The Art of Teasing - Chapter 153

Chapter 153

She and Ye Ling returned to their small courtyard. Ye Ling helped her onto the arhat bed to lie down and asked her, "Does your head hurt?"

Wen Zhengyu said, "It's alright." As long as she didn't need to concentrate on staring at things, it was alright. Occasionally, if she talked too much or her voice got too loud, it would jolt her head with pain and make her want to vomit.

Ye Ling went to pour Wen Zhengyu a cup of hot milk tea and fed it to her to drink.

Although Wen Zhengyu being injured like this was truly heart-wrenching, it was also especially amusing.

She figured that while Wen Zhengyu was in a coma or asleep, she must have dreamed often of that bizarre and dazzling world. She frequently babbled incomprehensible sleep-talk that no one could understand, and from time to time called out various names. Once, Wen Zhengyu woke up in the middle of the night, touched her face, and looked at her with a nostalgic gaze as if they had been separated for tens of thousands of years, saying, "Little Phoenix, I am Kunlun. Do you still remember me?"

In the middle of the night, she, the person taking care of the patient, was so amused she laughed and rolled off the bed onto the floor.

Wen Zhengyu often talked in her sleep. If she engaged Wen Zhengyu when she was sleep-talking, Wen Zhengyu could carry on a continuous dialogue with her. This young lady was thin-skinned and usually couldn't say things out loud, but she said everything when sleep-talking. Wen Zhengyu even told her that the two of them together was fate from a previous life, that they hadn't been together in their last life, neither of them resigned to it, and that in this life, they shouldn't leave any regrets.

She was often driven into fits of laughter by Wen Zhengyu. Those who didn't know better would think she had been driven mentally unstable by Wen Zhengyu's condition.

To outsiders, taking care of Wen Zhengyu like this seemed fraught with hardship, but as long as Wen Zhengyu didn't trigger a critical condition, it was simply endlessly entertaining.

She asked Wen Zhengyu, "Do you like Nine-Tails?"

Wen Zhengyu said, "She waited for me for so many years, then turned to ash right under that tree. I buried her. I wonder if she recognized me before she died." She also secretly told her, "Qi Wei is the reincarnation of Nine-Tails. That was a silly fox deity who seemed especially clever, but just liked watching people make fools of themselves. It's in a fox's nature."

---

She figured that Wen Zhengyu's ability to remain unconscious for so long, with her intracranial pressure consistently high, was definitely related to her brain nerves and cells being too active. The doctors very conservatively said they couldn't rule out this possibility.

When Wen Zhengyu was awake, she was especially well-behaved, with a silly, slightly dazed and adorable look that made one's heart melt.

She fed Wen Zhengyu milk tea. Wen Zhengyu sat upright and proper, sipping it slowly with small sips. If she didn't move the cup away, Wen Zhengyu would drink it all in one go.

And so, Ye Ling didn't remove the cup until Wen Zhengyu had finished drinking. She asked, "Do you want to rest a bit?"

Wen Zhengyu said, "After drinking the milk tea, I feel much better. My head doesn't hurt anymore." She then asked, "What's the story with Uncle Kang and Kang Bai?"

Ye Ling feigned incomprehension and asked, "What do you mean, what story?"

Wen Zhengyu said, "Their arrival was a bit sudden. Eldest Aunt said Kang Bai took benefits from Cen Lin. Looking at their reactions at the time, it seemed Uncle Kang… was aware of it."

Ye Ling glanced at Wen Zhengyu, took the cup Wen Zhengyu had used to refill it with milk tea for herself, rested her elbow on the small square table on the arhat bed, and leisurely sipped her milk tea. Although Wen Zhengyu was dizzy every day and couldn't even walk steadily, her mind was like a clear mirror—she could spot the issue from the slightest clue.

She said, "Kang Bai has a big circle of fair-weather friends around him. Zhao Si and Cen Lin are among the more outstanding ones in that circle. Zhao Si calls Cen Lin 'Brother Cen' at every turn. Cen Lin's youngest maternal uncle is a troublesome person. The three Cen siblings were basically raised by their youngest uncle. When your incident happened, we held a life-threatening handle over their family. The Lian family was unrelenting, and Qi Wei's side had been thoroughly offended by Cen Xun, so they sought out Kang Bai and your former uncle-in-law."

