Chapter 22: Bastard

He Chi gave a soft cough, sounding a bit guilty. “You said you had a lot of stuff, so I was worried a regular moving van wouldn’t be big enough.”

Watching the couple’s reactions, Zhang Qiao couldn’t hold back—she burst out laughing right beside them.

She chuckled as she said, “This is great. Might as well toss the rest of us in the back too.”

“A seven-meter-long truck, hahahahaha…”

Jiang Yining found it funny too, but she managed to keep her composure. Worried He Chi might feel embarrassed, she gently tugged Zhang Qiao’s hand. “Qiao Qiao, stop laughing.”

Zhang Qiao turned to He Chi and said, “Sorry, I just thought it was really funny. I didn’t mean to make fun of you.”

He Chi wasn’t the petty type. In fact, he hoped Jiang Yining could laugh freely with her friends, to genuinely enjoy things and not hold herself back.

His wife always looked out for others too much, to the point she forgot about herself.

In the end, of course, they didn’t actually ride in the truck. Instead, they got into the Range Rover He Chi had driven over.

During the move, He Chi barely let the two girls lift a finger.

Although Zhang Qiao didn’t really need to help, she still wanted to go along and take a look.

She knew in her heart that they wouldn’t mistreat Jiang Yining—after all, He Chi was doing quite well financially—but she just couldn’t feel at ease without seeing for herself.

The apartment He Chi had bought was nearly 300 square meters: a full-floor unit with private elevator access, done in a sleek, modern Italian style.

Outside the entryway, he had built a large shoe cabinet. As soon as you walked in, there was a foyer with some simple decorations.

Stepping inside, Jiang Yining immediately felt how open and bright the space was. The windows had been sealed, and the floor-to-ceiling glass offered a clear view of the lake outside.

Since He Chi kept a cat, he hadn’t chosen leather for the sofa. Next to the living room was an island counter, and the apartment had two kitchens—one for Chinese cooking, the other for Western.

The dining area was just outside the kitchens, with a wine cabinet against the wall. The open layout connecting the dining and living spaces made the whole place feel incredibly spacious.

From who knows where, He Xiaohui suddenly appeared. When he saw Jiang Yining, he trotted over and rubbed against her feet.

Jiang Yining happily squatted down and scooped him into her arms. Smiling, she said, “You’ve lost weight.”

He Chi opened the door for them, then went back down to help the driver move the rest of the items. Just as he came back up, he overheard Jiang Yining’s comment and suddenly grew concerned that she might spoil He Xiaohui too much in the future.

He turned to her and said, “The master bedroom is at the end. I’ve cleared out space in the walk-in closet and had a new vanity built for you. Go see if you like it.”

After speaking, He Chi stepped out again, giving Jiang Yining some space to settle in and get a feel for the home.

Zhang Qiao took a call from a colleague, and when she returned, she saw He Xiaohui. “Oh, this chubby little cat still clings to you.”

Jiang Yining smiled, clearly feeling the same. “He Chi just told me to check out the walk-in closet. I’m going to take a look.”

Thick-skinned as ever, Zhang Qiao tagged along to get a peek for herself. After touring He Chi’s place, she suddenly felt a new surge of motivation to endure the daily grind at work.

“Ning Ning, I swear I’ll never complain about work again. I’m going to do my best to buy a place like this before I end up in a coffin.”

As they stepped out of the master bedroom, Jiang Yining couldn’t help thinking that she’d be living under the same roof as He Chi starting tonight. The thought filled her with nervous anticipation.

Hearing Zhang Qiao’s teasing, she chuckled. “The size of the place is just right, but I actually like the place you’re living in now—it’s cozier.”

Of course, she liked He Chi’s place too. But maybe because it was her first time here, it didn’t yet feel like “home.”

What it did do, however, was make her acutely aware of the gap between her and He Chi.

Teacher Lin and Teacher He were both low-key people, but the He family was far from ordinary. He Chi’s circumstances were much better than hers—they were people from two very different worlds.

After the tour, Zhang Qiao found an appropriate moment to leave.

