Chapter 32

Lin Jinshen hadn’t planned to kiss her.

At least not when he was coming downstairs.

He simply thought her glasses were in the way and wanted to take them off. But when he removed them, and she looked up at him with her wide eyes, something subtle shifted within him.

So, he kissed her.

After all, they were married. Kissing didn’t require a reason, and there would be plenty more kisses in the future.

Lu Yi, on the other hand, was wondering—why the guilt?

It wasn’t their first kiss, nor was she forced into it. She had even responded. So where did the guilt come from?

Then it struck her: Lin Jinshen’s way of thinking was not something an average person could comprehend. Perhaps his “guilt” stemmed from the fact that they had been kissing too frequently lately.

Overindulgence—it didn’t align with the image of restraint that CEO Lin was supposed to uphold.

Both had their own thoughts but chose not to voice them.

Meanwhile, Puff tilted its little head, its gaze darting around curiously like a tiny radar.

So odd. So curious.

Lu Yi pressed her lips together, still feeling the remnants of his kiss. After a moment of composure, she asked, “Do you still want tea?”

“…Yes.”

“Alright.”

She wasn’t petty; she poured him a cup.

The tea had just finished brewing and was still hot. Seeing her make an entire pot, Lin Jinshen assumed she intended to keep working. Lu Yi shook her head. “I’m going to watch a movie.”

It was still early—there was time before 11 p.m.

“Are you watching with me?” Unlike when she asked if he wanted tea, this question was more polite than genuine. She fully expected him to decline, knowing he usually worked during this time.

But Lin Jinshen raised his eyes. “I can.”

“…Oh.”

He hadn’t initially planned to watch a movie. The rejection was at the tip of his tongue when he remembered her comment the night she got drunk—that she would prefer him not to come home.

He understood. After all, they hadn’t been married long, and they were still unfamiliar with each other. Awkwardness was inevitable.

He decided they needed to become more familiar sooner rather than later.

They hadn’t shared many activities together—aside from what happened in bed. Watching a movie seemed like a proper family activity, something that might help build intimacy.

Lu Yi hesitantly said, “It’s an artsy film. Might be boring and not your type.”

Translation: Please decline!

Lin Jinshen sipped his tea. “That’s fine. I’m okay with anything.”

“…Alright. I’ll make a fruit platter first.”

Her last shred of hope for escape was crushed. Lu Yi bit her lip and resolved to break her habit of making polite suggestions. She peeled and cut some fruit, arranging it neatly on a plate.

Meanwhile, Lin Jinshen carried the teapot over to the coffee table.

Lu Yi queued up the film she wanted to watch and projected it onto the screen. It was a romance movie. The reviews had described it as dramatic and full of messy relationships, but the attractive cast and strong performances made it entertaining in a detached way.

For ambiance, she dimmed the chandelier and left only the small corner lamp on. The darker setting made the images on the screen more vivid.

Her usual habit was to sit on the carpet, but seeing Lin Jinshen seated at one end of the sofa, she hesitated and chose to sit on the couch instead. They each occupied an end, with Puff in the middle.

The movie opened with a nighttime scene on an empty street. The camera wandered aimlessly, accompanied only by heavy breathing and a male voice narrating how his girlfriend had disappeared without a word.

One critic had bluntly described it: “The characters are all unhinged, but I’m curious to see what further absurdities will keep me watching to the end.”

Lu Yi shared a similar sentiment.

About half an hour in, Lu Yi instinctively reached out to pet Puff, but her hand found empty air. Glancing to the side, she saw Puff had moved to Lin Jinshen’s lap.

Lin Jinshen was noticeably more relaxed than usual, no longer sitting ramrod straight. His side profile was sharp and handsome as his eyes stayed glued to the screen. His long fingers rested on Puff’s head, absentmindedly stroking it. Puff, with its eyes half-closed, looked ready to fall asleep in bliss.

His method of petting was nothing like Lu Yi’s. His movements were detached and almost perfunctory, barely shifting for long intervals.

Yet Puff adored it, tilting its head back in anticipation of the next stroke.

Lu Yi felt a pang of betrayal. Her ungrateful cat had forgotten the mother who fed it every day and instead clung to the man who had given it treats just once.

She speared a piece of fruit with a fork and ate it. It was too sweet, so she sipped tea to balance it out.

Lin Jinshen didn’t eat any; he avoided sugar at night, believing it to be an unnecessary burden on the body.

Midway through the movie, the story had devolved into the chaos the reviews had promised. Lu Yi glanced at Lin Jinshen, finding his critical and judgmental gaze far more entertaining than the film itself.

It felt like watching a drama with one’s parents—where the father sternly criticized the characters for their recklessness. In this case, Lin Jinshen seemed particularly aggrieved at the protagonist for neglecting the livelihood of thousands of employees for the sake of a romantic entanglement.

Lu Yi couldn’t help but wonder what he thought of it all.

In one scene, the male lead’s relationship with a female colleague was misunderstood by his girlfriend, leading to a breakup. The male lead then tried to win her back.

From an omniscient perspective, no one was truly at fault; the misunderstanding stemmed from a lack of information.

But Lin Jinshen saw it differently. “Why couldn’t he just reject her? Is he the only man in the world?”

