Chapter 31

What do you want to touch?
Lu Yi paused, she honestly hadn’t meant anything by it. Teenagers always have their little secrets, is all; she was half-joking, afraid she’d stumble onto something embarrassing that’d shatter his carefully curated image.
But somehow, coming out of his mouth, it suddenly felt... loaded.
Like she was the one trying to take advantage of him.
“I was kidding.” Lu Yi replied seriously, she really should’ve learned by now: Lin Jinshen does not get jokes.
He didn’t even question what the joke was. He just flipped on the light, revealing the room, an en suite, styled just like the rest of the family house: minimalist, spotless. The king-size bed was perfectly made, his clothes color-coded in the glass wardrobe, not a single loose item anywhere.
Honestly, it wasn’t much different from a hotel.
No wonder he was fine living out of hotels for weeks, clearly, it made no difference to him.
Just like him, his room was terminally boring.
Lu Yi opened her own suitcase to get out her pajamas and tomorrow’s clothes. As she was about to dig out all her little skincare bottles, Lin Jinshen mentioned that his mom had already stocked the bathroom, and that matching pajamas for both of them were hanging in the closet, one black, one white, a full couple set.
That had all been arranged right after they got their marriage certificate. Back then, he had no idea what brands Lu Yi liked, so Madam Qin just went out and bought the best of everything, just in case they ever came back to visit.
“Wow, your mom really does think of everything.”
Lu Yi went to shower first.
When she finished, Lin Jinshen wasn’t back yet, maybe using another bathroom, so she sat cross-legged on the bed, scrolling through photos and videos of their cat, Puff, that Aunt Fang had sent her.
She’d been gone for almost five days, it felt like forever since she’d hugged her furball.
Aunt Fang updated her on Puff’s situation. The cat was eating, sleeping, living large, but every morning would sit sadly at the bottom of the stairs, gazing up, waiting. Clearly missing her.
Lu Yi’s eyes stung a little. Especially when Aunt Fang sent that soulful side-profile shot, utter furry perfection, enough to make anyone’s heart melt.
Right now, she missed Puff more than ever.
When Lin Jinshen walked in, the first thing he saw was Lu Yi with slightly reddened eyes. Her expression as she glanced up at him was open and vulnerable, catching him off guard; something strange rippled through him. He could only blurt out the most obvious thing possible: “…You finished your shower?”
“Yeah. You haven’t yet?”
“Was just talking with Dad about work stuff.”
Lu Yi nodded. Small talk over, she said, “You should shower now, then.”
He answered with a low “mm,” grabbed his clothes, and headed to the bathroom. While he showered, Lu Yi shifted her position, now lounging back against the headboard, still deep in Puff videos. On screen, the cat looked silly and sweet, at the first rustle of a food bag, Puff perked up, then launched herself across the floor like a lightning bolt.
She couldn’t help but chuckle. “Piglet!”
The bathroom door swung open.
That was fast.
Lu Yi looked up, and was greeted by a whole lot of bare, pale skin.
Lin Jinshen emerged in just pajama pants, pajamas top in hand as he slipped his arms through the sleeves, his body slightly hunched. Lu Yi’s gaze slid over him, snagging on his narrow waist, the clean lines of his abs, firm and taut, totally inviting, though she knew for a fact he was more granite than marshmallow to the touch.
What exactly was she thinking?
Jinshen finished dressing in seconds, head ducking through the collar, smoothing his hair. He glanced up and caught Lu Yi staring at him.
Wide-eyed and slightly stunned.
He tilted his head slightly, as if silently asking her, “Is there a problem?”
Lu Yi couldn’t help but wonder, is this really okay?
The first night, he’d buttoned his pajamas all the way up, wrapped up like a burrito, and now here he was, stepping out fresh from the shower, half-dressed and not caring.
Though, at least now, when she was lounging around in a slip dress, he didn’t demand she cover up anymore.
Lu Yi chalked Lin Jinshen’s new attitude up to “personal growth”, that first brush with change had clearly left a mark.
