Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem
When she came back down, she didn’t head to the main hall directly. Instead, she turned towards the restroom to wash her face and calm down.
The moment she entered the main hall, she saw Lu Jinnian’s back. Amid the cold winter season, all he had on was a thin shirt, but even then he appeared elegant, as though unaffected by the cold.
Qiao Anhao clenched onto her shirt and took a deep breath. “Lu Jinnian.”
He turned his head instantly, his face clear off any anxiety, as though nothing had happened. There was a glimmer of joy in his eyes while his temples remained soft. Gently, he asked, “What took you so long?”
He was a man that was caught in a woman’s room, how could he act so nonchalantly? Or was it that he didn’t mind being caught?
Lu Jinnian’s bright spirits seemed to increase her uneasiness.
Only when he held her hand did she finally snap out of her thoughts. She turned to gaze at him, at his usual impassive face that seemed to have a hint of joy.
Qiao Anhao couldn’t figure out what he was thinking, and her heart grew increasingly more uneasy.
The entire journey back to Mian Xiu Garden, they didn’t talk much. Qiao Anhao sneaked several peeks at Lu Jinnian, trying to study his expression.
Even though he could sense her gaze, he remained oblivious, staring straight ahead, thinking about the scene in Four Seasons Hotel. His lips couldn’t help curling into a smile when he glanced at her through the rear mirror.
The moment Qiao Anhao saw his smile, her face darkened visibly, and she hugged her bag, looking uneasy and upset. The sight further brightened Lu Jinnian’s spirits.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to explain himself, it’s just that he wanted to see her uneasiness first.
How should he put it… Her uneasiness warmed his heart, it made him feel loved.
The car steadily steered into the yard of Mian Xiu Garden. After unbuckling his seat belt, Lu Jinnian alighted, preparing to open the door for Qiao Anhao, but before he could walk over, she had already pushed the door open and hurriedly entered the house.
Lu Jinnian chuckled, following after her. Just when she was about to head upstairs, he called out her name as he removed his shoes, “Qiao Qiao.”
Qiao Anhao froze.
Why was he calling her? Was it going to be a confrontation? He was caught having an affair… Did that mean he didn’t care about their marriage? Was he going to tell her that he didn’t love her anymore and was now in love with the women from Four Seasons Hotel?
The more her thoughts ran, the more worried she got, and without waiting for Lu Jinnian to continue, she suddenly turned to look at him. “Lu Jinnian, I want a cup of water.”
Lu Jinnian nodded, heading to pour her a glass. “Qiao Qiao.”
“Wait, let me finish this.”
Tilting her head upwards, she downed the entire glass.
Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem
“Wait, let me finish this.”
Tilting her head upwards, Qiao Anhao downed the entire glass.
Passing the glass to Lu Jinnian, she seemed to have forgotten what she’d said. She turned to him and said hurriedly, “I’ll sleep now, I’m tired. We can talk tomorrow.”
Without waiting for a response, she turned and ran up the stairs.
Lu Jinnian held onto the glass, his lips curled upwards as he gazed at the tiny figure running up.
He knew… She was afraid that he was going to say something she didn’t want to hear, and running away was her solution.
So… Qiao Qiao, does that mean that you actually care about me?
Lu Jinnian fiddled with the glass, leaning against the staircase, staring up at the ceiling lamp. At that moment, he could feel a heaviness that clouded his heart start to fade bit by bit.
After about two minutes, he averted his gaze, turning to the kitchen. After less than two steps, he felt something below his slippers. He looked down and saw a tiny red booklet with the words “Marriage certificate” written on the cover.
Lu Jinnian frowned, bending to pick it up. His certificate was locked in the cabinet in the study room, so this one must be Qiao Anhao’s?
Just a while ago, she had used it to brag, but now she had dropped it… Such a klutz.
Lu Jinnian shook his head with a indulgent smile on his face. He placed the glass in the kitchen before heading to the bedroom.
Qiao Anhao had already changed into her pajamas and was lying on the bed with her eyes shut, seemingly asleep.
