The Wife From the Contract Marriage Does Not Want to Get Divorced - Chapter 6

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the smart curtains and spilled into the room. As Lu Yanqing turned over, the down duvet slipped to her waist. A chill hit her, and she opened her eyes.

On the two-meter-wide bed, the down pillow belonging to Xie Siyu was as smooth as new; only the wrinkles in the sheets betrayed the traces of their shared sleep the night before.

She looked down at the loose silk camisole dress she was wearing. The strap had slipped to her elbow, and the lace trim at the chest was crooked against her skin, leaving her radiant silhouette half-hidden.

Lu Yanqing suddenly remembered something and sat up abruptly, scratching her hair in frustration. “How did I just fall asleep?”

Adjusting her shoulder strap, she threw off the covers and got out of bed. Before she could reach the walk-in closet, the closed bedroom door was pushed open from the outside.

Xie Siyu had clearly already finished getting ready. Her supple long hair draped over her shoulders, and she wore a black silk-satin dress that complemented her graceful figure. The hem fell just below her knees, revealing a pair of slender, straight legs. Over the dress, she wore a loosely styled white blazer.

She looked elegant and sophisticated.

“I picked out a dress from the closet. It’s been washed and dried. The rest of the clothes will be handled by the housekeeper.”

As Xie Siyu pushed the door open, she happened upon Lu Yanqing standing barefoot on the floor.

She handed over a neatly ironed misty-blue dress, with a matching pearl-buckle belt resting atop a folded square of lace underwear.

“Uh, thanks.”

Lu Yanqing felt truly embarrassed because the items Xie Siyu handed her included not just the dress, but also her bra.

It was the one she had taken off after her shower last night.

Yesterday, she had tossed her shirt and skirt into the washing machine, but she had left the bra in the basin by the sink. It seemed she hadn’t had time to wash it?

So, did Xie Siyu wash it for her this morning?

At the thought of this possibility, the tips of Lu Yanqing’s ears began to burn. She took the clothes and headed straight for the bathroom.

Watching the runaway figure, a gentle smile appeared in Xie Siyu’s eyes as she moved to the bed to tidy the duvet.

Twenty Minutes Later: The Dining Room

“I’ve already called the hospital. You’re going for a full body check-up. There’s an important meeting this morning that I can’t miss, so Liu Yao will accompany you the whole time.”

When Lu Yanqing came out in her new clothes, an exquisite breakfast was laid out on the table. The crystal shrimp dumplings revealed pinkish-orange shrimp meat through their translucent skin, and the shrimp congee was topped with a garnish of celery. The presentation was identical to that of Yunshan Restaurant.

On the balcony, the clothes she had washed last night were already hanging out to dry.

Lu Yanqing took a deep breath and pulled out a chair to sit down. Before she could even take a bite of a shrimp dumpling, she heard Xie Siyu say she had arranged a physical exam.

“A check-up isn’t necessary, is it? I don’t feel unwell anywhere…”

Meeting Xie Siyu’s gentle but firm gaze, Lu Yanqing shrugged sheepishly and immediately changed her tune. “Okay, I’ll go to the hospital.”

Having suddenly traveled three years through time, she really should take the potential impact on her body seriously.

“The check-up requires fasting. I’m sorry, you… can’t eat these for now.”

Xie Siyu had spoken to the manager at Yunshan Restaurant yesterday at noon about ordering breakfast. The idea of sending Lu Yanqing for a check-up had only come to her after receiving a call from Dr. Yu last night.

Consequently, it was only when the staff delivered the breakfast that she remembered the fasting requirement.

“Okay, I won’t eat then.”

Lu Yanqing swallowed hard and put down her chopsticks.

She unlocked her phone and opened Douyin to learn about the changes in Rongcheng over the past few years. Ten minutes passed quickly.

She looked up and noticed that Xie Siyu, sitting across from her, had been staring at her tablet without even touching her chopsticks. Recalling how the woman had been unable to sleep from pain last night and had gotten up to take painkillers, Lu Yanqing frowned.

Standing up, she reached across the table and took the tablet from Xie Siyu’s hands. She said pointedly, “I’m being good and going to the hospital for a check-up. Please be a good girl too, President Xie, and eat your three meals on time.”

As she spoke, she served a small bowl of congee and placed it in front of her.

In the kitchen, the smart coffee machine was still working, filling the dining room with a rich aroma. Lu Yanqing blinked, as if supervising a kindergarten child: “I can’t eat for now, but you can. Don’t waste the delicious food, President Xie. Finish all the congee.”

Then, with a hint of mischief, she added: “Until your stomach is better, don’t drink coffee.”

Stunned for a moment by the removal of her tablet, Xie Siyu remained silent. Soon, a small bowl of congee appeared before her, accompanied by the other woman’s imitation of her own advice regarding coffee.

Just then, Lu Yanqing’s phone rang. She picked it up and walked toward the balcony. Xie Siyu lowered her head to stir the shrimp congee and took a spoonful.

Suddenly, the corners of her mouth curved up involuntarily into a silent smile.

I have some urgent business at noon. Let’s meet tonight. I’ll wait for you at Blue Note at 8:00 PM.

Don’t stand me up, or I’ll come straight to your house.

By the way, where are you living now? Chenhuali?

On the balcony, Lu Yanqing answered the phone only to hear Zhong Wanyi fire off several questions. She patiently explained: “I was just about to tell you, I don’t have time this morning. I have a check-up scheduled.”

“I’ll definitely be there on time tonight. I’m staying with Xie Siyu at Jianghai Lanyuan. Are you satisfied with my answers, Miss Zhong?”

