50. Omen

A decade sounds astonishing when spoken aloud, yet as time passed, Chen Shu Yin and Pei Yu’s appearances and personalities remained largely unchanged. Opening their hearts for deep conversations was simply not in their nature.

In their school days, they would strategize against each other for the title of the top student, exposing their flaws and weaknesses as if handing their rival a weapon to use against them.

Chen Shu Yin curled her lips. “I won’t give you the chance to laugh at me.”

Pei Yu pinched her cheek, his tone indulgent. “You sprayed water all over my face, and I didn’t even laugh. Are you underestimating your husband’s tolerance for you?”

“You—” When it came to shamelessness, Pei Yu was second to none. Any grievances she had from the past were now laid bare by him. Unable to hold back, she slapped his left cheek. “You’re the one who insisted on licking me!”

Expecting her reaction, Pei Yu dodged slightly and smirked roguishly. “Fine, I admit it. I was just eager to show off my tongue skills.”

“Yin Yin! Xiao Pei! Come downstairs for dinner,” Fang You You called from below.

Chen Shu Yin exchanged a wordless glance with him. The teasing atmosphere quickly faded. He stood up, extended his hand toward her, and raised a brow, waiting for her to take it. When she did, he pulled her up effortlessly.

Not a word was spoken, yet in that moment, a decade of tacit understanding was evident.

She hooked her arm through his as they descended the stairs side by side, exuding an air of elegance despite wearing simple loungewear.

Fang You You brought out the dishes Pei Yu had prepared. He pulled out a chair for Chen Shu Yin, served her rice and soup, and placed a spoon in her hand as if tending to a patient.

Observing this, Fang You You casually remarked, “Xiao Pei, you two have been married for over two months now, but Yin Yin and I have yet to meet your parents. I understand you both are busy with your careers, but I’m an old-fashioned woman. Shouldn’t the families get to know each other?”

Chen Shu Yin paused mid-motion, glancing at Pei Yu with curiosity.

Pei Yu answered smoothly, “Sure, Yin Yin has a break this week. I’ll make the arrangements. My father has been missing for over ten years—his fate is uncertain. At home, it’s just my mother and grandfather. I hope that won’t be too surprising.”

Fang You You, in her sixties, was long past the age of being easily shocked. However, hearing his calm tone, she was momentarily at a loss for words.

Chen Shu Yin playfully diffused the tension by serving Fang You You rice. “Grandma, I don’t even have parents myself.”

Fang You You sighed, patting her hand with a look of reproach. She then reassured Pei Yu, “Every family has its struggles. But since you and Yin Yin have decided to share your lives, everything else is secondary.”

After dinner, Pei Yu went to wash the dishes while Chen Shu Yin packed a suitcase upstairs. When she came down, Fang You You stopped her, lowering her voice to whisper, “When you visit Pei Yu’s family this week, don’t go saying things like you don’t have parents in front of his elders.”

“If I don’t say it, they’ll find out eventually,” Chen Shu Yin shrugged nonchalantly.

Fang You You nodded in agreement but spoke earnestly, “Pei Yu’s character isn’t something an ordinary family could have cultivated. He’s polite, diligent, and never boasts about his achievements. As an actor, he’s got both talent and recognition. He handles matters discreetly and efficiently. If it weren’t for him taking full responsibility for my surgery arrangements last time, I’d probably be halfway in my grave by now. I later found out the chief surgeon was one of the top neurosurgeons in the country. If he treats distant relatives like this, imagine his own family’s background.”

Status and influence may not define a person, but they are undeniable advantages in navigating the world.

Chen Shu Yin lowered her gaze, replying softly, “I understand.”

“If it weren’t for those two ungrateful ones trying to cast you aside, you’d be just as well-off as him,” Fang You You caressed her cheek with a tinge of heartache. “I just don’t want them to look down on you and make you suffer.”

“Grandma, weren’t you the one so eager to match me with Pei Yu? Why are you so worried now?” Chen Shu Yin teased.

“That’s a separate issue.” Fang You You hesitated, then suddenly frowned. “Is your neck breaking out again? It’s all red and blotchy.”

She reached out to pull at Chen Shu Yin’s collar, but the latter immediately covered it and stepped back—only to bump into something solid behind her.

A firm embrace wrapped around her, and the culprit swiftly tightened her loose collar. “Grandma, don’t worry. I’ll take a look when we get home.”

Fang You You remained skeptical but relented. “Alright, it’s getting late. Driving back too late isn’t safe.”

By the time they reached Jiangyu Residences, it was nearly 11 p.m. The city of Tanchu had no nightlife, and the riverside community was utterly silent.

A rolling clothes rack had appeared in the living room, holding several neatly ironed suits.

“Got an event coming up?” Chen Shu Yin glanced at it but didn’t dwell on it.

Pei Yu took her hand. “June Festival. Help me pick one?”

“Tanchu TV’s event?” She pondered, then locked eyes on a dark gray custom suit embroidered with golden cranes and subtle white cloud patterns along the cuffs. It was layered but not overwhelming.

Pei Yu followed her gaze. “Yes, any thoughts?”

Chen Shu Yin’s ambition flickered in her eyes. “It might be a good opportunity.”

“Can you handle it?” Pei Yu pushed aside the other options, taking out the one she had chosen. “Want me to try it on?”

“I’ll give it my best shot,” she said calmly. When he mentioned changing, her gaze lifted slightly with interest.

Pei Yu was already unbuttoning his shirt. Underneath, a fitted undershirt accentuated his toned physique. As he pulled it off, revealing defined muscle lines, he teased, “Help me dress?”

Without hesitation, Chen Shu Yin stepped closer, reached for his belt, and with a crisp click, pulled it out and tossed it to the ground. Slowly, she unzipped his pants, each metallic click reverberating in the quiet room.

Pei Yu looked down at her, pressing her hands still. “If I haven’t even changed yet and you’re already acting out, do you prefer me without clothes?”

Chen Shu Yin rolled her eyes. “I’m just checking where you hit me. My hip still hurts.”

Her bold yet nonchalant actions matched her tone, as if it were the most natural thing.

Pei Yu reached out to touch her, but she smacked his hand away. “No touching.”

“If I don’t check, how will I be careful next time?”

“There won’t be a next time. Keep dreaming.”

Pei Yu chuckled but didn’t argue. He put on the suit jacket, the deep V neckline exposing just enough. “So, handsome or not?”

Chen Shu Yin glanced at his defined chest and looked away awkwardly. “It’s alright.”

“Then I won’t wear this one.”

The other options were more conservative, aligning with his usual fail-proof style. But this suit—blending traditional restraint with Western flair—brought out his untamed charisma. She had even mentally planned his hairstyle. “Why abandon it just because of my opinion?”

He hung the suit back up and nudged her toward the bedroom. “If I don’t listen to my wife, who else should I listen to?”

“You’ve been working all day, and you still have energy?”

“I—” Pei Yu leaned down, casting a shadow over her.

“Mmm.”

A fleeting kiss, then he pulled the covers over her and switched off the lights. “Goodnight.”

In the darkness, his breathing was steady, as if already asleep. Chen Shu Yin blinked and snuggled into his embrace, testing his breath. He was clearly more exhausted than she was.