Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Wen Zhi hung up the phone and opened the trending page on Weibo.

At the top of the hot search list was the hashtag #WenTheRichBabeNewFlame. She clicked on it, and the first thing that caught her eye were three photos. The first showed her holding Mu Mu’s hand while walking out of the hospital building with Yun Songzhang. The second was Yun Songzhang holding Mu Mu and holding an umbrella over them. The third captured Yun Songzhang placing Mu Mu into the car and closing the door.

In the photos, Yun Songzhang’s broad shoulders and long legs were evident, and his gold-rimmed glasses only added to his refined look.

The photos weren’t half bad.

Above them was a blunt and sensational headline: "Shocking! New Flame or Old Flame? Wen Zhi Visits Hospital Accompanied by Handsome Man—Their Intimate Behavior, and Mu Mu Shows No Resistance."

Wen Zhi: Paparazzi these days really know how to stir the pot.

The comments below were flooded with fangirling reactions.

"Awwww, is Gardenia finally getting a brother-in-law? So excited! I need his entire life story STAT!"

"Ugh, rich people really live like this?"

"Total eye candy!"

"I just want to ask—is this a new flame, or Mu Mu’s dad? Mu Mu seems really attached to him."

"Don’t even go there, commenter above. Mu Mu already said he doesn’t like his dad. If it were his dad, Mu Mu wouldn’t let him hold him, and Sister Zhi would’ve had him wheeled into the ER."

"So it’s a new flame? Those legs? I’m sold!"

Many fans tagged her, asking if the trending topic was true.

After scrolling through two pages, her phone suddenly buzzed with a WeChat message.

Yun Songzhang: "I saw the trending topic. Want me to have it taken down?"

Wen Zhi: "Save your cash."

The other side kept typing for two full minutes before finally sending a single "Okay."

Wen Zhi: Ugh, he’s as bad as Lin Jiyao.

Just as she was about to put her phone down, Liu Yiru called. The background noise suggested she was on set.

The moment the call connected, Liu Yiru launched into a rant: "Wen Xiao Zhi, how could you? We promised to stay single together, but you went and got yourself a man first—even flexing on the trending list! If my assistant hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known!"

Wen Zhi explained, "It’s a misunderstanding. That’s Yun Songzhang, the current CEO of Wen Corporation."

Liu Yiru laughed even harder: "Oh? A CEO? Even rarer! Don’t let this hottie get away—claim him fast!"

Wen Zhi sighed: "You know what they say—rabbits don’t nibble home turf."

Liu Yiru: "Seize the day!" With that, she hung up abruptly.

Wen Zhi: "...Now she’s hitting me with proverbs?"

But before she could set her phone down, it vibrated again. A glance at the screen showed it was Lin Jiyao calling.

Weird. Liu Yiru caring about her love life was one thing, but why was Lin Jiyao calling?

"What’s going on?" Xiao Xiao’s sweet voice came through: "Hey pretty lady, my bro told me to ask—are you getting Mu Mu a dad?"

What?

Lin Jiyao’s irritated voice came faintly through the phone: "You dummy, can’t you say it right?" Then came Xiao Xiao’s aggrieved reply: "But that's exactly how you taught me to say it just now..."

The call cut off with a sharp *click*, followed by the dial tone.

Two hang-ups in five minutes—what the hell?

Wen Zhi reopened Weibo and commented under the trending post: "Everyone, just move on—nothing’s happening!" Then she flung her phone onto the bed and sat down at her vanity to fiddle with her makeup.

Mu Mu came scampering in, looking left and right before asking, "Mommy, you promised I could keep your phone tonight!"

Wen Zhi pointed to the bed. "Go ahead, take it." With that, she grabbed her clothes and headed into the bathroom.

When she came out, she noticed Mu Mu was texting on her phone. She asked offhandedly, "What are you doing, Mu Mu?"

Mu Mu replied, "I wanna ask Uncle Yun something."

Wen Zhi muttered an absentminded "Oh" and went about her own business. By nighttime, she felt weirdly antsy without her phone. Tossing and turning, she quietly got up to find Mu Mu.