It was twenty minutes to nine, and the sun was rising steadily.

Standing on the balcony was a bit chilly since she wasn’t wearing a coat. Lu Yanqing turned back to the living room; Xie Siyu was no longer at the dining table.

You’re actually living with Xie Siyu? Didn’t you say you went abroad to avoid her? What is going on between you two?

Lu Yanqing frowned slightly and corrected her: “Don’t talk nonsense. I… I didn’t stay away for three years just to avoid her.”

Perhaps sensing that Lu Yanqing was getting annoyed, Zhong Wanyi muttered quietly on the other end: Well, that’s just what everyone says.

Anyway, I wanted to tell you some good news. Su Man our Great Movie Queen has finished filming her new drama and returned to Rongcheng today.

“Movie Queen?”

Yeah! In the years you were gone, Su Man has really made a name for herself in the entertainment industry. In just three years, she’s become a top star. She just won a Gold Award recently.

Lu Yanqing sat on the sofa, leaning against a soft pillow. She raised an eyebrow at the chamomiles in the glass vase and gave a thin smile. “That’s good then. It shows that her leaving me back then was a wise choice.”

Uh, let’s not talk about that.

For the party tonight, can I bring some other girls?

Lu Yanqing closed her eyes. “As you wish.”

She hung up and tossed her phone onto the coffee table.

At that moment, in the hallway outside the study, Xie Siyu was holding her bag in one hand and two blue folders containing photocopied materials in the other. The gentle smile that had been on her face had vanished.

“Is the call over?”

Hearing the gentle voice, Lu Yanqing opened her eyes. She had thought Xie Siyu had already left. She nodded and replied, “Wanyi called. If you have time tonight, do you want to come to Blue Note with me?”

Xie Siyu glanced casually at Lu Yanqing’s eyes, finding no trace of sadness or melancholy. Her fingertips tightened slightly on the folders.

“I’m not sure if I’ll have time. We’ll see tonight.”

“The housekeeper will be here shortly to tidy the table. It’s cold outside; you need to wear another coat. I’ll wait for you at the door.”

Without another look at Lu Yanqing, Xie Siyu walked toward the entryway.

Wait for her?

Were they going out together?

A flash of confusion crossed Lu Yanqing’s eyes. A few minutes later, she and Xie Siyu were in the same car, with Xie Siyu driving. She finally got her answer: “Liu Yao is chairing the meeting. I’m going to the hospital with you.”

Lu Yanqing froze mid-action as she was buckling her seatbelt. She tilted her head to look at Xie Siyu. “Didn’t you say the morning meeting was important and you couldn’t miss it? I’m not a child; it’s just a check-up, I don’t need someone to accompany me…”

Xie Siyu started the engine, checked that it was safe, and slowly drove out of the garage. She interrupted Lu Yanqing at the right moment: “I know. But I want to accompany you.”

Lu Yanqing: “…”

She opened her mouth, but for a long time, she couldn’t say a single word. Xie Siyu’s sentence had completely dazed her. She wanted to accompany her.

What exactly did she mean by that?

9:30 AM: Rongcheng Huakang Private Hospital

Because they had an appointment, a professional nurse was waiting to guide them the moment they stepped into the hospital.

First came the basic vital signs and physical examinations. Then they reached the blood collection window on the second floor. The smell of disinfectant filled Lu Yanqing’s nose, and she unconsciously gripped her check-up form tighter.

“Ms. Lu, please sit.”

The nurse at the window tapped on the keyboard, her rubber fingertips making a slight scratching sound against the acrylic counter. “You need to take off your coat and roll up your left sleeve to the elbow.”

Lu Yanqing took off her khaki trench coat. The cold air caused goosebumps to break out on her forearm.

As she was about to fold her coat, Xie Siyu naturally took the garment and draped it over her arm. The warmth remaining in the cashmere fabric transferred to her skin through her shirt.

“Make a fist.”

The nurse tied a tourniquet around her arm.

The coldness of the alcohol cotton ball stung her pores, and a physiological shiver ran down the back of Lu Yanqing’s neck.

Five collection tubes lined up on the tray, making her draw a sharp breath.

“Please relax.”

The nurse tapped the crook of her arm to find a vein. The blue veins under the skin appeared and disappeared under the pressure.

Suddenly, a cool palm covered her eyes.

“Don’t look if you’re afraid.”

Xie Siyu’s voice hovered near her ear, her breath carrying the faint scent of bitter orange blossom.

Lu Yanqing could feel the edge of the wedding ring on Xie Siyu’s ring finger pressing just below her eye. The coldness of the metal made her heart tremble inexplicably.

“I’m not afraid,” Lu Yanqing whispered in protest.

The moment the needle pierced her skin, Xie Siyu’s thumb unconsciously brushed her brow bone in a silent gesture of comfort.

“Alright, Qingqing isn’t afraid. I just don’t want you to look.”

Xie Siyu smiled. She felt Lu Yanqing’s long, curled eyelashes flutter against her palm like the wings of a butterfly, sending ripples through the lake of her heart.

Qingqing?

This was the first time Xie Siyu had called her that. The soft, tender voice entered her ears, causing Lu Yanqing’s heart to tighten.

Soon, the collection tubes were filled one by one with dark red liquid.

As the fifth tube was labeled with a barcode, Xie Siyu spoke: “The coagulation test requires ten minutes of pressure.”

She released her hand from Lu Yanqing’s eyes and pressed the alcohol cotton against the needle site. “Let me do it.”

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