Chapter 14: Holding Tight

Wen Shuyu shot him a sidelong glance. “Jiang Huaiyu, be serious.”

Every time she started to see him in a new light, he’d pull something like this and her impression of him would crumble instantly.

His playful comment successfully distracted her from her curiosity about the bracelet. Sensing her mood, Jiang Huaiyu gently reassured her, “Don’t be upset. Mom’s just worried about you.”

Wen Shuyu nodded, understanding. “I know. It’s always been hard to balance loyalty and personal desires.”

Pursuing her own dreams would inevitably cause her family anxiety.

As Jiang Huaiyu tossed the empty medicine wrapper into the trash, he looked down into her eyes and said softly, “Go after what you want. Do whatever it is your heart desires. I’m here—I won’t let you get hurt. I’ll always be behind you, no matter what.”

“You always could. All you had to do was turn around, and I’d be right there.”

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, softly illuminating his face. The golden light traced over the bridge of his nose, casting a subtle glow.

In his dark, deep eyes, tiny sparks of light flickered.

The noise of the outside world felt distant and irrelevant to them.

To have someone who stands by your dreams, protecting you through every step—it’s impossible not to be moved by that.

Wen Shuyu turned away, her heart touched. “You don’t have to do that next time. Mom would be upset.”

Although Jiang’s mother didn’t blame her, worry was clear in her eyes.

She didn’t want to owe Jiang Huaiyu anything, not when it felt impossible to repay.

Jiang Huaiyu dismissed her concerns with a smile. “As Wen Shuyu’s husband, it’s my responsibility to protect my wife. Mom understands.”

Wen Shuyu didn’t respond and quietly left the bedroom.

He had someone he liked, so everything good he did now, as he said, was just out of duty.

Since Jiang Huaiyu’s wrist had healed, he’d been picking her up and dropping her off at work, rain or shine, fearing another attempt to harm her might come.

Two weeks later, the divorce case between Ding Jingming and Lin Siliu proceeded on schedule.

Standing outside the courthouse, imposing and stern, Jiang Huaiyu pulled Wen Shuyu into his arms. “Good luck, babe. Call me when it’s over.”

Wen Shuyu flashed a confident smile. “No need. You go do your thing. I’ll call when I’ve triumphed.”

At 3:00 p.m., on the third floor of the courthouse, Courtroom 14, the sharp sound of the gavel echoed, marking the start of Lin Siliu’s second divorce hearing.

Per the client’s request, the proceedings were closed to the public.

But just beyond the door, Jiang Huaiyu had lied to Wen Shuyu. He hadn’t left. He was waiting outside for her.

Time dragged on, each second feeling like an eternity. Not knowing what was happening inside made Jiang Huaiyu restless. He paced nervously.

Being in the same space as someone who had once hurt her—it was impossible for him not to worry.

This was his second time at the courthouse.

The first was also because of Wen Shuyu.

A year ago, at her first court appearance, fearing it would overwhelm her, both sets of parents—Wen’s and Jiang’s—secretly attended to show support.

Jiang Huaiyu had kept it from them, sitting quietly in the back corner.

Compared to that, Wen Shuyu had grown. Now, she was confident and at ease, no longer the girl who would cry after losing a case.

Two hours later, the heavy wooden doors swung open, and Wen Shuyu and Lin Siliu emerged.

Jiang Huaiyu rushed forward, but both women’s faces were unreadable. He couldn’t tell if they had won or lost.

“How did it go?”

“Of course, we won.” Wen Shuyu’s smile bloomed like a rose in full bloom.

She had fought for this case, even under threats, standing firmly for everyone’s right to divorce freely.

Thankfully, the law had not let them down.

Wen Shuyu turned to Lin Siliu. “The judgment will be delivered within ten days. No need to visit the civil affairs bureau. From today on, you’re free.”

Lin Siliu leaned against the wall, her voice trembling. “Thank you, Lawyer Wen. If you hadn’t been there to comfort me, I might have given up.”

After six months of torment, two months of running around, and the despair of the first trial, they had finally received good news.