It was 10:30 p.m.—Mu Mu should’ve been asleep by now.

She crept to Mu Mu’s room and carefully turned the doorknob, only to find the light still on. Mu Mu was curled up on his little bed, giggling into the phone.

Surprised, she listened closely and realized he was talking to Yun Songzhang.

What could a grown man and a little kid even talk about this late? And why was Yun Songzhang, a CEO, up late talking to a kid?

Wen Zhi shut the door and grabbed her tablet to distract herself.

Early the next morning, Wen Zhi checked her phone and saw a WeChat video call log—1 hour and 35 minutes long. She gasped, "Mu Mu, do you really like Uncle Yun that much?"

Mu Mu nodded. "I like him a lot."

Curious, Wen Zhi pressed, "Why do you like him?"

After a moment’s thought, Mu Mu said, "Because he knows everything! We always have things to talk about."

Wen Zhi couldn’t help but laugh. Shouldn’t kids get along better with other kids? What could they even have in common with that age gap?

Mu Mu added after another pause, "But my favorite is still Senior Tutor Shen."

Wen Zhi asked, "You and Senior Tutor Shen have things to talk about too?"

Mu Mu shook his head. "No, I just like him." Ever since he could remember, Senior Tutor Shen had been by his side, teaching and protecting him.

Only his mother mattered more to him than Senior Tutor Shen.

Wen Zhi considered whether to tell him that Senior Tutor Shen might be coming but decided against it.

When the two arrived at the amusement park, Yun Songzhang stood at the entrance, grinning and holding a floating balloon.

Wen Zhi turned to her son. "Why is he here?"

Mu Mu replied, "I mentioned it to Uncle Yun last night."

Her eyes darted around the packed amusement park. After yesterday’s rumors, getting caught together again would be impossible to explain.

So, throughout the day at the park, Yun Songzhang held Mu Mu’s hand, carried him on his back, helped him with his bag, bought him snacks, and even stood in line for games.

As they were about to leave the amusement park, the three of them were chased by paparazzi everywhere. By the time they finally reached the parking lot, Wen Zhi was already gasping for breath. Yun Songzhang, usually so refined, had even lost his glasses and was leaning against the car door, laughing as he watched the mother and son.

After returning home, they unsurprisingly found themselves trending online again.

The comments were blowing up with cheers and congratulations.

"Last time, I almost fell for Sister Zhi's act—it’s definitely the brother-in-law!"

"When will Sister Zhi formally introduce him to us?"

"Waaah, does this mean I have no chance anymore?"

"Did anyone dig up dirt on the brother-in-law? Is he worthy of our Sister Zhi?"

After that, every time she took Mu Mu out, she would always bump into Yun Songzhang.

Wen Zhi really wanted to have a proper talk with Yun Songzhang, but every time she tried, her words would fail her.

Although he seemed interested in her, he never actually said it. If she spoke up first, how would that look?

Fortunately, Sen Sen came over soon after, and Mu Mu played with him at the old house—reading, writing, and playing fetch with Xiao Hei.

Wen Zhi finally had a few days of peace. However, on the day Mu Mu and Sen Sen started school, Yun Songzhang turned up again.

Wen Zhi: "…"

"Don’t you have a company to run?"

Yun Songzhang: "I promised Mu Mu I’d take him to school, and I also brought you the driving school application form." As he spoke, he actually handed her a form.

Mu Mu called from the backseat: "I was the one who asked Uncle Yun to come."

Sen Sen leaned over the seat, checking Yun Songzhang out with his light brown eyes, blinking nonstop. After a while, he finally sat back next to Mu Mu and whispered, "Mu Mu, does this Uncle Yun want to be your dad?"

Mu Mu’s dark eyes suddenly widened, and his face went serious. He whispered back, "Who said Uncle Yun wants to be my dad?"

Sen Sen: "I saw it on Weibo—lots of people were saying that. And just now, Uncle Yun kept smiling at your mom. He definitely wants to be your dad."

