Chapter 10

Tang Ruan blushed, glaring at Ji Jing.

Although she often acted warm and carefree, as if trying to get close to Ji Jing, the truth was—

Before coming here, Tang Ruan had been a completely innocent young woman who had never even dated.

She never had the time or money for romance, so she entertained herself by reading novels to pass the time.

The idea of taking a shower and sleeping together—

Was far too mortifying to even think about.

What made it worse was that Butler Li and the maids were nearby, snickering. Tang Ruan’s face burned hotter as the shame set in.

“Who said I wanted you to take me?” she huffed, still playing her part. With a coquettish glance, she softly said, “Hubby, you’re such a flirt.”

Ji Jing: “…?”

Tang Ruan stood up, leaned toward him, and whispered in his ear, “Aren’t you being a little too hasty?”

Ji Jing: “…??”

“I’m not ready yet.”

Before Ji Jing could respond, Tang Ruan bolted. She didn’t dare linger, knowing he’d likely retort if she stayed any longer.

–

After she left, Butler Li, who had heard everything, couldn’t hold back his laughter. When Ji Jing shot him a sharp look, he cleared his throat, trying to compose himself. Maintaining a serious expression, he said earnestly, “Young Madam might have been watching too much TV lately. Her words are getting more amusing by the day.”

Ji Jing snorted but said nothing.

Too much TV? More like too much nonsense.

Glancing at Butler Li’s smiling face, Ji Jing suddenly found it irritating. “Is it that funny?”

Butler Li shook his head. “Not funny at all, Young Master.”

Ji Jing clenched his teeth. “Then restrain yourself.”

Butler Li paused, then nodded seriously. “Understood.”

“But…” he added, looking at Ji Jing, “I do have something to say.”

Ji Jing glanced at the untouched food in front of him, his appetite gone after Tang Ruan’s antics. Setting his chopsticks aside, he said coldly, “Speak.”

“Will you be finishing your dinner?”

“What do you mean?”

Butler Li gestured toward the upstairs, lowering his voice. “Keeping a woman waiting too long isn’t something a good man does.”

Ji Jing turned to glare at him.

Butler Li leaned in, whispering, “Young Madam has been upstairs for a while now.”

Ji Jing: “…”

“Well? Aren’t you going up?”

Ji Jing ground his teeth, silently reminding himself that Butler Li was an elder in the household and that he shouldn’t lose his temper. Shooting him one last glare, he stood up, visibly annoyed. “Shut up.”

“Understood.”

As Ji Jing headed upstairs, Butler Li, undeterred, added, “I’ll make sure no one goes to the second floor tonight.”

–

Back in her original room, Tang Ruan had gone into the bathroom to take a shower.

Looking in the mirror, she noticed her cheeks were flushed, redder than the finest rouge.

She stared at her reflection for a moment, muttering about how shameless Ji Jing was. Turning on the faucet, she splashed cold water on her face to cool down.

Once the temperature cooled a bit, Tang Ruan decided to take a bath, planning to annoy Ji Jing afterward. After all, she had already mentioned going to the study to read, so she couldn’t back out now.

She thought—

As long as she made a fuss, Ji Jing, with his personality, wouldn’t get angry with her. He would likely just feel disgusted with her deep down. Of course, if he did get angry, that would be even better.

Tang Ruan felt confident about her little scheme.

But whether it would succeed depended entirely on the unpredictable Ji Jing.

…

After finishing her bath and blow-drying her hair, Tang Ruan stepped out of her room, intending to go to the study. However, she ran into Ji Jing, who was coming out of another room. His hair was still damp, and it was clear he had just showered.

The man was casually toweling his hair, his eyes slightly lowered as he walked toward her.

Tang Ruan paused, momentarily distracted by the cool, minty scent coming from him.

Suddenly, he leaned down toward her. Startled, she instinctively took a step back to avoid him.

“What are you dodging for?”

Tang Ruan pressed her lips together, trying to ignore her racing heartbeat. She switched to her usual exaggerated tone, smiling coquettishly. “Hubby, did you just take a shower?”

“Mm.”

“Are you heading to the study now?”

Ji Jing stared at her for a couple of seconds before nodding slightly. “Sure.”

He wanted to see what his suddenly affectionate little wife was up to.

After just one day of back-and-forth, Ji Jing found himself unable to figure her out.

–

The study was filled with the faint aroma of sandalwood.

As soon as Tang Ruan entered, she noticed it. This was her first time here. Ever since marrying Ji Jing and moving into this house, the original Tang Ruan had confined herself to her room and the downstairs area. She had never set foot in the study or Ji Jing’s bedroom.

She didn’t like Ji Jing, so she avoided him whenever possible. In the six months of their marriage, they had gone out of their way to steer clear of each other.

Or rather, Tang Ruan had been the one actively avoiding Ji Jing. When she disliked someone, she didn’t even want to see them.

She looked around the study. One wall was entirely covered by bookshelves, and there was a smaller bookshelf in the center of the room, with open space on both sides. Curious, she pointed to it and asked softly, “Why are there books over there too?”

“There’s a resting area behind it,” Ji Jing explained. The smaller bookshelf was placed there to conceal the resting space.

Tang Ruan froze, a particular plot point from the original story coming to mind. Although the original Tang Ruan was spoiled and willful, she loved reading and preferred to do so while lounging in cozy spaces like a tatami mat or a small reading nook. Back in her old home, she had a similar setup. When she moved to this house, the study had been designed with her preferences in mind.

But for various reasons, she had never stepped foot in the study.

