Xiang Yuan couldn’t persuade him otherwise, so she had no choice but to dash out of the bathroom first, leaving him alone inside.

Within just a few minutes, Cheng Zhinan emerged from within.

He casually grabbed a few tissues from the table, his knuckles tinged with a faint pink, and absentmindedly wiped his palms.

Unable to hold back any longer, Xiang Yuan initiated the conversation.

“How many days do you plan to stay here this time?”

Cheng Zhinan: “Not long, probably leaving in a few days.”

Xiang Yuan: “Did you drink tonight?”

Cheng Zhinan: “Not much, just a little.”

Xiang Yuan let out a muffled grunt, hugging a pillow as she lay on the bed sulking.

Today was her scheduled update day, and fans eagerly awaiting the new release had long been urging her in the comments section to update quickly.

Xiang Yuan had finished the draft some time ago and stored it in the drafts folder, ready to be published on update day.

Busy with the update, she had no time to pay attention to Cheng Zhinan.

Cheng Zhinan had gone out during the day, not only occupied with work matters but also handling a personal errand of his own.

He pulled a black velvet box from his pocket and tucked it away in the most inconspicuous spot at the bottom of his suitcase, ensuring it wouldn’t be discovered.

He turned to look at Xiang Yuan.

She was lying on the bed hugging a pillow, the corners of her lips slightly upturned. It was unclear what amusing thing she had seen, but her smile was particularly unrestrained.

The hotel room’s air conditioning was set very low. She was wearing a short skirt, her fair and slender legs casually draped over the side of the bed, looking completely unconcerned.

Remembering her discomfort during her previous period, Cheng Zhinan couldn’t help but get up and lower the room’s air conditioning a bit more.

Xiang Yuan didn’t notice his subtle action, still happily replying in the comments section.

Not long after she posted, a fan who had been camping in the comments left a message:

[“Mr. N’s life has been quite turbulent this week, huh? Even exploring new locations car play?”]

Mr. N was the codename Xiang Yuan had given Cheng Zhinan in her comic for easier reference.

Xiang Yuan liked this comment.

[Flower-Eating Bear: “Drive! Drive! Drive!”]

[Melancholy in the Jungle: “Arrange all kinds of play! By the way, Mr. N’s fashion items are all really stylish. I’ve screenshotted a few specific ones before, and they seem quite tasteful definitely the vibe of a refined gentleman~”]

[Water: “Seconded. Last time, I followed the trend and bought a Brunello Cucinelli sweater. It’s super comfortable to wear, though the price did make my wallet ache.”]

[Tabbb: “Agreed. How about putting together a collection of these items someday? I’d totally support it.”]

Xiang Yuan occasionally drew Cheng Zhinan’s outfits in her comic. He usually didn’t buy anything too flashy, preferring a comfortable and minimalist style.

Before starting work, Cheng Zhinan was already a well-known second-generation business heir in S City. However, he kept a low profile after beginning his career, not wanting too many people to know about his family background, so he rarely mentioned his personal affairs.

His clothing and coordination reflected his own taste and eye for style simple and comfortable yet exuding sophistication.

Xiang Yuan had considered compiling a fashion collection, but it might come across as advertising, so she had to abandon the idea.

She usually spent a long time interacting in the comments section after each update.

Cheng Zhinan watched her playing on her phone, her smile lingering without fading. Leaning against the sofa, he idly fiddled with his own phone.

She went out with Ke Hang today and was chatting with someone after returning.

Ke Hang?

Every time she meets with Ke Hang, she always seems so happy.

Being with another man must be much more interesting than being with him.

Xiang Yuan had said that he could be clueless at times and would make her unhappy.

Yet even knowing this, seeing her so happily smiling still made Cheng Zhinan feel a slight sting in his eyes, with a vague discomfort stirring in his heart.

Reason told him he shouldn’t be so petty, shouldn’t interfere with Xiang Yuan’s normal social life, and definitely shouldn’t doubt his own wife.

But he did feel somewhat threatened by Ke Hang.

Xiang Ming’s earlier words echoed in his ears once more.

After a moment.

Cheng Zhinan pressed his fingertips against his temple.

Forget it.

He was overthinking.

Whether Ke Hang had a crush on Xiang Yuan or not, that had nothing to do with her.

Why should he bring it up and make them both unhappy?

After Xiang Yuan finished replying to her fans in the comments section, she felt much better.

Cheng Zhinan had already finished showering and was preparing to lie down beside her.

The atmosphere between them remained somewhat delicate.

Xiang Yuan lay comfortably in bed, not yet wanting to take a shower.

Cheng Zhinan lay down next to her. “Finished chatting?”

Xiang Yuan: “…Mm.”

She still didn’t dare reveal that she was serializing comics online, so she had to brush it off.

Cheng Zhinan’s voice was gentle: “Shall we talk?”

Xiang Yuan turned her head to look at him, not understanding why he suddenly wanted to have a heart-to-heart.

But considering he seemed in low spirits today, she decided to be magnanimous.

Xiang Yuan hummed lightly, “Talk about what?”

