The Art of Teasing - Chapter 154

Chapter 154

Wen Shishu wanted Zhan Cheng to send bodyguards to drive Kang Bai and his father out. Zhan Cheng dared not disobey, but with Wen Zhengyu now the head of the household, he dared not keep it from her either. He immediately went to Wen Zhengyu's small courtyard and informed her.

Wen Zhengyu gave a soft "mm" and said, "The household matters are now under Eldest Aunt and Second Aunt's arrangements, but if anything comes up, it's good that you come and tell me." She carefully inquired about Lao Kang and Kang Bai's reactions.

Zhan Cheng told Wen Zhengyu that both Kang Bai and his father had extremely unpleasant expressions. Lao Kang's face was ashen, and he had even quarreled with Wen Shishu in the courtyard.

Wen Zhengyu asked, very surprised, "What did they quarrel about?"

Zhan Cheng shook his head. "The specifics are unclear, but a bodyguard from the neighboring courtyard heard Mr. Kang roar something like 'You are a member of my Kang family!' After that, Second Sister ordered him thrown out."

Wen Zhengyu understood—they had fallen out. Her second aunt and former uncle-in-law had long been divorced. Now it was merely a cooperative relationship, held together by the link that was Kang Bai. Her second aunt's relationship with the Kang family had never been good. From the way her second aunt lectured Kang Bai, it was clear that his family had likely done their fair share of sowing discord between her second aunt and Kang Bai. All the past grievances, compounded by the matter of the Old Master—her second aunt's heart must have been thoroughly broken.

Ye Ling and Cui Dong were both busy outside. At home, it was only her, Eldest Aunt, and Second Aunt eating dinner together.

With so few people at home, even though Wen Zhengyu couldn't walk on her own, she still insisted on having someone help her to the main courtyard to eat with her two aunts. Fortunately, Wen Shishu knew exactly what kind of temperament Wen Zhengyu had and didn't dare let her exert herself too much. She had the meal set up in Wen Zhengyu's courtyard instead. She and Wen Shili came to Wen Zhengyu's courtyard to eat.

Recently, Ye Ling had always been the one to feed Wen Zhengyu during meals. Now that Ye Ling was suddenly absent, Wen Zhengyu felt a bit unaccustomed. She thought to herself, Habit and dependence are truly terrifying things. Silently, she picked up a spoon and drank her congee by herself. At present, she could only eat liquid foods that required no chewing; otherwise, even the act of chewing would pull and cause a dull, throbbing pain throughout her head.

During the meal, she didn't speak, downing a bowl of congee as if completing a monumental task.

After the meal, once the bowls and chopsticks were cleared away, her two aunts, seeing she had no one else in her room, didn't dare leave. They stayed behind to keep her company.

Wen Shishu said, "Shouldn't there be someone in your room to act as a close personal caregiver?" Previously, this task had been done by Ye Ling, with Wen Jing taking over on the occasional times Ye Ling went out. Now, Ye Ling was managing all external affairs and was utterly overwhelmed. As for Wen Jing, she was still recovering from her injuries. Wen Zhengyu couldn't even walk steadily now, and in her current condition, she could easily fall. If she were to fall, it would be no laughing matter.

Wen Zhengyu turned her eyes to look at Wen Shishu.

Wen Shishu was immediately both exasperated and amused. "Are you planning to latch onto me? Who's going to come help you get dressed at the crack of dawn? At your age?"

Wen Zhengyu said, "I can dress myself."

Wen Shishu said, "I'm busy every day. I don't have time to look after you."

Wen Zhengyu could only respond with an "Oh" and said, "Then help me find a nurse."

With only her and her two aunts present, Wen Zhengyu asked directly, "Did you fall out with Uncle Kang?"

Wen Shishu shot Wen Zhengyu a glance. "In your condition, you're still worrying about so much all day. Do you want to get better or not?"

Wen Zhengyu said, "I can't do anything else, so I can only let my thoughts run wild."

