Beautiful Wife: The Cold Boss is My Husband - Chapter 8

Zhuo Xiao thought he was deliberately saying this to give her a surprise, so she played along, lowering her gaze to cut her steak, pretending not to care as she said, “It’s not a special day. I just wanted to cook for you.”

Yan Chengming, looking at her lowered eyelashes, instantly regretted asking that question. By saying it, wasn’t he admitting that he had no idea what day it was?

Zhuo Xiao must have noticed he’d forgotten their anniversary and was surely heartbroken. But given her personality, she wouldn’t say it outright. She’d just suffer in silence.

“Honey, how was work today? What kept you busy?” The atmosphere was too heavy, so Zhuo Xiao took the initiative to ask.

“Well… I resigned. I want to start a new company.” Yan Chengming perked up, cautiously speaking while observing Zhuo Xiao’s expression.

“Really?” Zhuo Xiao feigned surprise, then encouraged him, “I’m sure you’ll do well.”

“Mm-hmm.” Seeing that Zhuo Xiao didn’t object, Yan Chengming breathed a sigh of relief.

After that, they fell silent. He absentmindedly ate his meal, his mind flashing through various memories. Their first hand-hold, their first kiss, their first time in bed… Ugh, it probably really was their first time.

Since the experience of that first night had been so clumsy and brief, Yan Chengming didn’t really want to recall it and had intentionally forgotten it. He couldn’t understand why Zhuo Xiao would want to celebrate such an anniversary, especially since he’d left her unable to get out of bed for a whole day back then.

The meal ended quickly. When Zhuo Xiao stood up to clear the table, Yan Chengming swiftly took the knife and fork from her hands, perceptively saying, “Baby, I’ll clean up. You go take a shower. I have a surprise for you later.”

“You don’t have to…” Zhuo Xiao gave him a deep look. So, it was true after all. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she declined briefly, then immediately said, “Well then, I’ll go shower first. I’ll be waiting for you in bed.” Before leaving, she poked Yan Chengming’s waist with her finger.

Yan Chengming watched her retreating figure with tender affection. Once she was out of sight, he snapped back to reality, muttering under his breath, “I’m done for, I’m done for, what do I do…” and began clearing the table at lightning speed.

After shoving the dishes into the dishwasher, Yan Chengming, hands trembling, picked up his phone in the kitchen and made a call: “Hello? Yes, I need it now. Which one? Of course, the most expensive, hardest-to-get one… About 45 minutes for delivery? Can’t you make it half an hour? Fine, then hurry. Let me know in advance. Don’t ring the doorbell.”

Fortunately, Zhuo Xiao’s shower took an unusually long time. Yan Chengming was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, pacing around the room. Finally, after about 35 minutes, a message came through on his phone.

“Sir, this is the item you requested…” The delivery staff from the brand hadn’t even finished speaking when the door was hurriedly and quietly closed by the furtive figure inside.

The staff member’s smile froze on their face: “…”

After getting the necklace, Yan Chengming took a deep breath. He glanced around. Zhuo Xiao still hadn’t emerged and his pounding heart gradually calmed down.

Just then, the computer on the table chimed. Gu Yu had sent him a file.

[Gu Yu: This is the information on the Zhuo Corporation. Study it! It’ll help with securing the partnership.]

Yan Chengming casually opened it. He hadn’t even read two pages when a warm, fragrant body leaned against him from behind.

“What are you looking at?” Zhuo Xiao leaned against his shoulder, chin nuzzling as he spoke while peering at Yan Chengming’s laptop screen.

When he clearly saw the text on it, Zhuo Xiao’s body suddenly stiffened, his gaze flickering with uncertainty, unsure whether to continue flirting.

Fortunately, Yan Chengming couldn’t see his expression clearly and explained, “The Zhuo Corporation in City B. I’m starting a new company, right? Might have to discuss collaboration with them. Oh, by the way, honey, I just realized you share the same surname Zhuo.”

As he spoke, Yan Chengming turned to look at him, his long arm reaching out to pull the somewhat frozen Zhuo Xiao into his embrace. He stroked Zhuo Xiao’s back gently, like petting a kitten.

