Chapter 7: If Things Don’t Work Out, Can’t We Just Separate?

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Bai Yi bit her lip and stayed silent for a long moment, then cast a resentful glance at Wen Zongfu. Only then did Wen Zongfu finally withdraw his gaze from his blushing bride. His expression was cold, and without looking at Bai Yi, he said, "Everyone finish your drinks. Once we get back, we'll gather again another day. No one’s getting me drunk tonight—I still have to go to the bridal chamber!"

He wrapped his arm around Jiang Mi’s waist and finally took her up to the bridal room on the second floor. As soon as they entered, Jiang Mi saw torn wedding characters scattered all over the floor.

She subtly glanced at Wen Zongfu, who immediately covered his mouth and coughed twice, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Then he let her go and hurriedly picked up the torn characters, smoothing them out to stick them back up. Just then, a crisp voice came from behind: "No need to stick them back. I know you don’t want to marry her."

Wen Zongfu’s body stiffened. Earlier, when no one was around, he truly didn’t want to marry, but now, faced with the reality, he realized he wasn’t as unwilling as he thought.

He wanted to explain, but saw Jiang Mi walk over and sit by the bed. She looked around before fixing her gaze on Wen Zongfu’s tall and sturdy frame—he was indeed good-looking, no wonder the female classmates chased him to the banquet unwillingly.

She cleared her throat and said, "I’ve been thinking. Since this is our first meeting and a blind marriage with no feelings involved, let’s not rush into the bridal chamber. Let’s take our time and see how things go."

"What do you mean?" Wen Zongfu frowned deeply, staring at her.

Jiang Mi met his gaze unflinchingly. "Aren’t you reluctant to marry? I’m just giving you time to think it over properly. Isn’t that better?"

"And what if it doesn’t work out? We can still divorce?" He sneered slightly.

Divorce was still a rarity in this era, too avant-garde to consider. Jiang Mi thought for a moment and replied seriously, "Not now, but maybe in the future. Let’s not force anything. Take it slow."

She couldn’t bring herself to immediately consummate the marriage and have children. She felt this new life should be approached with more caution. Although she intended to live a good life after marrying, she didn’t know Wen Zongfu well enough, nor was she willing to entrust herself to him so soon.

Wen Zongfu stared at her with a stern face. He wasn’t the type to chase after things eagerly. After a long moment, he sneered coldly, "Fine."

When Wen Zongfu’s old friends saw him come out again, his face was dark and his eyes full of menace.

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The group was startled. Hadn’t he just been laughing and heading to the bridal chamber?

Wen Zongfu strode over, grabbed the wine jug on the table without a word, and glanced expressionlessly at Bai Yi.

"So you want to toast my bride, huh? Had enough? If not, I’ll keep drinking with you."

Bai Yi was stunned, looking at him with a mix of awkwardness and hurt.

Wen Zongfu sneered, "Bai Yi, old classmate? I don’t remember you much. Your family’s been using all sorts of connections to cozy up to my mother, hoping for a match. You’re after the Wen family’s status and the bride price to marry your drunken, gambling brother? I’m no fool."

"No more favors from now on. Sixth brother, check how much money she brought as a gift and return every penny to her."

His words left no room for mercy. Bai Yi’s face instantly turned pale.

She didn’t care about the rumors that Wen Zongfu couldn’t have children. Just looking at his family background and appearance, she was willing to marry him. Her own family was poor, and she thought that since Wen Zongfu couldn’t have children and they were old classmates, this marriage had hope.

But Wen Zongfu’s mother had already arranged for him to marry a countryside girl. Bai Yi was unwilling to accept that she couldn’t even compete with a rural girl. Today, she had forced herself to attend the wedding.

Being publicly humiliated and exposed by Wen Zongfu, Bai Yi’s face turned pale and flushed, tears welling in her eyes.

The surrounding brothers fell silent, none daring to speak up against Wen Zongfu’s anger. Clearly, he was defending his bride. Bai Yi’s provocation by appearing as an old lover to challenge the toast was indeed over the line.

Wen Zongfu was not a man to pity or cherish women easily. Sixth brother hesitated but took the gift money Bai Yi brought and, in front of everyone, Wen Zongfu threw it to her.

Bai Yi was filled with shame and anger. She couldn’t stay any longer, turned and ran off without taking the money on the table.

Wen Zongfu ordered Sixth brother coldly, "Send it to her."

"Yes, Brother Wen."

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The wedding remained lively even after Bai Yi left. Wen Zongfu sat down with his old friends, linking arms and drinking deep into the night.

Those around him couldn’t help but say, "Brother, shouldn’t you hurry to the bridal chamber? Your wife might get mad."

"Mad?" He snorted, "She’d be glad."

Had they already quarreled right after the wedding? The friends exchanged worried looks.

After the Wen family sent off the relatives and neighbors, seeing Wen Zongfu still drinking, Lady Wen had someone call Jiang Mi up.

Jiang Mi had gotten up early. She hadn’t slept well last night, having talked with her mother half the night. Now, after closing the door, she had slept two hours.

Hearing Wen Zongfu still drinking, she got up and went downstairs. Approaching his table, she gently said, "It’s late, let’s drink another day."

Wen Zongfu suddenly lifted his gaze, looking at her coldly. The others watched in trepidation. Wen’s temper was notorious, and they feared he and his wife might stubbornly clash, beyond anyone’s control.

But Jiang Mi quietly met his gaze, her face radiant from the short sleep, soft and gentle—a very deceptive appearance.

A little trickster.

He snorted coldly, stood up with a stern face, and waved his hand behind him, "Everyone disperse."

The brothers watched helplessly as he followed his wife into the room.

Brothers: ...