Volume One, Chapter 14: It Was the You Family Who Was Clinging to Her

After lunch, everyone sat in the living room, sipping tea and eating fruit, chatting in small groups.

Weiwei Wu and Jenny You were gossiping about entertainment news.

Chanjuan Yin, Second Aunt, and Mrs. Wu talked about fashion, luxury goods, and travel.

Hongsheng You, Second Uncle, and Mr. Wu discussed economic matters.

The matriarch took Yujin aside and patiently instructed him on the duties of a husband, reminiscing about how his grandfather had cherished her and brought happiness and harmony to their family.

Wanxi Song quietly sat peeling and eating an orange.

Suddenly, her phone rang in her pocket.

She glanced at the caller ID; seeing "Mom" made her tense. Her expression darkened as she put down the orange, got up from the sofa, and walked toward the balcony to answer the call outside.

Yujin caught a glimpse of her leaving and turned his head to look.

Grandma You noticed his distraction, followed his gaze, and smiled knowingly. “Wanxi is truly well-behaved and introverted, but she is strong and resilient inside. She started her own company, holds patents, and is a respected pharmaceutical scientist in the industry. She’s truly outstanding. It’s us in the You family who have been fortunate to have her. Don’t let her heart turn cold, or there will be no chance to mend things.”

Yujin withdrew his gaze without a word.

Moments later, Wanxi ended the call and returned, her expression tense as she said goodbye to Grandma, “Grandma, there’s an urgent matter at home. I need to go back. I’ll come to see you next time.”

Grandma waved her hand hurriedly. “Your family comes first. Go ahead. If you need any help, just ask.”

“Thank you, Grandma.” Wanxi bowed politely to the elders. “Mom, Dad, I’m leaving now.”

She hurried out.

Everyone’s eyes followed her.

Yujin paused for a few seconds. “Grandma, I’ll be going too.”

Though he spoke little, Grandma understood. Smiling gently, she patted his arm. “Go, be careful driving.”

Yujin grabbed his phone and followed Wanxi out.

Mrs. Wu gave Weiwei a subtle look, and Weiwei stood up, bidding farewell to the elders as well.

Grandma You was displeased. “Weiwei, where are you going again?”

Weiwei feigned urgency. “I have to get back to work.”

Grandma was puzzled. “You have a job?”

Mrs. Wu smiled proudly. “My daughter is a beauty influencer with over a hundred thousand followers. She teaches makeup and skincare.”

Grandma replied perfunctorily, “Oh, so she’s a kind of teacher. Is she officially employed?”

Silence fell.

—

Weiwei had already caught up with Yujin’s pace.

“Ajin, can you give me a ride?”

Yujin approached the car, took out the keys, and unlocked it. “Take a taxi.”

“It’s hard to get one at this time. If you’re busy, just drop me at the subway station,” Weiwei said, opening the passenger door and sliding in.

Yujin buckled his seatbelt and glanced sideways at her. “Aren’t you a bit clingy?”

Weiwei grinned proudly. “We’re siblings. Don’t be so petty.”

“Then why don’t I see Xu Chang or Xiao Minye cling to me?”

Weiwei was proud. “They’re friends you just made in college; I’ve known you since childhood. How can it be the same?”

She had a whole list of twisted arguments.

Yujin was too lazy to debate. He started the car and left the villa.

Wanxi Song hurried out of the Splendid Hills estate and stood by the main road waiting for a ride.

At that moment, a familiar luxury car pulled up in front of her.

She was a little startled.

The window rolled down to reveal Weiwei Wu’s seemingly cheerful and harmless smile. She waved and called out, “Sister-in-law.”

In the driver’s seat, Yujin turned sideways and looked at Wanxi outside the window. “Get in, I’ll take you.”

Wanxi gripped her backpack strap tightly, feeling a suffocating heaviness in her chest.

They were truly inseparable!

Traveling together, bringing Weiwei even to work.

Yujin’s passenger seat had become Weiwei’s exclusive spot. Wanxi, his lawful wife, seemed like a mere guest tagging along.

She wanted to be magnanimous, open-minded, and calm.

But unless she stopped loving Yujin, she couldn’t help but feel hurt and bothered.

“No, thank you,” Wanxi stepped aside a few paces, moving behind the car to continue waiting for a taxi. She then pulled out her phone to check nearby ride services.

The estimated price of eighty-five yuan chilled her heart.

Just then, a sleek motorcycle roared by and stopped before her.

The man removed his helmet, revealing a handsome, roguish smile and warm, surprised eyes. “Sister-in-law, what are you doing here?”

Wanxi's heart tightened—it was her younger uncle, Chen You.

“Grandma came from the countryside. I came to see her.”

“Where to? I’ll give you a ride.” Chen handed her another helmet.

Wanxi hesitated.

Her younger uncle’s affection for her was ethically improper; she should keep her distance.

But thinking of the woman in Yujin’s car, she felt uneasy.

Yujin was constantly surrounded by scandals, inseparable from Weiwei. Why should she suffer alone by strictly adhering to her duties as a wife?

Wanxi took Chen’s helmet. “Can you take me to the subway station?”

Chen’s eyes curved with a smile. “Of course.”

Wanxi put on the helmet and climbed onto the motorcycle.

The sleek bike sped past Yujin’s car.

Inside, Yujin’s face darkened. His gaze fixed on the motorcycle’s retreating silhouette, a barely noticeable flash of anger flickering in his eyes. His knuckles whitened as he gripped the steering wheel tightly.

Weiwei whispered in complaint, “Doesn’t sister-in-law see that Chen likes her? She’d rather ride his motorcycle than have you drive her. And she’s not even trying to hide it. What on earth is she thinking?”

Yujin started the car, slammed the accelerator, caught up with the motorcycle, and sped away in pursuit.

—

In the Fuyuan Residential Complex,

Building A, Unit 3, Wanxi hurried up to the fourth floor.

Through the door, she could hear her sister-in-law, Mai Li, shouting harsh and bitter insults.

“You’re a useless waste! I’ve suffered with you all these years. My best friend’s husband drives a million-yuan luxury car, and your beat-up domestic electric bike is still going strong after seven or eight years—no money to replace it! And this shabby neighborhood doesn’t even have an elevator! I have to carry our son up four flights every day, while my best friend’s husband just bought a villa downtown! And you? You’re stuck running that pathetic fruit stand, with no ambition, just lying flat and being a loser.”

“My best friend wears the latest Chanel, but look at me—I don’t even have a decent outfit. This bag I’m carrying is an outdated model from years ago.”

“I’ve had enough of this miserable life. And you dare to hide money to buy gifts for your sister? If you love your sister so much, why don’t you live with her? I’m done taking care of you!”

Wanxi took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.

The door swung open.

Her brother, Tianyou Song, appeared, his face honest but worn and weary. Seeing Wanxi, he looked flustered. “Little sister, what are you doing here?”

At the word “little sister,” a loud, harsh door slam came from inside.

Bang!

The door slammed so hard the whole apartment seemed to shake.

Tianyou trembled in fright and hurried outside, grabbing Wanxi’s hand. “You should go home first. I’ll come see you when I have time.”

Her brother was always honest and kind-hearted. Seeing his worn and exhausted expression, Wanxi felt a surge of heartache nearly overwhelming her. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“Brother, Mom sent me. She said sister-in-law lost her mind again, always arguing with you. Did she threaten divorce today?”