Chapter 11: The Disobedient One

Caught, truly caught.

Wen Shuyu fluttered her eyes, playing the fool. “Who’s your wife? It’s not me.”

As she spoke, she struggled to free herself from Jiang Huaiyu’s embrace.

She couldn’t shake off the image of the man who had been getting close to her moments ago.

Jiang Huaiyu’s face darkened. “Wen Shuyu, come home with me.”

His grip tightened, his tone as cold and piercing as winter rain.

That night, Wen Shuyu stayed late at the office. Seeing that it was past 10 PM and she still hadn’t returned, Jiang Huaiyu grabbed his keys and drove to the law firm to find her. At the firm’s entrance, the doors were locked, and the place was dark.

Calls went unanswered, and fearing something might have happened to her, he immediately drove over to the bar where Shen Ruoying had mentioned she was.

Jiang Huaiyu arrived at the bar and observed Wen Shuyu from a booth on the second floor. At first, he didn’t make a scene, chatting with Shen Ruoying, who seemed to be having a good time.

After a few minutes, others joined in for games, and eventually, the crowd moved to the dance floor.

A man, who had crossed paths with Jiang Huaiyu a few times, was persistently chatting and laughing with Wen Shuyu, his intentions clear and unapologetic.

What drove Jiang Huaiyu to intervene was this man’s blatant attempt to get close to Wen Shuyu amidst the crowd, and her obliviousness to it.

Wen Shuyu winced. “No, you can’t tell me what to do. We agreed to keep our distance and not interfere with each other.”

She hated being controlled, especially since they had just gotten their marriage certificate.

Why should he have any say? Jiang Huaiyu gnawed on that question, the words echoing in his mind.

Why? The question ground away at him.

His grip on her softened momentarily as she nearly slipped away, but Jiang Huaiyu’s eyes darkened. He tightened his hold, his voice resolute. “Because I’m your husband.”

“It’s not real. Let go of me.”

Wen Shuyu was trapped, unable to break free from Jiang Huaiyu’s embrace as they stood locked in a standoff on the dance floor.

The heat from dancing made their close hold feel even more suffocating.

In the dim light, Wen Shuyu could only see Jiang Huaiyu’s inscrutable expression, unable to decipher the reason behind his actions.

The drumbeats were frenetic, and their little world seemed encased in an invisible glass shield, separating them from the chaos of the dance floor.

Shen Ruoying and Zhou Hangyue couldn’t hear their conversation from so far away, nor could they see their expressions clearly.

But it was evident that their interaction was far from pleasant.

Shen Ruoying turned to Zhou Hangyue with frustration. “This is your fault again. You’re in your thirties, yet you’re acting so childish.”

She had reserved the entire venue, clearing out many people, but a few stragglers still slipped through.

Zhou Hangyue’s appearance was purely coincidental; he didn’t have a night shift today and decided to drop by the bar for a drink. What he saw was quite a scene.

Brothers are like family, so naturally, he felt the need to report it.

Zhou Hangyue retorted, “They’re about to get married. Is this really appropriate?”

“Ha,” Shen Ruoying shot back, “What’s inappropriate? They haven’t stolen anything. Besides, the wedding hasn’t even happened yet. Just because they have a certificate doesn’t mean they’re trapped in a marriage, and they aren’t really married anyway.”

While her logic held some truth, Zhou Hangyue still felt for Jiang Huaiyu.

Even without emotional ties, it shouldn’t be like this.

Zhou Hangyue waved his hand dismissively. “I can’t argue with you.”

Both were concerned about their friends and had no time to bicker further, since neither could convince the other.

They focused on the dance floor.

In the midst of the crowd, Wen Shuyu found it impossible to stay any longer and said, her tone sharp, “Jiang Huaiyu, let me go. I’m leaving.”

“Fine,” Jiang Huaiyu said, rubbing his furrowed brow, then firmly took Wen Shuyu’s hand and led her toward the private booth.

Shen Ruoying and Zhou Hangyue watched silently as Wen Shuyu and Jiang Huaiyu moved to the booth, not daring to make a sound.

Jiang Huaiyu’s face was a mask of calm, but inside, he was seething with anger.

Wen Shuyu felt the same way; they exchanged no words and avoided each other’s gaze, drinking in silence.

The drinks on the table were soon finished. Zhou Hangyue and Shen Ruoying noticed this and refrained from ordering more.

After a while, Jiang Huaiyu said sternly, “Fish, it’s late. Come home with me.”

His tone was as cold and hard as winter rain. Wen Shuyu stood up and looked down at him with disdain. “I’m not coming back. I’m going with Ruoying. You enjoy yourself.”

His words had completely ruined her mood. There was no longer any interest in having fun.

Let alone going back with him.

Why did he have to be so controlling?

Was it because of a piece of paper?

They weren’t really husband and wife.

Jiang Huaiyu took the last sip of his drink, lifting his chin slightly. “Fish, it’s boring to be on your own.”

He lowered his voice to just the two of them. “I want to have fun with my wife.”

