Chapter 56

Li Xian stood there, eyes shadowed, he found himself at a complete loss for words.
They’d long since ended. He’d shown up under the pretense of an old friend, never expecting anything to change between them. All he wanted was to be a little closer, just a little.
Lin Jinshen said, “I hope you understand, Mr. Li, I don’t have the biggest heart, and I don’t like other men near my wife. Especially exes.”
At the last gathering, the timing hadn’t been right; some things should’ve been made clear long ago.
Li Xian frowned, “She told you?”
He’d always clung to a bit of wishful thinking, that they were only together for the families, that it was just business. Surely she wouldn’t have told him everything, not about the past.
Lin Jinshen’s lashes lifted, his tone quiet: “Why wouldn’t she? It’s old history, barely worth remembering. But honesty comes first between a married couple. She told me in advance because she didn’t want there to be any misunderstandings.”
Li Xian managed a weak smile. “I didn’t mean anything by it, just checking up as a friend.”
“She doesn’t need that kind of concern.”
Anyone with sense would know it was time to leave. If Li Xian stayed any longer, he’d only embarrass himself further.
When Lin Jinshen returned to the room, Lu Yi was asleep. The wall lamp by her bed cast a soft glow. She looked noticeably better these days, her lips pink, color coming back. He tucked her in properly, fingers gently brushing her cheek.
He didn’t tell her Li Xian had come by.
There was no need.
…
Five days later, at Lu Yi’s insistence, she was discharged. Any longer in that hospital and she’d feel like a seed starting to sprout. That morning, after finishing the paperwork, they returned to Chengxi Garden.
By now, her wound didn’t hurt, though days of bland food had left her a little weak. Still, she could take care of herself.
Aunt Fang carried the luggage upstairs for her.
With time on her hands, she’d even put together a list of nourishing recipes, surgery, big or small, took a toll.
Puff stuck close, winding around her legs again and again.
She couldn’t resist scooping her up. As always, she took a deep breath with her face buried in her fur, energy returning in an instant.
“Missed you so much, Mommy!”
Puff sniffed at her, sensing something different, but didn’t run away. Instead, she pushed against her chin in comfort, model feline therapist on duty.
Right as she was discharged, Lu Yi’s period arrived. She didn’t head back to work straight away, taking a few extra days to rest at home.
With Aunt Fang looking after the house, Lin Jinshen settled back into his usual work routine. At lunchtime, he’d video call her.
Lu Yi sat cross-legged on the sofa, Puff curled up at her knees. Drowsy, the ringing phone startled her awake. She answered; Lin Jinshen’s face filled her screen.
He’d gotten used to video calls by now, no longer shoving his whole face into frame.
Lin Jinshen leaned back in his office chair, glass windows behind him. “How are you feeling today?” he asked.
He was holding up his phone, the camera facing Puff's clueless little face. The cat seemed lost in thought, contemplating the mysteries of cat life, when a voice spoke from above.
"Good. Eat, drink, sleep, repeat, sounds ideal."
Lin Jinshen said, "Stay away from spicy food."
"Haven't touched any."
"And no cold stuff. It'll upset your stomach."
"Not a single bite."
"..."
Since he'd already made it clear to Aunt Fang, no matter how much she begged, Aunt Fang wouldn't cook anything off-limits. The two of them ran her daily schedule with military-level strictness.
No matter what he asked, the voice's owner never appeared on screen.
But Puff, recognizing his voice, trotted up and sniffed curiously at the phone.
Gripping his Windsor knot, Lin Jinshen gave it two quick tugs, then joked, "Am I video calling with Puff today?"
"Where's the human?"
Puff had officially become their household's media rep.
Lu Yi let out a soft laugh, turning the camera to catch half her face, sprawled wearily against the sofa back. The phone hovered close. “You need something else?”
"We have to video call just to talk?" Lin Jinshen teased.
Lu Yi said, "Depends on the situation."
"If you'd nag less, I'd actually pick up your calls more often."
Lately, he was far too fussy.
This you can't eat, that you can't touch, she'd had a minor operation, not a total system shutdown, yet he treated her like she was suddenly helpless, good for nothing but lying in bed and being fawned over.
