Chapter 16: The Adam’s Apple

Wen Shuyu leaned closer, illuminated by the warm light, and observed the face before her.

Every feature was impeccably crafted—his deep brow, flawless skin that seemed to have no pores, and those enchanting peach blossom eyes, dark as night with a faint mole at the corner.

For the first time, Wen Shuyu felt a stirring within her.

Instinctively, she raised her hand to touch his Adam’s apple, soft and delicate. She couldn’t help but give it a gentle rub.

What would it feel like to press against it? Was it as firm as she imagined?

Lost in her thoughts, she pressed a few more times, her fingers playfully nudging as Jiang Huaiyu swallowed hard in response.

It was hard, rolling beneath her touch, and she was thoroughly entertained by the game they were playing.

A warm tingle crept from her cheeks down to her heart, while Jiang Huaiyu’s Adam’s apple involuntarily bobbed under her fingers.

In the cramped space of the passenger seat, the temperature seemed to rise, their breaths mingling in the air.

Just before the moment spiraled out of control, Jiang Huaiyu captured her fingers with a sly grin, “Behave, fishy. Call me ‘hubby,’ and I’ll let you keep touching.”

Wen Shuyu averted her gaze, feeling her ears flush. “Then I won’t touch it anymore.”

“Come on, let’s do this,” Jiang Huaiyu pulled her hand back to his throat, guiding her to continue her exploration.

Outside the window, the gray-white walls contrasted with the vibrant green of the phoenix trees, while cicadas serenaded them from above.

Once, they would chase after these cicadas together, and now they were locked in this intimate moment.

They were pressed so close that Wen Shuyu could see the swirling darkness in his eyes. His lips parted softly, “You still haven’t answered my question.”

The atmosphere shifted subtly, and Wen Shuyu curled her fingers, smiling playfully. “In the next life.”

Just a touch, and he expected such good fortune? Dream on.

Jiang Huaiyu rested his forehead against hers. “Fishy, don’t speak too soon.”

Accustomed to his casual touches and his teasing ways, Wen Shuyu was blissfully unaware that she had already fallen under his spell.

After lunch, they parted ways for work.

While in the elevator, Wen Shuyu received a call and held a brief meeting with her colleagues, “Senior sister, Cheng Lu, I’ll be heading to the countryside tomorrow. The legal aid project we discussed has finally been approved.”

Last year, after engaging in legal aid cases, the law firm had reached an agreement with several rural towns to conduct voluntary legal education.

Rural areas often suffered from legal blind spots—domestic violence and child abuse were rampant yet overlooked, often seen as normal.

Wen Shuyu was determined to make a difference, and Meng Man supported her wholeheartedly.

Even with the town committee involved, Meng Man still worried, “I’m not comfortable with you going alone. I’ll go with you.”

Cheng Xianzhi suddenly chimed in, “I’ll go too; two girls alone isn’t safe.”

Meng Man nodded in agreement. “That works. Fishy, you’re in good hands with him.”

“Thanks, senior sister.” Wen Shuyu hugged Meng Man tightly.

Without her support, it would have been much harder to undertake this journey, but giving up had never crossed her mind.

As she organized the necessary documents for her trip, the sun dipped lower in the sky.

Jiang Huaiyu was waiting for her downstairs.

In the month since their marriage, Wen Shuyu felt like she had simply gained a new roommate.

Their lives barely intertwined; everything else remained unchanged.

After quickly packing a few outfits, she placed her large dragon bag on the table when the door to the master bedroom swung open.

“Jiang Huaiyu, what are you doing here?”

“Clearly, I came to sleep,” he replied, slipping under the covers.

“But your room is next door!”

He didn’t need reminding. “Check this out,” he said, handing her his phone.

Wen Shuyu leaned against the vanity, scrolling through the messages between him and his mother.

Jiang’s Mother: “Did you upset Fishy? I heard she’s been cleaning up, and you two are sleeping separately.”

With his parents away, it seemed his mother had spies.

Jiang Huaiyu: “I’m busy with work and sleep late, didn’t want to disturb her. Occasionally, I crash next door.”

