From childhood, Wen Ting had always relied on and revered her mother, Shen Han. Despite her willful and quirky temper, she never dared defy her mother, harboring an instinctive fear and dependence on Shen Han.
Now, with her mother suddenly siding with the lecherous brother-in-law she despised, and both her sisters backing Li Bin, Wen Ting felt her world crumbling.
That slap made Wen Ting realize she was the clown in this scenario.
Smart as she was, she understood that in this household, her brother-in-law Li Bin was no longer the powerless outsider. He had become the most influential figure, second only to her father!
"Heh, I don't have time to take her anyway. She's so capable, let her go alone. If it wasn't for Li Bin last time, who knows what would've happened to her! He saved her, and she repays him with spite? What's going on in her head?" Wen Wan snapped angrily.
Wen Lan, meanwhile, smirked, watching Wen Ting like it was a show, muttering under her breath, "Serves her right."
"I'm your mother! What's wrong with me hitting you?!" Shen Han's rage flared even hotter. She pushed Li Bin aside and moved to strike Wen Ting again. "Outsider? Who's the outsider? He's your brother-in-law! Your sister's husband! My son-in-law! How is he an outsider?! You used to bully him, and he let it slide because he's good-natured! From now on, if you dare talk to him like that again, you're out of this house! I'll act like I never had a daughter like you!"
"Oh no!! This is bad!!" Li Bin's heart sank, his face drenched in cold sweat as he watched Wen Ting spiraling out of control.
In this situation, with Wen Ting's stubborn streak, she'd surely blurt out everything about that night in a fit of defiance. Even if she only vaguely sensed something, that alone would be enough to ruin him!
Li Bin felt like I'd plunged into an icy abyss, his body freezing.
But despite her mother's fury, the stubborn Wen Ting didn't explode as Li Bin expected. Instead, she trembled, burst into tears, and leaned against the table, sobbing.
Shen Han shoved Li Bin aside, grabbed Wen Ting's arm, and roared, "What are you crying for?! You think crying fixes your mistakes? What did I teach you? Apologize to your brother-in-law right now!!"
Trembling under her mother's fiery glare, Wen Ting, to Li Bin's disbelief, wiped her tears, pouted, and turned to him, reluctantly muttering, "B-Brother-in-law, I'm sorry. I was wrong. I won't do it again."
Huh??!!!
Was Wen Ting this scared of her mother-in-law?
Li Bin knew Shen Han doted on Wen Ting the most, and the three Wen sisters were all filial and terrified of their mother.
In the Wen household, Shen Han was the true head of the family.
Even Wen Xingsheng, their father, treated Shen Han with deference, always yielding to her.
As for the three Wen sisters, they were as obedient as kittens in front of Shen Han—both adoring and terrified, never daring to defy her.
Li Bin had thought the willful, bratty Wen Ting wasn't afraid of her mother-in-law. But he never imagined this stubborn little firecracker would be so intimidated by Shen Han.
When Shen Han unleashed her wrath, Wen Ting folded instantly! Now, she looked like a wronged little girl, too scared to fight back.
"It's fine, it's fine, just a small thing. Come on, sit down and eat breakfast. I'll check your scores after," Li Bin said with a cheerful laugh, trying to smooth things over.
"Li Bin, if Wen Ting disrespects you again, you have my permission to smack her! Let's see if she dares move!!" Shen Han glared furiously at the now-submissive Wen Ting, grabbing her bag in a huff. "Today, your brother-in-law's taking you! From now on, you listen to him! Whatever he says, you do!! Got it?"
"Got it," Wen Ting sniffled, nodding begrudgingly as she wiped her tears.
"If I hear you talking smack about your brother-in-law or badmouthing him again, you'll face the consequences!" Shen Han, still fuming, added, "Alright, I'm off to work. You stick with your brother-in-law today! Behave! I'll ask him how you acted when I get back tonight!!"
"Got it!" Wen Ting pouted, nodding reluctantly.
Seeing Wen Ting cower under Shen Han's dominance, Li Bin couldn't help but marvel. Truly, one thing tames another. Securing his mother-in-law first was the right move. With Shen Han keeping the three sisters in check, not only would his status in the family soar, but seducing the two sisters-in-law would be so much easier!!
And with his wife, having Shen Han on his side would make things much smoother if Wen Wan ever caught him slipping.