Lu Jinnian walked towards the bed. When he saw her fluttering lashes, he knew that she was listening to his movements. Reaching out his with hand, he lightly pinched her tender face. “Qiao Qiao, where’s your marriage certificate?”
Marriage certificate… Why was he asking about that? Did he want a divorce?
Qiao Anhao clenched onto the bed sheets, shutting her lids tightly.
She was asleep, she couldn’t hear anything.
In order to appear realistic, she deliberately deepened her breathing, producing a slight snoring sound.
Lu Jinnian stood by the bed, patiently staring down at Qiao Anhao for a while before using the red booklet he picked up to lightly tap her face.
Qiao Anhao’s temples moved. What did he use to tap her face? It seemed like a small booklet?
She lifted her lids slightly, and just then, she saw the red booklet in his hands. In order to see what it was, she lifted her lids a bit more. That was when the words “Marriage Certificate” came into sight.
Lu Jinnian was holding his marriage certificate… Why would he ask for her marriage certificate? He must want a divorce…
Qiao Anhao covered her entire head with the blanket.
She couldn’t see anything, she couldn’t hear anything, she didn’t know anything.
She was asleep.
Helplessly, Lu Jinnian laughed. Pausing slightly, he pondered how long it had been since he last laughed.
The next instance, he ripped the blanket, pulling Qiao Anhao out. Waving the red booklet in front of her, he said, “It’s yours…”
Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem
“Lu Jinnian, you thief!” Qiao Anhao jumped, her whole universe erupting. She glared at Lu Jinnian, interrupting his words.
He was too much!
He actually stole her marriage certificate to divorce her!
Qiao Anhao’s eyes rotated one round, then she snatched the red booklet violently.
Lu Jinnian had wanted to ask “You want it?” but froze, clearly startled by her accusation. When he finally got back his senses, the marriage certificate was already gone. She clenched onto it, looking around anxiously as though searching for a place to hide it.
Lu Jinnian broke into laughter once more, amused by her actions.
But before he could laugh out loud, he saw her blinking, as though finally settling on something before ripping the booklet into two. She didn’t seem satisfied, ripping the book continuously into tiny pieces. When she finally stopped and was about to toss the pieces, she froze once more. She seemed to be worried that he would stick the pieces together, so she grabbed the whole bunch and stuffed it into her mouth.
“Qiao Qiao!” In an instant, Lu Jinnian, who had been watching her actions with merriment, seemed to have been left in shock. Without hesitation, he grabbed her elbow, pulling her towards him. “Spit them out!”
Qiao Anhao started to stuff the pieces into her mouth more aggressively, her throat moving up and down as though she was about to swallow the pieces. In anxiety, Lu Jinnian didn’t bother thinking. With one hand, he held onto her jaw to lift her face and with the other, he reached into her mouth to pull the pieces out.
After removing a large bunch, he reached into her mouth once more to ensure that there wasn’t anything left. At that moment, she bit onto his finger roughly.
Qiao Anhao used all her strength, and a sharp stinging pain pulsed through Lu Jinnian’s finger to the rest of his body.
He frowned, and was just about to pull his finger out, when suddenly he felt a droplet smash onto the back of his hand. He relaxed his finger instantly, sitting there motionlessly, allowing her to bite for as long as she wanted.
When the coppery taste entered Qiao Anhao’s mouth, she finally let go. Exhausted, she knelt on the bed biting down on her lip in silence. After a moment, she raised her head,. Her tear stained face scrunched up when she asked softly, “Lu Jinnian, you said that you won’t divorce me after we got married, and I already tore the marriage certificate, we can’t divorce now, right?”
Lu Jinnian was no longer amused by her anxiety, the happiness in his heart having thoroughly faded. An wave of heartache that he could not explain drowned his entire soul, and he stared at her tear stained face for a long while before reaching out to pull her into his embrace. “No divorce, we will never divorce.”
“Really?” Qiao Anhao turned to ask with glistening eyes, desperately seeking the confirmation.
“Really,” Lu Jinnian said, hugging her tighter.
Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem
Lu Jinnian’s hug and simple assurance seemed to finally lift the shadow in Qiao Anhao’s heart, she slouched onto his shoulder limply, finally breaking down.