"Your Second Aunt found out about this later. Your Second Aunt brought Grandfather back and never returned to the capital again. Now there's news circulating that your Second Aunt plans to dispose of all her properties in the capital. Some say she wants to return to our hometown to retire, others say she wants to go abroad with her eldest sister—opinions vary. The news about disposing of the properties is confirmed and accurate."

Wen Zhengyu asked, "Did they… was this before or after Grandfather's incident?"

Ye Ling said slowly, "This matter of yours, the Cen family paid a huge price in compensation. The Kang father and son also got a share of the benefits… After all, Lao Kang and Kang Bai, one lost his father-in-law, the other his maternal grandfather, and they contributed quite a bit inside—one helped detain your Second Aunt, the other visited now and then to gather information."

Wen Zhengyu was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Second Aunt, this time, I'm afraid her heart has been utterly wounded."

"When I was little, I don't remember if it was when I was eight or nine years old. Uncle Kang ran into some trouble, and the Kang household was thrown into chaos. Second Aunt came back and sought out Grandfather. Apologizing and paying compensation, plus asking for connections and favors—half of the antiques in Grandfather's storehouse were gone. Many of those antiques were ones the old gentleman had gone to other provinces, traveling from village to town, crossing mountains and ridges, to collect. He has a scar on his leg, from when a village dog bit him while he was collecting antiques."

"The old gentleman rushed about for the sake of my former uncle-in-law. He left home in spring and didn't return until the Mid-Autumn Festival, coming back together with Uncle Kang. That year's Mid-Autumn Festival, Uncle Kang spent it at our house, weeping with gratitude, saying that my grandfather was like his own father, even better than his own father treated him."

"I was young then and didn't quite understand, but I remember it especially clearly because Uncle Kang cried… That was the first time in my life I'd seen an adult cry like that."

Ye Ling listened silently.

Wen Zhengyu said, "Later, once when accompanying Grandfather on a walk, I remembered this and asked Grandfather."

"Grandfather said the Kang family couldn't be relied on for anything. He couldn't just watch his son-in-law be in trouble and do nothing. If he could help, he would help. One's own son-in-law is not an outsider."

She caught her breath and, thinking of her Second Aunt's situation, worried that Ye Ling might misunderstand, said, "Wen Shiyi's matter can't be blamed on Second Aunt. When Grandmother was dying, she wouldn't close her eyes. That last breath was stuck, no matter what, she wouldn't swallow it. Second Aunt was crying into a tearful mess, swearing to Grandmother that she would protect the third child, wouldn't let anything happen to him, wouldn't let him go to prison, and no matter what, would keep him safe. Grandmother stared fixedly at Second Aunt, her mouth hoarsely pushed out the word 'Good,' but halfway through, there was no more sound. Her mouth was open, her eyes were open. She just left like that. Later, it was Eldest Aunt who closed Grandmother's eyes and shut her mouth."

"Second Aunt's heart is the softest, she cares most for family. The reason she defended Wen Shiyi so much wasn't just loving her younger brother, but also fearing she couldn't face Grandmother. I've never seen Grandmother look at anyone with that kind of expression. At the time, I didn't quite understand why Grandmother would worry so much about Wen Shiyi. I just faintly sensed that he must have been involved in something."

Wen Zhengyu said to Ye Ling, "I'm slow to react. Many things I didn't quite understand at the time—it takes a long time, even many years, for me to figure them out."

Ye Ling asked Wen Zhengyu, "Are you tired?" Talking this much, given Wen Zhengyu's current condition, she estimated it was quite taxing.

Wen Zhengyu said, "A little."

Ye Ling said, "Then doze off for a bit. I'll wake you at half past eleven for your meal."

Wen Zhengyu responded, "Alright." She said, "The New Year is coming soon, the annual gifts and visits need to be arranged." She also gave Ye Ling instructions on handling the New Year's gifts and social calls. Fearing she might forget something, she always had detailed checklists, with especially noted items annotated on the lists. She also had previous gift registries and checklists, all of which she gave to Ye Ling. "My health is poor, I can't go out and about. You go and deliver them for me." She paused, then said, "Actually, the main thing is still to let people know we're safe."