“Lawyer Wen, I absolutely must treat you to dinner. I hope you won’t refuse.”

“Sure.” Wen Shuyu glanced at the man beside her. “You didn’t leave, did you?”

Seeing Jiang Huaiyu there made it obvious he’d been waiting. It couldn’t just be perfect timing.

Jiang Huaiyu took her laptop bag from her hand. “I didn’t have much to do this afternoon. You go enjoy dinner. I’ll come pick you up later.”

Lin Siliu chimed in, “Lawyer Wen, invite your husband to join us.”

This was her second time seeing Wen Shuyu’s husband. The last time, they had met briefly in the hospital, so she hadn’t had a chance to observe him closely.

Their looks were well-matched, but more importantly, his actions spoke volumes. Without a word, he had already taken her things.

It seemed like a small gesture, but it was exactly the kind of thing that 99% of men wouldn’t do.

The two became a party of three.

That summer evening, under the moonlight like silver, as the city lights came alive, they wandered through the bustling night market.

The oldest and most vibrant street in the southern city.

Old residential buildings lined with worn electric poles, covered in ads for repair services and rooms for rent.

Dim streetlights stretched forward, illuminating the entire road.

The air was thick with the scent of cumin, chili, and milk tea.

Outside every shop stood small tables, and the shouts of vendors and the laughter of customers mingled in the air.

The three of them stopped in front of a barbecue place. They hadn’t chosen it for any particular reason—just that the name was simple: “Barbecue Place.”

They picked a random table and sat down. It was an old-school spot, with paper menus and pencils on the table.

Lin Siliu handed over the menu. “Lawyer Wen, you go first. Don’t hold back.”

“No need to be so formal. Just call me Yuyu,” Wen Shuyu said casually, glancing at the menu before turning to Jiang Huaiyu. “What do you want to eat?”

“Anything’s fine. You decide.”

Jiang Huaiyu unwrapped their utensils and poured warm water to rinse them. Then he turned to Wen Shuyu. “Yuyu, I’m going to grab something real quick.”

Wen Shuyu nodded. “Alright, go ahead.”

The bustling street, a cup of milk tea for eight yuan, and a few skewers of fried snacks—it was all one needed to stroll around contentedly, especially when in love.

Lin Siliu watched the playful couples nearby. “I used to think I knew someone so well. But then I realized how good people are at pretending.”

Wen Shuyu gently shook her head. “No, it’s that we’re willing to believe in love.”

Hadn’t it been the same with Lu Yunheng? It wasn’t until she broke free from the world he had drawn for her that she realized how foolish she’d been.

No matter what he said, she would have believed him.

She wanted to believe.

Suddenly, a hand appeared in front of her, offering an open bottle of milk. Jiang Huaiyu handed it to her. “Yuyu, have a sip. It’ll protect your stomach.”

Telling her not to eat spicy food was simply out of the question.

Lin Siluo smiled and said, “Lawyer Wen, your husband is so considerate.”

The crowd in the night market grew thicker, bustling with life from one end to the other.

“Grilled gluten! 10 yuan for 3 skewers!”

“Freshly grilled squid!”

“Candied pears, meat-stuffed flatbreads!”

After finishing their meal, the three strolled down the street. Wen Shuyu got separated from the group in the sea of people. When she looked up, she couldn’t find Jiang Huaiyu.

Voices swirled in the air, lights flickered, and as Wen Shuyu searched in all directions, her eyes suddenly locked with Jiang Huaiyu’s from across the crowd. His lips moved silently.

“Don’t move. I’m coming to find you.”

Tall and lean, he stood out among the throngs, carrying an air of calm restraint. In the dim and shifting lights, Jiang Huaiyu’s features became even clearer, his sharp jawline tight with tension.

With the bustling crowd around him, he pushed through the throng and quickly made his way to Wen Shuyu. Taking her hand, he said, “Yuyu, hold on tight. I can’t lose you again.”

His deep black eyes carried a hint of worry.