Lin Jinshen asked, "Is your stomach still hurting?"
He meant: after her period, was her lower abdomen still in pain? She’d complained last night; he’d spent half the night with his big warm hand pressed gently over her stomach.
Lin Jinshen’s hand was broad, plenty big to cover her whole belly, and warm but not too hot. He was nervous about putting pressure on her incision, so he just let his palm rest there. It was perfect.
"A bit better." Lu Yi tilted her head, lashes fluttering, skin as pale as porcelain. She looked exhausted, lids drooping, barely clinging to wakefulness.
Lin Jinshen: "I'll be home soon and keep you warm."
"Okay."
Truthfully, she did wish he were here.
Leaning on his shoulder, curled in his arms, so much warmer than any sofa.
Lin Jinshen clocked out right on time and headed home.
Lu Yi lay curled on the couch under a blanket, a movie playing idly. She tipped her head and gave a faint, "Home from work?"
"Yeah. What are you watching?"
Changing his shoes, he scooped up Puff, who was loyally standing guard at the door, and padded over to her.
"No idea," Lu Yi said, stretching lazily. "I finished the first movie, whatever comes on after, I watch." She gazed at him, half-smiling. "Could you help me wash my hair again tonight?"
Since the surgery, he’d washed it for her every time.
The first try was a disaster, soap suds nearly blinded her, but the second time, he’d gotten the hang of it. His fingers learned the right pressure, soothing enough to make her want to doze off.
Lin Jinshen: "Sure."
This time, he was even better at it. As his fingers massaged her scalp, firm enough, never rough, she lay back, looking straight up at his face above her. No bad angles for this guy; even upside down, he looked good.
Whatever Lin Jinshen did, he did it with complete focus. Even now, stuck in the role of her private shampoo tech.
Lu Yi suddenly said, "Maybe I should get a membership card."
"A membership for what?" Lin Jinshen asked, hiding a smile while holding the showerhead to rinse her silky hair.
"A hair-washing card, so I can keep booking you for the job."
Lin Jinshen paused, shot her a sidelong glance, and replied half a beat later: "Why not make it a lifetime membership?"
Lu Yi laughed. "Look at you, trying to bankrupt me."
Lin Jinshen continued carefully rinsing her hair, though he’d underestimated the water pressure this time. The first blast splattered over his hand and soaked through his pants, leaving a wide, dark stain.
Lu Yi could see the wet mark on his pants from where she lay.
The loungewear was soft and thin; wet, it clung to his skin, the dark patch outlining its shape.
Lu Yi: "..."
She yanked her gaze away, stifling a cough. Lin Jinshen thought water had gotten in her eyes and stopped, bending lower, his Adam’s apple all the more prominent.
The collar of his shirt was loose; when he ducked his head, it gaped wide, exposing half his chest.
"..."
Lu Yi’s desire for a simple hair wash was suddenly, unexpectedly complicated by several suggestive visuals in quick succession.
She asked, trying to sound thoughtful, "Your clothes are drenched, do you want to change first?"
Lin Jinshen didn’t mind at all. "I’ll finish up first."
He looked down again and noticed the flush across her cheeks. "Is the water too hot?"
"It’s fine."
Lin Jinshen switched on the water, resuming his gentle rinsing, running his fingers from her forehead to behind her ears, not too light, not too heavy. The touch sent a tingle racing through her; she let out a soft, involuntary hum.
Once her hair was clean through, he twisted out the excess water, grabbed a dry towel, and bundled her long hair up, then helped her sit upright, bracing a hand against her back.
Lu Yi tucked in the corner of the drying cap and said, "Go change, or you’ll catch a cold."
Lin Jinshen glanced down at his wet pants. He grunted in agreement and, before she could exit the bathroom, bent over and stripped off his damp trousers right then and there.
Their eyes met, one panicking, the other perfectly chill.
Lin Jinshen straightened up with his pants in hand, while Lu Yi tried not to let her gaze wander.
"I’ll... just step out a sec," she muttered, voice muffled and flustered.
Lin Jinshen was unruffled. "I'll dry your hair for you next."
Lu Yi was already halfway out the door. "Maybe put your pants on first!"