"Grandfather also had social connections to maintain. There's a list in his study, in the second compartment of the bookshelf on the left." Wen Zhengyu was slightly embarrassed and said, "The old gentleman was still a bit of a snob. Those he frequently visited were all families of quite good standing. Look and see which ones are suitable, and keep those connections going." The old gentleman was gone. Among the people he was friendly with, there were some she didn't quite gel with and had little dealings with. Those she got along with, she had already incorporated into her own social circle for regular contact, each maintaining their own separate connections, distinct from the old gentleman's. As for those with whom she had no personal relationship, taking advantage of the fact that the old gentleman had just passed and the tea hadn't yet gone cold, if Ye Ling was willing to socialize with them, she would pass all of them to Ye Ling.

Ye Ling moved the small square table aside and helped Wen Zhengyu half-recline on the arhat bed, saying, "You've truly given me a great gift."

Wen Zhengyu knew Ye Ling liked these things. She said, "For the New Year's gift matters, you go. For household affairs, I'll conscript Second Aunt into service."

At noon, after lunch, Ye Ling saw Wen Zhengyu back to her room for an afternoon nap.

Wen Zhengyu arranged for a lawyer and a notary public to come over, and invited her maternal grandparents, Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle, and Lian Xin to come together.

In front of the whole family, she drew up her will. The will was prepared in five original copies—one kept with her, one with the lawyer, one with the notary office, and one each left with the Lian and Wen families. The entire will-making process was recorded, and the video files were also copied into five sets.

The current residence they were living in, she also left to Ye Ling.

Regarding this, members of the Wen family had objections, saying this was the Wen family ancestral home, and that her grandparents' spirit tablets were still enshrined in the rear courtyard.

Wen Zhengyu said, "This residence was already sold last year. Later, Brother Xin and Ye Ling each put up half the money, and it was placed back under my name. Calculating it, this residence actually belongs half to Brother Xin and half to Ye Ling. If something happens to me, my branch of the family ends with me, and the property naturally reverts to its original owners."

"As for Grandfather and Grandmother's spirit tablets, if there are still people in my branch, naturally my branch will tend to them. If there is no one, then I must trouble my Eldest Aunt and Second Aunt."

Her meaning was very clear in any case: if her branch still had people, the things belonged to her. If her branch had no one left, all items reverted to their original owners. Even her mother's dowry would be returned to the Lian family. If her maternal grandparents were still alive, it would be returned to them. If not, it would be distributed by whoever was the head of the Lian family. If the Lian family had disputes over the allocation of the assets returned to them, Ye Ling would have half the distribution rights but would not hold inheritance rights.

In the end, she also specifically listed a clause: her funeral arrangements were to be discussed and arranged by her Eldest Aunt, Second Aunt, and Ye Ling. Wen Shiyi had no authority to decide. She was unwilling to see Wen Shiyi, either in life or death, and once again reiterated that Wen Shiyi could not inherit any of her estate in any manner. If there was any violation, the right of inheritance would be revoked and passed to her youngest uncle, Lian Huaixin.

She listed each clause in extreme detail, causing quite a few of her paternal cousins to darken their faces.

Her assets might be vast, but the overwhelming majority were her mother's dowry. Only the art studio was her own, which she left to Wen Li.

Wen Ming sourly remarked, "Xiao Yu's relationship with Lili really is different."

Wen Zhengyu said, "Sister Lili has helped me a lot. Her ownership share in the studio is the same as mine. She was the one who, together with me, handled all the arrangements inside and out at the studio's opening, and she's been managing the finances all along as well. Leaving it to her is only right and proper."

She carefully divided up all her assets. If there was anything overlooked or unresolved, it would be discussed and handled by her Eldest Aunt, Second Aunt, Youngest Uncle, Ye Ling, and Lian Xin.

The Lian family members left after Wen Zhengyu finished her will.

