32. Collective Oppression

Tong Zhenzhen, who was sipping milk, choked on Jun Lengche’s words: "We are going back to the Jun residence." She began to cough violently.

Going to the Jun residence? Wouldn't that be like a lamb walking into a tiger's den? Tong Zhenzhen recalled the first time she had been "invited" by Commander Jun, along with the recent unpleasant exchanges with the matriarch of the Jun family. She immediately felt that this was a trap.

"What? Is the Jun family that terrifying?" Jun Lengche stood up, walked behind her, and gently patted her back. He did not know why he was so angry with her, yet he still could not help but care for her.

Afraid? How could she be? Tong Zhenzhen didn't even know how to spell the word. She simply disliked the people in the Jun family. Oh, right, except for Qin Xiangyang and his adorable baby.

"Tch, why would I be afraid? I’m just worried that your family members will be annoyed at the sight of me," Tong Zhenzhen retorted once she caught her breath.

"Then let's go." Seeing that she was fine, Jun Lengche turned and walked away.

"Who is going to clean this up?" Tong Zhenzhen wiped her mouth with a napkin and pointed at the tableware on the table.

"A cleaner will come later. Hurry up!" Jun Lengche urged.

Tong Zhenzhen walked over quickly.

Upon entering the Tiffany store, when Tong Zhenzhen saw Jun Lengche pick out a five-carat diamond ring, she couldn't help but stop him. "Wait! Are you buying this? It's so expensive!"

Jun Lengche turned his head and looked at her coldly.

"Isn't it just carbon? Is it worth that much money? I think this pair of rose gold rings looks good," she said, pointing to the cheapest pair of plain bands in the store.

Although she was here for revenge, she didn't intend to scam him for money. If she ever had to dump him in the future, she would feel terrible having to return such a large diamond ring. It was better not to own it in the first place.

"Miss, this diamond ring is much better; it shows that your boyfriend holds you in his heart," the store clerk said, eager not to lose a big sale.

Tong Zhenzhen just pointed at the plain rings. "I like those."

*This little girl is not greedy for money,* Jun Lengche thought. He didn't know her inner calculations and assumed she was trying to save him money.

"We'll take this one." Ignoring her, he had the clerk take it out, grabbed her hand, and slid it directly onto the ring finger of her right hand.

"You? You? You?" Tong Zhenzhen tried to pull the large ring off, but her hand was enveloped by Jun Lengche’s.

Jun Lengche leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I do not seek a legacy, only that we grow old together."

Tong Zhenzhen's heart was struck. Grow old together? Did he want to spend his whole life with her? What should she do? Her heart was in chaos. She didn't know what to say or do, so she could only follow him. His confession shook her to her core. A lifetime with only one person was her dream, yet the person making this promise was him—the man she could not love.

After that, Tong Zhenzhen felt as if she were sleepwalking, obediently following Jun Lengche to pick out a wedding dress and schedule a photo shoot. Her detachment made Jun Lengche slightly puzzled. Was she moved by him? Why did she look so conflicted? What exactly was she thinking? Why did he feel so uncertain about her? For the first time, Jun Lengche experienced the feeling of being unable to control a situation.

When Tong Zhenzhen stood before the gates of the Jun estate again and saw the two heavy, pitch-black iron doors slowly opening, her senses returned. She instinctively moved closer to Jun Lengche. However, upon receiving his questioning gaze, she stepped away from him again.

This deliberate act of distancing made Jun Lengche’s expression cold as well. He walked ahead.

For some reason, Tong Zhenzhen thought of the line, "The brave man goes, never to return." She stood in place, staring at the gate, lost in thought.

"Are you not coming?" Jun Lengche turned back. Because of the backlight, his expression was murky and unreadable.

*What is wrong with me? It’s just the Jun family. They aren't going to eat me, right?* With that thought, Tong Zhenzhen straightened her back and followed him, though she remained a step behind.

This time, not only was the garden gate open, but the main entrance to the house was also wide open. It was brightly lit and looked extremely grand. Walking along the path, through the moon gate in the foyer, she could see shadows flitting about in the light—the house was packed. There must have been twenty or thirty people inside. Had many relatives come over?

As she stepped into the hall, Tong Zhenzhen noticed that the lively atmosphere paused for a moment before resuming. She received several sharp, piercing glares. These looks were like X-rays, rudely scanning her. These gazes came from a crowd of people dressed in luxurious clothes, acting with feigned elegance while scrutinizing her.

Tong Zhenzhen had the illusion that she was a slave being picked over by buyers. The unbridled scrutiny made her feel as if she had been stripped bare, leaving her feeling humiliated and chilled. She didn't recognize most of these people. She only knew the matriarch, and neither Qin Xiangyang nor anyone else she knew was around.

"Good evening," Jun Lengche said to the people in the hall after she stood by his side.

