Chapter 13: It's All Fake

Wen Wan asked nonchalantly, "Is this General Shen also very impressive?"

Shen Zhou nodded repeatedly, "Very, very impressive! Before General Shen came to the border city, we were beaten so badly by the Mobei people."

"Every village had been raided by the Mobei people, and the number of people who died was countless. Even the city itself was breached by the Mobei people twice. I heard that at the time, blood flowed like a river, and it took over ten days just to bury the bodies."

"It was General Shen who led his troops to take the border city back and drove the Mobei people a hundred miles outside the city. In the various battles, large and small, over these past few years, General Shen has never lost."

It was evident that Shen Zhou was a total fanboy of General Shen; his entire face glowed whenever he mentioned the General.

Wen Wan hadn't expected that her nominal husband was actually so heroic on the battlefield.

What a pity, he’s a stud.

The fact that he keeps so many women in his backyard is enough to show how chaotic his private life is.

Wen Wan suddenly felt like teasing Shen Zhou, so she smiled and asked, "Then who do you think is more impressive, General Shen or your Brother A-Chai?"

Both are dear to him, so Shen Zhou’s expression stiffened, seemingly finding it difficult to answer the question.

He struggled and asked, "Do I have to pick just one?"

Wen Wan nodded, "Yes, you must rank them."

Shen Zhou struggled for a long time before gritting his teeth, "Then General Shen is still a bit more impressive. After all, he has saved more people; he is a great hero for the entire Duan Dynasty."

After a pause, he looked up and asked back, "What about you, Sister Xiao Wan? Who do you think is more impressive?"

"Me? Well, of course it’s..."

She left him hanging and tapped Shen Zhou on the forehead.

"Don't forget, I like your Brother A-Chai, so of course I think your Brother A-Chai is more impressive!"

Whenever she thought of how that guy A-Chai would get flustered and turn bright red every time she teased him, she couldn't help but sigh.

To think that in this lifetime, she could still meet such a pure-hearted man; compared to those studs, he was truly rare.

*Like...*

Can those two words be said so casually?

Shen Yu, who had just stepped onto the stairs, frowned, his expression slightly displeased.

Gao Ling, who was walking behind him, couldn't help but laugh. Having known Shen Yu for many years, he knew that Shen Yu used the alias "Zhou Chai" when traveling outside.

Gao Ling tapped Shen Yu’s shoulder with his folding fan, winking as if watching a good show.

"Not bad, it hasn't been long, and you've already got the young lady wrapped around your finger!"

Shen Yu shot him a sidelong glance, but it didn't stop the teasing.

Gao Ling sighed, "This must be the first girl who looks down on General Shen but has a soft spot for A-Chai, right?"

"When you act as General Shen, you always wear a mask and don't show your true face. You rely entirely on the aura of being a great hero to make the girls in the border city admire you. How about it? How does it feel to be outdone by a small lieutenant now?"

"Heh," Shen Yu curled his lips, "Doesn't this just prove that no matter what identity I appear in, girls like me more?"

Gao Ling: "?"

After saying this, Shen Yu strode toward the two people by the window.

"A girl from a good family shouldn't throw the word 'like' around casually. You must mind your words and actions when you are out in the future."

Wen Wan was drinking tea when she was suddenly lectured like a "stuffy official," and she nearly choked on the tea.

Great, enemies always cross paths; there’s no peace to be had while drinking this tea.

Shen Zhou was very happy and immediately stood up, "Brother A-Chai!"

Shen Yu acknowledged him.

Gao Ling laughed, "As expected of your godson. Look, we are two grown men standing right here, and he only sees you. Little Shen Zhou, can you not see your Brother Ling?"

Shen Zhou huffed proudly, "I've said it many times already, I'm twelve years old! In two more years, I'll be able to go to the battlefield. Stop adding 'little' in front of my name. When you stop calling me Little Shen Zhou, I'll call you Brother Ling."

"Call me what?" Gao Ling pretended not to hear clearly.

Shen Zhou repeated it earnestly, "Brother Ling."

Gao Ling smiled with satisfaction, "Hey. Didn't you just call me that?"

Realizing he had been tricked, Shen Zhou was furious, glaring at him with a fierce, childish look.

After teasing Shen Zhou, Gao Ling turned to Wen Wan, "I am Gao Ling, the richest man in this city. You must be the sister-in-law. If this kid A-Chai bullies you in the future, just tell me, and I guarantee I'll stand up for you."

The richest man?

Wen Wan blinked her large eyes, sizing up Gao Ling.

Gao Ling, who had an average appearance, had a physique like other border men—taller and broader than men from the interior—but his fine silk robes, popular in the Imperial Capital, gave him a bit more flair and opulence than the local men.

She looked at A-Chai in his plain clothes, then back at the luxuriously dressed Gao Ling.

"Brother Gao," Wen Wan began, her voice soft and sweet, "Brother Gao, please sit. I actually have something I'd like to chat with you about."

Gao Ling was full of surprise, "Oh?"

Shen Yu raised an eyebrow, looking suspiciously at Wen Wan, warning her with his eyes not to talk nonsense.

Wen Wan acted as if she didn't see it, leaning daintily against Shen Yu, her inner drama queen instantly coming online.

"Husband, don't be shy. I can tell at a glance that Brother Gao is a good person. We've run into some difficulties, and Brother Gao will surely help."

Shen Yu resisted the urge to push her away and said coldly, "Mind your words!"

"Mm."

Wen Wan agreed obediently, but her actions were anything but subtle.

She sighed and said, "Brother Gao, you are the richest man in the border city, so you must have a wide network. Do you know any miracle doctors who have a cure for a man's... inability to perform?"

"Inability to perform?"

Gao Ling was completely stunned.

Shen Yu’s face turned dark instantly, and he raised his hand to cover Wen Wan's mouth.

Wen Wan pulled at his hand while saying mournfully, "Husband, I didn't say it was you. I was already very careful with my wording..."

She put on the posture of a wronged little girl.

Shen Yu was furious. This girl was truly one to hold a grudge; she was just lectured a moment ago, and now she was already retaliating.

She didn't explicitly say it was him, but once this question was asked, everyone would naturally assume it was.

This was harder to explain than if she had just said it directly!

Gao Ling, however, looked at Wen Wan with a bit more admiration, "Sister-in-law, don't worry, leave this matter to me."

As he spoke, he turned to Shen Yu and said, "You too, how can you be so afraid of the doctor that you'd hide your illness? You even had to have your wife ask me for you."

It had been many years since Shen Yu had been so angry that his liver ached.

He slammed the table, "That's enough from both of you!"

After saying this, he instructed Shen Zhou, "Go to the shop next door and buy some snacks to take back to Old Granny Dumb later."

Shen Zhou acknowledged him and left with some loose silver.

After sending him away, Shen Yu scanned the two people who were still teasing each other with a stern expression.

"One fake concubine, one fake big brother—you two really got into character. Should I set up a stage for you two to go up and perform a play?"

Wen Wan pointed at Gao Ling, "You're a fake?"

Gao Ling: "You're a fake too?"

Well, they both fell into silence, having thought they could make Shen Yu lose face in front of the other.