Chapter 123 Brother-in-law, I'm very capable

"Mom, look at my sister! She's backing out again." Wen Zhiyong slapped the table, his voice filled with grievance. "Even brother-in-law agreed, but she's the one dragging her feet. My marriage is such a major event, yet as my sister, she doesn't want to chip in a single cent."

"Enough, I know what I'm doing." Wen Huilin closed her eyes, her chest heaving violently a few times. Then she opened them, suppressing her rising negative emotions, and said in a calm voice, "Five hundred thousand. Write an IOU. Interest will be calculated according to bank rates."

Wen Zhiyong froze for a second. He slapped his thigh, stood up, and rushed over to Wen Huilin. The indignant look on his face instantly transformed into ecstasy. "I knew you wouldn't leave me high and dry, Sis!"

As he spoke, he let out a silly laugh and stuffed a cigarette into Chen Ang's hand.

Xue Shanshan lowered her head slightly, clutching her phone as she stole a glance at Chen Ang. A faint smile played at the corners of her lips, but she hid it well.

Wen Guodong and his wife exchanged a glance, both of them showing a subtle look of relief.

Next, without Chen Ang having to say another word, Wen Zhiyong immediately fetched pen and paper, quickly drafted the IOU, and even left his thumbprint on it.

Chen Ang turned on his phone's video recording function and quietly captured the entire process.

Finally, in front of her parents, Wen Huilin transferred the money to Xue Shanshan's card.

Everyone was happy. Wen Guodong cheerfully invited everyone to go downstairs to the private dining room for a meal.

The meal lasted for over an hour, with Wen Zhiyong and Wen Guodong taking turns to toast Chen Ang.

Chen Ang didn't decline either, smiling as he drank one glass after another.

Wen Huilin sat to the side, barely touching her chopsticks. She only occasionally picked up her juice for a sip, her gaze always maintaining a safe distance from Chen Ang.

After the meal, they returned to the suite. Wen Guodong sat on the sofa picking his teeth, while Li Meifeng packed her bags in the room.

Wen Zhiyong was red-faced from drinking. Slurring his words, he wrapped his arm around Xue Shanshan's waist and said they would register their marriage as soon as they got back. He claimed that next week had an auspicious day, so they would get married then.

Xue Shanshan pried his hand off and told him to sober up first.

Wen Huilin stood by the window with her back to everyone.

Looking out at the city lights, she pressed her hand against the window frame, her nails scratching against the aluminum alloy border, making a creaking sound.

Another five hundred thousand.

Added to the one hundred thousand for the tutoring center, the one hundred and forty thousand from Chen Zetian's compensation, plus various miscellaneous expenses, as well as the hotel room and meal costs...

Even if she managed to get two hundred thousand from Tu Yuandong, it wouldn't be enough to fill this deficit.

The savings she had accumulated over the years had been devoured bit by bit by Chen Ang.

Meanwhile, Chen Ang sat on the sofa, teacup in hand, chatting with her father about tomorrow's train tickets back to their hometown and their upcoming attendance at the wedding. His tone was so relaxed, it was as if he were here on vacation.

The hatred in her heart made her want to grind her teeth to dust.

Never before had she wanted to kill Chen Ang as much as she did today.

Finally, she slowly relaxed, and a trace of color returned to her face.

She thought to herself that if things went smoothly on Tu Yuandong's end, she would stomp Chen Ang ruthlessly under her feet, crushing him with all her might.

Just as scenes of taking revenge on Chen Ang were flashing through her mind, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Tu Yuandong.

"I've made an appointment with the buyer to view the house tomorrow. Find some time to come over so we can finalize it early."

After reading the message, Wen Huilin looked up slightly and glanced at Chen Ang. Concealing her resentment, she quickly replied.

Afterward, she felt as if a thousand-pound weight had been lifted off her shoulders, and her posture straightened up.

Chen Ang had been listening to Wen Guodong, his wife, and Wen Zhiyong talk. He kept a smile on his face and chimed in from time to time, providing steady emotional value.

Finally, after chatting for about ten minutes, he stood up and said he was going to the restroom.

