Chapter 9

Lin Yuxi put down the cat teaser and stood up to head out. 

Zhou Yanjing stood in the living room, glancing at his watch. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her and raised his eyelids slightly.  

“What have you been eating lately to take care of your health? You’ve become so difficult that I have to personally come back to invite you?” 

Lin Yuxi responded, “You didn’t have to come back.” 

Zhou Yanjing seemed unbothered by her sarcasm. Noticing the cat fur on her clothes, he frowned and handed her a flat box. 

“We have twenty minutes. Go upstairs and change.” 

Lin Yuxi didn’t take it. She turned on the faucet and calmly washed her hands under the running water. “I already said I’m not going.” 

Zhou Yanjing, surprisingly patient today, said, “Do you want me to help you change?” 

Lin Yuxi gritted her teeth, turned to look at him, and asked, “Do we really need to attend such events together, given the state of our relationship? Who are we putting on this act for?” 

Zhou Yanjing’s gaze turned cold as well. “You think I’m playing some happy couple act with you?” 

Lin Yuxi wanted to ask, “Aren’t you?” But Zhou Yanjing’s lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. 

“You’re overthinking it. I don’t have time for that.” 

“No matter how unwilling you feel, right now, you are still my wife, Lin Yuxi. Attending social events is basic etiquette.” 

He tossed the dress onto the sofa. “Do your part.” 

That’s right. She had indeed been overthinking things. He had no interest in pretending to be a loving couple with her. The only reason he insisted on taking her was because she was Mrs. Zhou, and not attending would make the Zhou family look bad. 

Lin Yuxi picked up the dress and headed upstairs. 

In the car on the way to the Shi family’s celebration, Lin Yuxi faced the window the entire time, not saying a word to Zhou Yanjing. 

As they drove, Zhou Yanjing’s gaze occasionally drifted toward her. The dress he had chosen was a soft shade of pale blue, blending into the smooth, delicate white silk. The fabric was sleek and elegant without losing its freshness. 

The dress cinched at the waist, and gentle pleats cascaded down, creating a misty, ethereal beauty that complemented Lin Yuxi’s graceful demeanor perfectly. 

Zhou Yanjing’s eyes leisurely traveled over her figure. 

“Is the dress a bit too loose?” 

Lin Yuxi’s hands, resting on her knees, clenched slightly. 

The dress was indeed a little loose. Had he confused her measurements with someone else’s again? 

Lin Yuxi kept her back to him, ignoring his remark. 

“You’ve gotten good at showing your temper lately, haven’t you? Giving me attitude every day,” Zhou Yanjing remarked, though he didn’t seem angry. His tone was casual. “Who taught you that?” 

Lin Yuxi turned to face him and asked in return, “What attitude have I shown you?” 

Could she even afford to give him attitude? 

Besides, out of 365 days in a year, she didn’t see him for 360 of them. When would she even have the chance to give him attitude? 

Lin Yuxi had always been someone who didn’t know how to lose her temper. Even when angry, she would only furrow her delicate brows and stare at people. 

She might think she was furious, but to others, it was like a kitten glaring completely lacking in intimidation. 

Just like now. 

Zhou Yanjing chuckled, suddenly finding amusement in teasing her. “A pretty attitude, alright?” 

Lin Yuxi turned her head back to the window, not wanting to continue the conversation. 

Despite the tension, when they got out of the car, she instinctively slipped her hand into Zhou Yanjing’s arm and put on a bright, well-practiced smile, like a trained actress. 

The elder of the Shi family, now over 80 years old, had just welcomed a great-grandson. He was glowing with happiness and energy. 

Zhou Yanjing led Lin Yuxi over to greet him. The old man chuckled, “The moment a bottle went missing from our wine cellar, I knew it was you, young rascal.” 

Zhou Yanjing grinned. “Don’t accuse me wrongly. I wouldn’t do anything sneaky.” 

“You wouldn’t, but you let that rascal Shi Tang do it.” 

Shi Tang, standing nearby, protested, “Grandpa, I’m your grandson. Aren’t you embarrassed to say that?” 

The old man glared at him. “You should be ashamed!” 

Shi Tang pouted. “I’m not stupid, you know.” 

The old man dismissed him with a wave. 

The Zhou and Shi families were close. Zhou Yanjing had grown up under the elder’s watch, almost like a second grandson. After not seeing him for a while, the elder patted Zhou Yanjing on the shoulder. “Finally decided to come back, huh?” 

Zhou Yanjing smirked lazily. “I kept dreaming of you saying you missed me, so I rushed back to see you and ease your longing.” 

The elder burst into laughter, playfully raising his cane as if to hit him, but only lightly tapped Zhou Yanjing’s leg. “You cheeky brat! Daring to tease your grandpa.” 

Lin Yuxi quietly stood to the side, having only greeted the elder upon arrival. After that, she hadn’t spoken again. 

Fond of Zhou Yanjing, the elder was equally kind to Lin Yuxi. He smiled warmly at her. “It’s been a while, little Xi. You’ve grown prettier.” 

Lin Yuxi smiled politely. 

With the family’s recent addition, the elder was in a good mood. “You and Yanjing have been married for almost three years now. When do you plan on having a child?” 

Lin Yuxi’s smile froze. 

Everyone knew the couple didn’t have much affection for each other. They lived apart for most of the year. How could they possibly have a child? 

The atmosphere grew slightly awkward. Lin Yuxi tried to brush it off. “We haven’t really thought about that.” 

The elder was dissatisfied with this response. “Well, it’s time to think about it! With such great genes between the two of you, it’d be a shame not to have a child.” 

Lin Yuxi:  

What did this have to do with you, sir? 

Shi Tang chimed in, “Hey, Aunt Qiong isn’t even in a rush. Why are you getting so worked up? It’s none of your business.” 

“Who says Qiong isn’t anxious? She’s been staring at the baby all day, almost refusing to let go. She’s practically ready to bring the child home!” 

Everyone followed the elder’s cane to where Lin Yuxi’s mother-in-law, Ling Yaqiong, was indeed holding the newborn with a fond smile. 

The elder continued, “Little Xi, look at how your mother-in-law is craving a grandchild. Hurry up and give her one to play with!” 

Lin Yuxi was at a loss for words. She shot a pleading glance at Zhou Yanjing, but he stood there, indifferent, offering no help at all. 

Finally, Lin Yuxi gritted her teeth and said, “Actually, the reason we don’t have a child isn’t because of me.” 

Everyone was stunned, and their eyes turned to Zhou Yanjing. 

Zhou Yanjing raised an eyebrow, facing the complicated and concerned stares of the elders. He slowly responded, “Are you suggesting the problem lies with me?” 

Lin Yuxi said, “This is something I can’t discuss. You should explain it to Grandpa yourself.” 

With that, she lifted her skirt and walked away. 

The air was thick with unspoken tension. 

No one said a word. 

The old man was speechless for a long time. 

Zhou Yanjing watched Lin Yuxi’s carefree exit, and just when she turned back to glance at him, she quickly looked away and sped up. 

Zhou Yanjing chuckled in disbelief. 

Shi Tang stood there as if struck by lightning, staring at Zhou Yanjing with wide eyes, as if Zhou Yanjing’s “problem” was more shocking than having one himself. 

He couldn’t stop sneaking glances at a certain part of Zhou Yanjing’s body before finally asking in disbelief, “Bro, are you…” 

Zhou Yanjing raised a hand to shut his gaping mouth. “Shut up. Don’t make me beat you.”