Falling After Marriage - Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Little Sangzi, You Must Serve Me Well

After a full day of activity outside, the two finally headed home with a car full of spoils.

The black Bentley sped across the cross-sea bridge.

Cheng Sangluo looked up at the sky outside the windshield, then slowed down and slowly rolled down the window.

Lin Jin, who had been resting with her eyes closed, heard the whistling wind and slightly frowned.

She lazily glanced at the little dog driving seriously, and softly asked, “Why did you open the window? You’re disturbing my rest.”

Cheng Sangluo let the wind mess up the stray hairs on her forehead, and smiled at the corners of her mouth: “Look outside, the twilight is the most beautiful.”

Lin Jin was stunned for a moment, then vaguely turned her head to look out the window.

In the early autumn evening, the sunset glow dyed the clouds in layers, like an endless brocade carp, reflecting on the shimmering sea surface. It looked as if the fish was flying in the sky or swimming in the water.

Lin Jin rarely cared about the scenery along the way. This was the first time she focused her attention on the flowing time.

She rested her arm on the window ledge, resting her chin on it, admiring the view. She narrowed her eyes slightly in the cool breeze, enjoying the momentary tranquility.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Cheng Sangluo asked proudly, speaking slowly: “I couldn’t see any beautiful scenery when I was in prison. Above the high walls, there was only a narrow patch of sky. When I rested, I would look up at the sky and daze. The clouds were the only thing to pass the time with. It’s best in the evening.”

Lin Jin’s brows gradually tightened as she heard those words. She didn’t like the little dog mentioning things about the prison. Although the person didn’t avoid it, she was apprehensive.

Perhaps it was an unspeakable heartache.

After a moment of silence, she withdrew her arm and searched for something on the car music player. The prelude to “California Dreamin'” finally played, matching the twilight scene outside the window.

Cheng Sangluo casually turned her head, tapping the steering wheel with the rhythm of her fingertips, and softly sang along: “I’d be safe and warm…”

Lin Jin was surprised. The little dog’s singing sounded more ethereal in the howling wind, and she was also surprised by the standard pronunciation.

Yes, if she hadn’t gone through such a miserable experience, this top student should have a bright future.

Cheng Sangluo drove very steadily, just as she pushed the shopping cart, and just as she carried Lin Jin—always reliable and meticulous. Accompanied by the long, melodic music, it brought a sense of peace.

Lin Jin didn’t smile but called out seriously: “Cheng Sangluo.”

Cheng Sangluo lowered the music volume and responded with a comfortable “Hmm.”

“That day I stood in the rain and told you I was here to help you. You should remember that, right?”

Cheng Sangluo was puzzled: “Why bring that up suddenly?”

“In the past month, I’ve done many things that you found unbelievable, so I understand why you don’t trust me.” Lin Jin became serious, glancing at the little dog’s profile. She paused for a moment before continuing: “I broke into your world just to pull you out of the mud. Do you believe me?”

The Bentley sped up for a while, then slowed down with its hazard lights flashing, pulling to the side of the road.

Cheng Sangluo finally turned off the music, isolating that rare moment of relaxation under the twilight.

She didn’t answer immediately, waiting for Lin Jin to clearly articulate what she wanted to say.

“Cheng Sangluo, go for revenge. Just like how you heartlessly smashed Cheng Xing’s leg, go ruthlessly retaliate against everyone who framed you.” Lin Jin offered a smile filled with an inexplicable emotion, “Without me, you can’t move an inch, and you can’t even cross the class barrier you hate most. Once we get the marriage certificate, I can become your legitimate pillar of support.”

With that, Lin Jin leaned in, gently stroking the little dog’s face. Her eyes were tender but also contained a sense of brokenness.

Cheng Sangluo’s breath hitched. Her heart felt as if it had been fiercely punched. She even questioned whether her plan to use Lin Jin was too cruel, but that thought lasted only a moment.

All the doubts returned to the day they first met: ‘For no reason, why are you so good to me?‘

Cheng Sangluo pursed her lips, hesitant for a long time before murmuring, “Lin Jin, did you know me a long time ago?”

Lin Jin brushed the hair from her ear, a faint sigh escaping her breath, easily disrupting the silence in the car.