Jiang’s Mother: “You better not! Leaving your wife alone in an empty house? What kind of work is so pressing?”

Jiang Huaiyu: “I get it. I’d never let her suffer.”

One lie required countless others to cover it up.

“Done reading?” Wen Shuyu asked, extending the phone back to him, but Jiang Huaiyu pulled her into his embrace instead.

She collapsed onto him.

He was below, she was above, and suddenly, Wen Shuyu felt her heart racing uncontrollably, as if a startled fish was trying to leap out of the water.

Jiang Huaiyu wrapped his arms around her, trapping her like a fish in a net.

In the heat of summer, her lightweight pajamas felt almost sheer. The thin silk fabric barely separated their bodies, igniting a tension that raised their temperatures.

It wasn’t just her who was flustered; Jiang Huaiyu was too.

Wen Shuyu gripped the blanket tightly, his lips mere inches from hers, his gaze burning into her.

Like a wolf eyeing its prey.

“Jiang Huaiyu, let me go,” she protested, struggling to rise, her pajama strap slipping down her arm.

The sight of her bare shoulder was dazzling and left Jiang Huaiyu momentarily mesmerized. His fist clenched as he tightened his grip around her waist.

Silence hung in the air for a moment before he swallowed hard, his voice low and restrained.

“Fishy, I’m giving you time to adjust, but you can’t just see me as a roommate. We need to face the reality of our relationship—our marriage.”

Wen Shuyu didn’t understand his sudden seriousness. It was late, and instead of sleeping, he wanted to discuss their marriage? Her irritation bubbled over. “Just let me go.”

His warm breath brushed against her neck, and between her legs, a telling tension began to rise. She could feel his heartbeat quickening against her chest, and his breaths became shallow.

The dynamics between a man and a woman, legally married, were spiraling into something uncontrollable.

“I won’t let go,” Jiang Huaiyu insisted, his palm pressing firmly, “because I know you’ll run away if I do.”

He anticipated her every move.

“I’m not running. Will you let me go?” She glanced at him, his deep-set eyes holding an intensity that made her feel as if he might consume her whole.

She didn’t trust his self-control, especially with the evidence of desire growing more obvious beneath them.

After all, they were married; it was only natural for things to progress.

She felt like prey on a chopping block.

Jiang Huaiyu’s magnetic voice resonated from above her, “Fishy, you need to adapt. We’ll have marital obligations to fulfill.”

His words were clear in the stillness of the night.

But would they?

With no love involved, it felt absurd to think of being intimate with someone who felt like an enemy.

Things were getting out of hand.

“Jiang Huaiyu, you can’t force me,” she emphasized.

“Of course not. I’ll wait for you to come around willingly,” he replied, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “But who knows what might happen? So be good.”

They remained in their positions, with Jiang Huaiyu never crossing any lines.

Wen Shuyu felt a bit reassured. “If you have someone you like, why are we even doing this?”

She seized the chance to ask the question that had been nagging at her.

Jiang Huaiyu understood exactly what she meant. He raised his left hand, revealing a bracelet on his wrist. “I don’t. This is just for good luck. I almost got into an accident when I was young.”

His attempt at deflection was too transparent for Jiang Huaiyu to fall for it.

With his grip loosening, Wen Shuyu crawled off him. “I’m fine now. I have a business trip tomorrow and will be back in three days.”

Jiang Huaiyu sat up, looking pitiful. “And I’ll be here alone.”

Just when they finally shared a bed, he was left to wait alone.

Wen Shuyu called out to his back, “Jiang Huaiyu, you need to learn some self-control.”

It was hard to ignore the undeniable tension between them.

Jiang Huaiyu returned, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “With my wife in my arms, how can I control myself?”

He silently lamented how “his brother” was letting him down.

Even in the bathroom, the heat didn’t dissipate.

This wasn’t their first night together, and while it felt calm, it wasn’t awkward, but the two-meter bed felt like it had divided them into separate worlds.

Once the lights went out, Wen Shuyu remembered, “Jiang Huaiyu, please water my flowers tomorrow. I forgot.”

In the darkness, with the serene stillness of their home, Jiang Huaiyu’s voice broke through. “Sure, but what’s so special about your shabby flower?”

