Volume One, Chapter Seven: The Co-Pilot Seat Usurped by Hanzi Tea

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Yujin ignored his words and grasped the door handle, ready to open it.

“Brother, let her be with me,” Youchen’s voice softened, filled with pleading. “I like her. Two years ago, when you first brought her home, I was deeply captivated by her.”

Yujin’s hand froze mid-motion, his body stiffened, and facing away from Youchen, he exuded a dark and oppressive aura.

“I, Youchen, have never begged anyone in my life,” Youchen stood up from the floor, his fingers brushing his lips to wipe away blood. “I’m begging you, brother.”

Their brotherly bond had always been strong; that one word, “brother,” was both tender and humble.

Yujin calmed himself and spoke in a deep, steady voice, “I can give you everything, but not her.”

With that, he opened the door and stepped out.

“You’d better guard her forever if you can! Besides me, there are plenty of men waiting to steal her away from you. With the way you don’t cherish her, I wonder how long you can hold on,” Youchen shouted angrily.

Yujin strode back into the room, the harshness of the voice behind him all the more grating.

The elders in the living room, hearing the commotion, stood up anxiously. “What’s going on? What happened?”

Yujin’s face remained cold; he ignored everyone, entered the room, and slammed the door shut.

—

After discussion, the second uncle and aunt stayed in the hometown to accompany grandmother for a while; the rest returned to the city for work.

By afternoon, nearly all the luxury cars in front of the villa had departed.

Song Wanxi packed her clothes, said farewell to her grandmother, and carried her luggage out of the villa.

Not far away, Sister Feng and a group of women gathered under the banyan tree, whispering and casting glances toward her.

She walked toward Yujin’s car.

Through the windshield, she saw Wu Weiwei already seated in the front passenger seat.

She placed her luggage in the trunk and closed it.

Approaching the rear door, she just pulled it open when Yujenny gave her a cold glance and impatiently said, “You sit over there.”

Song Wanxi didn’t argue, closed the door, walked around to the other side, and got in.

She buckled her seatbelt and silently gazed out the window.

Yujin started the car and drove off.

The lush green fields flashed by in frames as the sunset dyed half the sky crimson.

The scenery was beautiful, but her heart was gloomy and heavy, damp as if rain was about to fall.

“Let’s listen to some music,” Wu Weiwei casually operated the car’s touchscreen as if it were her own vehicle and spoke brightly, “Jenny, what do you want to hear?”

Yujenny smiled widely and swayed slightly, “Play a DJ track, something lively.”

“Okay.” Wu Weiwei found a very popular DJ song.

The energetic and catchy melody vibrated inside the car. Yujenny and Wu Weiwei sang along and swayed their bodies, full of passion and excitement.

Song Wanxi found it nothing but noise.

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The noise throbbed painfully in her head, her eardrums felt like they would burst, and even her heart seemed unsettled.

She leaned her head against the window and closed her eyes.

Yujin reached out and pressed a button.

Instantly, the car fell silent.

Wu Weiwei stared at his cold profile in surprise.

Yujenny leaned forward, looking at Yujin who was focused on driving, pouting, “Brother, why did you turn off our music?”

Wu Weiwei glanced at the resting Song Wanxi and pretended to be understanding, “Jenny, Arjin doesn’t like loud music; it distracts him while driving.”

Yujenny complained, “Four hours in the car is so boring. Listening to music makes the time pass faster.”

Wu Weiwei assumed the role of a protective sister-in-law, siding with Yujin, and gently patted her head to soothe her, “Be good, no music so your brother can drive well.”

“Hmph!” Yujenny huffed and leaned back in her seat, turning her gaze to the window.

Wu Weiwei smiled subtly, her eyes coldly flicking over Song Wanxi, then sat upright and looked ahead, trying to spark conversation with Yujin. “Arjin, I remember there’s a product launch tonight. Will you make it?”

Yujin replied calmly, “I can.”

“I want to go too. Take me along.”

“Okay.”

Wu Weiwei shyly smiled, “It’s such a grand occasion. Should I wear a gown?”

“Whatever,” Yujin said indifferently.

Their conversation dwindled into occasional responses from Yujin.

Those four hours felt incredibly long to Song Wanxi.

By the time they reached the city, night had fallen, and the southern city was illuminated by dazzling neon lights, vibrant and lively.

At the community entrance, Song Wanxi was the first to get out.

She was listless, utterly drained, slowly closing the car door.

Without a word of farewell, she even forgot to take her luggage from the trunk, dragging her heavy steps into the community.

The security guard greeted her, and she forced a faint smile, nodding in return.

She exhaled deeply and looked up at the towering luxury apartment.

With countless lights shining, she thought about how happy every family here must be living in such a lavish flat.

Why was her life turning out like this?

Outside the community, the cars remained stationary.

Yujin watched from the car window until Song Wanxi’s figure vanished from his sight.

Wu Weiwei glared at Yujin’s lonely profile, clenching her teeth tightly.

Yujenny grew impatient and asked, “Brother, what are you looking at? Let’s go, take me home!”

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Wu Weiwei smiled, “Let’s go. Don’t you have a product launch to attend later?”

Yujin withdrew his gaze and turned the steering wheel.

The car slowly pulled away.

—

Song Wanxi entered her home, turned on the lights, changed into slippers, and placed her shoes in the cabinet.

She closed the door, weakly lay sideways on the sofa, and closed her eyes.

After many days of bitterness, she could no longer hold back; tears quietly welled up and slid down her cheeks.

The house was empty, enveloped in loneliness.

At that moment, her phone rang.

She pulled it out of her pocket, weakly propped herself up, wiped away her tears, and looked at the caller ID.

Her heart grew heavier.

The word "Mom" weighed on her with a suffocating pressure.

Yet, she could not refuse to answer.

Song Wanxi answered and held the phone to her ear, “Mom.”

“I heard your husband’s grandfather passed away?”

“Yes, it happened a few days ago. He’s already been buried.”

“Why didn’t you tell us? As relatives, we should have gone to the funeral and given the customary platinum gift.” Her mother’s complaint was sharp and piercing.

“I’ve already given the platinum on your behalf.” Song Wanxi didn’t want her family to come over.

If she herself couldn’t get respect from her husband’s family, her own family would only face cold treatment.

She could bear this grievance alone.

Her mother fell silent for a moment, cleared her throat, and formally got to the point: “Wanxi, you haven’t given us any money this month yet.”

Song Wanxi frowned, “Didn’t I already give you ten thousand last month?”

“Last month is last month; this month is this month. You can’t mix them up.”

Her mother called for only one reason: money.

Like a bottomless pit, it was never enough.

Song Wanxi leaned back on the sofa in exhaustion. “Mom, I told you before, that ten thousand was all my savings. I have no money now. The business isn’t doing well, and my research costs a lot…”

“If it weren’t for you, would our family have to suffer like this? Your brother had a bright future, but because of you, he’s so poor he can’t even support his parents and children. You heartless wretch…” Her mother’s voice was sharp, angry, and laced with sobs as she scolded.