Mu Mu’s expression turned serious. He liked Uncle Yun, but he hated the idea of having a dad.

Even if Uncle Yun wanted to be his dad, that wasn't happening.

With that thought, Mu Mu reached out and took the form first.

Yun Songzhang was stunned, noticing the sudden coldness in Mu Mu’s gaze. When they arrived at the kindergarten, Little Dumpling hopped out of the car. He then pushed Yun Songzhang aside to open the door, smiling sweetly at the inside. "Mom, we’re here."

Then, turning to Yun Songzhang, he said, "Uncle Yun, you can leave now. Grandpa Zhong will pick us up later."

Yun Songzhang: "...I’m not busy."

Mu Mu frowned. "Yes, you are. Uncle Xiao Wen said his dad is crazy busy, and there must be tons of things to do at the company. You should hurry!"

As he spoke, he reached out and started pushing Yun Songzhang.

Confused, Yun Songzhang found himself pushed back into the car. Little Dumpling wasn’t satisfied until he watched the car drive away, finally smiling.

Only after Yun Songzhang left did Wen Zhi ask, "Mu Mu, why were you in such a hurry to send Uncle Yun away? Didn’t you ask him to come?"

Mu Mu immediately stopped smiling and said very seriously, "Sen Sen said Uncle Yun wants to be my dad. I hate the idea of having a dad, and I don’t need one. From now on, I won’t bring Uncle Yun along anymore."

Wen Zhi froze, realizing she needed to steer him right. She crouched down and patiently explained, "Mu Mu, not all daddies are bad. You shouldn’t give up on having a daddy just because Lu Xun wasn’t good." After saying this, she realized her words might be misinterpreted and quickly added, "Mommy’s saying Uncle Yun isn’t going to be your daddy. You can still play with him."

Mu Mu remained reluctant. "Mommy, let’s hurry and go sign up."

Wen Zhi sighed helplessly and took the two children to register.

As soon as she appeared, she immediately drew stares from other parents and children. It wasn’t until the kindergarten director arrived that the parents asking for selfies were persuaded to step back.

Sen Sen, being six years old, was to join the senior class, while Mu Mu, only five, was supposed to be in the middle class. However, after Mu Mu took a look around the middle class and saw a group of kids crying their eyes out, he insisted on joining Sen Sen in the senior class.

He confidently assured, "Mommy, I’ve seen Sen Sen’s textbooks. I already know everything they teach in the senior class." If it weren’t for his mother insisting he attend kindergarten, he could have gone straight to elementary school.

The director smiled and agreed, "Mu Mu can join the senior class. He’s tall enough and a quick learner. I’ve seen him teaching Xiao Xiao and Sen Sen during their livestream study sessions." After registration, she was determined to take a photo with Wen Zhi—she was absolutely stunning.

With the director’s approval, Wen Zhi enrolled both Mu Mu and Sen Sen in the senior class. Before sending them into the classroom, she reminded them firmly, "You and Sen Sen have snacks in your bags. You can share them with the other kids. Eat well at school, stay put after class, and don’t wander off. Mommy will come pick you up, okay?"

Mu Mu and Sen Sen nodded together, then waved and headed into the classroom.

As soon as the two little ones left, the director rushed over. "Mu Mu’s mom, could we take a photo together?" Many parents and teachers nearby were watching.

Wen Zhi smiled kindly. "Of course. Anyone else who wants a photo can come over too."

Everyone lit up and crowded around for a group photo. Afterward, Wen Zhi addressed the crowd, "Please look out for Mu Mu and Sen Sen, Director. If anything happens, be sure to let me know."

The director nodded repeatedly, thinking to herself: Those online trolls who accused her of being rude were full of it.

Many children in the class already knew Mu Mu and Sen Sen, and their eyes lit up upon seeing them. They wanted to greet them but hesitated because of the teacher, vowing silently to be the first to introduce themselves to Mu Mu during break time.

