Chapter 55: Taking the Initiative 1

Qin Ruyan stayed in the study for another half hour, looking at the drawings in her hand. Although there were only two, she thought they were pretty good.

She always focused on quality over quantity when it came to drawing. She nodded in satisfaction, put the drawings away, and stood up. She found Lu Jingchen standing at the study door, smiling at her.

Qin Ruyan was startled. She instinctively wanted to cover the needle mark on her arm, afraid that Lu Jingchen would be too sensitive and notice her unusual behavior. Fortunately, she was wearing long-sleeved, long-legged pajamas today.

“When did you come back?” she asked, holding the drawings in her hand and walking towards him.

Lu Jingchen lowered his eyes and looked at her. She was wearing pink plaid pajamas, covering up quite a bit, only revealing her neck and collarbone. Her skin was fair and delicate.

“I came back a while ago. I saw you were busy, so I went and made dinner. It’s almost ready. Are you done?”

He naturally reached out and took her hand, then squeezed her fingers. His voice was warm and had a hint of a smile.

Qin Ruyan nodded, “Almost. It’s not urgent. I just didn’t have many drawings on hand, so I wanted to draw a few more. I want to be ready for the studio opening.”

He pulled her towards the outside, “Where should I put the drawings? Let’s go wash our hands and eat.”

Qin Ruyan looked down at their hands clasped together. He seemed to be pretty good at this, getting closer and closer to her.

“Wait for me, I’ll put them in the book in the bedroom. Can I put them in your study? Just give me a spot, they don’t take up much space.”

She thought for a moment. It didn’t seem right to put these things in the bedroom, but the study was full of his things. She needed to ask for his opinion first.

Lu Jingchen smiled, “My dear wife, in this house, your word is law. You don’t need to ask me about this.”

He couldn’t help but reach out and pinch her earlobe. It was a little cold. It was almost autumn now, and the temperature had dropped a bit. He frowned slightly, “Are you cold?”

Qin Ruyan shook her head, “No, I’m wearing long sleeves and long pants.”

He looked at her, didn’t say anything, and pulled her to the bedroom to get the book, then returned to the study.

“There’s a bookshelf over there, all the space is empty. See if that works for you.”

Qin Ruyan followed his gaze and saw a fairly wide space. She nodded and placed the two drawings she was holding in her hand, along with the book, on top of it.

Lu Jingchen waited for her to finish, then pulled her to the kitchen to wash her hands. He stood behind her and spoke in her ear.

“Your hands are so beautiful.” They were white and slender, with neatly trimmed fingernails and delicate skin on the fingertips.

Qin Ruyan’s face turned a little red. He was leaning too close to her, his breath was on her ear, and she couldn’t help but flinch.

Lu Jingchen chuckled, “What are you shy about? We’ve done things much more intimate than this. I’m just helping you wash your hands.”

Qin Ruyan’s heart fluttered. Just helping her wash her hands? You washed her hands for a few minutes, while pinching them the whole time?

“I’m not, I’m just hungry. I want to eat quickly.” Her voice was a little cold. Lu Jingchen paused, then said “Oh”, dragging out the last syllable.

He washed her hands for another minute, then rinsed the foam off with water and wiped her hands dry. Then he took her hand and led her out.

Qin Ruyan was a little amazed. Was he treating her like a daughter? So meticulous about everything?

The two of them sat down at the dining table. There was braised pork ribs, boiled meat, stir-fried green vegetables, and a tofu and seaweed soup.

“Did you make all of this?” she asked, a little surprised. She hadn’t realized that Lu Jingchen knew how to cook.

He hummed in response and picked up a rib for her. “Madam, try the taste first. If it’s not good, I’ll improve it next time.”

Qin Ruyan glanced at him, put down her chopsticks, and slowly chewed on the rib.

“It’s not bad. I didn’t know you were a pretty good cook.”

Lu Jingchen smiled. He picked up some green vegetables with his chopsticks. “I used to cook for myself occasionally when I was studying abroad. If Madam likes it, eat more.”

Qin Ruyan nodded. She ate some boiled meat and green vegetables. When she was almost full, she put down her chopsticks and picked up the water beside her to take a sip.

Lu Jingchen glanced at her, raising his eyebrows slightly. “Don’t you want to eat more?”

She shook her head. “I had a cup of milk tea when I came back today. I’m not very hungry.”

He hummed in agreement. After a while, he also put down his chopsticks. Qin Ruyan stood up to clear the dishes, but he stopped her hand.

She raised her eyes and looked at him with confusion.

Lu Jingchen took the dishes from her hand. “Madam’s hands are so beautiful, they’re suitable for painting, playing the piano, and other things. There’s a dishwasher in the kitchen. I’ll take care of it.”

She felt like he was implying something when he said “other things,” but she had no proof.

Qin Ruyan simply said “Oh” and added, “Then I’ll go wash up. I’m a little sleepy.”

Lu Jingchen glanced at her and gave a meaningful “Hmm.”

Qin Ruyan went into the bathroom. After taking a shower, she came out to find Lu Jingchen sitting on the edge of the bed, with a hairdryer beside him.

Her hand, which was wiping her hair, paused. She pursed her lips and walked over.

She sat down on the bed without hesitation, then raised her eyes to look at him, her cold eyes scanning him.

Lu Jingchen, who was about to turn on the hairdryer, stopped. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Qin Ruyan lowered her eyelashes, thought for a moment, and said in a resigned tone, “You’re quite self-aware, aren’t you? How did you know I was going to wash my hair?”

He smiled. “It’s not hard to deduce based on the time you spent in the bathroom, is it?”

She was speechless. She simply said “Oh” and didn’t say anything else.

Lu Jingchen turned on the hairdryer and started drying her hair. Her hair was quite long, and he wasn’t in a hurry. He patiently dried and styled her hair. Because Qin Ruyan was sitting down, he was standing, and he could see the delicate skin of her neck and collarbone just by lowering his head slightly.

Five minutes later, he turned off the hairdryer, unplugged it, and put it away.

Qin Ruyan watched him finish everything and didn’t move.

She furrowed her brows. “Aren’t you going to shower and sleep? What are you standing there for? Staring at me?”

Lu Jingchen chuckled. “You’re quite heartless, Madam. I’ve been drying your hair, and my hands are a little numb. Is that how you treat me?”

She glanced at him. “No, that’s why I told you to go shower and get some rest.”

“Alright,” he said, glancing at her long-sleeved, long-pants pajamas. He clicked his tongue and went into the bathroom to get his pajamas.

Qin Ruyan breathed a sigh of relief. She was indeed a little sleepy today. After Lu Jingchen went into the bathroom, she snuggled into the covers and closed her eyes, preparing to sleep.