The bedroom had an en suite bathroom. Qin Nanshan went to the walk-in closet to find some pajamas and headed into the bathroom to shower. Soon, the sound of running water filled the room.

Wen Yi stared in that direction for a moment before turning away and picking up a random book from the bedside table. It wasn’t a math textbook this time, but a collection of short stories titled Taipei People. She had barely finished the first story when Qin Nanshan emerged from the bathroom, his hair still wet. He casually towel-dried it as he walked to the closet to blow-dry his hair.

The advantages of being a man were fully on display at that moment. He dried his hair in just two minutes, then stood at the foot of the bed. “Shall I turn off the lights?”

He was wearing black silk pajamas. Even though they revealed nothing, the fabric clung to his body. As he moved, Wen Yi could practically see everything—his long legs, chest muscles, and the ridges and valleys of his abs.

Great, her pregnancy hormones were acting up again.

Feeling parched, Wen Yi shifted her gaze from his Adam’s apple to the side and said softly, “I need to take my folic acid, but I don’t have any water.”

Qin Nanshan, ever thoughtful, went downstairs to get some water and returned with a thermos.

Wen Yi leaned against the headboard, sipping the water. “Where does Xia Tian sleep?”

“He has her own spot downstairs, on the first floor.”

“Oh.” Wen Yi grasped for something to say. “Does he have food?”

Qin Nanshan chuckled. “Yes, he does. Are you worried about him?”

“Of course not!”

How could she be? She had just asked casually! Otherwise, it would be too awkward. Who could have guessed that they could argue fiercely downstairs but go completely silent in bed?

After Wen Yi took her folic acid, Qin Nanshan took the cup from her and put it away. “Ready to sleep?”

“Mm.” Wen Yi slipped under the covers and closed her eyes.

He turned off the main light and the bedside lamp, then said softly in the dark, “Good night.”

“Good night.”

But sleep didn’t come. Whether it was the smell of the new quilt, the scent of his body wash, or his personal scent, the mix of aromas made it hard for Wen Yi to relax.

In half an hour, she turned over at least ten times.

On the eleventh time, the light on his side of the bed turned on. Qin Nanshan propped himself up slightly and looked at her. “Are you feeling uncomfortable?”

The warm light cast shadows across his face, creating peaks and valleys like a small mountain she couldn’t cross.

“…No,” Wen Yi said, feeling irritable. “I just can’t sleep. How about…”

Was she really going to suggest separate beds on their second day living together? But how? It was the middle of winter; she couldn’t possibly ask him to sleep on the floor.

Wen Yi curled up under the quilt, feeling helpless and sighing deeply.

“It’s probably just the new environment. If you can’t sleep, we could talk for a while.”

Wen Yi didn’t want to talk. She just wanted to sleep. “How about you go read a book in the other room and come back once I’m asleep?”

“???”

Qin Nanshan left the room and finally realized what was happening. So, it wasn’t the environment keeping her awake—it was him? But what about last night? Who was the one pitifully asking him to come to bed early?

He went downstairs to the study, spending ten minutes trying to figure it out but couldn’t.

At 11:30, Xuan Ying came downstairs to get some water. Passing by the lit study, she knocked and went in. Seeing her son reading intently, she asked, “Still up?”

Qin Nanshan was too embarrassed to admit he had been kicked out by his wife, so he responded seriously, “Yeah, still dealing with something.”

“What could be so important during the New Year? It’s only Wen Yi’s second time sleeping here, so she’s probably not used to it. You should go keep her company.”

“…Alright, I’ll go right away. You head to bed.”

At 12:30, Qin Nanshan returned to the bedroom. The person in bed was breathing evenly, already asleep. Finally, he could lie down.

He hadn’t expected that, after getting married, even deciding where and when he could sleep would no longer be up to him.

…

During the New Year, the weather remained cold, with freezing rain and snow.

The next day, the family spent New Year’s Eve buying groceries, chatting, and cooking together, making the house lively and festive.

Wen Yi called Wen Hongyu to ask where she was. Wen Hongyu said she was at their uncle’s house and told Wen Yi not to worry. Wen Yi wanted to ask how her love life was going, but Wen Hongyu abruptly hung up.

When Wen Yi left the room, only Qin Xi was in the living room, playing video games. Wen Yi asked, “Where are Mom and Dad?”

Qin Xi answered in between rounds, “They went out and will be back soon.”

Wen Yi looked around but didn’t see Qin Nanshan. “Where did your brother go?”

“He’s bathing Xia Tian.”

As soon as she said that, noises came from the downstairs bathroom. Wen Yi hesitated for a few seconds before walking toward the bathroom.

Qin Nanshan was focused on washing Xia Tian and didn’t notice her standing at the doorway. Wen Yi leaned against the doorframe, watching.

Xia Tian, with its thick fur and large body, was not easy to bathe. Luckily, it was well-behaved, standing quietly under the showerhead while Qin Nanshan rinsed it, white foam covering the floor.

Yesterday in the car, he had asked her what impression she had of him. Apart from being handsome, wealthy, and having a bit of OCD, there were other traits she noticed. Whether he was rigid and boring was still up for verification, since they had only spent two days together. However, during this short time, Wen Yi had come to feel that Qin Nanshan was likely a gentle and emotionally stable person.

In today’s restless society, that was a commendable quality.

However, many doctors had told her that a kind and good-hearted man was perfect for someone else’s husband, but not necessarily her own. She hadn’t understood that before, but now she did. Life could never be perfect; expecting someone to be both humorous and kind was like wanting to have your cake and eat it too.

Although he seemed fine for now, she still felt that something was missing, leaving her slightly regretful.

Qin Nanshan and the dog both noticed her presence. He said, “There’s a bathroom on the second floor.”

Wen Yi replied, “I’m not here to use the bathroom.”

“Then stand back a little. Xia Tian will shake off the water and might splash you.”

Wen Yi didn’t move. “Why not take him outside to bathe?”

“All the pet shops are closed for the holiday, and I was too busy to wash him earlier. Now’s a good time to clean him up before the New Year.”

Wen Yi understood and stopped talking.

After a while, Qin Nanshan looked up and saw her still standing there. He asked uncertainly, “Want to help?”

“No.”

Wen Yi turned on her heel and left.

Three minutes later, a voice from the bathroom called out, “Qin Xi, bring in the towel from the balcony.”

Qin Xi was engrossed in her game. “Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, please help me out.”

Wen Yi reluctantly grabbed the towel and went back into the bathroom. Xia Tian had been rinsed clean and was grinning at her. She handed the towel to Qin Nanshan, but he didn’t take it. “You dry him off. I’ll clean the bathroom.”

Wen Yi gritted her teeth. He was definitely doing this on purpose!

But she had no proof, and it was cold. If the dog didn’t get dried quickly, it could catch a cold. So, Wen Yi covered Xia Tian with the large towel. Sure enough, the dog shook off the water, and Wen Yi had to press down on him while strategically stepping back, nearly losing control of the dog.

After Xia Tian shook off the water twice, Wen Yi, not used to taking care of animals, stiffly wiped him down, from head to tail.

Just when she thought she was done, Qin Nanshan appeared with not one but two hair dryers and invited her to help. “Drying is the real challenge. It’ll take me half an hour alone. Want to join?”

“…”