She Seems to Struggle with Having a Wife - Chapter 33

After returning to the private room from the restroom, the two of them appeared as composed as ever. Yan Huan and Sister Yue were already drunk, while Gao Jingchen had only had a few drinks and was still relatively sober. Seeing them return, he asked groggily, “Where did you go?”

It wasn’t an accusation, just a normal, caring inquiry.

Wei Qing’an walked ahead, sitting down beside Gao Jingchen first, creating a barrier between him and Qin Mu. Qin Mu followed and sat behind Wei Qing’an, glancing at the time, it was already eleven o’clock.

“We went to the restroom,” Wei Qing’an replied.

Gao Jingchen gave an “oh” and leaned back against the sofa, his eyelids drooping as if he were about to fall asleep. Wei Qing’an then looked over at Xiao Huanzi and the others they were all too drunk to be coherent, still mumbling something unintelligible.

The club had guest rooms, so Wei Qing’an called a staff member to help settle Xiao Huanzi and Sister Yue into separate rooms. Sister Penny and her girlfriend shared one room. As for Xiao Chenzi, he mumbled in his stupor that he didn’t want to stay, so a driver was called to take him home.

With everyone taken care of, only the two of them remained.

Wei Qing’an had been drinking, so naturally, she couldn’t drive. Qin Mu, who hadn’t touched a drop all night, picked up the keys and said, “Let’s go.”

“Mm,” Wei Qing’an responded, walking by her side.

Perhaps because Qin Mu was wearing high heels, her height was now almost the same as Wei Qing’an’s. At that moment, Wei Qing’an felt her own presence diminish, and she unconsciously wanted to lean in and hold onto Qin Mu’s arm or shoulder.

Maybe it was the alcohol taking effect. Wei Qing’an coughed softly and reached out to take Qin Mu’s arm, but Qin Mu suddenly lifted her arm, causing Wei Qing’an to retract her hesitant hand instantly. She shoved it into her trench coat pocket, clenching her fist as if nothing had happened.

Qin Mu walked ahead, putting her phone into her bag and letting her arm swing naturally back into place.

Once in the car, Qin Mu fastened her seatbelt and was about to start the engine when she suddenly remembered the high heels she was wearing. She unfastened the seatbelt, leaned over to the passenger side, opened the glove compartment, and pulled out the sneakers she always kept there.

As her head drew near, the pleasant scent of her hair once again drifted into Wei Qing’an’s senses. Wei Qing’an’s mind automatically replayed the scene from the arcade, and the emotions from that moment surged back. This time, without hesitation, she leaned in and kissed the back of Qin Mu’s head.

Qin Mu’s hand, holding the shoes, froze. She straightened up and looked at Wei Qing’an, who had already turned her head to gaze out the window, leaving Qin Mu with only the back of her head clearly avoiding eye contact.

Qin Mu simply assumed she was drunk. She bent down to change into her sneakers, placed the high heels in the back seat, fastened her seatbelt again, and started the car to head home. As for Wei Qing’an’s car, she had left the address with the club staff, who would have it delivered the next morning.

With few cars on the road late at night and no need for constant stops and starts, Qin Mu drove comfortably. The journey back was somewhat long, and Wei Qing’an, feeling bored with Qin Mu’s silence, reached out and turned on the car’s music system. She listened to songs at random, letting whatever came on play.

Unexpectedly, the first song was “Those Years,” a hit that had defined their youth. Wei Qing’an hummed along for a couple of lines. Her voice was pleasant, and she could carry a tune. Though her singing lacked the nostalgic ache of youth, it was still quite melodious.

Listening, Qin Mu unconsciously slowed down, wanting to hear Wei Qing’an sing a little longer after all, such opportunities were rare.

The first half of the song ended, and during the instrumental interlude, Wei Qing’an seemed to recall something. She turned to Qin Mu and asked, “I remember you also attended Jing University, right? I think you were two or three years below me. When you were in school, did you ever hear my name or see me around?”

