Chapter 3: Caught in the Act

Just to relax a bit.

Cheng Zhanya sighed inwardly.

She hadn’t gone out in ages. Ever since getting married, her days had revolved around her comics and Lin Hanbing, with her rarely stepping beyond the front door. At most, she would visit the Old Residence now and then to chat with the elders or grab a meal and do some shopping with Fan Yaobai.

“A blind box?” Cheng Zhanya didn’t quite get it.

“Exactly—like a lottery draw. Wherever it lands, that’s your destination. The company covers round-trip flights, but you’re on your own for food and lodging.”

“Oh, I see.” Cheng Zhanya’s eyes lit up in understanding.

“I’ll sign you up.” Without waiting for a reply, Fan Yaobai pulled her into a nearby dessert shop. “Want some cake?”

Fan Yaobai was a total sweets fiend with zero resistance to desserts. She dragged Cheng Zhanya along, poring over the menu with intense focus, her eyes practically sparkling.

They all look so delicious.

She swallowed hard, her gaze greedily devouring the pictures on the menu. For a long moment, she couldn’t bring herself to order.

“Maybe later.” Cheng Zhanya watched her with a faint smile.

“If you go, I can swap shifts with my colleagues. We could play together.” Fan Yaobai finished speaking to her, then placed an order with the server.

One strawberry mousse and one durian mille-feuille.

Lin Hanbing had just gotten home, and Cheng Zhanya didn’t want to miss out on any time with her wife. Moments like that were far too precious.

“Don’t miss your chance—the opportunity won’t knock twice,” Fan Yaobai added.

“Alright, I’ll think about it,” Cheng Zhanya said.

Fan Yaobai let the subject drop. She scooped up a delicate bite of durian mille-feuille and popped it into her mouth, closing her eyes in utter bliss.

“So good,” Fan Yaobai murmured, completely conquered.

Cheng Zhanya let out a soft chuckle and took a bite of her own. The sweet, glutinous strawberry mousse melted instantly on her tongue, filling her mouth with rich berry aroma and easing the irritability brought on by the summer heat.

She sighed softly.

If only Lin Hanbing were here—it would probably taste even sweeter.

But she was probably still busy, right?

There were no marks on her body beyond a few traces from the night before and that morning’s breakfast. The morning was nearly over, yet not a single message had come through.

She clutched her phone, lost in thought.

“Thinking about Hanbing again?” Fan Yaobai asked. Sated, she dabbed gently at her mouth, leaving a smudge of lipstick on the napkin.

Caught red-handed, Cheng Zhanya felt a flush of embarrassment. She lowered her eyes and said nothing.

Half the strawberry mousse remained. After a moment’s hesitation, she snapped a photo and sent it to her pinned contact—her wife.

Fan Yaobai pouted. “I’m so jealous. You’ve been married for years and you’re still this lovey-dovey.”

Cheng Zhanya smiled. “Then you should hurry up and find someone.”

Fan Yaobai was stunning—a classic oval face, big expressive eyes that crinkled into crescents when she smiled, accented by a pair of adorable bunny teeth.

A little beauty like that, and yet she was single from birth.

“No luck.”

“I think I’m destined to be alone forever.”

Cheng Zhanya had no reply for that, offering only a soft, low laugh.

In this era of legalized same-sex marriage, relationships between women weren’t anything strange. But Cheng Zhanya had never seen Fan Yaobai get close to anyone, man or woman. Her orientation was a total mystery.

Fan Yaobai sighed. “What a headache.”

“Come on, let’s keep walking.” She glanced at Cheng Zhanya. “Your birthday’s coming up soon. Any guesses on what Hanbing will get you this year?”

They had dated for five years and been married for five more. Lin Hanbing had been there for so many of her birthdays, but the last couple of years had been hectic. Last year, she hadn’t even been by her side, sending only a bracelet via her assistant—one Cheng Zhanya still wore.

She glanced at her wrist, and her expression dimmed.

Gifts were nice, but what she truly wanted was Lin Hanbing by her side, sharing a full, complete birthday celebration.

But…

The message she’d sent sank without a trace. Five minutes passed, then ten. The chat labeled “Wife” remained stubbornly blank.

She was always so considerate, rarely texting Lin Hanbing during work hours for fear of disturbing her.

When the longing grew too intense, she would scroll through their photo album, poring over old pictures of the two of them again and again—like an addiction. Sometimes it hurt, sometimes it was sweet.

Cheng Zhanya thought to herself: She’ll reply once she’s done being busy, right?

As they left the dessert shop, Fan Yaobai linked arms with her again. “I know—you really want her there with you.”

“You should tell her. She dotes on you so much; she’ll make the time.”

Cheng Zhanya smiled and murmured her agreement.

The mall was growing crowded now, filled mostly with nearby office workers. The cafes and the dessert shop they’d just left were nearly packed.

It was noon—lunchtime.

Cheng Zhanya checked her phone. The pinned chat still had no reply. Instead, a message had come in from Lin Hanbing’s mother, Yu Shujing.

