Chapter 42: Eating Fish

The room fell silent once again.

Their chosen room faced the sea, with the floor-to-ceiling glass doors wide open, and the evening breeze lifted the sheer curtains, creating a beautiful arc.

Laughter from children drifted in through the air.

In this corner of space, only Wen Shuyu and Jiang Huaiyu’s breathing could be heard.

Wen Shuyu kept her gaze fixed on Jiang Huaiyu’s face, capturing the changes in his expression.

In the dim light and shadows, his features were sharp and his demeanor cold, with long eyelashes casting shadows over his dark eyes.

After a long silence, Jiang Huaiyu lifted his gaze and parted his lips. Wen Shuyu heard a clear sound, a single syllable.

“Yes.”

In his dark eyes, a shimmering light sparkled, and his thin lips curled up slightly.

His shoulders relaxed, no longer tense, and he finally didn’t have to hide his feelings.

Wen Shuyu’s body stiffened, her fingertips curled, and her heartbeat quickened, like a river rushing into the sea after a torrential rain.

She pressed for more, “When did it start?”

Jiang Huaiyu suddenly smiled, “The questions are all used up, Yuyu.”

Another silence fell. Wen Shuyu lowered her head, awkwardly sipping her drink.

The Jiang Huaiyu who could feel jealousy, who would steal kisses from her, who had desires for her—because of love, everything from the past became vividly tangible.

Wen Shuyu set her glass down on the coffee table, steadied herself against the edge of the table, and felt a slight sway from the mild intoxication brought on by the alcohol.

She quickly regained her composure.

Before she could take a step, Jiang Huaiyu rose right after her, gripping her wrist and holding it firmly in his palm.

Bending slightly, he fixed his gaze on her eyes, “Yuyu, according to the rules, I have one last question.”

“What about you? Do you like me?”

The kiss was direct and unrestrained, carrying a sense of dominance.

His warm index and ring fingers pressed against her pulse, giving her no chance to escape.

Wen Shuyu held her breath, her pulse quickening like a wound-up toy, her panic entirely within his control.

“I refuse to answer.”

Jiang Huaiyu replied, “You cannot hide.”

The wind blew into the room, and Wen Shuyu raised her hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, smiling lightly, “But, I’m playing tricks.”

She sent back his previous words without alteration.

Jiang Huaiyu understood; her pulse revealed her inner thoughts. He lowered his head and pressed his forehead against Wen Shuyu’s, “Yuyu, do you know the cost of playing tricks?”

Wen Shuyu slightly lifted her eyelids; the air became momentarily still, his gaze darkening, his voice hoarse.

“What’s the cost?”

Her heart raced wildly, thumping in her chest.

Jiang Huaiyu picked up the remote control from the table, and the blackout curtains slowly closed, isolating the outside noise; faintly, they could still hear the commotion from the beach.

Both of their phones had been silenced by him, ensuring they wouldn’t be disturbed by anyone tonight.

His voice was low, emphasizing in her ear, “The cost of using it up.”

The distance between them suddenly closed, their warm breaths intertwining at their noses.

Wen Shuyu asked, “Did you bring it?”

Jiang Huaiyu’s hands restrained her, “No, but I just placed an order, and the delivery person has just accepted it.”

“Aren’t there some in the hotel?” Their hearts pressed tightly against each other as Wen Shuyu nestled in his embrace, her fingers twirling.

Jiang Huaiyu replied, “I’m worried about the quality; there can’t be any accidents with this matter.”

Even with one layer of insurance, he still wasn’t at ease.

“Can I kiss you?” His tone was negotiating, but his gaze burned intensely on her, carrying a sense of pressure.

“If you don’t let me kiss you…” Wouldn’t that mean you wouldn’t kiss me?

Not a word was fully spoken; Wen Shuyu’s trailing voice was sealed by Jiang Huaiyu’s mouth.

His warm lips pressed tightly against hers, as if charged with electricity, penetrating through her limbs and bones.

Breaking through the thin veil of affection, Jiang Huaiyu’s kiss was like a storm from the very start, his tongue prying open her pearly teeth and forcefully exploring within.

The scent of grapes danced back and forth in her mouth, her mind growing increasingly hazy, gradually feeling weak as she leaned against him.

Jiang Huaiyu’s hand slid down, wrapping around Wen Shuyu’s waist, preventing her from pulling away.

“Baby, guess how long until the delivery person arrives? Within half an hour or later?”