The senior class teacher stood at the podium with a cheerful smile. "Children, take out your textbooks. Let’s start by learning the numbers 1 to 10."

Mu Mu, who had initially been curious about kindergarten, lost all interest. Why did he have to sit here learning numbers 1 to 10?

By mid-morning, after teaching numbers, the teacher moved on to Chinese characters. Mu Mu went from propping his head up with his hands to resting it on the desk, eventually slumping over, bored, rolling his pencil back and forth.

As he played, a new worry hit him: It seemed like lots of people wanted to be his daddy—like that foreign uncle last time and now Uncle Yun. They all wanted to steal Mommy.

Even though he’d made many good friends this past month, there was only one Mommy, and Mu Mu didn’t want anyone to take her.

The more he thought about it, the unhappier he became. At lunch, Sen Sen noticed his mood and plopped a chicken leg from his own bowl into Mu Mu’s. "Mu Mu, are you missing Mommy? On my first day of kindergarten, I cried my eyes out missing Mommy."

Mu Mu shook his head, glanced around, then whispered, "Does it seem like lots of people want to be your daddy?"

Sen Sen shook his head. "My mom just divorced my dad. I haven’t seen anyone wanting to be my daddy."

"Are you worried Uncle Yun wants to be your daddy?"

Mu Mu nodded. "And that Thomas before. They all want to steal Mommy."

Sen Sen didn’t understand. "A daddy isn’t someone who steals Mommy. A daddy loves both you and Mommy." His mother had told him not to lose hope in daddies just because his own wasn’t good—she’d find him a really great daddy one day.

"Mommy says a good daddy will love her and me, just like Yue Yue’s daddy, who buys her lots of things and sings to her."

Mu Mu asked, "Then what makes a good daddy?"

Sen Sen scratched his head. "I don’t know either. Maybe we can ask the teacher later. She’ll definitely know."

So during naptime, while the other children slept, Mu Mu lay awake, waiting and waiting for the teacher to come by. As he waited, his head kept nodding like a sleepy bird, nearly dozing off—until he felt someone tug his hair. He snapped his eyes open, saw the teacher, and, afraid she’d leave, grabbed her sleeve.

The preschool teacher was startled, her eyes darting nervously: "Mu, Mu Mu, what's wrong?"

Mu Mu blinked and asked curiously, "Teacher, why are you holding scissors?"

The preschool teacher placed a hand on her chest and put on a sweet smile: "I'm helping Mu Mu trim his nails."

Mu Mu: "Don't we use nail clippers for trimming nails? Why is the teacher using scissors?"

The preschool teacher: "Uh..." Her palms were sweating nervously, unsure how to answer, when Mu Mu suddenly changed the subject himself: "Teacher, do you know what kind of dad is a good dad?"

The preschool teacher answered casually: "A dad who treats you well is a good dad."

Mu Mu frowned seriously: "That's not a specific answer at all. Lots of people are nice to me, so does that mean I should have many dads? The teacher should give specific criteria..." He thought for a moment and held up a hand: "At least fifty things."

The preschool teacher: "Uh..." That might mean no one could ever be your dad.

"Then let the teacher think about it, and Mu Mu can think about it too. If you can't figure it out, you can look it up on your phone when you get home."

A bigger boy lying across from Mu Mu peered over the edge of the bed and laughed: "Only kids who don't have dads ask questions like that. You and Sen Sen are both kids who don’t have dads. I don’t play with kids who don’t have dads."

The preschool teacher quickly scolded: "Cheng Cheng, you can't say that about other kids."

Cheng Cheng ignored her, sticking out his tongue and repeating, "Why not? Everyone knows they don’t have dads. I just won’t play with kids who don’t have dads." In kindergarten, kids without dads or moms get picked on.

But ever since Mu Mu arrived, everyone liked him, even though they used to like playing with Cheng Cheng.

Cheng Cheng was very unhappy: "I just won’t play with him."

Mu Mu frowned: "I don’t want to play with rude kids either."

Cheng Cheng shot up, walked over to his bed, and asked angrily, "Who are you calling rude? Say that again." He got little red flowers every year—how could he be rude?