“What are you watching?” Lin Jinshen asked, climbing into bed. He caught the glow from her phone and the secret little smile playing at her lips. He wasn’t interested in her screen, but her smile made him curious.
Lu Yi happily showed off her phone, she was more than ready to share the adorable chaos. “Aunt Fang sent me this. Look, Puff’s basically evolved, she tried to break into the snack cabinet for a midnight treat.”
The cabinet-opening trick hadn’t worked out; instead, Puff focused all her energy on the snack cupboard. In the end, sheer feline determination paid off, she managed to hook the cabinet open with her paw.
And then she bolted from the scene, snack stick clamped in her mouth, plotting her getaway.
Aunt Fang videoed the whole escapade, then busted Puff just as she was about to enjoy the loot, snatching the snack away and putting it back in the cabinet.
Puff, caught red-pawed, trailed after Aunt Fang meowing like a walking apology.
Lin Jinshen turned his head and, following Lu Yi’s hand, watched the whole video through.
Not bad. Not the most idiotic cat around.
“Cute, right?” Lu Yi felt like a proud cat mom showing off her genius child.
Lin Jinshen stared straight into her eyes, his own flickering with that bright, unreadable light. He said, “Mm. Very cute.”
Lu Yi, satisfied, tucked her phone away. Given time, maybe the two of them would finally get along.
Lin Jinshen switched off the lights.
In the darkness, their shoulders brushed, awkward for a second, then Lin Jinshen reached out his arm. She lifted her head, cooperating just enough to make it work.
But honestly, it was anything but comfortable. Lu Yi, testing the waters, asked, “Aren’t your arms falling asleep like this?”
She played the considerate card, if he said yes, she could instantly suggest an escape.
“No.” The answer was short and utterly unyielding.
Lu Yi closed her eyes. Well. Guess she’d just have to live with it.
The next morning, Lin Jinshen woke up numb from the waist up. He was used to it by now, Lu Yi clung to him like a baby sloth, leg tossed casually over his.
He honestly couldn’t figure out how someone so refined and gentle during the day managed to sleep like this at night.
Lin Jinshen gently moved her leg aside, pulled his deadened arm free, and got up for his morning routine, washing up and then heading out for his sunrise run.
As usual, she was already gone by the time he returned.
At the Lin house, Lu Yi never dare sleep in. She rose at her usual time and found Lin’s parents already awake and in high spirits, greeting her warmly and asking if she’d slept well.
The housekeeper carried breakfast to the table.
Lin Jinshen returned from his run, dressed for the gym, hair tied up, looking effortlessly handsome.
The whole family sat together, eating breakfast in perfect harmony. Madam Qin especially doted on Lu Yi, clearly enjoying having company at the table. With Lin Yumo away at college and Lin Jinshen having moved out after marrying, the house was usually just the two of them, far too quiet. She cheerfully urged the newlyweds to visit more often.
Lu Yi smiled and promised she would.
After breakfast, they headed back to Chengxi Garden. Lin Jinshen still had work and returned to the office. Lu Yi was still on vacation, she planned to unpack, tackle her suitcase, and spend a day fully decompressing.
Puff, who hadn’t seen her for days, stuck herself to Lu Yi’s chest, meowing pitifully. In her feline mind, Lu Yi had gone off hunting, dangerous business, and was now home safe. Naturally, Puff grumbled and whined, making up for lost time with maximum clinginess.
Lu Yi managed to hold Puff with one arm while digging out a souvenir from her trip for Aunt Fang.
“A present for me? You shouldn’t have! This is too much, really.”
It was a purse, not terribly expensive, but exactly Aunt Fang’s style. She tried it on, glancing in the mirror with a smile. “I can’t possibly wear something this nice to do the grocery shopping!”
Lu Yi had picked out gifts for all their parents, shopping as a married couple. There were still a few more things to deliver to friends that afternoon, dividing up the presents was basically a whole project in itself.
Puff supervised the operation from start to finish.