Here comes another bet, always with a hint of trickery.

He moved in inch by inch, licking her sensitive earlobe, and Wen Shuyu bit her lip, “I won’t guess; you never keep your promises.”

Jiang Huaiyu suddenly smirked, “Wife, in your heart, I have no credibility left.”

Wen Shuyu nodded emphatically, “Yes.”

Since that day on the Ferris wheel, he had been playing tricks on her, kissing her whenever he felt like it.

“Then I’ll keep kissing until he arrives.” Jiang Huaiyu bit her neck, his hand rubbing her delicate skin.

Wen Shuyu shouted, “Ah, don’t leave any marks!”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huaiyu softened his movements. “It’s fine; we have three days off, that’s enough.”

Three days? Is he trying to take her life? Will she even be able to go outside?

Jiang Huaiyu wrapped his arms around Wen Shuyu’s waist, leading her step by step to the edge of the bed and placing her down.

He raised his hand to turn off the ceiling light, leaving only the dim yellow light from the hallway.

The hotel bedding was incredibly soft; she even bounced slightly.

Contrary to her expectations, Jiang Huaiyu knelt on the floor.

Ah, why would he kiss there? He’s supposed to kiss until the delivery person arrives, not there.

Wen Shuyu’s scalp tingled, reaching all the way to her brain’s cortex—this was the second time.

She was waiting for the delivery person to arrive quickly, but time seemed to slow down, and no one knocked on the door.

It was the most sensitive area, unable to withstand his relentless teasing again and again.

Wen Shuyu’s hand reached down, brushing against Jiang Huaiyu’s soft yet slightly prickly hair.

She tried to pull away, but it was in vain; he held her tightly.

Outside the window, sounds continued to drift in—the calls of vendors and parents urging their children to come home.

Her consciousness fluctuated between the outside and the room.

She pressed her lips together, trying not to make a sound.

Men always had a penchant for mischief, and the more she tried to suppress herself, the more Jiang Huaiyu seemed to go against her wishes.

His grip tightened slightly.

“Mm.”

For some reason, Jiang Huaiyu recalled his childhood days of eating lollipops, at that age when he had the most sweet tooth. His parents worried about him getting cavities and only allowed him one a month.

It felt just like that time, one by one.

“Knock, knock, knock,” the door was rapped on.

Wen Shuyu’s nerves were completely on edge, but Jiang Huaiyu stood up.

It felt like when they had ridden a roller coaster at the amusement park, climbing to the peak, preparing for the plunge, and then suddenly losing power.

Her heart hung in suspense, neither up nor down.

A blue paper bag was placed next to Wen Shuyu’s face as Jiang Huaiyu unbuttoned his nightgown.

His hoarse voice lured her, “Baby, relax.”

Wen Shuyu trembled and said, “I… I’m very relaxed.”

Sweat beaded at the tip of her nose, and her hair clung to her forehead.

He didn’t turn off the lights; in the dim light, Wen Shuyu could see the desire rising in his eyes.

His long fingers slipped one by one between hers.

To distract her, Jiang Huaiyu shoved the blue paper bag into her hands. “Baby, pick a flavor you like.”

A flavor she liked? This thing even had flavor choices?

Wen Shuyu randomly picked one, tore open the plastic wrap, and tossed it into Jiang Huaiyu’s hand. “Here.”

“Yuyu, you help me.” Jiang Huaiyu’s deep, dark laughter echoed in her ear.

Wen Shuyu refused to respond.

Her face, ears, and neck were all lightly flushed, and Jiang Huaiyu stopped teasing her.

The sound of serrated edges being torn echoed in her ears.

It was too unfamiliar; the ancients were right—talking about warfare on paper was indeed superficial.

With no further response, Wen Shuyu opened her eyes. “Jiang Huaiyu, you’re done.”

Hearing her mockery, Jiang Huaiyu gritted his teeth and said, “It hasn’t even started.”

“Oh.”

A single syllable, rich with mockery.

Jiang Huaiyu leaned down to cover her mouth, trying to relax her nerves.

He pushed inch by inch.

It was Wen Shuyu’s first time, and it was difficult; Jiang Huaiyu coaxed her, “Baby, don’t stir.”

“I’m not.” She truly wasn’t; it was instinctive.

After overcoming many difficulties, she managed to take everything in and swallow it down, and this was just the beginning.

The two of them felt as if they were on fire, breathing heated air, their skin burning.

