You're my wife, don't doubt it!

“My grandfather strongly opposed my mother’s relationship with that man.”

Actually, it should be her maternal grandfather, Xiao Yao thought. But since she doesn't acknowledge this father, then "maternal grandfather" naturally becomes "paternal grandfather."

“Ah, I can imagine,” Xiao Yao said.

“That man’s family was very poor. My mother used her own money to support his studies for several years. Because of him, this incident became the trigger, which led to her falling out with my grandfather and being kicked out.”

"What Chen Shimei!" Xiao Yao's fist hardened.

"Then he suddenly broke up with my mom, right when she was three months pregnant with me." Yu Luying's tone was calm, as if she were talking about someone else's funny story.

"Huh? Huh?" Xiao Yao said.

"I gave my mom a sum of money and told her to beat me up."

Xiao Yao's blood pressure shot to his head. He slammed his fists on the glass tabletop, stood up, and shouted, "I suddenly have a fucking idea!"

“I know what you’re thinking,” Yu Luying reached out and pressed down on Xiao Yao’s arm: “Forget about it, that’s too dangerous—always remember our bottom line.”

"Just because he's your dad after all?" Xiao Yao asked, panting heavily.

“Because I am a church member after all. Because… I heard all of this from my mother,” Yu Luying said. “I always felt that there might be some hidden story behind this.”

"You mean, your mother lied to you?"

“It’s not necessarily deceiving parents to tell their children some lies. Look at you, I told you this afternoon that your temper is getting worse and worse. Don’t forget, you’re a father now.” Yu Luying said this, but there was no hint of blame in her tone.

Just then, Xiao Yao's phone rang.

He pulled out his phone, instinctively wanting to hang up, but hesitated when he saw the words "My Dear Wife" on the screen.

"Who is it?" Yu Luying asked. "Is it her?"

Xiao Yao nodded to her.

“Then you have to answer it,” Yu Luying urged, “Answer it first.”

Xiao Yao paused for two seconds, nodded to Yu Luying, and answered the phone.

"Hello," Xiao Yao said.

"Doggy," a slightly hoarse girl's voice approached from afar, followed by the crunching sound of biting into an apple, "What are you doing? You haven't answered the phone for ages, and you haven't replied to messages during the day either."

“Ah, no,” Xiao Yao said.

"Why are you being so cold?" Shen Jie said, somewhat displeased.

"No, no, no," Xiao Yao shook his head, forcing himself to regain his normal emotions and tone: "Look, are you more enthusiastic now?"

"Tch, what are you doing?" Shen Jie took another bite of the apple.

"I'm doing a math test." Xiao Yao glanced at the table.

--split line--

After finishing dinner, Shen Jie chatted with Luo Yunxuan for a while, watched a horror movie, and then went back to her bedroom to take a shower and change clothes.

She was careful not to let the hot water touch the wound on her back.

After drying her hair, she didn't lie down on the bed immediately. Her buttocks still hurt when she sat down, and she could only grit her teeth and bear it in front of others. This was the only time she could relax. Fortunately, there was no real injury, and it should be fine in a couple of days.

She laid the huge plush bear down on the ground, then lay on its back, staring blankly at the pattern on the wool carpet.

After resting for a while, I started to complete the last item on my schedule before going to bed.

Evening report.

Shen Jie took out her phone and saw that Xiao Yao hadn't replied to her messages all night, and a nameless anger rose in her heart.

Something's not right with me. It must be because I'm in a bad mood.

However, looking at it from another perspective, is this what it feels like to be ignored by the other party?

Shen Jie, somewhat self-deprecatingly, mentally deconstructed herself.

Then, she took a deep breath, switched to "sweet girlfriend" mode, selected the contact labeled "dog" in the address book, and pressed the call button.

beep - beep - beep -

This deep red carpet features ornate patterns, including flowers, vines, and geometric designs, woven with gold and light-colored lines, creating a refined and intricate feel. The carpet's edge is adorned with a delicate lace trim, also woven with gold lines, echoing the overall design.

Why aren't you answering the phone?

Shen Jie held the receiver a little further away from her ear, then turned to the side and picked up the fruit that was always kept on the bedside table.

"Hello?" Just before the call was about to hang up automatically, Xiao Yao finally answered it.

There was actually a hint of... annoyance in that "hello"?

What's going on? Shen Jie was even more annoyed.

