Chapter 09

This topic seemed difficult to move past.

Lu Yi ignored the earlier comment and answered his question about when she would move in. She mentioned that her work schedule was busy and that she probably wouldn’t have time until next weekend.

Lin Jinshen nodded. “I’ll be on a business trip in a couple of days. You can move in first, and if you need anything, contact Jiang Xun, my personal assistant,” he said, forwarding her Jiang Xun’s contact details.

“Alright.”

“The house doesn’t have much yet—furniture and household items, for example. Feel free to add as needed.” He handed her a black and gold credit card. “The housekeeper has been arranged. She’ll meet you once you move in. If you’re not comfortable with her, we can find someone else.”

“Got it.”

Lu Yi accepted the card. Lin Jinshen seemed to have taken care of everything, leaving her with little room to respond with anything other than agreement.

Just as she was about to leave, Lin Jinshen called out to her, taking a small box from his coat pocket. Inside was a pair of rings. “The rings for the wedding ceremony haven’t been designed yet. These will serve as temporary substitutes.”

“You know my ring size?” Lu Yi asked, concerned about the awkward possibility of the ring not fitting.

Lin Jinshen’s gaze fell on her hand. “I’ve seen your hand before. I estimated.”

Her fingers were slender and delicate. When the assistant asked for the size, he had chosen size seven.

“Quite small.”

This impression matched his view of her overall—thin to the point where her pale skin almost revealed the veins beneath.

“Shall I help you put it on?”

“I’ll do it myself.”

His hands, holding the ring, were defined and strong, his pale skin hinting at a latent strength. As she took the ring from him, her fingers brushed against his, a faint spark of electricity prickling her skin.

Lu Yi slipped the ring onto her left ring finger.

The size fit perfectly. The plain design was simple and understated, exactly her style. When she looked up, she saw that Lin Jinshen had already put on his ring.

“Thank you. I like it a lot.”

They had obtained the marriage certificate.
They now wore their wedding rings.

Yet, Lu Yi still didn’t feel the reality of their union. It felt more like playing out a script, waiting for someone to call “cut” so they could effortlessly revert to their original roles—Lu Yi and Lin Jinshen, separate individuals.

“When are you leaving for your trip?” she asked, pulling herself out of her thoughts.

“This Friday,” he replied.

Lu Yi smiled politely. “Then I wish you a safe trip, Mr. Lin.”

“…”

She was still wearing the white shirt from their earlier appointment at the civil affairs bureau. While the shirt had been neatly tucked into her pants during their photo session, it was now untucked and smoothed out. The top two buttons were undone, revealing a slender neck adorned with a simple silver chain.

The gesture was both casual and quietly elegant.

Her concern seemed to stem from politeness and etiquette, not from a wife’s genuine care for her husband.

“How long are you planning to keep calling me Mr. Lin?” he asked.

Lu Yi didn’t know. His face, combined with his aura, made her instinctively maintain a respectful attitude.

“Call me by my name,” Lin Jinshen instructed, leaving no room for debate. “And stop using formalities like ‘nín’” ^[1]a respectful form of ‘you’.

It seemed he was genuinely bothered by the formality. Perhaps it made him feel old?

Either way, Lu Yi nodded in agreement.

Lin Jinshen.

She rehearsed the name in her mind, hoping she could manage to say it next time.

—

Early Saturday morning, Lu Yi was still asleep when her mother, Mrs. Xu, entered her room to ask about her moving plans.

Lu Yi groggily opened her eyes, rolling over to meet her mother’s gaze. “What time is it?”

“Seven o’clock.”

“… Still early,” she murmured in a drowsy tone. “I’m not moving until tomorrow. There’s plenty of time.”

With Lin Jinshen away on his business trip, she had pushed moving day to the last possible moment.

Over the past few days, she had visited Chengxi Garden several times—buying items to send over, or delivering things that Jiang Xun had brought for Lin Jinshen.

Jiang Xun appeared young, like a recent college graduate, with a good personality and meticulous work habits.

“Did your Mr. Lin say when he’ll be back?” Lu Yi asked.

“The trip probably won’t end this weekend. No specific time yet. Would you like me to ask for you?” Jiang Xun responded earnestly.

“… No need. I was just asking. Work is more important.”

Jiang Xun replied, “I’ll make sure to pass along your concern to Mr. Lin.”

