Chapter 29: Madam, May I Come In

Parking the car in the garage and taking the elevator up, An Ling’s gaze rested aimlessly on the floor indicator.

She had originally planned to come home much later tonight. At the very least, she wanted to wait until Shen Linyan had retired to his room before she stepped inside.

She didn't want to hear him apologize.

Apologizing just because he hadn't reported his whereabouts to her felt a bit too much like "crossing the line." It didn't fit the nature of their political marriage.

That was the plan, which was why she had intentionally wandered around the mall and even picked something up on a whim. She felt like an eternity had passed, but when she checked the time, she realized she’d been gone for less than half an hour.

The elevator doors slid open. An Ling snapped back to reality, let out a soft sigh, and stepped out.

With a soft beep, the front door opened. In the vast living room, a floor lamp cast a warm, dim glow beside the sofa. The curtains were drawn back, allowing silvery moonlight to spill through the floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the space with an unexpectedly cozy atmosphere.

A man sat on the sofa, half of his silhouette draped in shadow. His long legs were crossed, and the top few buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing the faint, firm lines of his muscles. He looked relaxed, almost indolent.

He was leaning his head on one hand while scrolling through his phone. The lamplight defined his sharp, deep features, though there was a hint of cool detachment in his eyes.

Hearing the door, he looked up and set his phone aside. His eyes crinkled slightly as he reverted to his usual gentle demeanor.

"You're back?"

An Ling’s footsteps faltered. For a fleeting, inexplicable moment, she felt the blissful illusion of a wife coming home late from overtime to find her husband waiting up for her.

Clutching her shopping bag and purse, she gave a soft "mm-hmm." Shifting her gaze away to avoid looking at the sofa, she headed straight for her room. "Um... I'm going to take a shower. You should get some rest too."

Just as she turned away, the man's low, slow voice drifted from behind her.

"Would you mind chatting with me after your shower, my lady? I was waiting for you."

"..."

An Ling gritted her teeth. Keeping her back to him, she waved her hand dismissively, trying to sound natural. "Not tonight, I'm afraid. I'm pretty exhausted. I’m worried I’ll fall asleep mid-conversation. Next time, okay?"

Shen Linyan’s gaze fell on her slightly stiff back. His eyes darkened. He set his phone down and slowly stood up.

In the silent living room, his steady footsteps were clear and deliberate.

An Ling froze when she heard the footsteps stop directly behind her.

A crisp scent of cedar wood drifted into her nose, elegantly and subtly enveloping her. He was so close she could almost feel him against her back. His deep voice was warm and clear.

"Don't worry. If you fall asleep on the sofa, I'll carry you back to your room."

He paused, leaning down slowly until his breath brushed the top of her head. His tone was soft and persuasive.

"So, will you talk with me? Please?"

An Ling felt her head spinning from the sheer charm of it.

Before she knew what she was doing, she found herself nodding dizzily. "Okay... sure."

Forgive her; she really couldn't resist a handsome face.

***

By the time she had showered and sat down on the sofa, An Ling’s brain was still in a bit of a fog from his coaxing.

That was until she heard his voice beside her.

"I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you yesterday that I had a social engagement. I shouldn't have let you hear it from someone else."

As expected, it was about that.

She paused, uncomfortably shifting her gaze and pursing her lips. "It's fine. I wasn't angry... there's no need for you to apologize for that."

Thinking of his kind nature, An Ling looked down and sighed. She decided to be direct; she didn't want him feeling unnecessary guilt.

"Besides, you don't actually have to tell me, Shen Linyan. We’re in an arranged marriage. You have no obligation to report to me, just as I have no obligation to report to you."

As soon as the words left her mouth, the curve of the man’s lips faltered, though he quickly masked it.

His lashes drooped slightly, hiding the gloom in his eyes. He let out a low chuckle. "What are you saying? Of course I have an obligation to report. After all, you’re supposed to be teaching me how to be a 'bad person.' Wouldn't I be failing your kind intentions if I didn't?"