The restroom of the presidential suite was at the end of the hallway, separate from the master and guest bedrooms, offering excellent privacy.

Turning a corner, Chen Ang pushed open the door and was about to close it when a hand held the door panel from the outside.

Xue Shanshan slipped inside sideways and gently closed the door behind her.

Today, she wore a tight, high-collared base shirt that accentuated her full breasts, paired with trousers below that concealed the plump, rounded curves of her hips and legs.

Her hair was draped over her shoulders, and her lips were coated with a layer of light pink lip gloss. Leaning against the sink, she looked up at Chen Ang.

"Brother-in-law, what did you mean by telling me to ask for that extra two hundred thousand?"

Chen Ang glanced at her. "Isn't it good to get more money?"

"It is good." Xue Shanshan tilted her head, the corners of her eyes curving upward slightly. "But I can't help but feel that you aren't giving it to me for nothing."

In her impression of Chen Ang, he was someone who could secure a VIP card for a private room that others couldn't book even half a month in advance with just a single phone call. He drove a bentley and spent tens of thousands of yuan in one night without even batting an eye.

This was a social class she could never reach. He certainly wouldn't just help her ask for more bride price on a whim.

She took half a step forward, reducing the distance between them to less than an arm's length. "Brother-in-law, are you and Wen Huilin planning to get a divorce?"

Chen Ang's gaze narrowed. He simply leaned against the wall beside him, not denying it, and casually lit a cigarette.

After the smooth and rich aroma of the 1916 cigarette passed through his lungs, he spoke, "Why do you think so?"

She looked up directly into Chen Ang's eyes. Her phoenix eyes held less of their usual sugary sweetness and more of a serious, probing look. "Pressuring Wen Huilin so hard to cough up the money isn't just to help her brother, is it? You want to squeeze her completely dry?"

"And then?"

"Over the past two days, I've noticed that although you two seem polite on the surface, your eyes never even meet in private. Anyone who isn't blind can see there's a problem between you two."

"Brother-in-law." She paused, taking another step forward. "I can help you."

"Help me? With what?" Chen Ang flicked his cigarette ash, looking at her with a hint of playfulness.

"I'm very capable." Her eyelashes fluttered as her gaze met Chen Ang's. "Besides, I will return that two hundred thousand to you."

Chen Ang was starting to see her in a new light. Clearly, she was weighing the difference between a single full meal and being fed for life.

Holding the cigarette in his mouth, the corner of his lips curled up slightly. "Do you have any aspirations?"

Xue Shanshan was taken aback, never expecting Chen Ang's question to jump so suddenly. She hesitated for a moment before saying, "I want to stay in the big city and live a wealthy life here. Does that count?"

"So you plan to marry Wen Zhiyong first, pocket a hefty bride price, and then find an opportunity to make your escape." Chen Ang exposed her without any hesitation.

A flash of embarrassment crossed Xue Shanshan's face. She lowered her head, not daring to meet Chen Ang's gaze.

It took her a few seconds to look up again. She realized Chen Ang wasn't angry, but looking into his eyes made her feel as if she were completely naked, with all her secrets exposed.

"Do you think my five hundred thousand is that easy for you to walk away with?" Chen Ang stubbed out his cigarette in the sink. Though his tone was calm, his words carried immense weight.

Xue Shanshan knew very well that if the man in front of her wanted to deal with her, it would probably be easier than crushing an ant.

"Brother-in-law..." she said softly, a hint of probing in her voice. "I know. I won't take this money for nothing."

"Your brain is sharper than the rest of the Wen family combined." Chen Ang chuckled. He reached out, pinched her chin, and tilted her face up slightly.

It was a young and exquisite face with skin so delicate that no pores could be seen. The corners of her eyes curved upward slightly, and her lips glowed with a faint flush from having just been bitten.

Her eyelashes fluttered gently, trembling with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

"But clever people sometimes outsmart themselves. Don't do anything foolish."

"I know, I'm capable." The panic in her eyes began to fade, replaced by a sort of desperate, back-to-the-wall determination.

Her chin broke free from Chen Ang's grasp. She naturally wrapped her arms around the back of his neck, stood on her tiptoes, and pressed her lips against his.