RMM -Chapter 234 He Wen’s Sharp Retort

Just now, when Su Ruo was looking at Xi Yuechen, Zhou Yunzhen followed her gaze.

Seeing Xi Yuechen sitting on the sofa over there, wholeheartedly holding the child and patting his back, Zhou Yunzhen’s eyes were deep and inscrutable—one couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

Zhou Yunzhen could see the practiced movements of Xi Yuechen and the careful gentleness in his touch. It all looked dazzlingly perfect.

She didn’t linger on Xi Yuechen for too long; soon, she pulled back her gaze, looked down at her fingers, and listened to the cheerful chatter of Su Ruo and the others, feeling calm inside.

Unlike earlier, when she had been struck and felt melancholy, Zhou Yunzhen had now completely composed her emotions.

Since her heart already belonged to Xi Yuechen, she wouldn’t give up easily. She had observed everything clearly today: Su Ruo’s influence on the Xi family, and on Xi Yuechen himself, was hardly ordinary. At the very least, they had all accepted Su Ruo. Clearly, if she wanted to pursue this, a hard battle lay ahead.

Moreover, Su Ruo was probably not as harmless as she appeared. As the saying goes, a biting dog does not bark. Su Ruo might seem so friendly and gentle, but who knows what was hidden inside? Perhaps it was just very well concealed.

Zhou Yunzhen had now put aside her previous underestimation. Of course—how could she think Su Ruo was just a delicate, pampered, ignorant flower?

Not to mention her upbringing, even after receiving the photos she herself had sent, Su Ruo still managed to act as if nothing had happened. More importantly, the current relationship between her and Xi Yuechen was surprisingly peaceful.

If Su Ruo had truly quarreled with Xi Yuechen and then reconciled, she would not be a simple character. Her ability to endure and adapt was impressive. If applied cleverly, it could even make Xi Yuechen feel guilty.

If Su Ruo had completely held back the issue with the photos and never brought it up… that would be even more extraordinary. To be able to restrain herself like that showed great depth. Such a person would be a formidable opponent.

But it didn’t matter. Until the very end, who knew where the cards would fall?

Whatever Zhou Yunzhen’s mindset was toward Xi Yuechen, one thing was clear: her desire to win Xi Yuechen’s heart had only grown stronger. She was determined to succeed.

Although Zhou Yunzhen’s mind was a whirlwind, her expression remained serene, her brows and eyes soft with a smile, as if she were wholly focused on listening to Su Ruo and the others. Not a single crack showed on her face.

Next to He Wen, Duan Wei was also glancing repeatedly at Xi Yuechen, her expression shifting from initial surprise to a subtle smile. Truly, life was full of surprises. When they had no access to Xi Yuechen, they had only held him in reverence. Who would have imagined that this aloof, high-standing man could show such warmth?

Look at him—so serious, with such practiced and gentle movements. A perfect model of a loving father.

Wrapped snugly, Xi Zi was held in Xi Yuechen’s arms without a hint of awkwardness. On the contrary, it felt heartwarming. Even Xi Yuechen’s normally cold aura softened under the child’s presence.

Duan Wei clicked her tongue, shook her head, and glanced at Su Ruo. Sighing softly, she said, “Su Ruo, you’re amazing. I yield to you.”

Su Ruo was momentarily puzzled by Duan Wei’s sudden comment, raising an eyebrow. “What are you saying all of a sudden?”

Duan Wei lowered her voice unconsciously, gesturing toward Xi Yuechen with her chin. “Honestly, if it were before, I would never have believed this day would come, really.”

She looked solemn, emphasizing her seriousness.

“Pfft~”

Su Ruo snorted lightly, but the curve of her lips betrayed her delight.

Duan Wei even thought the gleam in Su Ruo’s eyes carried a hint of smug pride.

Indeed, Su Ruo also felt accomplished. To have shaped Xi Yuechen into his current form was no easy task—cough, cough, though she would speak casually about how ‘natural’ it all was.

Thinking back to when they first met, she and the chief were strangers, forced to interact, yet now, they had developed to this point. Especially the chief, who had completely become an excellent husband and doting father.

Naturally, Zhou Yunzhen had heard Duan Wei’s words too, and glanced again at Xi Yuechen. Seeing him still so focused and careful in his movements, her heart pricked again.

“Yes, Ruo Ruo is so fortunate—truly enviable.”

Zhou Yunzhen added a comment, feigning admiration, her expression one of longing, accentuating her delicate makeup.

Su Ruo’s smile dimmed slightly, but the corners of her lips still lifted. She glanced at Zhou Yunzhen, who sat one seat away, as if teasing her.

“Tell me, Yunzhen, do you like men like the chief?”

Her voice was soft, so only He Wen, Duan Wei, and Zhou Yunzhen heard clearly.

Zhou Yunzhen’s mind flickered with doubt. What did Su Ruo mean by that? Had she noticed something?

