Chapter 20: The Date

“That ‘someone’… are you talking about Lu Yunheng?”

It was rare for Jiang Huaiyu to even mention Lu Yunheng’s name.

Though they had both gone to the same high school, the two of them were anything but close.

Wen Shuyu replied softly, “You are you, Jiang Huaiyu. There’s no need to compare yourself to anyone else.”

A flicker of surprise flashed in her almond-shaped eyes, so subtle it was nearly imperceptible.

The slight shift in her brow didn’t escape Jiang Huaiyu’s notice. He had purposely mentioned Lu Yunheng, sidestepping the direct name but still hitting a nerve they both understood.

He couldn’t gauge Wen Shuyu’s feelings for Lu Yunheng—how much remained, if anything. Even if there was just a sliver left, his chances felt slim. Anxiety gnawed at him; after all, they had invested so much effort just to get married.

Wen Shuyu reminded him: he was Jiang Huaiyu, her husband. A title bestowed by law and recognized by their families—a bond that was both legal and public.

“Jiang Huaiyu, even if we don’t have much affection, I won’t cheat. I don’t have feelings for Lu Yunheng anymore.”

Why was she explaining herself? They had agreed not to interfere with each other’s lives. Yet, something about Jiang Huaiyu’s downcast head compelled her to speak.

For the first time since their marriage, she confronted Lu Yunheng’s name. Jiang Huaiyu had never dared to ask; now, it was her who willingly brought it up. Was this a sign that she wanted to cultivate their relationship?

Jiang Huaiyu pretended to joke. “If you have feelings for him, that’s emotional infidelity, dear wife.”

“But you?” she retorted. “Oh, I see—you don’t have any crushes.”

Turning to meet her gaze, he replied seriously, “I’ve told you, I only like my wife. I only like you, Shuyu.”

But he knew that true affection often blossomed unexpectedly; trying too hard to love could feel like a weighty burden.

Wen Shuyu held his gaze, correcting him, “Jiang Huaiyu, have you ever heard that love comes as a surprise? Only those who have never loved think it’s a gradual process. That’s you.”

Her firm tone made her sound like a teacher.

Suddenly, Jiang Huaiyu smirked, leaning closer. “Teacher Shuyu, you’re quite insightful.”

Wen Shuyu nodded, “Of course! After all, I’ve had someone I liked—unlike you.”

Jiang Huaiyu’s head dropped, his long lashes fluttering as he murmured, “How do you know I don’t?”

“Who is it?” she asked, intrigued and excited.

“I’m just kidding. I don’t have anyone,” he replied, straightening up, his obsidian eyes revealing nothing.

She felt cheated and playfully turned away.

But then, he suddenly pulled her into his embrace, his face looming closer, those thin lips almost brushing hers.

“Is this how love surprises you?” he asked.

Wen Shuyu’s heart raced as their breaths mingled, an electric tension hanging between them, as if his very presence was stealing her oxygen, making her dizzy.

“You’re taking advantage of me!” she exclaimed, startled.

“True,” he admitted, releasing her just before the moment slipped away.

He knew how he had fallen for Wen Shuyu, but the realization had come too late.

Glancing at the clock, he saw it was still early. They could return to their separate worlds, lost in their phones, or they could embrace something more vibrant.

“Want to watch a movie?” he suggested.

Wen Shuyu pondered for a moment. “Sure, what are you thinking?”

“Your choice.”

“Then let’s watch this one,” she said, pulling up a mystery film she had been wanting to see.

The converted media room was a new experience for her, with its 120-inch screen and beige sofa under a starry ceiling.

“Wait for me!” she called, rushing out and returning with a beer.

He took it, cracked the tab, and pocketed the pull tab. “Here you go.”

They clinked cans and took a sip, savoring the malty aroma.

Wen Shuyu curled up in a corner with a pillow, opening another beer as the movie began. The story unfolded with eerie tension—a woman in a red dress hastily walking through a graveyard, a sinister smile spreading across her face.

Suddenly, a shadowy figure with a knife appeared behind her, and the scene cut abruptly to daylight.

Wen Shuyu hugged her pillow, drinking deeply, engrossed as the plot thickened. The killer targeted women living alone, and just as suspense peaked, the lights went out in the film, plunging everything into darkness.

Footsteps echoed, “tap, tap, tap,” growing closer until they halted right behind the character.

Wen Shuyu felt a chill; the door was locked tight, and rain began to pound against the windows, muffling the cries for help.

