She had completely forgotten about her online purchase from the other day.

When Cheng Zhinan mentioned it, Xiang Yuan hurried to the entrance and saw the delivery box placed in the foyer.

Cheng Zhinan followed behind her, pausing briefly before settling on the living room sofa.

Although the documentary was still playing on the screen, he picked up a magazine instead.

The man lowered his gaze, skimming through the magazine absently as he listened to Xiang Yuan’s quick footsteps heading toward the foyer.

Upon reaching the entrance, a bad feeling suddenly struck her.

This package—

It looked like it had been opened before.

The store used discreet shipping, so there were no privacy-revealing words on the outer box, but the tape appeared to have been cut.

Xiang Yuan inwardly groaned.

The inner contents remained untouched—it seemed whoever opened it had stopped after the outer layer.

Xiang Yuan turned back, narrowing her eyes at Cheng Zhinan. “You…”

Cheng Zhinan stayed silent for a moment before slowly looking up.

After a pause.

He set the magazine aside and confessed:

“Sorry, I opened your package earlier without knowing it was yours.”

Xiang Yuan: “…”

He stood up and said calmly,

“Since you mentioned buying some household cleaning tools for me a couple days ago, I thought it was…”

He trailed off, clearing his throat with a fist to his mouth.

“It was a misunderstanding. My apologies.”

Xiang Yuan didn’t plan to make a big deal of it.

After all, ignorance is no crime, and he would have found out sooner or later anyway.

“Did you see what was inside?” Xiang Yuan asked with a slight smirk.

“Not yet.”

“Liar, the inner packaging clearly has text on it.”

“…”

A few seconds passed.

Cheng Zhinan maintained his composed demeanor.

He asked Xiang Yuan, “Why did you buy that?”

“To wear, of course.”

Xiang Yuan carried the package over and set it on the floor. “I bought two sets because I wasn’t sure which one I’d like, so I got both.”

Without looking up, she added, “Want to come help me decide which one looks better?”

After she spoke.

The man across from her remained silent for a long time.

Xiang Yuan stood up and noticed Cheng Zhinan still standing there, watching her.

Cheng Zhinan stood motionless, clearly not intending to come over and offer his opinion.

Xiang Yuan raised an eyebrow, then discarded the delivery box and placed the items inside her wardrobe.

By the time she finished tidying up, Cheng Zhinan had followed her into the bedroom.

She glanced back at him. “Aren’t you going to watch?”

The man gave a noncommittal sound and headed straight into the bathroom without looking back.

Xiang Yuan muttered to herself and went about her own tasks.

Cheng Zhinan took a slightly longer shower than usual that night. By the time he came out, Xiang Yuan was already lying in bed, half-asleep.

He walked over to the bed and gently pinched Xiang Yuan’s cheek.

Xiang Yuan blinked drowsily and saw Cheng Zhinan, freshly showered, standing before her.

“…What is it?”

“Go take a shower,” Cheng Zhinan reminded her, then dimmed the bedroom lights.

Xiang Yuan rolled off the bed and quickly finished her shower.

When she returned, Cheng Zhinan was still awake.

Xiang Yuan tugged at her nightgown, feeling a little self-conscious.

Not long ago, she had been sketching a comic scene of Cheng Zhinan unbuttoning his shirt. Now, facing him in person gave her a strange sense of reality and fantasy intertwining.

She lifted the thin blanket and lay down beside Cheng Zhinan.

Cheng Zhinan’s voice remained steady: “Do you have time tomorrow?”

Xiang Yuan: “Hmm?”

Cheng Zhinan: “My parents know I’m back, so they invited us for dinner tomorrow.”

Cheng Zhinan’s parents were extremely open-minded people who were usually busy with business and didn’t have much time to interact with the younger generation, though occasional gatherings were normal.

“Sure, of course I’m free.” Xiang Yuan lay on the pillow, comfortably shifting her legs, “It’s been a while since I’ve seen your parents, I actually miss them.”

Cheng Zhinan: “They usually avoid disturbing your schedule, so they rarely visit. If you miss them, you can visit more often.”

Xiang Yuan closed her eyes, responding obediently.

“Okay.”

Half a minute later.

Cheng Zhinan spoke again with some hesitation: “Xiang Yuan…”

“Hmm?”

“You haven’t been holding art exhibitions recently, nor going out to work. What have you been busy with?”

During dinner at the Xiang residence earlier, he had heard Xiang Ming constantly urging Xiang Yuan to start working on her paintings. The two sisters had been huddled together, looking both secretive and serious, which made him curious.

“Nothing important, just some personal matters. Not for money, purely labor of love,” she evaded.

Seeing her unwillingness to elaborate, Cheng Zhinan didn’t press further.

The lights in the room went out.

The man’s solid, weighty arm naturally settled around her waist.

Xiang Yuan lay with her back to him, her heart skipping a beat.

As his chest pressed against her back, she could hear Cheng Zhinan’s steady heartbeat.