Mu Mu obediently repeated: "You’re rude."

"You!" Cheng Cheng, taking advantage of being half a head taller, reached out to push Mu Mu.

Mu Mu didn’t like trouble, but he wasn’t someone to mess with either. He grabbed Cheng Cheng’s hand and flipped him with a shoulder throw.

The kid fell onto the bed, howling in pain, startling Sen Sen, who had just fallen asleep. Sen Sen scrambled up but tripped and ended up falling right on top of him.

Cheng Cheng bawled even louder, sobbing and shouting, "Waaah, Mu Mu and Sen Sen are bullies! Waaah, I’m telling my dad... He'll come beat you up!"

Sen Sen, still lying there, looked confused. When had he ever bullied anyone?

And so, Wen Zhi, who had been putting on a face mask after lunch, received a call from the kindergarten principal summoning her to the school.

Wen Zhi was confused: Had Mu Mu and Sen Sen gotten into a fight on their very first day at kindergarten?

While finding it strange, she was also worried her kids might have been bullied. Since she didn’t know how to drive, she had to call for a ride last-minute.

She really needed to get a driver’s license for convenience.

When she arrived outside the principal’s office, she could hear a booming male voice ranting from far away.

"These two kids hit my son! If this isn't settled today, I won't drop this. They clearly have no manners—no dad to discipline them, so they've turned wild. How dare they hit my son? Where are their parents? They'd better show up and apologize, or else they’re getting expelled."

The principal looked uncomfortable: "Cheng Cheng’s dad, please calm down. Hitting is wrong, but Cheng Cheng wasn't entirely blameless..."

The man cut in impatiently: "Blameless? My son couldn’t have made any mistakes! Get their parents in here now to apologize!"

Wen Zhi suppressed the urge to slap him silly and knocked on the office door.

Everyone in the room turned to look at the door. The man who’d been so aggressive earlier forced a smile when he saw Wen Zhi: "Which student’s mom are you?"

Mu Mu frowned, rushed over, shoved Cheng Cheng's father aside, and hugged Wen Zhi's leg: "Mom."

Sen Sen quickly walked over too: "Godmom."

Cheng Cheng's father's smile froze on his face. He straightened up and snapped, "So you're the parent of these two kids. Your brats beat up my kid. What do you plan to do about it?"

Wen Zhi looked at the child named Cheng Cheng. His clothes and hair were a bit messy, but there were no visible injuries—just swollen eyes from crying.

Then she checked Mu Mu, who also seemed unharmed, except for a patch of missing hair at his forehead, as if a dog got to it.

*Does he fight by biting hair?* Wen Zhi wondered.

Just as she was about to speak, a woman dressed to the nines hurried into the room. She immediately shrieked and hugged the teary-eyed Cheng Cheng, "Oh no, what happened to my baby? Are his eyes swollen from being hit?" She whacked her husband’s arm and scolded, "What's wrong with you? I told you to watch our son! How could you let someone beat him up like this?"

Cheng Cheng's father flinched and quickly pointed at Wen Zhi. "The troublemaker is right here. I was just about to make them apologize."

Upon hearing the troublemaker was present, the woman hiked up her sleeves and gritted her teeth. "Oh, so you dare bully my son—"

But when she turned to face Wen Zhi, her glare turned to shock. She blinked like she’d seen a ghost. "You... you’re Wen Zhi?"

Wen Zhi nodded.

The woman then looked at Mu Mu and Sen Sen, her tone shifting to excitement. "Mu Mu? Sen Sen?"

Sen Sen and Mu Mu stared at her before politely greeting, "Auntie."

The woman's face instantly lit up with joy. She ruffled Sen Sen’s hair. "Oh, good, good! I loved Mu Mu and Sen Sen the most when I watched the show! And I adore Wen Zhi too—I'm a hardcore Gardenia fan!"

"Oh! Can I get an autograph?" She patted herself down but found no pen or paper, so she quickly added, "Or how about a photo? My friends will be so jealous!"

