Chapter 17.2

Lin Jinshen didn’t mind. He silently observed a few pieces, but his presence carried a tense, almost oppressive air, as if even the space around him felt heavier.

At that moment, someone approached Lu Yi, asking for her assistance as a staff member.

She turned to Lin Jinshen with an apologetic smile. “I might be busy for a while and won’t have time to look after you.”

It was her way of politely suggesting he leave. Since he’d come under the pretense of work, it made sense for him to return to it.

“That’s fine. You can handle your tasks,” Lin Jinshen said, indifferent.

“Okay.”

Lu Yi exhaled quietly and turned away, disappearing into the crowd.

Lin Jinshen shifted his attention back to a painting in front of him. He had set aside two hours for this visit—an unusually luxurious amount of time for someone accustomed to meticulously planning every minute. To spend it at a gallery felt like an intentional indulgence.

This particular painting caught his eye; it was by an artist Lu Yi admired. He had purchased it previously.

Lu Yi had once described the piece as a whimsical dream under the moonlight, a world born of fantastical imagination. But to him, it felt chaotic and disordered, defying any sense of logic or reality.

If not for Lu Yi, he would never have spent money on such an artwork.

Art didn’t interest him.

Yet, his peripheral vision tracked Lu Yi as she moved gracefully among the crowd. She wore a sleeveless light-blue blouse and a fitted pencil skirt. Her dark hair was neatly pinned back, exposing her delicate ears. When she tilted her head to listen, her profile looked serene and elegant. Her gentle smile and patient tone gave her a natural charm, as though she belonged in this kind of environment.

She was the center of attention, drawing admiration wherever she went.

Lu Yi, however, was too busy to notice him. A few times, she scanned the room for him and spotted his tall figure standing silently before a painting.

“Your husband doesn’t look like a ‘stingy guy.’ He seems more like someone wealthy,” Yu Qian remarked, suddenly appearing at Lu Yi’s side.

Yu Qian didn’t know much about luxury brands, but she recognized the watch Lin Jinshen was wearing. Her boyfriend had once joked about wanting it as a birthday gift—its price was equivalent to a small apartment. She had promptly told him to forget it.

She wasn’t certain it was the same watch but was willing to bet it was expensive.

“Could he be a secret millionaire? Lu Yi, don’t keep it from us if you’re actually a wealthy wife,” Yu Qian teased.

Lu Yi had anticipated such comments after Lin Jinshen’s appearance.

She admitted, “His family does run a business.”

“A big one?”

“Not really, just a small one. They care a lot about appearances, though.”

Yu Qian nodded, understanding. “Makes sense. It’s about looking the part when doing business. That fits.”

Still, even a “small business” seemed to align with Lu Yi’s own privileged background.

As the event neared its end, some colleagues invited the couple to dinner. Lu Yi declined, citing other plans.

One coworker tried to persuade her, but another stepped in. “Leave them alone. They’re newlyweds—of course they’d want to spend time together. Aren’t we enough company for you?”

“Right, sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

After some lighthearted banter, her colleagues left for dinner.

“Let’s go,” Lu Yi said, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

“You can join them if you’d like. I’ll head back to the office shortly,” Lin Jinshen offered.

“No, it’s fine. I wasn’t in the mood for dinner with them anyway.”

When Lin Jinshen wasn’t home, Lu Yi enjoyed the freedom to relax, unbothered by his routines or expectations. It was nice.

Still, she couldn’t let herself seem too happy about his absence—after all, they weren’t close enough for her to let her guard down completely.

Even Puff was more lively and energetic than usual.

The car was parked nearby, and leaving the exhibition hall required a five-minute walk to the roadside.

In their silent company, the short five minutes stretched endlessly.

As they walked, Lu Yi was already planning her evening after sending Lin Jinshen off. She intended to send the menu to Aunt Fang early so dinner would be ready by the time she got home—still warm and ready to eat.

As she considered her options for dinner, Lin Jinshen suddenly grabbed her arm. A food delivery scooter zoomed past, brushing her with a gust of hot wind.

Startled, Lu Yi froze for a moment.

Lin Jinshen released his grip.

Her arm still carried the faint sensation of his firm but measured hold. She said softly, “Thank you.”

“When you’re walking, don’t get distracted. Pay attention to your surroundings.” Lin Jinshen’s tone was low and calm, like a senior lecturing a junior about crossing streets safely.

Feeling lectured, Lu Yi furrowed her brow slightly and nodded without saying much.

At the parking spot, Lin Jinshen let her get into her car first. He then climbed into his Bentley parked by the roadside. The moment he settled in, Shen Hong began briefing him on his next schedule. Lin Jinshen glanced out of the window to watch Lu Yi’s Mini drive off before turning his attention back to Shen Hong. “Continue.”

