Chapter 51: Wife

The kitchen lights weren’t particularly bright. It was evening, so they had only switched on the small light strips recessed into the ceiling. A halo of gentle light traced the edges above, casting a soft glow that outlined Xu Yan’s eyes in a way that was both alluring and tender.

Chen Yi zoned out for a moment.

She swallowed hard, nodding in flustered agreement. “Yeah, yeah, health comes first.”

“I’ll go wash the dishes!”

She had already experienced Xu Yan’s flirtatious prowess during their online chats, but this was the first time facing it in person. Chen Yi simply couldn’t handle it. She wanted to surrender immediately. Her defenses against Xu Yan had always been zero.

Watching her dart into the kitchen like she was fleeing, Xu Yan shook her head with a helpless smile. She glanced down at her fingertip, the one that had just brushed against lips and teeth, then swept her gaze back. Chen Yi hadn’t emerged. Xu Yan lifted her hand, leaned down, and let her fingertip graze her own lips. Her tongue tip darted out, sweeping upward to lick away the lingering warmth and faint traces of moisture.

With that done, she stood, gathered the remaining bowls, chopsticks, and plates from the table, and carried them into the kitchen.

“How about I wash them?” Xu Yan suggested. “You just cooked.”

“Pfft, no way.” Chen Yi had already slipped on the apron with easy familiarity. Her hands were wet from the water, so she curled her fingers and nudged Xu Yan toward the door with her wrist. “You’re the patient right now. Patients need rest.”

“I feel much better already.”

Chen Yi shook her head stubbornly, like a petulant child. “La la la, I’m not listening!”

Xu Yan arched a brow and reached out to pinch her waist. “What did you say?”

“Who’s the turtle?”

Chen Yi was ticklish. The moment Xu Yan touched her, she twisted away, quickly begging for mercy. “I was wrong! Wuwu, I was wrong.”

“Mm-hmm.” Xu Yan gave her waist a light pat. “You go ahead and wash. I won’t bother you.”

“Okay~”

“You go rest, then.”

Xu Yan wasn’t the obedient type—at least not since she’d grown up. The more sensible she had been as a child, the more rebellious she became later. She leaned against the kitchen doorframe, quietly watching Chen Yi bustle about in this small space.

She had bought the house outright two years ago.

On the surface, Xu Yan’s main job was as an editor-in-chief, but in reality, she’d been running fashion styling and makeup ventures with like-minded friends since her university days. Over the years, she’d opened a beauty academy and started her own influencer agency. Back then, she’d worked herself to the bone just to have a home. But she soon realized that without someone to love, a house was just a house, not a home.

It wasn’t until today that this little place finally felt like one.

Chen Yi hummed a tuneless song as she washed the dishes. The notes rose and fell haphazardly, weaving together into pure joy. In that instant, even the bubbles in the sink seemed to lift with her mood, floating up into the air and refracting the light into warm amber flecks that scattered everywhere.

Once the dishes were done, Chen Yi shook off her hands and grabbed a paper towel from the kitchen roll to dry them. Xu Yan stood in the doorway and, as Chen Yi turned, held out a tube of something.

“What’s this?”

“Hand cream,” Xu Yan said.

“The detergent dries out your hands.”

Chen Yi shrugged it off. “It’s fine. I’m not picky.”

“No, it isn’t.” Xu Yan pulled her over firmly and uncapped the tube. A fresh peach scent wafted out, followed by a dollop of soft, glossy cream landing on the back of Chen Yi’s hand.

Worried Chen Yi wouldn’t apply it thoroughly, Xu Yan took over. She covered Chen Yi’s hand with her own palm, letting the cream melt between their skin. She rubbed it in slow circles at first, then worked it toward the fingertips, spreading it bit by bit across the back of the hand. To tend to every finger properly, her movements were gentle and meticulous. She kept her head lowered, utterly focused.

When the peach fragrance had fully enveloped Chen Yi, Xu Yan gave her palm a squeeze, leaned in for a light sniff, and confirmed the scent with satisfaction. “All done.”