Cheng Cheng's father and Cheng Cheng gaped, totally lost: *What... what's going on?*

*Wasn’t she supposed to be here to back us up?*

Cheng Cheng had seen the show, but his father was completely clueless: *What show? What Gardenia? What’s wrong with his wife?*

Cheng Cheng's father grumbled, "Honey, her son hit ours."

"Shut up!" Cheng Cheng's mother roared, making Wen Zhi take two steps back and rub her ears: *This mom is fierce!*

Cheng Cheng trembled under his mother's scolding and tearfully recounted the whole incident, leaving his father red-faced with embarrassment.

Cheng Cheng's mother turned to Mu Mu with pity. "Oh, you little rascal! If you're gonna fight, why bite his hair? Look at this, just look..."

Cheng Cheng sulked: *Talk about playing favorites!*

"It wasn't me!" Cheng Cheng flashed his gap teeth, proving he had no motive.

Wen Zhi asked Mu Mu what happened, but Mu Mu just shrugged. Cheng Cheng's mother demanded to check the tapes, swearing she’d make it right if her child was at fault.

The kindergarten principal, who had never seen such a levelheaded mom, immediately arranged for them to review the footage.

In the recording, the teacher’s aide was crouching by Mu Mu's bed with scissors, eyeing his hair, when Mu Mu bolted awake and grabbed her hand—taking a chunk out of his hair in the process.

This kindergarten teacher is acting suspicious—why would she cut a child's hair while they're asleep?

Before Wen Zhi could speak, Cheng Cheng's mom was already upset: "Principal, this teacher is terrifying! What does she mean by brandishing scissors near a sleeping child's head? Is she out of her mind? This kind of teacher must be fired immediately—otherwise, how can any parent feel safe sending their child here?"

The principal's expression darkened too.

Wen Zhi frowned and asked, "Where is this teacher now?"

Principal: "Teacher Xiao Li said she was stepping out for a moment earlier. She should be back by now—I'll have someone look for her."

Soon, Teacher Xiao Li was summoned.

Wen Zhi pointed at the surveillance footage and asked why she had cut Mu Mu's hair. At first, Teacher Xiao Li insisted she had only intended to trim his nails, but under Wen Zhi's unyielding stare, her voice gradually trailed off.

When the principal announced she would be terminated, she finally told the truth.

"I ran into a man when I went out to buy something at noon. He offered me a large sum of money to get two strands of Mu Mu's hair. But Mu Mu is very wary—he only lets people near him when he's asleep. I thought plucking his hair would wake him up, so I used scissors to snip off two strands."

"I didn’t realize Mu Mu wasn’t fully asleep—it was an accident that I cut off such a big chunk." Teacher Xiao Li didn’t see the big deal—after all, hair grows back.

Wen Zhi’s expression darkened as she demanded a description of the man.

After hearing the description, Wen Zhi said coolly, "Terminate her. If she’s willing to cut a child’s hair for money, who knows what she might do for money next?"

Xiao Li paled and began pleading, but Wen Zhi ignored her completely, taking Sen Sen and Mu Mu home.

---

On the way back, Wen Zhi’s right eye kept twitching. Her gaze drifted past the car window, scanning the hurried pedestrians outside. As the car turned a corner, a man suddenly lunged at the car. Wen Zhi screamed, shielding the two children as the driver swerved sharply, crashing into a nearby telephone pole.

In the chaos, Wen Zhi looked up and saw a face she knew all too well—and despised.

But when she focused again, there was no one ahead—only onlookers gawking and whispering.

The shaken driver quickly got out to inspect the damage. After calling the insurance company, he arranged for a tow truck. Then he opened the back door and asked, "Miss, are the little ones alright?"

Wen Zhi shook her head and asked, "Did you see a man just now?"

The driver frowned in confusion. "No, I didn’t."

Wen Zhi scanned the surroundings—she was certain she hadn’t imagined it.

Seeing how shaken she seemed, the driver asked, "Miss, do you want to go to the hospital?"