She half-closed her eyes. Her soft, bright gaze was like a kiss, falling on the little dog’s inquiring face, tirelessly, obsessively, and lingeringly kissing every inch of her skin.

Cheng Sangluo’s throat moved. She swallowed a mouthful of raw shyness, feeling completely uncomfortable under the crazy woman’s captivating stare, and could only slightly turn her head to avoid the overly ambiguous gaze.

A cool touch suddenly brushed against her chin, forcing her to slightly lift her face to meet the blatant provocation.

The pink-colored nail deliberately scraped against her lips—it didn’t hurt, but it tickled. It tickled in her heart, making her want to scratch, but she couldn’t reach it.

Lin Jin smiled and leaned over, pressing her lips to Cheng Sangluo’s ear, whispering softly: “Do you really want to know?”

The fragmented whisper stirred a warm breeze. Accompanied by the itch in her heart, it created an uncontrollable tingling sensation.

No matter how skilled Cheng Sangluo was at suppressing her emotions, she was still made of flesh and blood.

Her emotions were a blank piece of paper, completely unable to resist Lin Jin’s powerful, soul-stirring stroke. Thus, restraining the turmoil deep within her soul felt so exhausting.

She gently brushed away the fingertips messing with her lips, her tone not sounding aggressive: “If you don’t want to say, I won’t force you. You always love to tease and keep people guessing anyway.”

Lin Jin was expectant, hoping Cheng Sangluo would be like a genuine little dog and get to the bottom of the secret buried in her heart. Unfortunately, the response was a lack of insistence.

She bit her lower lip, revealing a disappointed smile, then bit the little dog’s ear with resentment, “You, why can’t you be a little more curious about me?”

How could Cheng Sangluo not be curious? She was just afraid that one more step would lead her to fall into the obvious trap.

She moved her lips but never uttered a question, finally turning into a dull exhale.

“Forget it.” Lin Jin’s eyes completely darkened, but she let go of the still little dog, sighing wistfully: “Who knows what the past was like.”

Perhaps because she had spent so much time with Lin Jin recently, Cheng Sangluo was no longer as resistant to the large house at Linxi Terrace as she had been initially.

As soon as she entered the house, she fell into a busy state, organizing the groceries bought from the supermarket.

Lin Jin lazily leaned in the corner of the sofa, admiring the little dog’s meticulous organization, and couldn’t help but smile: “Do you have OCD?”

Cheng Sangluo was folding new towels. She turned her head at the sound, glanced at Lin Jin, and explained: “Whether it was the military or prison, life demanded cleanliness and orderliness. This is a habit, not OCD.”

“Not bad, it’s a good habit.” Lin Jin agreed, getting up to get a drink from the refrigerator. “What do you want to drink?”

Cheng Sangluo’s body shook, and a thousand threads of panic flashed in her eyes. “You’re injured. Just sit still. Tell me what you want, and I’ll get it.”

She was outwardly concerned about the crazy woman’s injury, but inwardly, she was panicked and fearful, worried that being drugged might happen again—a classic case of ‘once bitten, twice shy.’

With that, she tossed aside what was in her hands and frantically ran into the kitchen.

Lin Jin saw the little dog’s PTSD reaction and laughed hysterically: “You’re not serious, are you? Am I that scary?”

Before long, Cheng Sangluo was chugging mineral water, and she handed a bottle to Lin Jin too.

After she finished the whole bottle of water, she finally gasped and replied, “I… I won’t be thirsty tonight…”

Lin Jin looked both amused and annoyed: “I told you I wouldn’t use the same trick twice. There’s no need to be so cautious. Besides, cohabitation is not just for a day or two. You’re not going to chug water like this every day, are you?”

Cheng Sangluo tossed the empty bottle away and casually picked up a glass from the coffee table. “I’ll use this cup from now on. Don’t touch it.”

“Suit yourself~” Lin Jin hugged her arms and examined the cup in Cheng Sangluo’s hand, pondering: “If you want your own cup, I’ll pick out a nice one for you when I have time.”

“No need to waste money.” Cheng Sangluo refused, then slyly glanced around. She walked to the TV cabinet and placed her cup in the corner.

While Lin Jin wasn’t looking, she secretly plucked a tiny strand of hair and threw it into the cup, marking it.

Lin Jin checked the time. It was past dinner. She ordered with a hint of petulance: “Little Sangzi, I’m hungry.”

