Volume One, Chapter Six: The Younger Uncle’s Harassment

At dawn, You Chen returned.

He was tall and lean, dressed entirely in black, with striking black ankle boots. His medium-length hair was slightly curled and tied back, bearing a resemblance to You Jin. His handsome features carried an air of roguish elegance.

He tossed his black duffel bag aside and knelt directly before his grandfather’s coffin to kowtow.

With everyone present, Nan Mo was finally relieved and couldn't wait to proceed with the funeral rites. The members of the You family donned their mourning attire. Wu Weiwei, an outsider, insisted on receiving the same treatment as Song Wanxi, demanding a mourning scarf for the grandfather. Unable to withstand her requests, the You family agreed.

On the way to the burial, Wu Weiwei walked side-by-side with You Jin. Song Wanxi, like an outsider, was left isolated at the back, following along with Sister Feng and the others.

After the grandfather’s body was cremated at the funeral home, the ashes were interred. The day after the funeral, a torrential downpour began. Grandmother was brought back from the hospital, but she had no appetite and lay in her room to rest. The atmosphere in the house was bleak and somber.

At the rectangular dining table, the members of the You family and Wu Weiwei sat together for a meal. In their eyes, Song Wanxi’s background was beneath them; aside from Grandmother, no one cared for her. They chatted about seemingly sophisticated topics, eager to project their high social standing and maintaining an air of arrogance. Song Wanxi had no intention of trying to please any of them.

Her cousin, You Zhenni, noticing that You Jin was quiet, deliberately started a conversation: "Big brother, can I ride in your car back to the city?"

You Jin looked up at her, his eyes darkening slightly.

Wu Weiwei quickly interjected, "Ah Jin, I want to ride in your car back to the city, too."

You Jin remained silent, merely letting out a low, humming sound from his throat. "Mm."

You Chen, sitting opposite them, raised an eyebrow as he stared at Song Wanxi. His gaze was direct, showing no effort to hide his admiration. He unconsciously licked the corner of his mouth, offering a roguish, elegant smile. "Sister-in-law, why don't you ride in my car? I’ll take you home."

Song Wanxi’s movements paused, and she looked at him.

Meeting Song Wanxi’s clear, beautiful eyes, You Chen’s smile deepened, and his gaze turned heated. "My motorcycle is no slower than a car. It’s exciting, comfortable, and thrilling!"

You Jin set down his bowl and chopsticks, picked up a napkin, and leaned back. He shot a cold, sharp glare at You Chen, a powerful, aggressive chill enveloping him. You Chen was showing no respect for hierarchy, openly flirting with his own sister-in-law.

Everyone knew You Chen’s reckless personality and assumed he was just teasing her; no one took it to heart. Although Song Wanxi did not want to ride in You Jin’s car, she was even less willing to get on You Chen’s motorcycle. She had no desire to perform a scene of "Speed" on the highway, drifting around corners.

"No thank you, brother-in-law," Song Wanxi replied softly.

You Chen’s eyes were filled with affection and ambiguous smiles, his naked gaze fixed on Song Wanxi’s stunning beauty.

After the meal, the second aunt was in the kitchen washing dishes and tidying up. Song Wanxi, not wanting to be a mere prop in the living room, went into the kitchen to help. Although the second aunt was virtuous, her family background was powerful, leading her to look down on a poor girl from the mountains like Song Wanxi. Like the others, she felt Song Wanxi had married above her station.

"You finish the rest," the second aunt said coldly. Unwilling to spend time with Song Wanxi, she left.

Song Wanxi didn't mind. She just wanted a space to be alone, not wanting to face her husband’s family, who disliked her and left her sitting in corners, feeling awkward and restrained.

Once Song Wanxi had finished cleaning and washed her hands, she turned around and was suddenly confronted by a tall figure. She stepped back in fear, her back hitting the stove. Her heart hammered against her ribs, and her breathing grew erratic.

You Chen braced a hand against the counter, leaning over to trap her. He narrowed his seductive, cold eyes and whispered, "Sister-in-law, this kind of dirty, manual labor will hurt your delicate hands. Don't do it again."

