CHAPTER 176: MY WIFE

Early the next morning, Qi Jianyi was woken by the shrill ring of her phone vibrating loudly on the bedside table. Rubbing her sore eyes, she reached out blindly with her right hand to grab it. Without even checking who was calling so early, she pressed answer.

"Hello?" she mumbled, her voice hoarse and heavy with sleep. Her eyelids fluttered, threatening to close again at any moment.

"Jianyi?" A rough, breathless voice came from the other end, tinged with panic and fear.

The anxious tone instantly jolted Qi Jianyi fully awake. Her eyes flew open in shock, and she pushed herself upright on the bed.

"Chengfeng? What’s wrong?" she asked urgently, her heart pounding. Worry and concern filled her gaze. She couldn’t imagine what had happened to make Song Chengfeng call her at this hour, sounding so shaken.

On the other end of the line, Song Chengfeng’s ragged breathing was still audible.

Far from Qi Jianyi’s sight, he sat hunched on the edge of his bed, his face as pale as a sheet. Sweat clung to his skin, and his hands trembled with fear and uncertainty.

No one could have guessed how much courage it had taken for him to dial her number. How terrified he had been by the thought that everything from yesterday had been nothing but a cruel dream.

That Qi Jianyi had never truly come back. That she was never really here.

For nearly an hour, he had sat there in the darkness, battling with himself over whether he should call. Each second stretched endlessly, filled with dread and longing.

In the end, love overpowered fear.

With shaking fingers, he finally gathered the courage to press her number. The moment she answered, his breath caught in his throat. He held it, straining to hear the warmth of her voice—desperate for reassurance.

And this time, fate didn’t play a cruel trick on him.

She really had come back and yesterday wasn’t a dream.

Qi Jianyi, the woman he had loved and yearned for all these years, truly had returned—for him.

And just like that, hearing Qi Jianyi’s voice washed away all of Song Chengfeng’s worries and fears. Yesterday had truly happened and she really was here, in this world, with him.

"I miss you," he murmured softly, his words simple yet filled with raw sincerity.

One night apart already felt unbearable. Even now, all he could think about was wanting to see her right away.

Though he never spoke of the panic that had woken him, Qi Jianyi wasn’t foolish. She could hear it clearly in his trembling voice. The fear that still clung to him.

Perhaps it was even worse than she imagined, since she couldn’t see him face-to-face. But since he chose not to share it, she wouldn’t press him.

"Then come over to Grandpa’s house and have breakfast with us," Qi Jianyi blurted out before she could think about other’s reactions.

However, at this moment, Qi Jianyi didn’t care what her family might think. Sooner or later, she and Song Chengfeng would get married anyway. She might as well let them start getting used to having him around.

Not expecting that his abrupt confession would bring him such a sweet surprise, Song Chengfeng felt his racing heart instantly settle. A foolish, unguarded smile spread across his face as he nodded eagerly, though she couldn’t see it.

"Mm, I’ll be there soon," he said, still smiling as he started to get ready.

Qi Jianyi, catching a glimpse of the window and noticing the sky was still dark, rolled her eyes in amusement.

"The sun hasn’t risen yet. So why are you in such a rush? Just take your time and be here before seven or so. I’m going back to sleep now. Bye," she muttered, her voice half teasing, half drowsy.

Before Song Chengfeng could even say another word, she had already hung up the call. Phone still in hand, Song Chengfeng stared at the screen, stunned for a moment then chuckled softly to himself.

Meanwhile, Qi Jianyi, now freed from worry, sank back into bed. Within seconds, she drifted off again, her breathing turning calm and steady as sleep claimed her once more.

...

"Why is this brat here again?" Grandpa He scowled, his sharp gaze locked onto the young man sitting stiffly on the couch, wearing his usual cold expression. With clear irritation, he turned to question the housekeeper beside him.

Who could explain why Song Chengfeng had shown up so early in the morning, ruining his peace before the sun was even fully up?

