My Husband's Eyes Have Been Looking Different Lately After Our Marriage of Convenience - Chapter 44

Chapter 44: At That Time, He Felt Like a Pervert…

The bracelet had been worn for over six months. When it was suddenly taken off, Song Ai’s brain felt even more unaccustomed to its absence than his wrist did.

It was as if his mind momentarily went blank.

Then, he couldn’t help but recall the origin of this bracelet.

At the beginning of the marriage alliance, Lu Haichuan had given him this bracelet in private. He warned Song Ai that until the Song family returned 80% of the investment, he had to stay at the Lu residence every day. Even if he needed to leave temporarily, he had to return that same night.

If the bracelet’s GPS records showed a gap for even a single day, or if something went wrong with the device and he couldn’t provide a reasonable explanation, the Lu family would immediately withdraw all investments and sue the Song family until they were bankrupt.

Song Ai, who initially felt no sense of reality regarding this marriage, only realized the suffocating situation he was in the moment he accepted the bracelet.

At first, he didn’t even dare to step out of the door.

When he first moved into the Lu house, he hoisted himself in his room and played games day and night for a week. It wasn’t until one day, when he looked out the window and his eyes were nearly blinded by the sunlight, that he suddenly realized how long it had been since he had breathed fresh air.

Coincidentally, his phone rang just then. Li Shang said he missed him and asked if he could take him out to play; only then did Song Ai hesitantly agree.

From then on, no matter how far he went, Song Ai would always rush back before the early hours of the next morning.

Such a life wasn’t exactly “bad,” and one couldn’t call it “humiliating”—at most, it was just a lack of freedom.

But more than the physical restraint was the spiritual imprisonment.

The arrogance of his youth had been worn away by studying abroad, and his youthful ambitions had perished because of the marriage alliance. Even Li Shang often said he had turned into a lazy cat—still beautiful, but no longer vibrant.

Song Ai couldn’t judge whether he would become happier or freer after removing this bracelet.

But at least for now, his body and mind felt incredibly relaxed.

“Did your father agree?” Although he couldn’t suppress the upward curve of his lips, Song Ai still asked cautiously.

“No.” Lu Tingyun didn’t want to lie, but he didn’t want him to be disappointed either, so he added: “It doesn’t matter if my father disagrees. You don’t have to wear it.”

The slight smile on Song Ai’s face dropped again.

“If your dad didn’t agree, then what’s the point of talking?”

He twitched his lips, but he didn’t put the bracelet back on either.

Although he didn’t know how much power Lu Tingyun truly wielded, this man never made promises lightly. Since he said there was no need to wear it, Song Ai wasn’t going to go looking for trouble for himself.

…

Wang Ruijing’s mother was a typical full-time housewife with a very small social circle. Most of those who came to pay their respects were actually people who had business dealings with the Wang family.

After hurrying to offer a stick of incense, they would immediately go looking for Mr. Wang.

However, Wang Ruijing had no heart for such things.

When he returned to the funeral parlor just now, he happened to see Song Ai and Lu Tingyun. He noticed they were acting intimately and talking deeply—even more familiar with each other than they had been in Haishi.

While Wang Ruijing grieved for his mother’s passing, he couldn’t help but feel worried.

Just how far have they developed…

At dusk.

Song Ai came over to accompany Wang Ruijing as he knelt before the spirit tablet.

Watching the youth kneel piously and bow three times, Wang Ruijing asked seemingly casually, “Li Shang said earlier that you weren’t in a good state. How are you now? Still tired?”

“I’m alright,” Song Ai said, suppressing his sleepiness. “Maybe I just didn’t sleep well yesterday.”

Because things happened so suddenly, Song Ai and Li Shang had been staying with Wang Ruijing at the hospital and the funeral parlor for the past few days. Late last night, they were busy setting up the farewell hall outside, and it was inevitably noisy.

Wang Ruijing felt a bit apologetic. “It’s my fault for not arranging things better.”

“Hey,” Song Ai patted his shoulder, “What’s there to blame? No need to be so formal.”

Wang Ruijing lowered his eyes. “Yeah.”