—Xiaoya, come home for dinner with Lele tonight.

—Grandma’s been talking about you two.

Lin Hanbing was an only child, and Lele was her childhood nickname.

She typed back a quick “Okay.”

Thinking of Lin Hanbing left her feeling helpless. She could make it, but her wife might not.

“What’s wrong?” Fan Yaobai leaned in to ask.

“My mom wants us home for dinner tonight.” Cheng Zhanya frowned slightly, her expression a mix of confusion and reluctance.

“It’s just dinner—why the long face?”

“Hanbing might not have time.”

Fan Yaobai couldn’t understand why a pair of old marrieds would hesitate over something so simple. “Why not give her a call?”

Cheng Zhanya took her friend’s advice. Before she knew it, the call was going through.

Her palms grew slightly clammy as the line rang once, twice. Just as it was about to cut off, someone finally picked up. The tension in her chest eased. She glanced at Fan Yaobai and said with a smile, “Baby?”

“Hello. President Lin is still in a meeting. Please call back in an hour.”

The cold, formal voice caught her off guard. She instinctively pulled the phone away to check the number, her smile slowly fading.

This was Lin Hanbing’s private line.

Cheng Zhanya was sure she’d never heard this voice before, but it sounded young.

Why was an outsider answering her wife’s private phone?

“Who is this?”

“I’m President Lin’s assistant.”

“Are you Little Li?”

Cheng Zhanya had met Lin Hanbing’s assistant before—a diligent young woman with a crisp voice, big eyes, and a shy “Ma’am” the first time she’d handed over a gift on her boss’s behalf.

This wasn’t her.

“My surname is Liang.” A hint of impatience crept into the tone.

Had Lin Hanbing switched assistants?

Puzzled, Cheng Zhanya frowned and hung up.

Fan Yaobai, standing close enough to hear everything, raised an eyebrow. “That’s an assistant’s attitude?”

“She’d get fired for that back home.” She mimed slitting her throat, then pulled a funny face.

Cheng Zhanya laughed despite herself. “It’s not that dramatic.”

“How isn’t it? You never show even a hint of dissatisfaction to a client.”

“I’m not a client.”

“Of course not—you’re her boss lady.” Fan Yaobai grinned. “Speaking of, have you ever been to Hanbing’s company?”

Cheng Zhanya paused, then shook her head.

She had never held a job. Right after graduation, she’d gotten married and stayed home to draw.

At first, Lin Hanbing had worried she’d get bored and invited her to visit the office for a few days, but she never went. Her degree was in business travel management—relevant to the company—but she doubted it would ever come in handy.

“Why not go take a look?”

“It’s the perfect time. You can wait out the meeting and grab lunch together,” Fan Yaobai suggested.

Their eyes met, and Cheng Zhanya felt her resolve waver. “Mm.”

Fan Yaobai didn’t tag along—”I don’t want to be a third wheel”—so they parted ways outside the mall and headed home separately.

The thought of seeing her wife soon made Cheng Zhanya’s grip tighten on the steering wheel, her palms damp with sweat and her eyes alight with eager anticipation.

Would Lin Hanbing be surprised to see her?

Cheng Zhanya smiled to herself as she opened the navigation and started the car.

She used to wonder why Lin Hanbing was always so busy with endless business trips. Now, she was starting to understand.

Standing in front of the Jiahe Building, she felt a flicker of surprise.

After a long moment, she finally coaxed her long legs into motion.

Three pretty receptionists in light blue Jiahe-logo shirts stood at the desk. One approached her. “Hello. How can I assist you?”

“Hello.” Cheng Zhanya conducted herself with poise and politeness. “I’m here to see Lin Hanbing.”

The girl blinked, her lips curving into a smile as she gave Cheng Zhanya an appraising once-over—and was instantly captivated.

The woman before her wore a pale purple knee-length dress with a wavy neckline that perfectly framed her collarbones. The lace long sleeves revealed slender, fair arms beneath. Her silky hair was neatly tucked behind her ears. No makeup, yet she was breathtaking at first glance.

The girl’s cheeks flushed faintly. “Do you have an appointment?”

Cheng Zhanya hesitated. “…No.”

“Ah.” The girl looked troubled. Facing such a beauty, she couldn’t bring herself to recite the standard lines.

Cheng Zhanya understood her position. “It’s fine,” she said softly. “I’ll just wait here.”

The girl nodded and poured her a cup of hot water, gesturing to the lobby sofas.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

The girl’s smile made her eyes crinkle adorably.

Cheng Zhanya chuckled softly and was about to call Lin Hanbing when her peripheral vision caught a familiar figure.

It was her wife—who else?

She set her phone down and moved to approach with a smile, but another figure beat her to it. They were still some distance away, too far to hear the words exchanged, but she clearly saw Lin Hanbing direct a soft, gentle smile at the girl.

Cheng Zhanya’s lips parted slightly, her fingertips trembling. In an instant, the smile on her face froze, her mouth pressing into a thin line.

Did Lin Hanbing have someone on the side?