The housekeeper, Uncle Ling, looked visibly troubled. In truth, he had tried to stop Song Chengfeng from entering at first but the young man had cleverly used Qi Jianyi’s name as his excuse, claiming she had invited him for breakfast.

If it had been anyone else, if he’d dared to use He Zeqing’s name or He Zejin, Uncle Ling would have sent him packing without a second thought.

But this was different. After all, everyone in the household knew just how much the old couple adored Qi Jianyi.

If Uncle Ling refused someone she personally invited, and she got upset over it, wouldn’t he just be digging his own grave?

So, with no better option, Uncle Ling had reluctantly let Song Chengfeng in. Now, all he could do was brace himself for Grandpa He’s inevitable scolding.

"Master... Young Master Song said Miss Qi invited him over, so that’s why..." Uncle Ling trailed off, the rest of his words dying on his lips when he caught Grandpa He’s fierce glare.

It seemed clear enough that they were destined for a rather chaotic breakfast this morning.

"You brat! Don’t you have to go to work?" Grandpa He snapped, turning his glare back onto Song Chengfeng, who was sitting there as calm as still water, leisurely sipping his tea.

Without so much as a flicker of discomfort, Song Chengfeng lifted his gaze to meet Grandpa He’s eyes.

"I’m the boss. I can skip work whenever I want," he answered coolly. Their eyes locked, stubbornness meeting stubbornness.

Far from appeasing the old man, Song Chengfeng’s composed reply only seemed to deepen Grandpa He’s scowl.

Though Grandpa He dearly wanted to throw this shameless brat out of his house right then and there, he forced himself to stay seated. He knew all too well that if he really kicked Song Chengfeng out, his precious granddaughter would probably come questioning him later.

The more Grandpa He thought about how Qi Jianyi might just side with this outsider over her own grandfather, the darker his expression grew—his scowl sinking even deeper into the lines of his face.

And just like that, the outcome of their first silent battle ended with Song Chengfeng emerging victorious, while Grandpa He could do nothing but accept defeat. The two men stayed seated across from each other, neither willing to start a conversation.

Grandpa He knew all too well that the more he talked to this brat, the more annoyed he’d become. Better to treat Song Chengfeng as if he were nothing but air.

Meanwhile, Song Chengfeng had no interest in exchanging small talk anyway. His mind was occupied with only one thing which was waiting to see Qi Jianyi. So, he sat quietly, ignoring the old man’s hostile glares.

After a while, Qi Jianyi finally came downstairs. A warm smile lit up her face as she innocently greeted the two men, breaking the thick silence.

"Good morning, Grandpa. Morning, Chengfeng! Where’s Grandma?" she asked, her voice light. Settling herself beside Song Chengfeng, she reached out and took his hand in hers. Her gaze softened as she looked him over carefully, as if checking to see whether he had slept well, before turning to her grandfather.

Across from her, Grandpa He let out a loud, disgruntled snort when he saw her walk so naturally to sit by Song Chengfeng’s side. Right in front of him too! And to top it off, the two even dared to hold hands as though he wasn’t there.

What did they take him for? Did they think an old man like him didn’t know how to show affection?

He too had a wife! Remembering this fact, Grandpa He’s scowl curved into a smug grin, as if he’d just remembered his secret weapon.

"My wife—your grandma—will come down later," Grandpa He replied, deliberately stressing the words ’my wife’ and shooting a triumphant, almost childish look at Song Chengfeng.

Qi Jianyi tilted her head in mild confusion. Why emphasize "wife"? Of course, everyone knew Grandma He was his wife.

Contrary to her confusion, Song Chengfeng immediately understood the provocation hidden behind Grandpa He’s words.

Hmph! So what if he had a wife? I too will have mine soon enough. Song Chengfeng grumbled.

Rolling his eyes, Song Chengfeng let out a short, cold snort and looked away, refusing to trade barbs with an old man. He thought proudly to himself that soon, he would have something even more precious: his Jianyi as his wife.