“…” That’s really not necessary.

Lin Jinshen’s belongings were mostly sorted. As they wrapped up, Jiang Xun approached her. “Ma’am, could I trouble you to handle the rest? These are Mr. Lin’s personal items, and I’d feel awkward touching them.”

His “personal items” turned out to be an assortment of men’s underwear—all from the Swiss brand Zimmerli. The fabric was luxurious and comfortable.

It seemed that Lin Jinshen had a penchant for loyalty to brands; just as with his ties, his underwear was entirely from the same brand.

Was this a trait of conservative men?

Lu Yi met Jiang Xun’s earnest gaze with a polite smile. Internally, she sighed—this wasn’t any easier for her. Still, she accepted the task.

Steeling herself, she carefully arranged the dozens of pairs of underwear into a drawer in the walk-in closet.

Even with her mind clear of stray thoughts, her eyes couldn’t help but linger on the noticeable contours in the fabric. Her ears burned as she hastened her task, finishing quickly and shutting the drawer.

… It seemed rather substantial.

Could he even fit into these?

—

She buried herself in her bed, curling up and letting out a frustrated sigh.

“Moving is no small task,” Mrs. Xu reminded her at breakfast. “You’ve got a lot of things to take, and others may not know what you’ll need. Start packing early so they can deliver it.”

She approached Lu Yi’s bed, only to pause at the sight of Puff, the cat, lounging on it. Frowning, she said, “I’ve told you many times—cats shouldn’t sleep on your bed.”

Hearing the complaint, Puff leaped gracefully back to its little nest.

Rubbing her eyes, Lu Yi weakly draped an arm over her head. “How could a mother be so ruthless as to send her daughter away? Aren’t you sad I’m leaving?”

“Of course I’m sad,” Mrs. Xu chuckled. “But now that you’re married, keeping you at home would make people think we’re inconsiderate.”

“If I’d known marriage was this troublesome, I wouldn’t have gone through with it,” Lu Yi muttered, her emotions tangled in uncertainty about the future and sadness about leaving home.

“Stop talking nonsense.”

“…”

Mrs. Xu and the housekeeper helped her pack, asking about what to bring and what to leave behind.

Watching Lu Yi gather cat food and toys, Mrs. Xu glanced at Puff curled up on the windowsill. “You’re taking the cat too?”

“Yes.”

Ever since she had rescued Puff, the cat had been her constant companion. She couldn’t bear to leave her behind.

Mrs. Xu suggested, “Why not leave the cat with me? I’ll take care of her.”

Knowing her mother’s dislike for cats, Lu Yi declined. “No need. You don’t even like cats. Besides, I’d miss her, and Puff would miss me too, wouldn’t you?”

Puff purred lazily, brushing her head against Lu Yi’s hand.

“Clumsy and foolish.”

Ms. Xu, a native Southerner, had settled in Beijing after marrying Lu Kangcheng. Despite over two decades in the city, her accent only softened slightly. But when she scolded, her local dialect always surfaced.

Lu Yi, being called silly, smiled and wrinkled her nose with a hint of affection. “Once I move out, no one will scold me like this anymore.”

“Idiot, it’s not like you won’t be coming back.”

Ms. Xu straightened her expression and asked, “Does Jinshen know you’re bringing Puff over?”

Only then did Lu Yi remember. She had forgotten to tell him.

“What if he doesn’t like it?”

“Meow~” Puff seemed to sense the topic, mewling softly with her high-pitched voice.

“If he doesn’t like her, I still wouldn’t abandon my little Puff.” Lu Yi stood up and began packing toys into boxes. She hadn’t realized how many she’d accumulated until now. A few cardboard boxes were already full, with more toys that Puff had grown tired of left behind in the room.

Ms. Xu remarked, “If he really can’t accept it, just bring her back. I may not like cats, but I wouldn’t let her go hungry.”

“We’ll see,” Lu Yi replied.

—

The night before moving.

Everything that needed packing was mostly done.

She took another look around the room where she had lived for over a decade. This time, she was truly moving to a new place. Wrapped in her blanket, she felt like a crab during its molting period, shedding an old shell for a new one, though it would never be the same as before.

Waiting for her was a new stage of life.

“Little Puff,” she murmured, holding the cat that was snuggled up to sleep with her. “Baby, from now on, it’ll just be you and me against the world.”