Wei Qing’an had never asked Qin Mu such a thing before, as it felt somewhat narcissistic. But if she didn’t ask, she couldn’t let it go, she couldn’t bear the thought that only she remembered those moments.

“I’ve heard of you, and I’ve seen you.” At these four words, Wei Qing’an’s face lit up with joy. But then Qin Mu added, “You and Senior Ling Xi were quite famous on campus. I often saw the two of you together.”

Wei Qing’an felt a pang of displeasure. Her eyes drooped as she stared blankly at the windshield wipers, and she muttered gloomily, “Ling Xi and I have no relationship whatsoever. The rumors at school were all made up by the students. The only reason we had any connection was because our families have known each other for years, and it’s not something you can just cut off. But in recent years, I’ve had less contact with them.”

Qin Mu had heard a bit about this from Yan Huan and had only mentioned it casually. She hadn’t expected Wei Qing’an to take it so seriously, so she straightened her attitude and said, “I believe you. I won’t misunderstand.”

“Anything else?” Wei Qing’an pressed.

As the second half of the song began, the melody flowed, stirring waves of memories between them.

Qin Mu tightened her grip on the steering wheel and glanced back at Wei Qing’an. Those who have been drinking often speak more sincerely. Under Wei Qing’an’s gaze, Qin Mu felt inexplicably nervous. Her throat dry, she swallowed and said, “During my freshman year, I saw you. You were stealing peaches from the school and being chased by the security guard. Before you ran off, you gave me three.”

She omitted the part where they almost kissed it felt too embarrassing and overly intimate to mention.

Wei Qing’an’s lips curved into a crescent moon-like smile. Her hand rested on the seatbelt buckle, as if she wanted to unfasten it and embrace Qin Mu. But for safety’s sake, she reluctantly let go, her smile sweet as she said, “So it really was you that day.”

That night had been too dark, and they were in too much of a hurry. Wei Qing’an had only noticed that the girl had a cool, aloof aura and wasn’t easy to approach, but she was quite pretty, so Wei Qing’an had stolen a few more glances. Giving her the peaches was purely on a whim, a way to leave an impression on the girl.

As for who she was, Wei Qing’an had no idea at the time. By the next day, she had almost forgotten about her. Later, she occasionally visited the library and that small path, hoping to see her again, but she never did. Until one day, she spotted Qin Mu in the cafeteria.

There was something familiar about her demeanor and face, but Wei Qing’an didn’t dare approach her. Instead, she bought her meal and sat diagonally across from Qin Mu, studying her carefully for over twenty minutes. Even after Qin Mu finished eating and left, Wei Qing’an still couldn’t be sure if it was her.

This doubt had lingered in her heart for years, and she never imagined it would finally be resolved today. Wei Qing’an was indescribably happy.

The song ended and switched to the next one.

Neither of them spoke again.

By the time they got home, it was already midnight. Having slept poorly the previous night and been busy all day, Qin Mu took a shower, did her skincare routine, and fell asleep as soon as she lay down. By the time Wei Qing’an finished her shower, Qin Mu was already sound asleep, bundled in the blankets like a baby.

Wei Qing’an lifted the covers and slipped into bed, turning over to bury her face against the back of Qin Mu’s neck. The tip of her nose brushed against Qin Mu’s smooth hair, and in an instant, her heart felt much more at ease. The quilt and its cover had been changed, carrying the fresh scent of laundry detergent, a fragrance Wei Qing’an only just noticed.

She opened her heavy eyelids and glanced down at the gray silk quilt covering them both, and beneath it, the graceful curves of Qin Mu’s figure. In that moment, her heart felt as if struck, pounding wildly, filled with a warmth that overflowed.

Three meals a day, the changing seasons, the daily necessities, and the one holding her hand these were the simple, cherished aspects of life people yearned for. Only now did Wei Qing’an realize she had possessed them all along.

Qin Mu was mature and independent, capable in her work, and attentive to their home. She even worried about those who worked late or neglected their health. From every angle, Qin Mu was nearly perfect.

But without this marriage contract, among all her suitors, would Qin Mu have chosen her?

Wei Qing’an pondered this, her eyes darkening.