The guests who had finished paying their respects were mostly chatting in the outer hall. Through the wall, a faint hum of voices drifted in, but it wasn’t much, making the inside feel exceptionally quiet.

After a moment of silence, Wang Ruijing couldn’t help but say, “My dad said Lu Tingyun came too. Is that true?”

Song Ai’s expression froze slightly, and he gave an honest “Mhm.”

“What is he here for?”

“To pay his respects, I guess.”

“The Lu family and my family don’t seem to have much contact.”

“…Then I wouldn’t know.”

Wang Ruijing could tell Song Ai was playing dumb, but he didn’t want to let it slide so vaguely.

So, he turned to stare at him and asked, “Is he here for you?”

He hadn’t planned on confessing so early, but with Wang Ruijing’s persistent questioning, Song Ai hesitated for a moment before stopping the concealment. He nodded slightly and replied, “Mhm.”

Wang Ruijing looked into his eyes, and time seemed to spiral back to a certain day more than three years ago.

Back then, they had just graduated from high school, and it happened to be Li Shang’s birthday. They found a quiet bar and bought a cake, preparing to celebrate properly.

Li Shang was the youngest of the three; even he had turned 18, let alone the other two.

So, after eating the cake, the three decided to have a few drinks.

Back then, their alcohol tolerance was poor, and they got tipsy after just two glasses. Under the cover of the night, the youth could no longer hide his feelings and decided to formally confess.

But just as Wang Ruijing was about to speak, he heard Song Ai say—

“I’m going abroad.”

The other two were shocked.

They immediately showed expressions of reluctance, while Song Ai appeared exceptionally carefree. “With my crappy grades, I probably won’t get into a good school here. Going abroad is fine; when I come back later, I can at least pass as a ‘sea turtle’ (overseas returnee).”

At that time, Wang Ruijing had also stared at him without moving.

He wanted to speak several times but feared rejection—feared that after going abroad, the other would never contact him again. He could only continue to hide his feelings, thinking there would always be another chance to speak.

But Wang Ruijing didn’t know that once a person is cowardly, they will be cowardly a second time.

A while ago at M&C, he had almost said it, but was interrupted by other reasons again.

So, what about this time?

Would this be his third time being a coward?

Wang Ruijing’s eyes reddened. His lips moved, but he couldn’t ask a thing.

He wanted to ask Song Ai: Are you together with Lu Tingyun?

But he was afraid the answer was “yes.”

He wanted to ask Song Ai: Do you know I’ve liked you for a long time?

But he was afraid the answer was “no.”

…

Words remained on the tip of his tongue, unspoken.

Song Ai thought he was crying because of his mother’s death. He raised his arm to drape it over Wang Ruijing’s shoulder and said loyally, “Auntie is gone, but you still have me and Li Shang. Don’t worry, no matter what happens in the future, we will always be best friends.”

Wang Ruijing couldn’t take it anymore and broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

Half an hour later.

Song Ai left the funeral parlor with his clothes soaked.

At this time of year, the nights were still cold.

Song Ai originally wanted to ask the Wang family’s servants if there were any clean clothes he could change into. Before he could even walk down the steps, a large hand wrapped around his waist.

Lu Tingyun picked him up directly from the middle of the stairs.

Even through the fabric, he could feel a chill.

Lu Tingyun looked down and guessed, “Did you spill water?”

Song Ai pushed him away naturally, shook his head, and said nonchalantly, “Old Wang cried it out. I just went in to say a few words to him, and somehow I made him sad. He hugged me and cried for half an hour; I couldn’t even stop him.”

“Hugged you?”

Not noticing the man’s gaze darkening, Song Ai gave a casual “Mhm” and said with some frustration, “I need to find someone to get me a change of clothes. Don’t block the way.”

Lu Tingyun asked again, “Who are you going to ask?”

Song Ai thought he was being ridiculous. “Whoever has some.”

“Then why didn’t you ask me?”

“…You have some?”

“Mhm. In the car. When I left, I had Butler Wu take two sets from your room.”

In truth, he had gone to get them himself, but he wouldn’t say that.

“You freaking…” Song Ai felt like he was being played, but he had no proof. He could only grit his teeth and say, “You sure are too thoughtful.”

