Chapter 26: Secrets

In the courtyard, sunlight slowly tilted southward. The cicadas buzzed lazily, nestled among the crabapple trees, adding a serene hum to the air.

Wen Shuyu could feel his unease—the slight tremble of his arm around her back. She lay in Jiang Huaiyu’s arms, her chest warm, her pulse quickening.

For a moment, time stood still. Her heart fluttered, her breath hitched, and before she knew it, she leaned into him, her body betraying her thoughts. She closed her eyes, surrendering to Jiang Huaiyu’s kiss.

This kiss wasn’t like the others. It wasn’t fierce or demanding—it was soft, tender, and filled with emotion. His lips were warm, his hands even warmer, and his chest radiated heat.

It was a kiss she couldn’t escape, as intense as the summer sun.

In the quiet of their family courtyard, their breaths mingled. The fresh scent of pine lingered around them, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves.

Jiang Huaiyu kissed her with a slow, deliberate tenderness, as if she were a fragile crystal he was afraid to break. Their shadows melted together on the ground, indistinguishable from one another.

They were so absorbed that they didn’t hear the sound at the entrance.

Wen Shuyu’s father entered the courtyard, briefcase in hand. From behind, it was clear what had happened—his daughter was wrapped in Jiang Huaiyu’s arms. He quickly turned his back, trying to sidestep the scene, but there was no avoiding it. He cleared his throat. “Ahem.”

When she had gotten married, the reality hadn’t hit him. But seeing it now, Wen Shuyu’s father felt the undeniable sting of having his precious daughter taken from him.

Even if the man was Jiang Huaiyu, someone they’d carefully selected and watched grow up—it still didn’t feel right.

At the sound of her father’s voice, Wen Shuyu quickly pushed Jiang Huaiyu away. “Dad’s home.”

Jiang Huaiyu chuckled, brushing a hand over her head. “It’s fine. Your dad’s been through this himself.”

He was well aware that the house was never truly empty—anyone could walk in at any moment.

For a fleeting moment, all the bitterness and hurt Jiang Huaiyu had felt disappeared when Wen Shuyu ran to him. He couldn’t help it.

Once, Wen Shuyu had showered him with all her affection, but later, she had taken it all away.

Not a drop left behind.

Now, he needed to be sure that the beauty they had rediscovered was real and not just a fleeting dream.

Inside the house, Wen Shuyu’s father placed his briefcase at the entrance, his face stern.

Wen Shuyu’s mother, noticing his sour mood, chided him, “Why did you have to cough? It was just a kiss between the young couple.”

They had finally made progress in their relationship, a rare step forward.

Both mothers had seen it—after all the bickering, the two had finally embraced. It was a breakthrough in their frosty relationship.

But, of course, Wen Shuyu’s father had to ruin the moment.

“The courtyard isn’t the place for that,” he muttered, his irritation growing. The more he thought about it, the more his heart ached. If he had known this would happen, he might not have let his daughter get married in the first place. But there was no turning back.

By lunchtime, Wen Shuyu’s father was barely looking at Jiang Huaiyu, who normally received a warm welcome from him.

Jiang Huaiyu leaned over to Wen Shuyu and whispered, “I think your dad’s mad at me.”

“Well, of course he is,” Wen Shuyu replied, maintaining a bit of distance. “He probably feels like his precious daughter has been stolen away.”

“Does that make me the thief?” Jiang Huaiyu chuckled, unfazed. He’d had his eye on her for a long time, after all.

Eventually, both mothers decided to take a trip together to the northwest, leaving Wen Shuyu’s father feeling even more disgruntled. One son had stolen his daughter, and the other had taken his wife on vacation.

Helpless, Wen Shuyu’s father decided to take it up with Jiang Huaiyu’s father instead, seeking some solace in their shared frustration.

That afternoon, after a nap, Wen Shuyu woke to see Jiang Huaiyu sitting by the window, reading. His short, dark hair framed his sharp brows, and his features were calm and refined.

The sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a gentle glow on him, making the moment feel timeless. His deep almond-shaped eyes held a quiet depth, like still water.

She couldn’t help but gaze at him, mesmerized.

Sensing her, Jiang Huaiyu turned and smiled warmly. “Awake?”

It was like the countless afternoons they had spent together before things had gone wrong, before the arguments.

He sat beside her, the same way he always had.

Suddenly, Wen Shuyu remembered something. She jumped out of bed, slipping into her slippers, and hurried to the closet. “Jiang Huaiyu, do you want the things you left here before?”

Jiang Huaiyu followed her as she opened a large trunk at the bottom of the closet. The memories came flooding back, untouched by dust, though time had certainly weathered them.

He picked up an old basketball. “Yeah, I’ll take them. I’ll put them in our new place.”

“Alright,” Wen Shuyu nodded, relieved. She had wanted to return the items so many times, but the words had never come. He hadn’t asked for them, and she hadn’t insisted.

Downstairs, Wen Shuyu’s mother had packed her bags. The two mothers, efficient as ever, were catching an evening flight out of the city.

Wen Shuyu’s father personally drove them to the airport.

As the house emptied out, Wen Shuyu and Jiang Huaiyu went to his family villa to pick up more things. “My dad’s going to like you even less now,” Wen Shuyu teased.

Jiang Huaiyu grinned. “I mean, my mom took his wife, and I took his daughter. He’d be strange if he weren’t upset.”

“Right?” he added with a playful wink. “Wife.”

Between their two family homes was a small stream, symbolizing the fleeting nature of time. Wen Shuyu liked to walk along its edge, balancing on the narrow path.

Wen Shuyu stretched out her arms, her voice full of mock anger. “That’s why you both deserve a beating.”

“Be careful,” Jiang Huaiyu said, holding onto a large box, his eyes never leaving her, afraid she might fall.

Just like when they were kids, always looking out for her.

Wen Shuyu hopped down with a bounce. “I won’t. I’ve walked this edge plenty of times.”

For the first time as an adult, she entered Jiang Huaiyu’s room. Normally, when they stayed at the old house, she’d stay in her own childhood room. Not much had changed in his room, except there were fewer basketball items around.

Teenage boys and their love for basketball—there were very few who didn’t share that passion, especially at an age when interests burn brightest, only to be suddenly extinguished.

The regret in his heart had grown exponentially over the years.

Wen Shuyu sat in his chair, spinning around, knocking over a locked box. She picked it up and shook it—something inside rattled.

Even guys have their little secrets, huh?

Seeing the box in her hands, Jiang Huaiyu rushed over, grabbing it from her. “Are you okay?” His expression flickered with panic before returning to normal.

Feigning nonchalance, Wen Shuyu gently shook her head. “I’m fine. Are you done packing?”

Jiang Huaiyu shoved the box back into the bottom of the cabinet, securing it with a lock. “Yeah, all set. Let’s go.”

She hadn’t thought much of it at first, but Jiang Huaiyu’s nervousness stirred her curiosity. Everyone has secrets, sure, but an odd feeling gnawed at her—something unsettling.

Her thoughts spun in a messy tangle, and she hated feeling like this.

On the way back, Wen Shuyu remained silent. Jiang Huaiyu assumed she was tired, so he thoughtfully pulled down the sun visor.

She felt awkward, avoiding his attempt to hold her hand during the ride. Trying to break the silence, she asked, “When does Mom’s flight land?”

Jiang Huaiyu withdrew his hand, slightly awkward. “Around 10. Don’t worry, Dad’s friend will take care of everything.”

They talked about small things, nothing too deep.

Once they arrived home, Jiang Huaiyu was too occupied carrying the heavy box to try and hold her hand again.

Wen Shuyu leaned against the bookshelf, watching him unpack. At the bottom of the box were two basketballs, one of which she had given him years ago. She had gone to the U.S. on vacation and had sought out a basketball star to sign not just one but two items—a jersey and a ball—carrying them all the way back for him.

