Chapter 54: Comforting You

There were other people in the yard. Wen Shuyu pushed Jiang Huaiyu away with her palm. “I don’t know.”

Her face showed no expression—no joy, no anger, no sorrow. Her tone was cold and distant, as if speaking to a stranger.

Not even a stranger.

Jiang Huaiyu didn’t want to know why Lu Yunheng was here. It was probably just a coincidence, like that afternoon, exactly like that day.

Last night, when he returned home and looked at the empty room, the neatly made bed on the other side, he found himself staring blankly.

His communication with Wen Shuyu had been limited to checking in and that one phone call.

His eyes were drawn to the scratch on his left hand, a mark left by Wen Shuyu.

Staring at the scar, Jiang Huaiyu sat by the bed, unable to sleep until 4 a.m.

Eventually, he bought a high-speed rail ticket.

There were no grudges between husband and wife.

Jealousy was a terrible thing. Seeing Lu Yunheng and Wen Shuyu in the same frame gave him PTSD.

They had never been together.

But they had liked each other for so many years.

People came and went in the yard, unlike the hidden privacy of Lin Yu’s villa. Wen Shuyu walked to the eaves, grabbed a stool, and sat down to avoid the sun.

She glanced at the two men in the yard and didn’t care—let them do whatever they wanted.

Out of the corner of his eye, Jiang Huaiyu noticed the man nearby. Lu Yunheng, arms crossed, walked over to the eaves, a slight smile on his lips, wanting to watch the drama unfold.

Jiang Huaiyu lifted his long legs, stepped forward, and squatted next to Wen Shuyu. He grabbed her hand, placing it in his palm, and whispered, “I’m here to comfort you, Yuyu.”

Wen Shuyu tried to pull her hand away but couldn’t. He was holding it too tightly, her palm sweating from his grip.

She let him hold her hand.

Resting her elbow on her knee, Wen Shuyu turned her head to look at Jiang Huaiyu, her lips curling into a small smile. “I don’t need comforting. I’m fine. I’m not angry, not sad, I’m eating well, sleeping soundly, and no man has offended me yet.”

The expression on her face was sarcastic, with a fake smile.

Jiang Huaiyu hated when she acted like this. The more she pretended to be indifferent, the bigger the issue became. If she vented her feelings, it would be much better.

“Yuyu, let me lean on you for a while. I haven’t eaten since this morning, and I’m feeling dizzy,” Jiang Huaiyu said, moving closer to Wen Shuyu’s shoulder.

Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Lu Yunheng, whose figure disappeared in front of the door.

Wen Shuyu replied, “Keep pretending, go ahead and keep pretending.”

The man, three parts drunk, played the part until it made you cry. And this was before he even got drunk.

“I really feel dizzy. Feel my forehead,” Jiang Huaiyu said, pulling her hand and placing it on his forehead.

It was a bit warm, but it wasn’t that long past noon, and it was the hottest part of the day.

“Come with me,” she said. They had eaten at Qin Siwan’s house, and with so many people, the plates were already empty. It would be awkward to ask someone to cook again.

Wen Shuyu went into the room, opened a cup of instant noodles, and poured in hot water. “Just make do with this.”

The whole time, Jiang Huaiyu didn’t let go of Wen Shuyu’s hand, afraid she might run away.

No one cared about Lu Yunheng.

While waiting for the noodles, Jiang Huaiyu took the opportunity to scan the room. The windows were bright, and out the back was a lush bamboo forest.

His gaze returned to Wen Shuyu. “Yuyu, you still care about me.”

Wen Shuyu shot him a glance. “I just don’t want to be a widow. If it sounds bad, we can divorce…”

She didn’t actually say the word “divorce.” Before she could finish, Jiang Huaiyu leaned down and kissed her lips.

It wasn’t a lingering kiss, just a brief touch of lips, not wanting her to say the word “divorce.”

“Divorce isn’t an option.”

Wen Shuyu touched her ear, leaned against the table, and teased him. “Mr. Jiang, you really have too much time on your hands.”

Jiang Huaiyu replied, “Making my wife happy comes first.”

Once the wife runs away, there’s nothing left.

Wen Shuyu picked up her phone and saw a message from Qin Siwan. She put her phone back into her pocket. “Eat. I’ve got something to do. You and Lu Yunheng can handle things. If it doesn’t work out, lock yourselves in together.”