“You flatter me.”

“…”

The two arrived at the parking lot.

Lu Tingyun said the clothes were in the back seat in a bag. Shirts, pants, underwear, and even socks were all there—he could change into whatever he wanted.

Hearing the word “underwear,” Song Ai’s ears turned red instantly, but he maintained his composure on the surface. With a “swish,” he pulled open the car door and climbed in quickly.

Just as he was about to close the door, he looked back and saw Lu Tingyun climbing in as well.

“You…” In the darkness, Song Ai’s pupils widened slightly. “What the hell are you coming in for?!”

“I don’t want to stand outside alone,” Lu Tingyun said.

“But I’m changing!”

“Go ahead. I won’t look at you.”

“…”

Song Ai wanted to kick him out, but there were many cars coming and going in the parking lot; making too much noise might attract attention.

After hesitating, the feeling of his damp clothes was too uncomfortable, so Song Ai couldn’t be bothered to care anymore.

Anyway, this man had seen everything already.

Thinking this, Song Ai stopped wasting time. He turned around to rummage for clothes while strictly warning, “Turn your head away, and close your eyes.”

“Mhm.” Lu Tingyun complied very obediently.

Song Ai pulled out a thin knit sweater. He glanced back cautiously; the other had indeed turned his head away as instructed.

After waiting patiently for half a minute and seeing no movement from Lu Tingyun, Song Ai finally felt relieved. He grabbed the edges of his shirt with both hands and lifted it quickly.

The clothing briefly blocked the youth’s vision, making him completely unaware that the man beside him had already opened his eyes and was staring at him like a predator.

The car lights weren’t on, but light from outside flickered in occasionally. Lu Tingyun narrowed his eyes, using the intermittent light to take in his wife’s every move.

The youth’s slender waist was partially visible as the hem of the shirt fluttered. His skin gleamed with a pearl-like luster.

But what was even more drawing was a certain rosy tint…

Feeling a reaction in a certain place, Lu Tingyun dazed for a moment.

He clearly remembered the first time he had this reaction. It was the day after he and Song Ai had slept together. He saw Song Ai walking barefoot on the floor, and when his gaze touched those pinkish ankles…

At that time, he felt like a pervert.

How could someone get hard just by looking at an ankle?

Later, he discovered he didn’t just have a reaction to Song Ai’s ankles…

Even worse, every time Song Ai touched him, his reaction would become more obvious and harder to suppress. It forced him to spend a long time calming down every time.

At first, he thought it was just the novelty at work—that maybe after trying a few more times, it wouldn’t be like this.

As it turned out, even to this day, he was still like this.

— “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t look!”

The youth’s indignant questioning interrupted his thoughts. Lu Tingyun snapped back to reality. Not only did he not feel awkward about being caught, but he also grabbed the other and pulled him onto his lap.

“How did Wang Ruijing hug you?” he asked suddenly.

Song Ai was about to struggle, but his movements paused at those words. “What do you mean ‘how’?”

“Didn’t you say he hugged you and cried?”

“…”

Song Ai roughly understood now—Lu Tingyun was being jealous for no reason.

“If you’re going to be jealous, at least mind the occasion.” Song Ai pinched his shoulder hard and said, “Old Wang and I are friends. He was crying so hard he couldn’t catch his breath; I was afraid he’d pass out, so I supported him. Who knew he’d just hold onto me and not let go? But that was it!”

The youth pinched hard, and Lu Tingyun winced slightly, clearly in pain, but he still didn’t let go.

Lights from outside the car window swept by from time to time.

Song Ai began to feel nervous. He looked outside and saw that no one had noticed them yet. He breathed a sigh of relief and urged again, “Let me go!”

Lu Tingyun looked at his wife and said nothing.

Of course he knew to mind the occasion, and he wouldn’t actually do anything at a time like this. It was just that he hadn’t seen Song Ai for two days, and he really couldn’t bear to let go.

After staring at each other for a long while, Lu Tingyun buried his head in the crook of Song Ai’s neck and said softly, “Give me a little more time.”

Song Ai didn’t understand at first.

Give him a little more time for what?

By the time he realized, his face had turned completely red once again.