Before Zhou Yunzhen could respond, He Wen, unable to sit still, laughed, his eyes on Zhou Yunzhen, half teasing, half serious:
“No way. A man like Chief Xi is truly one of a kind. If someone really set their sights on him, it’d be tragic—they’d be single for life. Besides, it’s only our Ruo Ruo who can handle someone like him. Others might not have the fortune.”

He Wen spoke freely, then drank water, clearly satisfied. Indeed, well said! Didn’t even consider her own standing—pfft, who are you to talk about someone like Chief Xi?

In truth, He Wen’s words were directed at Zhou Yunzhen. The remark was meant to tease her, nothing more, but by coincidence, it hit the mark.

“Hey, can you just shut up? Is this some kind of drunken rant? Sit down and behave.”

Duan Wei noticed Zhou Yunzhen’s sudden change in expression and quickly pulled at He Wen, trying to stop him. To provoke Zhou Yunzhen like this repeatedly was clearly malicious. For once, consider Ruo Ruo’s feelings—after all, this was Xi Zi’s full-month banquet. Causing a scene would be inappropriate.

Su Ruo joined in, addressing He Wen: “Calm down. Yunzhen hasn’t even said anything. What are you doing? Drunk and unrecognizable? Listen to yourself.”

Then she turned to Zhou Yunzhen with an apologetic smile. “He Wen is just blunt and outspoken, with no ill intentions. He drank a little too much today, so don’t be upset.”

Su Ruo’s sincerity was clear. Anyone hearing this would feel reassured. After all, it was she who invited Zhou Yunzhen, and didn’t expect so many mishaps—first the chief, now He Wen. She felt genuinely apologetic.

For now, Su Ruo only found Zhou Yunzhen a bit odd, vaguely uncomfortable. Nothing else had happened. As far as Su Ruo was concerned, this wasn’t the time for hostility; they could still be considered friends.

Still, seeing Zhou Yunzhen repeatedly embarrassed in front of so many people was hard to ignore. So, she quickly smoothed over the situation.

Zhou Yunzhen’s smile was barely holding on. Suddenly, she felt coming here had been a mistake. Being toyed with by Su Ruo’s friends repeatedly—how could she bear it!

Not intentional? Even once wasn’t deliberate, but repeatedly—it’s still intentional, isn’t it? She could see clearly that He Wen was purposely targeting her. The moment there was a chance, he pounced like a dog—was she one?

“It’s fine. I misspoke, it’s not her fault.”

Now, Zhou Yunzhen didn’t force a smile. She tugged at the corners of her lips casually, her expression simultaneously innocent and restrained, looking utterly aggrieved.

Su Ruo sighed inwardly. What a mess! What should have been a joyful occasion had turned into this. Not mentioning anyone else, Zhou Yunzhen was surely leaving unhappy.

Feng Weijia watched coldly, a faint smile in his eyes. The woman finally couldn’t maintain her facade—tsk tsk. Why always pretending? Look at her face turning pale; she tried and failed.

But He Wen was effective. In a few words, he had broken her composure. Very good.

Feng Weijia felt a sense of satisfaction. He didn’t know when He Wen had become ‘his own’.

The others also watched, curious. Though they couldn’t hear what Su Ruo and the others were saying, seeing Zhou Yunzhen’s expression change after He Wen’s words made it clear he had targeted her.

Everyone wondered: what was the history between Zhou Yunzhen and He Wen? He Wen was usually carefree and not combative. Yet now, so meticulous and sharp-tongued—it wasn’t her usual style. She must really dislike Zhou Yunzhen.

Even Duan Wei found it strange. Though He Wen had explained, this level of dislike seemed intense, as if there were a deep-seated grudge. Zhou Yunzhen’s anger showed it clearly.

Zhou Yunzhen was naturally furious. She now truly hated He Wen. Why pick on her repeatedly, making her lose face? Did he think being backed by a prominent family allowed him to act recklessly? Exasperating!

Meanwhile, Xi Yuechen remained calm, unshaken, without even a flicker of emotion. Considering his acute sensitivity to the environment, he must have noticed the commotion at the table—but he remained indifferent.

Xi Zi had fully fallen asleep. Xi Yuechen carefully stood up, holding him, and walked to Su Ruo.

“You chat. I’ll go to the front hall.”

Su Ruo glanced at the sleeping Xi Zi, nodded. There was nothing for her to do here, better to join Lin Ge and the others in the front hall, more to talk about.

Once Xi Yuechen left with Xi Zi, the room relaxed, everyone feeling relieved.

But Zhou Yunzhen was not at ease. Already irritated by He Wen, and now with Xi Yuechen gone, what was the point of staying? To sit and be mocked?

She wanted to leave, but reason told her she couldn’t. She couldn’t let Su Ruo suspect. Relying on this shred of reason, Zhou Yunzhen sat rigidly, watching everyone laugh and chat, feeling increasingly stifled.

So far, she hadn’t realized that her initial purpose in attending Xi Zi’s full-month banquet had been… and throughout, she had barely looked at Xi Zi once.