45. A Good Opportunity

“I agree.”

Liu Yiran raised her hand and shouted, “We’ve seen how closely the offline filming is followed. The slightest movement gets him trending, and even the leaked footage defending you yesterday made it to the top. Netizens criticized that certain man for disrespecting female guests, and then somehow, they twisted the topic onto you, afraid you’d get linked with Pei Yu.”

She rubbed Chen Shuyin’s head. “Being a celebrity’s wife is exhausting. I just want to see you live a stable and happy life.”

What Liu Yiran was worried about had happened to Chen Shuyin before, back in their student days, leaving a deeper impact. Now, working in front of the camera, her heart no longer wavered over mere words—but she still found it troublesome.

Who knew when she might be dragged back into the past again?

“What are you guys talking about?”

A clear male voice interrupted. Chen Shuyin stayed silent.

Liu Yiran wasn’t sure if he’d overheard and guiltily wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Just some girl talk.”

Pei Yu placed a thermal bag on the table, his expression unreadable. He looked at Chen Shuyin. “I made astragalus black-bone chicken soup. Drink some.”

Liu Yiran suddenly felt like an extra. As long as Pei Yu was around, she had no place between them. “I should go. I just remembered I have an article to write. I’ll head back and work on it.”

The room fell silent except for the soft rustling of Pei Yu opening the container.

“You heard, didn’t you?” Chen Shuyin asked. “Yiran is just looking out for me, and she’s not wrong.” She felt a little annoyed by his deliberate silence. “I said it’s a possibility.”

Her careful wording didn’t comfort him at all. “There’s no such possibility.”

“Oh!” Chen Shuyin raised her voice in protest.

She watched Pei Yu neatly tidy up the table. “I’m full. I don’t want any more.”

“Alright, drink it when we get back.”

“Where are we going?”

Pei Yu looked down, a hint of doubt in his eyes. “You forgot again?”

Before she could answer, he sighed as if resigned to fate. “The aquarium. It’s the rainy season, so there won’t be many visitors. I booked a private session. Before we came to Bincheng, you said it was the place you most wanted to visit.”

He didn’t tell her that she had whispered those words in his ear, curled up against him on the sofa, their pleasure still lingering.

Chen Shuyin touched her chin in thought. Pei Yu liked to tease, but he never lied. She wanted to fulfill the dreams of every version of herself. “Then let’s go.”

Pei Yu, satisfied with her answer, rummaged through the closet and laid out a matching outfit on the bed. “Change into this.”

Two months into their marriage, Pei Yu had developed a keen eye for detail.

Chen Shuyin glanced at the clothes—an elegant sleeveless dress with a fitted bodice in soft blue plaid and a flared white skirt. A lightweight knitted cardigan lay beside it, with neatly placed socks and shoes.

The outfit reminded her of high school.

She rarely wore short skirts because of the scars on her knees. Long dresses and pants made her feel safe.

She suspected Pei Yu had a preference for this style. She looked at him. “You like this kind of outfit?”

Pei Yu had spent days researching on a women’s platform, searching terms like “what to wear to an aquarium,” “best aquarium poses,” and “couple photo ideas.” He had compiled four or five pages of notes before selecting this ensemble.

Seeing her hesitation, he started to doubt the credibility of the platform’s users. “It’ll look great in photos.”

Chen Shuyin couldn’t help but laugh, giving him a thumbs-up. “No wonder you’re the Fashion Artist of the Year. Even in private, you’re thinking about your image.”

This had nothing to do with him—it was for her.

Pei Yu glanced at the time, then plugged in a curling iron to preheat. “Do you want curls? I can help.”

“You know how?” She raised an eyebrow.

Pei Yu smirked and nodded.

“Where’s my makeup?”

“In the box under the table.”

Chen Shuyin visualized a look and started changing. Pei Yu remained in place, like a dutiful attendant waiting for a princess to depart.

“I’m changing now,” she reminded him.

Surely, he wouldn’t just stand there and watch?

“Go ahead.” Pei Yu made no move to leave.

Speechless, she picked up the clothes and headed for the bathroom, but he blocked her path.

“Where are you going?”

“The bathroom.”

“Just change here.” His gaze was unreadable. “I’ve dressed you for the past month. There’s no part of you I haven’t kissed. What’s there to be shy about now?”

Chen Shuyin wasn’t one to back down. She looked him up and down, then lifted her chin. “I’m afraid you’ll get too excited and delay our trip.”

Pei Yu chuckled. “So?”

Without another word, she slipped the straps of her nightdress off her shoulders. The silky fabric cascaded down her body like quiet waves, pooling at her feet.

Pei Yu’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his dark eyes swirling with emotion.

Except for a small pair of panties, she was nearly bare.

She had scar-prone skin, and the faint marks he’d left on her still lingered—half-healed, purple traces that stood out against her pale skin.

Chen Shuyin glanced at his reaction and smirked. She stepped out of the fallen dress, turned away, and casually put on her undergarments before slipping into the outfit he chose.

The zipper caught halfway. She struggled, tugging it up and down.

Pei Yu was already behind her, covering her hand with his. His voice was lower than usual. “Let me.”

He smoothed out a fold stuck in the zipper, his fingers grazing her spine. She shivered, his palm landing lightly on her waist. The warmth was undeniable.

He zipped it up in one swift motion.

“Done.”

His hand withdrew without hesitation, as if it was just a simple favor.

Chen Shuyin’s makeup didn’t take long. She didn’t need much enhancement.

Pei Yu curled her hair skillfully, letting the soft waves fall around her shoulders. “Do you want a hair clip?”

“Are you filming a romance drama?” she suddenly asked.

Pei Yu picked out two pearl shell clips. “I’m already in a romance drama with you. Why would I need to act in one?”

Pausing, he looked at her. “Were you going to ask how I learned all this?”

“I don’t care!” She turned defensive. “I just don’t want to think you used these tricks on someone else.”

“There is no one else.”

He carefully twisted sections of her hair and secured them with the clips. “Only you.”

Chen Shuyin couldn’t refute him.

Filming a drama, he probably used the same tricks on actresses and fans.

She clenched her powder puff slightly, then abruptly stood up. “Let’s go before the rain gets worse.”

Pei Yu took her hand, his voice steady. “I want you to know, I never planned to take on romance dramas. I’ll focus on films instead.”

“That’s your business, not mine.” She averted her gaze.

Pei Yu gently pressed her wrist. “I don’t want you to overthink things.”

“I wouldn’t waste my time on that,” she said, forcing a laugh.

He admitted, “As your husband, it’s my job to think ahead. I won’t let you bear the burdens I should carry.”

Her heart raced. Covering her ears, she mumbled, “Stop making yourself sound so important.”

He removed her hands and met her gaze. “I want to be important to you. Can I?”

Chen Shuyin looked away. “…No.”

Pei Yu’s eyelashes lowered slightly, a hint of loss in his expression. “Alright, I’ll try harder.”