Chapter 184

Wen Ling heard something odd from the butler's words, and she looked at Zhou Yinhe with suspicion.

Zhou Yinhe felt a bit embarrassed and guilty; Wen Ling curved her lips and said softly, "Let's go downstairs together with you."

"You didn't fall, did you? Why not stay upstairs for now? That old lady from the Zhai family isn't easy to talk to; I'm afraid you'll get angry if you go down." Zhou Yinhe tried to persuade her, but Wen Ling had already stood up and walked downstairs ahead of him. Hehe saw her leave and, accompanied by Huh, followed her steps.

Upon reaching the door, Zhou Yinhe remained standing still. Wen Ling glanced back, feigning confusion as she looked at him: "What's wrong? I can't go?"

Zhou Yinhe strode after her, shaking his head with a smile: "Of course you can. Come on; no matter what they say later, just don't argue with them—be careful not to make yourself angry."

"Don't worry." Wen Ling glanced at him sideways and gave a light laugh, hearing which Zhou Yinhe shivered.

The old lady of the Zhai family sat on the sofa, with Miss Zhai Anhao beside her, both looking around at the moment.

Upon seeing Zhou Yinhe, Zhai Anhao's eyes brightened for a moment, but then her face turned cold when she saw Wen Ling.

The old lady of the Zhai family patted the back of her hand and smiled faintly: "Xiao Wu."

"Madam Zhai." Zhou Yinhe's expression was indifferent; previously, out of courtesy, he would have called her "Grandma Zhai," but after the incident a few years ago, he could no longer be bothered to keep up these superficial pleasantries.

"It wasn't my nephews' children who smashed your car; I've come to apologize and discuss compensation."

Zhou Yinhe took Wen Ling's hand and sat opposite them; hearing this, he gave a light laugh, though tinged with sarcasm: "There's no need for you to make an extra trip."

"Of course." The old lady of the Zhai family gave Zhai Anhao a glance.

Zhai Anhao had been looking at Zhou Yinhe with a wounded expression, but after the old lady reminded her, she came to her senses and took out the card.

With her slender fingers pinching the thin bank card, she held it up in midair, waiting for Zhou Yinhe to take it.

Seeing this, the butler stepped forward to take the card, but Zhai Anhao dodged him and stubbornly stared at Zhou Yinhe.

Wen Ling rested her chin on her hand, watching Zhou Yinhe and Zhai Anhao as if she were watching a play, sensing a strange atmosphere between them.

Zhou Yinhe swallowed dryly under Wen Ling's gaze, then leaned back on the sofa, avoiding looking at Zhai Anhao and quietly gazing at the old lady of the Zhai family instead.

"Is the old lady here to sincerely apologize, or did she bring her granddaughter to cause trouble?"

Despite her age, the old lady of the Zhai family heard Zhou Yinhe's words without changing expression: "Xiao Wu, Anhao was practically engaged to you back then; seeing you naturally makes her lose some composure. Considering how much she once liked you, don't hold it against her."

Wen Ling's fingers curled inward as she lowered her gaze to hide her emotions.

She hadn't known about this; even in the original plot, there had been no mention of Zhou Yinhe's engagement. Aside from feeling uneasy inside, she also felt puzzled.

"You said it yourself—it was only a near thing; back then it was merely a verbal agreement. Even though you know I now have a girlfriend, you insist on bringing this up." Zhou Yinhe's face turned cold as he stood up, narrowing his eyes at the two people opposite him whose expressions were grim.

"As for the car, I'll have my mother handle it with you. Whether you want to bring up your granddaughter or those rascally grandnephews, it's none of my business." Zhou Yinhe turned his head to the butler and said solemnly: "Please leave; if you don't go, have the guards drag you out and throw you out—no need to save face."

The old lady of the Zhai family shot to her feet, pointed a finger at Zhou Yinhe, and trembled with anger throughout her body.

"Is this how you speak to your elders?"

"What kind of elder are you?"

Wen Ling, too lazy to listen further, rose to go upstairs, but Zhai Anhao, for some reason, strode forward and grabbed Wen Ling's hand with some force, making Wen Ling hiss in pain.

Hehe and Huh, who had been following behind Wen Ling, saw the strange woman reaching for Wen Ling's hand and instantly bristled.

Hehe lunged forward, swiping with a paw; although his claws were dull from frequent trimming, his large size and strength still managed to scratch Zhai Anhao's skin deeply, even exposing the flesh.

Zhai Anhao screamed, stepped back a few paces, covered the bloody wound on her hand, and tears instantly welled up.

"You beast, dare to scratch me?"

Huh, knowing his brother had done something that would please their mother, eagerly wanted to join in; hearing Zhai Anhao's angry scolding, although he didn't understand the words, he could tell it was aimed at them.

More agile than Hehe, he jumped onto the sofa and then leapt again, directly scratching several bloody streaks across the face of the unprepared Zhai Anhao, who was wearing delicate makeup.

Zhou Yinhe had always known these two half‑pets were fiercely protective of their master, but he hadn't expected them to be this effective; he laughed without holding back, while the butler, trying to keep some composure, lowered his eyes and his body shook with suppressed laughter.

Now both of them felt too embarrassed to stay, and they slunk away.

Wen Ling had already taken Hehe and Huh back upstairs; Zhou Yinhe followed behind, intending to open the room door, only to discover it had been locked from inside.

He stood at the door, knocked lightly, and said softly: "Ah Ling, let me explain; could you open the door, please?"

Wen Ling had already changed into her clothes and lain down on the bed, eyes closed, resting, pretending she hadn't heard.

The two half‑pets lay obediently on the bed; hearing Zhou Yinhe's voice, they showed little reaction, apparently ready to stand with their mother against a common foe.

Zhou Yinhe leaned against the doorframe, eyes downcast, voice aggrieved: "Back when we split up, my parents and the Zhai family were still on decent terms; they wanted to push me to move on quickly, so they verbally agreed to a marriage between our families—I had no idea about this."

"But I found out later and refused it; from the verbal agreement to its cancellation, it actually took less than a week. The old lady of the Zhai family has always minded this, yet out of fear of the Zhou family she never brought it up—today she came, and I truly didn't expect her to act like this, throwing away the affection between our families."

"I'll tell my parents that they started this, so let them clean up the mess; I won't see any Zhai family members again. Don't be angry—if you really feel upset, you can come out and hit me a few times; just don't make yourself angry."

Wen Ling slowly opened her eyes, listening to Zhou Yinhe's explanation; she felt she had indeed been a bit unreasonable, but she felt miserable, unable to bear it, not knowing how to vent—if she argued with him, he'd be too pitiful and innocent, so she could only figure it out herself.

She remained silent for a long time; Qin Lao and Wen Lao came by once, learned of the situation, didn't try to persuade her, and then returned next door together.

Wen Ling waited until they left, then rose and walked slowly to the door to open it; at that moment Zhou Yinhe sat cross‑legged on the floor, eyes downcast, looking lost and pitiable.

"This matter has nothing to do with uncle and aunt."

Zhou Yinhe lifted his head, the light in his eyes shimmering.