Cheng Sangluo returned to the sofa, busy continuing to organize things. “I’ll cook after I finish what I’m doing. You won’t starve to death for a while, so be patient and wait.”

“Wait? No one has ever dared to make me wait and go hungry.” Lin Jin raised an eyebrow, treating it as a joke, and commanded: “Go. Cook.”

Hearing the crazy woman’s overbearing tone, Cheng Sangluo rolled her eyes, too lazy to argue.

She proceeded to set aside the folded items, preparing to organize the next batch.

Lin Jin narrowed her eyes, glaring darkly at the little dog, silently moving closer, waiting for an opportunity.

As soon as she saw the sofa covered with neatly organized items, she quickly pushed Cheng Sangluo away and messed up the folded items into chaos.

“Hey! You…” Cheng Sangluo couldn’t stop her in time and stared blankly at the mischievous crazy woman. “What are you doing?”

“That’s for not cooking for me… for not cooking for me…”

Cheng Sangluo looked at the items she had just managed to organize, suddenly hugging her head and falling onto the carpet, kicking her legs and wailing: “Ah! I must have owed you in my past life… owed you in my past life… cursed woman…”

“Get up!” Lin Jin didn’t indulge her. She reached out, grabbed her collar, and shook her repeatedly: “I’m hungry! Cook for me!”

Cheng Sangluo wished she could grab the crazy woman’s hand and bite it hard, but she shook her head again.

What the hell? Having been called a dog so much, am I really turning into one?!

She flared her nostrils in anger, glaring with eyes that could devour people, but upon seeing the crazy woman’s waist, which was thin enough to be pinched with one hand, she quickly deflated like a balloon and compromised: “What do you want to eat?”

“What can you cook?” Lin Jin was satisfied when the little dog relented. She stroked the dog’s head and instructed: “Just make three meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a soup. That’s enough to suffice.”

“What?! Three meat, two vegetable, and a soup is ‘sufficing’?” Cheng Sangluo exclaimed, impatiently standing up and heading to the kitchen. “I’ll cook what I cook. Why so many choices? Eat it or not. I don’t care.”

The large house was perpetually quiet, never as noisy as it was now. The liveliness created by two people was a liveliness imbued with the scent of cooking.

Cheng Sangluo efficiently prepared the ingredients and turned to the refrigerator to fetch something. Seeing Lin Jin staring at her in a trance, she couldn’t help but command: “Why are you spacing out? Come here and lend a hand.”

“But I’m injured.” Lin Jin lifted her foot, arguing self-righteously: “You need to recognize your place. Living in my house, you should properly take care of me.”

Cheng Sangluo scoffed. She grabbed an apple from the refrigerator, walked to the counter, washed it, then quickly walked up to Lin Jin. “Open your mouth.”

“Ah—” Lin Jin obediently opened her mouth, but then frowned in pain, “Mmm!”

Cheng Sangluo shoved the apple onto her mouth, pressing it firmly, and disdainfully said: “If you can’t help, go sit in the living room and don’t get in my way.”

Lin Jin was outwardly displeased with the little dog’s rough treatment, but inwardly, she was secretly delighted. She even fantasized about Cheng Sangluo forcefully stuffing her fingertips into her mouth, letting her savor the rough texture.

She took a big bite of the apple to fill the emptiness in her soul, her eyes twinkling with playfulness, staring at Cheng Sangluo and refusing to look away.

Even with her back to the crazy woman, Cheng Sangluo could feel the blatant gaze. She sank her shoulders and let out a long sigh.

“Scrambled eggs with tomatoes, stir-fried baby bok choy, stir-fried shredded pork, and seaweed egg drop soup. That’s it.” Cheng Sangluo casually changed the subject to deflect the growing ambiguous atmosphere. Feeling it was still too weak, she asked again: “These dishes are all light. Are there any dietary restrictions?”

Lin Jin chewed the apple, slowly walking behind her. She rested her forehead against the broad back, teasing, “I want to eat steamed little dog. Can you make that?”

Cheng Sangluo shuddered. The chill on her back was more annoying than the chills from a fever!

No matter how emotionally oblivious she was, she understood the double-entendre. She turned around and leaned against the counter, swinging the kitchen knife in her hand as a threat: “Sashimi crazy woman, do you want to try it?”

