Chapter 37 "I'll come back to sleep with you."

Beijing has very short spring and autumn seasons, and dry, windy summers.

This summer, however, has been rainy.

Cheng Hexi dislikes summer and rainy days. However, since she's usually surrounded by high-rise buildings, she doesn't really have time to express her likes or dislikes about the weather.

After reviewing tomorrow's meeting minutes, she returned to the long table with a glass of warm water. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city lights shone brightly, but the night sky was devoid of stars.

Often, work is more effective at energizing her than coffee.

As I suddenly relaxed, my rapidly racing thoughts didn't stop; instead, they flowed in another direction.

Cheng Hexi had always thought she could handle all the problems on her own, but now she realized that relationship problems were actually outside the broader category of "problems".

Just then, the phone screen on the table lit up, and a message came in from the contact labeled "Husband".

When will you be back?

Cheng Hexi didn't know what kind of person he was at first. Before the wedding, she laid everything out in the open, and You Yue readily agreed, like a reasonable business partner.

Her excellent upbringing brought her a married life a thousand times more comfortable than she had anticipated. In this "cooperative relationship," she enjoyed his gentlemanly manners and thoughtfulness and tried her best to reciprocate in kind.

Now she understands more and more that You Yue has transformed from the arrogant and rational CEO in the media and among the public into a qualified husband who would bring her medicine and heat packs during her period and accompany her home, and now into a tangible person who cannot be described in a single word.

This person almost perfectly captured her aesthetic preferences, and her body fell in love with him much earlier.

Aside from the lack of affection, there's nothing wrong with this marriage.

But what about that Margarita, that "I'm just trying to comfort you," and the care and concern you received late at night?

This goes far beyond the realm of gentlemanly conduct and thoughtfulness.

What is You Yue thinking?

Cheng Hexi realized it too late.

They also cannot explain their subconscious dependence and possessiveness.

-

The nights in Beijing are never quiet or desolate; the city is always brightly lit. Xilin's general manager's office is a typical business-style space, quite large, with a desktop computer screen emitting a cool glow.

Cheng Hexi stared at the message box for a few seconds, then dialed the number back and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," a familiar, deep, and pleasant voice came through the electricity: "When my wife doesn't come home, I have to ask her out."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Hexi raised her wrist.

The hour hand of the watch has passed ten.

She ate lunch at the company cafeteria today, and when she returned to the office, she had one meeting after another and signed documents. She had told You Yue that she would be coming home late for the next two days, but today was a bit too late.

"I forgot to check the time..." she smiled, her tone somewhat apologetic.

You Yue hummed in agreement and asked, "Is work finished?"

"Soon."

An acquisition deal that took place a few days ago is still in limbo.

This is her old profession; the vice president of the investment department will come to see her in a little while.

"If I get back too late, don't wait for me."

He said "okay," but finally reminded her, "Come back and rest early."

-

It was almost midnight when Cheng Hexi got home.

The driver parked the car at the entrance, and she got out and noticed that the porch light was still on.

He entered the password to unlock the door, casually tossed his car keys next to You Yue's car keys, changed his shoes, and went inside.

The largest crystal chandelier in the living room was still on, illuminating the room as if it were daytime. All around was silent, and there was no one else in the house.

Cheng Hexi refused the overtime meal that night and did not expect to return so late. However, her stomach suddenly rebelled when she left the company, so she had to go to a private restaurant to pack up the food she had ordered.

She has spent almost the entire day working since leaving home this morning. The hunger she felt on the way here has passed, and she just wants to wash up and change into comfortable clothes as soon as possible.

Cheng Hexi unbuttoned her shirt as she went upstairs.

She wasn't wearing the suit when she got out of the car; she just casually draped it over her shoulders.

When I went up to the second floor, You Yue's study was still lit.

He didn't close the door.

Cheng Hexi paused for a moment, then walked over.

She wasn't wearing high heels, and her steps were light, making almost no sound.

As they reached the door, You Yue seemed to sense something and raised his eyes.

Their eyes met in the quiet air.

His computer was on, and he was still working.

You Yue looked at Cheng Hexi and saw that she was wearing a suit jacket with two buttons undone, revealing her prominent collarbone. A platinum necklace swayed on it, and a familiar pendant rested on her neckline.

Cheng Hexi is someone who can fly for ten hours to return to China and still be full of energy when she goes to the company for a meeting and to sign documents after landing, but at this moment she can't hide her fatigue.

You Yue knew she was ambitious and career-oriented, but he couldn't help feeling sorry for her.

He tossed aside the mouse and said softly, "I'm back."

"Yes, I'm back."

Cheng Hexi leaned against the door, crossed her arms, and smiled with her eyes crinkling, asking, "Still not asleep?"

"Handling work."

You Yue stood up and walked towards her.

He was wearing a soft black loungewear set, having just taken a shower, with a few strands of black hair falling across his forehead, softening his aloofness.

The two were very close, and Cheng Hexi could smell the scent of his shower gel.

She said, "You didn't turn off the lights downstairs."

You Yue nodded to indicate that he understood.

He deliberately left it off.

"Waiting for me?"

The night was deep, and her gaze was intense, as if she wanted to confirm something.

