Chapter 44

Tang Ruan’s eyelashes trembled. Even after he pulled away, the warmth of his lips lingered.

She pressed her lips together and looked at him. “Feel what?”

“My feelings.”

Tang Ruan: “…”

She couldn’t help but laugh.

Looking at him, her eyes curved with amusement. She tugged at the buttonhole of his coat, fiddling with it as she teased, “Did Gu Tian teach you that?”

“Hm?”

“This line. Don’t you think it’s a bit… cheesy?”

To her, something like ‘Can you feel my feelings?’ sounded exactly like the kind of line Gu Tian, a film industry bigwig with a flair for the dramatic, would come up with. After all, he practically thrived on being over the top.

Ji Jing: “…”

Finally mustering the courage to say something romantic, only for his wife to misunderstand—it was exasperating.

He pinched her nose lightly, gritting his teeth. “Is it really that funny?”

Tang Ruan nodded. “It really was funny.” She glanced at Ji Jing and denied it, saying, “Also, I wasn’t jealous just now. I only eat soy sauce, not vinegar^[1]Vinegar symbolizes jealousy in Chinese, especially in romantic situations. (“Eating vinegar” means feeling jealous.) meanwhile, Soy sauce symbolizes indifference which implies that Tang … Continue reading.”

Ji Jing raised an eyebrow but decided to let it slide. Sometimes, it’s best to leave a little dignity intact in a marriage.

Tang Ruan caught the look in his eyes and added, “I really wasn’t jealous.”

“Mm, I know.” Ji Jing glanced around and said softly, “Wait here for me. I’ll be right back.”

Before Tang Ruan could ask, Ji Jing had already walked toward the concessions area, where the crowd was thicker. She figured he was probably going to buy popcorn.

When Ji Jing returned, the group of four young women nearby suddenly let out excited squeals.

“Oh my gosh, this is way too romantic!”

“Why doesn’t anyone buy me a bunny?”

“I’m dying here—why even go to the movies if it’s just going to be a display of PDA?”

…

Tang Ruan looked up to see Ji Jing walking toward her. In his hands, besides popcorn and drinks, was a small bunny plushie. It wasn’t very large, with a silly and adorable expression that made it irresistibly cute.

She froze for a moment, staring at the plushie he handed her. “Did you… just buy this?”

Ji Jing nodded. “Do you like it?”

Tang Ruan looked at the plushie and broke into a smile. “I love it.”

She held the bunny up, swaying it toward Ji Jing. “It’s really cute. What made you think of buying a plushie?”

“It reminded me of you.”

Tang Ruan: “…”

She glanced at the bunny and then considered herself. Somehow, she didn’t think they resembled each other much. But for Ji Jing to buy such a thing just to make her happy was already quite impressive—she couldn’t expect too much.

Fortunately, the movie started admitting ticket holders just then, so they joined the queue to get their tickets checked and went inside.

–

The cinema was pitch dark inside. The film had attracted a decent crowd, many drawn by the fame of the director and the cast’s acting. Still, it wasn’t a full house—there were some empty seats, especially in the back rows.

Their seats were in the rear. Once they settled in, Tang Ruan contentedly munched on popcorn while watching the film.

Ji Jing, on the other hand, couldn’t fully immerse himself. Romantic dramas weren’t really his thing, though he had to admit the cinematography and narrative techniques were commendable.

As the two focused on the movie, a faint sound suddenly emerged from nearby.

Tang Ruan froze, her hand halfway to the popcorn. Her ears turned red in an instant, but she pretended not to hear anything, keeping her eyes glued to the screen.

Ji Jing leaned closer, his voice low. “Did you hear something?”

Tang Ruan: “No.”

Her reply was firm and decisive.

In the dim light, Ji Jing glanced at her flushed face, clearly amused. “Really? You didn’t hear anything?”

“No.” Tang Ruan shoved a piece of popcorn into his mouth. “Just focus on eating.”

Ji Jing took the popcorn and, taking it further, licked her fingers.

Tang Ruan: “…”

Caught off guard, she instinctively pulled her hand back, but her face burned even hotter.

Not far away, likely a couple of seats down, another couple was clearly up to something… unspeakable. Tang Ruan couldn’t tell exactly what they were doing, but the soft moans and breaths were undeniably inappropriate.

She glanced at Ji Jing, only to meet his deep, dark eyes. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly averted her gaze.

After that… she barely registered what the movie was about.

By the time they left the cinema, Tang Ruan’s face and hands were still warm.

–

Once they got home, Tang Ruan ignored the man trailing behind her and dashed upstairs, even skipping over the Butler Li, who was still in the living room.

Butler Li blinked in surprise. “What’s going on with the young madam?”

Ji Jing, with his hands in his pockets and a smirk on his lips, drawled, “She’s embarrassed.”

Butler Li: “…”

With a look of resigned amusement, he patted Ji Jing on the shoulder. “I’m going to rest now. You should get some sleep too.”

“Mm.”

As Butler Li turned to leave, he paused. “Will you be having breakfast tomorrow morning?”

Ji Jing chuckled softly. “No need for you to get up. We’ll handle it ourselves.”

“Got it.”

Butler Li wasn’t really considered staff anymore after all these years; their relationship had long since grown into something more familial. Everything was more laid-back now.

…

When Ji Jing headed upstairs, he found Tang Ruan’s bedroom door tightly shut. He knocked lightly.

“Wife.”

Inside, Tang Ruan was wrapped in her blanket, listening to his voice with flushed ears. “I’m going to sleep!”

Ji Jing chuckled lowly, his voice teasing. “That embarrassed already? I didn’t even do anything.”

