Chapter 30: Out of Control

Wen Shuyu noticed the absence of anyone behind her and turned to find Jiang Huaiyu still in the car. She called out cheerfully, “Jiang Huaiyu, hurry up!”

“Okay, I’m coming.” His voice was as calm as ever, lacking any hint of unusual tension, as he stuffed the fallen prayer plaque into her bag and secured the clasp.

The more nervous he got, the more difficult it became to fasten it.

Why were women’s bag clasps so complicated? After fumbling around for a bit, she accidentally managed to get it secured.

Jiang Huaiyu caught up to her, his pace brisk. “What do you want to eat?”

“Anything’s fine,” Wen Shuyu tilted her head, a playful smile lighting up her face. “Whatever you cook is delicious.”

Today, she was acting unusually sweet, her words draping like honey. As she looked at him, her eyes sparkled with a myriad of stars, as if the entire galaxy were twinkling within them.

Suddenly, a memory flickered through her mind—she recalled a childhood mischief when she had secretly eaten ice cream despite having bronchitis. She had put on a show in front of the adults, boasting about this and that, trying to appear the picture of innocence.

Her mother had thought she had changed for the better until she discovered the telltale ice cream sticks hidden in the garden.

It was a classic case of “the more you try to hide, the more obvious it becomes.”

“Well, as long as you like it,” Jiang Huaiyu replied, his politeness making it feel as if they were still in the early stages of a blind date.

Desperate to keep the conversation going and learn more about him, Wen Shuyu asked, “Who taught you how to cook?”

They had been apart for over a decade. In the grand scheme of life, which barely lasted eighty or ninety years, ten years could take someone from middle school to college graduation.

Ten years were also long enough for a baby to grow into a good friend.

Yet, she knew so little about those crucial years in Jiang Huaiyu’s life.

In his world, it was as if the last ten years had simply vanished. Since moving in, he seemed to know her likes and dislikes inside and out.

“Aunt Wang,” he replied without hesitation.

He had started cooking for her specifically because he didn’t want to see her sad, and it took him many years to fulfill the promise he had made to cook for her back then.

“I thought so; the flavors are so familiar,” she said, a smile spreading across her face.

Aunt Wang had once been the cook for Jiang Huaiyu’s family, skilled in various cuisines. Unfortunately, she had to return to her hometown due to health issues, leaving Wen Shuyu heartbroken for an entire summer.

As the elevator reached the top floor and began its descent, Wen Shuyu beamed, “Jiang Huaiyu, I’m craving… spicy hot pot.”

“Spicy hot pot.”

Before she even finished her thought, they both said the words in unison, their answers astonishingly in sync.

Wen Shuyu looked up at him, her lips curving in delight. “How did you know?”

It had just popped into her mind, yet Jiang Huaiyu seemed to read her thoughts.

With a casual tone, he replied, “I guessed since you watched a video about it yesterday.”

Wen Shuyu tilted her head curiously. “Are you that attentive to me?”

Her bright, almond-shaped eyes sparkled as they locked onto his, her gaze shimmering with an intensity that had become her recent favorite way to look at him, making it hard for him to resist.

Steadying himself, Jiang Huaiyu averted his gaze. “Of course, I need to stay updated on my wife’s preferences.”

His long fingers brushed over her bag, feeling the soft lambskin texture beneath his touch. Inside, a hard wooden block nestled, and he instinctively squeezed, pouring his unvoiced emotions into the grip.

“What about you? What do you like to eat?” she asked, recalling that Jiang Huaiyu didn’t seem to have any special preferences. Unlike her pickiness, he was easygoing with food.

Today, she had asked too many questions, showing an unusual interest in his tastes. If it weren’t for the prayer plaque, Jiang Huaiyu would have felt quite flattered.

As he pressed the elevator button for their floor, he replied, “Nothing in particular.”

This matched Wen Shuyu’s understanding of him; apart from basketball and medicine, he seemed to lack other hobbies.

The elevator fell silent for a few seconds before a clear voice echoed above Wen Shuyu’s head, “What my wife likes is what I like.”

