She Seems to Struggle with Having a Wife - Chapter 10

After she finished speaking, Qin Mu’s face flushed hot again.

But asking if she minded only after kissing her? What a rogue.

Qin Mu turned her head away, ignoring the person behind her, and continued cleaning the refrigerator as she said, “You’ve already done it, what can I say?”

Wei Qing’an was suddenly left speechless.

Her hands, which had been wrapped around Qin Mu’s waist, slowly loosened their grip.

Afterward, Wei Qing’an and Qin Mu worked together to organize the items she had bought. Both of them had personalities that preferred order, so they cooperated quite seamlessly. Even with one hand, Wei Qing’an managed well, but Qin Mu wouldn’t let her carry anything heavy.

Once everything was put away, Qin Mu folded the plastic bags and stored them in a container, they could be reused for shopping or as trash bags later.

“Is there anything else? I’m going to take a shower and then sleep.”

She was so exhausted that her eyelids felt as heavy as in Tom and Jerry, when even a matchstick couldn’t prop Tom’s eyes open.

“No, go ahead.”

“Okay.”

Yawning, Qin Mu went to shower and sleep.

Wei Qing’an had slept deeply through the night and wasn’t very tired now, so she went to the study to read and prepare materials. She had a history class at Jing University tomorrow morning, a mandatory session as part of her unit’s collaboration with the school so she had to take the day off today.

After the class tomorrow, she would return to the museum at noon.

She needed to explain this to Qin Mu.

After her shower, Qin Mu changed into a black spaghetti strap nightgown. Her slender, beautiful legs looked clean and enticing under the sunlight. She walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, pulled the curtains shut on both sides, and the bedroom instantly plunged into darkness.

Before sleeping, Qin Mu muted her phone, tucked her arms under the covers, turned on her side, and fell asleep almost immediately.

Outside the window, the bright sunlight gradually shifted westward.

Qin Mu slept soundly, not even dreaming.

When she woke up, she glanced beside her, no one was there. Propping herself up, she bent her long legs under the covers, reached for her phone, and opened WeChat.

Zhang Fan had sent her a work-related message.

Zhang Fan: President Qin, are you coming to the company this afternoon? A partner specifically requested to negotiate with you even President Gao won’t do.

Qin Mu brushed aside her soft, long hair, causing one strap of her nightgown to slip off her shoulder. She typed a reply: Schedule it for tomorrow. I have something to attend to today and can’t make it to the company.

Zhang Fan replied instantly: Okay, received.

After responding, Qin Mu felt a bit warm and kicked off the covers. Her well-proportioned, fair legs crossed elegantly. The black nightgown, her graceful figure, and her cool, almost innocent face created a striking contrast, one that didn’t seem to fit together at all.

Click, the bedroom door suddenly swung open.

Wei Qing’an stepped in. When she looked up and saw the scene before her, her breath caught for a few seconds, her throat unconsciously moving.

This was the first time Wei Qing’an had seen Qin Mu like this.

She had spent hours immersed in scholarly texts, her mind filled with the history of bronzes and porcelain. She had thought her mood was calm and detached, but with just one glance, all those hours of scholarly focus vanished like smoke. All she could see now was this captivating sight.

Hearing the noise, Qin Mu turned her head. Completely unaware of how alluring she appeared, she asked in a slightly hoarse voice, “Did you not rest at noon?”

“No,” Wei Qing’an replied, feigning composure as she closed the door. “I was reading in the study. I have to go to Jing University tomorrow.”

Perhaps because the earlier scene had been too tempting, Wei Qing’an’s brain hadn’t fully processed things, and she ended up mentioning what she needed to discuss with Qin Mu earlier than intended without even realizing it afterward.

Wei Qing’an then went into the walk-in closet to change into long-sleeved pajamas.

She had grown tired from reading and wanted to come back to rest. She hadn’t expected to stumble upon such a scene though it was quite breathtaking.

Wei Qing’an came around to the other side of the bed, took off her shoes, and sat down.

The two had always shared one blanket. When Wei Qing’an sat up, Qin Mu, worried that her right hand might be inconvenient, deliberately pulled the blanket more toward her and followed up with a question: “What are you going to Peking University for? To teach?”

She said it offhandedly.

Wei Qing’an nodded. “Yes, as a visiting professor.”

Qin Mu had forgotten that she used to be a teacher at Peking University.

Tomorrow? Qin Mu suddenly realized.

So this person only took today off?

Qin Mu put down her phone, pulled the blanket tighter around herself, sat up straight, and looked seriously at Wei Qing’an. “I think we need to have a talk about your health.”

“Huh?” Wei Qing’an turned back, puzzled.

Qin Mu stated plainly, “I don’t want to be a widow.”

Wei Qing’an: …

“Widow” was just Qin Mu’s way of putting it, she couldn’t bring herself to say sweet, caring words, nor could she act the part of a concerned wife.

Afraid that verbal promises wouldn’t be acknowledged or kept, Qin Mu threw off the blanket, stepped barefoot onto the floor, opened the door, and fetched a sheet of A4 paper and a ballpoint pen from the study.

The curtains were still drawn, leaving the bedroom dim. Qin Mu switched on the desk lamp as she returned, then swung her long legs up and sat back on the bed.

Once settled, she burrowed under the blanket and handed the paper and pen to Wei Qing’an. “I’ll dictate, you write.”

Wei Qing’an reached out and took them.

Qin Mu spoke with utmost seriousness. “Rule one: Eat on time. If you’re not traveling for work, I’ll make you breakfast before you leave for the office. For lunch and dinner when I’m not around, take photos and send them to me.”

“Hmm…” Wei Qing’an hesitated.

