Chapter 4
Edward Quan ·
Leaving the bar, I felt hollow.
Light-headed.
I even suspected I'd been drinking fake milk.
I insisted on going back to complain to the owner.
Liang Xing looked thoroughly disgusted.
Stuffed me into the car.
Drove me straight home.
Once inside, I flopped onto the sofa without a shred of dignity and called out as usual.
“Shen Xinglin, I can't be bothered to move. Carry me to bed!”
The apartment was strangely silent.
I stopped.
Looked around the empty room.
Only then remembered…
That afternoon, I'd pushed him into Jiang Luo's arms.
In the quiet of the night, a sudden sense of loss rose inside me.
I dragged myself to the bedroom.
Lying there, I thought this lonely night would strip away every pretense.
That I'd toss and turn until dawn, missing him.
Instead…
I slept straight through until morning.
Not even my alarm could wake me.
Damn it!
That bar definitely sold fake milk.
I was filing a complaint!
When I came home from class the following afternoon, a moving van stood outside my building.
Upstairs, I found noisy renovation work underway in the apartment directly below mine.
Curious, I poked my head in.
And saw…
Shen Xinglin.
Me:
?
Jiang Luo came out and smiled.
“The doctor said pregnant women need familiar surroundings. Otherwise, they can have trouble adjusting.”
“So… we've moved into the apartment below yours.”
She smiled again.
“You don't mind, do you, Miss Liang?”
I waved.
“Of course not. As long as your renovations don't keep me awake.”
Her mouth twitched.
Then she turned and called, “Xinglin. Come greet our new neighbor. Remember what I taught you?”
He slowly approached.
One hand supported his waist.
He pressed his lips together, looked at me, and said flatly, “I remember. Hello, new neighbor. I hope we'll get along.”
My mouth twitched too.
I nodded and went upstairs.
That evening, I went out for food.
And immediately ran into the two of them.
Jiang Luo was offering him a salted plum.
“Xinglin, have one.”
He turned his head away.
“Too cold.”
He was answering her.
But looking at me.
“Pregnant women can't eat cold things.”
She immediately withdrew her hand.
“It's been chilled. How careless of me. Let's go home. I'll make you preserved lemons. You've been craving sour things lately, haven't you? I bought plenty.”
“All right.”
He nodded obediently.
She turned to greet me with a bright smile.
“Eating alone, Miss Liang? I'm taking my Xinglin home for dinner.”
“Mm.”
I stepped aside.
Shen Xinglin followed her obediently.
Head down.
Walked past me.
I stared coldly at their retreating backs.
Drop dead!
Eat all you want!
Hope the sourness kills you!
Dinner…
Suddenly, I had no appetite.
I wandered around for ages.
Bought nothing.
Went home, took a couple of gulps of water, put on my headphones, and buried myself in study.
When I took them off…
It was midnight.
Stretching, I checked my phone.
A whole string of missed calls.
All from Shen Xinglin.
The earliest was at nine.
I frowned.
What did he want?
I didn't call back.
Went for water instead.
On the way, I noticed the bin was full.
So I tied up the rubbish and took it out.
The moment I opened the door…
I jumped.
“Shen Xinglin? What are you doing here?”
He sat on the step outside my apartment, arms around his knees.
Head lowered.
Only at my voice did he look up.
The once-aloof CEO pressed his lips together.
Looked ready to cry.
“I… missed you.”
For a moment, I couldn't name what I felt.
It was the middle of the night.
How long had he been sitting there?
“Where's Jiang Luo?”
“Asleep. I sneaked out.”
“Oh.”
I nodded.
“Go back. Don't worry her.”
He wouldn't leave.
Just caught my sleeve.
“Hungry…”
“Why are you telling me?”
I frowned.
“Didn't she cook for you?”
The mention of food reminded me how hungry I was too.
“She did.”
“Then why didn't you eat?”
“My teeth hurt…”
I leaned against the wall and looked at him.
“Why?”
He answered pitifully.
“Too many lemons… They were so sour my teeth hurt.”
Me:
…
I looked into those clear, innocent eyes.
Took a deep breath.
Forced down my irritation.
