It was past 11 o’clock when she finally managed to escape everyone’s persistent questioning.
When sending Mumu back to her school dormitory, Jiahui parked right downstairs. As soon as Mumu got out of the car, Jiahui heard someone calling her name. She turned around to see her high school classmate. Jiahui racked her brains trying to remember his name before greeting him.
What a terrible memory. She even attended his wedding years ago.
The man walked over with a smile, “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten me?”
Jiahui smiled awkwardly, got out of the car, and said, “Of course not.” Just as the man was about to say something else, a very pretty young girl bounded out of the dormitory building, threw her arms around one of his and asked sharply, “Who’s this?” Only then did she glance at Jiahui before checking out her car.
Seeing the girl’s arm wrapped tightly around the man’s, Jiahui felt a swell of discomfort in her chest as she understood the situation.
Mumu, however, just held her schoolbag without a word. It wasn’t until the pair had left that she scoffed, “That’s my classmate.” Jiahui nodded calmly and said to her, “That’s my classmate too.” Mumu shot her a look of contempt, “What kind of people are your classmates? No moral integrity.” Jiahui silently watched her, thinking to herself, your classmate doesn’t seem much better.
Hearing about something like this didn’t seem like a big deal, but when she imagined one of her own classmates walking around with a girl Mumu’s age hanging off his arm, she felt awfully perturbed. Mumu scornfully added, “But your classmate seems to have money, going around giving out Chanel gifts.” Jiahui immediately tensed up, “Don’t even think about getting stuff from him, your grandpa would have a heart attack if he knew.” Mumu nodded, “If I want something, I’ll come to you. Why would I need some uncle?”
I’m not exactly rich either, Jiahui thought bleakly. But she persevered in lecturing Mumu, “Your mom also told me to say, it’s fine to date but don’t fool around.” Feeling her words didn’t carry enough weight, she added from her own experience, “Of all my friends, those who were conservative in that area always married well in the end. I’m not lying to you, you need to protect yourself.”
Mumu patted her shoulder, “Sis, are you hinting that you managed to tie down Yi Wenze that way? Next time, say it straight. No need to beat around the bush.”
…There really is a generation gap every 5 years and a huge disconnect every 10.
She decisively gave up her lecture and hurried off.
With the late flight, the parking lot was very quiet.
Only when Yi Wenze got into her car did she suddenly realize how awkward the timing was. Were they going back to his place again? Just thinking of the word “going back” immediately brought up memories of that night…her whole body felt a bit odd. After a long silence, she finally turned to ask him, “Are you hungry? Is there anything to eat at your company?” If not, they’d really need to stop by a convenience store to grab some things on the way back.
Yi Wenze didn’t reply. He just looked at her with a smile.
Uh, what does that mean?
Then…not until the car pulled into an unfamiliar housing complex did she gather her thoughts. She tentatively asked, “Do you have another home?” He really does have boltholes everywhere, like a sly rabbit. But judging by the room he had at his company that seemed meant for regular use, even if he owned a house in Beijing, he shouldn’t be living alone, right?
He gave a sound of affirmation, parked the car, took out luggage, and headed upstairs.
Jiahui followed him indoors. The entire living room was spaciously empty, like a reception hall. She said that because there wasn’t a single piece of furniture inside. The lights shone onto the dark red floor, far too clean, seemingly never stepped on before.
She opened the shoe cabinet to find no slippers. “Are you sure you want to stay here tonight?” she asked. Behind her, there was the sound of a suitcase being set down. Then she felt herself lifted suddenly into the air by Yi Wenze, “Do you like it?”
Do I like it…
Jiahui’s gaze landed on his collar. A little angel in her heart fluttered its wings, continuously asking her, do you like it? Do you like it? Then Yi Wenze gently touched her lips and repeated, “Do you like it?”
That slight contact concentrated all her senses onto his fingertips and her mouth. Her heart quivered weakly, like she had whispered yes to herself in her mind, yet a voice still came out.