Lin Jin looked down at the sharp blade, still stubbornly moving closer until the little dog had nowhere to retreat and could only raise her hands high, standing still.

Seeing the cute posture of surrender, she smiled and forcefully placed the remainder of her apple onto the little dog’s mouth. Her arms wrapped tightly around the sturdy waist. “Little dog, don’t move. You’ve been surrounded by me.”

Lin Jin pressed her ear against Cheng Sangluo’s heart, listening intently to the beating. The irregular rhythm brought a satisfied smile to her face.

Cheng Sangluo silently put down the kitchen knife, lowering her head to look at the beautiful face with closed eyes.

She realized she wasn’t averse to Lin Jin’s closeness. Even though she always verbally resisted, she always softened and accepted this tenderness.

In the blind spot where Lin Jin couldn’t see, Cheng Sangluo subdued the sharpness that usually flared up every day. Her expression was unusually gentle, even carrying a subtle, unconscious smile.

She silently asked herself, I am needed, I am relied upon, right?

Accompanied by the sizzling sound of oil heating in the wok, the aroma of the food filled the entire house, whetting the appetite.

Cheng Sangluo skillfully stir-fried the vegetables. She occasionally lifted the wok and tossed the ingredients, clearly an experienced cook.

Lin Jin leaned her arms back on the counter, turning her head to admire the little dog cooking seriously. Her shimmering eyes were mixed with a bit of admiration, and she couldn’t help but praise, “I didn’t realize it. You really can cook.”

Cheng Sangluo glanced at her, smiling proudly: “Do you know which soldier is the most discreet in the military?”

“Are you asking me to praise Special Forces soldiers as the best?” Lin Jin narrowed her eyes and smiled, imagining the little dog in a camouflage uniform, looking brave and heroic. She teased, “Right, you fought against many people in Seventeen Harbor. Even bullets didn’t scare you. No one is that powerful, right?”

Bringing up that incident, Cheng Sangluo felt somewhat embarrassed recalling the scene where she was surrounded and beaten by a group of people. She quickly denied, “I’m not a reckless fool. I am still afraid of guns.”

With that, she plated the dish, continuing the previous topic: “The most discreet soldier in the military is the cook. They have to make communal meals that are not only nutritious but also visually appealing and flavorful. That’s a skill, especially during field operations. They have to march with heavy loads just like us, and provide meals for everyone in a short amount of time. To avoid revealing the base, they must cook without smoke. Besides all that, they have to be ready for a surprise attack at any moment…”

Cheng Sangluo’s life was bland and miserable. The years she served in the military were some of her few happy times, which was why she spoke so vividly, like pouring out beans.

Lin Jin listened to the little dog’s constant chatter, not feeling annoyed. Instead, she allowed her to open up.

Seeing the little dog busy serving the soup, she enthusiastically pressed on: “What happened after that?”

“After that… Hehe… I was punished and sent to the cooking squad to be a utility worker for a month. I didn’t learn much else, but I did learn a few home-cooked dishes.” Cheng Sangluo’s eyes glowed when recalling a certain memory. As if afraid of being overheard, she cupped her hand around her mouth and whispered: “When we were hungry in the middle of the night, a bunch of us would secretly cook a small meal. I even snuck a steamed bun to Bai Mu once.”

“Interesting.” Lin Jin couldn’t imagine what kind of happiness a steamed bun could bring, but seeing the little dog laughing heartily, she realized that that mouthful of steamed bun in the deep night must have been delicious.

“Give me a hand.” Cheng Sangluo handed two plates of dishes to Lin Jin, then scooped her up in a bridal carry. “Go sit in the dining room and wait. I’ll wash the bowls and chopsticks, and then we can eat.”

This black and white minimalist apartment never felt like a home. The coldness was very much like its owner—elegant, luxurious, and utterly devoid of warmth.

In fact, this house was more like Lin Jin’s private hotel, only used when she worked late into the night or had residual excitement after drinking.

But from now on, this place that wasn’t quite a home had colors beyond black and white, and it had the warmth created by the smoke of cooking.

As Cheng Sangluo walked to the dining room with the washed bowls and chopsticks, Lin Jin was sampling the stir-fried shredded pork from the plate with a delicately raised finger.