Seriously, what kind of scene was this? Just imagining it, she snorted inwardly, a scandalous hairdresser desperate to charm customers into lifetime memberships.
Lin Jinshen: "?"
He genuinely had no idea what the issue was.
She spent two days at home in a sleepy haze: answering emails and work messages when her energy flickered back, then dozing off again between movies and variety shows.
Lin Jinshen was the opposite. His schedule was packed, besides work at the office, there were social dinners no one could wriggle out of. He’d always stop home first after work, change, then head out to some fancy event.
Not that Lu Yi understood the point of swapping one dark suit for another, but maybe tonight really was some big deal. Clearly, he was taking this party seriously.
Lin Jinshen looked at her. “You’d pick for me?”
Lu Yi was bored anyway, so she nodded cheerfully and agreed. She padded off in her slippers to the closet. Compared to hers, his side of the wardrobe took up three times as much space.
She picked out shirts and ties one by one, and Lin Jinshen, like a runway model, accepted everything she handed him without complaint. At last, she settled on a tie with a dark gold pattern.
Lin Jinshen’s wardrobe was easy to summarize: every single item was from the same brand. Suits, shirts, ties, hell, even his boxers, same type, same brand.
“It’s simple.”
His reason was as blunt as could be, he didn’t want to waste a second thinking about what to wear, so he minimized decisions. Over time, it became a habit.
Lu Yi wrinkled her nose. God, he was boring. Well, at least he had the face for it, no matter how he dressed, he still looked good.
He was definitely abusing that pretty face privilege.
When Lin Jinshen finished changing, he emerged adjusting his cufflinks.
He was already tall, and with Lu Yi’s picks, the first thing you noticed was his endless legs. Move your eyes up and there they were, defined brows, deep dark eyes meeting hers even through the air between them.
She managed not to budge, but her heart damn near skipped a beat.
Lu Yi turned slightly to fish out a silver tie clip for him, the same kind he’d worn the first time they met. She lightly patted his chest to attach it, her fingers lingering on his shoulder, hesitant to let go.
She didn’t want him to leave.
The thought surprised her. They’d promised never to interfere with each other’s work. Wanting him to stay meant breaking their original agreement.
Lu Yi told herself it was just lingering weakness from being sick. Out-of-character behavior was understandable.
Lin Jinshen caught her hand, checked his watch, and said, “It’s an hour round trip. I’ll stay there one hour, be home by nine sharp.”
Lu Yi couldn’t help but laugh. Did he really need to be this precise?
“See you in a bit.”
Lin Jinshen started for the door, got just two steps, and then, suddenly spun around. With three brisk strides he was back, suit jacket catching the air. He swept her up, set her on the dresser beside his watch display, so their eyes were level, and leaned in to kiss her.
It was like the downpour she’d been waiting for all summer.
Their bodies had been parched and restless for so long. With that kiss, every cracked canyon was filled and soothed.
Lu Yi clung to his arm, her back suspended until he supported her with his hand. For a moment she froze, but then she melted into the kiss, her lips and tongue tentatively seeking his. The moment she brushed him, she startled and nearly retreated, but he didn’t let her, he caught her like a rabbit walking straight into a trap, locked her in, tasted and devoured her calm away.
She nearly choked. When he finally let her go, her tongue felt almost numb.
Lin Jinshen instantly swapped out his “dangerous villain” act for his usual elite composure, touched her cheek, and said, “I just need to put in an appearance and I’ll be back. Eight twenty. Wait for me.”
“Not sure I’ll last that long,” she mumbled, tongue still tingling and speech a bit muffled.
Lin Jinshen grinned. “Oh, you’ll wait.”
Lu Yi couldn’t handle that look of his. Blushing furiously, she urged, “Alright, enough. Go already.”
“Yeah.”
Lin Jinshen turned and strode out.
Lu Yi tried to steady her breath, her whole body was still burning. It was impossible. His scent lingered everywhere. She tipped her head back, eyes a little dazed and self-confused.
She tried to force herself to cool down, but lately it was like her brain was permanently scrambled.
She realized nothing helped; her symptoms were only getting worse, so bad that she could zone out just staring at a bouquet in the office.
