CHAPTER 249: 228: NO ONE KNOWS HER BETTER THAN I DO

I still remember the first time Wen Renche gave Ah-Shi jade, the smile on her face and the delight in her eyes.

She was like a beam of light, illuminating the darkness surrounding him, bringing him the warmth of eternal spring.

"Then next time, I’ll give Sister jade," Yunzhi said, counting on his fingers and carefully going through his inventory.

He looked so earnest, completely oblivious to the flash of fiery emotion in the man’s eyes.

"She already has plenty. The things Ah-Shi likes are best given by me."

Wen Renche closed the embroidered box and placed it to the side, lounging comfortably against the sofa: "You can choose something else."

"Like what?"

"Perfume, bags, lipstick."

Wen Renche spouted nonsense without batting an eye, not feeling the slightest guilt, and even managed to make it sound convincing.

After all, what girl wouldn’t love those kinds of things?

"Alright then." Yunzhi seriously committed it to memory, tilting his head slightly with a curious look in his eyes: "How long have you known my sister?"

"Hmm, almost three years."

"No wonder you know her so well. It’s been that long already."

Wen Renche chuckled softly, his strikingly handsome face softening with a trace of tender affection: "No one knows Ah-Shi better than I do."

Not even Shi Wei.

No one could compare to the bond forged through their shared moments.

The man’s tone carried an undeniable certainty.

But sitting beside him, Yunzhi couldn’t catch the deeper meaning, only sensing an inexplicable peculiarity.

Confused, he asked, "Wasn’t my sister living in the countryside before? How did you meet?"

Someone from Australia, someone from Imperial City—how could their paths even cross? Unless...

Before Wen Renche could respond, Yunzhi exclaimed in surprise, his grape-like eyes widening: "Were you two internet friends? Then met offline?"

Wen Renche: "..."

Too much imagination—whether that’s good or bad remains unknown.

His lips tugged slightly, and with casual composure, he made up a story: "We met when I returned to the Imperial City, and later I took her to Australia for a while."

"Oh, I see." Yunzhi awkwardly scratched the back of his head and shifted his position for more comfort.

Moments passed in quiet stillness, the sound of a light breeze rustling through the leaves outside faintly audible.

The two didn’t speak further, yet the atmosphere wasn’t awkward.

Yunzhi slipped his hands into his pockets and, upon touching two long objects, his eyes lit up.

Glancing toward the kitchen, he asked, "Brother, can I borrow your fridge for a bit?"

"Sure."

Before Wen Renche finished his reply, the young man had already vanished like a gust of wind.

Shaking his head quietly, Wen Renche picked up his phone and dialed the number marked with a special notation.

Soon, a crisp, melodious voice filled his ears, sweet like candy melting in his heart.

"Ah-Shi, are you at school yet?" Wen Renche asked, his gaze lowering, his fingertips subconsciously rubbing his knuckles.

"Yes, did you just wake up?"

"Mm. Yunzhi’s already here." He paused, his slightly hoarse voice rich like fine wine: "You finish school at six, right?"

Yu Zhi leaned against her desk, resting her cheek on her bent arm as she quietly replied, "I can leave at five-thirty."

The last class today happened to be physical education.

After what happened last time, even if she didn’t attend this class, the teacher wouldn’t trouble her anymore.

The arrangement was lenient, allowing her much more convenience.

"Shall I come pick you up?" Wen Renche suggested cautiously.

"No need, I can get there faster on my own."

"Alright, I’ll wait for you."

Knowing she wasn’t rejecting him in favor of coming with Shi Wei was enough for him.

The smile on Wen Renche’s lips deepened just a little, and the restless tension from last night gradually eased.

The sun sank below the horizon.

The orange-red glow of dusk painted the villa’s rose-scented hall like an oil painting.

The fragrance of roses was soon overtaken by the aroma of hotpot, the rising steam from the dining table bringing cozy warmth to the room.

As more vehicles pulled up outside, the cheerful atmosphere inside grew livelier, filled with laughter and chatter.

Shi Wei was the last to arrive.

As he stepped into the grand hall, he immediately spotted his little lady sitting closely beside Wen Renche on the sofa.

Wen Renche held his phone, seemingly showing her something amusing that drew peals of laughter from her.

This was Shi Wei’s favorite smile, yet at this moment, it felt painfully glaring.

"Zhizhi." Shi Wei sat down beside her.

Affectionately wrapping his arm around her waist, he deliberately closed the distance between them, momentarily soothing his suffocated heart.

Wen Renche ignored his subtle maneuvering, switched off his phone screen, and withdrew his pleasant demeanor: "Ah-Shi, I’ll go check on the kitchen."

"Alright." Yu Zhi glanced up at him.

On her delicate features, the lingering brilliance of her earlier laughter still hadn’t faded away.

Wen Renche had always known she was beautiful. Each time he saw her radiant smile, he wanted nothing more than to hide this exquisite scene away forever, for his eyes alone.

Unbothered by Shi Wei’s presence, he casually ruffled her hair, his tone tender and caring: "If you’re hungry, go ahead and nibble on some macarons."

Yu Zhi nodded, but before she could utter a word, her jaw was abruptly gripped and forced downward into a new line of sight.

Before she could react, a sharp sting surged as her lips were caught in an unanticipated bite.

Shi Wei, in a place hidden from others’ view, tightened his arm possessively around her waist, his dark eyes sinking deeper with rage.

He was angry.

Anyone could see his mood had soured to its limit, his aura growing colder with every passing moment.

Wen Renche met his gaze plainly for two seconds, the corners of his lips curling ever so slightly.

As he turned away, the phoenix-like eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses held a mixture of quiet contempt and unrestrained satisfaction.

Shi Wei stared deeply at his retreating figure, an intrusive wave of violence threatening to tear apart his carefully maintained façade, engulfing him without warning.

"Shi Wei?" The little lady’s distinctive voice pulled him sharply back to reality.

Yu Zhi anxiously grasped his hand, her fingers interlocking with his in an attempt to comfort him, her gentle brows wrinkled slightly: "What’s wrong?"

"I told you, no one else is allowed to touch you." Shi Wei buried his face in the crook of her neck, and in the dim light, his eyes were filled with obsession and possession.

Slowly, he asked, with deliberate emphasis on every word: "Why didn’t you listen?"

Given her skills, she could’ve avoided it entirely.

But she hadn’t; it seemed almost like she was used to it, letting Wen Renche ruffle her hair without resistance.