You Yue did not deny it: "Yes."

This wasn't a task that needed to be done today, and as usual, he was already preparing to go to sleep.

"Let's go upstairs and rest, it's too late." He noticed she didn't look as good as usual and asked, "How's your stomach?"

"My stomach is fine, but I'm hungry..."

Cheng Hexi doesn't eat much at each meal, and her work has taken its toll. She invited, "I just bought some food, would you like a bite?"

"..."

You Yue finally understood how her stomach had gotten into this state.

Didn't you eat dinner?

"I ate," Cheng Hexi reflected, "but not much."

Eating too late is bad, but she'll still be hungry if she doesn't eat.

Knowing that this was wrong, he had no choice but to compromise.

As Cheng Hexi turned around, the hem of her clothes brushed against the door frame of the study.

The suit jacket slipped off her shoulders.

You Yue bent down and naturally picked up her suit jacket that had fallen to the ground, draping it over his arm.

Cheng Hexi lowered her eyes, becoming even more certain that her subconscious dependence on him was real.

-

They turned on the dimmest lights in the restaurant.

Cheng Hexi drank her light pumpkin porridge, and You Yue broke his usual rule by eating with her late at night.

He mentioned a few days ago that he was going to visit the headquarters of the AI ​​medical company invested by Hongsheng tomorrow, and would return to Beijing four days later in the morning.

Cheng Hexi had always remembered this incident, but she suddenly brought it up today, saying that the day he returned home happened to be the anniversary of her mother's death.

You Yue remained silent for a moment, then said he knew.

He hadn't asked before because he didn't want to bring up her painful memories, and he didn't know how to bring it up. Hearing her mention it, You Yue hesitated for a moment before softly asking, "Shall I go with you to see Mom?"

Cheng Hexi paused, and the golden porridge fell from the porcelain spoon.

His way of addressing her was so natural that it made her feel somewhat uneasy.

She unconsciously stirred the porridge, remembering what her grandmother had said last time, "You are husband and wife, don't be afraid to trouble him," and frowned slightly, saying, "Okay."

“I’ll be staying there all afternoon. Will you pick me up in the evening? I’ll introduce you to my mother.”

You Yue hummed in agreement.

It's a big improvement that she knew to offer to let him pick her up.

You Yue doesn't need to flatter anyone when he's out in the world. He only occasionally puts more thought into things when negotiating or interacting with partners. His cleverness is of little use; he's focusing all his energy on Cheng Hexi right now.

He liked her, enjoyed paying attention to her, and was naturally able to sense her emotions.

These past few days...

Did you realize something?

You Yue was well aware of Cheng Hexi's guarded nature and knew that she wouldn't fall in love easily, nor would she let herself fall in love, so he wasn't in a hurry.

They are a legally married couple.

Fate smiled upon me, making this life question much easier.

You Yue only wanted to slowly cast his net, enter her heart, and wait for the day she would fall in love with him.

-

The day before Cheng Yuqing's death anniversary, it rained all day in Beijing, finally stopping just before evening.

The rainbow hung in the sky for a long time, the ground was wet, and even the grass and trees looked greener.

In previous years, this period was always particularly difficult for her.

Not wanting to go back to the empty house, I numb myself with work, and after get off work in Manhattan, I go to Jerry's bar for a drink.

This year, someone distracted her, but she wasn't actually that sad.

That night, lying on the large bed in the master bedroom, Cheng Hexi remained in a proper posture, while You Yue turned slightly to the side, casually playing with a strand of her hair.

Cheng Hexi noticed this but didn't stop her. They chatted about Cheng Yuqing for a while, and then she fell asleep.

She hadn't had insomnia since moving into the master bedroom, but today, the symptom returned.

She remained lying on her usual sleeping side, and after twenty minutes, she still felt no sleepiness. She had no choice but to get up and lie on her side to find melatonin.

After taking one pill, I went back to lie down in the master bedroom.

This time, however, she somehow ended up lying on the side where You Yue usually slept.

She thought of Cheng Yuqing again.

Her maternal grandparents had already immigrated. If she hadn't fallen in love with He Chongguang, Cheng Yuqing would never have returned to Beijing, nor would she have worked day and night for Xilin by He Chongguang's side, enduring the rumors of an illegitimate child after falling ill.

Her mother left her a huge trust and shares in Shirin, but it seems she never considered anything for her own sake.

Cheng Hexi closed her eyes, becoming more and more clear-headed as she thought about it.

After an unknown amount of time, the corridor light turned on and off again, and a travel-worn figure pushed open the door to the master bedroom.

You Yue was surprised to find that she was sleeping in his bedside. When he realized she wasn't asleep, he turned on the bedside lamp, his gaze filled with surprise.

Cheng Hexi was even more surprised than him: "Why are you back? Didn't you say you were coming tomorrow morning?"

Every time she was sad, it was because of her mother. You Yue didn't want her to fall asleep alone like she did before she got married.

It shouldn't have been this late, but the bad weather there caused the flight to be delayed for two hours. He thought about it for a long time on the plane, but in the end, he didn't tell Cheng Hexi that he wanted to come back.

You Yue bent down and touched her hair, then smiled and said, "I'm back to sleep with you."