Lowering her gaze, Tang Ruan pointed toward the resting area. “Can I take a look?”

“Go ahead.”

Ji Jing didn’t pay much attention to her. After entering the study, he ignored her entirely.

“I’ll be working. Feel free to pick out whatever you want to read.”

Hearing this, Tang Ruan’s eyes lit up, and she beamed at him. “Anything at all?”

“Mm.”

Tang Ruan grinned mischievously, already planning to tease Ji Jing later. She cheerfully agreed, “Okay!”

Ji Jing: “…”

The study was quiet. Tang Ruan, engrossed in her own thoughts, didn’t feel like causing trouble for now. She explored the resting area and found a small bay window, which was very convenient for her. She randomly picked a book from the shelf, but all the books in Ji Jing’s study were too serious for her taste.

Tang Ruan only liked reading novels. She only read serious books when absolutely necessary. Having left her previously stressful life behind, she now allowed herself to relax and indulge.

As she was lost in thought, her phone vibrated. Startled, Tang Ruan glanced at the screen. It was an unfamiliar number, but the message was unmistakably from the original Tang Ruan’s boy toy.

Dai Jun: “Baby, what’s wrong? Are you still mad about that day? It was just a joke, nothing serious. Don’t take it to heart. I’ve already cut ties with those people.”

Tang Ruan snorted and silenced her phone, tossing it aside.

She thought for a moment and glanced through the bookshelves toward Ji Jing, who was seated at his desk working. After staring at him for a few seconds, a new idea formed in her mind. To achieve her goal of divorce, she’d have to be bold.

–

“Hubby.”

Tang Ruan appeared from behind a bookshelf, holding a book as she approached Ji Jing. She stood beside him and asked, “Are you still busy?”

Ji Jing glanced at her. “Not really.”

“Have you finished your work?”

“Almost.”

Faced with his curt responses, Tang Ruan felt a twinge of frustration. She murmured, “Then can you read with me?”

Ji Jing: “…”

“What do you want to read?”

“This one.” She held up a book titled The Secrets to a Happy Marriage: Long-Term Harmony Between Men and Women. Tang Ruan had just discovered it tucked away in a corner of the study. She found it amusing that such a book existed in Ji Jing’s collection.

Ji Jing’s gaze flicked to the cover, his expression tightening slightly. “That book.”

“What about it?”

“It’s from the study?”

“Of course.” Tang Ruan smiled sweetly. “I didn’t expect you to read books like this, hubby. There are even a few quizzes in here. Should we try one together?”

Ji Jing: “…”

He took a deep breath and softly said, “The book was probably placed here by Butler Li. I haven’t read it.”

Tang Ruan wasn’t concerned with the details. She figured it was either the butler or someone else who had put the book there. Ji Jing definitely hadn’t read it. But to tease Ji Jing, she had to act clueless.

“That’s fine. Hubby, would you like to read it with me?” Tang Ruan’s voice was naturally soft, but if she deliberately made it more exaggerated, it would sound almost cringe-worthy, yet sweet enough to be irresistible.

Ji Jing heard her and swallowed hard, his gaze shifting to the woman standing beside him. He curled his lips slightly. “Sure.”

“Then let’s read together.” As she said this, she moved to sit down beside him.

Watching her, Ji Jing didn’t stop her, allowing Tang Ruan to sit beside him. The chair was large, and while it was a bit cramped with two people sitting, it was still enough. However, their thighs inevitably brushed against each other.

Tang Ruan did it on purpose. She wanted to make Ji Jing uncomfortable enough to leave her alone in the study.

But—

Things didn’t go as planned.

She sat down, determined to read with Ji Jing.

“Let’s read together.”

“Mm.”

Tang Ruan thought for a moment, and suddenly found herself liking Ji Jing’s voice. She placed her hand on the table and inched closer to him, taking up most of the space. Then she suggested, “Hubby, why don’t you read to me? I’d love to listen.”

Ji Jing, though not entirely surprised by her advances, agreed.

He picked up the book that was too awkward to even look at, its cover too unbearable for him to even glance at, and began reading to Tang Ruan. His voice was low and husky, almost sensual, and it had a calming effect that made it easy to drift off to sleep.

Tang Ruan struggled to stay alert. She hadn’t forgotten her mission. As she listened, she edged closer to Ji Jing, almost falling into his lap.

Ji Jing lowered his gaze and stared at her body leaning over. After a pause, he suddenly slammed the book down onto the table.

“Tang Ruan.”

“Huh?” Tang Ruan looked up at him, momentarily stunned. She swallowed as she met his deep gaze, then bit her lip and asked, “Why did you stop reading, honey?”

Ji Jing smirked slightly, letting out a soft laugh. “Isn’t this position uncomfortable?”

Tang Ruan’s eyes brightened as she eagerly awaited his next move—would he push her away or leave her alone in the study? Either option was fine with her.

She licked her lips. “Then how should we sit? Are you not used to me being close to you? If it makes you uncomfortable, I can grab another chair…” As she spoke, she pretended to feel slighted, standing up as if to leave. But before she could walk away, she felt her waist caught by someone. The next moment, she was lifted and placed on Ji Jing’s lap in a different position.

Ji Jing smiled at her wide-eyed, surprised expression. He explained in a casual tone, “Sitting on my lap should be more comfortable, and it’ll help strengthen our relationship.”

Tang Ruan: “…”

Author’s Note: This is called—when the path to wisdom rises, so does the devil’s cunning.

Butler Li remains the most considerate butler, Tang Ruan remains unsuccessful, and Mr. Ji gets worse and worse.

Great~