Lu Yanzhi returned home and opened the door to the room Tan Qinyin had been staying in.
He stood in the center of the room, his gaze slowly sweeping over every corner.
Empty.
Only a faint, sweet fragrance lingered in the air—the scent of the perfume Tan Qinyin often used.
Over the past year, he had rarely set foot in this room.
Auntie Liang stood at the doorway, cautiously asking, “Sir, has Madam… moved out?”
Madam had started packing her things two days ago, and this morning, a group of people had come and cleared out all her belongings.
As a rule, she shouldn’t pry into her employer’s affairs, but over the past few months, Madam had always treated her kindly. She couldn’t help but feel reluctant to see the young lady go.
From the very first day she started working in this household, she had sensed something was off.
Normal newlyweds were usually as sweet as honey, weren’t they?
But not only were they not like that, they even slept in separate rooms.
Although Sir treated Madam well, it didn’t feel like a married couple—more like siblings.
But as a professional, top-tier housekeeper, she kept these questions to herself and never spoke out of turn.
“It’s only temporary,” Lu Yanzhi turned around and added, “She’ll be back soon.”
Auntie Liang couldn’t help but ask another question, “Did you and Madam have an argument?”
Lu Yanzhi lowered his gaze, “Auntie Liang, please remember to clean this room as usual every day.”
With that, he turned and walked back to his own room.
Auntie Liang glanced at his somewhat weary back, then at the empty room, and sighed helplessly.
Back in his room, Lu Yanzhi sat down on the sofa, raising a hand to massage his throbbing temples. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a velvet box on the nightstand, and his expression froze.
After a moment of contemplation, he reached out and picked up the box.
Inside the velvet box lay a diamond ring, its platinum band gleaming coldly, with clear engraving on the inside.
He picked up the ring, his fingertips brushing against the cool metal, and his Adam’s apple bobbed heavily.
It was a wedding ring, identical to the one on his own ring finger.
**
In the evening, Auntie Liang prepared a light meal of three dishes and a soup.
Tan Qinyin ate alone, somewhat absentmindedly.
“Miss Tan, is the food not to your liking?” Auntie Liang asked worriedly.
Tan Qinyin shook her head, “No, it tastes great.”
Auntie Liang said, “But you seem a bit listless.”
Tan Qinyin put down her chopsticks, propped her chin on one hand, and asked gloomily, “Auntie Liang, is my relationship with Nan Yu not good?”
Auntie Liang’s expression faltered for a moment before she forced a smile, “No, of course not.”
“Really?” Tan Qinyin lowered her hand, looking puzzled. “Then why do Nan Yu and I sleep in separate rooms?”
Auntie Liang nervously tilted her head and rubbed her forehead, “Well…”
How could she say it was because the two of them weren’t actually married?
Chu Nanyu had already informed everyone in the household beforehand: during Tan Qinyin’s stay here, everything should go according to her wishes, and no one should say anything unnecessary.
“It’s because Sir sleepwalks!” Butler Li walked over with a cheerful smile. “He’s afraid it might disturb your rest, so you usually sleep in separate rooms.”
Auntie Liang quickly chimed in, “Oh, yes, yes! That’s exactly it.”
“Sleepwalks?” Tan Qinyin frowned. “Nan Yu sleepwalks?”
“Yes,” Butler Li replied without changing his expression. “Sir has had this condition since he was a child.”
Tan Qinyin asked, “Is it serious?”
Butler Li said, “Not too bad. It just flares up occasionally.”
Tan Qinyin nodded in understanding, “So that’s how it is.”
It made her think there might be something wrong with their relationship, leaving her depressed all afternoon.
Come to think of it, sleepwalking isn’t something that’s hard to accept—there’s no need to sleep in separate rooms.
Seeing that she had stopped dwelling on it and continued with her meal, Butler Li and Auntie Liang breathed a sigh of relief and quietly retreated to a corner.
Chu Nanyu didn’t return until almost eleven o’clock.
Butler Li took the coat from his hands, and Chu Nanyu asked softly, “How was Miss Tan today?”
“She was fine,” Butler Li hesitated, “it’s just…”
Chu Nanyu’s brow furrowed slightly as he loosened his tie. “Just what?”
Butler Li replied, “During dinner, Miss Tan asked why you two sleep in separate rooms.”
Chu Nanyu’s fingers paused briefly. He lowered his gaze and tugged at the collar of his shirt. “And then?”
Butler Li chuckled, “I lied and said it’s because you sleepwalk.”
Chu Nanyu stared at him silently, while Butler Li continued to smile innocently.
Slowly, Chu Nanyu lowered his hand without saying a word and strode upstairs.
Tan Qinyin had deliberately left her door open. Hearing movement outside, she hurried out and indeed saw Chu Nanyu coming upstairs.
