Shen Yi was able to come home faster than his wife. He looked at his watch and shook his head. Lu Xinyi forgot her spare key, so he would have to wait for her to come home. Thankfully, Shen Xue was just living across their home so he dragged himself out of his brother’s car and forced himself to go home, hoping to meet his bed as soon as possible.

Yuan Jin dropped off the slightly drunk Lu Xinyi with Lu Xiulan helping her out and ringing the doorbell which Shen Yi answered promptly. Lu Xinyi leaned on her husband while her cousin bid goodbye, Shen Yi thanking her for bringing back his wife safe.

“Hi, my love. Did you miss me? Sorry to keep you waiting.” Lu Xinyi laughed as he picked her up from the ground and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Hmm… You’re later than I thought you’d be,” he murmured.

Lu Xinyi gave him a sly smiled before running her hand on his chest, which almost made Shen Yi lose his footing. Damn, just what did Yuan Jin and Lu Xiulan teach his oblivious wife?

“I’ll make it up for you,” she whispered to his ear before she licked and nibbled around the shell of his ear. Shen Yi shivered in anticipation. It seemed that his wife had learned something new from her friends. He should give Yuan Jin and Lu Xiulan some brownie points for helping Lu Xinyi.

“I know, and I can’t wait to see what you can do.”

With her head resting on his shoulder, Shen Yi smoothly carried her back to their bedroom and deposited her on the couch. She groaned as he helped her slipped off her heels.

“Didn’t I say you should never taste another alcohol again? What am I going to do with you?” He sighed.

“Love me? Just like I love you.” She giggled.

Shen Yi scoffed. She had no idea how deep the feeling he had for her was, and she might be overwhelmed once she found out how easy it would be for other people to destroy him using her. Not that he’d allow people to know his weakness.

After helping her change her clothes into his own shirt, Shen Yi placed a blanket over her form. He wanted to see her again, wearing that little black dress she was donning earlier. She looked so feminine and alluring with that dress, but he would rather see her comfortable than being dressed up and drunk.

Though, it was nice to see her wearing his clothes. It was something he enjoyed to see and wouldn’t pass on.

“Can you please remove the pins out of my hair? They’re hurting me.” His wife rolled on her side to face him.

Shen Yi scooted closer and carefully slipped each one of the pins out from the hairstyle she did. He liked how the braids loosened, leaving some soft waves on her hair. His fingers undid all the braids and smoothed her hair down as he thought. He’d never done this before.

“Do you hate me now?” Lu Xinyi looked up with hooded eyes at her husband.

Shen Yi’s eyes widened, and his jaw tightened in remorse. Wasn’t too demanding, right?

“Of course not. I could never hate you.” He held up his arms in an open invitation. Lu Xinyi gratefully threw herself in his embrace, snuggled closer, and sighed, loving his warmth that engulfed her being.

“I love you,” she reminded him. In her heart, she wished he could say back those words at her.

His fingers made their way into the dark strands of her silken hair and tipped her face up to meet his. His lips brushed over her own gently, the scent of alcohol reaching his nose, but he didn’t care. He guided her head down to his chest and continued running his fingers on her hair.

“You looked beautiful tonight. I didn’t have a chance to tell you before you left.”

“You have ways with words, milord.” Lu Xinyi teased.

“Ahh.. but I’m not joking.”

“You’re so chatty tonight. Something’s wrong, honey?”

“Nothing, just thinking what you’ll look like wearing a bridal gown.” Shen Yi leaned in, and Lu Xinyi giggled when he breathed over the skin of her neck. He was thinking of giving her a proper marriage ceremony once she graduated from Silver Leaf or if she didn’t pass the exam. Too bad he hadn’t found the perfect dress and rings for her.

“That tickles.” She then sighed feeling sleepy and tired. Closing her eyes, she let her husband play with her hair. It didn’t seem like he was going to sleep anytime soon.

“I love it when you smile and laugh, Yi. It has been my favorite thing in the world now,” she murmured on his chest.

Shen Yi let a lock of her hair slip from his fingers.

“Really?”

“Really,” she repeated quietly. She had noticed that her husband didn’t smile or laugh when his family was around. She then remembered Shen Xue mentioning that her husband wasn’t like this when they were younger.

“I guess I’ll keep on smiling and laughing just for you then.” Shen Yi replied. His hand ran through her hair. Her eyes closed as he continuously did the calming motion.

A moment later, her breathing evened out. He leaned down and kiss her forehead. His eyes drifted at the other side of the room, particularly at the locked drawer on his desk. With so many distractions lately, he wondered when would be the perfect time to present to her the recipe books that his idiot ex took from her.