He had loved it back then. Now, years later, the basketball had been tucked away, part of a forgotten past.

After some thought, Wen Shuyu spoke up. “Mom knows we’ve been pretending. Dad probably doesn’t, so at least around her, we don’t need to act anymore. It’ll be a bit easier for us.”

Squatting on the floor, Jiang Huaiyu’s hand froze for a second. He put down the basketball memorabilia and stood, his gaze locking onto hers. “Do you really think I’ve just been pretending?”

His deep eyes, glossy and intense, reflected her figure as they studied her. His sharp gaze seemed to pierce right through her.

Wen Shuyu’s heart skipped a beat as she took a deep breath and clenched her fists. “Aren’t we both pretending?”

She included herself in that assumption.

Jiang Huaiyu suddenly let out a soft, bitter laugh. “No.”

The smile didn’t reach his eyes, and the atmosphere grew tense, the sharpness still in his gaze.

Rubbing his brow, he said in a low voice, “From the start, I’ve always treated you as my wife. Don’t you get that?”

Her heart throbbed at his words, as if gripped by an unseen hand.

There was a moment, just then, when Jiang Huaiyu felt the urge to confess. To tell her about the decade of feelings he had kept hidden.

But no, he couldn’t. Not yet. He couldn’t make a move until he knew what she wanted—otherwise, it might ruin everything.

There had been a time when someone else confessed to her, and she had cut them off entirely, never speaking to them again.

Looking into his dark eyes, Wen Shuyu hesitated, finally replying, “I understand.”

But that was all. Jiang Huaiyu felt like he’d punched cotton, his efforts unreciprocated.

He pulled her into his arms, the familiar scent of pinewood surrounding them. Wen Shuyu wanted to break free—she was exhausted from staying up late the night before and just wanted to sleep.

As Jiang Huaiyu bent down to kiss her, she turned her head away, frowning slightly. “If you’re really treating me like your wife, you need to respect me first. No hugging or kissing me without my permission. No buying me weird clothes, no stealing kisses—none of that.”

She rattled off a list of his past “offenses,” laying down her rules.

“I can’t help it. You’re too kissable, wife,” Jiang Huaiyu teased, holding her wrist and smiling playfully.

Wen Shuyu shoved him away, shouting, “Go to hell!”

What a jerk—he just wanted to take advantage of her.

Once Jiang Huaiyu had finished unpacking, he felt a sense of satisfaction. Home was home, a place where he could make up for lost childhood dreams.

If it weren’t for this opportunity, he might have forgotten how much of a basketball fan he used to be.

Wen Shuyu brought out an extra blanket from the closet, and then another, neatly creating a dividing line down the middle of the bed, like in those novels—an invisible wall separating them.

By the time Jiang Huaiyu returned, she had already wrapped herself up like a cocoon, leaving only her head poking out. “One blanket for each of us. Don’t cross the line.”

He wasn’t sure whether to call her clever or naive.

Jiang Huaiyu leaned in close to her face and whispered, “Wife, you can’t really stop me. If I didn’t care about your feelings and wanted to do something, no amount of blankets would stop me.”

He brushed a finger across her forehead, wiping away the beads of sweat that had formed.

With a gentle kiss on her forehead, he whispered, “Goodnight, wife.”

Jiang Huaiyu took away the two extra blankets, returning them to where they belonged.

In the darkness, heavy curtains blocked out the silvery glow of the night. A gap remained between them—there was no need for extra barriers.

Wen Shuyu broke the silence. “How did the talk with Dad go?”

Jiang Huaiyu turned to his side. “It went well. I have a year. If I can’t show results, I’ll go back.”

It was the best outcome he could argue for, though grounded in reason—he couldn’t just follow his whims.

Wen Shuyu encouraged him, “You’ll definitely succeed. Did Mom’s argument with him go to waste?”

The big blowup had ended in some compromise, after all.

