C12 Provocation!

"Nannan, what are you up to now? Don't forget we're already married, and I can make sure you leave with nothing," Yizhou said, looking at her. Who else could she blame for her own choices?

"You're the one who's being unreasonable," Nannan muttered. It was Yizhou who made things difficult in the first place, and now she wasn't even allowed to be upset?

"Don't forget we're just in this for what we each need. I'm not wrong, am I? Remember your place," Yizhou reminded her.

"I got it. Let's go," Nannan said, clenching her fists. For her mom's sake, she could endure this. Once it was all over, she'd leave him far behind and go somewhere she'd never have to see him again.

When Mr. Zheng saw Yizhou bringing Nannan back, he hurried over.

"Don't worry, dear. As long as I'm here, I won't let you be mistreated," Mr. Zheng promised confidently.

"Okay," Nannan nodded. Mr. Zheng trusted her so much, yet she could only deceive him. The thought of betraying his trust weighed on her.

"I've already called the doctor. He'll be here soon. If there's nothing else, Nannan and I will head back," Yizhou said from the side.

"Yizhou, can't you stay?" Yu'er looked at Yizhou, almost in tears. Hadn't this woman left? Why was she back?

"Be good, we're leaving now," Yizhou said, patting her head before turning to leave. Nannan glanced at Yizhou and rolled her eyes. A player, but it didn't matter—she didn't really like him anyway.

"If he gives you any trouble, come find me," Mr. Zheng advised, worried Yizhou might do something to Nannan. Today's behavior from Yizhou was disappointing; he showed no responsibility at all.

"Goodbye," Nannan waved as she left, already dreading the days to come. What kind of person was Yizhou, really? Sometimes he seemed decent, but other times he was worse than a beast.

"Help me with this ointment." As soon as he got home, Yizhou tossed a tube of ointment to her. The blows from Mr. Zheng still hurt, as if he had used all his strength.

"What’s this for?" Nannan asked, puzzled, taking the ointment. She hadn’t been around earlier, so she didn’t know about Mr. Zheng’s outburst.

Yizhou took off his shirt, revealing red marks that looked painful.

"What happened?" Nannan reached out to touch them, noticing some spots were still bleeding.

"Don’t touch, just apply it," Yizhou snapped, frowning.

"Why should I?" Nannan tossed the ointment aside. After how he treated her, he still expected her to help? Was he dreaming? She’d rather strangle him.

"Hey—" Nannan covered her mouth, glaring at Yizhou. He had suddenly kissed her, and she couldn’t push him away.

"Help me with the ointment," Yizhou said, releasing her. He didn’t know why he reacted so strongly; he just couldn’t stay calm around Nannan.

"Fine," Nannan muttered, annoyed. What was his problem? It was better not to argue with him.

While applying the ointment, Nannan deliberately used more pressure. Yizhou gritted his teeth but said nothing. Seeing her upset didn’t make him feel any better.

"Someone’s at the door; I’ll go get it," Nannan said, tossing the ointment aside and running out. By the time she got downstairs, Elder Ji had already opened the door.

"Where’s Yizhou?" Zheng's mother asked, holding Yu’er’s arm and looking around.

"Here," Yizhou said, stepping out with his shirt back on.

"Yizhou, are your injuries okay?" Yu’er rushed over, holding onto Yizhou, not caring if Nannan was there.

"I’m fine. What about you?" Yizhou asked with concern, knowing Yu’er had also taken a hit for him.

"It's just a bit painful, but it's no big deal now. It's all because of someone that you got hit," Deng Yu'er said, casting a sidelong glance at Xia Nannan with a hint of annoyance.

Xia Nannan wasn't one to back down, rolling her eyes in response. Did Zheng Yizhou get hit? And Deng Yu'er too? She regretted leaving and missing such a dramatic scene.

"Uh... Mom, I have something to ask you. Can you come with me for a moment? Nannan, could you entertain the guests?" Zheng Yizhou instructed, pulling his mother into the study.

"What's going on, Yizhou?" his mother asked, puzzled by the secrecy.

"How many granddaughters does Mr. Deng have? I thought there was only Deng Yu'er."

"I'm not entirely sure, but I think it's just Yu'er. Why do you ask? Did someone tell you otherwise?" his mother feigned ignorance. Why was Yizhou suddenly curious about this? She'd heard that woman's daughter had been sent away.

"It's nothing, really. I just overheard someone mentioning Mr. Deng might have another granddaughter," Zheng Yizhou explained, suspecting his mother genuinely didn't know.

"Don't listen to rumors. Some people are so desperate for money they'll pretend to be part of the Deng family. It's best to stay away from such people," his mother warned, recalling past events she thought were long forgotten.

"Got it," Zheng Yizhou nodded. Could Huangfu Ling have made a mistake in his investigation? It seemed unlikely, given the size of his company.

"You should leave Yizhou. He doesn't even like you. You two are from completely different worlds. Name your price, and I'll pay it," Deng Yu'er declared, sitting on the couch with an air of authority. Leaving was not an option.

"And does he like you? You've known Zheng Yizhou for years, but I bet these past few days with me have been more significant," Xia Nannan retorted. Zheng Yizhou hadn't said anything yet, so who was she to lecture?

"How do you know he doesn't like me? I've known Yizhou since we were kids. His mom already sees me as her daughter-in-law. So what if Grandpa agrees? Do you think marrying into the family will magically transform you? A sparrow is still a sparrow, even if it wears a peacock's feathers," Yu'er mocked. She believed she had both looks and a prestigious background, making her the perfect match for Yizhou.

"Well, let's wait and see, shall we? How will we know unless we try?" Nannan smiled. A sparrow can't become a peacock because peacocks don't exist. But how will you know what you're capable of if you don't try? What if it works out?

"You're just asking for trouble," Yu'er glared at her. Who did she think she was to compete with her? Compared to this one-night stand, Yizhou would definitely prefer her. Yu'er reassured herself that she couldn't lose to someone who was a nobody.