Wen Zhi shook her head. "Is there a bodyguard agency nearby? Take me there."

The driver was puzzled—shouldn’t they go to the insurance company after a crash? Why a bodyguard agency?

"Yes, there’s a very reputable one nearby. I’ve heard they hire many former special ops—one of them can take on ten. A lot of celebrities hire bodyguards from there."

Wen Zhi: "Go now."

An hour later, Wen Zhi had selected twenty elite bodyguards from the bodyguard agency and had five additional vehicles lined up. With this heavily guarded convoy, they headed toward the family estate.

Mu Mu and Sen Sen, peeking over the back seat, asked curiously, "Mommy, why did we hire so many bodyguards?"

Wen Zhi: "It's gotten too dangerous lately, so we need the bodyguards to protect us."

If that Dog Emperor dares show his face, she’ll absolutely beat him to a pulp! That same day, the Wen family estate was not only guarded by over twenty bodyguards but also patrolled by eight guard dogs. Tension hung thick in the air, and even Butler Zhong became uneasy, wondering aloud if the crash had been staged.

"Young Mistress, you should go out less these days. If you need anything, I’ll have shops send over items for you to pick from. We can also bring in tutors for the boys."

Wen Zhi shook her head while serving food to the two children: "No need, everything should proceed as usual. How can the fisherman be afraid of the fish?"

Butler Zhong: "Huh?"

Fishing? What fish?

She kept stuffing food into her mouth, eating while praising: "Mmm, this braised pork is amazing—sweet but not heavy. Tell the kitchen to make another batch."

The table was already packed with food. Butler Zhong remembered how the young mistress had landed in the hospital right after coming back and worried she’d make herself sick again.

"Young mistress, don’t eat too much at night. You might make yourself sick."

Wen Zhi: "If I don’t eat till I’m sick, how else will I get into the hospital?"

"Huh?" Butler Zhong wondered if his hearing was failing.

Wen Zhi: "Get me into the ER tonight. I’ll be hospitalized—in the room above Wen Bingchun’s. Oh, and post twelve bodyguards outside the hospital room. The rest will watch over Mu Mu and Sen Sen."

Butler Zhong grew more confused: Why the ER when she’s fine?

Mu Mu also looked puzzled: "Mommy, why are you going to the hospital?"

Wen Zhi patted his head and smiled brightly: "Mommy’s going to fish. You and Sen Sen focus on school, okay?"

Sen Sen scratched his head: "Auntie, can you really fish in a hospital?"

Wen Zhi: "Of course, and they’re super ugly, super mean piranhas."

Mu Mu pouted: Mommy’s fibbing again. Hospitals only have patients and doctors—how could there be fish?

That night, Wen Zhi was hospitalized due to overeating.

The media jumped on the news, flooding the internet with reports of her illness and hospitalization. Lin Jiyao and Liu Yiru, busy with work, couldn’t visit but called to check on her. Hearing she was fine, they eased up.

The next morning, Yun Songzhang also called to ask: "Is it bad? Should I fly back?"

Wen Zhi: "No need. Focus on your business trip."

Yun Songzhang, overseas, still felt uneasy: "Really nothing to worry about?"

Wen Zhi: "Actually, there is one thing—how’s Wen Jinyuan doing in the marketing department?"

Yun Songzhang: "Not great, from what I hear. He complains a lot."

If he’s still complaining, he’s doing alright.

"Drown him in work. Work him to the bone."

He chuckled low and agreed.

At noon, Chen Yuyao called to tease: "Did Noble Consort Wen gorge herself sick, or was it nerves?"

The plain white hospital room had been turned into a cozy two-room suite, complete with a sofa, TV, and projector. Wen Zhi lay on the Simmons mattress, munching an apple as she replied: "Enough joking. The fish bit. Come by the hospital at noon in two days."

Chen Yuyao sounded excited: "Got it. I’ll be there sharp."

There was a knock at the door.

Wen Zhi put down her phone: "What is it?"

