To Sink Into You - Chapter 8

Ming Qian temporarily set aside her doubts and changed the subject. “Are we going to Grandpa Wen’s tomorrow, or…?”

Wen Yuxi replied without hesitation, “Let’s go to my parents’ house. Grandpa’s probably busy looking for Sister Qingcheng.”

Ming Qian raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Did you move back to the Imperial Capital?”

Six years ago, for various reasons, Wen Yuxi’s parents had moved her away from the Wen Family’s ancestral estate, settling in a second-tier city several hundred kilometers from the Imperial Capital’s central district.

Shortly after, Ming Qian went abroad as planned, single-mindedly expanding the Mingwei Group’s overseas operations. She only returned a month ago and thus had limited knowledge of the current situation in China.

“Mm-hmm,” Wen Yuxi nodded. “We moved back recently. We bought a house on Quyao Street and just finished renovating it.”

“I see,” Ming Qian said thoughtfully. “So, are you planning to live with your parents, or move to Ink Moon Manor?”

Ink Moon Manor was the name of the villa community where their marital home was located.

“I’m not a child anymore, of course I won’t live with my parents,” Wen Yuxi said, rubbing her nose. “I’m attending university in the central district and have my own rented apartment. I even have a cat… Oh, right, Sister, are you okay with cats? If not, I won’t move in.”

After speaking, Wen Yuxi lowered her head, inwardly praising herself: Excellent performance! Just pathetic enough, just green tea enough. This will definitely melt Sister Qingcheng’s heart.

Sure enough, Ming Qian replied warmly, “Of course you can move in. Just bring your things over after the wedding photos are taken. Don’t worry about the distance from school; we’ll have a car pick you up and drop you off.”

Wen Yuxi pretended to consider for a moment before agreeing, “Alright, then. Thank you, Sister.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Ming Qian chuckled softly. “Is your cat still at your apartment? Is someone taking care of it?”

“I’ve asked a friend to feed it,” Wen Yuxi replied. “It’s fine.”

“Good.” Ming Qian glanced at her phone. “It’s getting late. Let’s get some sleep. We have to wake up early tomorrow.”

“Okay.” Though she knew it was impossible, Wen Yuxi still asked, “Will we sleep together?”

“I’ll sleep in the next room.” Ming Qian got out of bed and turned off the light. “Good night.”

Wen Yuxi mumbled weakly, “…Good night.”

The next morning, Wen Yuxi and Ming Qian followed their plan to meet Su Xi at the entrance of the Quyao Street residential complex. Together, the three women went upstairs.

As they entered the apartment, Su Xi took Ming Qian’s hand, looking slightly embarrassed.

“Qianqian, my place is a bit small, but I hope you’ll make yourself at home. If there’s anything you need, just let me know, okay?”

Ming Qian’s voice was gentle. “Now that Yuxi and I are married, you’re my mother too. There’s no need for formalities.”

“Good, good,” Su Xi nodded repeatedly, her smile wide. “Such a good child. Sit down, sit down. A… Mom will wash some fruit for you.”

After washing the fruit, Su Xi began preparing lunch. Wen Yuxi joined her in the kitchen to help. “Should I peel the potatoes?”

Su Xi clicked her tongue playfully. “Peel the potatoes? You’re not needed here. Go keep your wife company.”

“Dad’s talking to her about work,” Wen Yuxi said, suppressing a laugh. “You’ve adapted to your new role quickly, Su Xi. Just moments ago, you were calling her ‘Aunt,’ and now you’re treating her like your daughter-in-law?”

“Always teasing your old mom,” Su Xi pinched her ear. “I was just being respectful. If I were an Omega, I’d be dreaming of marrying such an outstanding Alpha. You better treat her well.”

“What do you mean?” Wen Yuxi deftly picked through the vegetables. “Isn’t this exactly what I’m doing? Washing my hands and cooking for her—how virtuous of me!”

Su Xi, remembering something, asked in a low voice, “How did you dare make such bold claims in front of so many people? What if Ming Qian had refused? How would you have recovered?”

“The outcome was good, wasn’t it? Don’t worry about it,” Wen Yuxi replied with a faint smile. “Any news from Sister Qingcheng?”

Su Xi sighed. “No, the old mansion has been in chaos for days. It’s a good thing you didn’t go. Otherwise, the old man would have given you another cold shoulder.”

Wen Yuxi’s expression turned thoughtful as she focused on washing vegetables, falling silent.

After dinner, Wen Yuxi was summoned to her father’s study.

“Dad, what is it?”

Wen Jiayang poured his daughter a cup of tea and smiled warmly. “Come, let’s have a chat.”

Wen Yuxi sat beside him as instructed, picked up her teacup, and took a sip. “What do you want to talk about?”

Whether in the past or present, her relationship with her father had never been close. She couldn’t imagine what common ground they might share.

“You’ve done remarkably well,” Wen Jiayang said with genuine satisfaction. “I never imagined you could win over Ming Qian. With her support, our family will undoubtedly establish a foothold in the Imperial Capital.”

At this, he let out a cold laugh. “If Wen Shilin ever finds out that his despised Beta son is living a better life than his Alpha son, that crooked old bastard would die of rage.”

Wen Shilin had two sons: Wen Jiayang, the elder, was a Beta, while Wen Jiaguang, the younger, was an Alpha.

As the former family head, Wen Shilin perpetuated the feudalistic biases of his predecessors, favoring his Alpha son. This created a perpetually tense atmosphere in the family, filled with endless arguments.

The accumulated tensions finally erupted. Wen Jiayang, unable to endure it any longer, moved his wife and daughter out of the Imperial Capital, and they didn’t return for six years.

It was only recently that the family finally returned to their ancestral home.

Wen Jiayang, riding high on success, said to his daughter, “Yuxi, you should have a child with Ming Qian soon. If the child turns out to be ambitious and inherits the Mingwei Group, we’ll be—”

“Dad, stop dreaming,” Wen Yuxi interrupted. “I’m not having children, at least not for the next five years.”

Wen Jiayang frowned. “Why not?”

Wen Yuxi: “I graduate next year. I won’t have time for a child until I’ve established my career.”

“What kind of career is that?” Wen Jiayang’s anger flared at the mention. “You finally got into a top university, only to end up dressing and doing makeup for celebrities? Is that even respectable?”

Wen Yuxi’s expression remained impassive. “It has nothing to do with my education. I like it.”

“Can ‘liking it’ put food on the table?”

“It can support me,” Wen Yuxi reminded him coolly. “I haven’t used your money since my freshman year of college.”

“You!” Wen Jiayang’s chest heaved. “You’ve stumbled upon such a golden opportunity and you’re not taking advantage of it! Are you trying to drive me to an early grave?”

Ming Qian was the epitome of a perfect Alpha, flawless to the point of being beyond reproach. Every Omega coveted her. In Wen Jiayang’s eyes, his daughter’s marriage to Ming Qian was pure luck, and he naturally intended to exploit it to the fullest.

“Father, have you forgotten?” Wen Yuxi asked, her voice low as she traced the rim of her teacup. “Ming Qian and I have a political marriage. There’s no affection between us. She has no obligation to help you.”

Wen Jiayang slammed his hand on the table. “What kind of talk is that? Can’t you cultivate affection? Your compatibility score with her is so high! Even sleeping together could spark feelings!”

Wen Yuxi let out a scornful laugh, her face turning icy. “What do you think my marriage is? A tool to retaliate against Grandfather?”