Their pajamas were thin, making it easy to feel the heat radiating from his skin.

The young man’s body temperature was high, his chest muscle pressed firmly against her.

All of this was damnably agitating.

Xiang Yuan silently recited calming mantras in her heart, trying to cultivate detachment.

“Feels like you’ve lost some weight during my time away,” Cheng Zhinan’s hand rested lightly on her abdomen, “You must not have been eating regularly.”

Xiang Yuan shifted slightly, “It’s fine.”

Then, Cheng Zhinan chuckled softly near her ear, his breath exceptionally gentle.

The quieter the night grew, the more unsteady Xiang Yuan’s breathing became.

Everything had been fine until he had to hold her and whisper those ambiguous bedtime sweet nothings, leaving her wide awake and now having to calm herself to sleep.

Her thoughts drifted to the comic she’d read before bed.

If one day Cheng Zhinan really became like that, what would she do?

–

The next day.

Cheng Zhinan took Xiang Yuan home for dinner.

When not on hospital duty, he always made time to have Friday dinners with Xiang Yuan.

Xiang Yuan was particular by nature, especially about food. Having been pampered since childhood, she would hardly touch anything that didn’t suit her taste, though she would eat more of her favorite dishes.

The Xiang family home had a dedicated cook.

This auntie had long understood Xiang Yuan’s preferences – her fondness for slightly sweet flavors, and dishes that were delicate and petite, perfectly suited for a pampered young woman. Every time Xiang Yuan visited, the auntie would prepare some whimsical and adorable dishes to please her.

Xiang Yuan quite appreciated this, mentioning during the car ride, “I wonder what dishes auntie has prepared for me today.”

“Looking forward to it?” Cheng Zhinan asked her.

“Of course.” Xiang Yuan curled her lips. “If your aunt hadn’t worked at your house for so many years, I’d consider poaching her to come work for me.”

Cheng Zhinan nodded, as if deliberately teasing her, and agreed:

“You could try. I think she likes you quite a bit—if you made the request, she might actually agree.”

“Forget it.” Xiang Yuan shrugged. “I wouldn’t actually poach someone like that. It’s unethical.”

Cheng Zhinan smiled faintly. “Last time you said she could perform magic. What kind of magic?”

Xiang Yuan: “Basically, whatever I feel like eating the day before, I’ll find it served here the next day. Don’t you think that’s magical?”

Cheng Zhinan: “Rather than magic, it sounds more like you two are on the same wavelength.”

Xiang Yuan: “That makes it sound so boring.”

Cheng Zhinan: “So… according to your logic, does that make life more interesting?”

Xiang Yuan: “Of course.”

Cheng Zhinan: “Then why don’t you try making another wish now? Maybe more magic will appear.”

Xiang Yuan pondered seriously for a moment, then closed her eyes, clasped her hands before her face, and declared with feigned solemnity:

“I wish that the moment I open my eyes tomorrow morning, there’ll be a huge bouquet of fresh flowers waiting for me—none of those tacky roses, but my favorite Freud variety, delicate and beautiful.”

After she said this, the person beside her fell silent.

Xiang Yuan secretly cracked open one eye to glance sideways.

Cheng Zhinan was looking out the window, not in her direction.

She pursed her lips, thinking this man was utterly boring.

She’d always known Cheng Zhinan wasn’t the romantic type.

On the contrary, he was difficult to handle with his aloof temperament. When they first got married, people had warned her that life with him would be challenging.

Xiang Yuan was easygoing and good-natured, so she temporarily let it slide. But if he ever really angered her in the future, she would—

She hadn’t actually figured out how to get back at Cheng Zhinan yet.

But given his good looks, she could temporarily spare him.

When the car arrived at the old mansion’s entrance, Cheng Zhinan got out and opened the car door for her.

“We’re here. Let’s go in.”

Upon entering the living room, they saw Ji Yanhong and Cheng Hua already seated inside.

They weren’t busy today and had been waiting on the sofa for the couple’s return.

Sitting nearby was Cheng Zhinan’s cousin, Ming Rongrong.

During the wedding period, Xiang Yuan had met Ming Rongrong a few times.

The girl had a lively personality and was apparently an internet celebrity specializing in beauty content sharing online. She now had substantial followers and earned quite a bit annually.

Seeing Xiang Yuan, Ming Rongrong immediately jumped up and approached her. “Sis-in-law, it’s been so long!”

Xiang Yuan smiled. “It has been a while.”

Ming Rongrong studied her face. “How do you look even more beautiful than before? Did the skincare products I recommended to cousin finally show results?”

Xiang Yuan: “Hmm?”

Ming Rongrong whispered in her ear, “Cousin was on a business trip recently and wanted to bring you back some skincare products. But he’s such a straight guy—what does he know about women’s products? He actually called me specifically to ask what brands would be good for you. I directly recommended the most expensive one.” Both of them burst into laughter by the end.

Cheng Zhinan approached them. “What are you two talking about that’s so amusing?”

