"What?"
"How many times have you apologized in the meantime?"
Song Mai scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.
I don't know what's wrong with her today; she would never be like this on a normal day.
But today, perhaps because of my emotional fluctuations, my mind was foggy, and I acted somewhat recklessly.
"I...I'm sorry, I am..."
However, she was interrupted by the man again before she could finish speaking.
"Although we are not actually husband and wife, and the contract only stipulates a one-year term, there is no need to be so distant."
Song Mai nodded: "I understand."
It wasn't that she was intentionally distant; rather, she hadn't really felt there was anything wrong with spending time with him in the first place.
She was even grateful to him. Even though she didn't know him very well, she could tell from his occasional advice and guidance that he was an objective, rational, and analytical person.
She even felt that living with him was quite nice, with a strong sense of mutual help and support.
But at some point, Song Mai felt something was different. Sometimes she would even look forward to seeing messages from him, and she would take the initiative to ask for his opinion when something happened.
Even though his replies were always brief, she felt a sense of joy and belonging whenever she received a message before leaving get off work saying he was coming home for dinner.
"Um."
The light turned green, but the man didn't reach for her hand again and strode forward.
Song Mai jogged after him, but the hand he had pulled was slowly tightening, and it seemed that the warmth he had left behind still lingered on her hand.
"Did you finish so early today?"
She couldn't help but ask.
Even if he goes home for dinner on weekdays, he won't get home this early; it's usually around seven or eight o'clock.
She had just gotten off work today when he was already downstairs at her company.
Song Mai felt that he seemed to have a kind of magic. He didn't usually show up and was always busy with his own things.
But whenever she encounters danger or trouble, he always appears quickly, like a hero in a movie with the ability to teleport.
The man hummed in response.
"I didn't have anything to do today, so I came early."
"So how's your startup going?"
"fine."
[Two words again, I can never come up with a third!]
Song Mai silently complained to herself; she often couldn't understand this man.
He was perfectly fine one second, comforting her and holding her hand, but the next second he went back to his cold and aloof self.
[He was the one who said there was no need to be so awkward, yet he himself is more awkward than anyone else.]
The man walked ahead without saying a word, listening to the woman's inner thoughts, his thin lips pressed into a thin line.
It wasn't that he deliberately distanced himself from her; it was just his nature, and he treated everyone this way, not just her.
And unfamiliar...
He admitted that he had indeed been a bit deliberate; just now, looking at the woman's wet, wounded fawn-like eyes, he couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.
Reason vanished from my mind, and I couldn't help but comfort her.
But seeing the woman's eyes, which were clearly filled with dependence and emotion, he suddenly calmed down as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water.
He and she were only in a contractual marriage; once the contract expired, they were destined to go their separate ways.
If she really has feelings for me, it will only hurt her.
In fact, Chu Xing did not come over early after getting off work.
His company is very busy, and with a new project recently, he's even busier.
He had arranged for Song's mother and Liu Weiqiang to observe their every move and report their whereabouts to him. She realized that Song Mai might be in trouble, which is why she came here.
She was, after all, his legal wife. He couldn't openly protect her, so he could only protect her secretly in this way.
Moreover, after learning about his background and family circumstances, Chu Xing felt even more that it was truly remarkable that she could maintain such kindness and integrity.
It would be a lie to say he didn't feel sorry for her; he wanted to ensure her safety during the time he could protect her.
At least if the two of them separate in the future, she won't be in a dangerous situation all the time like she is now.
Song Mai successfully found her electric scooter and took the man home together.
The two remained silent the entire way.
However, Song Mai's mood has improved a lot since moving to this house.
At least it won't be like before, where after a busy day and several transfers, you finally get home only to find a house full of junk, making you feel hopeless about life.
Even if she can only live in this house for a year, Song Mai will work hard to save money during that year. Once she has enough money, she won't have to go back to that old, dilapidated place.
There were still many freshly bought vegetables in the refrigerator. Song Mai picked out a few and cooked a few side dishes, which were then served on the table.
Her cooking, as always, suited his taste perfectly, and the man ate it all up.
Song Mai got up to clear the dishes, but the man called her back.
"Be careful of Zheng Yao. She has no bottom line. Her methods are far more disgusting and vicious than you can imagine."
Song Mai felt a warmth in her heart and nodded.
"Don't worry, I will."
After these incidents, it's fair to say that Song Mai's understanding of Zheng Yao has been repeatedly challenged.
She knew Zheng Yao disliked her and that Zheng Yao harbored ill intentions towards Chu Xing, but she never imagined that Zheng Yao could go to such lengths.
It seems that whenever she gets the chance, Zheng Yao will spare no effort to trample on her, wishing she could crush her like an ant.
After finishing his meal, the man, unusually, did not go to his study but instead sat at the bar to work.
Song Mai sat on the sofa fiddling with her phone, while a very boring family sitcom played on the TV.
She would glance at it every now and then, as if she had seen it.
After a while, she couldn't help but gasp softly, then quickly shut her mouth so as not to disturb Chu Xing.
"What's wrong?"
The man continued typing on the keyboard as he asked the question.
Song Mai's eyes sparkled as she turned to look at him, her eyes filled with hope and longing.
Have you ever been to the Forbidden City?
The man nodded: "Yes, I've been there."
Song Mai rolled over and, like a curious child, continued to ask, "How was it? Was it fun?"
"not bad."
Song Mai looked at a colleague's travel photos on WeChat Moments and was incredibly envious.
She's never actually gone on a proper trip in her entire life.
Even though I've been to many places, it was all for business trips, and I never had time to travel around and see the sights.
The man looked up at her and saw that the woman's face was contorted with a mixture of joy and shrugs, making her look like a little dumpling, which was rather cute.
"Want to go?"
Song Mai nodded.
"Of course, I haven't been there yet. I've only seen photos. It looks like the scenery is beautiful and it's a very livable place. The weather is just right for travel right now, neither too hot nor too cold."
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