His fingers still brushed her lips. Jiahui felt the motion was far too ambiguous. She steeled her heart and bit down on his fingers, staunchly joking, “Don’t tell me this is a gift for me?” After she spoke, she felt her throat tighten up. Yi Wenze carried her through the living room, past the dining room and several closed doors, into the master bedroom. “It’s a gift for you, for the two of us to live in together.”
Live together huh…
Jiahui’s ears buzzed noisily. Pink bubbles continuously floated around her vision. At last, she remembered to stay rational, “What about my place in Shanghai? Should we sell it and split the money 50-50?” After she said that silly thing, she quickly realized her small property probably couldn’t even sell for a third of this place’s value. Just as she rapidly calculated assets in her mind, Yi Wenze finally said, “Chinese men have been traditionally educated since ancient times – to buy a house, marry a wife, have kids. Dear wife, you just focus on doing that last part well.”
She gave a sound of acknowledgment and thoroughly admitted defeat.
The bedroom at least had a bed, albeit the only thing inside.
Only when he placed her onto the bed did Yi Wenze squat down to ask her, “Want to shower first?” She shifted her gaze about the room, “With your destitute situation here, is it even possible to shower?”
It was past 2 AM. Did they really need to go to the convenience store to buy living essentials?
“The bathroom should have everything,” he stood up. “My luggage has a change of clothes for you and contact lenses.” Still dazed, Jiahui hmm-ed and woodenly walked into the bathroom.
Indeed, it was fully stocked. She stared at the sealed toiletries, even towels and the like. She felt more confused than ever. After turning on the shower and seeing steam quickly billow out, Yi Wenze finally knocked on the door to hand clothes in through the gap. When Jiahui took them and peeked inside, she completely crumbled. Who could tell her who bought all these unopened under and outer garments…
The white rabbit had come knocking. The pot was boiled, ingredients prepped, knives and forks in place.
This was Jiahui’s current feeling.
She lingered by the door for half a minute, wavering over whether to lock it or not. She felt like she was being tormented to madness.
Then she steeled her heart. She swiftly washed herself clean and came out to properly remove all tags, buttoning up the cardigan to the very last button. Only then did she reluctantly exit, barefoot and leaving a trail of wet footprints behind on the floor.
She lifted her head, about to speak, when she saw Yi Wenze taking off his clothes. His top was already bare for all to see. The belt of his jeans hung loose around his hips. The lighting was neither too dim nor too bright, perfectly showcasing everything. He glanced at Jiahui, “Very cold?” …Jiahui blinked rapidly, extremely unnatural as she said it was a little cold. She then walked normally toward the room’s sole piece of furniture – that massive bed.
He’s doing this on purpose, definitely on purpose!
Couldn’t you have gone into the bathroom before stripping?
Behind her came the snap of the door shut.
Only now did Jiahui forlornly sit on the bed, tears brimming her eyes. What a huge house and enormous bed, yet nothing else inside. She didn’t even have the chance to watch TV to distract herself.
She obediently kept her head down even when Yi Wenze finished his shower and emerged. Her feet continuously rubbed the floor. In truth, her entire body was taut with tension to the point of exhaustion. Rather than resembling her first time, this was definitely him taking advantage when her tooth had hurt that day. But now, it was an orderly progression ever since the shower…uh, waiting for something.
She watched Yi Wenze’s feet step near and stop before her. “Go buy furniture tomorrow?”
“Buy furniture?” Only then did Jiahui raise her head. He was using a towel to dry his hair and then…then completely stole her soul away. She was dressed in utmost modesty yet here he was, wearing practically nothing…
“Get on bed to talk, it’s very late.”
Jiahui mmm-ed. She started to lower her head again, extremely slowly taking off clothes.
