Chapter 10: A Passing Performance [10]

“No matter how busy you are, you have to accompany your wife! Next week, you’ll take Rou Rou with you,” Old Master Jing suddenly said from behind them, startling the two sitting on the sofa.

“Dad, it’s fine. The driver can take me,” Wen Rou immediately stood up from the sofa upon hearing Old Master Jing’s instruction.

“It’s only right that Jing Nuo accompanies you.”

“Stop playing the martyr. I’ll arrange the time,” Jing Nuo said impatiently, losing interest in their back-and-forth. He then got up and left.

Wen Rou watched Jing Nuo’s retreating figure with a heavy heart, silently stewing in her anger. This man was always so quick to get annoyed with her. After all, she was still useful to him—to some extent, at least she helped him secure Old Master Jing’s favor and the family inheritance. Yet he showed no gratitude and constantly acted coldly. With a sigh, Wen Rou rose and left as well.

Back in the bedroom, Wen Rou glanced at Jing Nuo, who was lying on the sofa playing with his phone. She gave him a sharp look, then crawled into her bed, pulling the covers over herself without saying another word. This was her way of venting her emotions—bottling up the discomfort inside.

Though Jing Nuo seemed engrossed in his phone, his eyes kept stealing glances at Wen Rou, curious about her next reaction or move. This afternoon, he had staged a little scene with Feng Jing, and he knew Wen Rou was unsettled inside. He wanted to see her angry, to see her throw a tantrum—only then would life be a little more interesting. But watching her remain indifferent and silent in the Jing household, ignoring all his provocations, made his solo drama rather dull. Whether it was the rumors or deliberately calling Feng Jing over today, it was all meant to embarrass her, yet she endured it all. That was what he found unbearable.

“Wen Rou, do you feel especially wronged?” Jing Nuo, ever the troublemaker, taunted. Wen Rou muffled under the covers, unwilling to respond.

“Wen Rou, are you deaf? I can’t imagine how deep your scheming goes,” he continued, growing more irritated as she ignored him.

“Jing Nuo, don’t stir up trouble. I’m too tired to argue,” Wen Rou just wanted to sulk quietly, but Jing Nuo had no intention of letting her be.

“Your true colors are showing, Wen Rou. You’ve been such a good actress all these years,” he said, provoked by her silence.

“Crazy,” Wen Rou shot back, knowing full well she had fallen into his trap. He was deliberately looking for a fight today.

“It’s because I’m crazy that I married you,” Jing Nuo retorted without taking the insult to heart. As long as Wen Rou was unhappy, he found satisfaction.

Hearing his words, Wen Rou was about to explode. She had helped him secure the inheritance out of goodwill, and now he was biting the hand that fed him. Feeling stunned, she grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him. “Are you done yet?”

“Not even close,” Jing Nuo replied defiantly.

“Jing Nuo, what exactly do you want? Did you come back just to quarrel? I didn’t ruin your lunch with Feng Jing. Are you really that petty?” Wen Rou attributed his outburst to the incident earlier that day.

“What are you doing at the company?” Jing Nuo was taken aback by her pillow attack and retort. Was this woman fearless today, daring to talk back?

“I’m still going to work at Shangjing Group,” Wen Rou said, loathing Jing Nuo’s reproachful expression. She regretted joining Jing Style Group—it only brought trouble—but she still argued back.

“No matter how busy you are, you have to accompany your wife! Next week, you’ll take Rou Rou with you,” Old Master Jing’s voice suddenly echoed again, catching them both off guard.

“Dad, it’s fine. The driver can take me,” Wen Rou repeated, standing up promptly.

“It’s only right that Jing Nuo accompanies you.”

“Stop playing the martyr. I’ll arrange the time,” Jing Nuo said impatiently and left again.

Wen Rou watched his back, her heart heavy with mixed emotions. This man was always quick to anger with her, though she was still useful—at least she helped him secure Old Master Jing’s inheritance. No thanks, just cold looks every day. She sighed and left as well.

Back in the bedroom, Wen Rou looked at Jing Nuo playing with his phone on the sofa, then gave him a sharp glance before crawling into bed and pulling the covers over herself, silent. This was her way of releasing emotions, though it only made her feel more stifled.

Jing Nuo appeared absorbed in his phone but kept glancing at Wen Rou, watching for any reaction. This afternoon’s staged scene with Feng Jing had unsettled her, and he wanted to see her anger or tears for some amusement. But her indifferent silence made his solo performance dull. Whether it was rumors or calling Feng Jing over today, it was all to embarrass her, yet she endured it. That was what he couldn’t accept.

“Wen Rou, do you feel especially wronged?” Jing Nuo teased again, but Wen Rou buried herself in the covers, ignoring him.