Every time Lu Yi glanced over, she reached out to scratch Puff’s neck. The cat squinted in bliss, radiating contentment.
That afternoon, while heading back from her place, Lu Yi got a message from her boss, Sister Wei, her private inbox lit up. Lu Yi had been away, but the company had landed a pretty big project, a collaboration with the city museum. This one involved way more artifacts than usual, so they needed someone who actually understood the field. Lu Yi’s work with the art museum last time had impressed them; this time the partner specifically asked for her to be on the team.
The only problem? Lu Yi knew next to nothing about history, which, honestly, was part of why it intrigued her. After replying to Sister Wei, she got a batch of documents to review.
With a new project came new motivation, vacation mood over. Mid-drive, Lu Yi swung by the library and checked out ten-odd history books, determined that tonight she’d start cramming big time.
Lin Jinshen came home at eight and opened the door to a quirky scene: Lu Yi cross-legged on the rug, typing furiously on her laptop with a stack of books piled beside her. Her hair was swept up in a messy bun, a pair of chunky glasses balanced on her high nose, the lenses catching the glow of her screen.
She looked so focused, so clear and bright, like a college student racing to finish a term paper.
“You’re back,” Lu Yi said, barely glancing up from the laptop, fingers still tapping away.
For once, Puff didn’t bolt for her nest when Lin Jinshen walked in. Maybe she remembered the night he had slipped her that illicit treat, because today she didn’t just stick around, she actually let out a little meow.
With a tone that was uncannily like her owner’s.
Lin Jinshen grunted a response, jacket slung over his arm, and changed shoes. “You know, you could work in the study.”
“Nah, I’m good here.” Lu Yi finished typing a sentence, then paused to nudge her glasses up her nose. She was only mildly nearsighted, but hours of laptop glare left her vision fuzzy, so she’d dug them out.
Lin Jinshen walked over.
Puff didn’t run, she just sat there staring at him, motionless, eyes wide.
Out of Lu Yi’s line of sight, Lin Jinshen paused, hesitated, then crouched down and tapped Puff’s head with a finger, like pressing a button on a toy. Puff gave a sharp little meow in return.
He let his lips curl up slightly, but by the time he stood, his expression was smooth and unreadable. He headed upstairs.
Lu Yi had reviewed part of her materials already. She knew there was no way to cram it all in one night. She closed her book, shut her laptop, and noted it was still early, so she decided to brew some tea and find a movie to watch.
The kettle started to boil, tea fragrance spilling warmly through the kitchen.
Lin Jinshen caught the scent and came downstairs. Lu Yi braced herself against the counter, and just like last time, asked if he wanted some tea, but this time, it wasn’t just polite small talk.
She’d forgotten to take off her glasses, making her look a little more studious than usual.
“But you’ll have to wait, it’s not ready yet.”
Lin Jinshen came closer. The cat, Puff, perched near Lu Yi's feet. They both instinctively looked down: all he could see was the lower half of her face, her lashes thick and fluttering through the lenses.
Lu Yi was genuinely surprised, “Looks like she’s not scared of you anymore. Those cat treats last time must’ve worked!”
If Puff could accept him, maybe, just maybe, he could try accepting Puff too?
With that thought, Lu Yi looked up, brightening with a smile. She was just about to ask if Lin Jinshen wanted to try holding Puff, it’s so soft,
But then a shadow fell over her. Lin Jinshen braced one hand on the counter, leaning in. He slid her square glasses off her nose, trapping them on the counter behind her. As her lashes fluttered in surprise, he effortlessly closed the gap and kissed her.
In the glass kettle, water burbled up in little bubbles.
The scent of black tea drifted all through the house.
Lin Jinshen kissed her, deeper and deeper, teasing along the seam of her lips before tasting her fully, sweet and lingering.
Puff stared up, utterly confused: “Meow?”
The kiss didn’t last long, but when Lin Jinshen finally let go, the look in her eyes sent a jolt of heat through him. His voice came out rough.
“Feels illegal, somehow.”
Like stealing a kiss from the class valedictorian.