Wen Shuyu smiled sweetly. “Jiang Huaiyu, who taught you how to make your wife happy?”

She had seen Shen Ruoying and Meng Xinhao in love and had also spent time with Lu Yunheng. Boys who spoke like Jiang Huaiyu were few and far between.

His sweet words stirred something inside her, like the delightful taste of malt candy from her childhood, drowning her taste buds in sweetness.

Jiang Huaiyu replied, “It comes from the heart.”

As the elevator arrived at their floor, Wen Shuyu bent down to change her shoes. She swayed slightly, and Jiang Huaiyu instinctively caught her arm.

He teased her lightly, “Clumsy girl.”

She could still tolerate the warmth of his palm, but his playful words made her heart skip a beat.

For a moment, it felt as if they were a couple.

Wen Shuyu pouted, “I’m not clumsy; I’m just hungry.”

Nearly nine hours had passed since lunch, and if she hadn’t fainted, it was proof of her good stamina.

“Let’s eat something first to tide you over,” Jiang Huaiyu said, tying on an apron. “Just a little, or you won’t have room for dinner later.”

It had always been like this after school—she would rush home, starving and devouring snacks, only to barely touch her dinner.

Wen Shuyu took a bite of bread and stuck her tongue out at him. “I know, you’re just like a dad who keeps telling me what to do.”

As she walked away, leaving him with her back turned, Jiang Huaiyu was struck by the term “dad-like husband.” He found it amusing, especially since they were the same age, yet he felt strangely disconnected from her.

No wonder she always said he was boring.

No wonder Lu Yunheng had managed to win her over.

Wen Shuyu went to her room to take a shower while Jiang Huaiyu cooked in the kitchen. Ever since they got married, this had become their routine.

After her shower, she emerged to see Jiang Huaiyu’s tall figure in the kitchen, the bright light casting a glow on his shoulders, making him look exceptionally handsome.

Remembering her mother’s words about Jiang Huaiyu being reliable and steady, she recalled how feelings could be cultivated and how rare good character was. She had been advised to set aside her prejudices and observe more closely.

At the time, she had scoffed at this advice, but after witnessing countless divorce cases and experiencing marriage herself, she finally understood the value of character.

Leaning against the bar, she watched him slice vegetables and add seasonings with an easy grace.

Despite being an only child like her, he seemed at home in the kitchen.

Unlike her, who struggled to distinguish between different seasonings.

If this were a scene from a novel, the heroine might sneak up behind him, wrapping her arms around him and playfully resting her head against his back.

The thought sent a shiver down her spine; she knew she couldn’t pull that off.

Before long, Jiang Huaiyu emerged from the kitchen with a steaming bowl of spicy hot pot, the aroma of pepper and chili filling the air.

Wen Shuyu’s nose twitched, and she sneezed. “Achoo!” Grabbing a bowl, she eagerly dug in.

She was so hungry she felt she could devour a whole cow; even a plain bun in front of her would vanish in seconds.

Let alone a bowl of hot pot drenched in red oil.

After a satisfying meal, she looked up and locked eyes with Jiang Huaiyu’s dark, inky gaze. Touching her cheek, she asked, “What’s wrong? Did I get something on my face?”

“Nothing,” Jiang Huaiyu replied, raising a long finger to tuck a stray hair behind her ear.

The gesture was natural and intimate, as if they were a typical couple.

Wen Shuyu suddenly realized he hadn’t eaten much; she had nearly finished the bowl herself. Remembering that he didn’t handle spicy food well, she said, “You don’t have to accommodate me. I can buy my own if I want.”

Jiang Huaiyu reassured her, “This amount of spice is fine, just as long as it’s not like the last time.”

“You all are so childish.”

Indeed, it was childish. When it came to Wen Shuyu, he had a tendency to act less mature.

Wen Shuyu patted her full belly and stood up to digest.

The moonlight spilled softly into the room, casting a pale glow on the swaying lounge chair.

Wrapped in the gentle night breeze, Wen Shuyu slowly closed her eyes.

