Shang Chi asked, "Xiao Zhu, am I right?"
Ming Zhe stammered, momentarily at a loss for words.
Yes.
Ming Zhe truly hadn't planned to tell Shang Chi in advance.
Her idea was to book the flight, then inform Shang Chi two days before departure—just let him know she had business in the capital.
The assessment would likely take two or three days.
She'd be back soon.
Ming Zhu tried to explain, "The exact date for the assessment hasn't been set yet, and since it's in the capital, you have work... I can handle it myself. No need to trouble you."
"Trouble me?" Shang Chi's voice deepened as he repeated the words softly.
The next moment, the hand resting on her thigh was pulled toward him with an unmistakable insistence.
Her fingertips, slightly chilled by the breeze, slipped into his warm palm. His long fingers closed around hers, brushing gently. That warmth surged like crashing waves, washing over her in waves.
She heard Shang Chi sigh.
His tone carried a hint of resignation.
"Mingzhuo, have you forgotten we're married?"
Like both punishment and reminder, Shang Chi pinched her finger. After she murmured softly, he eased his grip, rubbing and kneading gently.
"Marriage means we've formed a family. For the rest of our lives, we can rely on each other."
"So how can you say your matters trouble me?"
His fingertips kneaded her skin over and over, softening the thin calluses until a subtle tingle slowly spread up her spine.
Mingzhu's lips parted slightly. "But..."
"No buts." Shang Chi showed a rare assertiveness before her, pausing before his tone softened again. "If I needed something from you, would you think I was bothering you?"
Of course not.
Mingzhuo fell silent.
"I understand we're newlyweds, and Xiao Zhu might not be used to it yet."
Shang Chi clasped her hand, his voice soft. "You're accustomed to handling things alone. Could you start learning to include me from now on?"
He chuckled, teasing her deliberately. "We can't let Xiao Zhu's 'husband' go to waste, can we?"
"..."
Mingzhu slowly uttered an "Oh."
With him putting it so plainly, how could she refuse?
Besides...
A flushed warmth spread through her body. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, its chaotic thudding in her ears seemed to urge her to respond quickly.
Mingzhu felt awkward and flushed, but she suppressed her embarrassment. Curling her fingers, she pulled her hand back to entwine his.
Their fingers interlaced intimately, sharing warmth.
Having made up her mind, she hesitated no longer.
Mingzhu asked softly, "Then, at the end of this month, could you accompany me to the capital? It'll probably take about three days. Would it interfere with your work?"
She tentatively threw a shy, cautious straight ball.
"—Sure," Shang Chi replied. "It won't interfere with work. I've saved up quite a bit of vacation time. Once the evaluations wrap up, if nothing else comes up, how about we stay in the capital for a bit?"
Shang Chi caught it effortlessly, opening his arms wide.
Baiting the hook.
Using tenderness as bait, waiting for her to take the plunge.
Ming Zhuo smiled, her lips pressed together, revealing sweet dimples. "Sure," she replied lightly.
The trip to the capital was set.
But Shang Chi didn't rush to get out of the car.
Still holding Ming Zhu's hand, he paused for a moment before speaking slowly.
"Xiao Zhu, this is my first time getting married..." He stopped mid-sentence, finding himself amused. His shoulders shrugged lightly, and a low chuckle escaped his throat. He changed his words:
"It's also my first time dating. I have no experience. So if I mess up anywhere, Xiao Zhu, please tell me right away. I'll fix it, okay?"
Ming Zhu responded with a soft "Okay," but her expression clearly held a hint of hesitation. Her long lashes fluttered over amber eyes, blinking repeatedly.
She clearly had something to say.
Shang Chi observed her expression, deliberately drawing out his words: "Only when Xiao Zhu and I give each other feedback can I keep improving. The same goes for you. Just like tonight—I want Xiao Zhu to see me as a reliable family member, so I'm being open with you."
"Let's not let any misunderstandings linger overnight, okay?"
Mingzhuo was touched by this gentle encouragement.
She nervously licked her lips before softly speaking.
"Then... next time, could you please not ignore me?"
Shang Chi paused, instinctively humming in acknowledgment, his voice rising in puzzlement.
"It's just," Mingzhu took a breath, gathering her courage, striving to keep her voice clear and steady, without a trace of resentment, "when you don't speak, I can't hear your voice. I don't know if you're happy or angry, and it makes me feel uneasy."
"Shang Chi, even if I upset you, could you please not ignore me?"
This was bad.
Years of blindness had tempered her nature into quiet patience, making major emotional swings rare.
Yet everything crumbled effortlessly in Shang Chi's presence.
The overwhelming joy and luck were because of him.
The inexplicable pang of hurt and resentment were also because of him.
