After The Beautiful Drama Queen’s Marriage To The Wealthy Tycoon - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Let Me Touch It

Jiang He didn’t go out to hire male models. Instead, he swam two laps in the outdoor pool on the second floor. Now, he was lounging on a deck chair, wrapped in a bathrobe, feeling drowsy.

Qi Hanchuan usually swam a few laps to relax after work. He hadn’t expected to run into Jiang He here. His gaze uncontrollably fell upon those white, slender legs and those slightly pinkish feet.

Sensing someone’s presence, Jiang He sat up abruptly. Seeing it was Qi Hanchuan, he lay back down and lazily swayed his fair feet, having no intention of starting a conversation.

Qi Hanchuan didn’t speak either. He turned and dove into the water, swimming several laps.

Jiang He stared for a while. Qi Hanchuan had a great physique broad shoulders, a narrow waist, eight-pack abs, and beautifully defined back muscles. Pinching the soft flesh on his own stomach through his bathrobe, a faint sliver of jealousy rose in Jiang He’s heart.

So, he stared at Qi Hanchuan vengefully, wishing he could glare those superior muscles onto his own body.

The gaze from behind was too scorching; Qi Hanchuan couldn’t keep swimming. He climbed out of the water and threw on his bathrobe to shield himself from Jiang He’s eyes, casually brushing back his wet hair to reveal his striking features.

Jiang He leaned sideways on the lounger, propping his head with one hand, looking at Qi Hanchuan with a beaming smile and a lack of filter: “Hubby, I’ve realized your body is way better than a male model’s. How about I just ‘hire’ you instead?”

Qi Hanchuan ignored him, tightening his bathrobe belt to leave.

Jiang He sat cross-legged on the lounger and pointed at Qi Hanchuan’s back in accusation: “You’re giving me the cold shoulder again!”

Again. How many times had he said that sentence today?

Qi Hanchuan felt helpless inside, but he maintained his cold exterior. “I’m going to the gym. Play by yourself.”

Jiang He scrambled up, jogging to catch up with him. “I want to go too!” He hadn’t seen enough yet.

Knowing he couldn’t control the boy, Qi Hanchuan didn’t bother and let Jiang He follow him to the gym. Jiang He had zero intention of exercising; he followed Qi Hanchuan wherever he went. If he wasn’t worried about being too forward, he would have reached out to touch those abs.

Uncomfortable under the scrutiny, Qi Hanchuan who usually spent two hours in the gym left after less than thirty minutes. The person behind him was like a tail he couldn’t shake, making him extremely ill at ease.

Jiang He’s gaze was already suggestive enough, but as soon as they left the gym, he leaned in with wide, watery eyes and asked: “Hubby, can I touch them?”

Jiang He had never been in a relationship and had never seen such beautiful abs; he was genuinely curious about how they felt. Besides, they were married—touching abs was perfectly normal. There was no need to be shy.

A flicker of disbelief crossed Qi Hanchuan’s eyes. He hadn’t expected Jiang He to make such a request.

“Just let me touch once. We’re married anyway, it’s normal,” Jiang He said, already reaching out with his “wicked” paws.

Slap! Qi Hanchuan swatted his hand away, his expression exceptionally cold. “If you’re lonely, go hire a model. I still have work to finish.”

Jiang He stared blankly at the red mark on the back of his hand. Once it registered, he chased after Qi Hanchuan, shoving his hand in front of the man’s eyes, filled with righteous indignation: “You’re committing domestic violence! The dignified President of the Qi Group is actually a domestic abuser! Look at what you did to me. I’m going to expose you and let society condemn you!”

Qi Hanchuan’s cold gaze fell on the reddened skin of Jiang He’s hand. He began to doubt his own strength. He had clearly only given it a light pat—how was it so red? Was his skin that delicate?

“First the cold shoulder, and now domestic violence. Have you forgotten you personally came to my house to apologize and coax me back less than a day ago? Qi Hanchuan, if you really hate me that much, just say so. We’ll go get a divorce tomorrow…”

The more Jiang He spoke, the more aggrieved he felt. He had intended to fake it, but as he went on, his nose began to sting and tears welled up uncontrollably. The total amount of grievance he had suffered in his life didn’t add up to what he’d dealt with in these few days of marriage. Even though it was his own choice, Qi Hanchuan was truly too cold. He felt sad. He knew Qi Hanchuan didn’t like him, and the feeling was mutual, but he hadn’t been that cold to Qi Hanchuan. He even bought him flowers on the first day and handmade a cup for him.

Covering his eyes, Jiang He’s voice carried a heavy sob: “You aren’t good to me at all. You promised my parents you’d treat me well, but you hit me.”

Seeing him carry on, Qi Hanchuan sighed and rubbed his temples. “I’m sorry.” He hadn’t meant to hit him; it was a split-second instinctive reaction.

Jiang He continued his accusation: “Look at my hand, it’s all red.”

Qi Hanchuan softened his tone. “I’ll get you an ice pack. It won’t be red for long.” He realized he needed to adapt to having another person in the house. He was so much older than Jiang He; he should be more patient. Even if there was no love, he should protect and care for him, rather than bickering over trifles. It was too immature. He couldn’t keep letting Jiang He influence his emotions.