Emphasizing the word “fun,” the tense situation suddenly took on a more intimate tone.

“You’re dreaming.” Wen Shuyu grabbed her chain bag and turned to leave. “Ruoying, let’s go.”

“I’m going home too,” Jiang Huaiyu said, picking up the jacket from the chair and draping it over Wen Shuyu’s shoulders. He then led her towards the door.

“I’m taking my wife home.”

Leaving Shen Ruoying stunned, her friend “kidnapped.”

The chauffeur waited in the parking lot. Jiang Huaiyu pushed Wen Shuyu into the car, closed the door, and fastened her seatbelt.

Wen Shuyu called out, “Jiang Huaiyu, my car.”

Jiang Huaiyu reached out. “Give me the keys. I’ll have the chauffeur drive it back.”

The parking lot lights illuminated the car, casting Jiang Huaiyu’s long lashes in a harsh light, revealing the lingering anger in his eyes.

Wen Shuyu handed him the car keys, which had a cat keychain hanging from them.

The chauffeur drove quietly, masking the awkward atmosphere in the back seat.

Arriving at the underground garage of Qinhhe Garden, Wen Shuyu’s white Porsche was already there.

Under the influence of alcohol, Wen Shuyu let Jiang Huaiyu lead her inside.

Back home, Wen Shuyu kicked off her shoes, threw her coat aside, and slumped onto the couch, eyeing Jiang Huaiyu’s slender figure by the bar. “Jiang Huaiyu, you’ve crossed the line recently.”

Whether it was holding hands, hugging, or everything that had happened tonight, it was far beyond the boundaries of a contractual marriage.

Jiang Huaiyu made a cup of hangover tea, tilting his chin slightly as he spoke, “Fish, it’s you who’s been disobedient.”

The woman in front of him had a flushed face. Her strapless dress exposed her fair skin, with no support straps on her shoulders.

The black mole on her arm was like a solitary bird in the vast sky.

He respected her freedom to dress, but he didn’t want other men eyeing his wife.

His dark eyes were fixed on her, emphasizing, “Our home has a curfew of 10 PM, except for work.”

Curfew?

Wen Shuyu widened her eyes. “When did this happen? I wasn’t aware.”

Jiang Huaiyu sat down beside her. “It was just set tonight.”

Wen Shuyu’s brows arched into peaks. “On what basis?”

“On the basis that we are now legally married, and that I’m your husband.”

Using his legal status to justify his actions.

Wen Shuyu retorted, “It’s legally valid but not factually valid. I’m going to take a shower.”

She quickly jumped off the sofa and dashed into the master bedroom.

He could set his rules, but it didn’t mean she would follow them.

Wen Shuyu’s phone rang, avoiding missing any crucial information, as her phone was not on silent.

Shen Ruoying texted: 【Sorry, Fish. I didn’t know Jiang Huaiyu would be so angry. Are you guys okay?】

Wen Shuyu wasn’t sure either.

She pounded a cushion on the bed and texted back: 【Ruoying, it’s not your fault.】

And then another message: 【Why does Jiang Huaiyu control me? I really don’t like him.】

Shen Ruoying replied: 【He’s playing the role of the husband. Men are like that; whether there’s emotion or not, once married, they get possessive when they see other men near you.】

Wen Shuyu agreed: 【I think so too.】

As Wen Shuyu was taking a shower, Jiang Huaiyu knocked on the master bedroom door. “Knock, knock, knock.”

“Come in,” Wen Shuyu called.

Her long, wavy hair was partially dry, the ends still damp. She wore a camisole nightgown that revealed her pink skin.

Her long legs were barely visible beneath the silk dress.

From tightly wrapped and cautious during their first nights together to now being so indifferent, Jiang Huaiyu thought, this is how much she trusts him.

The trust Wen Shuyu had in Jiang Huaiyu allowed him to be this bold.

Jiang Huaiyu’s gaze shifted away from Wen Shuyu. He opened the drawer of his desk and pulled out a neatly arranged stack of documents, spreading them across the table. “These are all my bank cards. Keep them for me. I’ll transfer my income to you every month.”

The cards—savings and credit—were arranged in neat categories, with two keys lying beside them.

These were the main and auxiliary keys to the safe.

“What are these for?” Wen Shuyu, having recovered from the hangover tea and a hot shower, was now sober.

Jiang Huaiyu replied lazily, “Since we’re married, it’s only natural for you to manage the finances. It’s how it should be.”

Wen Shuyu flicked her hair back, crossing her arms as she leaned against the bookshelf. “We’re not a conventional couple. I don’t want this.”

Their current relationship was delicate, and mixing in financial matters or personal interests could lead to trouble—a common issue in many marriages and high-profile relationships.

Jiang Huaiyu was not surprised by her response.

He ignored her protest. “Remember to give me some pocket money every month.”

At the same time, Jiang Huaiyu sent Wen Shuyu a screenshot of a memo on his phone, detailing various codes.

The bank card PIN was the date they registered their marriage; the mobile payment password was the wedding date;

The phone password was 249898; the safe password was 240722;

It even included the account numbers and passwords for investment accounts—everything laid bare.