His actions didn’t bring Zhuo Xiao any warmth; instead, they sent chills down his spine, making him feel like a piece of meat on a chopping board.

Zhuo Xiao glanced over nervously, “Maybe… just a coincidence. I used to live in the mountains. How could I possibly be related to a family like that?”

Yan Chengming chuckled, “What if you’re their long-lost illegitimate child?”

Hearing the word “illegitimate child,” Zhuo Xiao’s face paled even more. Yan Chengming’s tone and gaze were utterly innocent, and for a moment, Zhuo Xiao couldn’t tell whether Yan Chengming was probing him based on some discovery or simply joking.

After a long silence without any response, Yan Chengming finally noticed Zhuo Xiao’s unusual expression. His heart sank, realizing he might have crossed a line by joking about Zhuo Xiao’s background.

Filled with regret, he pressed Zhuo Xiao against his chest and quickly apologized, “I’m sorry, I didn’t think it through. I won’t say things like that again, okay? Forgive me, please?”

Zhuo Xiao buried his face in the crook of Yan Chengming’s neck and only hugged him back after a long while. He thought he might be overly sensitive. With Yan Chengming’s intelligence, he probably couldn’t pull off such a probing act.

“Honey, stop looking.”

After staying silent for a while, he reached out to close Yan Chengming’s laptop and pushed it aside. He then proactively sat on the desk, facing Yan Chengming directly.

His suggestive gaze lingered on Yan Chengming’s face as he took the other’s hand.

Yan Chengming swallowed, his entire body rising with the slight pull of that hand, as if bewitched, leaning closer.

Zhuo Xiao placed Yan Chengming’s hand on his waist, right at the edge of his sleep pants. His own hand, smaller than Yan Chengming’s, loosely covered it from the outside, the delicate skin barely touching.

Zhuo Xiao blinked and said, “Honey, slide your hand inside.”

Yan Chengming felt his breath grow hot. His fingertips slipped under the edge of Zhuo Xiao’s sleep pants, tracing the contour downward until they touched a strap.

He lowered his head and, with a slight tug of his fingers, pulled out a bit of black lace.

Zhuo Xiao hissed at the movement, “It’s pinching.”

Yan Chengming coughed and immediately withdrew his hand.

But Zhuo Xiao stopped him again, this time guiding his hand to the small of his back, “And here.”

Yan Chengming’s hand continued downward. To make it easier for him to reach, Zhuo Xiao leaned forward, resting against Yan Chengming’s chest and holding onto his waist.

A moment later.

Zhuo Xiao’s body trembled slightly, letting out an almost inaudible moan.

Yan Chengming withdrew his hand, his voice hoarse, “It’s soft.”

Zhuo Xiao panted, his eyes hazy with moisture. He let out a lazy, soft laugh and looked up, “This is the surprise I prepared for you. Do you like it?”

Yan Chengming nodded, “I like it.”

“Then what about the surprise you prepared for me?” A smirk tugged at Zhuo Xiao’s lips. After all that buildup, he finally asked the question.

“Wait, I…” Yan Chengming suddenly remembered the necklace box he had been looking for. With Zhuo Xiao’s interruption, he had nearly forgotten where he put it.

As he turned around, Zhuo Xiao had already eagerly extended his hand. Realizing belatedly that this might give away his intentions, he tried to cover it up by saying, “Honey, look at this hand…”

He drew out the words, lacing them with obvious implication.

Yan Chengming completely missed the hint. Staring at Zhuo Xiao’s slender, pale wrist, he gave it a puzzled glance before impulsively grabbing it and planting a loud “mwah” on it. “What’s wrong with your hand? Has it gotten thinner? Eat more, baby.”

Zhuo Xiao: “…”

Feeling the frustration of casting amorous glances at a blind man, Zhuo Xiao struggled to suppress his temper. He was about to say, “What about that…”

Bracelet—are you giving it to me or not?

Before he could finish, a cool sensation touched his neck.

Yan Chengming chuckled smugly, “It’s from your favorite brand, a new release! Only five in the entire country! So, do you like it?”

