Chapter 13: Husband

When Boss Meng said they needed to “practice,” he wasted no time, wrapping his arms around Tong Yue’s waist, his eyes burning as he looked at her.

Tong Yue: Stay calm. We’ve done princess carries in acting before!
Though in most cases, the so-called “princess carry” wasn’t really lifting someone off the ground. Actresses often sat on stools or had other support. Still, it was a pretty close gesture.

Tong Yue hadn’t acted in any more intimate scenes, like kissing. The fewer intimate scenes she filmed, the better it would be to maintain this contract marriage with Boss Meng.

When Meng Yuqi heard the words “princess carry,” he moved even closer to Tong Yue.

“Who makes your heart race more—me or those actors you work with?” He asked this with utmost seriousness. Meng Yuqi genuinely wanted to know.

He didn’t care whether Tong Yue was blushing or not. All he could think about was how his embrace had to be different from those actors’. How could she be thinking about acting right now?

In reality, Tong Yue was indeed embarrassed, which is why she was trying to comfort herself.

“Of course, it’s… you, Yuqi!” Tong Yue wanted to clutch her chest. Boss Meng was so close—it was making her anxious. “You’re from a top-notch family, with so much money, able to provide me with so many resources, and you’re incredibly handsome. With you leading the Meng family, it’ll reach even greater heights. Take me with you!”

Meng Yuqi listened to Tong Yue’s flattery but couldn’t help thinking, Sure, that’s all true, but can’t my beloved come up with something a little more heartfelt?

Tong Yue winked at him playfully. “Husband.”

That single word sent a wave of pleasure through Meng Yuqi.

“There are so many people on Weibo who call you ‘husband.’ Tons of women want to marry you. You’re irresistible,” Tong Yue added.

Meng Yuqi had been about to smile, but now he couldn’t.

Who cares how many people call me ‘husband’ on Weibo? He didn’t even check Weibo; the only thing he paid attention to was Tong Yue—well, and some business and political news.

“Yeah, plenty of people want to get into my bed. What about you?” Meng Yuqi raised an eyebrow.

“Me? I’m already in it, aren’t I?” Tong Yue replied. “We’re sleeping in the same bed, aren’t we?”

It was a huge bed, with each of them sleeping on their own side, perfectly proper.

Though occasionally, Tong Yue would wake up in Meng Yuqi’s arms or find her leg draped over him. She always apologized, saying it was because being with Meng Yuqi made her feel so safe.

Tong Yue thought to herself, If this keeps up, I’m doomed. Men are such sensitive creatures, thinking with their lower bodies. What if one day he makes a move on me?

By that time, Meng Yuqi could easily claim that she was the one who made the first move.

Tsk, tsk, what a scene that would be…

Tong Yue (thinking): We really should sleep in separate rooms, maybe even on the couch!

“Let’s go to bed early,” Meng Yuqi said as he got up. If he pressed her beneath him, he feared he wouldn’t be able to control himself.

His beloved’s gaze was so pure yet so alluring. Meng Yuqi was certain that there was nothing wrong with his body; there was no way he could remain unaffected.

To avoid accidentally poking her with something, which might scare her, Meng Yuqi decided to take a cold shower. Only after cooling down could he lie down next to his beloved on the same bed.

Tong Yue watched as Meng Yuqi headed into the bathroom. She half-lay on the bed, propping her head up with one hand. This is getting dangerous…

But then again, was the big boss not “functional”? She was such a beautiful woman, and yet the boss showed no reaction.

Tong Yue had seen Lin Qian’s appearance before and felt she was much prettier than Lin Qian. It must be because there’s no love between us, she thought. That’s why he doesn’t react to me.

Meanwhile, the supposedly “unresponsive” Boss Meng was in the shower, under cold water, contemplating the feasibility of a lifelong contract marriage with Tong Yue. Of course, this time, they had to sleep together.

Maybe love can come after sleeping together? Meng Yuqi thought. If he didn’t make a move soon, Tong Yue might start thinking something was wrong with him.

Lying next to such a beautiful sight, with no reaction at all—that would definitely seem abnormal.

Meng Yuqi had no intention of spending his nights with just his right hand as company, nor did he want to rely on fantasies.

The next morning, when Tong Yue woke up, she found herself once again curled up in Meng Yuqi’s arms. This time, though, her leg wasn’t just casually thrown over him.

Damn it, she thought. I was worried about my bad sleeping posture yesterday, and now this?

“I’m sorry!” she blurted out before Meng Yuqi could say anything, ready to roll to the other side of the bed.

But before she could move, Meng Yuqi caught her, and in doing so, Tong Yue accidentally touched… something hot.

Tong Yue (internally screaming): Ahhh, I’m doomed!

She had never encountered such a situation before. Her face flushed instantly, burning with embarrassment.

As a deity, Tong Yue prided herself on being pure. This reaction was entirely natural.

“I…,” Tong Yue stammered, unsure of how to explain to the big boss that she really didn’t do it on purpose.

Tong Yue (thinking): Waaah! I wasn’t trying to climb into bed or make a run for it with a baby in tow!

