Volume One, Chapter Three: Let’s Have a Child Together
A sense of foreboding began to take root in Shen Zhi's heart, yet she refused to dwell on it any further.
She had never heard a word about Zhou Qin’s marriage or children.
Back when they were about to graduate from university, Zhou Qin had suddenly vanished without a trace. Rumor had it that her mother had taken her abroad, and even He Yunshen hadn’t been informed. He had been anxious and searched for her for quite some time.
Now, unexpectedly, she had returned to the country and was working by He Yunshen’s side.
Shen Zhi felt that something was amiss, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
Today, He Yunshen came home very late again, and not once during the entire day had he sent her a message.
This was unlike before; even if he didn’t speak much, he would at least inform her of his whereabouts.
Shen Zhi couldn’t help but question whether He Yunshen truly loved her, or if he simply treated everyone he married with such dedication and responsibility.
Thinking back, the relationship between Zhou Qin and He Yunshen during their university days had indeed been somewhat delicate.
Zhou Qin seemed to dislike Shen Zhi getting close to He Yunshen and had interrupted their private moments several times.
But they were siblings, after all...
Shen Zhi lightly tapped her forehead, telling herself not to overthink.
...
“Still awake? Is your stomach bothering you again?”
He Yunshen took off his suit jacket, his slender fingers rolling up his sleeves before draping an arm over Shen Zhi’s shoulder, pulling her gently into his embrace. A faint, unfamiliar scent of cologne immediately filled her senses.
This fragrance was new; He Yunshen had never worn this perfume before.
“Were you very busy today?”
Her nails dug into her palms as the smile faded from Shen Zhi’s face.
“Yes, had to negotiate a major case and made a trip to the club, so I got delayed,” He Yunshen said calmly, as if recounting a routine matter.
The club was the e-sports company he had founded single-handedly during his studies abroad.
...
He Yunshen turned away and began unbuttoning his shirt, an aura of coolness emanating from him. The room fell into silence.
Shen Zhi quickly turned, picking up his discarded suit jacket from the sofa, pretending to tidy it. Yet, accidentally, a small box slipped from the pocket onto the floor.
Hesitating briefly, she picked it up and opened it. Along with the box fell a plane ticket for a round trip to Paris dated for that very day.
“Happy third anniversary, my wife!”
He Yunshen’s voice came softly from behind, whispering into her ear as he pulled her close, his tone much gentler now.
“So, you disappeared all day just to buy this?”
Looking at the dazzling sapphire blue diamond necklace in her hands, Shen Zhi was somewhat surprised.
Her thoughts had been in disarray lately; she had completely forgotten that today was their third wedding anniversary.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes.”
This necklace was Shen Zhi’s favorite design, a piece of jewelry she had longed for. It had been designed two years ago but had only recently become available for pre-sale.
“Well then, where’s my reward?”
He Yunshen leaned close, softly brushing her earlobe, asking for his own anniversary gift.
Shen Zhi smiled awkwardly. “Sorry, I forgot.”
“Sorry? You expect to get away with just that?”
His eyes flickered playfully as his hand slid to her waist.
He knew her weakness—her ticklishness.
His touch led them straight to the bed.
...
“Darling, shall we have a child?”
He Yunshen’s hand steadied her waist, the other gently tucking strands of hair behind her ear as he tenderly sought her opinion.
Looking into his clear, sincere eyes, a ripple of emotion stirred within Shen Zhi.
“What’s wrong? Haven’t you thought about it yet?”
He Yunshen kissed her softly on the lips, his smile full of warmth.
Yet, as she gazed at her gentle husband, a growing sadness clouded Shen Zhi’s eyes.
She had always wanted a child with He Yunshen, but he always found a suitable excuse to decline.
Now, the hurt in her heart forbade her from intimacy, let alone talking about having children.
“I’m tired, darling...”
Before she could finish, the heat in He Yunshen’s eyes extinguished instantly. After a moment of silence, he sat up.
He didn’t understand her refusal, nor the sorrow in her gaze.
Three years had passed, yet all he saw in her eyes was rejection.
“Is it because of him?”
When he uttered those words, his hollow gaze seemed to freeze, his voice turning cold and distant.
In his memory, since their wedding night, Shen Zhi had always refused to be with him for one reason or another.