They weren't really worried that those Wen family relatives would be dissatisfied or cause trouble. Now that Wen Zhengyu was head of the household, with so many bodyguards inside and out, and given how Wen Zhengyu could thoroughly deal with even her own father Wen Shiyi, those Wen family relatives had even less chance of stirring up any waves. With the two sisters Wen Shili and Wen Shishu holding the fort, no matter how much the relatives made a fuss, they couldn't override Wen Zhengyu's two biological aunts.

When Old Madam Zhang returned home, she privately sighed to Old Master Lian again: To be this badly hurt, ill and dizzy with headaches, yet still having the presence of mind to get these affairs settled—it was truly rare. Most important of all was that she could endure it.

When Wen Ru passed away, she had been terribly worried, afraid that Wen Zhengyu wouldn't be able to withstand the shock and would follow him, so they had kept it from her. She hadn't expected it couldn't be hidden at all, but Wen Zhengyu was not as useless as she had imagined. She had forcefully pulled through, and now had even laid everything out with such clarity, cutting off any lingering wishful thinking. From now on, even if anyone wanted to take advantage of Wen Zhengyu, they wouldn't be able to gain a single cent's worth of benefit.

Old Madam Zhang wasn't worried about Wen Zhengyu's health. Given Wen Zhengyu's meticulous nature, after suffering these two severe ordeals and understanding the gravity and consequences, she surely would make recuperating at home her top priority.

Old Madam Zhang had rarely seen someone like Wen Zhengyu: not afraid of death, but more concerned with preserving her life than anyone, her will to survive stronger than anyone's. Even when Wen Zhengyu had almost been burned out with fever, she was still mumbling ceaselessly, reciting 'Grandfather, maternal grandmother, maternal grandfather, Ye Ling, Second Aunt.' It was precisely because she kept chattering and mumbling—even when there was no sound, her tongue tip and lips were still trembling faintly with sleep-talk—that the doctors advised against surgery as long as her intracranial pressure didn't exceed the critical threshold, saying that once she passed through the danger period, the likelihood of her awakening was very high. Now, looking at Wen Zhengyu, aside from being slightly affected in her movements, she seemed alright otherwise.

After seeing off her family relatives, Wen Zhengyu went to find Wen Shishu to conscript her for household duties.

Just as she was about to go find Wen Shishu, Kang Bai came to her small courtyard to find her, wanting to explain matters concerning Cen Lin. The gist of what he said was that the incident was stirred up by Zhao Si, Cen Xun, and Wang Zidao. Cen Lin was Cen Lin, Cen Xun was Cen Xun. Even if there was a connection, it shouldn't be overblown. Cen Xun had broken his spine in a car accident and was already disabled. The Cen family was also sincere in wanting to make amends. Continuing the fight would be good for no one. He also said his mother had a fiery temperament, and once her temper flared up, she would disregard everything. His father was also afraid things would escalate beyond control, which was why he held her back, not letting her act rashly. Kang Bai went on about the difficulties he and his father faced, with pressure coming down from above, leaving them no choice but to compromise.

Wen Zhengyu listened quietly until the end. Close or distant, everyone had their own stance. Although they were relatives, others had no obligation to her. To help was a kindness; not to help was the norm. She had neither the energy nor the interest to listen to Kang Bai's lengthy explanations. She asked, "Has Cousin Bai come on behalf of Second Aunt?"

Kang Bai said, "Yes. My mother feels that we shouldn't be like this. She thinks that even if our family had to fight to the point of battered and bleeding, we should have thrown ourselves at the Cen family to settle the score with all our might. I can't say my mother's view is wrong, just that we have differing opinions. But she is my mother, and in a family, there aren't overnight grudges—" He got to this point, saw Wen Zhengyu raise her eyes and sweep a glance at him, and suddenly thought of that bastard of a young uncle of hers. The rest of his sentence was swallowed back. He continued, "My mother is already at such an advanced age, yet she's still making a scene about selling off her companies and properties to go abroad…"

Wen Zhengyu said, "Better not say things about Second Aunt being 'at an advanced age.' She loves her appearance. Be careful she doesn't smack you."

Kang Bai nodded, saying, "Please help me persuade her. I know I shouldn't come troubling you, but with me and my mother at odds like this, my heart hurts, and her heart isn't at ease either. She cherishes you the most. What you say, she'll listen to."

