Chapter 22: Jealousy

Shen Yunhe didn’t know how much time had passed. His heartache had numbed him, his expression dark and unreadable. A heavy, oppressive aura surrounded him, making Zhao Jiaojiao too frightened to continue playing. She timidly ran to her uncle, tugging at his sleeve.

“Uncle, Jiaojiao wants to go home.”

“What’s wrong?” Gu Qingci bent down and picked up his niece, his voice gentle as he comforted her.

“Weren’t you just so eager to come play with your little brothers and sister? Why do you suddenly want to leave?”

The little girl stole a fearful glance at Shen Yunhe. The moment her gaze met his deep, brooding eyes, she burst into loud sobs.

“Uncle, let’s go home… Wuwuwu… Jiaojiao wants to go home…”

Gu Qingci’s heart ached for his niece as he patted her back soothingly.

“Alright, alright. We’ll go home, don’t cry.”

“Jiaojiao, what’s wrong? Don’t cry.”

Jiang Banyue hurried over, worriedly patting the little girl’s back.

The three of them stood together—Gu Qingci, Jiang Banyue, and the chubby little girl—forming a picture that looked just like a family of three. The man was handsome, the woman was beautiful, and the child was adorable.

Shen Yunhe’s gaze grew darker and darker, his chest tightening with unbearable pain. Even breathing felt excruciating.

He couldn’t take it anymore. Clenching his fists tightly, his reddened eyes flashed as he stepped forward.

But before he could take another step, a tiny hand grabbed onto his pant leg.

Shen Yunhe looked down to see his precious son using his thigh for support, struggling to stand up little by little. The child tilted his head up, his tender voice ringing out.

“Daddy, hug!”

In an instant, all the resentment and anger in Shen Yunhe’s heart melted away. He bent down and scooped his son into his arms, burying his face into the baby’s chubby neck. The soft, milky scent of his child slowly soothed the wounds in his heart.

Lying against his father’s chest, Jiang Huaijin let out a small sigh of relief.

From the moment Gu Qingci walked in, he had sensed that his father’s emotions were unstable, like a volcano on the verge of eruption. If he hadn’t stopped his dad just in time, things might have already escalated into a full-blown fight.

Sigh, not a single one of them is worry-free. They’re going to drive me crazy!

Gu Qingci carried his niece in his arms as he bid farewell to Jiang Banyue. She walked him to the door, while Shen Yunhe stood behind her, holding their son. His tone was thick with jealousy, as if he had just swallowed an entire vat of aged vinegar.

“They’re already far away. What are you still looking at?”

“What does it have to do with you?”

Jiang Banyue’s expression darkened. She turned around and shot him a glare before bypassing him and heading back into the shop.

Shen Yunhe’s shadowy gaze followed Gu Qingci’s retreating figure. Unconsciously, he tightened his grip around his son.

Feeling uncomfortable from the pressure, Jiang Huaijin furrowed his little brows and called out softly, “Daddy…”

Shen Yunhe snapped back to reality and quickly loosened his hold, gently soothing his son.

“Sorry, son. That was Daddy’s fault. Did I hurt you?”

Jiang Huaijin placed his tiny hand on his father’s shoulder and patted it lightly, as if comforting him.

Holding his son close, Shen Yunhe turned around and walked back inside.

Jiang Banyue was sitting on a chair, feeding their daughter formula milk.

Shen Yunhe wanted to talk to her, but now wasn’t the time. Both were holding the children. He could only suppress the urge, forcing himself to endure.

That night, after Shen Yunhe coaxed all three children to sleep, he carefully tucked them in. Without hesitation, he rushed downstairs.

Jiang Banyue was sitting at the front desk, calculating the shop’s earnings for the day.

“Banban, let’s talk.”

Shen Yunhe sat beside her, his voice calm.

Jiang Banyue paused, her fingers tightening around the pen for a moment. Then she capped it and turned to look at him.

“Talk about what?”

“The man who came today—who is he? What’s your relationship with him?”

Jiang Banyue was in a foul mood from his accusatory tone. She stood up and retorted coldly,

“None of your business!”

Shen Yunhe was both anxious and angry, a pang of jealousy welling up inside him.

“He likes you. Do you like him too?”

“I told you—it has nothing to do with you!”

Jiang Banyue didn’t want to entertain him any further and turned to leave. But before she could take a step, Shen Yunhe grabbed her wrist, pulling her into a tight embrace from behind. His scorching palm pressed against her waist, making her cheeks flush red. Overwhelmed by shame, she struggled fiercely.

“Shen Yunhe, let me go!”

“Let you go? Impossible!”

He lowered his head and kissed her lightly on the ear. His heated breath caressed her neck, making her heart race.

“You are my wife, the mother of my children. In this lifetime, you can only be with me!”

“We’re already divorced!”

“Then we’ll remarry.”

Shen Yunhe’s lips lingered at the tip of her ear, and the more he kissed, the more addicted he became. He was no longer satisfied with just gentle pecks. His large hand tilted her chin, his kisses deep and urgent, his breathing growing heavy, his heartbeat quickening.

“No, stop… mmph… let me go!”

Jiang Banyue was terrified. It was the first time a man had held and kissed her so forcefully. His taste filled her mouth, his iron-like grip locked around her waist, rendering her completely immobile. All she could do was helplessly endure his kisses as tears fell, one drop after another.

Shen Yunhe was utterly lost in her softness, her sweetness. But suddenly, warm tears landed on his hand, snapping him out of his trance. When he lifted his gaze, he saw her tear-streaked face, her cheeks flushed red.

His large hands gently wiped away her tears, his voice laced with distress.

“Shh, don’t cry. I won’t kiss you anymore. I’m sorry…”

Jiang Banyue shoved him away with all her strength, furiously wiping her lips with the back of her hand. Through her tear-filled eyes, she glared at him and pointed toward the door.

“Get out! I hate you!”

Her words, spoken one by one, cut through Shen Yunhe’s heart like a blade. The pain made his breath hitch, his chest tightening. He closed his eyes for a moment, suppressing the torment in his gaze, his throat bobbing as he swallowed down his emotions.

But in the end, he couldn’t hold back. He stepped forward and wrapped her in a tight embrace once more, his eyes red with desperation.

“Wife, baby, I love you. Please don’t hate me. I really love you!”

Jiang Banyue was trapped in his arms, her fists pounding against his back.

“Let me go! Let me go!”

“No. Even if I die, I won’t!”

Shen Yunhe held her even tighter. Just the thought of her marrying someone else made his heart ache unbearably.

“Wife, let’s remarry, okay? You and the babies can come with me to the military base. Our family of five will never be apart. You love making cakes, right? I can open a bakery for you on base.”

Jiang Banyue struggled, but she couldn’t break free. Frustrated and resigned, she turned her head away, refusing to acknowledge him.

Shen Yunhe lowered his head, cupping her face gently. Their faces were so close, his breath fanning against her skin. His gaze darkened with emotion as his thumb traced over her soft lips.

Jiang Banyue felt dizzy with rage and shame. In a fit of fury, she bit down hard on his finger.