This first rule already seemed a bit difficult.

When she and her colleagues were busy in the studio, they never ate on time. Sometimes, they wouldn’t have a simple meal until late at night. After all, when restoration work reached a critical point, they couldn’t just stop abruptly, it would ruin their momentum.

“Is it too hard?” Qin Mu asked sternly.

Wei Qing’an knew she meant well and explained, “It’s a bit challenging for me to eat on schedule with my job, but I won’t go past 3 p.m. without eating. As for dinner, I’ll make sure to eat by 10 p.m. Is that acceptable?”

“That brings me to my second rule: You must finish work and come home by 10 p.m.”

Qin Mu wasn’t making a request she was stating a non-negotiable.

Overtime was fine; she wouldn’t say anything even if it meant working through the night. But unchecked overtime was something she couldn’t accept.

In the year they’d been married, this person had worked far too much overtime.

“No.” Wei Qing’an put down the pen and paper, equally serious as she spoke to Qin Mu. “The unit needs people available at all times. If I’m not there, those artifacts will just sit untouched. Coming back by 10 is too early. It’s not possible.”

Qin Mu’s expression darkened, her back teeth clenched.

The two stared at each other, neither yielding, sparks flying in their eyes. But Qin Mu had always been someone who responded better to softness than hardness.

When it came to dealing with Wei Qing’an, she could be merciless. “Fine, if you can’t leave work by 10, I won’t force you. Then after I finish work, I’ll go to your unit and wait. We’ll come back whenever you get off.”

“Qin Mu!” Wei Qing’an called her name sharply.

Qin Mu remained unmoved. “For the second rule, either you write ‘leave work by 10 p.m.’ or you write ‘I’ll wait for you to finish work.'”

Wei Qing’an tightened her grip on the pen. For the third time that day, she regretted not taking better care of the wound on her hand.

Silence fell between them.

Wei Qing’an lowered her head, her expression torn clearly wanting to argue but holding back. Qin Mu felt her resolve soften at the sight.

She responds better to softness than force.

Qin Mu slowly straightened up, leaning back with a dazed gaze fixed on the ceiling. “Fine, I won’t push you anymore. Let’s pretend today’s conversation never happened. Go to sleep.”

After speaking, Qin Mu turned over and lay down, facing away from her.

Not long after Qin Mu settled, warmth spread across her back. Then came a slight weight on her arm.

Qin Mu wanted to turn around, but her head was pressed against Wei Qing’an’s forehead, leaving her only able to see Wei Qing’an’s arm draped over her. Those slender hands trailed along Qin Mu’s arm until they enveloped her stubbornly clenched fist.

“Thank you.”

Wei Qing’an’s warm breath brushed against the nape of Qin Mu’s neck.

Qin Mu lowered her head, her expression softening slightly.

“From now on, I’ll take better care of myself. Even if not for my own sake, then for not making you a widow.”

With those last words, she was apologizing.

Yet Qin Mu still didn’t respond to Wei Qing’an.

Unfamiliar with her temper, Wei Qing’an continued coaxing, “I’ll try to leave work earlier from now on, no more overnight shifts. If there’s an emergency, I’ll message you to explain, alright?”

Qin Mu seriously considered her words.

Over the years, Wei Qing’an had always been passionate about her work. Overtime wasn’t mandated by her employer it was her own choice.

But Qin Mu didn’t want her to harm her health.

After a long silence, Qin Mu softly replied, “Okay.”

This was her concession to Wei Qing’an.

Relieved to have her forgiveness, Wei Qing’an relaxed, though she lingered in the embrace, reluctant to let go.

Qin Mu allowed her to keep holding on.

The next day, Qin Mu woke up and went to work as usual.

Wei Qing’an had classes to teach at Jing University. Though her first class wasn’t until ten, she got up at seven alongside Qin Mu.

Concerned that Wei Qing’an might struggle with chopsticks, Qin Mu prepared steak for her, even cutting it into bite-sized pieces.

After a hurried breakfast, Qin Mu stood up, grabbed her coat, and headed out, saying, “I have to meet a client now. I don’t have time to drive you today, so be careful on the bus. I’ll be working late tonight and won’t be back until later.”

Wei Qing’an nodded. “Okay, I understand.”

Having said what she needed to, Qin Mu turned, slipped into her high heels by the entryway, grabbed her car keys, and left.

As she drove out of the garage, Qin Mu called Zhang Fan.

Zhang Fan had been waiting for her call and answered immediately with an anxious tone.

“President Qin, when will you arrive?” Zhang Fan and Li Jiashan stood by the roadside, clutching their briefcases, looking flustered.

Qin Mu switched to Bluetooth. “About ten minutes.”

Zhang Fan glanced at her watch nervously. “The client only gave us twenty minutes. If you take ten to get here, we’ll only have ten left.”

“Understood.” Qin Mu calmly switched to the right lane, preparing to turn at the intersection ahead. “Go buy me some fried chicken and coffee. Original flavor fried chicken with ketchup, and coffee with sugar and milk. Wait for me by the roadside with them. I’ll be there soon.”

“Huh?” Zhang Fan thought she’d misheard.

Weren’t they meeting a client? Why suddenly order fried chicken and coffee? Was President Qin that relaxed?

Qin Mu repeated firmly, “Go buy it now.”

“Oh, right away!”

Zhang Fan hung up, thoroughly confused.

Li Jiashan, overhearing their conversation, explained, “President Qin must be buying it for the client. Hurry up and go.”

“Oh, okay!” Finally understanding, Zhang Fan shoved her briefcase into Li Jiashan’s hands and rushed off.

Qin Mu removed his earphones in the car and gradually accelerated.

Ling Xi, it’s been a long time.

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