When they arrived at the new place, Lu Yi first set up a space for Puff.

The cat bed was placed in the bedroom. There wasn’t a bay window, so she had to settle for a corner near the bed. Then came the cat tree. Lu Yi was handy, quickly assembling it into a little cat paradise, complete with a litter box, automatic feeder, and a snack bin.

Exploring her new domain, Puff cautiously surveyed the room, pacing in circles.

Lu Yi, meanwhile, hung her clothes in the walk-in closet.

Compared to her belongings, his were truly minimal. His assistant had neatly categorized and pre-arranged everything in its designated spot. His wardrobe was dominated by dark-toned suits; even his loungewear followed the same palette.

In contrast, her clothes—while not brightly colored—seemed almost flamboyant next to his.

—

That evening, the doorbell rang. It was the housekeeper Lin Jinshen had hired. She was a kindly woman in her late forties with a round face.

“My name is Fang. You can call me Aunt Fang,” she said warmly. “Lin always referred to you as ‘Mrs.’, but I’d like to know how you’d prefer me to address you.”

Lu Yi welcomed her in and glanced around the house. “Aunt Fang, you can just call me Lu Yi. I don’t have any special requests. I only have one cat, and I’d appreciate it if you could help look after her during the day.”

“Mr. Lin didn’t mention there was a cat. What breed? I worry it might be an expensive one. I don’t have much experience with pets and wouldn’t want to handle her poorly.”

“Oh, she’s not a fancy breed. Just a calico, and not at all delicate. She’s a bit overweight and on a diet. Just stick to three meals a day—no snacks.”

Aunt Fang nodded. “Understood.”

With no further issues, Lu Yi familiarized Aunt Fang with the home.

It was clear they wouldn’t be cooking often. The main tasks would be cleaning and general upkeep.

After seeing Aunt Fang off, Lu Yi lay down on the couch, resting her head on her arm. From her spot, she could gaze at the city lights. The neon glowed like stars in the steel jungle, illuminating the sleepless city.

That first night in the new house, Lu Yi couldn’t sleep. She had to grab Puff to keep her company.

Puff lazily yawned.

Lu Yi poked her damp little nose. “Hey, do you like this new home?”

“Meow?”

“It’s alright for me,” she said, cuddling the cat. Puff didn’t try to escape, letting Lu Yi pet her as she pleased. “You’re so cute. How could anyone have the heart to kick you out?”

The words felt uncertain, even to her.

Lu Yi hadn’t told Lin Jinshen about Puff yet. One reason was that every time she opened their chat window, she was reminded of the message from the day they registered their marriage. They hadn’t spoken since. She didn’t want to be the one to initiate a conversation.

The other reason was her small hope that when Lin Jinshen saw Puff, he might find her endearing and allow her to stay.

Would he?

Thinking of Lin Jinshen’s stern face, Lu Yi doubted it. He didn’t seem like the kind of man who liked small animals.

Lin Jinshen hadn’t specified when he’d return.

She hadn’t asked, and he hadn’t volunteered the information.

Lu Yi spent a few days living alone in the new house. The benefit of being closer to her company was getting an extra half hour of sleep in the morning and arriving home earlier in the evening. Once home, she would often let Aunt Fang leave early.

At work, the news of her marriage had already spread.

Yu Qian initially thought she was joking, but when Lu Yi arrived wearing a wedding ring, the office erupted in demands for celebratory candy.

Lu Yi decided to treat her colleagues to dinner. Afterward, they headed to a lounge bar for drinks and conversation.

“Did you really get married?” Yu Qian grabbed Lu Yi’s hand, inspecting the ring from all angles. Confirming that it was indeed a wedding band and clearly not a cheap one, Yu Qian didn’t know what to say. “You just handed yourself over like that?”

After all, how long had she even known the man?

Lu Yi brushed it off with a smile, her fingers tracing the cool glass of her drink. “I’m really married. It wasn’t a casual decision.”

“What about the wedding?”

“We’ll have it later.”

Yu Qian rolled her eyes so hard she almost didn’t know where to start. “You’re such a catch, a young woman with so many options. Why marry… that guy?”

Since the marriage was already a fact, calling him “stingy” or worse wasn’t appropriate.

“…He’s not that bad.”

“You’re blind to it because you’re involved!”