As she looked up, Chen Yi’s face was red as a cherry.

Xu Yan chuckled.

“Feeling shy?”

Chen Yi couldn’t even speak, just nodded.

“This is nothing,” Xu Yan said helplessly.

What was there to be embarrassed about?

“Putting on some hand cream does this to you? What happens if we kiss later—or do even more—”

Before she could finish, Chen Yi let out a squeak and lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Xu Yan. She clung to her like a koala, taller by a bit yet acting every bit the little kid when she wanted to.

“Don’t say it!”

Xu Yan’s smile bloomed brightly. “So shy?”

“You can’t even talk about it?”

“Aaah—!” Chen Yi clapped a hand over Xu Yan’s mouth. Her ears burned hot enough to fry an egg, and a flush crept down her neck. “Don’t say it.”

Her voice came out small and soft. “I’m not ready for that yet.”

Xu Yan was utterly charmed. She hugged her back, ceasing her teasing and murmuring reassurances.

“Our Yi Yi is so innocent.” Xu Yan smoothed a stray lock of hair caught between Chen Yi’s clothes and back, then gently stroked the nape of her neck. The touch was light but possessive. “Then I’ll wait until you’re ready.”

Chen Yi buried her face in the crook of Xu Yan’s neck.

“Mm.”

She paused, then nuzzled like a puppy, sniffing at Xu Yan’s scent.

Little huffing sounds escaped as she moved.

Her warm breath tickled, and Xu Yan laughed, dodging playfully.

“Chen Yi, do you really think you’re a dog?”

Chen Yi declared proudly, “Yeah!”

“I love it so much—” She inhaled deeply, clutching Xu Yan tight. “I love you so much.”

That bright, honest affection wrapped Xu Yan in softness.

Like warm syrup at low heat, it melted away all her armor and pretenses, seeping through the cracks to pool around the tender heart she kept hidden.

Xu Yan was a bittersweet hard candy.

Now, Chen Yi was savoring the gentle filling inside, bit by bit.

Her fingers threaded through Chen Yi’s hair.

“Me too,” Xu Yan said. “I’m so glad I met you.”

“Heehee.”

“But…” Xu Yan tweaked the earlobe of the girl draped over her. “From the day we met until now, I still haven’t heard you say it.”

“Say what?” Chen Yi lifted her head blankly, facing Xu Yan. “What?”

Hadn’t she called Xu Yan’s name plenty of times?

Xu Yan regarded her leisurely. “You figure it out.”

Chen Yi still didn’t get it.

Xu Yan gave her a hint. “Some people call me ‘sister’ or ‘wife’ online all the time with such enthusiasm. How come you can’t even manage that now?”

“Oh—”

“So you really do prefer Fade.”

Chen Yi’s eyes widened. “What? Fade is you!”

“But you don’t call me that. You only call her.”

Chen Yi was stumped.

She knew Xu Yan was doing this on purpose, just teasing her. But the way Xu Yan tilted her head with feigned disappointment, lashes lowered in a hurt expression—it still tugged at her heart.

“I-I got it!” Chen Yi grabbed Xu Yan’s hand. “I’ll say it!”

Xu Yan looked up at her, gaze traveling slowly from bottom to top.

“Really?”

Chen Yi nodded vigorously.

Xu Yan watched, waiting.

It was hard for Chen Yi to get the words out. There was something embarrassing about it. The simple syllables tumbled around her mouth and throat countless times before finally emerging whole.

“Sis… Sister.”

Xu Yan’s lips curved in satisfaction. Her pinky hooked Chen Yi’s finger, giving it a little shake. “And then?”

Chen Yi held her breath, then blurted out two words.

“Wife—”

Xu Yan beamed.

“Yeah.”

Blushing furiously, Chen Yi buried her face in Xu Yan’s chest again. Xu Yan patted her back like a reward, then toyed with her earlobe.

“Good girl.”

She loved hearing Chen Yi call her that way—unique, unlike anyone else. And from Chen Yi’s reaction, Xu Yan was sure she’d never said it to another soul before. This version of Chen Yi was hers alone. The pure responses, the shy expressions, the gentle yet steadfast love—all of it.