Wen Shili cast an impassive look at Wen Zhengyu and leisurely continued eating her pastries.

Wen Zhengyu knew that, given her current state, her second aunt was certainly not at ease letting her go abroad. She said, "This is our home. With you all here at home, my heart feels settled. I just feel that our family is still here, that I'm not left all alone with only Ye Ling to depend on."

Wen Shishu gently stroked Wen Zhengyu's back. "Don't let your thoughts run wild."

Wen Zhengyu gave an "mm," reached up, and took hold of Wen Shishu's hand. "I'm a little worried." Her second aunt was the purse strings for Lao Kang and Kang Bai. If her second aunt wanted to dissolve the partnership, even if she gave Lao Kang his money back, that money couldn't see the light of day—exposure would mean its death. Over the years in the capital, although her second aunt had built her own social circle and had, in a sense, propped Lao Kang up, many of her connections relied on Lao Kang. If they dissolved the partnership, it would truly be a mutually devastating blow, damaging sinew and bone alike. This was why they continued to cooperate even after the divorce, and why Lao Kang could roar that she was a member of his family. He would not agree to dissolving the partnership and would certainly obstruct it with all his might.

Wen Shishu said, "Just worry about yourself. Don't worry needlessly about me."

Wen Shili said, "Second Sister, you'd better listen to what Yu'er wants to say." She glanced at Wen Shishu. "You're so capable, always thinking you can handle everything yourself, taking everything upon your shoulders."

When facing her elder sister, Wen Shishu had a long list of things, item by item, that her sister could lecture her about. She was always on shaky ground and could only listen obediently.

Wen Zhengyu said, "I want Second Aunt to come back. I don't want Second Aunt to suffer grievances. Actually, I understand. These years, Second Aunt has suffered her share of grievances. She just puts on a strong front and keeps it all bottled up inside without saying anything."

Wen Shishu cast an exasperated glance at Wen Zhengyu. "What do you know about anything?"

Wen Zhengyu gripped Wen Shishu's hand tightly. "Don't be stubborn about this. The only family I have left is all of you." She paused for a moment, then continued, "Seeing you return safe and sound is more important than anything. We're not taking this mistreatment."

Wen Shishu softly stroked Wen Zhengyu's back, the rims of her eyes reddening slightly. "Fine. Loving you all these years wasn't a waste after all."

Wen Zhengyu then said in a small voice, "If you run into difficulties, go see Qi Wei. She owes me one. After helping you, she and I will be even. She's been too embarrassed to come see me even now."

Wen Shishu chuckled. She gently pinched Wen Zhengyu's earlobe. "Done."

Wen Zhengyu asked, "It's settled?"

Wen Shishu nodded. "Settled." Her thoughts shifted, and she looked at Wen Zhengyu curiously. "You barely step outside your gate all day. Where do you get all this inside information? Others always advise reconciliation, not separation. And here you are, eagerly telling people to dissolve the partnership."

Wen Shili said, "You think she's like you, muddle-headed as a confused worm?"

Wen Shishu said, "I say, Eldest Sister, can you give me a little face?"

Wen Shili said, "Looking for face from me? You've come to the wrong place. I've been the one taking care of you since you were ten months old, handling your messes in the middle of the night…"

Wen Shishu made as if to strike her.

Wen Shili swept a single glance her way. "Shall we chat about it?"

Wen Shishu shot back a glance. "Who wants to chat with you?" Any such chat would make her start doubting her entire existence. She withdrew her hand, stood up, and lifted a leg as if to bolt. Only after taking two steps did she remember there was a patient here who needed company. Instantly exasperated, she said to Wen Zhengyu, "Hurry up, find a nurse tomorrow." Then, upon further thought, she realized it seemed the task of finding a nurse had fallen to her. Even more exasperated, she said, "Hey, I've become your old nanny."

Wen Zhengyu thought to herself, Can't out-argue Eldest Aunt, so you redirect your firepower onto me. She propped her head on her hand, fully embodying the manner of an invalid.