“It’s nothing.” Ming Rongrong regained her composure. “I was just telling sister-in-law that her skin has been looking great lately, so the skincare products I recommended must be working.”

Cheng Zhinan took Xiang Yuan’s hand and reminded her:

“Say hello to Mom and Dad.”

Xiang Yuan had a sweet tongue and knew how to charm people, so Cheng Zhinan’s parents were quite fond of her.

There was still some time before dinner. The nanny brought over some fruit, suggesting they chat first while the meal was being prepared.

Ji Yanhong studied Xiang Yuan and couldn’t help frowning. “You seem to have lost weight recently.”

Xiang Yuan touched her cheek.

Ji Yanhong then turned to criticize Cheng Zhinan. “It must be because you haven’t been taking good care of Xiang Yuan lately.”

Cheng Zhinan paused slightly but offered no explanation.

Xiang Yuan came to his defense. “It’s not his fault. I’ve been irregular with my meals recently, probably due to poor appetite, which caused me to lose a little weight.”

Ji Yanhong was actually somewhat concerned about their relationship after marriage.

After all, they hadn’t known each other long and had married through a matchmaking arrangement. Given her son’s personality, she worried he might neglect Xiang Yuan after marriage.

Their families were acquainted, and Ji Yanhong, having always been thoughtful in her dealings with others, feared gaining a reputation for mistreating someone else’s daughter. She had repeatedly reminded Cheng Zhinan to treat Xiang Yuan well after marriage—not to remain aloof as before, consumed solely by work.

It wasn’t as if no girls had liked Cheng Zhinan before.

On the contrary, many had confessed to him, but he had always been indifferent.

Ji Yanhong hadn’t expected Cheng Zhinan to marry so soon, but during that matchmaking meeting, he had been surprisingly agreeable.

Thus, his marriage to Xiang Yuan proceeded rather quickly.

Since both were at the right age for marriage, their families fully supported this well-matched union.

Xiang Yuan was lively and spirited, while Cheng Zhinan was steady and reserved—two vastly different individuals who had nonetheless become husband and wife.

Thinking of this, Ji Yanhong couldn’t help expressing her concern to Cheng Zhinan:

“You should show more care for Xiang Yuan. She’s younger than you—don’t focus only on work. Pay attention to your wife’s feelings too.”

Cheng Zhinan: “Mm, I understand.”

Watching her cousin being lectured, Ming Rongrong suddenly recalled an amusing incident before the wedding.

She burst out laughing, drawing everyone’s attention in the living room.

Cheng Hua asked her, “What’s so funny all of a sudden?”

“Nothing.” Ming Rongrong sat up straight. “I just remembered when you showed those photos to cousin—he was just as serious then.”

“Photos?” Xiang Yuan, clearly unaware of this, grew particularly curious. “What photos?”

“You didn’t know about this?” Ming Rongrong pursed her lips. “Aunt and Uncle had been urging cousin to marry, but he never seemed in a hurry. Eventually, they printed out photos of several girls and placed them in front of him. Guess what happened?”

Xiang Yuan blinked, eagerly awaiting Ming Rongrong’s next words.

Ming Rongrong grinned wider. “Cousin picked your photo at first glance.”

As she finished speaking,

Cheng Zhinan stepped in just in time to stop her.

“You talk too much.”

Ming Rongrong didn’t dare say more, only leaning close to Xiang Yuan’s ear to whisper, “See? He’s embarrassed.”

No one had ever mentioned this to Xiang Yuan before.

During the meal, Xiang Yuan leaned close to Cheng Zhinan’s ear and asked him:

“Why did you only pick my photo?”

Cheng Zhinan lowered his head, his hand holding the bamboo chopsticks pausing mid-air.

He had known all along that Xiang Yuan wouldn’t let go of the previous topic.

The others at the dining table were chatting idly, paying no attention to their corner, so he answered casually.

“Because you’re the most beautiful.” He picked up a piece of spare rib and placed it in his bowl, raising the corner of his eyes to glance at her. “Satisfied?”

Xiang Yuan was clearly not satisfied.

That sounded far too perfunctory.

Her mother-in-law had the most discerning taste, and since he was the only precious son in the family, the blind dates arranged for him were naturally from suitable backgrounds and beautiful.

If he simply liked beautiful women, he might as well have met every candidate.

Moreover, from what she knew, there had been an exceptionally beautiful girl who pursued Cheng Zhinan before marriage, though she was later rejected.

Xiang Yuan: “Give me another reason. I don’t believe that one.”

Cheng Zhinan felt a headache coming on.

Normally, Xiang Yuan loved sweet talk the most, always wanting him to praise her beauty.

Now that he had said it, why wasn’t she satisfied?

He turned his head and met Xiang Yuan’s expectant gaze.

A few seconds later.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone in the room, Cheng Zhinan leaned close and whispered something in her ear.

Xiang Yuan’s cheeks instantly flushed crimson.