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.”

serious look. “I know you’re good to Siqi, but

her, and you indulge

prompted Tongrui to

glanced at her. “There’s something off with you today.

Tongrui became

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

you still working at this

need to sort out a few emails. I’ll be

burning gaze flushed her ears red, she hung her head low

from the bathroom after her shower. By then, Lingye

“That was quick.”

Lego blocks Siqi left behind two days ago. The man deftly put the blocks together, ready for Siqi to

sleep with you. I couldn’t possibly make you wait. The last thing I want to do is dampen your enthusiasm.

“…I don’t do that.”

pouted. Surely, she was a woman of

“Come here.”

Lingye summoning her over, Tongrui went to him. “What do

want? Come here and

in his

job after the New Year if that’s what you want. You can interact with the people

and looked

“What’s with that look?”

be supportive of me

the wrong crowd. Besides, you’re young. I can’t

to me as if I’m a child, and you’re the adult. Oh, I

feeling of staying at home. You’ll also realize how

and threw herself at Lingye. Caught off guard, Lingye collapsed in bed with Tongrui

straight into his soul. “Even if I don’t have contact with the outside world or people, I

only person who would give her

you trying to crush your husband

mumbled, “Am I that heavy?

from her weight when