The evening breeze lifted Wen Shuyu’s long hair, strands brushing against Jiang Huaiyu’s arm. The subtle contact of their palms caused him to grip her hand even tighter, as if afraid she might slip away again.

Lin Siluo whispered, “He’s really worried about you. He cares about you a lot.”

Wen Shuyu gave a calm smile, “No, it’s not that. When we were kids, we went to an amusement park, and I got lost. Almost got taken by traffickers, so now he’s always a little overprotective.”

They were eight years old then, full of youthful energy. Their parents, busy with work, had promised to take them to the amusement park, only to back out at the last minute. Wen Shuyu, eager to go on the pirate ship and roller coasters, convinced Jiang Huaiyu to sneak off with her.

They spent the whole day playing until Jiang Huaiyu went to buy water, leaving Wen Shuyu waiting alone by the gate. As the park closed, the crowd grew. She got swept from the west side to the east, and two traffickers spotted her, a little girl all alone. When sweet talk didn’t work, they tried to drag her away.

Jiang Huaiyu returned to find her missing and frantically searched the park entrance. He ran back and forth across the square until he finally found her in a corner.

At just eight years old, standing barely 1.4 meters tall, Jiang Huaiyu somehow managed to hold his own against two grown men until help arrived. Fortunately, a good Samaritan called the police, and the crisis was averted.

From that day on, no matter how much Wen Shuyu begged, Jiang Huaiyu never agreed to go out with her alone. Not until they were in middle school.

Jiang Huaiyu’s concern earlier hadn’t gone unnoticed by Lin Siluo. “Childhood sweethearts—it’s hard not to envy that. Wen, you’ll be happy.”

Wen Shuyu smiled. “You will be too.”

After parting ways with Lin Siluo, Wen Shuyu tried to pull her hand free from Jiang Huaiyu’s. “You can let go now.”

Instead, Jiang Huaiyu tightened his grip. “I’m afraid if I let go, I’ll lose you for good.”

Wen Shuyu paused. “I won’t. I’m grown up now.”

But Jiang Huaiyu’s words held a double meaning, one Wen Shuyu didn’t quite grasp.

With the weight of a major task off her shoulders, Wen Shuyu felt lighter. It was like a bright summer day, the breeze gentle and the cicadas buzzing in harmony.

Back at the office, Meng Man called her to attorney Cheng Xianzhi’s office with an announcement: “The bid results are in—great news, we won. When Cheng gets involved, there’s no room for competition.”

Cheng Xianzhi smiled kindly, “It’s thanks to you, Yuyu.”

Wen Shuyu waved her finger. “Not really, it’s because of your excellent presentation. You’ve become quite the name in the field—people are even asking me about you, trying to steal you away.”

One of her classmates, who had also submitted a proposal, had asked for Cheng’s contact details right after the event. He had been very direct, even inquiring if Cheng was single.

“Tonight we celebrate. Cheng, you better join us,” Meng Man declared.

In their team, the rule was clear: whoever closed a deal would treat everyone to a nice meal.

Cheng raised his tea cup. “Of course, I’ll pay.”

That evening, 15 colleagues gathered at the Summer Solstice private room of Shiermu Restaurant. As the night wore on, Wen Shuyu checked the time and sent a quick message to Jiang Huaiyu: Company dinner. Might be home late. I’ll try to make it back before curfew.

Her formal tone reflected a sense of caution, as if afraid he might go overboard with his protective nature.

Jiang Huaiyu responded: Where are you? I’ll come pick you up when it’s over.

Meng Man caught a glimpse of the message and gasped. “No way! Yuyu, you have a curfew?”

Exactly! Who has a curfew as an adult? Even her parents didn’t impose one.

Wen Shuyu sighed. “Jiang Huaiyu’s rule.”

Meng Man clucked her tongue in mock pity. “Seriously? Most wives set the rules for their husbands, but not you.”

She had a point. Wen Shuyu quickly tapped out a new message: Jiang Huaiyu, I don’t know when I’ll be back, and you don’t need to worry about me. Cold-shoulder emoji.