The room temperature was pleasant.

She lazily shifted positions, moving closer to Cheng Zhinan, but then remembering they might be in a cold war, she quietly moved back.

“How do you feel about being married to me?” Cheng Zhinan asked her.

The first question nearly made her laugh.

“Is this a post-marriage questionnaire?” Her voice carried laughter.

“If you think of it that way, sure.”

“Not bad,” Xiang Yuan answered truthfully.

“Are there any areas where I don’t meet your expectations?”

“Hmm… not for now.”

“Truthfully?”

“Truthfully.”

Cheng Zhinan lowered his eyes with a soft laugh. “Just saying nice things to make me happy again.”

Xiang Yuan tilted her head. “You don’t believe me?”

Cheng Zhinan: “What were your thoughts on our wedding day?”

Marriage is sacred. Since he decided to marry her, to make her his partner for the rest of his life, he needed to be completely responsible for his wife.

On their wedding day, seeing Xiang Yuan exhausted from the long day lying in their bedroom bed, Cheng Zhinan still felt some emotional turbulence.

From her hospital visit to their blind date, then spending time together afterward, they had miraculously become husband and wife, companions for life.

During that period, his family had introduced many blind dates, but Cheng Zhinan felt something special about Xiang Yuan a feeling he couldn’t describe but knew was unique to her.

In all his years of studying and working, he had never experienced such fluctuations before.

Xiang Yuan was truly special to him.

And facts proved his choice wasn’t strange at all.

Many people liked Xiang Yuan. She was beautiful and bright, generous and lively, with many friends around her. Countless people admired her personality and how she carried herself.

When Cheng Zhinan asked her this, Xiang Yuan gazed at the ceiling, recalling her true thoughts on her wedding day.

On their wedding night, she had waited for Cheng Zhinan to return to the room.

She had indeed been frightened that day.

Only two words echoed in her mind.

So, Xiang Yuan almost blurted out:

“So big.”

Cheng Zhinan furrowed his brows slightly, “…What?”

Realizing she had accidentally spoken her true thoughts, Xiang Yuan quickly corrected herself, “No, I mean… the room is so big.”

Cheng Zhinan: “…”

He sighed helplessly, closed his eyes for a moment, and simply gave up on having a heart-to-heart with her.

“Go take a shower.”

By the time Xiang Yuan finished showering, Cheng Zhinan was already asleep with his back turned to her.

Seeing this, Xiang Yuan couldn’t help but sigh.

A man’s heart is as deep as the ocean who knew what was bothering Doctor Cheng today?

–

After staying for two or three days, Cheng Zhinan was due to return to S City. Unlike Xiang Yuan, he couldn’t afford to waste too much time here. He had come for work, while Xiang Yuan was on vacation and could stay as long as she wanted.

Although the two had broken the ice the next day and resumed normal conversation, Xiang Yuan still felt there was something odd about Cheng Zhinan.

Today, their group had planned to go rafting.

Li Lu walked beside her, “Has your husband gone back to S City?”

Xiang Yuan: “Mm.”

“You were glowing the past couple of days, but today you’re clearly distracted.” Li Lu nudged her shoulder, “Missing your husband?”

Xiang Yuan: “Not at all…”

Li Lu: “It’s only natural. You two haven’t been married long and are still in that clingy phase. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

To outsiders, they indeed appeared to be an inseparable newlywed couple.

So, when Cheng Zhinan received Xiang Yuan’s call, his colleague standing nearby occasionally overheard the sweet, cooing female voice from the phone.

Xiang Yuan seemed to be deliberately retaliating for his coldness that day, as her calls had become particularly frequent lately.

Ever since Cheng Zhinan returned to S City, she had been bombarding him with messages and voice notes.

However, her chats weren’t to check up on him but to deliberately tease Cheng Zhinan.

Although she had pleaded with him reluctantly in bed that day, in daily life, such playful banter came to her effortlessly.

She asked Cheng Zhinan to water the plants on the windowsill for her, or else her little greens would wither by the time she returned home.

Cheng Zhinan was busy at the time and didn’t see the message.

Yuanyuanyuanyuan: 【Please, Doctor Cheng, QAQ】

Five minutes later.

Cheng Zhinan saw the message: 【…Alright.】

Now, she was calling to ask Cheng Zhinan for another favor. He had the day off tomorrow, and a limited edition item was going on sale. Since she wasn’t in S City, she could only rely on him.

Miao Hao happened to be standing beside Cheng Zhinan and, overhearing the woman’s voice on the phone, coughed awkwardly.

Cheng Zhinan, however, remained unperturbed and replied gently:

“Okay, I understand.”

After hanging up, Miao Hao looked at Cheng Zhinan and chuckled dryly, “I never would’ve guessed your wife is so coquettish in private.”

Cheng Zhinan: “Mm.”

“Really envy you two your relationship is so good.” Miao Hao’s words were utterly sincere. Any man would melt upon hearing his wife’s tender, spoiled-like pleas over the phone.

But Cheng Zhinan had a headache.

Xiang Yuan wasn’t being coquettish.