As the clock approached eleven, the tension from her long day melted away, and she quickly fell asleep.

The corner of the balcony was adorned with blooming hydrangeas, their sweet fragrance wafting through the air. The wind chime hanging nearby tinkled softly, as if the misty moonlight were singing a lullaby.

Jiang Huaiyu, unable to find her, finally discovered her on the balcony.

She blended seamlessly into the night, the wind chime providing a melody, the moonlight illuminating her peaceful form.

He was reluctant to disturb this enchanting scene.

Just as he was reluctant to let go of the happiness he had fought so hard to attain.

Worried she might catch a chill, Jiang Huaiyu quietly approached and wrapped his arms around Wen Shuyu. “Let’s go inside; I’ll carry you.”

He gently caressed the woman in his arms, aware she was on the verge of waking.

“You’re so good to me,” Wen Shuyu murmured, nestled in his embrace, finding solace from the anxieties of the evening.

Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his waist, unwilling to let go.

The scent that lingered on the tip of her nose was familiar and comforting.

As she sank deeper into the soft cotton sheets, Wen Shuyu fell into a deeper sleep.

Unbeknownst to her, the man beside her whispered softly, “Yuyu, should I let you go?”

“Yuyu, I don’t want to, and I won’t. Just being together like this is enough.”

“Yuyu, aren’t we good together now?”

He quickly closed his eyes, a flicker of unwillingness passing through them, trying to convince himself. “Yuyu, I won’t let you go, even if you still like him, even if you don’t like me.”

“Jiang Huaiyu.” In her dreams, Wen Shuyu murmured his name.

At that moment, she crossed an invisible line between them, wrapping her arms and legs around him.

She had come back into his embrace, revealing her true self at night, using him like a pillow despite her daytime distance.

The little nightlight at the foot of the bed sensed the movement and flickered to life. In the dim light, Jiang Huaiyu could see Wen Shuyu’s butterfly-like eyelashes fluttering, her soft lips slightly parted, her body snugly pressed against him.

She showed no signs of guard.

She believed he held no ulterior motives, that he didn’t desire anything physical.

Wen Shuyu smiled charmingly, “Jiang Huaiyu, you’re quite the charmer. Who taught you how to please your wife?”

Having seen Shen Ruoying and Meng Xinhao in love, and spent time with Lu Yunheng, she knew that boys like Jiang Huaiyu were a rare breed.

His sweet words filled her heart with warmth, reminiscent of the malt candy she devoured as a child, her taste buds immersed in that delightful sweetness.

Jiang Huaiyu replied, “It comes from the heart.”

As the elevator reached their floor, Wen Shuyu balanced herself while changing her shoes. She swayed slightly, and Jiang Huaiyu instinctively caught her arm.

He teased her, “Little scatterbrain.”

The warmth of his hand against hers was something she could endure, but his playful affection made her heart flutter unexpectedly.

It was as if they were a couple.

Wen Shuyu pouted, “I’m just hungry.”

It had been almost nine hours since lunch, and the only reason she hadn’t fainted was her stamina.

“Let’s eat something first,” Jiang Huaiyu said, tying on an apron. “Just a little; otherwise, you won’t be able to finish dinner.”

Back in the day, it was always like this—she’d gorge on snacks after school, only to find herself too full to eat dinner.

Wen Shuyu took a bite of bread and stuck her tongue out at him, “I know! You’re like one of those fatherly husbands.”

As she left, she cast a playful glance over her shoulder.

“Fatherly husband,” Jiang Huaiyu mused, hearing it for the first time. They were the same age, yet he felt so out of sync with her.

No wonder she often called him boring.

No wonder she was swept off her feet by Lu Yunheng.

After taking a shower, Wen Shuyu emerged to find Jiang Huaiyu in the kitchen, his tall frame illuminated by the harsh white light, looking exceptionally handsome.

She recalled her mother’s words about how Jiang Huaiyu was reliable and grounded, that love could be cultivated, and that a person’s good character was hard to come by. She should shed her biases and observe more.

