Outside the apartment complex, there was a convenience store. Qin Nanshan picked up some sour plums and hawthorn sticks. Unsure of her preferences, he bought one of every sour snack in the store. At the checkout counter, he noticed a few green-skinned tangerines left on the shelf and added them to the bag.

The cashier was secretly surprised. She hadn’t expected that they’d actually sell the fruit they were about to throw away. After scanning everything, she was even more shocked—he’d bought every sour snack in the store! Looking up at the tall, handsome man, her imagination took off, picturing a CEO trying to please his sweet, delicate wife.

At home, Wen Yi was still in the living room with Xia Tian, their pet. As Qin Nanshan entered, she was holding something to amuse Xia Tian, but she quickly put it away and tensed her expression when she saw him.

He changed his shoes, straightening the pair she’d left crooked, and walked over. “I got some snacks and fruit. See if there’s anything you’d like.”

Wen Yi glanced into the bag, murmuring quietly, “Why’d you buy so much?”

“I didn’t know what you liked.”

She grabbed a tangerine, peeling it. The juice sprayed her face, and she scrunched up her face in response to the sourness. “It’s so sour!”

Qin Nanshan took the tangerine from her, tasting it and confirming it was indeed too sour. He handed her a hawthorn stick. “Try this instead.”

Wen Yi sat cross-legged on the couch, giving him a sidelong glance before accepting the hawthorn stick.

Qin Nanshan and Xia Tian joined her on the couch. “Do you only want sour things?”

“Oh? I didn’t know a highly educated person like you would believe in superstitions.” Wen Yi corrected him, “Actually, the latest studies show that the craving for sour things to predict a boy and spicy things a girl only applies to men. Eating sour activates the Y chromosome, and spicy, the X chromosome.”

She added, “What did you crave three months ago, sour or spicy?”

Qin Nanshan poured her a glass of water. “I didn’t restrict myself, I ate both.”

“Do you remember if you ate anything special those days?”

“No, I don’t remember.”

With that, the conversation ended.

Wen Yi searched through the bag, found a sour plum, popped it in her mouth, and decided not to speak further.

But Qin Nanshan had more to say. Stroking Xia Tian’s fur, he waited for her to finish her plum and water, then asked, “I noticed you haven’t been looking well these past two days. Are you still not used to it here, not sleeping well? If so, I can sleep in the other room.”

Wen Yi didn’t respond.

He continued, “Let’s wait a couple of months until the baby grows a bit more. Plus, I have my things in the master bedroom. If my parents visit, it won’t raise suspicion.”

Actually, Wen Yi had been sleeping well. Her bad mood stemmed from something else, though it had eased over time. She pouted. “Seems more like you don’t want to sleep with me.”

“That’s a big accusation,” Qin Nanshan replied, a bit aggrieved. “Not at all. I just didn’t want to disturb you.”

“So, your solution is to move out?”

He looked a bit stunned.

She raised her eyes, her voice light. “Qin Nanshan, I’m not here to play house.”

The room fell quiet as their gazes met in the air. Xia Tian, realizing no one was paying attention, jumped off the couch and left.

After a long moment, Qin Nanshan’s gaze softened. He asked, “Did Aunt say something to you?”

He thought back on the past few days, figuring that only Aunt could be the source of her unhappiness. As soon as he asked, Wen Yi glanced at him, signaling he’d guessed correctly. “What did she say?”

Wen Yi nibbled on another hawthorn stick, mumbling, “She wasn’t very nice. I’d rather not talk about it.”

“My aunt is different from the rest of my family. You don’t have to take her words seriously or feel obligated to get along with her. I only see her once a year. If you don’t want to visit in the future, we won’t. I’ll talk to my parents about it and then find a separate time to talk to Aunt.”

“No need to go out of your way. It’d make it seem like I tattled on her.”

Qin Nanshan stifled a small laugh. She hadn’t tattled but had clearly sulked, starting from New Year’s Eve until just now.

Since it involved his family, Qin Nanshan apologized, “I’m sorry on behalf of Aunt. Her opinions don’t reflect me or my parents. My parents know what she’s like, so she won’t affect our relationship.”

Wen Yi lowered her head, murmuring, “Oh,” and felt her irritation melt away.

Qin Nanshan spoke warmly, “It’s late. Shall we go to bed?”

His low, calm voice made “sleep” sound intimate, as though he were holding back eagerness yet couldn’t help asking. It also sounded like a gentle plea. Wen Yi’s ears warmed. “You go ahead. I’ll have a bit more.”

He nodded, called Xia Tian, and set him up in the guest room before returning to the master bedroom.

For the past few nights, Wen Yi had always been asleep when he came in, never noticing when he lay down. Sometimes, when she woke up and tried to turn over, his presence would momentarily startle her until his familiar scent reassured her.

Tonight felt like the first night again.

With a slight sense of tension, she finished half the sour plums, washed her hands, and went back to her room.

The lights were still on, and Qin Nanshan was reading, waiting for her.

Clearing her throat, she walked around to her usual side, lifted the blanket, and lay down.

“Shall I turn off the light?” he asked.

“Yes.”

With the lights off, the room plunged into darkness. Wen Yi closed her eyes, then opened them, adjusting to the dimness. Outside, the sound of the wind and air conditioning muffled her breathing.

Half a minute later, she sensed his scent growing stronger, and she scooted toward the edge of the bed. “What are you doing?”

Already close to the edge, any further and she’d fall off. Qin Nanshan quickly pulled her back. “Why are you moving away?”

“I…”

Almost holding her, their breaths mingled. Feeling uncomfortable, she shifted slightly.

A low chuckle escaped him. “Weren’t you the one who said you’re not here to play house?”

“Don’t twist my words.”

“What did you mean, then?”

“…”

“My approach might have been a bit off before. I apologize. I don’t have much experience, so if I’ve upset you, I hope you can be understanding.” In the darkness, his voice was calm and slow. “I don’t want to play house either. But since we got married with so little lead-up, I figured we’d explore what works for us at our own pace.”

She focused on just one part. “Didn’t you have a girlfriend before? No experience?”

Silence.

After a moment, she heard him shift away. Too curious to resist, she turned. “I heard from your aunt. Wasn’t your ex-girlfriend’s name something soft and sweet?”

Qin Nanshan frowned. “Why would she bring that up?”

Got him!

Wen Yi’s curiosity rose. “How’d you two break up? Did you not…?”

Another silence.

Wen Yi chuckled, her jumbled emotions dissolving completely. “So, am I your first woman, or did you have someone before?”

Qin Nanshan’s voice deepened. “Wen Yi, don’t jump to conclusions.”

“Am I really your first?” Wen Yi’s curiosity was fully piqued—what could be more entertaining than gossiping about her husband’s ex-girlfriends? She switched on the light on her side, sat up, and exclaimed, “Wow, Qin Nanshan, you’re impressive—your first time, and you were that good!”

As the room brightened, Qin Nanshan shielded his eyes, then reached over to turn off the light, his voice frosty. “Go to sleep.”

Wen Yi turned off the light but leaned in close to him. “I’m not sleepy; the baby’s still awake. Come on, tell me more.”

“Wen Yi…”

“Oh, just talk; what’s the harm? The baby’s curious too.”