Shabby flower?

Wen Shuyu kicked him from under the covers, indignantly retorting, “It’s better looking than you!”

“Oh really? Take a good look,” Jiang Huaiyu replied, grabbing her calf without warning. He paused, realizing just how small it felt in his hand.

His warm palm pressed against her skin, and she jolted, attempting to pull away, but he held her tightly.

His fingers traced the delicate contours of her leg.

Jiang Huaiyu switched on his phone flashlight, seeking an answer.

Wen Shuyu shot him a sideways glance, forcing a smile. “You’re good-looking. You’re the most handsome, alright?”

“That’s just a half-hearted compliment,” Jiang Huaiyu said as he turned off the light.

“Jiang Huaiyu, don’t get carried away.”

Wen Shuyu’s legs kicked out in a flurry, landing several strikes before she felt satisfied.

“Little princess is angry,” Jiang Huaiyu chuckled, pinning her legs down to end the playful battle.

“Goodnight, wife. Here’s to our officially sharing a bed.”

It was amusing to think how, before the age of six, they often slept together, blissfully unaware of what it truly meant.

Now they were adults, and everything had changed.

After a summer break in middle school, they became strangers.

And now, here they were, married again.

It felt increasingly absurd.

Neither disturbed the other, as if they had become a joke.

As a sliver of dawn broke through, only one remained in the master bedroom.

The sound of water trickled from the bathroom.

Wen Shuyu was roused by her alarm, groggy and irritated as she silenced the noise.

She squeezed her eyes shut for a few more seconds, but the alarm rang again, forcing her to get up.

She pulled out a simple white shirt and black trousers from her closet, dressing efficiently for her day ahead.

Wen Shuyu thought she had woken up early, but Jiang Huaiyu was already ahead of her, setting the breakfast table.

“How are you getting there?” she asked.

“Taking the high-speed train.”

“I’ll drive you to the station.”

They chatted casually, like a typical married couple.

To get to Nanan Town from Nancheng, she first needed to take the high-speed train to the county, then catch a bus or hire a car to the town, which would take quite a while.

She had to catch the early train to arrive around noon.

Driving wasn’t a reliable option either; there was a rough mountain road that would be tricky for someone used to city life.

At the station, with time to spare, Jiang Huaiyu leaned in, “Text me when you arrive. If anything comes up, call. I’ll miss you, so make sure you think of me too.”

Just three days apart, and their emotionless marriage felt like it warranted fireworks.

Wen Shuyu silently cheered while feigning nonchalance. “You should head back now. Bye.”

Jiang Huaiyu playfully tapped her nose. “Ungrateful wife.”

High-speed train stations are bustling and don’t allow for lingering farewells, so Jiang Huaiyu, despite his reluctance, had to adhere to the rules of the public space.

As he drove away, he missed seeing Cheng Xianzhi just arriving.

Wen Shuyu had arranged to meet Cheng Xianzhi on the train.

As the train started, Wen Shuyu adjusted her seat and put on noise-canceling headphones. “Lawyer Cheng, I’m going to take a nap. I’m so tired.”

“Sleep away. I’ll wake you when we get there.” Cheng Xianzhi opened his laptop to work on a case.

The train sped north, sunlight streaming in from the east. Cheng Xianzhi consulted with the passengers ahead, lowering the sunshade to block the blinding rays.

Wen Shuyu leaned her head against the seat, the train’s air conditioning set low, and even in her dreams, she hugged her arms to keep warm.

Cheng Xianzhi picked up his suit jacket, then quietly put it back down.

Not appropriate; she was married.

Two hours later, they arrived at Dongluonan Station. Wen Shuyu blinked awake, her clothes slipping down her chest, and she quickly pulled them up.

The gray suit belonged to him; it was obvious. She folded it slightly and smiled politely. “Thank you, Lawyer Cheng.”

“Not at all, just a small favor.”

Cheng Xianzhi helped her with her luggage while she only carried her laptop bag.

Upon exiting the station, they declined the offers from drivers, as Cheng Xianzhi had arranged for a local driver through a mutual acquaintance.

They sat together in the back seat.