Still sobbing, Jiang He asked, “Then… can I touch?”

Qi Hanchuan had no choice but to nod. “Just once.”

Jiang He reached out, but Qi Hanchuan grabbed his wrist. “Not now. Ice your hand first.”

Jiang He hadn’t expected Qi Hanchuan to cave. His charm was indeed great; even an “iceberg man” like Qi Hanchuan couldn’t resist. Feeling the burning warmth from his wrist, he tried his best to suppress his excitement, maintaining his utterly aggrieved look. “Then when can I touch?”

Originally, he just wanted to tease Qi Hanchuan, but since the man had agreed, he would “reluctantly” give them a feel.

Qi Hanchuan was ambiguous: “In a bit.” He actually regretted it slightly and hoped Jiang He’s poor memory would kick in and make him forget after the icing.

But Qi Hanchuan miscalculated. Regarding certain things, Jiang He had an excellent memory. He remembered it all night, asking Qi Hanchuan several times. Finally, Qi Hanchuan had to tell him he could do it before bed.

Jiang He stopped fussing and stopped threatening to have society condemn him. However, he stood on the sofa with his hands on his hips to lecture Qi Hanchuan: “I’m younger than you, so you have to give in to me. And I’m your wife; you can’t be so cold to me. You need to adapt quickly. If you’re icy to me again, I won’t live with you.”

Qi Hanchuan nodded in agreement. Jiang He then asked, “Also, why haven’t I seen you use the cup I gave you? Don’t tell me you threw it away.”

Lying wouldn’t work with this little ancestor, so Qi Hanchuan spoke the truth: “I took it to the office.”

Jiang He crossed his arms and looked down at him. “Tomorrow, take a photo to show me, in case you’re lying to me.”

For the first time, a look of helplessness appeared on Qi Hanchuan’s iceberg face. “Understood.”

Seeing this, Jiang He became even more persistent: “Do you think I’m too much trouble? Are you impatient? Fine, we’ll get a divorce tomorrow.”

Qi Hanchuan let out a heavy breath. “No. Go to sleep. I’ll take the photo tomorrow.”

Jiang He stomped his feet excitedly. “Yay! Let’s go to the room so I can touch your abs.”

Qi Hanchuan had almost forgotten about that. “Just one touch,” he emphasized again.

Jiang He dismissed him: “Yeah, yeah, hurry up.” Once I get my hands on them, I’ll decide how many times I touch. Qi Hanchuan is the meat on my chopping block.

The shrewd Qi Hanchuan knew Jiang He wouldn’t behave, so he grabbed Jiang He’s hand, gave himself a quick “pat-down” with it, and immediately pulled back, wrapping his clothes tight.

Jiang He looked dazed. “That doesn’t count. I didn’t even have time to react.”

A very faint smile tugged at the corner of Qi Hanchuan’s lips, though his voice remained cold. “That’s your problem. Now, shower and sleep.”

Jiang He protested: “No! I need one more touch. That was a foul; I didn’t react.”

Qi Hanchuan pulled out his trump card: “If you don’t shower now, you’ll sleep alone later. I won’t stay with you.”

Jiang He huffed and turned toward the bathroom, muttering rebelliously: “Stingy man. What’s the big deal with one more touch? It’s not like I haven’t touched them before. Your abs are way worse than those models I’ve touched; they just look pretty.”

Qi Hanchuan replied evenly, “Then go touch the models.”

Jiang He turned and glared at him fiercely, pushing open the bathroom door with force and shouting: “I’m your wife! Can’t you at least be a little jealous? Being so generous—watch out, I might give you a green hat cheat on you.

Qi Hanchuan’s voice remained icy: “I told you I won’t control you. That is your freedom.”

Jiang He was still young; he didn’t want to trap him in a loveless marriage. He could date whoever he liked, as long as it wasn’t caught by the public. Qi Hanchuan himself didn’t care.

“We’ll see if you can still say that so casually once you fall in love with me,” Jiang He said before slamming the bathroom door, making various noises inside to express his discontent.

Qi Hanchuan picked up a book and sat by the bed, perfectly calm. He wouldn’t fall in love with Jiang He, nor would he fall for anyone else.

When Jiang He came out from the shower, he saw Qi Hanchuan sitting by the bed and ordered naturally: “Come here and blow-dry my hair.”

Qi Hanchuan didn’t even look up. “Do it yourself.”

Jiang He put his hands on his hips, his pretty face full of arrogance. “You’re my husband. Taking care of me is only natural. If you don’t help me, I’m going home right now.”

Looking at his willful behavior, Qi Hanchuan stood up helplessly. “You need to learn to do some things yourself. You can’t have people serving you your whole life.”

Jiang He leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes. “I just want people to serve me my whole life. If you won’t do it, plenty of others will.” He was born lucky; what could he do about it?

Qi Hanchuan stopped talking and clumsily began to blow-dry Jiang He’s hair. Jiang He’s hair was very soft, and the sweet rose scent intensified. As Qi Hanchuan’s long fingers moved through the thick, dark hair, his gaze uncontrollably settled on Jiang He’s face.

It was clearly a very “obedient-looking” face, yet the personality was incredibly troublesome. He wondered who could possibly put up with this temper and willingly take care of him for a lifetime.