“…” Letting her husband and the rival lock themselves in together—she really was something. Jiang Huaiyu replied softly, “I’ll go with you.”

Lu Yunheng had disappeared somewhere.

At the town office, when Qin Siwan saw them, she noticed they weren’t holding hands, leaving a proper distance between them. Anyone could tell what was going on.

“Lawyer Wen, your husband… you two are really well-matched.”

Wen Shuyu laughed awkwardly. “Yes.”

Not only Qin Siwan, but many others were watching them, unable to stop observing.

Qin Siwan lowered her voice. “Your husband is so clingy.”

She had seen him briefly before, but the impression wasn’t strong. Wen Shuyu came yesterday, and he came today, never leaving her side.

They were here to resolve a conflict, yet Wen Shuyu changed the subject. “By the way, didn’t you say you wanted a better blood pressure monitor? I’ll have my husband donate a few to you, and if you need anything else, make a list so you don’t end up buying things unnecessarily.”

She then turned to Jiang Huaiyu and smiled, saying, “Mr. Jiang, I’m sure you don’t mind, right?”

Jiang Huaiyu smiled and nodded, “I’ll follow the boss lady’s arrangement.”

The way he said “boss lady” made Wen Shuyu’s ears burn. It sounded even more ambiguous than calling her “wife.”

Qin Siwan declined, “No, that’s not necessary. Just give me the lowest discount.”

Wen Shuyu replied, “We’ll talk about it later. The focus right now is the factory.”

Taoshan Town is rich in resources, with peaches, pomegranates, and other fruits growing on the mountains. The town had spearheaded the creation of a snack factory, which had recently secured a large order. However, just before the delivery, the other party tried to breach the contract and was only willing to compensate a small part of the loss.

They didn’t mention the 20% penalty at all.

The factory had finally received its first major order, only to face this problem.

Qin Siwan was worried, “Where can we find new orders?” Snacks last longer than fresh fruits, but the factory urgently needed funds to keep the business going.

Compared to the lawsuit, finding a market was the most important thing right now.

Wen Shuyu looked around and came up with a good idea, “How about we take advantage of the situation and have these two men live stream to sell the products?”

She glanced at Qin Siwan, nodding toward Lu Yunheng and Jiang Huaiyu.

“Do you think they’d agree? Will the platform give them traffic at the start?” The idea was good, but Qin Siwan had concerns.

“Wen Lawyer, you’re just a consultant. Let’s figure this out ourselves.”

Wen Shuyu dismissed her concerns, “I think they’re both free. Leave it to me. Traffic can be bought. How would we know if it’ll work if we don’t try, right?”

They’ve been wandering around all day, so it’d be good to give them something to do to prevent jealousy.

“If that doesn’t work, let them learn from some influencers and show off their muscles.” She didn’t know about Lu Yunheng, but Jiang Huaiyu definitely had muscles.

With his looks, there’s no way they wouldn’t get at least some attention.

Qin Siwan laughed, “Lawyer Wen, you’re really something. I’ll give you a commission for this.”

Wen Shuyu made an “OK” gesture, “I’m here to make some extra money.”

So, the task of handling the villagers’ legal issues was handed over to Su Nian, and Wen Shuyu gathered Jiang Huaiyu and Lu Yunheng in the innermost meeting room.

She briefly explained the situation.

Lu Yunheng spoke first, “I’m not doing it.” He had never done this kind of work, and being on camera made him uncomfortable.

Jiang Huaiyu took Wen Shuyu’s hand gently and said, “I’ll do it, to share my wife’s worries.”

“Sly,” Lu Yunheng muttered, gritting his teeth. “Fine, I’ll do it too.”

It was too easy to resolve, and Wen Shuyu was in a good mood. “I’ve sent you the videos and materials. Watch them closely; we start tomorrow.”

She suddenly remembered something and added, “Jiang Huaiyu, send the materials to Lu Yunheng. I don’t have him on WeChat, and I don’t plan to add him.”

That last remark cut off any thoughts Lu Yunheng might have had, effectively reassuring Jiang Huaiyu.

Jiang Huaiyu smiled smugly at Lu Yunheng and quickly turned to Wen Shuyu, asking, “Wife, where should I sleep tonight?”

Wen Shuyu gave him a side-eye, “Isn’t Mr. Jiang very capable? Can’t even find a place to sleep?”

