Gap
Lin Tingyue was somewhat surprised as she didn't have time to see clearly.
"I couldn't see clearly, was it really Ranran?"
As she spoke, Lin Tingyue was about to step forward to confirm, but was stopped by Chi Zhuo.
Where are you going?
"I'll go check if it's Ranran."
"What if you're bothering them?"
Lin Tingyue considered it for a moment and felt that what Chi Zhuo said made sense.
"Well... it wouldn't be good to just leave like this."
"I'll go upstairs with you to check. It's getting late. If she's still not back, just tell her she's not coming back tonight."
Lin Tingyue glanced at Chi Zhuo and directly saw through his thoughts.
"That's exactly what you wanted."
Chi Zhuo smiled but remained silent.
The two went upstairs together, and sure enough, the room was empty.
"It's around 10 o'clock now, and she hasn't come back yet. She'll probably call or text you soon."
Lin Tingyue's fingers flew across the keyboard as she typed on her phone.
"Ranran? Where are you? Have you gone home?"
Shortly after, I received a message on my phone.
"Um... not yet, I guess I'll be late today too..."
Lin Tingyue followed Chi Zhuo downstairs and replied.
"Um... I won't be coming back tonight. If you do come back, please be careful."
"What, you and Chi Zhuo have made up?"
"Um."
Congratulations on making up!
After the two finished chatting, Lin Tingyue waved her phone and said, "Okay, are you satisfied now?"
Chi Zhuoxin said contentedly, "Then... shall we go home?"
Lin Tingyue got back into the car, and Chi Zhuo quickly and neatly fastened his seatbelt, started the car, and left the residential area.
Returning to the apartment, a familiar atmosphere greeted me. Everything was as it had always been, clean and tidy, but it lacked a sense of life.
It's clear that Chi Zhuo has hardly been back these past few days; even the positions of the sofa cushions she usually places haven't changed at all.
"See, I told you, it's just a cold box." Chi Zhuo followed behind her, his tone a little aggrieved, but his hand naturally wrapped around her waist, and he gently rested his chin on her shoulder.
Lin Tingyue's heart softened, and she raised her hand to touch his cheek. "It's not like that anymore."
As soon as she finished speaking, Chi Zhuo picked her up in his arms.
"Ah!" Lin Tingyue exclaimed, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck. "What are you doing!"
"Keep your promise." Chi Zhuo carried her steadily toward the bedroom, his eyes burning with intensity, but his tone was utterly serious. "Prove my performance in other areas."
"Let's wash it first!"
"It's too late."
Lin Tingyue was startled by his sudden action and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. "Why are you in such a hurry..."
Chi Zhuo looked down at her, his gaze intense. "You've been waiting too long."
He carried her into the bedroom and gently placed her on the bed.
Lin Tingyue was about to get up when he leaned down and pressed her down.
His kiss came on strong, carrying the longing and desire that had accumulated over the days, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.
"Wait..." Lin Tingyue turned her head, her breathing rapid, "Take a shower first..."
Chi Zhuo paused, his forehead pressed against hers, and sighed deeply, "Okay."
He stood up and pulled her up with him, saying, "Let's shower together."
Lin Tingyue's cheeks flushed red, "No..."
“What’s there to be afraid of?” Chi Zhuo chuckled. “It’s not like we haven’t seen it before.”
Warm water cascades down from the showerhead, and the steam gradually fills the entire space.
Even though they had already met, Lin Tingyue still covered her face shyly.
Chi Zhuo was not as impatient as Lin Tingyue had expected. Instead, he was surprisingly patient and gently washed her long hair.
"After you left, I never came back to live here, because without you, this house is not a home."
The sound of washing in the pond was somewhat muffled by the rushing water.
“I’ve been thinking a lot lately. In the past, many of my ideas were decisions I made based on the situation. I only considered the maximum benefit and ignored your feelings. Listen to this, I’m really sorry.”
Lin Tingyue turned around and saw the desolation in his eyes. She touched his cheek tenderly and said, "I understand, I understand everything."
Chi Zhuo shook his head and took her hand. "No, I made a mistake, and I want to apologize to you."
Lin Tingyue looked at him tenderly, her eyes filled with more heartache than anything else.
"Everyone has their own habits. Since we're together now, I'll try my best to be tolerant of these aspects of you. Besides, you've done a lot for me, so we're even."
Water flowed down their bodies, and as the room temperature rose, their bodies grew hotter.
At this moment, the distance between the two people was shortened again.
After taking a shower, Chi Zhuo carefully dried Lin Tingyue's body with a bath towel, and then took a hair dryer to patiently dry her long hair.
"Listen, I love you."
The next second, Chi Zhuo's kiss landed. This time, he wasn't so eager, but rather slowly and gently savored this fruit that belonged to him.
His hand gently slid across Lin Tingyue's back, filled with endless tenderness and care; he never wanted to let go of her hand again.
The room was heated, so even though Lin Tingyue was placed on the table, she didn't feel too cold, although her legs were a little numb.