Wen Shili continued sipping her tea and eating pastries.

Wen Shishu felt so stifled she could only sigh. "This life is impossible to live." Being unable to sit idle, she dug out Wen Zhengyu's Go set and challenged Wen Shili to a few games.

The Arhat Bed was comfortable to sit on. The two of them even squeezed Wen Zhengyu to the side.

Wen Zhengyu tried to lean over and watch, but was shooed away by Wen Shishu. "Off to the side. You're recovering from an injury. What if watching makes you dizzy and you throw up on the board?"

Wen Zhengyu suddenly didn't want to speak to her second aunt at all.

When Ye Ling returned home, she found Wen Zhengyu pitifully squeezed into the corner of the Arhat Bed, huddled there clutching a small blanket, while Wen Shishu and Wen Shili occupied the bed, locked in an intense, deadlocked battle over the Go board. Beside the board lay a jadeite bracelet of exceptionally fine color and a gold-inlaid jade chain bracelet—clearly, the two sisters had removed these from their wrists to serve as stakes for the game. She said, "Gambling is one thing, but look how you've squeezed Zhengyu."

Wen Shishu, chin propped on her left hand and a Go stone pinched between the fingers of her right, stared at the board deep in thought, utterly deaf to Ye Ling's words.

Wen Shili sipped her tea leisurely and effortlessly handed the empty cup to Ye Ling.

Ye Ling was utterly speechless at these two. Still, she obediently took the teacup and refilled it for Wen Shili, saying, "Eldest Aunt, try not to drink so much tea late at night. It might cause insomnia."

Wen Shili gestured toward Wen Shishu. "Can't you see she's losing right now? She won't let me sleep until this goes deep into the night."

Wen Shishu said, "Who says? That's it for today. It's a draw. Xiao Yezi is back; we should go."

Wen Shili swept her gaze over the board. "What do you mean, a draw? Count the stones properly before saying that. This habit of cheating on your losses—you still haven't changed it in your old age."

Wen Shishu immediately bristled. "Who's old?"

Wen Shili said, "I am. Alright?"

Ye Ling instantly became worried these two sisters would start fighting. She looked toward Wen Zhengyu and saw her little poor thing, looking more pitiful than ever, huddled there as if she had been thoroughly ravaged. Click, click. She used her phone to take pictures of the Go positions, sent the photos to the two of them, then picked the stones off the board and put them back in the bowls. She handed the board and stones to them together. "Ladies, the study across the way. Fight until dawn. Please." Efficiently, she shooed them out.

Wen Shishu said to Ye Ling, "I always said Xiao Yu is a little ingrate, but you're even more heartless. After all, we helped you look after the invalid for an entire evening."

Ye Ling quickly replied, "Many thanks, many thanks. I'd be even more satisfied if you hadn't squeezed the invalid into the corner." Wen Zhengyu had been so forlorn, and yet these two hadn't even spared her a glance.

Wen Shishu said, "If we hadn't chased her into the corner, she'd have leaned over to watch the game. What if she got dizzy and threw up on the Go board? In the middle of the night, where would I find someone to clean it up? Alright, get some rest early. We're leaving." She picked up Wen Zhengyu's Go set and left. From across the rooms, she still called out to Wen Zhengyu, "This Go set of yours is quite good. I'm taking it."

Wen Zhengyu had absolutely no desire to speak.

She waited until Ye Ling had closed the door and returned to the room before asking, "Why are you only back now?" Those two sisters hadn't come to look after an invalid at all; they were practically here to torment the wounded.

Ye Ling asked, "Did they bully you?"

Wen Zhengyu gave an "mm." "Playing Go, but they wouldn't let me watch." Before Ye Ling came back, she couldn't wash up and go to bed, and they couldn't feel at ease leaving her alone in the room. Ye Ling had to come back to sleep, and they couldn't very well stay to sleep with her. Thus, all three of them had been waiting for Ye Ling to return. Those two sisters could pass the time playing Go, but she could only huddle in the corner, coveting the game, helplessly waiting. She added, "They both have Go sets in their own rooms, just not as good as mine."