The words had barely left her mouth when a sharp sting welled up in her nose. She managed only a gasp before clamping her lips shut, terrified that even the slightest hint in her tone might burden Shang Chi.
"..."
Her heart pounded like a drum, and all she could hear was her own rapid breathing.
Mingzhu suppressed the tightness and hurriedly added, "I didn't mean you..."
Suddenly, something round pressed against her lips.
It slid along her slightly parted mouth, gliding between her teeth. Warmed by her lips and tongue, the sweet grape flavor spread across her tongue.
Mingzhu instinctively bit down on the candy: "?"
"Sorry." Shang Chi apologized plainly, showing no hint of evasion or avoidance, utterly composed. "I didn't notice. It won't happen again."
Even if it wasn't intentional, it had indeed unsettled Mingzhu.
Shang Chi lowered his gaze slightly, his eyes sweeping over the faint, dewy pink at the corners of her eyes. His tone softened further.
It even carried a hint of gentle coaxing.
"I promise I'll be more careful from now on. Can you forgive me, Xiao Zhu?"
Mingzhu sucked on the candy, swallowing the sweet grape flavor, feeling as though from her fingertips to her spine, she was melting into a pool of water under that warm, soothing voice.
The tangled emotions knotted in her heart dissolved effortlessly.
She gently shook the hand intertwined with Shang Chi's.
Her voice was soft as cotton.
"No need to apologize..."
"I believe you."
-
Only after laying everything out did they get out of the car and head home.
Ming Zhu went into the bathroom first for a hot shower. Her small face was flushed pink from the steam, and she felt a bit thirsty.
The dinner dishes were a bit too salty, and after chatting so much, her lips felt parched.
After her shower, the heat rose from her skin, making her thirst even more pronounced.
Mingzhu hung the bath towel on the balcony, then turned toward the kitchen.
She bumped into Shang Chi, who had just finished scheduling his congee delivery.
"Looking for me?"
Mingzhu shook her head sheepishly. "Just getting a drink."
The water purifier Qi Kejing had gifted them sat on the kitchen counter, alongside Mingzhu's favorite mug.
Pure white with a black outline forming a smiling face.
After Shang Chi moved in, another cup—black with a white smiley face—had appeared on the counter.
He glanced up and offered, "I'll get it."
He filled the cup halfway with hot water, then added a splash of cold. After testing the temperature on his fingertips, he handed it to Mingzhe.
Her pajamas were white and green, made of soft fleece, printed with a bamboo forest and pandas.
Fresh from her bath, her dark hair, pinned up, fell softly, ends slightly curled.
Her fair, delicate face looked as if it had absorbed water, clear and tender, clearly inviting to the touch.
...And to kiss.
Shang Chi felt a slight tickle in his throat, recalling the warmth and softness of her lips against his.
He reached out and filled his own mug with water.
He gulped down more than half the cup of cold water.
His mind cleared instantly.
He drank quickly. By the time he set his cup down, Mingzhu had just finished the last sip, holding the cup with both hands.
Her lips were moist and rosy, like delicate petals drenched by rain—the only splash of color on her pale face.
Shang Chi: "..."
He calmly turned away and poured another half cup of cold water.
Ming Zhuo gulped down the lukewarm half cup in one go, feeling much better. Her ears twitched slightly, catching the faint sound of flowing water. She tilted her head in confusion, "Are you thirsty?"
Shang Chi gave a vague nod.
Ming Zhuo nodded in understanding, "The dinner dishes were a bit salty tonight."
The atmosphere felt pleasant enough that Mingzhuo didn't want to retreat to her room just yet.
Leaning against the kitchen counter, she lifted her thick lashes and casually changed the subject.
After finishing his water, Shang Chi showed no intention of leaving. Mimicking her posture, he leaned nearby, his tone lazy yet his response earnest.
"...When Uncle Wang said you were handsome earlier, I thought it was just polite talk." Mingzhu couldn't help but curve her lips into a smile. "Tonight, Jingjing and the others all complimented your looks too. Looks like Aunt He was just being polite when she said you were average."
Under the kitchen's white light, the girl's features were clear and beautiful, her eyes softening into a faint smile tinged with a hint of subtle melancholy.
"Too bad I can't see it."
Her words were calm, merely a simple sigh of regret.
After a brief silence, the man suddenly spoke in a low voice.
"Want to touch it?"
Mingzhu: "...What?"
Her hand, hanging at her side, was lifted up and raised, then deliberately brought down.
Shang Chi braced one hand against the countertop while gripping Mingzhu's hand with the other. Arching his back like a fierce beast lowering its head, he offered his face to her touch.
"Xiao Zhu, use your fingers to see what I look like."