“Hey, hey, hey! That’s rude.” The little dog caught her in the act and criticized her angrily, then placed the bowl of cooked rice in front of Lin Jin. “Can’t you be patient? Meals are better when eaten together.”

In her words, she seemed to be missing the communal meals in the military camp, or perhaps the lively atmosphere that was gone forever.

“It’s your fault for being so slow. I’m hungry. I can’t wait.” Lin Jin took the bowl, justifiably picked up some food, and chewed it slowly, letting out a murmuring sigh of enjoyment: “Mmm~”

Cheng Sangluo pulled out a chair and sat down, seeing the extremely satisfied expression on the opposite person’s face. She picked up her chopsticks and put a piece of meat in her mouth to check the seasoning.

She was a bit puzzled. They were just a few ordinary dishes. It didn’t make sense for the crazy woman, who was used to Michelin-starred meals, to look so thoroughly satisfied.

“Why are you staring at me? Is the view appetizing?” Lin Jin preened, then switched to the soup bowl and sipped slowly. Although she didn’t want the little dog to get arrogant, she still complimented: “Not bad. The taste suits me very well.”

Cheng Sangluo’s cooking was just average. Perhaps Lin Jin was tired of rare delicacies, which was why a simple home-cooked meal tasted so flavorful.

The true source of the deliciousness could only be explained by lonely people.

Cheng Sangluo was not the only one who yearned for home. For Lin Jin, the word ‘home’ was like the moon in the water—visible but unattainable. A touch of the hand would disperse the pool of illusion.

Even though the dinner was simple, being accompanied by each other brought a steaming warmth, adding the flavor of home to the meal.

A faint tingling suddenly assaulted her ankle. Cheng Sangluo paused in picking up food and stared helplessly at the person across the table. “Just eat your food. What are you doing with those little tricks?”

“Don’t you think a little flirting during a meal is interesting?” Lin Jin smiled triumphantly. Her toes explored the inside of the little dog’s pant leg, sweeping back and forth, and finally resting lightly on the top of her foot.

This feeling was reassuring, and it created an intensely tempting ambiguity beneath the table.

Cheng Sangluo quietly pulled back her foot, simultaneously placing a chopstick-full of vegetables into Lin Jin’s bowl. “Flirting with what? The food can’t even shut your mouth. Hurry up and eat!”

Lin Jin caught the sudden blush on her face and, not making light of the situation, joked: “You haven’t been drinking. Why are you blushing~”

Cheng Sangluo held her rice bowl up to hide her face. Even if she denied it, she couldn’t hide the two patches of redness that rose on her cheeks. “I am not!”

“Is it that hard to admit?” Lin Jin wrinkled her nose and tapped the little dog’s head with the end of her chopstick. “Awkward one.”

The little dog rubbed her forehead angrily, her eyes flashing with a resentful light. “What else can you do besides bully me? Oh, and touch me inappropriately!”

Lin Jin propped her chin on her hands, her eyes blooming with a beautiful luster. “I like you, that’s why I want to bully you~ Silly girl~”

The meal was finished.

Cheng Sangluo’s compulsiveness kicked in again.

She meticulously cleaned up the dining room, then plunged into the kitchen for an endless round of cleaning.

Lin Jin grew impatient waiting in the living room. She limped to the kitchen to find the little dog. “Do you have a destiny for hard work? Can’t you just sit still?”

Cheng Sangluo didn’t know how to operate the trendy floor cleaner, afraid of breaking the machine. She was currently kneeling to wipe the floor.

She cleaned with great effort, her seriousness suggesting she was completing some difficult mission.

Hearing the resentful urging from the doorway, she didn’t lift her head and continued her work. “What’s the rush? I’m busy right now!”

“It’s a long night. Don’t you want to have a heart-to-heart talk with me? Talk about the topics you want to know. If not, I’m going back to my room to rest.” Lin Jin was an expert at baiting the little dog. She threw out the lure and then turned to leave, quick as a flash.

“Hey, wait!” The little dog took the bait. She quickly stood up, wrung out the rag, and hurried after the crazy woman. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Hmph, now it’s your turn to wait for me~” Lin Jin always found good ways to mold the little dog, deliberately delaying time. “I’m going to take a beauty bath now. If you want to know what I’m going to talk about, hurry up and help me to the bathroom. Little Sangzi, you must serve me well. Good service can offset your debt, you know~”

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