Jiang Yining stayed in the walk-in closet to sort things out. He Chi had left most of the space to her, while his clothes were all neatly stored in the cabinets on the left side.

The new vanity matched the style of the closet cabinetry.

She glanced into the study and saw that He Chi had already moved out most of his things, clearly to make space for her.

He Chi walked into the closet and saw Jiang Yining standing there, lost in thought. He asked, “Don’t like it?”

Jiang Yining turned around and smiled softly as she shook her head. “No, I like it very much. Thank you.”

Then, half-jokingly, she said, “I was just thinking… marrying you feels like I married up.”

He Chi laughed. “You better not let Teacher Lin hear you say that.”

Then he paused and suddenly grew serious. “Since I chose to get married and register with you, I’ve never once thought you were marrying up. Not before, and not in the future. I’ll never see it that way.”

Jiang Yining nodded. “I understand.”

Then He Chi asked for her opinion, “Do you want us to sleep in separate rooms for now?”

He explained, “I’m totally fine with starting to sleep in the same room from today. I’m just worried you might not be ready yet.”

At the mention of sleeping separately, Jiang Yining quietly let out a breath of relief. “Then I’ll sleep in the guest room for now.”

“The master bedroom has its own bathroom—it’s more convenient for you. You’re still a kid, after all. I’m a grown man, I don’t care where I sleep as long as there’s a bed.”

Jiang Yining didn’t turn down He Chi’s kindness.

He had planned to check out the guest room, but as he walked out of the walk-in closet, his gaze happened to fall on the big bed in the master bedroom.

He paused, then turned back. “I’ve used the bed linens. Do you mind?”

Jiang Yining was very particular about cleanliness—she wouldn’t normally use something someone else had already used. But if that “someone” was He Chi, she didn’t mind.

She looked at He Chi, her expression as calm as ever. “I don’t mind.”

He Chi’s eyes shifted from her composed face to the slight flush spreading across the tips of her ears.

As he turned to leave, the corners of his lips curled up ever so slightly.

This girl could really put on a front. Clearly she was nervous, but her face still wore that “I’m totally fine with it” look.

They were both busy organizing their things. At noon, He Chi made noodles, and they had a quick and simple lunch.

In the afternoon, Jiang Yining arranged her books on the bookshelf in the study. As she looked around and saw more and more of her things filling the space, she finally began to feel like this was a home she shared with He Chi.

He Chi had gone out for a bit. When he returned, he was holding a chilled watermelon. He sliced it up, and just as he finished, Jiang Yining came out of the study.

He said, “Come over and have some watermelon.”

Jiang Yining had worked up a light sweat. She dabbed at her forehead with a tissue and saw that He Chi had changed clothes. He was dressed casually now—in a simple T-shirt and relaxed pants.

She picked up the smallest slice of watermelon. After eating it, she didn’t take another, clearly holding back.

He Chi looked at her, puzzled. “You’re not having more?”

Jiang Yining shook her head and replied softly, “My period is coming soon. I’m worried if I eat too much, I’ll get stomach cramps.”

He Chi froze for a moment, then said, “Sorry, I didn’t think about that. I should’ve asked you before buying it.”

“You’re already very thoughtful. It’s impossible to think of everything.”

Her voice was light and pleasant, very soothing to the ear.

He Chi noticed how she’d casually clipped her long hair up at the back of her head, a loose strand resting against her fair and delicate neck.

She was wearing a light apricot V-neck blouse that revealed her elegant collarbones. The fabric was a bit form-fitting.

Jiang Yining had very pale skin, while He Chi, with his love for outdoor sports, had a healthy tan. The contrast between them was striking.

He Chi’s gaze subconsciously drifted lower, tracing the graceful line beneath her collarbones.

His throat moved with a faint swallow as he realized his eyes had wandered. But then he thought, She’s my wife. Even if I stare openly, it’s not a crime.

Jiang Yining looked up and noticed He Chi’s intense gaze.

Her heart skipped a beat. She asked, a bit uncertain, “Is there something on my face?”

He Chi looked at her and answered bluntly, “No. I just think you’re beautiful.”