Back in their school days, even when Qin Mu was just eating in the cafeteria, someone would approach her, phone in hand, asking for her WeChat. Qin Mu would refuse, but the person would shamelessly leave their phone number anyway. Later, after finishing her meal and clearing her tray, Qin Mu would toss the number away without a second thought.

Countless people had come and gone around Qin Mu, lingering and pacing, but her eyes had always been fixed on just one person. Wei Qing’an hadn’t seen Qin Mu often, but every time she did, there was always the same person by her side. When she asked, Qin Mu had said, “A friend.”

But…

Recalling that person’s face, Wei Qing’an felt as if thorns were piercing her heart. With a cold expression, she propped herself up and pressed a kiss to Qin Mu’s shoulder, as if trying to leave her mark.

Slowly, she trailed kisses along Qin Mu’s neck. When she reached the side of Qin Mu’s neck, Wei Qing’an paused, then wrapped her arm tightly around Qin Mu, holding her close as if afraid she might slip away at any moment.

Despite the disturbance, Qin Mu didn’t wake. She slept peacefully in Wei Qing’an’s embrace, even having a sweet dream.

The next day, Qin Mu woke naturally.

The room’s curtains were drawn tightly, leaving the bedroom in familiar darkness. She reached for her phone, and it unlocked with facial recognition 9:23 a.m., still early.

Qin Mu turned off her phone and placed it back beside the pillow.

Today, she was going to visit Lin Yan’s mother. To avoid staying for a meal, she planned to go after noon. But first, she needed to go to the supermarket in the morning to buy some nutritional supplements and, since autumn had arrived, some clothes for Lin’s mother.

Visiting Lin’s mother was fine, but the real challenge was Lin Yan. How should she interact with him to avoid awkwardness?

As Qin Mu lay there with her eyes closed, lost in thought, a sudden warmth fell upon her neck. The other person in bed unexpectedly slipped a hand under her pajamas, their palm gliding over her abdomen and moving upward. Qin Mu frowned, reached out to stop the hand, and said in a husky voice, “What are you doing so early in the morning?”

Had this person lost all restraint?

Why start causing trouble first thing in the morning.

Wei Qing’an hadn’t expected to be scolded by Qin Mu. Her hand immediately stilled, though she didn’t withdraw it. Instead, she nuzzled closer to Qin Mu, deliberately or not brushing her lips against Qin Mu’s earlobe, and said sadly, “I dreamed about you last night. In the dream, you insisted on divorcing me.”

Her soft murmur sounded aggrieved, making Qin Mu’s heart soften. He released her hand, intending to pat her gently.

But Wei Qing’an seized the opportunity, pressing her hand forward. Caught off guard, Qin Mu trembled and instinctively pushed her away. Yet Wei Qing’an leaned in closer, her warm lips tracing a path along Qin Mu’s neck before capturing her mouth in a breathless, deep kiss.

As Qin Mu was being kissed, her clothes were undone, and her body grew feverish. All she could think was, how had this person changed so suddenly?

The tranquil morning was shattered in an instant.

Early in the morning, Wei Qing’an had given Qin Mu a passionate kiss, her hands slipping beneath Qin Mu’s clothes, teasing and stirring until Qin Mu’s entire body felt weak and pliant. Just as Qin Mu was about to turn over, intending to remove Wei Qing’an’s clothes and press her down to take things further, Wei Qing’an abruptly pulled away. Propping herself up on the bed with one hand, she said seriously, “I’m going to work. You rest well at home, and I’ll come back early tonight.”

Qin Mu, lying beneath her with a flushed face, was utterly bewildered.

What did she just say going to work?

After speaking, Wei Qing’an truly threw off the covers, got out of bed, and headed into the bathroom. Qin Mu lay there dazedly, staring at the ceiling. After a moment to collect herself, she lifted the blanket and saw her unbuttoned pajamas and undone underwear, a wave of unbearable anger surging within her.

She really was the type to walk away without a second thought.

Suppressing her fury, Qin Mu pulled up her pants under the covers.

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