Chapter 4
Edward Quan ·
11
A few days after our first time, I had mostly recovered.
And begun getting restless again.
Before work even ended, I eagerly asked him to come over.
The second time was much better.
He had learned a few new techniques.
They felt unbearably good.
Encouraged by my response, he became even more enthusiastic.
As though he had discovered the secret.
In a month, he went from beginner to expert.
Every day, he seemed determined to wring me dry.
Exhausted, I lay motionless on the bed and let him clean me up.
As he wiped me down, he murmured beside my ear.
“I know I’m not your ideal size. Thank you for putting up with me.”
I was too sleepy to hear properly.
“Mm…”
“Does the promise you made me still count?”
“Mm…”
“Even if you find a size you like out there, you won’t leave me.”
“Mm…”
He smiled happily at the answer.
Kissed me gently beside the ear.
“Yu Xiaoqiao, let’s live together.”
11
The next day, he arrived at my place with his luggage.
I was surprised.
A little warning would have been nice.
I had been thinking of moving into his home.
But he slept at mine almost every night now anyway.
I was used to it.
As it happened, someone moved into the empty apartment next door that day too.
The new tenant was the project lead from a company working with mine.
Xu Yanqing happily carried up the last of his bags.
Then saw Qin Song and me chatting.
His expression changed.
He hurried over and wrapped a guarded arm around me.
“Wife. Who’s this?”
A rare event.
In three years together, he had never called me that.
The jealousy was so strong the gate security could probably smell it.
“Let me introduce you. This is my colleague, Qin Song.
“And this is my boyfriend, Xu Yanqing.”
He immediately corrected me.
“Fiancé.”
Childish.
Suppressing a smile, I nodded.
“Yes. My fiancé.”
He couldn’t keep the corners of his mouth from rising.
Looking smugly at Qin Song, he said, “When’s the wedding? Probably in a few months. Do come.”
Nobody asked!
Qin Song studied him with interest.
“So Xiaoqiao wasn’t lying. You really do have a boyfriend.”
…
Once the door closed, Xu Yanqing looked rather unsettled.
He caught my arm.
“What did he mean?”
“Nothing. Don’t overthink it.”
“He’s pursued you?”
“…Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Before I could answer, he went on.
“Of course. You didn’t tell me about all the ones you’ve tried either. Why mention something this small?”
What?
We still weren’t past the heels?
He kept bringing it up.
They weren’t remotely the same thing.
I grew impatient.
“There was nothing to tell. Lots of men have pursued me. Do I have to report every single one?
“Don’t you understand how I feel about you now?
“Stop acting like a neglected wife, watching every man I speak to.
“It’s annoying.”
He gave a strained little smile.
“Sorry. It’s my problem.
“A man in my position should have the generosity to match.
“I won’t ask again.”
Why did that sound so much like a guilt trip?
12
With Qin Song next door, working together became much easier.
We no longer needed to stay at the office every day.
We could discuss things at either apartment whenever necessary.
At first, I worried Xu Yanqing might mind.
But since our little argument, his baseless jealousy had improved considerably.
One evening, I put Qin Song on speaker while we discussed a proposal.
His voice sounded odd.
Breathless.
I paused.
“Are you busy? Am I disturbing you?”
“I’m on the treadmill at the gym. It’s fine. Keep talking. I’m listening.”
I joked, “You work too hard. With a body like yours, how are other men supposed to compete?”
He laughed.
“What? Like my body? The man at home not satisfying you?”
Oh, please.
So sleazy.
“I was making polite conversation. You took it seriously?”
We discussed work a little longer and ended the call.
As soon as I hung up, Xu Yanqing came out in sportswear.
I stared.
“What are you doing?”
He lifted his chest, emphasizing his pecs.
“Going to the gym. It’s been a while.”
…
From then on, he found time to work out every day.
His stamina improved steadily.
All that excess energy went… into me.
It felt good.
Very good.
But every day?
Who could keep up?
I began avoiding him.
He panicked.
“Am I not doing enough for you?”
I waved my hands.
“No, no. You’re great.”
He lowered his head.
“You don’t have to comfort me. I know I’m too big. You can’t take it. I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”
…
Was he complimenting himself?
He looked so utterly insecure.
I couldn’t understand him.
Fortunately, he listened.
Gave me a few days off.
Time to rest.
He only became more diligent about the gym.
One day, he came home looking unhappy.
I asked what had happened.
He wouldn’t say.
That night, I woke thirsty and went looking for water.
He was hiding in the bathroom.
Crying.
And… hitting himself down there.
“Your fault. So big and ugly!
“Nothing like his!
“She can put up with you for a while. How can she put up with you for a lifetime?
“I want to cut you off!”
All because I had turned him down for a few days?
Was that necessary?
Frightened, I rushed in and hugged him.
“All right. Stop crying. I don’t like him.
“I’m just exhausted.
“If you don’t believe me… We can do it tonight?”
He looked at me with red eyes.
“Really?”
“Yes. Come on.”
After that, he never initiated.
Unless I said I wanted it, he didn’t dare touch me.
As though afraid I would despise him.
I really didn’t understand.
Hadn’t I made myself clear?