred into Wen Zhengyu.
Mr. Wen Shiyi's breath was stuck in his chest, unable to go up or down. After a long moment, he finally let out a loud "hiccup."
Wen Shishu looked at Wen Shiyi, then at Wen Zhengyu, sighed, and shook her head.
After Old Master Wen took his medicine, Wen Zhengyu called Dr. Shen, asking him to come later to examine the Old Master. She also told Sun Yuan to have the kitchen send dinner over to the people in the guest courtyard. Noticing Ye Ling hadn't come in, she went to find her. Seeing Ye Ling standing at the courtyard gate looking up at the sky, she called, "Ye Ling, dinner."
Ye Ling turned her head, looking as if she had just returned from admiring the scenery.
At the dinner table.
Wen Shiyi ate without tasting his food.
Old Master Wen had no appetite, his face dark, and barely touched his chopsticks.
Wen Shishu served dishes to the Old Master, coaxing, "Please don't be angry about these matters anymore, Elder. Family holds no overnight grudges."
Wen Zhengyu sipped her soup leisurely. Beside her, Ye Ling occasionally served her food, being exceedingly attentive.
From time to time, Wen Shiyi's gaze swept over the two of them, his expression extremely unpleasant.
Old Master Wen set down his bowl early and left the table.
Wen Zhengyu also put down her chopsticks, saying to Ye Ling, "Take your time eating. I'll go accompany the Old Master on his walk first." She excused herself to Wen Shishu and then followed the Old Master away.
Left at the table were Ye Ling, Wen Shishu, and Wen Shiyi. The atmosphere immediately turned somewhat bizarre.
That Wen Shiyi had fallen to this state was largely thanks to Ye Ling.
For Ye Ling, within this household, Wen Zhengyu's position was her position. Therefore, facing Wen Shiyi, the father-in-law she had bankrupted, she felt not the slightest awkwardness, tranquilly drinking her soup and eating her meal.
Wen Shishu was full of anger at Wen Shiyi, but with Ye Ling awkwardly present, she couldn't well explode, so she just stifled it and ate.
As for Wen Shiyi, he hated Ye Ling to the bone. If it hadn't been for Ye Ling, with only Lian Xin opposing him, he wouldn't have fallen so miserably. No matter how much he hated her in his heart, he could only choke it down now.
Ye Ling finished eating, put down her bowl and chopsticks, said, "Please enjoy your meal, you two," and slowly rose and left.
Wen Shishu watched Ye Ling depart before setting down her bowl and chopsticks and looking at Wen Shiyi. "The things you've done—each and every one—Yu'er and the Lian family have recorded them. Yu'er's heart has frozen over towards you."
Wen Shiyi said, "Second Sister, I am truly at the end of my rope."
Wen Shishu said, "At the end of your rope, you come back to bring disaster upon your father and daughter." She pointed towards the guest courtyard and said, "If Yu'er were to use Lian Huaijin's dowry to pay off your debts, how could she face the deceased Lian Huaijin? How could she face the Lian family? Dad, in order to repay your debts, exhausted every bit of his retirement savings. Nearly eighty years old, he's still out there acting as a middleman sourcing antiques for others, leaving early and returning late every day, still toiling. Yu'er is your child, and yet you come to bring calamity upon her, relying on others to protect her. We are all one step removed from her—how much could any of us truly protect her!"
"Third Brother, this family was completely and utterly ruined by you! Yu'er's art studio was funded by Ye Ling. This very house was a gift from Ye Ling and Lian Xin together. It's just you and me here today, so I'll be frank with you. Old Madam Zhang is over eighty. To put it bluntly, she is someone who could pass away any day, the moment she closes her eyes. She values Yu'er more than her own life. What she worries about most, what she cannot let go of, is that after you destroyed her daughter, you would come to destroy her granddaughter. Last time you colluded with someone to defraud Yu'er, I visited the Lian family. That's why it was my people you saw."
"Let you stay quietly with Eldest Sister, eating a stable meal, but no, you had to stir up trouble. Dad is old; he can no longer protect you. I have also exhausted my greatest efforts. Don't even think about expecting Yu'er to help you. You owe her mother a life."
Wen Shiyi said, "But I am her father, her biological father."
Wen Shishu said, "But you used her as a hostage and nearly jumped off a building holding her. Those incidents—no one told her about them; she could see them herself. You are her father, her biological father, and she knows your affairs better than anyone."
Wen Shiyi rubbed his face forcefully and said, "Second Sister, what do you think I... What should I do now? Tell me, and I'll listen to you."
Wen Shishu asked, "How much debt?"
Wen Shiyi held up five fingers to indicate an amount and said, "Eldest Sister pulled her investment. It caught me completely off guard. I... I rushed to secure financing and fell into someone else's trap..."
Wen Shishu was so furious she wanted to grab the cup from the table and hurl it at Wen Shiyi. Even if Eldest Sister wanted to withdraw investment, there was no way she would let him lose money and take a loss. It was obvious he had gotten into a quarrel with Eldest Sister and trapped himself. She cursed, "I think you've lost your mind."
Wen Shiyi lowered his head and didn't make a sound.
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