Qin Nanshan had no choice but to lock Summer in the second bedroom.

Wen Yi didn’t want to explore anymore; she quietly sat on the sofa, occasionally glancing back at the door of the second bedroom, afraid Summer might run out again.

She remembered Qin Nanshan’s dog profile picture, and in hindsight, it was undoubtedly Summer.

If she had known he lived with a big bomb, she would have never moved in, no matter what. She frowned, contemplating her next move, and the more she thought about it, the tighter her brows knitted.

Yuting Mansion had high rent, and she had canceled her lease last month. She had just moved out of Chang Le Lane, and if she went back now, Mrs. Wen would surely skin her alive.

Staying in a hotel? That seemed like a good idea.

Qin Nanshan came out and sat next to her, equally silent.

Their cohabitation had just begun but was already encountering obstacles.

Wen Yi weighed her options but was interrupted before she could speak. “Summer is ten years old and has lived with me for ten years.”

Wen Yi swallowed her words and leaned back against the sofa, letting out a long sigh.

What does ten years even mean? How could it compare to the little tenant in her belly that was only three months old?

She felt dejected and didn’t want to compromise. She was afraid to deal with such a big animal; a dog was far scarier than Qin Nanshan.

Qin Nanshan lowered his gaze, his expression slightly somber, his dark eyes revealing no emotion. After a while, he repeated, “He really doesn’t bite.”

“But you’re his owner, so of course he won’t bite you. To him, I’m just a stranger. If he ever decides he doesn’t like me, he could easily come at me. I’m pregnant! What if I get scared and have a miscarriage later?”

Qin Nanshan naturally had confidence in his dog. Summer needed to be walked, but now that he was older, he didn’t require daily outings like younger puppies. Qin Nanshan only took him out when he had time. The community was full of strangers, and Summer had a gentle temperament; he had never scared or harmed anyone.

However, he understood Wen Yi’s fear. After thinking for a while, he said, “I’ll be home during winter break, so I won’t let you and Summer be alone together. If I have to go out, I’ll lock him in the second bedroom. How does that sound?”

“And… what about later?”

Qin Nanshan hesitated. “You’ll have to try to get along with him. If it doesn’t work, I’ll send him back to Dongjiao.”

Wen Yi asked, “Would you really be willing to do that?”

“I wouldn’t want to, but I have no choice.”

Seeing the expression on his face, Wen Yi guessed he had a deep bond with Summer. If she really separated them, she would be the villain.

Qin Nanshan added, “I’m not Summer’s owner; we’re friends. You and the baby are also his friends.”

Wen Yi was taken aback. In this day and age, who raises dogs or cats without acting like a parent? It was rare to consider them friends.

Suddenly, she remembered something from high school. Qin Nanshan had good grades and a reserved personality, different from the flamboyant boys. He preferred to solve problems in the classroom or walk around the playground reciting verses. It seemed he didn’t have many friends; the back view he left her was mostly lonely.

A few days ago at their wedding, his groomsmen were his colleagues, along with two junior classmates. He had broadened his social circle as he grew up, but from Wen Yi’s interactions with them, it was clear they weren’t very close. His junior colleagues looked up to him with respect and admiration, treating him more like a role model than a friend.

Ultimately, Wen Yi was soft-hearted and nodded in agreement for the time being.

She held no deep grudge against the dog; since he was making a compromise, she had no reason not to let it go.

Feeling no mood to explore further, she directly asked, “Where’s my luggage?”

“It’s in the master bedroom; I haven’t opened it.”

Only then did Wen Yi head toward the master bedroom.

The master bedroom was spacious, with a large bed in the center and a full-wall wardrobe across from it, along with two bedside tables holding a lamp, clock, and other small items.

The bed was dressed in plain-colored sheets and blankets, neatly arranged. The curtains were open, letting in ample light; the afternoon sun streamed directly onto the bed, making it warm and cozy.

The room smelled good; it wasn’t clear if it was from a spray or just its natural scent, but it didn’t smell like shower gel—it had a subtle sandalwood fragrance, warm and rich, just like him.

The suitcase was placed in front of the wardrobe. Wen Yi shifted it and opened the wardrobe door.

Half of the wardrobe was filled with clothes, and the other half was empty, clearly organized to make space for her.

The sandalwood scent had a source now, coming from the wardrobe fragrance.

Wen Yi’s gaze slowly skimmed over the black, white, and gray shirts and suits, and a strange feeling passed through her mind.

There had never been male clothing or items in her home; the only things she had bought were two pairs of slippers for hosting her uncle and cousin.

At that moment, seeing the unfamiliar clothes in the wardrobe made her uneasy. She dared not look too long and turned to him. Qin Nanshan said, “There’s only one wardrobe in the house for clothes.”

Wen Yi nodded, bent down, and opened her suitcase to hang up her colorful skirts and sleepwear.

“Do you need help?”

“No, I can do it myself; it’s not much.”

The spacious wardrobe gradually filled up.

Qin Nanshan stood at the door, watching the bright colors that now filled what was once solely his space, his eyelids half-closed.

The matter of marriage had been settled the day Wen Yi came to find him. After meeting their parents, getting engaged, receiving their marriage certificate, and going through so many things, only at this moment did he truly grasp the meaning of marriage.

There was indeed another person who had invaded his life.

What Qin Nanshan didn’t know was that this was just the beginning, and the future would turn everything upside down.

……

After tidying up briefly, Wen Yi lay on the bed, looking around at her unfamiliar new home. She felt a mix of emotions, realizing that she had actually gotten married. This would be her home from now on, and it all felt so unreal.

She picked up a small hourglass from the bedside table. It was quite heavy and had a unique shape, resembling two diamonds with their pointed ends facing each other. She flipped it over, and the delicate white sand began to fall slowly into the bottom half.

Wen Yi stared at it for a while, her racing thoughts gradually calming down as she slowly accepted her new life and identity. Besides being Wen Hongyu’s daughter, she was now also Qin Nanshan’s wife and the mother of their baby.

She closed her eyes.

After resting for half an hour, her little tenant signaled that he was hungry. Wen Yi decided to go out for a meal and stop by the supermarket to buy some daily necessities.

She went next door to find her eating buddy. Summer was still inside, and she didn’t dare to knock. Instead, she tapped lightly, saying, “I’m going out to eat and buy some things. Do you want to come?”

Qin Nanshan glanced at the half-finished paper on his computer and frowned slightly. “It’s cold outside, and there are still vegetables in the fridge. I’ll cook something later.”

“Oh, then I’ll head out.”

By the time Qin Nanshan realized what was happening and rushed out, Wen Yi had already changed her shoes and left, not even a trace of her behind.