Revealing all his financial details, the first two dates were understandable, but what about the latter passwords?

Wen Shuyu asked, “What do 249898 and 240722 mean?”

Jiang Huaiyu casually took Wen Shuyu’s index finger and placed it on the fingerprint sensor on his phone. “Guess.”

“I can’t guess.”

As he spoke, the phone’s assistant notified, “Fingerprint recorded.”

The passwords, now linked with the fingerprint, were accessible, exposing nearly everything to Wen Shuyu.

Wen Shuyu grew more puzzled by Jiang Huaiyu’s actions.

He released her hand, unhurriedly. “If you can’t guess, take your time.”

The action was so casual that Wen Shuyu frowned. “Jiang Huaiyu, why are you doing this? We don’t need to go this far.”

Jiang Huaiyu smirked, refusing to answer her question. He proudly said, “Wife, the pocket money is 1314.52 yuan. A penny more is a waste, a penny less is suffering.”

The riddle was too obscure, like wandering in a misty forest with no clear direction or hints.

Such ambiguous numbers, 1314, 520—signifying “forever” and “I love you.”

Wen Shuyu persisted, “Jiang Huaiyu…”

She was seeking an answer.

Before she could finish her sentence, Jiang Huaiyu gently pressed his long finger against her lips. “Goodnight, wife.”

“If you keep talking, I might think you’re reluctant to let me go.”

Wen Shuyu glanced at her phone; the screen showed it was past midnight.

A married couple, her in a sleeveless dress, and the cold, distant face that seemed about to come close.

Something clandestine seemed about to happen.

“Then you should go.”

Jiang Huaiyu left and then returned, leaning close to her ear and whispering, “Wife, keep away from unsavory men. Next time, it won’t be like this.”

His serious tone and restrained emotions exploded again.

Wen Shuyu snapped, “Jiang Huaiyu, you have no right to control me.”

“Fish, this is the right,” Jiang Huaiyu said, moving a bit closer, aiming to kiss her.

At the moment he was about to reach her, he stopped, as Wen Shuyu’s hand was already raised.

If he dared to kiss her, she dared to strike.

He almost, just almost, touched her lips.

Jiang Huaiyu was telling her their relationship was no joke.

It was a relationship where kisses were possible.

Wen Shuyu crawled into bed, her heart pounding differently than before.

This time, Jiang Huaiyu’s anger was real, and so was his desire to kiss her.

If she hadn’t raised her hand or turned her head, he would have kissed her.

On the 20th day of the fifth lunar month, in the misty South City, the Wen and Jiang families illuminated their villa lights.

Wen Shuyu, dressed in a red wedding dress, sat before the vanity getting her makeup done.

The dazzling wedding attire highlighted her delicate features.

The makeup artist placed a golden crown with jade pins on her head, embellished with rubies, enhancing her radiant nobility.

Shen Ruoying sighed and hugged Wen Shuyu. “Fish, you look stunning. No wonder Jiang Huaiyu wants to marry you. I’d marry you too.”

Wen Shuyu shook her head, correcting her, “Ruoying, he’s marrying me for convenience.”

Shi Yuanan, another close friend who returned for the wedding, had a different opinion. “Not necessarily.”

During the door-blocking ritual, Jiang Huaiyu answered every question about Wen Shuyu’s preferences correctly.

Every single one.

Shen Ruoying marveled, “Fish, Jiang Huaiyu knows his stuff. He even got your measurements right. I didn’t even know that.”

Some answers were even ones Wen Shuyu had just thought of the night before. How did Jiang Huaiyu know so much?

Shi Yuanan went to open the door.

Sunlight streamed through the clouds, warm rays casting a faint, swaying halo through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Jiang Huaiyu, in a red robe, looked as majestic as ever. His tall, elegant figure stood like a pine tree, embodying the grace of a refined gentleman from a noble family.

His face was as smooth as jade, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, and a slight smile as he took step by step toward Wen Shuyu.

“Fish, I’ve come to marry you.”

He looked truly remarkable today.

Wen Shuyu accepted the peach blossom snow mountain rose from Jiang Huaiyu, smiling with pursed lips. “Oh.”

They headed to the main venue.

Before the welcoming time, Wen Shuyu, now in her wedding dress, rested in the lounge.

Shen Ruoying and Shi Yuanan kept her company, chatting.

The two friends took turns teasing her. “Tonight’s the wedding night. Aren’t you going to inspect the goods, Fish?”

Shi Yuanan: “Fish, you and Jiang Huaiyu are so plain in bed.”

Testing the goods, or rather, sleeping—Wen Shuyu was reminded of that spring dream and quickly put her phone away. “Stop it. Jiang Huaiyu and I have a revolutionary friendship—it’s very pure.”

Suddenly, Wen Shuyu’s phone buzzed. She opened it to see a message that made her eyes widen in surprise.

The sender was Lu Yunheng.

[Fish, congratulations on your wedding.]

The message from Lu Yunheng was also received by Jiang Huaiyu, who was just a wall away.