Take her as my wife

Before Jiang Ni could figure it out, Aunt Zhou noticed the bag Tan Wen was carrying.

"You went shopping for clothes. No wonder you came back so late. You should wash these new clothes before wearing them."

As she spoke, she reached out to take the bag from Tan Wen, who thanked her and handed it back to her.

Aunt Zhou only discovered the next day when she was washing clothes that there were not only men's clothes but also women's clothes. Since they were from the same brand and part of the same collection, they looked like... couple outfits.

She was about to overthink it when Jiang Ni reminded Tan Wen this morning to "remember to buy a gift." When she asked, she found out that Tan Wen was going on a date with a girl tonight—today is a proper Valentine's Day!

That evening, Tan Wen indeed did not return for dinner.

Valentine's Day is a holiday full of hype, and businesses will do anything to boost consumption. Tan Wen randomly picked a restaurant to treat Song Ruixi to dinner, but he still couldn't have a peaceful time.

Seeing that the couple was good-looking, the waiter tried his best to persuade them: "Sir and Madam, you can get a 50% discount or even a free meal by participating in our couples' activity~ All you have to do is film a short video~"

Song Ruixi asked with interest, "What short video?"

The waiter showed them an example: "It's just a couple's hand gesture dance, it's very simple."

Song Ruixi was originally a dance student, so she could learn these simple moves after watching them once. She looked at Tan expectantly and asked, "Senior, how about...?"

Tan Wen refused decisively: "No—we won't participate, thank you."

The waitress glanced awkwardly at Song Ruixi, who smiled at her good-naturedly and said, "I'm sorry, why don't you ask another customer?"

The girl had no choice but to leave, thinking to herself as she went: "Just because he's handsome doesn't mean he can act like this. He doesn't even give his girlfriend face on Valentine's Day. No matter how handsome he is, she wouldn't want him even if he were given to her for free."

With peace and quiet, Tan Wen focused on his meal. Song Ruixi asked curiously, "I thought you were going to spend the holiday with your sister today. I didn't expect you to ask me to message you yesterday—aren't you afraid another man will invite your sister to the holiday?"

Tan Wen lifted his eyelids to look at her: "So, Miss Song, you can eat faster so I can go back sooner."

Song Ruixi dressed up specially before going out today. Even though she knew that Tan Wen's invitation to dinner was just an "act," it didn't stop her from wanting to look her best when she met him.

"Okay, but if we go back too early, won't your sister get suspicious—I even bought two movie tickets," she said.

Tan Wen had no intention of going to the movies with her. He didn't have much time left on his holiday, and he would rather spend those two hours at home watching TV with Jiang Ni on the sofa.

"You can leave if something comes up," Tan said, putting down his chopsticks. "You can invite your friends to see the movie; I'll reimburse you."

Song Ruixi could tell he was really rich. Even though he didn't have any designer clothes or a car, she could still sense his wealth and generosity.

Handsome, generous with money, and most importantly, loyal—a man like that is hard to find even with a lantern.

She was unwilling to be dismissed by him so easily, so she tossed her hair and said with a flirtatious look in her eyes, "I've given all my time to you today, senior. I even bought a new dress specifically for our date."

As she said this, Tan Yan and Shen Yunqing were being led by a waiter to find seats, and the waiter passed by them.

Shen Yunqing noticed Tan Wen and tugged at Tan Yan, saying, "Teacher Tan..."

Tan Yan followed her gaze and was indeed surprised that Tan Wen was spending Valentine's Day with another girl. He had just seen Tan Wen post a message on his WeChat Moments last night...

Roses, necklaces, photos—he even thought Tan Wen had successfully confessed his feelings to Jiang Ni.

"Tan Wen," he said sternly, "come out for a moment."

Song Ruixi was confused, so Tan asked, "My brother."

He stood up and followed Tan Yan out of the restaurant.

The two brothers found a quiet spot and stood facing each other. Tan Yan was a few centimeters shorter than him, so he was a bit outmatched in terms of presence.

"What exactly are you trying to do? You're flirting with Jiang Ni while you're also going on dates and having dinner with other girls?"

Instead of answering, Tan asked, "What right do you have to question me now, brother? My sister's ex?"

Provoked by him, Tan Yan couldn't help but grab his collar: "You!"

Tan Wen grabbed his wrist, the feigned brotherly affection he used to maintain was completely gone, and his strong brows revealed an undisguised ruthlessness: "Brother, do you know how much I envy you, how jealous I am of you, and how much I hate you?"

Tan Yan winced in pain, shook off his hand, and staggered back a few steps, a sarcastic smile on her face: "Not pretending anymore? I really want Jiang Ni to see what you're like now. You act like a dog in front of her all the time, but in reality, you're a cold-blooded, heartless ingrate."

Such insults didn't bother Tan Wen at all: "Ungrateful wretch? Between the two of us, you know in your heart who's more of an ungrateful wretch. You can go and 'expose' me to my sister again—oh, I almost forgot, she's blocked your phone number and private messages."

Tan Yan glared at him. It seemed he already knew about her visit to Jiang Ni last time. Connecting this to the girl she'd just seen, Tan Yan suddenly realized: "Your smokescreen is quite effective, but if your scheming is ever exposed, do you think Jiang Ni will still trust you or like you?"

"You don't need to worry about any of that, brother," Tan Wen raised an eyebrow. "Just live a good life with your new sister-in-law and don't show up around her again."

His eyes were as cold as ice: "And don't say anything stupid like 'I still love you,' that would be best."

He turned and left, leaving Tan Yan standing there alone, shocked—Jiang Ni had told him those things too? Impossible!

He sent Tan Wen away and went to find Jiang Ni, hoping to create a rift between them. He couldn't accept that Jiang Ni's next boyfriend was Tan Wen—his own younger brother.

To be honest, he really regretted it. If he had stuck to his principles and not accepted Shen Yunqing's advances, he and Jiang Ni would have been married long ago, and Tan Wen wouldn't have had any problems.

Shen Yunqing is in her second trimester. The doctor said they could have sex, and Shen Yunqing would even take the initiative to invite him. But now, lying in bed with her, he has no interest at all.

The impulsive hormones that had once fueled his emotions had subsided, and he felt as if he had gained nothing but endless emptiness.

Tan Wen's repeated admonitions did not bring him to his senses; instead, they gave rise to a terrible thought that he should not have had.

—Since he can't have it, he might as well... destroy it.

Tan Wen already has so much: He Xiaoling's favoritism, outstanding looks, and exceptional abilities. If he had Jiang Ni as well, he would be driven mad with jealousy.