“…”

Other colleagues, unwilling to dampen Lu Yi’s mood, raised their glasses to her. “Let’s not say anything unpleasant. Cheers to Lu Yi’s happiness!”

“To happiness!”

By the time the evening ended and Lu Yi returned home, it was already 10 p.m.

Hearing the door, Puff trotted downstairs, mewing for attention. Lu Yi bent down to pick her up and carried her back upstairs, setting her down before heading to shower.

That night, Lu Yi had a light buzz from the alcohol. Her cheeks glowed with a natural flush.

Relaxed and cheerful, she dried her hair, put on her pajamas, and opened the bathroom door with a smile still lingering on her face—only to freeze in place.

In the bedroom stood Lin Jinshen, who had returned at some point without her noticing.

He had just gotten off a flight. His suit jacket hung over one arm, and his shirt, unlike his usual pristine attire, bore deep creases around his waist, subtly outlining his muscular build.

Their eyes met in a moment of awkward surprise.

Before Lin Jinshen could consciously react, his gaze swept over her.

From head to toe, his eyes lingered for a fraction of a second, yet his brain—like an advanced processor—captured every detail, turning the fleeting glimpse into a vivid mental image.

Narrow shoulders, long legs, pale skin that almost glowed, damp hair falling carelessly behind her, two thin straps resting against her collarbones, flushed cheeks, and wide, startled eyes.

The room carried the fresh scent of her shower, mingling with a faint sweetness he’d noticed in the car earlier.

“…”

Lin Jinshen shifted his gaze to the wall beside her. The intricate floral patterns on the pale beige surface demanded more focus than he thought possible.

Lu Yi hadn’t expected him to return tonight.

After a moment of shock, she let go of the bathroom door handle. “You’re… back.”

“Yeah. You’re done with your shower?” His voice was low and gravelly, his jaw visibly tense as his Adam’s apple bobbed.

Lu Yi, overwhelmed by the awkwardness, didn’t know what to do with her hands or feet. They barely knew each other, and now they had to share a bedroom. Stepping aside slightly, she tried to sound natural. “Then, you can go ahead and shower. It’s late—you should rest after.”

“Mm.”

As Lin Jinshen set down his clothes, his attention was caught by something on the bed—a small, fluffy yellow-and-white bundle on the deep blue sheets. He looked closer. It had ears. A cat?

His first thought was that Lu Yi, despite appearing mature and independent, still harbored a girlish fondness for plush toys.

It didn’t matter. She could keep it on her side of the bed.

Following his gaze, Lu Yi spotted Puff on the bed. Her expression faltered. It was so unexpected that she struggled to find the right words. Taking two steps closer to the bed, she said, “Um, so, this is Puff—”

Puff lifted her round head, curiously observing the unfamiliar man.

“Alive?”

“…” Lu Yi replied, “She’s moving, so I assume yes.”

Lin Jinshen’s brows furrowed as he turned to her. “Your cat?”

“Yes, her name is Puff. She’s very gentle and doesn’t meow much. I’m sorry—I didn’t know you’d be back today.”

The situation was so sudden that Lu Yi was still piecing together her explanation.

Man and cat stared at each other.

Lin Jinshen had no interest in the round, fluffy creature. Its puffball-like fur struck him as a source of trouble.

Sensing hostility, Puff let out a soft meow and darted to Lu Yi’s feet for protection. Feeling safer, she glared at him with growing intensity.

“I can’t share a room with it,” Lin Jinshen said, his tone firm and leaving no room for negotiation.

Lu Yi hadn’t expected such rejection. “But there’s only one bedroom. Could you make an exception for tonight?”

His frown deepened. “So you’re asking me to sleep on the couch?”

“Lu Yi?”

He called her name in disbelief, his reaction the most emotional she’d seen from him since they met.

Lu Yi shook her head quickly. “No, no, I’ll sleep on the couch. I’ll take Puff and sleep downstairs.”

“?”

“Why not just move it out?”

“Puff has been sleeping in the same room with me since she was little. She’d be unsettled without me.”

“…”

Lin Jinshen narrowed his eyes, his voice tight with frustration, as if grinding out the words through his teeth. “On our first night living together, you’re making yourself sleep on the couch? What does that make me?”

“It’s fine, really.”

“It’s not fine.”

Lu Yi blinked, her eyelashes fluttering as she cautiously asked in a small voice, “Then… would you sleep on the couch?”