But Chi Zhuo still didn't let her go. Instead, he became more and more passionate, as if he wanted to devour her whole fruit. She couldn't help but gasp for breath.
"Don't……"
Chi Zhuo suddenly looked up at Lin Tingyue's expression. "Want to stop?"
Lin Tingyue looked sleepy and couldn't hear what Chi Zhuo was saying. She just kept grabbing his arm and muttering something.
"Listen, you're sweating so much..."
"It's so hot."
Lin Tingyue waved her hand, then clutched her skirt tightly, as if she wanted to sit up.
In an instant, the desk lamp on the table turned on, illuminating her entire face.
Her face was flushed, and there were red marks of varying sizes on her fair neck, making her look particularly pitiful.
"Listen, the light is on."
"good……"
Lin Tingyue sat up again, trying to reach out her arm to turn off the light, but even though the light was right in front of her, she was too hot and kept swaying back and forth, unable to reach the switch.
"I can't touch it..."
Chi Zhuo moved closer again, supporting her body and bringing her as close to the light as possible.
"How about this? Is it okay?"
"Not quite...enough..."
As she spoke, her body seemed to ache and begin to feel weak. "I'm a little tired..."
This time, Chi Zhuo picked her up and looked at her tenderly, "How is it? Are you still tired?"
Touching the cool wall, Lin Tingyue felt much cooler. She didn't even want to say another word, but Chi Zhuo kept calling her name.
"Listen to this..."
Lin Tingyue's skirt swayed rapidly as she softly replied.
"Um……"
Listening to the quiet sound of running water in the room, Lin Tingyue could no longer hold on and slowly lost her strength.
Finally, Chi Zhuo put her on the bed.
As she soared into the sky for the last time, seeing a vast expanse of brilliant white clouds, Lin Tingyue used her last bit of strength to turn off the desk lamp and let out a joyful laugh.
Every time Chi Zhuo showed her tenderness, she couldn't resist. In the end, she hugged him tightly, feeling the unique scent that belonged to Chi Zhuo.
"Listen..." Chi Zhuo lay on Lin Tingyue's body, his voice hoarse from the exertion, "I really, really missed you..."
“I miss you too…” Lin Tingyue replied, her eyes glistening with tears.
"Don't leave me again, okay?" he asked softly, his voice carrying a barely perceptible plea.
Lin Tingyue nodded, "Okay."
Chi Zhuo finally relaxed and pulled her closer to him.
It was late at night, and Lin Tingyue was sleeping soundly in Chi Zhuo's arms.
Chi Zhuo couldn't fall asleep for a long time. He just quietly watched her sleeping face by the moonlight, gently tracing her outline with his fingers, as if he wanted to engrave her whole person deep in his heart.
The next morning.
Lin Tingyue had just woken up when she found herself still being held tightly in Chi Zhuo's arms.
She moved slightly, and Chi Zhuo opened his eyes.
"Good morning." His voice was hoarse from just waking up as he lowered his head and kissed the top of her head.
"Good morning." Lin Tingyue looked up and gave him a light kiss on the lips.
"Did you sleep well?" Chi Zhuo asked, his fingers twirling her hair.
“It’s great,” Lin Tingyue snuggled closer to him, “the best sleep I’ve had in days.”
Chi Zhuo smiled, "Then... I'll make sure you sleep this well every day from now on."
Lin Tingyue glared at him, "You scoundrel."
"Alright, then let me show you what a morning hooligan is like."
"Ah!" Lin Tingyue quickly pulled the blanket over her head, preparing to run away.
How could Chi Zhuo possibly let her escape?
-
News of the two arguing and then making up reached the old house.
In the afternoon, Lin Tingyue was called to Su Jinghe's house.
"What happened?" Su Jinghe asked Lin Tingyue with concern. "Did Xiao Zhuo bully you?"
Lin Tingyue patted Su Jinghe's hand to comfort her, "Nothing's wrong. We just didn't communicate well, and we misunderstood each other. Everything's fine now."
"real?"
Lin Tingyue nodded vigorously, "Really, you see, nothing happens when you hold it."
Su Jinghe was relieved. "It's been more than half a month since you two met. I thought something had really happened to you."
"No, Mom, I promise you, nothing will happen."
"It's good that you're alright."
Su Jinghe inquired about Chi Zhuo's condition and finally told Lin Tingyue, "Eat more good food, you've lost weight."
"Mom, I've really lost weight!"
Seeing Lin Tingyue's excited expression, Su Jinghe frowned. "Really? Have you been eating lately?"
Lin Tingyue stood up with a smile, "Hehe, Mom, don't you think clothes look better when you're thinner? I'm happy that I've lost weight!"
"Nonsense, health comes first. Why be so thin? Besides, you need to eat more. Clothes are for people to wear. Good clothes are those that make people feel comfortable and look good, regardless of their weight. Don't ruin your health for the sake of beauty."
"Yes, my dear mother!"