Her first thought was to call Yu Yin. After work, she brought snacks to her friend’s apartment. Yu Yin was editing video, bare-faced with her hair in a messy bun. She pushed aside a gift box from some brand to make room for the food.
Yu Yin: “You finally remembered to spoil me again, huh?”
Couldn’t blame her for complaining, whenever a bestie got married or a new boyfriend, there was always a rough patch with time and attention. Adjustment required.
Compared to Lin Jinshen, Lu Yi was definitely in her “fallen out of favor” phase. He was the true superstar now.
Lu Yi unpacked the food, used to these grumbles, and made sure she brought Yu Yin’s favorites.
They ate and chatted.
Lu Yi confessed, “Something’s been off with me lately.”
“Only lately?” Yu Yin drank, eyeing her closely, and then reached for her phone. “I need to document this.”
“Document what?”
“I’m marking today as the first time you initiated a real feelings talk with me.” Yu Yin actually set a special note in her phone.
Lu Yi: “…”
Yu Yin said, “Remember when you were in the hospital and Wu Sidong and I came to see you? Lin Jinshen showed up too. The vibe between you two, seriously, I have no words. It was like nobody else in the world existed.”
“Your eyes didn’t leave him for a second.”
Lu Yi clutched her chopsticks. “You’re exaggerating.”
“Am I? Is it me exaggerating, or are you guys just that much? Wu Sidong and I felt like the world’s biggest third wheels. We had to find an excuse to escape.”
They hadn’t even done anything, it wasn’t like they were holding hands or being overtly affectionate. But the moment their eyes met, the hospital room was instantly filled with pink bubbles.
She’d never dated, but even she could read that atmosphere.
Yu Yin grinned mischievously at her. “You two are totally in love, huh?”
Lu Yi: “…”
Had it really gotten that obvious?
But the whole reason Lu Yi agreed to the arranged marriage was that the rules were clear from day one. As long as they followed them, their relationship would stay sturdy and unshakable.
Lin Jinshen was her dream teammate, met all her standards.
The minute the rules changed, everything else would change too.
Yu Yin said, “There’s no need to be afraid. Just enjoy it while it lasts, if it ever goes bad, dust off your hands and walk away. Easy.”
"Besides, I doubt he could even outplay you."
From what she and Wu Sidong had seen, the one who was truly head over heels was Lin Jinshen.
Lu Yi didn't feel like overthinking things that hadn't even happened yet. She stuffed her mouth full, like she was making up her mind about something.
Just go with the flow.
"Want to call Wu Sidong for drinks tonight?" Yu Qian asked.
Before she even finished, Lin Jinshen called. He asked where she was, did she need a ride. After Lu Yi replied and hung up, seeing how late it was, she put down her phone. Without a word spoken, Yu Qian already knew: "Go ahead, go ahead. Nobody cares about us old news once the hot new thing comes along."
Lu Yi: "…"
She really liked how things were now.
At work, each did their own thing. After hours, their time belonged to each other. Like a symbiosis, inseparable, in and out together. When she first moved in, the place felt huge and empty. Now it just felt small, just right for two people and a cat.
They'd still go on dates sometimes, eat out, catch a movie, see a musical or an exhibit, usually whatever she wanted. Not that he had many hobbies to begin with.
They looked just like any ordinary couple, holding hands, wandering through some hidden corner of the city.
They’d hit the supermarket together, buy snacks and fruit, take Puff to the vet for checkups, or to the pet shop for a bath.
The rainy season had arrived. Most of the map was soaked in storms.
Jing City was no exception. The morning sky had been bright, but by afternoon rain was pouring down. On the drive back, the windshield wipers barely got a break.
Lin Jinshen had work, so he couldn’t leave on time.
Lu Yi had asked when he’d be home, maybe around ten.
After dinner, Lu Yi brewed a pot of tea, grabbed a piece of dessert, and settled on the balcony. Rain pattered all around. She read her book, Puff the cat curled up napping on the chair beside her.
By the time she looked up, it was nighttime.
When Lin Jinshen came home, the living room was empty. No sign of anyone, or any cat, ready to greet him. He slipped off his suit jacket and headed inside. Just as he was about to head upstairs, he caught a glimpse of someone out on the balcony.
