Chapter Fifty: The Affectionate Younger Sister

Ma Wu was at a loss for words. What kind of absurd mission was this, anyway? Was he just supposed to protect his own wife from the advances of petty scoundrels? Even if it weren’t a task, Ma Wu would have kept this Wu Di, who harbored ill intentions toward Wu Ting, firmly under his heel.

As Ma Wu pondered, Wu Xin suddenly clapped his hands and addressed the crowd, “Alright, everyone, the show’s over—let’s disperse.” The others understood that Wu Xin was giving them their cue to leave, so they scattered like startled birds.

Wu Ting and Ma Wu, however, remained where they were.

Wu Xin looked at Wu Ting and smiled, “Ting’er, aren’t you leaving?” Wu Ting blinked innocently. “Oh, Father, you want me to leave too? I didn’t know. I thought you were only sending away the others.” Having said this, she tugged at Ma Wu’s sleeve. “Let’s go, Ma Wu. We should let Father rest.”

Wu Xin laughed heartily. “Who said you could take Ma Wu with you? I’d like to borrow him for a while—I have a few private words to share.”

Wu Ting gave Wu Xin a peculiar look, then threatened half-jokingly, “Don’t you dare say anything bad about me to Ma Wu, or else! I’ll be waiting for you outside.” With that, she walked out.

Watching her go, Wu Xin shook his head at Ma Wu. “Ah, daughters—once they grow up, their loyalties always turn outward.”

Ma Wu couldn’t help but laugh, unsure how to respond, so he remained silent.

Wu Xin’s gaze sharpened. He spoke gravely, “Ma Wu, my young friend, I pride myself on being a good judge of character. You strike me as a man of integrity—there’s fierceness and sharpness in your eyes, but not malice or greed. I believe you will stand by Wu Ting’s side for the long haul.”

Ma Wu nodded with a smile. “If just now you were only boasting, now I agree—you do judge people rather well.”

Wu Xin roared with laughter. “In that case, I’ll consider you one of our faction. There are some matters of great importance I wish to discuss with you. The question is—are you willing to listen? If you do, you’ll become entangled in the Wu family’s internal struggles.”

Ma Wu chuckled, meeting Wu Xin’s eyes. “Old Master Wu, do you really think that after treating your illness, I can stay clear of the Wu family’s factional disputes?”

A gleam flashed in Wu Xin’s eyes before he burst into laughter and clapped Ma Wu’s shoulder. “Good! I enjoy talking to smart people. Ma Wu, you’re not destined for small ponds—the potential you hold may surpass that of the entire Wu family.”

Ma Wu shook his head. “Let me guess—you want to talk about Li Li and Wu Di, am I right?”

Wu Xin nodded, his eyes turning cold. “Exactly. I’ve long harbored suspicions about Li Li. He’s only half a doctor, but with no better choices, I’ve had no option but to keep him around. As for Wu Di, he seems devoted to Wu Ting, always putting on a front that he’s one of our own. But in truth—well, who knows what he’s really plotting.”

Ma Wu smiled. “He’s ambitious and a master of disguise. I suspect he wants to marry Wu Ting and take control of the Wu family. He aims too high, really.”

“Unfortunately, his pitiful pretense is worthless to me. I saw through his scheming heart at a glance.”

Wu Xin laughed heartily. “You’ve not only treated my physical ailment, you’ve also helped root out a hidden disease within our ranks. The moment you asked if Li Li was sent by Wu Di, I realized you’d sensed something. That’s why I allowed your wager—I hoped you’d take care of Li Li for me. As for Wu Di, I can’t act against him yet. Our faction is too weak; if we move against Wu Di now, he’ll just become desperate. For now, I must feign ignorance of his petty schemes.”

Ma Wu stroked his chin thoughtfully. “So you need me, right? To keep Wu Di away from Wu Ting?”

Wu Xin nodded. “Exactly. In this matter, I can only count on you, Ma Wu.”

…

After his conversation with Wu Xin, Ma Wu left the Wu residence, trailed by Wu Ting. She kept chattering about how her father’s health had improved and insisted on taking some time off, stubbornly clinging to Ma Wu.

Unable to refuse her, Ma Wu took her along.