She had barely removed an outer layer before sweating buckets, woefully chanting in her head that her shower had gone to waste… Seeing her like a lamb waiting for slaughter, Yi Wenze’s earlobes reddened slightly. The corners of his lips quirked up as he directly carried her to bed and took off her garments one by one.
“I can do it myself…” Jiahui felt he wasn’t simply undressing her but doing something else imperceptibly.
“You’re too slow, wife,” he seemed to smile. “I’m very tired.”
Does this look like he’s tired?
Jiahui resigned herself to cling onto him. She still couldn’t help trembling from her fingertips to heart. Though it was already autumn, she rapidly grew unbearably hot, practically feeling sweat about to drip out.
Until his hand covered the back of her neck and he lowered his head, Jiahui blinked rapidly. “Uh, did you forget something?” He deliberately laughed, “What?” Jiahui shrank away, “Don’t tell me you prepared everything else but forgot the most crucial item?”
“My wife, I have a very cute nephew,” he lightly flicked her earlobe, “nearly 2 years old already.”
Jiahui mmm-ed, voice wavering. That’s not an appropriate distraction…
“Look, I’m in my 30s already.” He pressed his mouth to hers. Her teeth softened but she still fretfully remembered his trailing words…not until he went deeper did he finish his sentence, “It’s time to have a baby.”
…In the end, he carried her to the bath. Jiahui’s eyelids drooped together. She curled up in the tub, softly mumbling to herself that she must visit him more in the future and not go so long without seeing him again. It’s too frightening…
The next day, she didn’t get up until past noon.
Her eyes were tired so her contact lenses made her tear up nonstop, red like a rabbit. Yi Wenze asked her in surprise what was wrong. Jiahui resentfully stared at him – no sleep all night, she could barely get her lenses in!
When buying furniture, the two deliberately went separate ways. If she saw something she liked, she would call him to say which direction, brand, etc. before moving on to another area. She originally wanted to discuss selections too but ultimately found Yi Wenze approved everything carte blanche. She grew increasingly conscientious in recalling what items she had picked, must avoid any mismatching styles.
After buying a bottle of water and resting in the atrium, Xiaoyu suddenly called her phone, “What are you up to?”
“Buying furniture.” Jiahui reported honestly.
“You two sure move quick,” Xiaoyu sighed. “Wouldn’t surprise me if next time I call, you’ll be getting prenatal exams already?” Jiahui nearly fumbled her water bottle as she instantly remembered last night. Her heart thumped erratically and she did feel somewhat apprehensive.
“Just heard this morning about a celebrity couple divorcing. Our client flew into a rage, said they had only started airing ads before getting divorced. They’re in talks with the agency to get compensation!” Xiaoyu gave a long sigh. “When filming half a year ago, they were still a happy family. And now it’s become like this. I’m breaking into a sweat for you.”
Jiahui leaned against the railing, gazing at people walking to and fro below in the atrium.
She could spot Yi Wenze far away on the 2nd floor, seeming to check furniture she had picked. To avoid suspicion, he had specifically brought Ah-Qing and others. Several sales assistants watched with hidden delight, highly enthusiastic as they stepped up to introduce things. One dutiful person also stood guard at the entrance to block photographers.
From this distance, she felt rather detached.
Jiahui shook her head to dismiss that sliver of insecurity. “Normal folks date and marry yet break up and divorce everywhere too. This morning, I ran into my married high school classmate chasing college girls!”
Xiaoyu laughed and hung up.
In the lobby flowed the sounds of a rather old Jay Chou[1] song. She leaned against the railing, biting her bottle, only managing to catch one line in the end – liking that image of you belonging only to me amidst the crowd.
[1] Famous Mandopop singer
Author’s note: I keep implying things heh…just take it as entertainment, don’t speculate
PS – I’m not some pure smut writer, I won’t keep writing XXX scenes…I just feel the first and second times are more important, so I elaborated more on those. coughs
Extra PS – I’m wavering over whether I should write their married life or if an extra is enough…
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