“Ah.” Zhuo Xiao let out an ambiguous sound, his attitude unclear. He simply lowered his gaze, fingers tracing the gem on the necklace, and murmured two words, “I like it.”

Sensing something off in his tone, Yan Chengming grew anxious. “Not satisfied? Wait! I have more, other things.”

He slapped his forehead, recalling the items he had bid on at the auction. Wrapping his arms around Zhuo Xiao from behind, he pulled out his phone and began flipping through the pictures one by one. “I just got these today at the auction. The auction house said they’ll deliver them tomorrow. Once they arrive, you can pick whatever you want. Do you like this painting? This vase is nice too. A supercar! How about I give you the supercar?”

Yan Chengming was desperate to please Zhuo Xiao, and the more anxious he became, the more he rambled.

As the chatter filled his ears, Zhuo Xiao quietly looked through all the pictures on the phone before asking, “Is there nothing else?”

There was no sign of the bracelet he was willing to pay any price for.

Yan Chengming then remembered the bracelet. Since it was something Hao Tianlei had taken a liking to, Yan Chengming hadn’t been particularly interested. When he visited the venue early to browse, he hadn’t taken a photo of the actual item.

But that thing was bought by Yan Chenrui. Seriously, how could something Yan Chenrui bought end up on his wife’s wrist? “Sister-in-law, open the door, it’s your brother-in-law”?

Without a moment’s hesitation, Yan Chengming said, “No, that’s it.”

Zhuo Xiao gave him a few long, scrutinizing looks before gently pushing him away. “Honey, you’ve had a long day. You should rest early.”

Yan Chengming: “…?!”

Watching Zhuo Xiao’s retreating figure, he felt so aggrieved his eyes reddened.

That night, Yan Chengming lay in bed with Zhuo Xiao on his right, keeping a wide distance between them.

Yan Chengming stubbornly inched closer, starting by just touching the edge of Zhuo Xiao’s clothes. Seeing that Zhuo Xiao had his eyes closed, he grew bolder, sliding an arm over to try and pull him into an embrace.

Halfway through the motion, Zhuo Xiao opened his eyes and gave a light push against Yan Chengming’s chest. “It’s hot.”

Yan Chengming: “…!”

The man who usually couldn’t stop calling him “honey” wasn’t even using the term now!

Yan Chengming felt as if he could hear the sound of his own heart shattering.

He pulled the covers back to the other side, his deep eyes turning into tearful puffy pockets. He tossed and turned, unable to figure out why Zhuo Xiao was upset, sad, or angry.

It must be his own fault! How could Zhuo Xiao possibly be at fault?

But what exactly was his own fault?

Yan Chengming bit the blanket, thinking and thinking until he fell asleep.

Only when he heard the steady breathing beside him did Zhuo Xiao slowly open his eyes, which showed no trace of sleepiness.

Frowning, he tiptoed to the bookshelf and precisely picked up a book. Behind it sat a box of foreign cigarettes.

Holding the cigarette box, he walked to the balcony and gazed into the boundless night. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it with a lighter. The slender cigarette rested between his fingers, thin wisps of smoke curling upward, releasing a faint minty fragrance.

After just two puffs, Zhuo Xiao couldn’t take it anymore. It had been so long since he last smoked; he was no longer used to it, just like how B City and the Zhuo family, which he had left behind two years ago, felt like a lifetime ago.

Lately, for some reason, everything seemed to be making a comeback, closing in on him. Chen Xi’s arrival, Yan Chengming’s documents and the inexplicably missing bracelet. All seemed to signal that the utopia he had carefully built was on the verge of collapse.

His troubled mood grew even worse. In the end, he stubbed out the cigarette and tiptoed back to the bedroom.

Before he left, Yan Chengming had been sleeping on his side, but as soon as he stepped away, Yan Chengming sprawled out like a starfish on the bed, his posture comical.

Zhuo Xiao let out a soft chuckle, the gloom between his brows easing slightly. He climbed back into bed, leaned against the headboard, and traced Yan Chengming’s eyebrows and eyes with one hand, murmuring, “Where did it go? Who did you give the bracelet to? Besides me, who else could there be?”