His throat tightened, and he didn’t comfort her, allowing her to vent her frustration. After she was done, he carried her to the vanity table. There, he lifted her face, lightly, and used his fingers to wipe her tears.
“Qiao Qiao, Lucy is a wife of an American director who’s my friend, it’s not what you think it is. Besides, her husband was in the hotel room as well, he just wet to sleep earlier today.”
Qiao Anhao blinked her soaked lashes. “Her husband was in the room?”
Lu Jinnian nodded, reaching with a hand to caress her hair. “If you don’t believe me, I can bring you over now.”
Qiao Anhao thought of how she was upset over a misunderstanding… The woman was married and her husband was in the room… And she had ran over to say such hurtful things… Embarrassment engulfed her, she was not going to go back!
Hurriedly, Qiao Anhao shook her head. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It was for a private matter that has passed.” Lu Jinnian closed the topic easily, as though not willing to share, before asking, “Qiao Qiao, is the marriage certificate tasty?”
When the images of her before started to resurface, she puffed up her cheeks, and just then, she realized that there were still remnants of the pieces in her mouth. She blinked several times before gesturing towards him. “I’ll tell you if you come over.”
Lu Jinnian reached his head over.
Qiao Anhao lifted her head and covered his lips.
Lu Jinnian froze, then the next second, Qiao Anhao’s lips left. There seemed to be something new in his mouth..
Just when he stuck his tongue out to see, he saw her smiling face. In the same tone he had used, she asked, “Mr. Lu, is the marriage certificate tasty?”
There were still stains from the tears before, but now, she had on a sly and charming smile.
She was right in front of him. He just needed to reach out.
Lu Jinnian went into a daze. His throat moved, and without realizing it, he swallowed the piece of paper that Qiao Anhao had left in his mouth.
He didn’t react, staring straight at her. Qiao Anhao jumped down from the vanity table in shock, patting his back anxiously. ” Lu Jinnian, spit it out…”
Before she could finish her sentence, he picked her up once more, setting her back up on the same spot. The next second, she felt a tenderness on her lips…
The kiss sent her trembling, and the next moment, she felt his hands venturing into her pajamas. Her breathing hastened as their kiss deepened with a fiery passion.
When he entered her, she grabbed onto his shoulder, gripping hard. Her short nails jabbed into his muscles, exciting him further…
After the vanity table, Qiao Anhao was dragged onto the bed….
–
The next day, Lu Jinnian woke up to a phone call. When he opened his eyes, the skies were already bright.
Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem
The next day, Lu Jinnian woke up to a phone call. When he opened his eyes, the skies were already bright.
He frowned, not used to the light. Reaching for his phone, he realized that it was already 11 pm. After half a minute of confusion, he picked the call.
It was a call from America – there was an emergency meeting that he was needed in, and they had already booked a ticket for him.
After hanging up, he glanced at the time, it was three hours away from his flight. Instead of rushing to get out of bed, he shut his eyes, hugging Qiao Anhao.
She was a comfortable bundle in his arms. The traces of the passionate night before were still evident in her scent, and it seemed to have a calming effect, putting him at ease.
He still couldn’t believe that in just five months, there would actually be a day when he could sleep till daybreak. It was as if the past five months in America, where he spent his sleepless nights smoking, were just a distant nightmare.
No one knew how he was able to endure even a second in those few months in America.
He loved her so much. Even after she had hurt him that badly, he still couldn’t stop loving her.
But at the same time, he hated her, hated that she could be so cruel to him.
He had tried to forget her and yet spent his sleepless nights thinking about her.
It was such a dilemma, living in torture.
If he could, he never wanted to tell anyone of that dark experience.
If it was not for Lucy, he probably would have died in a foreign country,
Lu Jinnian opened his eyes, to look at what he had never taken off even when he showered or swam.
The scene of the night he received the text while waiting outside Qiao house flashed past his mind but he no longer felt the same suffocating pain and heartbreak. Instead, it felt like a daze, as though it hadn’t happened to him.