The driver was friendly and spoke fluent local Mandarin. “Are you two a couple?”

Cheng Xianzhi replied, “No, we’re colleagues. The beautiful lady is married; her husband would get jealous.”

It was the first time Wen Shuyu heard Cheng Xianzhi joke, and it amused her. “When did you start making jokes, Lawyer Cheng?”

He smiled, “Just trying to keep up with the younger crowd.”

Wen Shuyu fiddled with her ring, which Jiang Huaiyu checked every day to see if she was wearing it. It felt rather childish.

How strange that he crossed her mind.

The smooth asphalt road gradually inclined as they entered the winding mountain roads. Wen Shuyu began to feel nauseous.

Cheng Xianzhi reached into his bag and pulled out a bag of dried tangerine peels. “Here, smell this. It might help.”

“Thanks.” She took it, feeling a bit better.

The driver chimed in, “You know, your male colleague is quite thoughtful. Is he single? I have a cousin in Nancheng who’s also looking for someone.”

Wen Shuyu interjected, “Sorry, but our Lawyer Cheng is already taken.”

“Ha! Then he’s really out of luck!”

Once the locals realized they weren’t single, the car fell into a more subdued silence.

Wen Shuyu pulled out her phone, which was buzzing with messages from her “troublesome” husband.

The first message read, “Have you arrived yet, my wife?”

A few minutes later, another came through: “Fishy, where are you? Lost?”

The latest message simply asked, “Are you doing okay, wife?”

Interspersed were plenty of emojis, making Wen Shuyu smile, momentarily forgetting her motion sickness. “I’m on my way to the town. Sorry I forgot to reply.”

Jiang Huaiyu replied in an instant: “Focus on your work. Remember to eat. I packed chocolate, stomach medicine, and other essentials in your bag.”

He had a way of making her feel hungry just by saying so.

As she rummaged through her bag, she found matcha chocolate—her favorite flavor.

The car pulled up outside the town hall. Cheng Xianzhi opened the door. “We’re here, Fishy.”

The head of the local legal office, Shen Jia, greeted them. “Lawyer Wen, are you still staying at Grandma Chang’s place?”

“Yes, and I’ll need you to help arrange accommodations for Lawyer Cheng.”

After a moment’s thought, Shen Jia replied, “He can stay at Grandpa Wang’s house nearby; it’s convenient.”

Nanan Town wasn’t large, and the Wang family was quite numerous. Most of the population consisted of the elderly, women, and children, as the younger generation worked elsewhere and returned home only once or twice a year.

With the mountains isolating them, transportation was inconvenient, and industries moving from the coast to the inland regions wouldn’t consider Nanan Town.

They were left reliant on primary industries.

Wen Shuyu explained the town’s situation to Cheng Xianzhi, who understood her choice to come here.

The environment was closed off, and the internet often misled, making it hard for long-standing beliefs to change.

Many people live their whole lives unaware that some of their actions actually violate the law.

As they followed Shen Jia, the conversation flowed.

Cheng Xianzhi reminisced, “I once asked Meng Man what made this place special, and she told me four words: don’t forget your original intention. That’s why I came.”

So simple. Wen Shuyu covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. “You’re so easily fooled, Lawyer Cheng. You need to be more careful!”

Cheng Xianzhi shot back, “And you? Would you be easily deceived?”

“No way,” Wen Shuyu replied without hesitation. Marriage was a well-considered choice for her, even if she felt a bit trapped in a game of life. Ultimately, it was a step she had willingly taken.

Cheng Xianzhi shook his head slightly. “I’m not so sure.”

Wen Shuyu turned to him, puzzled. “Since when did you start being so indirect, Lawyer Cheng?”

They continued walking, following Shen Jia up the mountainside.

Cheng Xianzhi chuckled. “I just thought you and Mr. Jiang had a great relationship.”

How should she respond? Wen Shuyu lowered her gaze, pondering for a few moments. “It’s fine, I guess. We grew up together, and his character is solid.”

Cheng Xianzhi pressed on, his tone serious. “I’m asking about your feelings.”

His words caught Wen Shuyu off guard. Feelings!

For a moment, she hesitated, unsure of how to answer.