Jiang Huaiyu chuckled. “The fight was about more than just that. My mom’s been trying to get him to quit smoking, and he snuck one anyway.”

Wen Shuyu understood perfectly—her own dad did the same thing with alcohol, promising to quit but secretly drinking again. Fathers could be so exasperating.

“So, I bet your dad’s feeling pretty pleased with himself right now.”

Jiang Huaiyu sighed, “Don’t worry, within two days, both dads will be out of the house.”

Wen Shuyu nodded in agreement. If nothing else, their dads were both notorious for being completely under their wives’ control.

Whether or not Jiang Huaiyu would be the same was none of her concern. She couldn’t allow herself to get lost in this again—she’d learned her lesson once before.

Outside, the neon lights of the evening rush shimmered on the pavement. The summer night breeze was especially gentle, and tucked away between towering office buildings was a hidden gem of a tea restaurant—one that you wouldn’t find without someone showing you the way.

Lin Silo, slowly recovering from her past heartbreak, had invited Wen Shuyu to dinner at this little treasure of a spot she’d discovered by chance.

“Over here, Lawyer Wen,” Lin Silo called out, her smile as bright and fresh as the spring blossoms that emerge after a harsh winter.

Still, Wen Shuyu thought, if it were up to her, she’d rather there had been no winter at all.

But at least, everything was finally starting to turn around.

Wen Shuyu set down her bag. “What made you want to have dinner with me today?”

Lin Silo smiled. “I’m going on a trip soon. I had some free time, so I thought I’d invite you out.”

Over the last six months, the person Lin Silo was most grateful for was Wen Shuyu. If not for her, she wouldn’t have had the strength to keep going.

Wen Shuyu asked, “Going with friends?”

“Yeah, one of my friends, a teacher. We’ll be traveling together.” They ordered food and waited for their dishes to arrive.

Wen Shuyu was genuinely happy for her. “That sounds amazing. Seeing you like this makes me really happy.”

When it came time to pay, Lin Silo tried to insist, but Wen Shuyu wouldn’t hear of it. They had agreed that Lin would treat, but Wen ended up footing the bill. “You can treat me when you get back.”

Lin Silo laughed, “Just don’t try to snatch the bill next time!”

The restaurant was deep in the alley, where cars couldn’t reach, so the two of them walked together to the outdoor parking lot.

The alley had an old-fashioned feel to it, with dim lights lining the main street, but several small side alleys branched off in different directions.

They walked and chatted, laughing as they went, paying little attention to their surroundings.

As the night grew later, the streets emptied, and Wen Shuyu called Jiang Huaiyu to pick her up. It’d be better to go home together after 10, saving her from hearing him complain about curfew again.

Lost in conversation, Wen Shuyu and Lin Silo didn’t notice the man following them.

Ding Jingming had become a pariah after his lawsuit. His friends had all cut ties, refusing to associate with him anymore.

Even his neighbors avoided him, fearful of being dragged into his disgrace.

Only his parents still came to see him, but they were deeply disappointed. The elderly couple had never been the target of such public shame before.

Seeing the two women laughing and happy, Ding Jingming’s resentment grew. Why should they live so well while he, like a pest from the sewers, was treated as if he were vermin, despised by all?

Especially that lawyer—he’d even begged on his knees, and Lin Silo had been ready to forgive him. But it was Wen Shuyu who convinced her to hold firm, to not give in.

It was Wen Shuyu who pushed for the appeal, which led to the court reversing the decision. Now, with no one left to care for him, no one to vent his anger on, he seethed inside.

It was all Wen Shuyu’s fault. Without her, his life wouldn’t have fallen apart like this.

From his sleeve, Ding Jingming pulled out a fruit knife and lunged at Wen Shuyu.

“Shuyu, look out!”

She heard the familiar voice just in time to see Jiang Huaiyu step in front of her, the knife sinking into his arm.

As he collapsed, Jiang Huaiyu’s last thought before hitting the ground was:

Thank goodness I came to pick her up.

Thank goodness I didn’t wait in the parking lot.