So… The woman he loved had such a strong power, she could push him into hell, and at the same time, bring him back to life.
Regardless, she finally fell in love with him, right?
If thirteen years of heartache and love were able to bring him happiness for the rest of his life, he was satisfied.
Finally, the Heavens were shinning on him.
Lu Jinnian’s lips curled into a slight smile,. He tilted his head to look at the exhausted Qiao Anhao. Reaching out, he caressed her face lovingly before lowering his head to plant a kiss on her temples lightly, careful not to wake her. Silently, he entered the bathroom. When he was done preparing, he grabbed a note and left a message on the bathroom mirror before quickly packing his luggage and heading off.
After he started the car, he seemed to have remembered something. Reaching for his phone, he dialed a number. “Lucy, it’s me… No, she’s good… but could I trouble you to come over with your husband… Yea, I’ll send you the directions in a moment. I have an emergency matter to tend to in America now… Yea, thank you…”
After hanging up, he looked towards the mansion that was shimmering under the sunlight before starting his car.
Even though she had believed him last night, he still wanted to invite Lucy over to explain it to her.
Even though he enjoyed her unease, he didn’t want her to stay that way.
Translator: Kingbao Editor: DarkGem
Qiao Anhao woke up at 12 pm. When she entered the bathroom, she saw the note that Lu Jinnian had left.
He had actually gone on a business trip…
After brushing her teeth, she walked out to grab her phone to give him a call.
Lu Jinnian picked up instantly. Through the phone, she could hear the airplane boarding announcement.
“You’re awake?”
“Yea,” Qiao Anhao replied softly. “How many days will you be gone?”
“I’ll probably be back on Friday after I finish the work here.”
“Oh.” Qiao Anhao looked at the calender on her phone, it was only Monday.
Lu Jinnian heard her disappointment. He chuckled lightly before reminding her to have her meals on time and to tuck herself in at night…
Although he had already written the reminders on a post-it he had stuck on the bathroom door.
Only when the air stewardess came over to rush him to switch off his phone did he finally hang up.
Qiao Anhao saw that her battery was low, so she charged her phone before heading to the kitchen. After opening the fridge, she was about to prepare some food when the doorbell suddenly rang.
She switched off the stove, and turning to the door, she saw through the CCTV outside that it was a woman. She knew her as well, it was Lucy, and beside her stood a blond-haired man that she had never seen before.
Qiao Anhao frowned, and opened the door with confusion. She greeted the both of them before using simple English to ask, “Are you looking for Lu Jinnian? He’s out on a business trip.”
“Really? That’s a pity,” Lucy replied, smiling brightly at Qiao Anhao before pointing into the house. “Can we go in for a seat?”
“Of course.” Qiao Anhao hurriedly stepped aside, grabbing two pairs of slippers.
After bringing them to the sofa, she ran to the kitchen to bring a hot pot of coffee.
“Thank you.” Lucy seemed to love to smile, every sentence of hers was followed by a bright smile. “Are you Nian’s wife?”
Qiao Anhao nodded.
Lucy pointed to the man sitting beside her, introducing him, “He’s my husband, he was also in the hotel yesterday.”
Qiao Anhao was suddenly reminded of the night before, when she had accused Lucy. Her face blushed a deep shade of red. She lowered her head to apologize. “I’m really sorry for yesterday night.”
“It’s fine.” Lucy smiled brightly once more, praising the coffee as she sipped on it slowly. “Is this your and Nian’s house?”
“Yea,” Qiao Anhao pointed upstairs, “Care for a tour?”
Lucy’s face brightened from surprise. “Can I?”
Qiao Anhao nodded her head. She stood up and gestured for the couple to go ahead.
Mian Xiu Garden was a European style building. A famous designer from Europe had been hired to design it so it suited the tastes of the couple.
They toured the house, the guests constantly praising the furnishings as they passed. When they came back down, Lucy smiled to her husband. “I have something to tell Mrs. Lu. Dearest, do you want to go back to the hotel first?”
Lucy’s husband agreed readily, giving her a quick kiss and an enthusiastic wave to Qiao Anhao before leaving.