Jiang Huaiyu transferred his scorching breath to Wen Shuyu, helping her dispel her fears.

After getting past the initial shock, she experienced feelings she had never felt before, sometimes floating on clouds, other times on a small boat at sea.

Ready to topple over.

Jiang Huaiyu’s eyes were fixed on her, watching how she changed because of him, how every frown, smile, and movement was all for him.

More importantly, he needed to confirm that this wasn’t a dream, not one of the dreams he had held onto for so long.

It was real, it was reality.

Wen Shuyu felt shy under his gaze, awkwardly looking elsewhere.

A gust of evening wind rose, lifting one corner of the curtain, allowing moonlight to slip into the room before quickly closing again.

It lifted and closed again…

This ebb and flow echoed the scene inside.

Gradually, the beach became deserted, the tide rising and falling.

Jiang Huaiyu rested his head in the crook of her neck. “Fishy, do you know how long I’ve waited, how long I’ve endured?”

For him, every time they shared a bed was a torment.

The scenes from his dreams had become real, yet he still couldn’t believe it.

Wen Shuyu was too tired to move, lacking even the strength to speak, feeling more exhausted than when she was out chasing cases.

She gasped, “Didn’t they say the first time is always quick? Why are you…?”

They each asked their own questions.

“Is that so? Maybe I’m different.” Jiang Huaiyu tightened his embrace around her. “Baby, how do you feel?”

It was his first time, and he wanted to hear her feedback.

Wen Shuyu pushed his head away. “Don’t ask.”

She was already showing it; who would still ask like that?

Her beautiful neck line was exposed, and Jiang Huaiyu bit down on her ear lobe, which still hadn’t lost its blush.

“Alright, I won’t ask. I’ll just…”

Begin his journey of indulgence.

Wen Shuyu took the opportunity to glance at the box—it was a pack of five, but there was more than one box in the bag.

“Jiang Huaiyu, take it easy.”

Jiang Huaiyu laughed and said, “Baby, you got the address wrong, so that counts as an extra.”

The moonlight yawned and hid behind the clouds to sleep, while the waves crashed against the rocks, time and again, churning up a thousand piles of foam.

Heavy curtains blocked out the sunlight, leaving the room pitch dark, but a beam of sunlight sneaked in through the crack in the curtains.

Although they had only gone to bed at dawn, Jiang Huaiyu woke up just an hour later than usual, and when he opened his eyes, he saw Wen Shuyu.

The girl he had held in his heart for more than ten years was finally his.

He watched Wen Shuyu like that for several hours, observing her frown, her tossing and turning, unable to tire of it.

“Wife, this is really nice.”

Wen Shuyu opened her eyes, her eyelids heavy, unsure of what time it was or when she had fallen asleep.

She had already changed into dry pajamas, only remembering that Jiang Huaiyu had behaved himself for a moment in the bathroom.

As she looked up, she met Jiang Huaiyu’s deep gaze, and her face suddenly flushed, making her lower her head.

The rabbit had eaten the grass near its nest, and so had both of them.

Yet, the man still wanted to tease her. “Wife, I saw that there’s no swelling.”

After a night of staying up late, it took Wen Shuyu a moment to process what he said. She clenched her fist and punched him lightly. “Jiang Huaiyu, you’re so annoying! Can we not talk about this?”

Her voice was hoarse as she spoke.

Jiang Huaiyu kissed her lips. “Not mentioning it? My wife is shy.”

It seemed like he could never get enough of kissing her.

Wen Shuyu pouted. “Jiang Huaiyu, you’re my husband, not my boyfriend. You haven’t even chased after me; we don’t have an official status.”

She had a whole pile of reasons, and Jiang Huaiyu playfully poked her nose, saying indulgently, “Okay, whatever you say, Fish Fish. Let’s start the journey of ascendance.”

Jiang Huaiyu covered both of their heads with the blanket, and a buzzing sound came from underneath.

“Ah, Jiang Huaiyu, aren’t you tired?”

“I’m not tired; this is just about using my body to gain status.”

Jiang Huaiyu teased her, “Baby, you called me the wrong name, so that’s one more box.”

Wen Shuyu kicked him. “Oh, you really know how to push it.”

He caught her foot with his hand, pressing it down. “No, I won’t let you be a widow.”

Wen Shuyu later wanted to bicker with him, but she lacked the energy.

Just as he said, she was indeed completely worn out; two boxes had been opened.

On the third day at the beach, Wen Shuyu spent a whole day and night in bed, unable to even lift her fingers.