“Doggy,” Shen Jie took a big bite of the apple, the sweet, fresh juice filling her mouth, “what are you doing? You haven’t answered the phone for ages, and you haven’t replied to messages during the day either.”

"Ah, no," Xiao Yao said coldly.

"Why are you being so cold?" Shen Jie started to get angry.

"No, no, no," came the obviously fake, obsequious voice from the other end of the phone: "See how enthusiastic you are now?"

Fine, I'll hold back. I don't want anything to happen today: "Tch, what are you doing?"

Shen Jie took another bite of the apple.

"I'm doing a math test." The tone on the other end was finally a bit more normal.

"What have you been doing all day?" Shen Jie asked him. "Just doing practice tests?"

“Well, I did two practice tests this afternoon,” Xiao Yao said. “I went out for dinner, strolled around the old commercial street for a while, and then continued doing practice tests.”

"You're doing great, Gouzi," Shen Jie praised. "Keep up the good work, you could get into an Ivy League school."

"Hehe," Xiao Yao said, "was your pig tasty?"

"It's alright, not bad." Actually, Shen Jie hadn't touched much, and could only try to recall.

"Your family's dinner tonight is quite lavish," Xiao Yao said. "Is it like this on a regular basis, or did your dad specially prepare a welcome dinner for you today?"

"Welcome back and wash away the dust of the journey, huh." Shen Jie touched her swollen face; it was better not to touch it, but it still hurt a little when she did.

“No,” Shen Jie said, “this is just regular cooking.”

"That's great~" Xiao Yao said with envy, "I've lived for sixteen years and I've never seen a roast suckling pig in person."

"Our poor dog can only eat Qianlixiang wontons," Shen Jie said, feigning a cheerful tone.

"Ha," Xiao Yao joked, "You can try to send over the leftovers later."

Shen Jie knew Xiao Yao was joking, but she still seriously considered it: "Hmm... um, next time we meet, I'll find a chance to bring you some food?"

"I was just joking with you, and you actually took it seriously." Xiao Yao laughed heartily.

"..." Shen Jie slowly stood up, remaining silent.

Xiao Yao didn't say anything either, and the two of them fell into an awkward silence for some reason.

Seriously? You've only been apart for an afternoon and most of the evening, and you already have nothing to talk about on the phone? What kind of relationship is this?

Shen Jie raised her head, looked around blankly at the familiar bedroom, and wandered aimlessly, like a tiger in a zoo cage.

This bedroom, measuring approximately 70 to 80 square meters, is decorated in the same Baroque style as the rest of the house. The walls are adorned with ornate gold tapestries, murals, and gilded reliefs, creating a luxurious atmosphere.

"Well, if there's nothing else to say, let's leave it at that for today..." Shen Jie said hesitantly.

"No, no, no," Xiao Yao quickly said, "Well, uh, cough cough, it's just... when are we going to meet next time?"

Shen Jie paused for a second and a half: "It will probably be at least half a month later—I'm under house arrest."

"Lockdown?!"

"Do you still want my dad to act like nothing happened?" Shen Jie nodded: "Originally, it was supposed to be a month of confinement, but my stepmother pleaded for me, so now it's half a month."

"Then... I won't see you for half a month." Xiao Yao said sadly, "Before I went abroad, I felt like every day was one less day I had left..."

“Well… there’s nothing I can do,” Shen Jie said. “I’m sorry.”

In the very center of the room was a huge carved bed, surrounded by soft silk sheets and pillows. The headboard was against the wall, and the other three sides were shrouded in blue gauze curtains.

Shen Jie lifted the bed curtains and lay down on the bed.

There was a vase and a candlestick on the bedside table, and opposite the bed was a marble fireplace decorated with gold reliefs, with several books and some ornaments piled on top.

"Why are you apologizing to me?" Xiao Yao chuckled softly. "It's not your fault. There's nothing we can do about it."

"Mmm." Shen Jie lay on the bed, unconsciously kicking her calves up and down: "Have you... missed me?"

Normally, Shen Jie doesn't speak like this, but in her current mood, she suddenly wanted to hear some sweet words.

"Mm," Xiao Yao said.

"What do you mean by 'hmm'?" Shen Jie's voice rose several decibels: "Do you want to or not?"

"Hmm." Xiao Yao hummed in response.

Shen Jie started to get angry.

"Yes," Xiao Yao said in a low voice, "I really want to, I really want to."

Shen Jie suddenly realized something: "Is it inconvenient for you to speak?"