The tall security guard opened the door and bowed respectfully: "Miss Wen, your cousin Wen Bingchun is causing a commotion at the entrance, insisting on seeing you."

Wen Zhi's voice was displeased: "Let her in."

The guards exchanged glances before stepping aside to let her enter. After the door closed, loud arguments erupted inside, followed by the sound of objects being thrown. Ten minutes later, Wen Bingchun was kicked out, standing in the hallway and cursing at her.

Wen Zhi appeared at the doorway with a cold expression: "You really never learn. Come and apologize to me, and I might consider going easy on you."

Wen Bingchun: "In your dreams!" With that, she hid her face and hurried downstairs.

In her haste, she didn’t notice someone approaching. As she turned the corner of the stairwell, she ran straight into a tall man. Just as her head was about to hit the railing, the man reached out and pulled her into his arms. His piercingly handsome eyes met her panicked gaze as he asked with concern: "Miss, are you alright?"

Wen Bingchun's heart pounded, and under his gaze, her face slowly flushed: "I—I twisted my ankle. Could you help me back to my room?"

The man frowned, crouching down to examine her foot. Confirming the injury, he bent down and lifted her into his arms: "My apologies. Where’s your room? I’ll walk you back."

After walking her back to her room, the man vowed to make it up to her.

They exchanged contact information before he said goodbye politely.

Once the door closed, Wen Bingchun took out her phone and sent a message: "How did you know he’d approach me?"

Wen Zhi: "Not your business."

Someone used to being in charge, suddenly thrust into an unfamiliar era, would first seek to elevate their status and reclaim their superiority. The quickest way to rise would naturally be to take control of the Wen family—so whatever his motive, he would come for her.

When he realized he couldn’t get close to her no matter what, he’d naturally turn to someone who could.

She and Wen Bingchun were cousins—the perfect candidates.

Wen Bingchun scoffed: "He took the bait, but the script was so corny I wanted to puke."

Wen Zhi: "What’s corny about a hero saving a beauty? The simpler the act, the better the acting needs to be. With your master-level damsel-in-distress act, suck it up!"

Wen Bingchun: "Are you sure using him will make my parents pay?" All she wanted now was for that disgusting pair to know what it’s like to be hated and broke.

Wen Zhi: "Trust me, it’ll work. I made a group chat—accept the invite."

Wen Bingchun was puzzled: Why bother with a group when they could just chat like this?

Soon, a group invitation popped up. Wen Bingchun accepted, and two messages instantly appeared.

"Wen Zhi has invited you and 'Empress Zhang' to join the group chat."

"'Empress Zhang' is not yet your friend. Please be mindful of privacy."

"Wen Zhi has changed the group name to 'A Century of Scumbag Smackdowns.'"

Wen Bingchun: What the hell is 'Empress Zhang'? Did she join the wrong group?

Wen Bingchun: Who is 'Empress Zhang'?

Empress Zhang: "Sorry, forgot to change my name."

Shortly after, 'Empress Zhang' updated her name to 'Chen Yuyao.'

Chen Yuyao? That girl who took my spot on the show?

Wen Bingchun was totally freaked out and quickly switched to a private chat with Wen Zhi.

"Why'd you add her? What does she have to do with this operation?"

Wen Zhi: "The man who approached you today is my ex-husband—and also Chen Yuyao’s ex-husband. Now you get why she's in this?"

Wen Bingchun: What a two-timing scumbag, just as expected!

No wonder Wen Zhi and this Chen Yuyao went at it on the show.

A notification popped up from the group chat *100 Years of Scumbag Justice.*

Chen Yuyao: Since we're all in the same group now, no need for private chats.

Wen Bingchun quickly switched over: Hello, let’s do this. (Handshake)

Chen Yuyao: Same here. (Handshake)

Wen Zhi: Now that everyone’s acquainted, the main event starts tomorrow. Update the group ASAP. Remember to pin the messages—call if it’s urgent.

Wen Bingchun / Chen Yuyao: Got it.

P.S. Group name: *100 Years of Scumbag Justice*