Tang Ruan: “You’ve got some nerve to say that.”

She didn’t even want to think about what had happened in the cinema. At home, such things wouldn’t have bothered her—but in the cinema? The memory still made her cringe.

He was usually such a gentleman. Why did he act like such a rogue in moments like those?

–

When the sound first emerged in the cinema, both of them were momentarily stunned.

Tang Ruan was utterly flustered. After Ji Jing pointed it out, it became impossible for her to ignore, no matter how hard she tried. Her ears burned as she listened, feeling increasingly self-conscious.

Although she wasn’t involved, it was still uncomfortable to hear.

Most of the audience, captivated by the movie, didn’t seem to notice. Since their seats were so far back, only the four of them occupied that area.

But Ji Jing took the opportunity to tease her. Leaning in close to her ear, he kissed her earlobe before she realized what was happening. Slowly, he closed the distance even more.

Tang Ruan couldn’t stop trembling. By the time they shared a kiss in the dark, she was already overwhelmed. But Ji Jing wasn’t satisfied with just that—he took her hand, guiding it, and pulled her even closer until no space remained between them.

Their breaths mingled in the dim light, and all her attention was fixated on Ji Jing. Any thought of watching the movie completely disappeared.

Two people deeply in love kissing each other—it’s always easy for things to escalate.

When Tang Ruan’s hand accidentally brushed against a certain part of Ji Jing’s body, she instinctively pulled back. But Ji Jing was quicker, guiding her hand back to touch him again through the fabric.

Before she had the chance to feel nervous or embarrassed, the movie ended, and the other couple’s noises stopped as well. Startled, Tang Ruan shot to her feet and glanced at Ji Jing’s, uh, situation before coughing lightly. “Shall we wait a bit before leaving?”

“Mm.” Ji Jing’s voice was huskier than usual. He hadn’t expected that just kissing Tang Ruan could stir such a strong reaction in him.

Ji Jing had always been a man of restraint. In the past, when he went out drinking with Gu Tian and the others, they’d often call for company. But Ji Jing had always remained like an untouchable monk—completely indifferent, even when someone actively tried to seduce him. His friends had even teased him for being frigid.

But today, both Tang Ruan and Ji Jing were caught off guard.

It seemed that Ji Jing’s self-control around Tang Ruan was steadily unraveling.

…

Later that night, Tang Ruan stared at her hand, let out a soft groan, and burrowed under her blanket. Her voice was muffled as she muttered, “Don’t talk to me right now. I don’t want to deal with you.”

Ji Jing paused before replying in a low tone, “Really?”

“Let’s talk tomorrow.” After a moment of reflection, Tang Ruan softened her words to spare his feelings. “It’s just… it felt a bit too fast.”

“Alright.” Ji Jing’s voice was understanding. “Then get some rest.”

“Goodnight.”

Listening to the sounds of him walking away, Tang Ruan let out a sigh of relief. She pinched her reddened ears and berated herself. Why was she so flustered? Wasn’t this a normal thing? She’d read about it countless times in novels and enjoyed every bit of it back then. So why was she so timid now that it was happening to her?

She chalked it all up to her lack of experience.

–

That night, Tang Ruan tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

After a while, she picked up her phone to find someone to chat with. To her surprise, Ji Ling was still awake.

Tang Ruan noticed a new post from Ji Ling on her social feed and curiously sent a message: “You’re still up?”

Ji Ling: “Sis-in-law!!! Please come save me from this hell!”

Tang Ruan: “??? What happened?”

Ji Ling: “I’m being forced into labor! I’m organizing documents for my senior, and it’s endless! I don’t think I’ll finish anytime soon!”

Ji Ling explained that she had somehow joined her handsome senior’s club recently. Coincidentally, this handsome senior was also the club president. Naturally, as a new member, Ji Ling was tasked with helping out wherever she could—like organizing his documents.

She dramatically described her ordeal, practically cursing the senior’s entire family lineage.

Tang Ruan couldn’t help but laugh: “How much do you have left?”

Ji Ling: “Not even a third done.”

Tang Ruan: “Then stop for now and finish tomorrow. Your handsome senior won’t punish you.”

Ji Ling: “Really?”

Tang Ruan: “Of course. Trust me—stop and go to bed. Finish it tomorrow.”

Ji Ling: “Okay. I really am exhausted. But why are you still awake? My brother didn’t… hehe… or is my brother just… not up to the task? If that’s the case, let me know. I’ll properly scold him for you!”

Tang Ruan: “…Go to bed!”

Her face turned bright red as she read Ji Ling’s teasing message. That cheeky girl, so young yet so full of innuendo.

Tang Ruan patted her flushed cheeks, feeling like Ji Ling was corrupting her. Was she becoming more suggestive? It seemed like her mind now jumped to those kinds of thoughts at the slightest hint.

Just as she was lost in thought, she heard a familiar voice outside her door.

“Wife.”

Tang Ruan yelped, “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Ji Jing smirked, glancing at her phone. “Chatting with Ji Ling? Discussing our… private matters?”

In reality, Ji Ling had only followed her usual habit of poking fun at her older brother while flaunting her bond with Tang Ruan. She’d even jokingly asked if they’d had a fight, all the while subtly mocking Ji Jing for his “lack of ability.”

Ji Jing felt it necessary to have a conversation with his wife about not casually discussing such topics with others—especially since they hadn’t even crossed that bridge yet.

Tang Ruan: “…”

She climbed out of bed, grinding her teeth in frustration as she marched to the door. Swinging it open, she found Ji Jing standing there. But the moment she saw him, she shrieked, “Why aren’t you wearing any clothes?!”