"Wife, slow down—my legs can't keep up."
Lily turned her head and flashed a polite smile at the man behind her. She loosened her grip on the wheelchair handles and let the chair glide at a more comfortable pace.
"That's better,"jason murmured, outwardly calm but inwardly exhausted.
'If you push me any faster, woman, I'll go rolling into the next life.'
Lily blinked. Why was he staring at her again? She ignored him and silently recited her system task:
Task 1 — Maintain the original vicious persona for 24 hours.
Fine. She could do that.
When they reached the living room, a servant rushed over. "Young master, welcome home."
Lily looked around the enormous estate, her eyes gleaming.
'Tsk. This house is huge. The inheritance must be even bigger. Shame I'm divorcing him soon.'
Jason almost choked on air.
He shot her a cold glare. She pretended not to see it and continued admiring the chandelier, acting every bit like a shallow, gold-digging villainess.
"Wife, have you had breakfast?" Jason asked finally.
Lily nodded with a soft, sweet smile. "I did. But I saved some for you."
She leaned closer, her breath brushing his ear, and whispered, "I made your favorite."
Jason's eyebrow twitched.
'My favorite? Woman, the only thing you make is trauma.'
Lily, maintaining her act, personally ladled porridge into a bowl and placed it before him.
He stared at the porridge suspiciously. Peanut crumbs again.
Lily propped her chin cutely. "Eat."
Jason's temples throbbed. He took one spoonful.
The peanut flavor exploded in his mouth. He swallowed with a pained expression.
"Is it good?" she asked expectantly.
"Hm… perhaps… too little peanut."
'Too much peanut, damn it! Are you trying to kill me?!'
"It's fine," he said through clenched teeth.
Lily beamed. "Then I'll put more tomorrow!"
"…"
He calmly put down his spoon with a loud clank. His face was impassive, but his soul had left his body.
"Wife," he said, "you eat by yourself."
Lily nodded obediently—while her thoughts screamed:
'Nice, keep pushing him toward divorce. Good job, me.'
Jasoninhaled sharply to keep himself from exploding.
After breakfast, they headed to the Ren family estate. The chauffeur drove while Jason sat stiffly in his wheelchair, and Lily sat beside him, scheming in silence.
Could Jason be hesitating about the divorce because of his grandfather?
No way. He's desperate to get rid of me. I need to make Grandpa Ren agree to the divorce. As soon as he approves, this scumbag will be out of my life for good.
Oh? I wonder if my mother-in-law is home. She hates me. That will help the divorce go smoother.
Jason stared out the window, but every one of Lily's thoughts slammed into his mind like a hammer.
He slowly turned to look at her.
His expression said: I cannot believe this is what goes on in your head.
Her expression said: I'm thinking nothing suspicious at all~
His eye twitched again.
The black Rolls-Royce stopped in front of the Ren mansion—a towering estate of white stone pillars, manicured gardens, and wealth so old it had wrinkles.
Lily was about to push Jason's wheelchair when he waved her hand away and motioned the driver forward.
What's wrong with this scumbag? Did he wake up in his period?
Jason nearly choked.
His fists tightened on the armrest. If anyone looked closely, his knuckles were white.
"The young master is back!" a servant called out happily.
Lily had just changed her shoes at the entrance when a melodic, girlish voice rang out:
"Jason! You're here!"
Lily looked up and mentally rolled her eyes.
Descending the grand spiral staircase was a woman in a simple black gauze dress. Her figure was graceful, her long black wavy hair fell behind her like a dark waterfall, and her delicate features glowed with joy. But her smile wavered when she saw Lily.
"Lily," she greeted with polite coolness, "you're here too."
Jenna Lin.
The childhood friend. The soft-spoken angel. The "perfect girl next door."
In the original novel, she was one of Jason and Molly Yu's strongest supporters—and someone who hated Lily with a passion wrapped in polite smiles.
Jason's gaze softened immediately.
"Jenna, why didn't you tell me you were coming back from overseas? I could have sent someone to pick you up."
Jenna blushed slightly. "Grandpa Ren told me you were in the hospital… so I took an early leave from school. I wanted to make sure you were okay. How's your leg?"
Jason's thoughts:
Oh please. Lame excuse. She obviously rushed back to see her scumbag—you.
Jason blinked in shock.
He… wasn't the scumbag here. Right?
He coughed lightly. "I'm fine. Where's Grandpa?"
"He's still resting." Jenna gently pushed his wheelchair toward the living room. "If it's nothing urgent, we can wait until he wakes."
As they settled, Jenna noticed Lily in the corner of her eye. Her smile brightened again.
"Lily, I bought you something from England." Jenna pulled out an elegant velvet box. "I hope you'll like it."
Lily looked pleasantly surprised. "Thank you, Jenna."
But instead of opening the box, she handed it to Jason.
"Honey, I hurt my hand cooking this morning… could you open it for me?"
If I open it and accidentally drop it, they'll say I didn't appreciate the gift and I'll be scolded again. Nope. Not happening.
Jason almost had another headache.
You manipulative little fox. Stop acting cute—it's painful to watch.
He opened the box—
Clink!
The brooch inside fell out, hit the floor, and snapped cleanly in half.
Everyone stared.
Jason froze.
…How!?
Lily gasped. "Honey! You're so careless!"
She squatted beside the broken brooch, lifting the pieces as if they were priceless jewels. "You ruined Jenna's gift! You owe me compensation!"
Jason: "…"
Jenna: "…"
The driver outside: "…" (silently feeling secondhand embarrassment)
Jenna forced a smile. "It's okay. Jason didn't mean to. I can buy another one."
"No, no, Jenna," Lily insisted firmly. "You didn't break it, he did. He should compensate me. Right, honey?"
Lily pressed closer to Jenna, linking arms like they were best friends. She looked at Jason with sparkling eyes.
Yes! Jackpot! This brooch is definitely expensive. Today is a good day.
Jason's chest tightened.