At the time, she had scoffed at such advice, but after dealing with many divorce cases and eventually marrying herself, she came to understand the importance of character.

Leaning against the bar, her gaze followed Jiang Huaiyu as he chopped vegetables and added seasonings with ease.

Despite being only children themselves, he maneuvered through the kitchen effortlessly.

Unlike her, who could hardly tell the spices apart.

If this were a scene from a novel, the female lead would surely wrap her arms around him from behind, nestling against his back while playfully teasing him.

But as Wen Shuyu imagined that moment, a shiver ran down her spine; she knew she couldn’t do that.

Before long, Jiang Huaiyu emerged with a steaming bowl of spicy hot pot, the aroma of pepper and chili filling the air.

Wen Shuyu’s nose twitched, and she sneezed, grabbing a bowl and diving in eagerly.

She was so hungry she could devour an entire cow; given a bun, she could polish it off in seconds.

How could she resist a bowl overflowing with spicy goodness?

As she ate, she looked up and caught Jiang Huaiyu’s deep black eyes with her clear gaze. She touched her cheek, “What’s wrong? Did I get something on my face?”

“Nothing.” Jiang Huaiyu gently tucked a stray hair behind her ear with his long fingers.

His gesture was so natural and intimate, like that of an ordinary couple.

Wen Shuyu suddenly realized he hadn’t eaten much; she had almost finished the bowl. Remembering he wasn’t good with spicy food, she added, “You don’t have to accommodate me. I can get my own if I want to.”

Jiang Huaiyu brushed aside her worries, “This level of spice is fine, just not like last time.”

“You all are so childish.”

It was true; he acted immaturely whenever it came to Wen Shuyu.

She patted her slightly rounded belly and stood up to digest her meal.

The moonlight spilled softly, casting a delicate glow on the rocking chair.

Wrapped in the gentle night breeze, Wen Shuyu slowly closed her eyes.

It was nearly eleven, and after a long, tense day, she fell asleep quickly.

The corner of the balcony held blooming hydrangeas, their faint sweet scent wafting through the air, while wind chimes tinkled softly, like a lullaby from the hazy moonlight.

When Jiang Huaiyu emerged and couldn’t find her, he discovered her on the balcony.

She blended into the night, with wind chimes providing a gentle melody and moonlight illuminating her figure.

He was reluctant to shatter this enchanting scene.

Much like he was unwilling to let go of something so precious that had come into his life.

Worried she might catch a chill, Jiang Huaiyu walked over softly and gathered Wen Shuyu in his arms, “Sleep now; I’ll carry you inside.”

He gently stroked her, soothing the restless woman in his embrace.

“You’re so nice,” Wen Shuyu murmured, feeling reassured by his presence and snuggling closer.

Without realizing it, she wrapped her arms around his waist, unwilling to let go.

The scent wafting from him was crisp and familiar, a fragrance she adored.

Nestled in the soft cotton sheets, Wen Shuyu sank deeper into a peaceful slumber.

Unbeknownst to her, Jiang Huaiyu whispered to himself, “Yuyu, should I let you go?”

“Yuyu, I don’t want to. I’m content just being with you.”

“Yuyu, aren’t we doing well right now?”

He soon closed his eyes, a hint of reluctance flickering within them, convincing himself, “Yuyu, I won’t let you go, even if you still like him or don’t like me.”

“Jiang Huaiyu,” Wen Shuyu murmured in her sleep, calling his name.

Simultaneously, she crossed an invisible boundary, wrapping her limbs around him.

She ran back into his embrace, revealing her true self, using him like a pillow despite the politeness she showed during the day.

The small night light at the foot of the bed flickered to life, and in its dim glow, Jiang Huaiyu saw Wen Shuyu’s butterfly-like lashes flutter, her soft lips slightly parted, her body pressed tightly against him.

She was completely defenseless.

She must have thought that he had no ulterior motives, that he had no thoughts of her in that way, which is why she was so relaxed.

In reality, his twenty-plus years of restraint and self-control were not developed overnight.