Su Jinghe shook her head helplessly, "Naughty~"
"Cough cough..."
An elderly man, slightly frail, stood on the second floor, looking down into the lobby.
Lin Tingyue felt the atmosphere suddenly become heavy, so she quickly stood up from the sofa and greeted him.
"Hello, Grandpa."
Holding a cane, Chi Heng walked down the stairs step by step.
Lin Tingyue felt even more nervous. In the past, every time she came over, Su Jinghe would take her directly to the dining room next to the room to eat alone. Today, the two of them were talking in the living room, so they would naturally run into other family members.
"Um."
After descending the steps, Chi Heng approached slowly and quietly. He sat down and then gestured for Lin Tingyue and the other woman to sit down as well.
Lin Tingyue only dared to sit down after seeing the signal.
"Your name is Tingyue, right?"
Lin Tingyue nodded obediently, "Yes, Grandpa."
Chi Heng smiled slightly. "I heard you gave Xiao Zhuo a hard time?"
Chi Heng's question was asked casually, yet it made the air in the entire living room freeze.
Su Jinghe's expression changed slightly, and she was about to speak to smooth things over when Lin Tingyue's hands on her knees clenched quietly, but she tried her best to remain calm.
“Grandpa,” she said clearly, neither humble nor arrogant, “I wasn’t giving you a hard time. There was a misunderstanding between Chi Zhuo and me, but we’ve talked it out now.”
Chi Heng slowly picked up the teacup on the coffee table, took a sip, and without even lifting his eyelids, said, "Oh? What misunderstanding is there that requires him to stay away from home for more than half a month, with a sullen face all day long, and not even wanting to come back to the old house?"
His tone remained calm, but the invisible pressure seemed to intensify.
Su Jinghe anxiously gave Lin Tingyue a meaningful look, signaling her to say less.
Lin Tingyue steeled her resolve, knowing she couldn't avoid it, and simply raised her head, looking honestly at Chi Heng: "It's because of work-related issues. I can't accept many of his methods, so we had an argument. But now..."
Chi Heng put down his teacup, making a crisp clinking sound, interrupting Lin Tingyue's words.
"Arguing over such trivial matters is not a good thing; it's too childish to have such a temper."
He looked sharply at Lin Tingyue, "Besides, don't forget, your Lin family is..."
Su Jinghe couldn't hold back any longer, "Dad! Listen to her, she's still so young, what does she know!"
Lin Tingyue's heart sank suddenly, and her fingers unconsciously tightened around the hem of her clothes.
Since the Lin family is involved, she really has no right to negotiate with them.
Su Jinghe quickly tried to smooth things over: "Dad, what young couple doesn't quarrel? Now that you've made up, isn't that enough? Listen, go to the kitchen and see if the soup I'm making is ready yet."
This was an attempt to get her out of the way. Lin Tingyue immediately stood up, "Okay, Mom."
"Sit down." Chi Heng's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.
Lin Tingyue froze, standing rooted to the spot, caught in a dilemma.
Su Jinghe also panicked: "Dad!"
Chi Heng ignored his daughter-in-law, his gaze still fixed on Lin Tingyue, scrutinizing her: "I heard that your brother suddenly went to the company and caused a scene yesterday because of unresolved funding issues, is that right?"
Lin Tingyue's expression was rather unpleasant; Chi Heng had found out about the news so quickly.
"...It is somewhat difficult, but it is being addressed..." She tried to keep her voice steady.
"Handle it?" Chi Heng chuckled lightly, with a hint of mockery. "Without the Chi family's approval, no one can handle that project. Your brother will just have to go to jail."
These words were like an ice pick, instantly piercing Lin Tingyue's feigned composure.
Chi Heng was telling her that she and the Lin family behind her did not have much leverage to act willfully in front of the Chi family.
Su Jinghe's expression also changed: "Dad! Why are you saying all this! Listen to me, don't take it to heart..."
“I’m stating the facts,” Chi Heng interrupted her, his gaze still fixed on Lin Tingyue. “Once you marry into the Chi family, you must abide by the Chi family’s rules.”
Xiao Zhuo is a man destined for great things; his decisions naturally have their reasons. As his wife, it's one thing to not understand or support him, but to throw a tantrum and threaten to run away from home? What kind of behavior is that!
"Did the Lin family send you here simply because you're good-looking? What right do you have to throw a tantrum in the Chi family?"
Lin Tingyue's hands, hanging by her sides, clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms.
She wanted to argue, to say that she wasn't being unreasonable, but reality was like a net, tightly binding her tongue.
She had no chance to refute, because what the other party said was all the bloody reality, leaving her with nowhere to avoid it and nowhere to escape.
She was utterly defeated.
Just then, a deep, calm voice came from the doorway.
“Listen to this, she’s my wife. She doesn’t need to follow anyone’s rules except mine.”
The three of them turned around at the same time and saw that Chi Zhuo had been standing at the door at some point, his face cold and stern, as he strode in.
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