—

When Lu Yi got home, Aunt Fang was just taking off her apron. After greeting each other, Aunt Fang said, “Check if it’s what you wanted.”

Lu Yi had ordered a dish of mala blood stew, glistening with red oil and fragrant with spices. It looked spicy enough to make her salivate. Aunt Fang, concerned about her eating habits, had also prepared a small pot of pear soup to soothe her throat and lungs.

“Yes, Aunt Fang, it looks delicious,” Lu Yi said as she went to wash her hands.

“Is Mr. Lin coming home tonight? There’s extra pear soup; he can have some if he does.”

“No, he’s not coming back. He’s busy with work.”

After washing her hands, Lu Yi took a towel to dry them, pausing to habitually rub the head of her little shadow, Puff.

Aunt Fang, sensing no sadness in her tone, couldn’t help but offer some advice. “Mr. Lin seems to have been away a lot. You two just got married, and this doesn’t seem ideal.”

“Work is important,” Lu Yi replied casually.

“Work is important, but so is building a relationship. What if I prepare some dishes he likes this weekend? You could take them to him and show him you’re thinking of him,” Aunt Fang suggested earnestly.

Lu Yi declined promptly. “No need, Aunt Fang. You should take the weekend off and relax. He’ll come home when he’s less busy.”

“Alright. I’ll be going now.”

“Take care, Aunt Fang.”

Once Aunt Fang left, the house was empty, save for Lu Yi and Puff. One person and one cat stared at each other before Lu Yi tossed Puff’s well-chewed cat ball. Puff leapt gracefully to retrieve it with light, pattering steps.

Such a free-spirited cat.

When Lin Jinshen was home, Puff couldn’t even run around freely.

Lu Yi perched on a barstool, sipping her pear soup slowly, savoring the rare tranquility.

Later that quiet evening, she picked a suspenseful movie as usual. By the time it ended, it was already midnight. Puff had succumbed to sleep, while she wearily trudged upstairs to her room. On her double bed, she sprawled in the middle, arms and legs spread naturally.

Her sleep was restless, likely because of the movie she had just watched. In her dreams, everything was dark. Leaves rustled wildly in the wind. She stood on a terrace, her nightgown clinging to her, gripping a baseball bat with sweaty hands. In the shadows, she felt an intense, watchful gaze fixated on her.

Suddenly, the abrupt creak of a door opening jolted her awake.

Her eyes flew open to see a dark figure entering the room.

Unable to distinguish dream from reality, she was about to scream when a low, familiar voice spoke first.

“It’s me.”

Lin Jinshen’s voice.

Realizing it wasn’t a stranger breaking in, Lu Yi’s body relaxed, though her forehead glistened with a thin layer of sweat. Her voice was still thick with sleep as she mumbled, “Why are you back?”

“I came to grab some documents. I’ll stay here tonight.”

What kind of documents required his personal retrieval? Confidential ones too sensitive to entrust to anyone else? Lu Yi, still groggy, glanced at the clock. It was already 3 a.m., well past the sleep schedule he was so rigid about.

“You go ahead and sleep. I’ll take a shower first.”

“Okay.”

Lu Yi belatedly noticed the lights were off as Lin Jinshen moved seamlessly, retrieving his pajamas and entering the bathroom. The light from the bathroom spilled softly into the bedroom, a warm and muted glow.

Despite her annoyance at his sudden return, Lu Yi’s exhaustion overtook her, and she fell back asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

When Lin Jinshen finished his shower and returned in his pajamas, he noticed the bedside lamp was now on, casting a gentle yellow glow.

The person on the bed was already asleep, a small rise and fall beneath the covers.

He stood by the bed for a moment before moving to the other side, pulling back the blanket. Yet, as he was about to lie down, he paused.

Lu Yi’s arms were crossed over her chest, her breathing uneven.

Sleeping with arms crossed like that wasn’t healthy. It could put pressure on the heart, leading to palpitations or nightmares.

Frowning, Lin Jinshen hesitated for half a minute before leaning over to adjust her arms, placing them by her sides.

Just as he was about to pull away, her eyes snapped open.

In the dim light, her gaze was dark and piercing.

Lu Yi had woken up the moment he leaned over. His fresh, clean scent lingered as his hand grasped her wrist, rousing her from her light sleep.

With her arms forcefully positioned, she couldn’t help but open her eyes.

Still groggy from sleep, and recalling his past record of early-morning disruptions, Lu Yi’s thoughts strayed. Frowning deeply, she rasped, “At this hour… for that?”

“?”