Ye Ling thought: So these two bullied my Wen Zhengyu all evening, and on top of that, helped themselves to a Go set on their way out. And I was the one who handed it to them by packing up the game… Difficult indeed, no wonder she was so aggrieved. She said, "I'll come back earlier from now on. Let me go run the bath first." She planted a kiss on Wen Zhengyu's forehead and went to the bathroom.

Wen Zhengyu gave an "mm." When Ye Ling came out of the bathroom, she told her about her second aunt's plan to dissolve the partnership with Lao Kang.

Ye Ling prepared Wen Zhengyu's bathrobe. After a brief moment of thought, she said, "It's not so easy to dissolve." They'd been on the same boat for so many years. Now Wen Shishu wanted to disembark, yet she controlled the economic lifeline. Lao Kang would have a very hard time agreeing. Even if he did, he would likely demand that Wen Shishu pay a heavy price. But Wen Shishu's temperament wasn't one to swallow her anger and suffer in silence; she would absolutely not compromise.

She said, "For this matter to be settled properly, it really does need Qi Wei to meddle in it." Lao Kang and his brother weren't on the same path. Because of her brother's position, if Ye Ling got involved, it would actually complicate things. And Qi Wei was truly not someone to be trifled with. When Cen Xun was in that car accident and sent to the hospital, she had only suffered a broken leg and some flesh wounds. She wasn't hospitalized for long before the diagnosis changed to spinal injury. And this was a member of the Cen family. If Qi Wei got involved and Lao Kang dared to go too far, Qi Wei would scratch him to death. Lao Kang was where he was today entirely because he married a good wife and had a good father-in-law; he had no real foundation or very solid connections. The moment he began to rise, just for the sake of climbing one more half-step in rank, he sold out his in-laws. Wasn't it just because he was bullying the Wen family, thinking they had almost no one left? The only one who seemed to have some promise, Wen Zhengyu, had been injured in the head and could barely manage daily life. He also probably thought the Lian family wouldn't stand up for Wen Shishu.

Ye Ling didn't even know how to evaluate Wen Zhengyu's former uncle-in-law. In this matter, just Qi Wei stirring the pot would be enough to tie him up with restrictions and constraints. And if Wen Shishu were to later go and have a sit-down with Qin Yu, it would be enough to make him regret everything. But precisely because Wen Shishu knew Lao Kang's affairs inside and out and had too much leverage on him, he would be even less likely to let her off the boat. Behind the scenes, he was bound to make moves. She said, "This matter won't be easy. It's best to invite Qi Wei over." The nickname Qi Nine-Tails wasn't given for nothing.

Wen Zhengyu knew Ye Ling thought more comprehensively than she did and replied, "Alright."

Ye Ling had the bathrobe and towels all ready. She helped Wen Zhengyu to the bathroom. First, she took off her own clothes, then began to undress Wen Zhengyu.

Seeing Ye Ling strip naked, Wen Zhengyu immediately closed her eyes and began reciting the Clarity Scripture to prevent her thoughts from wandering.

Ye Ling couldn't help but be amused. If she undressed Wen Zhengyu first, Wen Zhengyu would be incredibly awkward, her face flushing bright red to the point where Ye Ling would worry the blood might rush to her head. But if Ye Ling undressed herself first, Wen Zhengyu would be too preoccupied to feel awkward. She removed Wen Zhengyu's clothes, suppressing her urge to kiss Wen Zhengyu's body, and helped her into the bathtub. Once Wen Zhengyu was settled, she also sat in the tub and began to bathe Wen Zhengyu.

She asked Wen Zhengyu, "Torture or not?"

Wen Zhengyu answered honestly, "Torture, but… reciting the scripture makes it bearable."

Ye Ling let out two heavy "hmphs!"

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