Song Wanxi calmed herself, anger burning in her chest. Her tone hardened. "Brother-in-law, please have some self-respect and stay away from me."

You Chen raised an eyebrow with a cold smirk. "I can tell my brother isn't good to you. He’s colder than a stranger. You’re so beautiful, so talented, and so gentle—there are so many men who would love you. Why must you wrong yourself?"

Song Wanxi clenched her fists, glaring at him in annoyance. "Please leave."

You Chen stepped closer rather than retreating, his hot breath hitting her cheek as he murmured, "Sister-in-law, I don't mind your two-year marriage to my brother. Why don't you be with me? I would definitely treat you a thousand times, ten thousand times better than he does. I would never neglect you, nor would I look at any other woman but you."

Song Wanxi was a traditional woman; You Chen’s behavior disgusted her. Even if every other man on earth were dead, she would never be with her husband’s brother.

"Get out of here." Song Wanxi used all her strength to shove You Chen’s chest.

You Chen stumbled back two steps. Song Wanxi scrambled to get past him, desperate to escape. She had only taken two steps before her body stiffened, and she stopped dead in her tracks.

You Jin was standing in the doorway, leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets, watching everything with a calm expression.

Being harassed by You Chen made Song Wanxi feel humiliated and angry. But her husband watched her being harassed with indifference—neither helping nor intervening. How could he be even colder than a stranger?

Her heart felt as if it had been smashed to pieces by a stone, leaving it a bloody mess, making it impossible for her to breathe. An unprecedented sense of despair and loss flooded her, so painful it was indescribable. She wanted to run to a place where no one could see her and cry her heart out.

She lowered her head, her eyes misting over. Biting her lip, she walked past You Jin with large strides. Leaving the villa, she headed deep into the deserted fields of the village.

—

In the kitchen.

When You Chen saw You Jin, he showed no sign of fear. Instead, he raised his eyebrows triumphantly, looking utterly arrogant.

You Jin walked in, turned around, and locked the kitchen door.

Seeing this, You Chen’s body stiffened. The smile on his face gradually faded, and a flicker of unease appeared in his eyes.

You Jin calmly unbuttoned his cuffs and walked toward You Chen at a measured pace. The arms revealed as he rolled up his sleeves were firm and robust, showing the strength of long-term exercise. In front of You Jin, You Chen appeared thin and frail.

You Chen had never believed that his eldest brother, who was always genteel and calm, would ever resort to violence. His voice wavered slightly. "Brother, we are civilized people. Let's talk things out; there's no need to use our hands. Grandfather hasn't even had his seventh-day memorial yet..."

Before he could finish, You Jin’s iron-hard fist swung out like a thousand-pound hammer.

With a dull thud, You Chen was knocked to the side, slamming into the refrigerator. He collapsed against it, causing the large appliance to shake.

Pain furrowed his brow, and blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. Before he could react to the dizziness, You Jin grabbed him by the collar, hauled him back, and delivered another punch.

You Chen fell to the floor, spitting out blood and saliva. He gasped for air, bracing himself against the floor to try and rise. Staring at You Jin with hate-filled eyes, he roared through gritted teeth, "If you have the guts, kill me! Otherwise, I'm going to have Song Wanxi, no matter what."

You Jin’s face turned livid. He knelt on one knee, grabbed You Chen by the collar, and pulled him close. His cold, sharp gaze was laced with murderous intent, and his voice was low, yet bone-chilling. "You dare to covet your own sister-in-law? Are you tired of living?"

You Chen laughed brazenly. "You’re too hypocritical. You married such a beautiful and virtuous wife, but you won't touch her, and you won't let anyone else touch her either."

You Jin’s iron fist trembled as he fought to suppress his murderous rage. His black eyes burned like an inferno, and his voice seemed to emerge from a frozen abyss. "You Chen, I’m warning you: if you dare to harass her again, don't blame me for killing you, regardless of our brotherhood."

Having delivered his ultimatum, You Jin released his collar, stood up, and walked out.

"If you don't love her, why do you insist on keeping her?" You Chen shouted angrily at his retreating back.