Chapter 26.1

It wasn’t as if she could truly forget, even if she tried. Lu Yi understood this was just self-deception. In the short term, neither of them could let go of that night.

What she really wanted was for them to come to a mutual agreement: to never bring it up again.

Lin Jinshen lowered his lashes and said, “What I mean is, since we’re husband and wife, there’s no need to feel ashamed. After all, marriage is the closest of relationships.”

“This also means that certain needs driven by hormones, physiological reactions, or even crude remarks are normal between spouses.”

“…”

It felt like a biology lesson.

A crash course on “courtship” between male and female organisms.

Lu Yi rested her hand against her forehead, trying to decide if Lin Jinshen’s reasoning was refreshingly straightforward or simply the result of reducing relationships to a formula. She leaned toward the latter.

Still, he had provided a rational explanation for that night.

“You’re right,” she nodded. “I have no issues now.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

Lin Jinshen tilted his head slightly, his gaze steady as he looked at her.

Lu Yi thought he didn’t believe her. Facing his intense stare, she began to second-guess herself, as if he could see through her outward composure to the lingering discomfort inside.

She pressed her lips together, and just as she was about to speak, he suddenly leaned closer, casting a shadow over her.

Lu Yi felt like she had been lifted off the ground. Her spine straightened, and she pressed herself back against the seat. Her hands, unsure where to go, remained suspended mid-air. She held her breath, but the woody coolness of Lin Jinshen’s scent seeped into every corner.

Her heart pounded as his face came closer, his sharp brow ridge and long, dark lashes magnified before her.

Lin Jinshen extended his arm, and as she instinctively shifted back, the space between them seemed to shrink further. She was trapped in the tight confines of the car, so close that a slight movement forward would bring her lips to his cheek.

His hand reached around to the right side of her seat, pulled out the seatbelt, and with a soft click, fastened it on her left side. Then he returned to his position, the barrier gone, and the air seemed to flood back into the space.

“You weren’t wearing your seatbelt,” he said in a low, cool voice.

In the midst of their conversation, Lu Yi had completely forgotten about the seatbelt. Embarrassed, she mumbled her thanks and explained, “I usually wear it.”

“Hmm, it’s a good habit,” Lin Jinshen replied, his tone reserved.

His elder-like tone made Lu Yi feel like a child expecting praise for a small accomplishment. She slowly slid lower in her seat, feeling oddly awkward.

The car drove back to Chengxi Garden.

Aunt Fang had already left for the day. Knowing they both had engagements and wouldn’t return for dinner, she hadn’t cooked much. Meanwhile, Puff, the cat, was gradually getting used to Lin Jinshen’s presence. Though it didn’t approach him, it meowed softly from afar, announcing its existence.

After placing her bag down, Lu Yi picked up Puff. She made sure it had eaten, checked that the litter box was clean, and confirmed that it hadn’t knocked anything over. Stroking its head, she said, “You’ve been so good today.”

Seeing that she wasn’t heading upstairs immediately, Lin Jinshen said, “I’ll go shower first.”

“Alright.”

As she turned, her gaze caught the corner of the floor-to-ceiling window. She frowned slightly. Adjusting to this new dynamic would take time; she couldn’t yet manage it with complete ease.

Recently, Aunt Fang had sent her videos showing how Puff had learned to open doors. It could jump up and press down the handle. While it couldn’t open the heavy front door, it had managed to open the bathroom door on the first floor several times.

Aunt Fang was overjoyed. “I knew from the first look that this little one was smart!”

Lu Yi hadn’t witnessed it in person yet. Now, she urged Puff to show off its new skill.

At first, Puff acted reserved. When she set it down, it rubbed against her legs, asking for cuddles. Lu Yi pointed at the door and said, “Show Mommy a trick.”

“Meow?”

“You can do it.” She tapped its small head encouragingly.

Finally understanding, Puff walked gracefully to the door. With an effortless leap, it pressed the handle. It didn’t succeed on the first try, but after a few more attempts, the door opened a crack. Puff reached out with its paw, hooked the edge, and pulled it open.

Turning back, it meowed twice at Lu Yi.

“Wow!”

Delighted, Lu Yi scooped Puff up and kissed it repeatedly. “Our little Puff is ready for college, isn’t it?”

“Meow?”

When Lin Jinshen came out of the shower, he overheard Lu Yi talking to the cat, as if it could understand her. He had intended to head to the study but changed direction.

The sound came from near the cat’s corner. There, he saw a small section filled with cat-related items: a bed, a scratching post, a climbing frame, and other small objects he couldn’t identify. The space, which resembled a fairy tale nook, had grown since the last time he noticed it.