Perhaps because Tong Yue was so flustered, Meng Yuqi could sense her shy inner thoughts, and her delicate tone made him feel even more excited.

This only made him struggle more to control his physical reaction.

“You’re looking at me like that—it’s hard not to be tempted,” Meng Yuqi whispered, leaning close to her ear. His voice was deep and magnetic, sending a rush of heat to her face. “Such a delicious treat—so tempting.”

“I’m not a fruit!” Tong Yue instinctively replied, “You can’t eat me!”

Meng Yuqi saw how tense Tong Yue was and noticed her flushed cheeks. It made him want to kiss her and see if the color would fade.

But they were still in a purely contractual marriage, always walking on the edge of boundaries. The temptation was unbearable—he was losing control.

“I’m a normal man,” Meng Yuqi felt he had to clarify this before getting up.

Tong Yue didn’t respond—she was too embarrassed.

After Meng Yuqi finished freshening up, Tong Yue finally got out of bed, wondering if it was time to buy some new pajamas.

But if she bought overly conservative pajamas, wouldn’t it raise suspicion with Madam Meng and the others? After all, the pajamas she currently wore at the Meng family estate weren’t her own purchase—they had been provided by the family, and Boss Meng had a hand in selecting them.

Tong Yue looked down at her flimsy pajamas and suddenly felt like she was dressed like a seductive vixen.

Just look at this strappy nightgown! The straps were so thin that they easily slipped off. And sometimes, they slipped off “accidentally.”

Tong Yue figured she really needed to repent for this—after all, she was technically the one who “made the first move,” even if it was the nightgown’s straps that acted first.

When Meng Yuqi came out after washing up, he immediately saw Tong Yue fiddling with her nightgown.

“Any higher, and you’d be giving quite the show,” Meng Yuqi said, not minding the view. However, if Tong Yue noticed, she might get upset.

At his words, Tong Yue quickly let go of the hem of her nightgown and adjusted it.

“This is totally my fault today,” she hurried to say, “There won’t be a next time, I promise!”

Tong Yue (thinking): Boss, please believe me, and please keep giving me those resources!

“And what if there is a next time?” Meng Yuqi thought to himself, knowing full well there would be a next time. Even if she didn’t roll over to him in her sleep, he could always pull her into his arms.

Did she really think her sleeping posture was that bad?

Of course not. Meng Yuqi had helped her along. Without a little nudge, how could he close the distance between them?

He had long noticed how much Tong Yue trusted him. When they shared a bed, she slept soundly, not even stirring when he would sneak a kiss.

Because Tong Yue never noticed, Meng Yuqi had grown bolder. But he didn’t dare pull her into his arms every night, fearing she might catch on. Still, those few times had thrilled him—like a cat stealing cream.

“Well… but you can’t blacklist me,” Tong Yue puffed her cheeks, “After all, my brother works as your secretary.”

“…,” Meng Yuqi had no desire to talk about his brother-in-law.

“Mr. Meng, I’m sure you’ll be able to maintain your honor,” Tong Yue said, kneeling on the bed and wrapping herself tightly in a blanket. Now she was definitely covered. “You could just kick me out and accuse me of cheating on you. I’ll go confess to your mother!”

“…,” Meng Yuqi stared at her. Could his beloved stop messing with him?

He had no intention of maintaining his purity in front of her. In fact, he didn’t even want to stay a virgin! What he craved were passionate, wild nights with his beloved. Yes, with her, things should be exciting—not some platonic affair.

“No,” Meng Yuqi said slowly, taking a step toward the bed and closing in on Tong Yue. “If there’s a next time, I’ll make sure to finish what’s started.”

Tong Yue felt a chill run down her spine. Did he mean… finish? Was he planning to… cut my throat? Murder is illegal!

She instinctively touched her neck, then thought, Wait, I’m a deity! I don’t need to be scared!

Meng Yuqi facepalmed. He wasn’t a mobster and certainly wouldn’t kill his beloved.

“My mother wants a grandchild,” Meng Yuqi said.

Tong Yue blinked up at him, her mind spinning. Can deities even have children?

“…,” Meng Yuqi had no clue whether deities could have children either. All he knew was that unless he slept with his beloved, there wouldn’t be any children between them.

Just then, Tong Yue’s phone rang.

“My phone!” Tong Yue quickly grabbed it. She’d rather not continue this conversation with Boss Meng. “Hello?”

Without looking at the unfamiliar number on the screen, she answered the call. In the past, she never would have picked up a call from an unknown number.

“Hello,” the voice on the other end said. It was someone from the Monster Management Bureau. They had already confirmed with Hu Jiu several times that since Tong Yue was a spirit, she had to be registered with the bureau.

Most importantly, Tong Yue was the daughter of the Tong family, with records tracing back to her childhood. They suspected that either she had been hiding as the Tong family’s daughter all along, or a spirit had taken over the real Tong Yue’s identity. Either way, it was a serious matter.

As for why they hadn’t barged in to arrest her, it was because Tong Yue was a household name, a celebrity, and also the wife of the Meng Group’s heir. They couldn’t act recklessly.

“I’m calling from the Monster Management Bureau,” said the person on the phone. “Please…”