On the way, Ma Wu asked Wu Ting, “Since you want to come out, I’ll rent you an apartment near Jingshan Residence. Is that alright? Or you can pick a hotel if you prefer.”

Wu Ting’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What do you mean? You want me to stay somewhere else? Aren’t all the apartments in Jingshan Residence yours? Can’t you just let me stay in one of your places?”

Ma Wu’s breath caught, a little exasperated. After a moment, he said, “But… well… it’s not really appropriate, you know?”

Wu Ting jabbed her elbow into his waist and said softly, “What’s so inappropriate? You just don’t want to bring me home. Or is it that the woman at your house will get jealous?”

Ma Wu rubbed his temples. “Remember when we first met, I told you there was a woman at my place? Do you recall?”

Wu Ting pouted. “Of course I remember. Why bring it up now? Have you broken up with her?”

Ma Wu groaned. “You knew there was another woman but still insisted on coming. Isn’t this a recipe for disaster? It’s giving me a headache.”

Bickering as they drove, they soon arrived at Jingshan Residence. Ma Wu was still contemplating how to steer Wu Ting to a hotel when, of all times, Li Mida happened to come out with the trash.

Spotting Ma Wu’s car, Li Mida’s eyes lit up. She approached, knocking on the window with a smile. “You’re back?”

Ma Wu rolled down the window, forcing a smile. “Yes, I’m back.”

Li Mida’s sharp eyes immediately noticed Wu Ting in the passenger seat, petite and adorably delicate. With a touch of jealousy, she asked, “And who is she?”

Ma Wu scratched his head, grinning awkwardly. “She’s… ah… my sister. Yes, my sister. Haha.”

Wu Ting didn’t correct him. Given her petite frame, she could easily pass as Ma Wu’s little sister. She stepped out of the car, flashed Li Mida a sweet smile, and greeted, “Hello, big sister.”

It’s hard to be harsh to someone so charming. Seeing Wu Ting’s cuteness, Li Mida couldn’t help but feel a pang of affection. She gently pinched Wu Ting’s cheek and replied, “Ah, what an adorable little sister.”

Wu Ting giggled cheerfully.

Seeing the harmonious scene, Ma Wu was overjoyed and quickly urged Li Mida to take their guest inside.

Li Mida led Wu Ting into Jingshan Residence, then found a chance to fall back and walk beside Ma Wu. Leaning in, she whispered, “So, is this your real sister, or just a close one?”

Ma Wu was momentarily tongue-tied. “Well, she’s a… an honorary… um, I mean, real… er…”

Li Mida pouted, then playfully bit Ma Wu on the cheek. “I think she’s your little sweetheart, isn’t she?”

Realizing Li Mida had already guessed as much, Ma Wu sighed and decided not to hide it. “Yes, Mida. She’s… well, she’s helped me a great deal, and I do like her.”

Li Mida glanced at him with a touch of melancholy. “You really are a man of many romances—always entangled with women.”

Ma Wu scratched his head sheepishly, remaining silent.

But then Li Mida leaned even closer, her delicate face only inches from his, her breath warm against his skin. Slightly uncomfortable, Ma Wu tried to turn away, but Li Mida caught his chin and turned his head back, speaking with seriousness, “Ma Wu, listen to me. I know you’re destined for great things. From the moment you acquired Goldfish TV, I realized that no matter how hard I worked, I’d only ever be able to look up to you.”

“That’s why I won’t mind how many women you have. I couldn’t stop you even if I tried. But you must promise me—no matter how many women you take in, you’ll always keep a place for me in your heart. Do you understand?”

At the end, she pinched his cheek with her nail, her tone carrying a hint of warning.

Ma Wu nodded sincerely. He stroked her cheek in return. “I understand, Mida. No matter what, you’ll always be my first woman in every true sense.”

Then Ma Wu whispered, “Don’t worry. You’ll always be the mistress of the house. Why don’t we do something tonight to make that clear?”

After their night together, Li Mida often found herself missing Ma Wu, especially since he’d been busy with the Goldfish TV acquisition and hadn’t had time for her. Now that Ma Wu took the initiative, even the usually shy Li Mida couldn’t refuse; her face flushed, and she simply murmured her assent.