An Ling blinked, awkwardly touching her ear.

"Well... I suppose that’s true."

After all, in those high-stakes social environments, someone as "kind" as Shen Linyan was an easy target for traps. She did need to know where he was going so she could give him pointers.

So, he was apologizing because of the "lessons."

She had thought... it was because he felt guilty as a husband failing to check in with his wife.

An Ling stole a glance at him. "Then... will you tell me every time you have an event from now on?"

"I will," he said gently. "You'll be the first person I tell. And then I'll let you teach me what to do."

An Ling’s eyes brightened, and a smile spread across her face. "Deal! I'll teach you everything!"

The moonlight touched her face, making her skin look as translucent and delicate as jade. Her lips were a vivid crimson against her pale skin, like a drop of red in the snow. Her thick lashes curled over eyes that crinkled into crescents, brimming with genuine mirth.

This was the first time he had seen her smile like that.

A trace of a daze flickered in the man's eyes. He stared at her for a long moment, his thumb unconsciously rubbing his wedding ring until the friction made it warm. Only then did he snap back to his senses.

His Adam's apple bobbed. He looked down and said softly, "Then, you should get some rest."

An Ling blinked, but she didn't move.

Her gaze lingered on his tall, upright frame. Inexplicably, her friend Jiang Mai’s words from earlier popped into her head, and she bit her lip.

Is this how those "contract marriage" novels usually start...?

Even though she knew a real romance between her and Shen Linyan was impossible, it was hard not to let her mind wander.

An Ling’s eyes darted around, her heart fluttering.

As long as things didn't go too far, there was no harm in a little fun, right?

She promised herself she wouldn't catch feelings. She was just enjoying the view. She wouldn't get this kind of treatment after the divorce, anyway.

Shen Linyan stood up, but realized she remained seated.

He looked down to find her staring up at him expectantly, her eyes sparkling.

He paused. "Is something wrong?"

An Ling tilted her body, slowly reclining against the sofa. Her face flushed as she closed her eyes, her voice hesitant and shy. "...Do I have to be asleep for you to carry me?"

Shen Linyan froze.

He stood there for several seconds, stunned. Then, his throat moved as he swallowed. A soft laugh escaped his lips, and he stepped toward her.

An Ling peeked with one eye and cooperatively reached out her arms.

Shen Linyan took her slender wrists, leaning down so she could wrap her arms around his neck.

His well-defined hands securely hooked under her knees while the other supported her lower back. His fingertips brushed against the soft skin of her waist through the thin fabric of her clothes, his warm palm pressing against her curves.

Her body was soft, carrying the faint, lingering scent of citrus and orchids from her shower. The man's breathing hitched for a second, his eyes darkening. In the next moment, he lifted her into a bridal carry, his grip tightening imperceptibly.

Skin pressed against skin; their body heat mingled.

The scent of citrus tangled with the cool, woody notes of his cologne.

The overwhelming masculine aura was almost dizzying. An Ling’s face was so red she didn't dare look up, burying her head against his firm chest instead.

Time seemed to stretch. The short walk to the bedroom felt incredibly long.

*Creak—*

The sound of the door opening felt startlingly loud in the quiet house.

The moonlight from the room spilled through the crack in the door.

Standing at the threshold, the man slowly lowered his head. When he spoke, his voice was hushed and laced with an unmistakable, lingering intimacy.

"My lady... may I come in?"

An Ling’s entire body went stiff.

Saying something like that at a time like this only made her mind flood with the scenes Jiang Mai had described before.

As the heat in her cheeks intensified, she buried her head and gave a tiny nod, her voice as faint as the hum of a mosquito. "...Mm-hmm."

A soft, low chuckle seemed to ripple through the air.

The bedroom door slowly pulled shut, and the man’s broad shoulders gradually vanished behind it.

Darkness reclaimed the hallway, yet a faint, lingering trace of his scent remained, weaving through the air.