Lu Yi had dozed off on a single armchair, book resting loosely on her lap, not fully closed.
Her slender arms cradled her head, the whole of her melted into sleep, completely unaware that he’d come home.
Lin Jinshen, almost on reflex, pulled out his phone and snapped a picture.
The rain kept falling, drumming on and on.
It pattered steadily, sounding as if it beat right inside his chest, damp and warm, thunderously alive.
He walked over. Just as he was about to kneel down, Puff stirred awake, saw it was him, and gave two meows. The figure in the armchair took a deep breath, eyelashes fluttering, they were about to wake up.
Lu Yi opened her eyes. The shadow in front of her slowly sharpened into focus. Still drowsy, she mumbled, "What time is it?"
Lin Jinshen came closer: "Nine o'clock."
She'd started reading at seven. So she’d napped for over an hour.
Lu Yi rubbed her eyes, still half-asleep. "Didn’t you say you’d be back at ten?"
"Came early."
Lin Jinshen bent down, took the book from her hand, slid an arm under her legs, and scooped her up in one fluid motion. She instinctively looped an arm around his neck as he carried her upstairs.
He asked, "Why were you sleeping out here?”
Even with summer coming, rainy nights still brought that damp chill. Napping outside was asking for a cold.
Puff trailed after them, off to its own little bed.
Lu Yi said, "I was waiting for you, but that book... total snoozefest."
She was a little embarrassed to admit it, but the text was so dense, endless blocks of words, her eyes glazed over. She barely made it a few pages before she was out cold.
Lin Jinshen carried her into the bedroom, set her on the bed. He straightened up, ready to shower, but before he could go, her hand hooked around his arm, pinning him in place. He looked down, their eyes meeting.
Lu Yi looked a bit tipsy, lost in a gentle haze. She reached up, tracing his brow, fingertip gliding down from there to the bridge of his nose, then to his lips, firm, serious whenever he pressed them together.
She’d seen so many sides of him: stern, old-fashioned, all that oppressive authority... and then the gentle, the delicate, the completely ridiculous...
All those sides made up Lin Jinshen.
"You know, do you remember what I thought the first time I saw you?" Lu Yi blinked, suddenly asking.
He never looked away from her eyes, swallowing hard. "What did you think?"
"It wasn’t even our official first meeting, though that was at a hotel too, you probably didn’t notice. At the time, I just thought: oh look, another decent-looking corporate type. It wasn’t until later I realized you were my matchmaking date."
"I know," Lin Jinshen said softly.
"I saw you, too."
That first moment, they both remembered it, not just her.
Lu Yi was a little surprised by that. She smiled and went on, "Then the actual second meeting, another hotel. I figured, well, if we’re both about efficiency, why not."
"Who goes on a blind date and skips dinner, rushing straight to the art exhibit, and it was free, too."
Anyone else would’ve complained about that for ages, but she hadn’t thought twice about it.
"You really startled me," she admitted. "Who jumps right to the requirements? And that prenup, seriously?"
Lin Jinshen replied, "I thought it showed I was serious."
Lu Yi kept grinning, "Maybe it did. Maybe that’s why you got to me."
She drew out the words ‘got to me’ on purpose, a playful tease in her tone.
"What I mean is, even if we started off a little rocky, I really love how things turned out. And..." , she almost said, the way things might turn out too.
Lin Jinshen gazed at her. "I love every bit of it."
From the very first look, through all of this, it felt like destiny had given him an extra helping of luck.
Lu Yi smiled wider, a mist of tears brightening her eyes.
Nothing left unsaid.
Her fingertip hovered at the corner of his mouth, tracing his lips. She breathed in the alluring scent of him, thumb pressing against the softness of his lower lip. "Lin Jinshen, can I kiss you right now?" she whispered.
Moments like this, she'd wanted to do this for a long, long time.
Lin Jinshen's Adam's apple bobbed as he asked in a low voice, “You just want a kiss?”
Lu Yi wrapped both arms around his neck, her eyes sparkling and fixed on his. She tilted her head up, pressing her lips to his,
“Kiss first, talk later.”