After The Beautiful Drama Queen’s Marriage To The Wealthy Tycoon - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: My Spouse

Jiang He was originally planning to ignore Qi Hanchuan because of his inexplicable sudden bad mood, but by the time they reached the cat café, Qi Hanchuan had returned to normal, making Jiang He wonder if the previous tension had been a mere hallucination.

After finishing his business, Jiang He felt too lazy to drive his own car, so he hopped directly into Qi Hanchuan’s vehicle.

As soon as they got in, he lowered the privacy partition, turned around, and interrogated him: “Why were you angry just now?”

Qi Hanchuan’s face remained expressionless: “It had nothing to do with you. It was my own issue.”

Jiang He became even more dissatisfied: “Then why did you give me a cold face?”

“I apologize,” Qi Hanchuan promised. “It won’t happen again.”

Jiang He “tsk-tsked,” crossing his arms and muttering continuously: “Fine, since you apologized, I won’t hold a grudge. You made me think I did something wrong, but it turns out you were just in a bad mood.”

Qi Hanchuan remained silent. He desperately wanted to ask if the person earlier was one of Jiang He’s ten ex-boyfriends, but he swallowed the words back down. Such a question would be too childish. Even if it were true, it didn’t matter he was the one who had the marriage certificate with Jiang He.

Jiang He’s moods came and went quickly. Since Qi Hanchuan had apologized, he saw no need to dwell on it. He regained his usual smiling demeanor. “Where are we going for dinner?”

Qi Hanchuan said calmly: “We’re trying somewhere special today. You’re bored with the last place, aren’t you?”

“Can I drink?” Jiang He asked excitedly. “I’ve been very good lately, and I haven’t been sick.”

Qi Hanchuan refused helplessly: “No.”

He couldn’t understand why someone with such a low tolerance, who passed out after a single glass, was always thinking about drinking.

Jiang He was unhappy and tossed out a baseless accusation: “You really don’t know how to dote on someone.”

It was a casual remark, but to his surprise, Qi Hanchuan asked: “I don’t dote on you?”

Jiang He reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. He sat bolt upright, eyes wide and round. “Do you hear yourself? Is that a normal thing to say? ‘I don’t dote on you’… you make it sound like… like that.”

He didn’t know what was happening lately, but Qi Hanchuan kept saying shocking things that left him completely flustered.

Qi Hanchuan feigned ignorance, a hint of confusion appearing on his noble face: “Like what?”

Jiang He’s ears turned bright red, and his expression was incredibly unnatural. In a burst of “righteous indignation,” he snapped: “Stop pretending you don’t understand!”

Qi Hanchuan maintained that confused look, his tone sincere: “I’m not pretending. I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He rarely showed such an expression, and Jiang He began to wonder if he was just being too sensitive and overthinking things. But Qi Hanchuan’s behavior made it seem like Jiang He was the one with the “unhealthy” mind, thinking of R-rated things.

Jiang He waved his hand impatiently and turned to look out the window. “Nothing. Just forget it.”

Qi Hanchuan pursed his lips and smiled secretly. Seeing Jiang He’s beet red ear tips from the corner of his eye, the last of his unhappiness vanished completely.

Jiang He didn’t speak for the rest of the trip, lowering his head to chat with Jiang Xu. Jiang Xu wanted him to bring Qi Hanchuan home for Christmas dinner, but since Jiang He didn’t want to speak to the man next to him, he sent him a text message instead.

Qi Hanchuan’s phone chimed. He glanced at it and laughed: “We’re sitting right next to each other and you’re texting?”

Bad Kitty: Don’t want to talk to you.

The smile on Qi Hanchuan’s face grew more pronounced: “Did I annoy you again?”

Bad Kitty: Don’t worry about it. Just let me have two minutes of peace.

Qi Hanchuan took the hint and shut up. The atmosphere in the car was quiet, save for the sound of shallow breathing.

Jiang He felt even more awkward now, shifting around in his seat and creating a rustling noise. He didn’t know why he was being so prickly; he just didn’t feel like talking or acknowledging anyone.

However, it didn’t last long. Soon he was back to his chirpy self, telling Qi Hanchuan about his recent days and mentioning that Fang Zhiyi had agreed to go to Xie Yunting’s birthday party.