She tossed her phone into her bag, turning the sound off.

Meanwhile, Jiang Huaiyu, puzzled by the lack of reply, could only stare at his phone in confusion.

As the night wore on, Wen Shuyu and her colleagues enjoyed a glass of wine to celebrate. The evening’s joyful atmosphere was light, with good food and games to follow.

As the group started to disperse, Wen Shuyu felt a sudden cramp in her stomach and squatted down, clutching her abdomen. She reached for her phone to call Jiang Huaiyu but thought better of it and slipped it back into her bag.

Noticing her discomfort, Cheng Xianzhi approached, concerned. “Yuyu, are you okay?”

“My period just started. I’ll be fine after a while.”

Regret washed over her—it hadn’t been wise to drink so much wine. Suddenly, she felt a light jacket drape over her shoulders. Without a second thought, Cheng covered her with his coat. “Let me drive you home.”

He hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol all night.

Wen Shuyu curled up in the passenger seat, trying to distract herself with her phone as the drive home felt unusually long.

Half-asleep, she finally arrived at her apartment’s underground parking lot.

Knowing she was married, Cheng hesitated, wondering if it was appropriate to take her all the way up. After some thought, he dialed Jiang Huaiyu’s number.

Last time, during a meeting, we added each other on WeChat and exchanged numbers.

“Mr. Jiang, hello. This is Cheng Xianzhi. Fish… I mean, Lawyer Wen isn’t feeling well. Could you please come down to the parking garage to pick her up?”

Jiang Huaiyu put down his laptop. “I’ll be right there.”

From the elevator entrance, he saw Jiang Huaiyu rushing over. Cheng Xianzhi opened the car door and explained, “Lawyer Wen got her period. I brought her home.”

Jiang Huaiyu, holding a knit cardigan, thanked him thoughtfully. The underground parking lot was several degrees cooler than outside. “Thank you for the trouble, Lawyer Cheng.”

A brief, cold glint flashed in Jiang’s eyes, vanishing as quickly as it appeared.

Cheng continued, “She took ibuprofen about ten minutes ago. Not sure if it’s kicked in yet. I also got her a thermos of warm water.”

Jiang couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable—after all, someone else was looking after his wife, even though it was with the best of intentions. It was like a hailstorm crashing down on his heart, leaving it in pieces.

Still, he maintained his courtesy. “Thanks, Lawyer Cheng. I appreciate you bringing my wife home. Let me treat you to dinner sometime.”

Jiang opened the passenger door and found Wen Shuyu curled up, hugging her knees, her face pale, her lips drained of color. The frustration he’d been harboring instantly melted away.

Noticing the creased suit jacket in the driver’s seat, his gaze darkened, silently reminding him that Wen Shuyu didn’t rely on him.

Her brows were furrowed like small hills on an otherwise flat plain.

Without a word, Jiang gently slid his arms under her legs and lifted her, his movements tender, careful not to disturb her.

Wen Shuyu, a light sleeper, was roused by the familiar woody scent. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw Jiang’s familiar, refined profile. “Why are you here?”

Her voice was softer due to the pain.

“To bring you home,” he replied, his tone filled with care. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

To others, his voice seemed gentle and attentive, but Wen Shuyu could detect the subtle hint of coolness, like autumn rain in his words.

“It was a sudden situation,” she answered.

Wen Shuyu didn’t forget to thank Cheng Xianzhi. “Thank you, Lawyer Cheng. Let me treat you to dinner another time. Jiang, go and see him off.”

The phrase “see him off” was something one would say to a guest, and Jiang was oddly pleased by it.

Looking down at her, he said, “I’ll take you upstairs first, then I’ll see Lawyer Cheng off. Please wait a moment.”

Cheng Xianzhi draped his jacket over his arm and smiled. “No rush, Fish is more important.”

Fish? What gave him the right to call her that? Jiang Huaiyu didn’t have time to argue over titles right now.