Jiang Huaiyu replied, “I’m not capable; I can’t even make my wife happy.”

They openly showed affection, as if no one else was around. Lu Yunheng was sure he was doing it on purpose. He could have gone back and said this, but he chose to do it in front of him.

Wen Shuyu glanced at Lu Yunheng, “You two can sleep together.”

“I refuse.”

“I refuse.”

The two men spoke in unison, both clearly disdainful of each other.

Jiang Huaiyu would rather sit on the chair swatting mosquitoes than sleep with Lu Yunheng.

Wen Shuyu shrugged, “You can decide for yourselves. I’m going to check on Su Nian.”

She left the two men staring at each other, wide-eyed.

After dinner, Su Nian packed her things. “Sister Yuyu, I’m going to sleep with Dr. Ye, so you and Brother-in-law can have some space.”

She was quick to make friends, but the betrayer came from within.

The room was left with just the two of them. Wen Shuyu went to take a shower. When she came back and lifted the light blanket, she said, “Jiang Huaiyu, just to make it clear, I won’t do anything until I’ve cooled down. If you want something, you’ll have to figure it out yourself.”

She didn’t want to fulfill her marital duties.

Jiang Huaiyu smiled wryly with anger, propping himself up on his hands on the bed. His deep eyes looked down at Wen Shuyu, “Wen Yuyu, is this how you see me?”

Wen Shuyu lightly nodded, “Yes. I’m tired. I’m going to sleep. Feel free to do whatever you want.”

She even used the formal “you.”

Jiang Huaiyu slid under the covers, feeling the cool, damp air. Wen Shuyu slept with her back to him.

He hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her neck, and lightly kissed her shoulder, “Yuyu, I’m sorry.”

No response.

Jiang Huaiyu knew she wasn’t asleep. When he kissed her, her body slightly trembled.

“Yuyu, I don’t want you two sitting together. He can’t forget his old feelings for you.”

Still, no answer.

When she was normally angry, she would vent it out, but when she was really upset, she would ignore him.

Taking advantage of her not paying attention, Jiang Huaiyu turned her body around, pressing his lips against hers.

The air around them was filled with his cool, deep breath.

Wen Shuyu pushed his chest, “Jiang Huaiyu, you’re being a rogue again.”

Jiang Huaiyu pulled her into his embrace, “I’m kissing my own wife.”

It wasn’t being a rogue.

Predicting his move, Wen Shuyu avoided his kiss, “Jiang Huaiyu, if you ask me a hundred times, my answer will always be the same: me.”

“I believe you. I just hate seeing you two together.”

He had hated seeing them together since high school, let alone Lu Yunheng’s actions.

Their differences in understanding.

“I’ll comfort you,” Jiang Huaiyu slid his hand under her nightgown, kissing the soft edges.

Wen Shuyu pushed at his head, “I don’t want it.”

“You like it when I kiss you,” Jiang Huaiyu pulled off the black lace fabric and buried his head in to kiss her.

The body never lies.

The room had poor soundproofing, and Wen Shuyu bit her lip, barely able to contain herself. She let out a faint, involuntary moan.

The sheets were pulled and distorted by her hand. The man, keeping his word, stopped immediately after she was comfortable.

Even though his stomach was tight with tension.

Wen Shuyu, the one being served, had also exhausted quite a bit of energy and soon drifted off to sleep.

After she fell asleep, Jiang Huaiyu pulled her closer, wanting to nestle her into his body, murmuring in the deep of the night, “Yuyu, I can’t let you be with him.”

The one who was awake didn’t respond, but the one who was asleep began to reply, “Jiang Huaiyu… I hate you.”

“I only need you to like me.”

You never know if a twisted melon is sweet until you try.

“The fish who denies her feelings, she clearly likes me.”

The woman in his arms didn’t respond. The quiet night was filled only with the chirping of crickets.

The next day, Jiang Huaiyu and Lu Yunheng held their first live stream. Many things went wrong, but they managed to resolve it with their quick wit.

Wen Shuyu bought traffic coupons, asked a friend to boost the popularity, and spent money to make it trend on the hot search list. The stream finally wasn’t ignored.

The real heroes were Jiang Huaiyu and Lu Yunheng.

One had to admire the power of e-commerce. The accumulated products were mostly sold out, and the remaining supplies went to local supermarkets.

