Extra 4
A month before getting their marriage certificate, Jiang Chuyi and Zong Ye moved into a new home, bringing along Yiyi and Ruby. Following tradition, they invited several relatives over for dinner.
Wang Woyun witnessed her daughter about to enter a new phase of life with mixed feelings. Previously, she had always hoped for Jiang Chuyi to settle down, even asking others to help introduce potential matches. Now that her daughter was truly about to become someone’s wife, Wang Woyun felt concerned.
Mother and daughter sat in the living room, chatting about various relatives’ gossip—which aunt had gotten divorced, whose marriage had fallen apart—all seemingly connected to the husband’s infidelity. Wang Woyun hesitantly asked Jiang Chuyi if she knew how many girlfriends Zong Ye had before, and whether those relationships were truly over. Marriage wasn’t a game, she explained; both people needed to be committed to forming a family, otherwise it would end messily.
Jiang Chuyi replied without hesitation, “He’s never had a girlfriend before.”
Hearing her daughter’s naive and straightforward answer, Wang Woyun grew even more worried. “Are you being foolish, darling? You’re grown up now, can’t you be a bit more astute? What man doesn’t like to play around? Your father is one of the few honest ones.”
Jiang Chuyi found this strange. “Weren’t you quite satisfied with Zong Ye before? You were even bragging to everyone about finding a good son-in-law.”
“A new young nurse at our hospital told me that Zong Ye used to have many girlfriends. It was in lots of news articles…”
Jiang Chuyi listened for a moment before explaining to her mother, “Those were all fake. You know how it is in our industry—many people love to spread rumors. Zong Ye isn’t that promiscuous.”
Wang Woyun spoke earnestly, “Whether it’s fake or not, remember to keep a close eye on him.”
Jiang Chuyi placated her, “I know, I know.”
Wang Woyun wanted to offer more guidance, but seeing her daughter get up distractedly from the sofa and head to the kitchen, she stopped. “Zong Ye, where did you put the charger? My phone’s out of battery.”
Not long after, Jiang Chuyi was led back by Zong Ye.
He had her sit properly on the sofa, helped her put on her slippers, and said, “I’ll get it.”
Wang Woyun considered herself among the more progressive women of her generation. She didn’t believe women should lower their quality of life by focusing on household chores after marriage, so she had raised Jiang Chuyi without making her do much housework.
But everything had its limits. No matter how indulgent, it shouldn’t be to the extent that Zong Ye was.
Jiang Chuyi had somehow developed all sorts of lazy habits, completely lacking self-sufficiency. She called for help when she couldn’t find things, when she wanted a drink of water, even when her grapes weren’t peeled.
Wang Woyun couldn’t stand watching this, completely forgetting that she had just been instilling the idea that her daughter should keep her man on a tight leash. She scolded, “Stop taking advantage of little Zong like this. Don’t you have hands and feet of your own?”
Zong Ye didn’t pause as he peeled another grape for Jiang Chuyi, like a submissive little wife. “It’s fine, Auntie.”
Jiang Chuyi continued eating, pretending not to hear her mother’s words.
She understood Zong Ye too well—he was the kind of person who had this peculiar tendency. He was happiest when she needed him for everything, preferably to the point where she couldn’t survive without him.
…
…
Dinner lasted a long time, with Jiang Chuyi accompanying her most enthusiastic uncle for a few drinks of white liquor.
After finally sending off all the guests, Jiang Chuyi sprawled inelegantly on the carpet.
Zong Ye tried to carry her to the sofa.
Jiang Chuyi refused, rolling around a couple of times. “I just want to lie on the floor and cool off.”
Her face was flushed red, her mind still fuzzy. The night had deepened; Ruby was sleeping in her bed, while Yiyi, having completed its inspection of the cozy and tidy new home, nestled against Jiang Chuyi and began kneading.
After lying there for a while, her intoxication subsided somewhat.
Jiang Chuyi propped her chin on one hand, watching Zong Ye methodically tidying up. An inexplicable feeling of domestic fulfillment—of having a spouse and warm home—welled up inside her.
Especially with him wearing those glasses, he looked gentle and reserved, very homely and “virtuous.”
Sensing this persistent, burning gaze following his every move, Zong Ye wiped his hands clean, walked over, and crouched down in front of her. “Why are you staring at me?”
Jiang Chuyi said without thinking, “Zong Ye, I feel like you’d make someone a perfect wife.”
He laughed silently for a moment, humoring the little drunk. “Mm, I’ll only be your wife.”
Jiang Chuyi removed his glasses and held up three fingers. “Can you still see how many this is?”
After his eye surgery, Zong Ye’s prescription had dropped to around 200-300 degrees, just normal nearsightedness. In her tipsy state, she seemed to think he had reverted to being the little blind boy from middle school.
Zong Ye squinted and answered, “I can’t see clearly.”
Jiang Chuyi put his glasses back on. “How about now?”
Zong Ye said, “Now I can see.”
Jiang Chuyi took them off again.
Zong Ye remained still, letting her play.
Jiang Chuyi wobbled as she sat up on her knees.
For some reason—perhaps because she was happy today, or because the alcohol had amplified her emotions—Jiang Chuyi found the beauty mark on the side of Zong Ye’s neck extraordinarily sensual. Of his entire body, apart from his eyes, this spot held a strange, fatal attraction for her.
Jiang Chuyi couldn’t resist and began to touch Zong Ye all over. She poked his eyelashes, then caressed his face.
Zong Ye was entirely cooperative. When her restless hand slid down to his waist and abdomen, he automatically lifted his shirt, making it easier for her to tease him.
The feel was too good. Jiang Chuyi pinched his waist and said with a hint of complaint, “You’re such a liar. My mom says I’m always bullying you.”
Zong Ye only answered the second part: “I’m willing to be bullied by you.”
She didn’t understand. “When have I ever bullied you?”
“Aren’t you doing it right now?”
“Bullying means causing oppression and harm to you.” Jiang Chuyi drunkenly leaned toward him. “You clearly enjoy me doing this.”
He sighed and admitted, “I do like it.”
Jiang Chuyi suddenly reflected, “My mom and Chen Yi both say you’ve always spoiled me, so much that my temper is getting worse. Is that true?”
Zong Ye rested his chin on her shoulder and said softly, “You’re the one who’s always spoiling me.”
Between them, Jiang Chuyi was actually the one who had always been gentle and accommodating.
Zong Ye needed her love.
Only by being loved by her could he hide his inherent gloominess and dullness, becoming a normal person in the eyes of the world.
…
…
Jiang Chuyi came out after taking a shower. Outside, thunder rumbled repeatedly; it seemed about to rain.
She opened the balcony door. The wind blew against her nightgown, and leaves rustled in the distance.
Jiang Chuyi had discovered a line of poetry from the “Man’yōshū” (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves) under Zong Ye’s Weibo post: -I only wish for wind and rain to come, so you might stay here with me.
Perhaps because she liked this poem, or perhaps because she had grown to like the rain, every rainy day Jiang Chuyi wanted to see Zong Ye and be with him.
She turned her head; Zong Ye was drying his damp hair.
Jiang Chuyi ran toward him.
Zong Ye instinctively opened his arms and embraced her.
On this ordinary rainy night, Jiang Chuyi felt happiness as she embraced Zong Ye amidst the sounds of wind and the scent of rain filling the room.
Love this sm