Xu Yan twined Chen Yi’s hair around her fingertip, released it, then twined it again, repeating the motion.

“Are you taking tomorrow off too?” Chen Yi asked.

Xu Yan shook her head. “No.”

“You’re better?”

“Probably.”

Chen Yi let out an “oh” and said, “I was going to take the day off to keep you company.”

Xu Yan raised a brow. “You planning to say that right in front of the boss?”

“Now you’re the boss again!”

Xu Yan laughed. “Just teasing.”

“Then how about I take tomorrow off? And approve yours too.”

Spending time with Xu Yan had taught Chen Yi a few tricks.

Xu Yan echoed her with an “oh.” “Abusing your power.”

“You don’t want the day off?”

“I do!” Chen Yi surrendered instantly. “Then I’ll come take care of you tomorrow after I clock out my leave.”

Xu Yan sighed helplessly. “I’m really better now.”

“But—”

“Let’s go on a date instead,” Xu Yan said. “I want to get out and about.”

She’d been cooped up in the hospital or at home these past few days. It was suffocating.

“Sure! Any place in mind?”

Xu Yan shook her head.

Her life was all work and more work. Downtime meant… well, not stalking, but keeping tabs on Chen Yi. The only other thing had been gaming with her back then.

“Then leave the planning to me?”

“Okay.”

“Oh, right.” Chen Yi remembered something. “You didn’t bring home those roses and perfume from the day we met, did you?”

Xu Yan coughed lightly—a rare occurrence.

“No,” she said.

Chen Yi narrowed her eyes, staring. “You’re lying.”

“They’re not here right now, are they?”

Xu Yan stayed perfectly calm this time. “No.”

Chen Yi let out a breath of relief. “That’s good. Those shards of broken glass can cut you so easily. Don’t worry, Sis. I’ll send you tons of flowers in the future—tons of gifts too.”

Xu Yan hummed softly in response.

Seeing her like this, she had obediently come clean after all.

“Not at home,” Xu Yan said. “I sent it out to be made into preserved flowers for display. The perfume all spilled out, but the glass can still be kept as a decoration.”

Chen Yi was truly exasperated.

“Xu Yan!”

Xu Yan faced her bristling little girlfriend. “Even if I didn’t hurt myself, that’s not okay?”

“It’s not about whether it’s okay or not—”

Was it because Xu Yan had so rarely received gifts before that she cherished Chen Yi’s intentions this much? Chen Yi didn’t dare dwell on the thought. Xu Yan was adorable like this, but Chen Yi didn’t want her to stay that way forever. That’s when she realized something vitally important.

Xu Yan loved her—no doubt about that anymore.

But did Xu Yan love herself?

The answer was painfully obvious.

Chen Yi suddenly asked out of curiosity, “Wifey, that counselor you mentioned before—do you still keep in touch with her?”

“Yes, I see her about once every six months.”

“Wow! If there’s a chance, can I meet her too? Or we could go together.”

Xu Yan hesitated slightly. “What’s wrong… Are you worried…”

“Stop!” Chen Yi slapped her palm against Xu Yan’s forehead. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I bet it’s nothing good.”

“I just think getting help from a professional would let us love each other even better. It’s a great idea! Besides, she knows you so well. I want that too!”

Xu Yan pinched Chen Yi’s cheek. “Jealous?” She was totally projecting her own feelings here. With Xu Yan’s personality, she’d be burning with jealousy if anyone else understood Chen Yi better than she did.

Chen Yi replied, “Not really! I’m just curious.”

Xu Yan indulgently agreed, realizing yet another way Chen Yi differed from her—like discovering a new diamond in a treasure trove.

Chen Yi happily threw her arms around Xu Yan and nuzzled against her.

Suddenly, the door swung open.

Xu Yixiao stared at the two of them and froze in complete shock.

The next second, she clapped a hand over her eyes.

“Little Aunt! I didn’t see a thing! Don’t dock my allowance!”