Belated Romance (Mu Tongrui)

While behind the wheel on the way back from Marine World, Lingye said, “If you’re up for a road trip and love whales, we can take the trailer to the sea to watch the whales next time.”

Tongrui smiled and replied, “Sure.”

If she had a chance to return to North City, she wanted to catch the whales and the sunset off the coast with him.

Only time would tell whether she still had the luck.

…

Tongrui’s mind seemed to be elsewhere by the time they were back at Repulse Bay. Lingye wrapped his arms around her from behind and sank his head to kiss her temple. He asked in a raspy voice, “What’s the matter? You’re looking blue.”

“Nothing. I was just thinking about when we can go whale-watching by the sea.”

Lingye chuckled and replied, “I’ll take you there when I have time off in a few days. We can stay by the sea for three days if you want.”

“But… don’t we have to visit relatives for the new year?”

“Although we have a large extended family, my dad is high in the family hierarchy, so our family is older than most relatives. Plus, some of our relatives don’t get around much. The festivities aren’t prominent in the city anyway. Most families simply have dinner at a restaurant to celebrate.”

Tongrui nodded her head. “That’s nice. It saves me from mingling with your relatives. I doubt I will get along with them.”

Lingye looked at her and laughed. “Why do I get the feeling that my dear wife is complaining that our family has a short fuse?

“Am I wrong? Specifically, I’m talking about… you.”

Tongrui turned around in his arms to face him. She poked his chest and shifted her gaze down, focusing on his shirt button before uttering, “You’re so unpredictable. I never know what sets you off. You just flip the switch.”

Lingye listened to her muffled whining before taking her hand. With downcast eyes, he locked gazes with her and teased, “So my unpredictability is not to your liking?”

With Tongrui giving him the side-eye and making a face, Lingye took the cue and tightened his grasp around her. He caressed the back of her head and said, “I’ll change. I can be unpredictable to anybody but my wife.”

“You can’t act that way to Siqi either. She’s just a little girl. It will be detrimental to her well-being,” Tongrui added.

Lingye was amused. “You’re talking as if I hadn’t been nice to Siqi.”

good to Siqi, but she’s

spoils her, and you indulge her. She will bring the house down if I

prompted Tongrui to

something off with

so?” Tongrui became

letting out a faint smile. He lifted his arm to shuffle her hair and said, “Go on and get your

you still working

emails. I’ll be in bed with you

flushed her ears red, she hung her head low and answered, “Sure. Off

after her shower. By then, Lingye was walking out of the

“That was quick.”

Siqi left behind two days ago. The man deftly put the

make you wait. The last thing I want to do is dampen your enthusiasm. You might throw

“…I don’t do that.”

she was

“Come here.”

went

Come here and let

in

at home all day. You can look for a job after the New

head and looked

“What’s with that look?”

would be supportive

around the wrong crowd. Besides, you’re young. I can’t keep you locked in the house. You should engage more

if I’m a child, and you’re the adult. Oh, I should deny that

learn to appreciate the feeling of staying at home. You’ll also realize how

got up and threw herself at Lingye. Caught off guard, Lingye collapsed

I don’t have contact with the outside world

who would give

trying to crush your

her cheeks were painted with rosiness, Tongrui mumbled, “Am I that heavy?

from her weight when the