Wen Zhengyu said, "Second Aunt is heartbroken. Not because of my matter, but because of Grandfather's matter. You might not be clear about this, but Uncle Kang knows. I was also young at the time and didn't know much—just bits and pieces."

"Cousin Bai, just having a disagreement with Second Aunt makes you feel this upset. Second Aunt, she's just lost her father. Her heart is even more grieved. It's also good for her to stay with me for a while. Eldest Aunt has been gone for so many years without returning. Having the two sisters together lets them catch up. Once Eldest Aunt goes back, who knows which year we'll see her again. I can't even walk on my own. Ye Ling is already so busy her feet don't touch the ground. There are matters everywhere inside and outside the household, and we can't manage everything. I was still hoping to ask her to help arrange the New Year celebrations. Just let her stay here with peace of mind."

Kang Bai said, "Yes, I also think it's good for her to come back and stay, with people to look after her. Only, seeing the way she's selling off shares and properties, I'm just afraid she… To say something I'm not afraid of you laughing at, I'm truly afraid she won't want us, father and son, anymore."

Familiar footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard. Wen Shishu strode in wearing high-heeled boots. With a dark expression, she said to Kang Bai, "Get out! And take your father with you. Scram!"

Kang Bai said, "Mom, I came to see Xiao Yu. This is Xiao Yu's home."

Wen Shishu couldn't even be bothered to waste words on him. She immediately summoned the on-duty bodyguards stationed in the rest room at the entrance of Wen Zhengyu's small courtyard, ordering them to throw Kang Bai out.

Wen Zhengyu opened her mouth, about to speak. Wen Shishu's face darkened with a single sentence, "You, shut up." Her Second Aunt's authority, built over many years, was so formidable that she didn't dare open her mouth. And so she watched as the bodyguards threw her cousin out. Mm, she actually didn't want to speak up either, but had felt obliged to maintain appearances by at least opening her mouth.

Wen Shishu sat down beside Wen Zhengyu and said, "Did you hear what Eldest Sister said today? Don't pay any more attention to those two, father and son. Later, I'll have people drive them out. You stay out of it."

Wen Zhengyu responded with an "Oh," and asked, "Second Aunt, could I trouble you to manage the household?"

Wen Shishu said, "Day-to-day chores and trivial matters are fine. But your household currently has several different groups of people. I couldn't manage that."

Wen Zhengyu said, "It's precisely because there are several groups that each one needs to be arranged properly. Also, the New Year is coming, and the festive season matters need to be prepared—all of these are bits and pieces of trivial affairs."

Wen Shishu said, "Alright, just focus on resting well. Any miscellaneous chores, let me, Xiao Yezi, and Eldest Sister handle them."

With these words from Wen Shishu, Wen Zhengyu was at ease. Grandfather was no longer here, but they would live their lives well. If he knew, he would also be at peace.

Wen Shishu sat for a short while, then told Wen Zhengyu to rest. She went herself, called Zhan Cheng, found several bodyguards, and personally beat those two, father and son, out. When those two had arrived earlier, the house had been full of people—at that time, they couldn't be driven out, and even if they had been, someone would have stepped forward to play the good person. Now, with no one else around, they were cleanly and efficiently thrown out. Let them go wherever they wanted to scheme and network.

Wen Shishu stood at the doorway and said to her ex-husband, "You, surnamed Kang, it can be said that I, Wen Shishu, was blind my whole life." She then said to Kang Bai, "From a young age, you've been biased toward your grandmother's family. You are your grandmother's precious golden grandson. From now on, go follow them. Don't come looking for me again. If you have issues, go seek help from those Kang family siblings of yours. If you dare come begging to Yu'er, I will personally break your legs." She said to Zhan Cheng, "From now on, our family has severed all ties with these two, father and son. Don't even let them near the main gate." Having said this, she directly ordered the gate closed.

Lao Kang, his face ashen, returned to the car.

Kang Bai called out "Mom" repeatedly, shouting until the gate opened—only for the bodyguards to hurl a basin of water out, nearly drenching him in this bitter cold.

Lao Kang yelled, "Bai'er, get in the car."

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