In that moment, the ambiance engulfed her. She squeezed her pillow tighter.

Then the fallen woman opened her eyes.

“Ah!” Wen Shuyu couldn’t contain herself, tossing the pillow aside and clinging to Jiang Huaiyu’s arm.

He stood still, surprised by her sudden closeness, her soft form pressed against him.

Wen Shuyu’s attention was riveted to the movie screen, nervously swallowing her drink, completely unaware she’d grabbed the wrong beer. In addition to Jiang Huaiyu’s, she had downed three cans on her own.

As the film wrapped up, she found herself still clinging to Jiang Huaiyu. When she glanced up, his gaze was fixed on her with an intensity that made her heart flutter.

In the dim, flickering light, Jiang Huaiyu looked strikingly handsome, his lips curved in a faint smile. The alcohol dulled her senses, making her slightly more daring. “Jiang Huaiyu, I hate you! I’ve always hated you!” she declared, her voice a mix of jest and sincerity.

“I know,” he replied, a knowing look in his eyes.

But deep down, he thought, I like you. I’ve always liked you.

With her inhibitions lowered, Wen Shuyu’s sharpness softened. “You’re so annoying, always meddling in my affairs. You’re worse than my parents!”

“I know,” he nodded, waiting for her to continue her playful tirade.

With a glint in her eye, she smirked, “But Jiang Huaiyu, you’re really nice.”

Unexpected kindness had caught her off guard. Did “you’re really nice” mean something more?

Cautiously, he asked, “Shuyu, do you like me even a little?”

“Not at all,” she shot back without hesitation.

In vino veritas, she thought, knowing there wouldn’t be a second answer, yet still hoping for one. It was like building a dam in her heart, creating a reservoir of pent-up feelings.

As Jiang Huaiyu watched her lips move, he instinctively leaned closer. “Shuyu.”

“Hmm?” she responded, her eyes clearing as she met his gaze.

In the soft light, his dark, soulful eyes drew her in, a magnetic warmth enveloping them.

“Shuyu,” he tightened his fists, wishing he could ask if he could kiss her, but he lacked the courage.

Avoiding his intense gaze, Wen Shuyu stood up abruptly. “Jiang Huaiyu, I want to go to bed now.”

After sitting too long, she swayed slightly. Without hesitation, Jiang Huaiyu swept her off her feet.

“Put me down! I can walk myself,” she protested, bemused by his strength and penchant for carrying her like a princess.

“Sorry, but I want to hold you,” he replied nonchalantly.

“Oh, just a quick hug then.” Dazed, she nestled into his arms and closed her eyes, feeling the gentle pull of sleep. A little drink was a perfect lullaby.

“Lazy Shuyu, carefree and untroubled.”

Wen Shuyu was oblivious to his affectionate words as she drifted off.

In the lazy summer heat, cicadas sang, and sunlight filtered through thick sycamore leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Wen Shuyu was surprised when Jiang Huaiyu brought her to an amusement park—one they used to frequent as children. What was once a modest two-phase development had now expanded into six phases over the years.

Their last visit together was over a decade ago, right after their middle school exams. The area around them had transformed from desolate to vibrant, high-rises replacing the emptiness of the past.

Wen Shuyu adjusted her oversized sunhat and frowned. “Why here?”

The sun was still fierce as dusk approached, but thankfully the suburban heat wasn’t unbearable.

“I promised you I’d take you here the next day, and it took me over ten years to make it happen,” Jiang Huaiyu said, brushing his nose sheepishly.

Their missed date had more to do with Wen Shuyu not wanting to see him than any fault of his own. It was sweet of him to remember all these years.

“Is this supposed to be an apology?” she asked, her memories of this place tinged with unwelcome emotions.

Their reunion at the amusement park felt more like a nostalgic obligation than a joyous occasion. Unlike their childhood excitement, Wen Shuyu felt little thrill.

People change; her last memories of this place were too unpleasant.

As the roller coaster sped by, the screams of the riders echoed around them—everyone except for them.

The pirate ship and drop tower were too intense, leaving them dizzy and feeling older than their years.

When they reached the carousel, Wen Shuyu paused. The line was filled with children and young couples. She lifted her foot, ready to leave.

But Jiang Huaiyu took her hand. “Princess Shuyu, let’s go.”

Emotions are contagious; he wanted to make up for lost time.

Wen Shuyu couldn’t help but smile, though it felt forced. “Alright then!”

This was her first genuine smile of the day, even if it was a bit strained.

