Chapter 24 — Where Did He Even Get All That Money?
Wen Zhi had no idea that the man's watch was that expensive.
Where on earth did he get so much money to buy something like this?!
He let others play a game with him, yet in the end he had to pay for it with a luxury watch?
Honestly—he might as well have gone to have a candlelight dinner with Lin Yue instead.
This wasteful man! He was going to drive her insane.
Lin Yue, who had originally been sulking over Mo Tingyan's perfunctory attitude, instantly brightened.
"Well then, I really must thank our dear Captain for his generosity. Come on, ladies—who wants to challenge me? Fair warning, though, I'm max level in piano. At company events, I'm always the one performing. If you want to compete, I hope you won't cry later."
The group exchanged looks.
Only a young girl who'd joined the company two and a half months ago stepped forward.
Wen Zhi lowered her gaze toward the watch Mo Tingyan had been wearing ever since they met. After a moment of hesitation, she stepped out as well.
"If there's going to be a competition, having only two participants is boring. Count me in."
Lin Yue shot her a disdainful look. She had absolute confidence in her own skills and didn't see Wen Zhi as a threat at all.
If she couldn't beat Wen Zhi in looks or presence, then today she would crush her where she excelled most—music.
"Great," Lin Yue said. "The three of us will play the same piece. The others will vote anonymously. Whoever gets the most votes wins. Any objections?"
Wen Zhi shrugged. "Works for me."
Mo Tingyan had chosen the piece himself: Butterfly Lovers.
Lin Yue went first. She played the piece smoothly, confidently—so confidently it was practically overflowing from her eyes.
Listening from the side, Mo Tingjue tugged at Wen Zhi's wrist and whispered,
"Xiao Zhi, if you like that watch, I can buy you a new one. My brother's already worn this one. You don't need to compete with them."
In the dim corner of the room, Mo Tingyan lounged lazily on the sofa, a cigarette resting between his fingers.
At the very moment Wen Zhi's hand was tugged away, the smoke-veiled chill in his eyes visibly deepened…
But Wen Zhi had already pulled her hand back, her voice icy as she said to Mo Tingjue,
"Mo Tingjue, there's nothing between us anymore. If you're so rich, buy the watch for your woman Wen Xue instead. Your soon-to-be mother-in-law is bragging everywhere, calling you their future son-in-law. You're the man of the woman I hate most. From now on—stay as far away from me as possible."
Mo Tingjue didn't expect the Wen family to stir up so much drama.
He panicked. "Xiao Zhi, believe me, that night was a moment of confusion. I already gave Wen Xue a million to settle things. She took the money—there's nothing between us anymore, I swear—"
Wen Zhi let out a cold laugh.
"That's your business, not mine."
She didn't look at him again. She walked back into the crowd, slipping out of his reach completely.
Lin Yue soon finished her performance.
Perfect, flawless—at least in her own eyes.
Her chin lifted even higher as the applause came. She clearly believed victory was hers.
The young colleague played next.
Her skills weren't as strong, and Lin Yue's confidence swelled to the point of arrogance.
Then—it was Wen Zhi's turn.
Wen Zhi stepped toward the piano, returned the tablet with the sheet music to a coworker, and sat down.
She played without sheet music.
The first notes were bright and lively—
then they dipped into a quiet sadness—
then deepened into a grief so beautiful, so human, it felt like a song crying through the keys.
She didn't just play the piece.
She brought it to life.
The room felt transported into its story.
When the music ended, silence fell.
Even Lin Yue's previously smug expression had completely darkened.
Mo Tingyan clapped first, and only then did the room erupt into applause.
The results were obvious.
Nine people voted.
Wen Zhi won with eight votes, an overwhelming victory.
She walked straight to the coffee table, bent down, picked up the watch Mo Tingyan had placed there earlier, and said calmly,
"Since Captain Mo is willing to part with it, I'll gladly accept the prize."
Mo Tingyan nodded, clearly satisfied.
Wen Zhi turned around and shot Lin Yue a provoking look—exactly the same way Lin Yue had challenged her earlier.
Lin Yue's face turned an ugly shade of black.
She ground her teeth.
"Wen Zhi, I didn't expect you to pretend so well. You never show up for company events. But for a watch, you suddenly try so hard? What, is Mr. Mo's rich family still not enough for you?"
Wen Zhi met her gaze without a flicker of anger.
"Whether he's rich or not—what's that got to do with me? We've already broken up.
And as for company events—
if I actually showed up, would you even have a role anymore?"
"You—!"
The tension crackled between them like two storms ready to clash.
Mo Tingjue hurried forward, plastering on a peacemaker's smile.
"Miss Lin, don't be upset. Xiao Zhi's sharp with her words, but she doesn't mean any harm. Your performance was great too. Both of you were amazing."
He spoke as if he were protecting Wen Zhi, as though she needed him to smooth things over for her.
Wen Zhi felt a wave of disgust.
She opened her mouth, ready to tell him to stop speaking on her behalf—
but Mo Tingyan, who had been watching the show from the side, suddenly said, voice cool and cutting:
"Mo Tingjue, do you enjoy meddling?"
Mo Tingjue frowned. "Brother, I'm only trying to help."
Mo Tingyan let out a short, mocking laugh.
"Your idea of helping is lying? In terms of skill, Wen Zhi clearly played better. Her technique is on par with professionals. Lin Yue played with familiarity only. In actual skill, the gap is obvious. Even if she practiced another ten years, she wouldn't reach the same level."
Lin Yue froze.
And Wen Zhi—who had just lifted a glass of water—also paused.
Surprised, she turned her head sharply toward Mo