If he weren't supposedly out of his mind…
I'd have thought he was mocking me on purpose.
He gently tugged my sleeve.
“Could you… make me something?”
I studied him from head to toe.
Then turned and opened the door.
“Come in.”
Boiled water.
Washed vegetables.
Kneaded dough.
After a long spell of work, I'd just set two steaming bowls of handmade noodles on the table when someone knocked.
“Who is it?”
I wiped my hands.
“Me. Jiang Luo.”
I paused.
Then opened the door.
She entered.
First, looked all around the room.
Then spotted Shen Xinglin sitting obediently at the table, waiting for me.
Her apology sounded entirely insincere.
“Sorry, Miss Liang. My Xinglin's bothering you so late. I'll take him home.”
She went over and patted his shoulder.
“Let's go.”
He shook his head.
Looked to me for help.
I said nothing.
Just stood in the doorway with my arms folded.
Jiang Luo's voice hardened.
“It's late.”
“We can't disturb other people's rest.”
Then she pulled him away.
Bang.
The door shut.
Slowly, my gaze moved from it…
to the table.
Two untouched bowls of hand-rolled noodles.
Still steaming.
I ate Shen Xinglin's.
Didn't throw out the other.
Put it in the fridge.
I'd heat it up for breakfast.
Pregnancy had been leaving me exhausted.
The morning sickness was bad too.
So I decided to stay with my mother for a few days.
The next morning, I'd just finished packing when someone knocked.
I opened the door.
A tall, handsome man stepped in.
“Everything ready?” he asked with a gentle smile.
“Yes.”
I stretched and rubbed my stiff shoulders.
“Perfect timing, Gu Yan. Give me a hand getting this downstairs?”
He rolled up his sleeves.
“Of course.”
I was about to close the door when I noticed someone at the foot of the stairs.
Shen Xinglin.
He clutched a packet of snacks I used to love.
Lips pressed together.
Standing silently.
I couldn't be bothered to say hello.
Just closed the door.
Gu Yan's car was parked downstairs.
We'd loaded everything and were about to leave when he glanced in the rearview mirror.
“Isn't that Mr. Shen? What's he doing there?”
I looked back.
Shen Xinglin stood under a tree, watching our car.
The snack packet was crushed in his hand.
His whole face said:
I'm hurt.
I'm about to cry.
Come comfort me.
Gu Yan reached to unfasten his seat belt.
“Haven't seen him in a while. I'll say hello. Discuss renewing our contract while I'm at it.”
I shook my head.
“Don't. No use talking to him now.”
In his current state…
He might not even get through the words on the contract.
Gu Yan looked blankly between us.
In the end, he started the car.
“All right. I'll take you to your mother's first.”
At the villa gates, the housekeeper came out for my luggage.
Gu Yan turned the car around and lowered the window.
“The maternity shop at five, right? Shall I pick you up?”
“Sure.”
I nodded.
The pregnancy was making me increasingly uncomfortable.
I wanted a few maternity things.
A sofa. Support cushions.
He hesitated.
“Xiaoxin… what are you going there for?”
The fewer people knew, the better.
“A friend's pregnant. I want to buy her some presents.”
He immediately understood.
“Okay. See you at five.”
Five thirty, at the maternity shop.
“If your friend is two months pregnant, all these products would suit her current stage…”
The sales assistant enthusiastically showed me around.
Gu Yan followed, holding several baby outfits he couldn't put down.
“So cute! Suddenly, I want a child too.”
I turned and teased him.
“Want a baby? Then you'd better work harder. After all—”
An aggrieved voice cut me off.
“Wifey!”
I froze and looked up.
Shen Xinglin.
Of course.
Why did he haunt me everywhere?
“Shut up! Who's your wife? Stop calling me that!”
Everyone was staring.
I burned with embarrassment and spoke through my teeth.
“But you are! Wifey, I'm sorry. I'll behave. I won't upset you again. Please don't leave me.”
He tugged my sleeve, looking like a terribly wronged little wife.
Gu Yan's eyes widened.
“Xiaoxin… you and Mr. Shen…?”
Just then, someone nearby recognized him.
“Wait! Isn't that Shen Xinglin?”