Who was this man that haunted Shen Zhi’s dreams and brought her to tears?
“Who?”
Shen Zhi was equally bewildered. He was the one who had wronged her—how could he question her?
“Forget it. It’s late. Let’s rest.”
He Yunshen turned toward the bathroom, leaving Shen Zhi sitting on the bed, lost and unsure.
“Yunshen, I... I have something to tell you.”
Shen Zhi suddenly called after him.
“Whatever it is, we’ll talk tomorrow. I’m sleeping in the guest room tonight,” He Yunshen replied coldly, turning his back but not moving a step, waiting for her to ask him to stay.
“Zhou Qin came to the company today.”
She had long wanted to have a proper conversation with him; otherwise, this barrier would remain between them forever.
“Yeah, I know.”
Hearing Zhou Qin’s name, impatience flickered across He Yunshen’s face as he walked to the window and silently lit a cigarette.
“She said she returned with you yesterday.”
“Yes, I met her on the plane.”
He Yunshen’s frankness was unwavering, as if sharing the most mundane detail.
“Why didn’t you tell me last night that the ‘friend’ was Zhou Qin?”
He Yunshen exhaled deeply, blowing smoke rings, then stubbed out the cigarette with a cold voice: “It’s not important.”
Not important to whom?
Shen Zhi’s nose tingled with emotion. How she wished He Yunshen would give her some explanation, even a perfunctory one.
“You never used to smoke.”
A flicker of hesitation crossed He Yunshen’s eyes before he retorted coldly, “You never used to refuse me.”
He was referring to the Shen Zhi who had always obeyed him before they married.
“Yunshen... please don’t lie to me.”
Shen Zhi’s heart ached, but she bit her lip stubbornly to hold back tears.
“You must be tired too. Get some rest.”
He Yunshen frowned in displeasure, avoiding the topic as he turned to leave.
Did he truly not understand, or was he pretending ignorance?
Shen Zhi had countless questions choking her throat, yet the words would not come.
She couldn’t bring herself to demand explanations from the man who shared her bed.
“It’s just surprising that your personal assistant is Zhou Qin.”
He Yunshen stopped in his tracks, face half-shadowed, replying gloomily, “I should take care of her.”
Shen Zhi had heard earlier that Chairman Zhou had a poor relationship with his illegitimate daughter, yet He Yunshen doted on her immensely.
As her half-brother, he indeed ought to look after her.
Thinking this, Shen Zhi’s composure softened with a touch of guilt; perhaps she shouldn’t have doubted them so much.
“That’s true, she’s your sister.”
Taking his words as an explanation, Shen Zhi felt some relief.
In three years of marriage, they had never quarreled, and she never pressed He Yunshen about matters he wished to keep private. If he said something, she would believe it wholeheartedly.
“When shall we invite her over for dinner?”
Shen Zhi finally smiled faintly, unaware that He Yunshen’s idea of care was far from that of a brother’s.
“No need. She doesn’t like crowds, and you don’t need to worry too much.”
His tone remained tinged with coldness, leaving Shen Zhi disappointed.
Yet, she still wanted to ask about having children.
“Don’t sleep in the guest room tonight.”
Lowering her head, Shen Zhi wasn’t doubting He Yunshen’s fidelity; she simply hoped he would explain what happened at the airport.
“Okay.”
Ding!
Just as He Yunshen turned, his phone chimed with a notification.
He instinctively checked it, and the moment he read the message, the worry on his face vanished completely.
“Someone’s still reaching out to you this late?”
Shen Zhi looked at him cautiously.
“An old friend heard I was back and wants to meet for a drink!”
“Are you going?”
He Yunshen’s smile lingered as he stared at his phone. Noticing Shen Zhi watching him, he finally lowered the corners of his mouth and awkwardly headed toward the bathroom.
“Not going. Just washing up and then to bed.”
At some point, the bathroom had become a barrier between them.
“What should I do? The baby has a fever...”
Splash—
Despite the running water, Shen Zhi caught the coquettish voice in the voice message—it was Zhou Qin.
After a long while, He Yunshen finally emerged from the bathroom. Shen Zhi pretended to be asleep.
“Wife, are you asleep?”
He Yunshen called softly twice. Receiving no reply, he quietly put on his clothes and slipped out the door.