Chen Lidong snorted through his nose, ignoring her as he walked ahead.

Madam Chen shot her a stern glare, her eyes filled with warning.

Having learned that her son was returning today, she had risen early, dressed impeccably, and summoned her eldest daughter and third son back home. She had even arranged for the servants to thoroughly clean the entire house.

But the third son was temporarily delayed by his fiancée and couldn’t make it back. With fewer family members, the atmosphere felt less lively. If not for Chen Hanshuo’s reminder, she might have forgotten about Yu Qingwei altogether.

The daughter-in-law she had originally envisioned was certainly not the child of a disgraced nanny. But Chen Lidong had insisted—if the bride wasn’t her, he wouldn’t marry at all.

Left with no choice, she had agreed, but the more she saw Yu Qingwei, the more she grated on her nerves. So, if there was no pressing need, she would never bother speaking to her.

Yu Qingwei, however, was unafraid of her. Sneaking a silent grimace, she followed behind.

Commander Chen sat rigidly at the dining table, reading the newspaper. At the sound of movement, he merely adjusted his glasses, not even lifting his eyelids.

Chen Lidong approached and greeted, "Father."

"Sit," Commander Chen replied curtly.

The Chen family had its rules—one of which was never to discuss work during meals.

"Sit, sit," Madam Chen urged, shoving Chen Lidong into the seat to Commander Chen’s left, while she took the one to his right.

Chen Hanshuo immediately claimed the spot beside Chen Lidong. Before her marriage, she had always sat wherever she pleased without anyone daring to reproach her.

But this time, Chen Lidong actually glanced at her.

Chen Hanshuo blinked in confusion. "What?"

Chen Lidong frowned. "Where is she?"

"Ah? Who?" Chen Hanshuo asked stupidly.

Madam Chen, however, was far sharper. She immediately guessed what Chen Lidong meant. smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she said sarcastically, "Xiao Wei is in the kitchen helping serve the dishes. No need to wait for her."

They had dared to treat her this way even in his presence—how much worse must it have been when he wasn’t around?

Yet that woman was stubborn to a terrifying degree, refusing to yield no matter what.

He scoffed coldly. "She is my wife, not a servant."

Madam Chen faltered. "No one treats her like a servant. It’s just that she..."

"Enough," Commander Chen suddenly interrupted, his voice sharp. "Call her over. Too much chatter."

Madam Chen fell silent at once. By now, Chen Hanshuo had also realized the meaning behind Chen Lidong’s glance. Though reluctant, she rose and fetched Yu Qingwei, seating her beside Chen Lidong while she took Madam Chen’s place.

Yu Qingwei had deliberately hidden in the kitchen earlier, sensing something unsettling in Chen Lidong’s gaze. Now, being dragged out and placed right next to him, she felt as if she were pinned in place, her back stiff as a board.

To make matters worse, Chen Hanshuo deliberately added, "Second Brother, take a good look. We haven’t mistreated your wife—we’ve even fattened her up for you."

Then Chen Lidong’s gaze landed squarely on Yu Qingwei.

Her eye twitched. Smiling on the surface, her eyes remained unreadable.

"Xiao Wei, our Second Brother treats you so well. Don’t you have anything to say?" Chen Hanshuo asked with a pointed smile.

Pretending shyness, Yu Qingwei picked up a piece of stir-fried sea cucumber and placed it on Chen Lidong’s plate. Then, as usual, she retreated into silence, her specialty being the art of invisibility.

But the atmosphere instantly turned icy.

After a moment, Chen Hanshuo said with exaggerated triumph, "To think our Dongzi missed you so much, and you didn’t even know he doesn’t eat sea cucumber."

Of course, Yu Qingwei knew. The placement of dishes at the Chen family table followed strict rules. Commander Chen preferred white meats—fish, chicken, lamb—so those dishes were always placed before him. Madam Chen favored soups, Chen Hanshuo had eclectic tastes, and Chen Lidong disliked seafood. This plate of sea cucumber was meant for her.

But to prevent further "helpful" gestures, she had deliberately given the sea cucumber to Chen Lidong.

Now, feigning surprise, she looked up. "Ah… I really didn’t know. I suppose it’s because we’re still getting used to each other."

On their wedding night, Chen Lidong had received an emergency mission and left immediately, only returning today. The excuse was airtight.

But what she hadn’t expected was that upon hearing this, Chen Lidong would turn his head to look at her. Though his expression remained impassive, his eyes flickered with something unreadable. bad premonition settled in Yu Qingwei’s chest. Her right eyelid began to twitch furiously.

She remembered the last time her eyelid had acted up—when she had been forced to marry Chen Lidong. So what did this mean now...?

Chen Hanshuo chimed in again, "Well, since Second Brother’s back, you’d better pay close attention to his habits. Don’t make this mistake again."

Yu Qingwei lowered her head and murmured an obedient "Yes." The meal passed in a daze; she didn’t even notice whether Chen Lidong had eaten the sea cucumber.

After dinner, Chen Lidong and Commander Chen retreated to the study for a private discussion. Yu Qingwei was left behind to endure the storm of Madam Chen and Chen Hanshuo’s interrogation.