With the biggest issue resolved, Jiang Huaiyu hugged Wen Shuyu. “Yuyu, don’t meet with Lu Yunheng again.”

Wen Shuyu replied, “I think you two worked really well together.”

“I did it for you, biting my tongue.”

He made it sound like it was so pitiful.

After streaming all night, everyone else was exhausted and went to rest, leaving the two of them in the yard.

The three had all taken a shower. Wen Shuyu bought some food for them and placed it in the yard. Thanks to Jiang Huaiyu’s mosquito repellent stickers, she was spared from mosquito bites.

The barbecue was placed on the table. The two men didn’t eat, instead drinking beer, clinking the bottles together.

The atmosphere grew tense, and the situation felt like it was on the verge of exploding.

It was like the dark night tonight, where not a single star could be seen.

Lu Yunheng drank an entire bottle of beer. “Jiang Huaiyu, how long have you two been together?”

Jiang Huaiyu gently patted Wen Shuyu’s head and said softly, “Yuyu, you go inside first. I’ll talk to him.”

Wen Shuyu listened to him and obediently went inside.

A few seconds of silence passed before Jiang Huaiyu swallowed a glass of wine and spoke firmly.

“My feelings for her are far deeper than you can imagine, and they’ve lasted longer than you think, and they are much more steadfast than you believe.

She is my one and only, and for her, I can give up going abroad. For her, I’ve endured all these years.

What about you? You just hang her along with your vague feelings, leaving her to be sad alone.”

This left Lu Yunheng dumbfounded, unable to react for a long time.

Jiang Huaiyu paused for a few seconds. “You’ve never put her first.”

Each word hit Lu Yunheng’s heart, shattering his relief.

Wen Shuyu leaned against the door, her nose feeling sore, and she lifted her head to stop herself from crying.

No wonder Jiang Huaiyu asked her to go inside. He didn’t want her to hear these words, which would make her remember the past and feel sad.

Jiang Huaiyu coldly warned Lu Yunheng, “Yuyu is my wife, and I love her very much. I hope Mr. Lu will no longer disturb our lives. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being rude.”

He had no mood to eat. Jiang Huaiyu strode into the room and collided with Wen Shuyu. “I’m going to talk to him.”

Wen Shuyu grabbed his arm. “What do you need to talk to him about?”

Ignoring the others in the yard, Wen Shuyu stood on tiptoe and kissed Jiang Huaiyu on the lips. “Don’t be jealous. Wait for me to come back and I’ll make it up to you.”

As expected, Jiang Huaiyu let her go.

Wen Shuyu quickly ran to stand in front of Lu Yunheng, and said the prepared words, “Lu Yunheng, the moment I found out you were going abroad, I let go of my feelings for you. I could’ve gone with you, but you didn’t even ask me.”

Lu Yunheng couldn’t bear to look at her face, staring at the distant mountains. “I can’t bear it. I know you’d be willing, but I don’t want you to see my helplessness. The little princess should always be above, how could she endure hardships with me?”

From the person he liked in his youth, the only girl he ever liked, and still now, how could he forget so easily?

He felt like a person trapped by the mountains, trapping himself and losing his one true love.

He had his reasons. The past was gone, but in his heart, it still wasn’t enough. There were many solutions, but he chose the worst one.

Wen Shuyu’s expression was calm, “When I was doing well, you came back to disturb my life. If this is your way of liking me, it’s terrifying. I really like Jiang Huaiyu. I don’t want him to be upset, I don’t want him to be jealous, so this is the last time I meet you.”

After speaking, she left without any hesitation.

Lu Yunheng watched the two of them walk away. The couple was becoming more alike.

To be exact, they had always been alike.

Jiang Huaiyu pulled Wen Shuyu into his arms as they entered the house, his tone playful. “Yuyu, how are you going to comfort me?”

Wen Shuyu slapped him lightly, “You heard it, so that’s comforting.”

He had been standing there waiting for her, listening clearly to everything.

“You’re so perfunctory, wife.” Jiang Huaiyu lowered his head and kissed her lips, taking her from the living room to the bedroom, pressing her against the door for a deep kiss.

Instantly, passion took over, and his hands began to roam.

Wen Shuyu reminded him, “The soundproofing isn’t good here.”

Jiang Huaiyu, with a relaxed tone, responded, “Baby, isn’t this a bit exciting?”

Hearing his words, Wen Shuyu unexpectedly felt a bit of anticipation.