Chapter 216: A Visitor

The evening meal had just ended when Wang Huanzhi returned.

The staff was tidying up the mess on the tables. Seeing him return and knowing the reason behind the incident, they pretended not to see him, each busy with their own tasks, as if he didn’t exist.

Wang Huanzhi searched the crowd for Zhang Yingdi’s figure but didn’t see her. Thinking she had returned to her room, he went to find her there.

When he entered the room, he discovered that Zhang Yingdi’s clothes had been packed away.

"Second Sister..." Wang Huanzhi quickly went out to find someone and saw Zhang Pandi coming out of the bathroom, so he called out to her.

Usually, if Wang Huanzhi saw a lady coming out of the bathroom, he would immediately look away and not dare to take a second glance. But today, he was anxious and even forgot his usual rules and principles.

"What’s the matter?" Zhang Pandi said indifferently.

"Where did Ying’er go? Why are her clothes gone?" Wang Huanzhi asked anxiously.

"She moved to live with Big Sister," Zhang Pandi said, "You’re busy with your studies, and she doesn’t want to disturb you, so she’s giving you some peace and quiet."

"Second Sister, is Ying’er upset?" Wang Huanzhi looked troubled.

"Is she? I don’t think so! Among the three sisters, our little sister has the best temper, and she’s very polite and follows the rules," Zhang Pandi said, "Did you do something to upset her?"

"I..."

"If you can’t think of anything, then there probably isn’t. Our little sister isn’t unreasonable," Zhang Pandi said, "Focus on your studies; you should be reading."

Zhang Pandi left.

Wang Huanzhi went to Zhang Zhaodi’s door and knocked.

"Who is it?" Zhang Zhaodi opened the door and, upon seeing Wang Huanzhi, spoke sarcastically, "Weren’t you supposed to have gone back to the countryside?"

"I didn’t go back to the countryside," Wang Huanzhi glanced inside and, upon seeing Zhang Yingdi, explained, "Madam, please come back to the room with me, and I’ll explain."

"No need," Zhang Yingdi was sitting at the dressing table, brushing her hair. "You’ve always been soft-hearted and can’t stand seeing others suffer; I understand."

Wang Huanzhi sighed with relief when he heard her say this.

"Although the provincial exam is over, the next step is to enter the Capital City for the imperial exams. I know you’re nervous, so I won’t disturb you. You should just focus on your studies," Zhang Yingdi said.

"Madam, you won’t disturb me. If you’re not there, I can’t find peace," Wang Huanzhi said, unsure and not daring to leave when he saw she was reluctant to return to the room.

"That’s exactly why you need to adapt. You’re going to the Capital City next, and I can’t possibly go with you, right? If I’m not there, will you stop taking the exams?" Zhang Yingdi remarked, "Go back; Big Sister and I need to rest."

"Madam..."

"All right, stop yelling and complaining here; it’s annoying to listen to," Zhang Zhaodi said, closing the door.

Wang Huanzhi stood at the door for a while, realizing that the two sisters inside were ignoring him, and left with a sigh.

Su Yaoguang and Zhou Wangshu watched from a distance. Zhou Wangshu said, "Why don’t you go and persuade them?"

"Why persuade?" Su Yaoguang said, "Uncle has done such foolish things, he deserves a bit of punishment; otherwise, who knows how my aunt might be mistreated by him in the future. I support her; she should let him know she holds her ground too, about what should and shouldn’t be done. If he has no sense of this, then they should separate sooner."

Zhang Yingdi may be almost thirty years old, but she looks beautiful. Not only has she taken good care of herself in the past half-year, but she’s also getting better at dressing up. She’s not inferior to those young girls in their teens. If she’s willing, they can always find her a more affectionate man.

"Women are indeed scary, truly hard to provoke."

"What did you say?"

"I said Yaoguang is right, Uncle made a mistake this time. He should be made to realize it," Zhou Wangshu said.

Inside the room, Zhang Zhaodi was scolding Zhang Yingdi, telling her she’s useless. She had just told them she wanted to separate, but when he returned, she dared not say it in front of him.

Zhang Yingdi rubbed her forehead, sore from Zhang Zhaodi’s poking, and said embarrassedly, "I want to see how he did in the provincial exam before I bring up separation. If he passes, I’ll talk to him about it."

"And if he doesn’t pass, you’ll never bring it up?"

"He’s worked so hard, he should pass," Zhang Yingdi said, "After all, we’re a couple; I don’t want to affect his performance, so I’ll wait for the provincial exam results before I bring it up!"

"If he passes, he’ll soon be preparing for the imperial exams in the Capital City. You won’t again refrain from saying it because you don’t want to affect his performance, will you?"

"I won’t. It’s been many years; we’ve always been a superficial couple. If he genuinely cared for me, he wouldn’t be so indifferent. So, I think he probably doesn’t like me. His reliance on me now is merely due to my companionship over the years; he’s accustomed to it. Such a relationship is wrong. I don’t want to be just an accessory to him anymore."

The next day, Wang Huanzhi was out early for breakfast.

Previously, Zhang Yingdi had always brought breakfast to his room for him.

Wang Huanzhi sat next to Zhang Yingdi, and seeing her peeling an egg, he said to her, "Madam, I can do it myself."

Zhang Yingdi lifted her gaze to him, "Yes, you should peel your own; this egg is mine."

Wang Huanzhi felt uncomfortable, picked up an egg, and began to peel it, occasionally glancing at Zhang Yingdi beside him.

Zhang Yingdi didn’t talk to him today, and even when she responded earlier, her tone was harsh.

She was extraordinarily indifferent today.

Wang Huanzhi had never seen such a cold side of Zhang Yingdi and felt uneasy from head to toe.

"Madam..."

"I’m done eating; take your time," Zhang Yingdi stood up. "Lately, business at the shop is busy; I don’t have time for you. You can join everyone for meals; you don’t need to wait for me."

"Madam..." Wang Huanzhi wanted to follow but saw that Zhang Yingdi had already walked away with Zhang Pandi and the others.

Taoyao Square’s business was booming, and guests arrived as soon as the doors opened. Wang Huanzhi saw her greeting the guests and didn’t want to disturb her. He waited for a while, seeing she was too busy to talk to him, and was about to return to the backyard to study when he spotted a familiar figure entering.

"Brother Huanzhi." The woman, carrying her child, looked at Wang Huanzhi with tears in her eyes. "Qiao’er’s illness keeps recurring, and the other doctors can’t cure it. I’ve heard that Doctor Jiang here at Taoyao Square is a miracle worker. Could you possibly help me ask if Doctor Jiang could take a look at Qiao’er?"

"Wait here for a moment; I’ll go inside to find Doctor Jiang." Wang Huanzhi glanced at the little girl in the woman’s arms and turned to head inside.

The other staff looked towards the woman.

That woman was dressed in plain clothes, adorned with white flowers, obviously still mourning someone. Despite being a mother, she carried a serene and pure demeanor, seemingly untainted by worldly matters.

This purity was different from Jiang Yihuan’s delicate innocence.

"Sister Zhang, I’ve come to bother you again." Meng Xiaoya approached Zhang Yingdi, holding her child. "Don’t misunderstand, I haven’t been in contact with Brother Huanzhi for a long time; this time is purely coincidental."