Tong Zhenzhen forced a smile and looked around. When those people met her gaze, they returned it with indifference. *Hmph,* Tong Zhenzhen scoffed inwardly. It was obvious they looked down on her. Since that was the case, there was no need for her to be too polite. She stopped smiling and stood straight beside Jun Lengche. She noticed that a few people frowned at her lack of deference.

At that moment, Tong Zhenzhen noticed the matriarch sitting in the center, watching her. Out of politeness, she bowed slightly and offered a respectful, "Grandmother."

The matriarch raised an eyebrow, squinted at her, and after a long while, let out a light huff through her nose. "Your outfit today is barely passable. A daughter-in-law of the Jun family should pay attention to her attire. You usually dress so inappropriately."

*Inappropriate?* It was clearly a power play to humiliate her. Tong Zhenzhen understood the subtext. But she couldn't talk back now; otherwise, she would be accused of having no manners. Sensing the provocation, she braced herself. She smiled instead of getting angry and nodded slightly. "Indeed. I will look forward to your guidance in the future."

The matriarch was somewhat surprised by Tong Zhenzhen’s submissiveness. She had expected the impulsive girl to argue back. It was difficult to say anything more now.

"Very well. Introduce yourself," the matriarch said, frowning briefly.

The hall went quiet as everyone focused their attention on her. Tong Zhenzhen calmly surveyed the room and said softly, "Good evening, everyone. I am Tong Zhenzhen, Jun Lengche's wife."

Her introduction fell like a stone into the ocean. As soon as she finished speaking, the people in the hall resumed their own conversations as if she didn't exist.

*Tch,* she thought. *I’ve shown the proper courtesy; why are these people so rude?* Tong Zhenzhen turned to look at Jun Lengche in displeasure. Unexpectedly, Jun Lengche, who had always been protective of her, just stood there.

Tong Zhenzhen grew angry and sat down on a chair on her own.

"Young people these days really have no manners. The elders haven't even told her to sit," someone muttered.

The matriarch, who was chatting with someone, heard this, her face darkening. She glared at Tong Zhenzhen as if blaming her for her lack of upbringing and raised her voice, "Everyone, please proceed to the dining room."

Led by the matriarch, everyone who had been sitting in the living room stood up and headed for the dining hall. Jun Lengche followed the crowd without even calling out to her.

*What is wrong with this guy? Why has he become so cold since entering the Jun house?* Tong Zhenzhen felt uncomfortable.

After waiting a while, everyone was gone. Seeing no one attending to her, she decided to look after herself. *What kind of hospitality is this? Isn't this the official visit of a new bride? Why such a cold shoulder? How can the Jun family claim to be well-mannered?*

Tong Zhenzhen stood up, fuming, and prepared to follow them to the dining room, when someone tugged at the hem of her dress.

"Cousin-in-law, do you have a present for me?" a soft, milky voice asked.

Tong Zhenzhen looked down. *Wow, isn't this Qin Xiangyang’s son?*

The little guy was sturdy and chubby, like a little meatball. His dark eyes were like grapes washed in water, clear and shining. Tong Zhenzhen crouched down, pulled a model race car from her bag, and handed it to him. "I do. Do you like it?"

The little boy's eyes lit up. He hugged the toy and nodded vigorously. "Like it, like it!"

"Come on, give me a kiss," Tong Zhenzhen said, amused, pointing to her cheek.

With a "smack," the little boy gave her a loud kiss. Tong Zhenzhen beamed. Suddenly, she remembered that when she had passed the toy counter earlier and mentioned buying a gift for Qin Xiangyang’s son, Jun Lengche had looked unhappy. Since then, he had been acting cold. Why?

Just as she was tilting her head, pondering the reason, she heard a woman’s voice.

"Yiwen, how did Mommy teach you? Don't accept things from strangers. What if you get tricked?" The voice was sweet, but the words were sharp arrows.

The little boy froze, reluctantly shoved the model car back to Tong Zhenzhen, pouted, and ran away.

Tong Zhenzhen stood up and saw the boy run to a beautifully dressed woman. He kept his eyes on the car in her hand, looking deeply aggrieved. *Isn't this woman Wen Xin, Qin Xiangyang’s wife?* Tong Zhenzhen walked over with the car and held it out to her. "It's fine. I bought this specifically for him."

A glimmer of hope bloomed in Qin Yiwen’s eyes. He pursed his lips and reached out to take it.

"No need!" Wen Xin rejected her directly. She picked up Qin Yiwen and said, "Yiwen, we cannot be like certain people who are always eyeing other people's things!"

With that, Wen Xin carried her son and turned to leave. A rich, yet chilling fragrance lingered in the air. Tong Zhenzhen understood that Wen Xin had a hidden meaning in her words. *Why?* And why did Wen Xin, whom she had only met twice, hold such hostility toward her?