Lu Yi fit right into this setting, with no sense of incongruity. Sitting cross-legged, she held the cat’s front paws in her hands. Her face was animated, full of warmth and tenderness.

Lin Jinshen descended the stairs with a water cup in hand.

Hearing his footsteps, Lu Yi finally noticed his presence and looked up.

He was habitually dressed in dark colors, but today his sleepwear was a light almond shade. The softer color tempered his sharp demeanor. His freshly washed hair was half-dry, damp strands falling across his forehead, appearing even darker against his pale skin.

Beneath the tousled hair was an unmistakable high nose bridge. His thin lips were pressed into a line, and his fingers, with distinct knuckles, held the cup firmly.

Sensing him, Puff huddled closer into Lu Yi’s embrace, refusing to budge.

Lin Jinshen’s towering figure cast a shadow over them, creating a subtle pressure on both the woman and the cat. It wasn’t until he reached the island counter that the oppressive sensation eased.

He pressed a button, and the sound of water filled the room as it poured into the cup.

Lu Yi lowered her head and pinched Puff’s face. Its round eyes were so adorable that her heart felt like it would melt.

Then Lin Jinshen’s voice broke the quiet. “What’s its name?”

“Sorry?” Lu Yi hadn’t heard him clearly.

“What’s its name?” He tilted his chin slightly, repeating the question.

It felt almost surreal—he was interested in Puff. Surprised, Lu Yi lifted the cat and explained, “Its name is Puff because most of its back is yellow, while its belly is snowy white, just like a cream puff.”

A cream puff—a dessert. For the first time, Lin Jinshen connected the cat’s name to its appearance.

Now cradled in her arms, Puff’s soft belly was exposed as it stared blankly with wide eyes. It was well-behaved and irresistibly cute.

Seizing the rare moment of his interest, Lu Yi ventured, “Do you want to pet it? Puff’s really well-behaved and doesn’t bite.”

Lin Jinshen lifted his eyes slightly.

Lu Yi smiled, her gaze shimmering with hope.

She wanted them to get along. That way, Puff wouldn’t hide like a frightened mouse whenever it saw him. Maybe it could even venture upstairs, expanding its territory.

After a brief pause, Lin Jinshen said, “…I don’t like cats.”

“You can just try. Puff has a great temperament and very soft fur,” Lu Yi said, noticing that his tone wasn’t as firm as usual.

When the water cup was full, he pressed the button to stop it. After a moment of hesitation, he placed the cup on the dining table and walked over.

As he moved closer, Puff shrank back into Lu Yi’s arms, its ears standing alert as it warily watched him.

Lu Yi said, “Puff is a bit scared of you. You can use a cat treat to lure it. It’s such a foodie that as long as you have food, it’ll approach you on its own.”

Lin Jinshen looked down at Puff, meeting its gaze, as if considering whether it was worth the effort.

As he pondered, his hand was gently tugged, as though his heartstrings were being pulled.

Curious, Lu Yi said softly, “Give it a try. Let’s see if it’ll eat.”

She, too, wanted to see if Puff, so fearful of Lin Jinshen, would compromise for food.

In the past, Lin Jinshen wouldn’t have bothered. He saw no need to indulge a cat, and whether it ate or not was inconsequential. But now, the refusal he would’ve typically voiced was left unsaid. Instead, he accepted the cat treat Lu Yi handed him, tore it open with a crisp sound, and a cat’s ears perked up at the noise.

Puff’s wide, cautious eyes stayed locked on him, shifting to follow his hand.

It let out a tentative meow, sounding both eager and nervous.

Lin Jinshen squeezed the treat tube, and the fishy aroma wafted out.

“Meow~” Puff’s calls became shorter and more urgent.

Lu Yi chuckled softly, stroking the little cat absentmindedly as it sat in her lap. “This little one really has no self-control. The temptation is too much for it to resist.”

Lin Jinshen’s hand hung loosely at his knee, seemingly languid, but Puff grew impatient and let out an anxious cry. Slowly, he raised his hand, the cat’s wide eyes following his movements up and down.

After several meows of increasing urgency, Puff couldn’t resist anymore. Tentatively, it extended a paw, stepping onto Lu Yi’s knee, and leaned forward to sniff at the treat. It hesitated, poised to dart away at the slightest scare.

Sniffing cautiously, its eyes narrowed.

With a soft sound, it finally began licking at the treat, emitting small, satisfied noises. A piece dropped to the ground, and Puff quickly hooked it back with its paw, eating it with great care.

“Since Puff is already over the normal weight for a cat, it’s on a diet. I haven’t given it many treats recently, so it’s especially eager now,” Lu Yi explained, then added, “Now you can try petting it.”