She was clearly causing trouble on purpose.

He signed a document and clipped the pen to his chest, “Do you know a certain phrase?”

Miao Hao: “Hmm?”

Cheng Zhinan: “Hot violence.”

“Ah…?” Miao Hao was confused.

After saying this, Cheng Zhinan didn’t intend to explain further and turned to leave.

Regardless, he had to complete what Xiang Yuan had asked him to do.

Fortunately, she would be back soon.

Two days later.

Xiang Yuan returned from City A.

When she got home, she found that Cheng Zhinan had kept the house in perfect order. Everything was pretty much the same as before she left, if not even cleaner and tidier.

Black nuzzled against her ankle, excitedly rubbing his head against her calf.

Xiang Ming knew her older sister had returned to City S and rushed over to her place right after work.

Xiang Ming had been very busy lately, preparing for Xiang Yuan’s birthday gift and party.

Luckily, Xiang Yuan returned just in time, otherwise Xiang Ming would have bombarded her with endless calls, urging her sister to come back sooner.

Xiang Ming grabbed an orange and held it in her hand. “What gift is brother-in-law planning to give you this time?”

Xiang Yuan: “Not sure.”

Xiang Ming: “He didn’t forget your birthday, did he?”

Xiang Yuan raised an eyebrow.

“Seems like this really needs to test him. I won’t remind him. If he forgets ” Xiang Ming snorted twice, “he’ll have to make it up to you double later.”

“Forget it. He’s busy with work. Even if he forgot, it’s understandable.”

Xiang Ming looked at Xiang Yuan curiously. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Hmm?”

“Did you fight with brother-in-law?”

“No.”

“You’re lying. You’re acting weird.”

“Did he upset you?”

“Isn’t he always like that? Everything he does is so detached. Who knows what’s really on his mind.”

Xiang Ming pouted. “Wasn’t that mysterious vibe exactly what you liked about him in the first place?”

Xiang Yuan: “…”

Nothing hits harder than your own sister calling you out.

A few seconds later.

Xiang Ming blinked at her. “But given brother-in-law’s personality, he’s definitely planning a big surprise for you. Just wait and see.”

Xiang Yuan didn’t really care much about birthday celebrations these days, unlike Xiang Ming, who went all out to organize extravagant parties for her every year.

“By the way,” Xiang Ming said somewhat awkwardly, “I might invite one more person this time.”

“Who?”

“My senior.”

“That guy we ran into at the restaurant last time?”

“Yeah.”

Xiang Yuan waved her hand dismissively, letting it go.

“Whatever, as long as you’re happy.”

Before Xiang Ming could leave, Cheng Zhinan arrived home.

He opened the door and saw Xiang Ming sitting on the sofa, speaking gently:

“You’re here.”

Xiang Ming greeted him sweetly with a smile.

“Brother-in-law, you’re working late today.”

“Yeah, there was an emergency at the hospital. Got held up a bit longer.”

“Ah, no matter how busy you are, you should still make time for your wife. My sister just got back today. What are you treating us to for dinner?”

Cheng Zhinan stood by the door, adjusting his cufflinks. “Anything’s fine. Do you want to eat out or at home?”

Xiang Ming thought for a moment. “Let’s eat out!”

So, Cheng Zhinan picked up the tab for the night.

Xiang Ming never held back with her brother-in-law and picked an especially atmospheric and expensive restaurant.

She had hesitated at first, but Xiang Yuan eased her concerns.

“Don’t worry, your brother-in-law has money.”

True enough.

The Cheng family was wealthy, and besides his job, brother-in-law had his own investments, so his assets were naturally substantial.

If he weren’t so outstanding, why would all those wealthy socialites in City S have been eagerly waiting for him back in the day?

During dinner, the two sisters chatted happily.

Cheng Zhinan didn’t speak much, mainly responsible for settling the bill at the end.

Before leaving, Xiang Ming hinted to Cheng Zhinan, “Brother-in-law, are you free three days from now?”

Cheng Zhinan lowered his gaze to look at her, “Three days from now?”

Xiang Ming curled her lips into a smile, “Yes, there’s a gathering I’d like to invite you to. Will you go?”

Cheng Zhinan: “Not sure if I’ll have time.”

Xiang Ming linked arms with Xiang Yuan and said deliberately:

“My sister will be there too, don’t forget to show up.”

After Xiang Ming left, Cheng Zhinan looked at Xiang Yuan and said softly:

“What are you two sisters conspiring about again?”

Xiang Yuan simply played dumb too, “Nothing, maybe she has some plans.”

Cheng Zhinan opened the car door for her, “Get in.”

After getting in the car, Xiang Yuan still couldn’t let it go and asked him:

“So are you going that day or not?”

Cheng Zhinan: “It depends.”

Xiang Yuan felt a faint sense of crisis in her heart.

Judging by Cheng Zhinan’s attitude, it seemed he had indeed forgotten her birthday.

———————–

Author’s note: Random red envelopes~

Little Sun VS Iceberg Man

Doctor Cheng may appear cold on the outside, but inside he’s constantly heated up by his wife every day.