CHAPTER 30: 30. THE GENTLENESS OF A HUSBAND

Shi Nian returned home. Unexpectedly, she saw a light on at the window.

Shi Nian paused at the door.

If this were in the past, how thrilled she would be? She would think she had finally waited for Xiang Yuan to come back, finally outlasted time.

But now, she searched every cell, yet couldn’t find a trace of happiness. On the contrary, her heart inexplicably sank to the bottom.

She entered the door and took off her shoes. Sure enough, Xiang Yuan came out of the kitchen, wearing an apron around his neck. He took Shi Nian’s briefcase, looked her up and down, and despite her not having finished changing her shoes, pulled her into his arms.

"Thank goodness you’re okay. I couldn’t reach your phone all afternoon, I was worried sick."

His long arms held her tightly, his lips naturally kissed her forehead. Burning intensely and unimaginably, he was tempted to slide down to kiss her lips.

Shi Nian was startled and quickly moved away, pushing him back.

"A Yuan, I want to sit down and talk with you seriously. But—sorry, tonight I need to rush my manuscript, I can’t do it tonight. Could you go on with your work, and let me have some quiet time, okay?"

Xiang Yuan was pushed away, slightly disappointed, but quickly returned to normal, once again the charming gentleman.

The warm light enveloped him; he wore a simple white shirt with sleeves rolled to the elbows, yet looked strikingly handsome. Shi Nian couldn’t help but admit, he was truly good-looking. Though not as captivating as the detective she met today, he excelled in making one feel immensely at ease.

Perhaps it was this sense of safety that made her decide to marry him.

"What are you talking about?" Xiang Yuan affectionately tapped her forehead with his finger. "So much happened today, no matter how busy I am, I must stay home with you."

He spoke while pushing her towards the bathroom, "Go take a shower, dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes."

Shi Nian felt a bit breathless.

Looking at this home, the warm light, the scent of dishes wafting from the kitchen, most importantly Xiang Yuan’s figure weaving through it... Everything seemed as she had once hoped for. As if the loneliness she once felt was just a dream.

Except all this happened on the night she had decided to break up with him...

She then followed into the kitchen, "A Yuan, you don’t need to be busy. If you’re worried about what happened today, please don’t, I’m fine now."

Xiang Yuan stopped and looked back at her: "Shi Nian, I hope you’re not trying to kick me out." He walked over, brushing away Shi Nian’s messy hair: "I’m not a guest. This is my home too, our home together."

...Perhaps tonight really isn’t the right time. Shi Nian shook her head, "Forget it, do as you please then."

She went to the bathroom to take a shower, instinctively glancing at the towel rack... It wasn’t an illusion, the towel had truly been thrown away. The resolution she made in the morning wasn’t a dream.

She dried her hair and left the bathroom, going straight to the study. First, she emailed her boss, explaining the difficulties encountered during the interview with Tang Yanqing, then proposing a new topic. Her boss’s email came back quickly, expressing regret but approving her new topic.

The door clicked lightly, Xiang Yuan came in with a tray, placing the fragrant dishes by her side, and said softly, "No matter how busy you are, don’t forget to eat."

He then walked behind Shi Nian, putting his hands on her shoulders and gently began to massage her.

In the past... this was their little secret code, it meant he wanted her.

Shi Nian closed her eyes.

If this were the past, she would consider all this happiness, she would treasure it immensely. But now...

She avoided his hands, took a deep breath, and said: "A Yuan, I’m going to work through the night on my manuscript. I’m sorry."

Xiang Yuan patiently smiled: "It’s okay, I’ll wait for you."

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[Yesterday’s collection was quite successful, as promised, we’ll come back with another update later~]