“Remember to tell Xie Yunting to stay away from Fang Zhiyi, or I’ll kill him.” He made a fierce throat-slitting gesture, his expression grumpy like a kitten baring its teeth.

Qi Hanchuan resisted the urge to ruffle his hair, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. “Okay.”

Jiang He had originally intended to scout some candidates with good character, background, and looks to introduce to Fang Zhiyi. After looking around, he felt only Qi Hanchuan was up to snuff; everyone else was mediocre.

Even though Qi Hanchuan was old-fashioned and lacked a romantic bone in his body, at least he was clean and disciplined. He wouldn’t mess around, and he treated Jiang He quite well aside from being a bit too strict sometimes.

I need to meet more people, Jiang He thought. It’s not right that I’m married while Xiao Yi is still single.

He seemed to have completely forgotten the original reason he signed that marriage certificate. The name “Qi Xu” had almost vanished from his life; it wasn’t surprising he couldn’t remember it.

Jiang He hoped Fang Zhiyi could find love freely, preferably with someone of status so the Fang family would stop trying to use him for an arranged marriage.

Suddenly meeting Qi Hanchuan’s gaze, Jiang He blurted out: “Among the people you know, are there any with excellent character, handsome looks, and a good family background?”

Qi Hanchuan had power and status; he knew far more people and had a better eye for character. Why hadn’t Jiang He thought to ask him before? Besides, birds of a feather flock together Qi Hanchuan’s friends should be decent people Xie Yunting excluded.

Qi Hanchuan’s brows furrowed imperceptibly. “You want to meet someone?” Is he looking for number eleven?

Jiang He, completely oblivious, nodded vigorously with expectant eyes: “Yeah! I want to meet someone. Are there any?”

Qi Hanchuan looked away toward the window, his voice calm yet tinged with a hint of suppressed dissatisfaction: “No. They’re all trash.”

Jiang He didn’t notice the tone and muttered regretfully: “That’s terrible. Looks like I’ll have to go out and meet people myself.”

Qi Hanchuan took a deep breath, trying to draw attention, but Jiang He didn’t look at him at all, curling up in his seat to scroll through videos.

After Qi Hanchuan spent some time being quietly annoyed, Jiang He suddenly spoke: “Hubby, I’m thirsty. Find me something to drink.”

Since getting married, Qi Hanchuan’s car was always stocked with snacks and drinks. Jiang He loved eating in the car.

Qi Hanchuan opened the storage compartment, took out a bottle of yogurt, and thoughtfully inserted the straw before handing it over.

Jiang He took a sip and turned to smile at him: “Thanks, Hubby.”

Qi Hanchuan’s resolve collapsed instantly. Fine, as long as I keep an eye on him and don’t let him do anything crazy, there’s no need to be mad.

Jiang He tilted his chin up like a spoiled prince: “I want to try those crackers.”

Qi Hanchuan tore open the packaging and held it out. Jiang He didn’t take it; instead, he leaned over and bit off a piece. He immediately frowned in disgust. “Not good. You eat it.”

Looking at the crescent-shaped bite mark on the cracker, Qi Hanchuan, as if possessed, took a bite from the exact same spot.

Before he could even swallow, Jiang He suddenly turned to look at him. Caught in the act, Qi Hanchuan looked away guiltily. Just as he was trying to figure out how to explain his behavior without sounding like a total creep, Jiang He asked: “Is it really gross?”

Qi Hanchuan swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Mhm.”

Jiang He bit his straw, his voice muffled: “Don’t buy these again. They’re deathly bad.”

Qi Hanchuan hummed in response, tossing the cracker into the trash as if it were burning his hand. Recalling what he had just done, he closed his eyes helplessly.

Suddenly, Jiang He thrust his phone at him, his voice urgent: “Hubby, I can’t beat this level! Help me!”

He loved games, and since discovering Qi Hanchuan was a pro, he always handed over the phone when he got stuck.

The phone was still warm. Jiang He was leaning very close. Smelling that familiar scent and seeing the small mole on Jiang He’s shoulder, Qi Hanchuan felt a bit distracted.