Jiang carried Wen Shuyu to their bed and then filled a hot water bottle for her. “How are you feeling now?” he asked, placing a cup of warm milk on the bedside table.

The warmth from the hot water bottle eased the pain in her lower abdomen. Wen Shuyu urged him, “Much better. Go on, see him off.”

Jiang gently tapped her forehead. “We’ll talk later.”

Downstairs, Cheng Xianzhi stood neatly by his car, exuding a scholarly air, his calm demeanor soft as moonlight, radiating a quiet charm. He didn’t smoke or show any impatience.

“Let’s go,” Jiang said.

The two men walked silently along the stone path toward the north gate. The night was dark, the sky like ink, with a thousand lights hidden among the trees.

As they sped up, their footsteps became a silent challenge.

Cheng was the first to speak. “At the matchmaking event, you were there on purpose.”

He had sat diagonally across from Jiang during the event, not thinking much of it until later when they registered their marriage.

The oddness of that meeting became crystal clear.

Jiang stopped in his tracks. “It’s good you know. Don’t covet what’s not yours.”

His gaze turned dark.

Cheng replied calmly, “Fish isn’t yours either. At least, she doesn’t acknowledge you as her husband right now.”

His tone was soft like a spring breeze, yet his words cut like a knife.

Jiang’s expression cooled. “That’s only a matter of time. As for you, you’ll never have the chance.”

“Is that so?” Cheng raised an eyebrow. “My car’s here. Until next time.”

Meanwhile, back in bed, Wen Shuyu finally noticed the missed messages on her phone. Jiang had warned her, “Your period is coming soon, don’t eat anything cold.”

She couldn’t hear what was happening outside.

Not long after, Jiang came back inside.

Feeling slightly better, she leaned against the headboard. “How did you know my period was coming?”

“With a bit of attention, it’s not hard to figure out.”

Something about his tone had changed, just a touch colder—though she wasn’t sure if it was real or just her imagination.

The silence between them thickened.

Jiang raised the room’s temperature. “Go to sleep. I’ll head out.”

Ten minutes later, Jiang returned with a bowl. Seeing Wen up, he asked, “Why are you up? Still in pain?”

“A little. I was going to get some water.” The ibuprofen had worn off, leaving her with a dull ache. Sitting, lying down, even squatting felt uncomfortable.

Jiang, already prepared, handed her a cup of warm water. “You know you shouldn’t drink alcohol when your period’s coming. Every time you end up in pain.”

After finishing the water, Wen glared at him, raising her voice, “Why are you here at this hour, just to lecture me? You’re being ridiculous.”

And with that, she started to cry, covering her face and crouching down.

Jiang knelt beside her and apologized, “I’m sorry, I wasn’t lecturing you. I made you some sweet ginger jujube soup. Come, have some—it’s got only a little ginger in it.”

Still sulking, Wen replied, “I don’t want it.”

But a few moments later, she started giggling.

Jiang, knowing her well, smiled. She was faking it. Ever since she was little, she’d known he couldn’t handle her tears.

“Let me feed you.” He spooned the soup, cooling it gently before offering it to her.

After a taste, she said, “Did you ask my mom for the recipe? This tastes just like hers.”

It had just a hint of ginger—mild enough for her to tolerate.

“Ah, yes,” Jiang Huaiyu lowered his head, not telling the whole truth.

“Give me your hand.”

Jiang gently took her hand and began massaging the base of her thumb, soothing the pain.

As Wen Shuyu started feeling better, Jiang flashed a playful smile, his eyes locked on hers. “Alright, wife. Time to settle the score.”

Wen Shuyu was puzzled. “What score?”

Jiang spoke slowly, each word deliberate. “Why didn’t you call me?”

“I didn’t want to bother you. It wasn’t that big of a deal,” she replied, not wanting to reopen old habits. It had taken her an entire summer to break her dependency on Jiang.

This was exactly the answer Jiang had expected. He wanted her to rely on him—to be the first person she thought of no matter what happened.

He wanted to be her emergency contact, not just in the physical sense, but in her heart as well.

Just like she used to.