Lu Yi offered another perspective: the female colleague had been fired and turned to a senior colleague for help, which was understandable. Their conversation had been strictly professional, with no romantic implications.

“If, after living for so many years, the only person she can turn to is a male colleague with a girlfriend, then she should be crying about more than just being fired,” Lin Jinshen retorted.

Huh.

Lu Yi actually found his reasoning quite logical.

Her smile didn’t go unnoticed. “What are you laughing at?” he asked.

Holding her teacup, she replied, “…I think I understand why you were single for so long.”

She could imagine it now. Even if a teary-eyed woman appeared before him, he would think: Seriously? In all these years, you couldn’t find anyone else to cry to? And if that’s true, isn’t that the real thing you should be crying about?

Lin Jinshen didn’t mind.

After all, he wasn’t single anymore.

—

This time, their smooth progress could not have been achieved without the Lu family’s subtle assistance.

Lin Wenyun mentioned an upcoming charity gala in a few days, hosted by someone closely connected to the Lin family. Their attendance was expected to show support.

“Understood,” Lin Jinshen said, absentmindedly twisting his wedding ring. After a moment’s thought, he added, “But Lu Yi doesn’t like attending such events.”

“?”

Lin Wenyun rarely showed such a speechless expression. “I meant for you to accompany me, just to make an appearance. I didn’t suggest bringing Lu Yi along.”

After having children herself, she had grown to dislike these occasions too, but her position demanded her presence. She was well aware that Lu Yi didn’t enjoy these gatherings, so she hadn’t factored her in.

“Before I even mentioned it, you thought of Xiao Yi?” Lin Wenyun raised an eyebrow.

“…”

Lin Jinshen maintained his composure, his tone steady and aloof. “It was just a casual remark. There’s no need to involve her in such an event. I’ll ask my assistant to clear my schedule for that day.”

Lin Wenyun gave him an amused look, her smile deepening. Lin Jinshen frowned and addressed her softly as “Aunt,” prompting her to drop the subject.

“That day is Valentine’s Day. Are you sure you can attend?”

She hadn’t mentioned it earlier, assuming it wasn’t relevant—Lin Jinshen didn’t seem like the type to observe such occasions. But now, it seemed otherwise. As someone with experience, she trusted her intuition.

The 7th day of the 7th lunar month, Qixi Festival, fell on the 16th of this month.

Lin Wenyun teased further, “It’ll be your first Valentine’s Day after marriage.”

“Does it really matter?”

Lin Jinshen’s reply was noncommittal.

Such dates were unfamiliar to him; in his 28 years of life, they had never been relevant.

Her curiosity waning, Lin Wenyun gave up pressing her taciturn nephew. She reminded him to prepare a gift—even if the day wasn’t celebrated, a thoughtful gesture was non-negotiable. No woman could tolerate being overlooked.

Lin Jinshen gave a muted response.

However, he was unsure of Lu Yi’s preferences. The only thing that came to mind was the bag she had been examining closely the last time they met at Tang Palace.

Near dusk, he checked the time and assumed she would be home from work. He dialed her number.

After two rings, Lu Yi answered. Her voice overlapped with Puffs’ meows. She was scolding the cat, explaining it couldn’t eat any more regardless of how much it begged. After reiterating her point, she turned her attention back to the call. “What’s up?”

Hearing her voice, Lin Jinshen could vividly picture the scene on her end.

Under the warm light, Puffs would be standing on its hind legs, pawing at her for more food. Lu Yi, resolutely firm, would lecture it like a stern parent, insisting it was bad to be greedy.

She always looked so serious in moments like these, as if the cat could genuinely understand her.

Loosening his tie, his expression softened slightly as he leaned back in his office chair. “Just wanted to ask if you have plans over the next few days.”

Not a specific day—just the next few days.

Distracted by Puffs, Lu Yi’s response was slow. “Yes, I’ve plans to meet friends.”

“Friends?” Lin Jinshen asked instinctively.

“The ones you’ve met—Yu Yin and Wu Sidong,” she replied casually.

Lin Jinshen’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Which day?”

“This Saturday.”

The 16th.

“Is there something going on?” Lu Yi asked, puzzled.

Suppressing an inexplicable irritation, Lin Jinshen’s tone remained steady. “Nothing much. There’s a charity gala that evening.”

He hadn’t originally planned to mention it.

“Is it important? Do you need me to go with you?” Lu Yi stopped lecturing Puffs, gently covering the cat’s face with her hand to stop it from begging further. Puffs froze, obediently staying still.

Lu Yi didn’t mind attending—it was for charity, after all, and as Mrs. Lin, there were occasions she was expected to participate in.

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds before he said, “It’s fine.”

He didn’t specify whether it was important, but Lu Yi guessed it might be since he had asked about her plans. He never brought up the numerous other events he attended.

Yet his “It’s fine” left her feeling a tinge of guilt.

“If it’s significant, I can let my friends know. I’m sure they’ll understand,” she offered.

After all, it was just a casual gathering, and her absence wouldn’t be a big deal.

Leaning one hand against his desk, Lin Jinshen tapped his fingers absently, his eyes deep and unreadable. “It’s not a must. If you have plans, don’t feel obligated.”

“It’s not an obligation. I’ll go with you,” Lu Yi decided without much hesitation.