Slap! A light sting spread across the back of his hand. Jiang He huffed, his brows knitting together: “Move! Why are you just standing there? I’m going to lose points!”

Qi Hanchuan snapped back to reality. His slender fingers flew across the screen, quickly turning the tide and securing a victory.

Jiang He, straw still in his mouth, beamed: “Wow, Hubby is so amazing!”

Qi Hanchuan returned the phone, took the straw out of Jiang He’s mouth, and peeled a candy for him. Jiang He naturally opened his mouth to take it, his lips grazing Qi Hanchuan’s fingertip—a wet, soft sensation.

Qi Hanchuan froze, recoiling his hand abruptly. He started cleaning up the trash Jiang He had made as if nothing had happened. Fortunately, Jiang He was busy admiring the game results and didn’t notice anything wrong. Even if he had, he wouldn’t have cared he was used to Qi Hanchuan acting unnaturally over small things.

The car left the bustling city and headed straight for the outskirts. Jiang He fell asleep during the ride. When he groggily opened his eyes, he found himself in a strange mountainous area.

He got out of the car and stretched, stunned by the luxurious villa before him. “We’re eating here?”

Qi Hanchuan explained: “I have to meet a client here. We’ll stay the night and go back tomorrow.”

“Oh,” Jiang He replied, typing as he spoke. “Then I need to tell Jiang Xu to send someone to watch the rescue station, so no one steals the cats.”

Recently, many pets had been going missing, and Jiang He was worried. After messaging his brother, he stuffed his phone into Qi Hanchuan’s pocket and went to find Fang Zhiyi.

A middle-aged man in his late thirties approached from the villa entrance, a kind smile on his face. “CEO Qi, welcome.”

Qi Hanchuan nodded slightly. “Mr. Lin, sorry for the intrusion.”

“It’s an honor to have you here,” Mr. Lin said, his eyes surreptitiously glancing toward Jiang He. “And those two are…”

Ensuring Jiang He was out of earshot, Qi Hanchuan introduced him in a gentle tone: “My spouse and his best friend. Sorry for the trouble.”

Mr. Lin realized: “The little young master of the Jiang family, right?”

Qi Hanchuan smiled and nodded.

Lin Shiqian laughed. “Actually, I held him when he was a baby. I didn’t expect him to grow up so fast.”

Qi Hanchuan smiled. Jiang He came running over. “Qi Hanchuan, give me my phone. I want to take a picture with Xiao Yi.”

Coming closer, he realized he knew the man. “Uncle Lin! What are you doing here?”

Qi Hanchuan explained: “This estate belongs to Mr. Lin. I came here today specifically to see him.”

“It’s not much of an estate; I just like getting away from the noise as I get older,” Lin Shiqian waved his hand, smiling at Jiang He. “Xiao He, why didn’t you tell your Uncle you were getting married? Did you forget about me?”

The marriage between the Qi and Jiang families wasn’t a secret, but in their circle, some things required polite pretense.

Jiang He understood and scratched his head. “We haven’t had the wedding yet. I’ll send you an invitation when we do.”

Whether that day would actually come remained to be seen, but he offered the pleasantry anyway.

Lin Shiqian laughed heartily. “Haha, good! Then I’ll be waiting for your wedding wine.”

Jiang He smiled and said “Okay,” looking around excitedly. Qi Hanchuan knew he couldn’t sit still and reminded him softly: “You can play around the area. I’ll have Zhou Yu follow you.”

Got it. Go do your work, I’m going for a walk with Xiao Yi.” Jiang He left immediately. Hearing there was a river nearby, he wanted to go try and catch fish.

Qi Hanchuan, worried he might actually do it, sent a text reminding him that the mountain water was cold and he’d catch a cold easily. He also told Zhou Yu to keep a close watch—without supervision, Jiang He would never listen.

Lin Shiqian watched this openly and teased: “CEO Qi, you’re keeping a very tight leash on him.”

Qi Hanchuan put his phone in his pocket, his eyes full of tenderness: “He has the heart of a child, but his health isn’t great. When he gets sick, he’s a handful.”

Lin Shiqian gave an understanding look and gestured for Qi Hanchuan to head inside.