The man who had just begun to indulge was too terrifying, while Jiang Huaiyu seemed refreshed.

Jiang Huaiyu had put on a shirt and slacks, sitting at the edge of the bed calling for her. “Lazy Fish Fish, it’s getting dark.”

“Whose fault is that? You look all prim and proper, like a refined beast.” Wen Shuyu muttered, her voice a bit hoarse again, turning her face away and not wanting to look at him.

Her body was dry, thanks to Jiang Huaiyu’s help.

The crisp shirt made him appear noble and elegant.

He looked nothing like he had last night or this morning.

Even after being scolded, he accepted it gladly, gently stroking her hair. “It’s my fault; the ‘fish’ was too delicious, and I couldn’t resist wanting more.”

Wen Shuyu burrowed into the covers, saying, “I can’t anymore.”

Jiang Huaiyu lifted the blanket, worried she might feel stifled. “I know; I’ve ordered food to be brought up.”

“You feed me.”

“Then what should I be called?” Jiang Huaiyu said, squinting at her.

Thinking of how she had been coaxed into calling him “hubby” and “Brother Huaiyu” while in bed, Wen Shuyu couldn’t bring herself to say anything.

Wen Shuyu turned her head away. “I’ll eat by myself.”

She wasn’t prepared for this; as soon as she got out of bed, her legs felt weak, and she nearly collapsed onto the carpet.

Jiang Huaiyu scooped her up effortlessly. “I’ll brush your teeth, wash your face, my wife.”

Not knowing how to control himself, he left rows of red marks on her neck and collarbone, which became even more pronounced under the bright lights.

Wen Shuyu glared at him, “Jiang Huaiyu, I’ve told you not to leave marks. How am I supposed to go out now?”

The culprit, the man, only made her angrier the more she looked at him.

She had come to the beach without any collared clothes, and bringing a scarf felt strange.

Jiang Huaiyu immediately apologized. “My fault! Punish me however you want; I’ll go out and buy durian, and when I come back, I’ll kneel.”

Wen Shuyu nodded. “Okay, you go. I actually want to eat durian.”

Jiang Huaiyu flashed a mischievous smile. “Wife, the hotel rules say you can’t eat durian.”

He showed her the check-in rules.

Wen Shuyu’s eyes sparkled as she thought of a better idea. “Then you can buy an electronic scale, and I’ll tell you how many pounds I should kneel for.”

The man helping her wash her face froze in place, speechless for a while.

“Tsk tsk,” Wen Shuyu said. “President Jiang, what’s the hesitation?”

Jiang Huaiyu replied, “I’m willing.”

Whatever his wife said was right.

That night, Jiang Huaiyu didn’t tease her and simply held her while they slept.

Even though Wen Shuyu felt his desire, he didn’t overstep his bounds.

The next day, the marks on her neck faded a bit, and concealer could cover them. In the evening, the two of them went for a walk on the beach.

They sat by the sea, watching the stars. The universe shifted, shadows danced, and the evening breeze and moonlight wove together a corner of a long summer night’s dream.

Wen Shuyu lay in Jiang Huaiyu’s arms, listening to him say, “Yuyu, I’m very happy.”

“What are you so happy about?”

Jiang Huaiyu faced her, his gaze deep, his thin lips slightly parted. “Yuyu, I like you.”

This formal confession had been a long time coming, delayed by many years.

Even if Wen Shuyu didn’t know, this sentence had been buried in his heart for over a decade.

But that didn’t matter; it was the best time now.

“I know, anyway, you have to chase me.”

“Okay, I’ll chase you until the end of time.”

In the distance, the lighthouse flickered, like fireworks that would never fade.

On the beach, there was an old lady picking up empty bottles, who suddenly said to Wen Shuyu, “Little girl, do you remember me?”

Wen Shuyu searched her mind. “Old lady, it’s you.”

That year, she had come to the beach alone to clear her mind because of Lu Yunheng, and she met this old lady, who probably worried that she might do something drastic, and stayed with her until she left.

However, when the old lady saw Jiang Huaiyu, she also exclaimed, “Young man, you’re here too. That’s great.”

“Yes, grandma.” Jiang Huaiyu greeted her.

After the old lady left, Wen Shuyu turned back and looked at Jiang Huaiyu with a puzzled expression, her delicate brows furrowing. “Were you there the time I came to the beach alone to clear my mind?”

She quietly waited for his answer.