Boom!
The moment our skin touched, both Lu Yancheng and I froze.He quickly pulled his fingers back.I still had my lips slightly parted, forgetting to react altogether.
His fingers were slender and pale, with defined wrist bones—handsome in shape—but the inner side was rough with calluses.
"S-sorry, I didn't mean to," I blurted out. That was way too rude!
"It's fine," he answered as usual, but clearly, a red flush crept from the base of his ears down to his neck.Since he rarely saw sunlight, his skin was as fair as porcelain—so that faint bit of red stood out all the more.
My gaze fell on his neck, and before I knew it, I was imagining—was the rest of his body red too?That kind of white skin, tinged with a faint pink, must look dangerously tempting.
When I realized what I was thinking, I panicked.This was too dangerous!
When I was with Lu Shiyan, he always relied on me, and I got used to taking care of him.We had been together since childhood—after so many years, there was barely any spark left between man and woman.We were more like family.We lived like an old married couple—no freshness, no passion.With both of us busy with work every day, we hardly ever had physical contact.
But with Lu Yancheng—it was different.We had known each other for years, yet we'd never actually spent time together.Maybe it was that sense of unfamiliarity, but I was starting to fantasize about him!
That couldn't be a good sign.I hurried to find an excuse to leave.
As I walked quickly to the bathroom, I could feel a hot, intense gaze on my back, following me until I shut the door.
Leaning against the wall, my heart pounded wildly.Looking into the mirror, my face was flushed pink with embarrassment, making me look almost alluring—like a ripe, dewy peach.To think that I'd rarely shown such an expression before.
Looking back now, I used to be so dull.I lived every day to please others—family, lovers—reduced to a lifeless machine with no thoughts of my own.Aside from anger, I hadn't truly felt joy or even shyness in a long time.
How pitiful.
After a while, when the heat on my cheeks faded, I stepped out.Lu Yancheng was sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window, quietly watching the snow fall.
We lived on the third floor, surrounded by tall trees.The weather had been good for a while, but these past two days, snow had fallen without pause.The courtyard below was thickly blanketed; the servants hadn't cleared it yet.
Snowflakes drifted delicately onto the branches.Now and then, a bird or two would flutter off, scattering little puffs of snow into the air.It should've been a beautiful scene—but to me, it looked filled with sorrow.
Why was that?
He used to be merely cold.But now—he looked sad.What was he grieving for? Who was he grieving for?
Watching him sitting there alone, I felt an inexplicable sense of resonance.He was lonely, just like me.
I walked up to him and gently asked, "What are you thinking about?"
He just looked at me, silent for a long time, before finally saying, "Let's go. The car's ready."
"Okay."
Just as I was about to go downstairs, he added, "It's cold outside. Dress warmly. Unless the house is fully renovated, it won't have heating yet."
I blinked in surprise, then smiled. "Got it."
I went back to my room, grabbed a down jacket to change into later, and brought a blanket to drape over his knees."Let's go, Mr. Lu."
His Adam's apple bobbed. "Mm."
This kind of life—caring for each other like friends—wasn't so bad.Two lonely people, keeping each other warm.
As I pushed him downstairs, Lu Shiyan was in the living room.The moment he saw me, a flicker of light returned to his once lifeless eyes.
"Uncle, are you two going out?"
Though Lu Yancheng didn't like Lu Shiyan much, perhaps because they were both from the Lu family, he never truly hurt him.That's why I thought—Lu Yancheng only seemed cold on the outside. Deep down, he was kind.
Before he could answer, I said, "We're going to look at a house."
"In this cold? It's almost New Year's—what's the rush?"Lu Shiyan's tone carried a trace of unease, like he disliked how close we seemed.
I knew—it was this face of mine.It always triggered something obsessive in him.Even knowing I wasn't Su Wan, he couldn't help himself.Maybe after so many years together, even in another identity, he was still drawn to me unconsciously.
"How could we not hurry? It's lively living with everyone, sure, but I'd like us to have a home of our own soon.We'll need to get a nursery ready too—otherwise, where will the baby sleep when I get pregnant?"
The air froze instantly.
Lu Yancheng said nothing, but I saw the soft skin behind his ear turn red.Lu Shiyan stammered, "U-Uncle, you're already planning for a baby?"
Though Yancheng stayed silent, I could tell he was flustered.Since I started it, I had to finish it.
The more Lu Shiyan cared, the happier I felt.
Right there in front of him, I sat down on Lu Yancheng's lap.
Tsk, tsk. Maybe his wheelchair wasn't such a bad thing after all—I could sit whenever I wanted.And since he didn't push me away, I grew bolder, settling in comfortably.
He had a blanket over his legs today—soft, warm, pleasant to the touch.I hooked my arm around his neck and rested my head against his shoulder, playing the part of the sweet, clingy lover.
"Of course. Brother Yancheng is so good to me—I want to have his baby."
Lu Yancheng said nothing, his gaze a little unfocused.Lu Shiyan, on the other hand, looked utterly rattled. "You—you're too young to be thinking about that!"
Back then, I was twenty-eight when I finally got pregnant, and he never once cared.
Meeting his frantic eyes, a wicked thought flashed through me.If Lu Shiyan knew who I really was, I'd whisper in his ear—Since you didn't cherish our child, why should you care how many I have with someone else?
The corner of my lips curled."Little Lu, don't be fooled by how young I am. I'm fully certified and legal.""Don't underestimate your uncle just because he's in a wheelchair—he's no small man. Especially at night—my waist can barely hold up afterward."
Lu Yancheng clearly hadn't expected me to be so brazen.That faint blush spread quickly, his Adam's apple bobbing again and again.
Lu Shiyan's face was filled with disbelief. "You—you two already…"
"Little Lu, you've been married yourself—you should understand these things.Oh, my mistake—you never made it to your own wedding, did you?But after so many years with your wife, I shouldn't have to spell it out for you."
I smiled like a temptress, brushing my fingers against Lu Yancheng's cheek, my voice soft and syrupy:"Brother Yancheng is really amazing. My waist still hurts… rub it for me, will you?"