After getting off the carousel, Jiang Huaiyu went to buy water, reminding her not to wander off.

Waiting by the side, she watched the bustling crowd when someone tapped her shoulder from behind.

It was Xie Huailin, a classmate from middle and high school.

“What a coincidence! Are you here alone?” he asked, glancing around.

“No, Jiang Huaiyu went to buy water,” she replied.

After a moment’s hesitation, Xie Huailin continued, “I ran into Lu Yunheng in the States recently. He asked if I was attending your wedding. I said yes, and he looked really down. I later found out he’s still single, not with that girl anymore.”

Xie Huailin’s parents and Wen Shuyu’s were business acquaintances, and they lived in the same villa community.

The setting sun was making her feel hazy, but Wen Shuyu steadied herself and replied coolly, “Xie Huailin, Lu Yunheng and I haven’t been connected for ages. Whether he’s single or not has nothing to do with me. Besides, I’m married now. My husband is Jiang Huaiyu. I don’t understand why you’re bringing up Lu Yunheng.”

Xie Huailin responded, “You two were so close back then. It just feels like a shame.”

As Xie Huailin spoke up for Lu Yunheng, Wen Shuyu felt a strange sense of calm. After all, the three of them had been classmates from middle school through high school, their homes not far apart, yet Xie Huailin had somehow grown to be close friends with Lu Yunheng.

Wen Shuyu clenched her fists and took a deep breath. “There’s nothing to feel sorry about. I’m very happy now.”

“But you don’t like Jiang Huaiyu,” Xie Huailin countered.

Her disdain for Jiang Huaiyu was well-known.

“That was in the past. I like Jiang Huaiyu now, which is why I married him.”

Xie Huailin pressed on, “Lu Yunheng asked me to find out why you didn’t go through his friends.”

Wen Shuyu crossed her arms defiantly. “I didn’t want to. I’m afraid my husband might get upset, and if he’s unhappy, then I’m unhappy too.”

As they left the convenience store, Jiang Huaiyu emerged with a pair of couple keychains, spotting Wen Shuyu in conversation from a distance.

The closer he got, the more he heard the name that annoyed him the most. He hid around the corner, listening for a moment until he couldn’t bear it anymore, fearing Wen Shuyu would soften at the mention of Lu Yunheng. He stepped out, feigning surprise. “Wife, did you run into someone familiar?”

“Oh! Mr. Xie, you’re back from the States? Are you going back soon?”

They all knew the reason behind his trip abroad—nothing glamorous, just avoiding the fallout from a complicated romantic entanglement.

Xie Huailin’s expression changed. “Not for now.”

Wen Shuyu, eager to end the conversation, linked her arm with Jiang Huaiyu’s, flashing a bright smile. “Hubby, you’re finally back! I was about to die of thirst!”

“Just a bit crowded, my dear.” Jiang Huaiyu wiped the sweat from her nose, completely unbothered by their surroundings.

“Mr. Xie, let’s catch up another time. We’ll be on our way.”

Once they were a good distance away, the smile on Jiang Huaiyu’s face remained.

Wen Shuyu tilted her head, curious. “You seem really happy.”

He tightened his hold on her arm. “Of course I am. I’m on a date with my wife.”

He knew her claim of liking him was a half-truth, just as her concern about making him unhappy felt fabricated. But still, he felt joy, like a parched traveler savoring a single drop of rain.

“Today seems like a pretty terrible date,” he said, masking his deeper thoughts. This was where their relationship had soured, and he wanted to understand why.

She shook her head. “Not at all! I thought it would be more about movies and dinner.”

Pointing into the distance, she suggested, “Let’s go on the Ferris wheel!”

As they settled into a couple’s cabin, they found themselves suspended between earth and sky, just the two of them.

The Ferris wheel slowly ascended, transforming the people and buildings below into mere dots, like tiny sparrows scattered on the ground.

Wen Shuyu gazed out over the city, the setting sun painting the sky in hues of pink and orange. The southern city came alive with shimmering lights, an endless sea of warm yellow glimmering in the dusk.

Time had passed, and the world had changed around them. Suddenly, she felt the urge to share her heart. “Jiang Huaiyu, we’re almost at the top. I’ve always wanted to ride a Ferris wheel with two men, and so far, I haven’t realized either dream.”

Two men—who could the other be besides Lu Yunheng?

He couldn’t help but wonder if there was an unacknowledged rival lurking in the shadows. Who could it be? How had he missed it?