The woman greeted him with a bright, smiling face. “Husband, you’re back!”
Chu Nanyu halted his steps, his eyes meeting her sparkling gaze. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”
Tan Qinyin reached out and wrapped her arm around his. “I was waiting for you to come back.”
Her palm was warm and soft against his arm. Chu Nanyu stiffened slightly, the tension in his shoulders unconsciously easing a little.
“You don’t have to wait in the future. If you’re tired, just sleep first.”
“I’m not tired,” Tan Qinyin pursed her lips, her eyelashes fluttering gently. “I’m sorry, I completely forgot you sleepwalk.”
Chu Nanyu replied, “…It’s fine.”
“I’m glad you’re not upset with me.”
Tan Qinyin smiled again, pulling him toward the room. “Also, I’ve thought about it. Your sleepwalking isn’t a big deal—we can sleep together.”
Chu Nanyu suddenly stopped in his tracks. His hand, tucked in his pocket, clenched unconsciously, his eyes growing deep and intense.
Tan Qinyin was taken aback by his abrupt halt and looked up at him. “What’s wrong, husband?”
The man lowered his gaze, his eyes resting on her hand wrapped around his arm. After a few seconds of silence, he gently pulled his arm back.
“There’s no need,” he said, his voice calm and devoid of emotion. “I’m used to sleeping alone.”
The smile on Tan Qinyin’s face faded slightly, her fingers still hovering in mid-air.
“But…we’re husband and wife,” she said softly. “Sleeping in separate rooms is strange.”
Chu Nanyu didn’t respond to this. Instead, he raised his hand and gently ruffled her hair, his movements brief and restrained.
“Get some rest early.”
With that, he strode straight toward his own room without looking back.
Tan Qinyin stood where she was, watching his retreating figure, her fingers curling slightly.
She lowered her head and looked at her empty palm, pursed her lips, and slowly turned back to her room, closing the door behind her.
Outside, Chu Nanyu paused at his own door, his back turned to her direction, unmoving for a long time.
Only the hand hanging at his side showed slightly whitened knuckles.
**
Midnight Bar, second floor.
Flickering lights cast shadows across Lu Yanzhi’s face as he held a half-finished glass of whiskey on the rocks.
Zeng Yiyang, noticing his grim expression, asked, “Seriously, what’s going on with you?”
Lu Yanzhi took a sip of his drink, his voice hoarse. “Yinyin forgot about me.”
“What do you mean, she forgot about you?” Zeng Yiyang asked, utterly confused.
Lu Yanzhi downed the remaining wine in his glass. “Exactly what it sounds like.”
“Hey, I’m telling you…”
Just as Zeng Yiyang was about to lose his temper, a figure suddenly approached quickly.
Tan Yan’s expression was extremely dark as he grabbed Lu Yanzhi by the collar, his eyes filled with fury. “Tell me, why did Yinyin suddenly pack her things? Did you bully her?”
The movers during the day had told him that some of his sister’s belongings in her room were already packed, clearly indicating she had intended to move out.
Not only that, but his sister wasn’t living with Lu Yanzhi—she had her own room.
“And don’t tell me that since you got married, you’ve been sleeping in separate rooms!”
Zeng Yiyang had initially wanted to step forward, but upon seeing it was Lu Yanzhi’s brother-in-law, he immediately froze.
Lu Yanzhi, still being held by the collar, didn’t resist. He simply tilted his head back wearily. “I didn’t bully Yinyin.”
“You didn’t?” Tan Yan gritted his teeth, tightening his grip. “Then why are you sleeping in separate rooms? Why would she pack her things for no reason? Why did she remember everyone else but forget you?”
Seeing the situation turning tense, Zeng Yiyang quickly stepped in to mediate. “Brother Yan, calm down first. No matter what happened, violence won’t solve anything, right?”
Lu Yanzhi, struggling to breathe from the tight grip, pursed his lips and spoke with difficulty. “She… will remember me.”
Tan Yan stared at him, taking a few deep breaths before slightly loosening his grip, trying hard to suppress his anger. “Lu Yanzhi! My Tan family sincerely gave Yinyin to you in marriage, but you treat her like a decoration! When Yinyin regains her memory, this isn’t over between us!”
With that, he abruptly released his grip, shoving Lu Yanzhi backward.
Lu Yanzhi staggered half a step, steadying himself by holding onto the bar behind him. His collar was crumpled and wrinkled, but he said nothing.
Tan Yan didn’t spare him another glance, turning away with a cold expression.
The tense atmosphere finally dissipated. Zeng Yiyang sighed and glanced at the lifeless Lu Yanzhi. “What exactly happened between you and Qinyin?”
Lu Yanzhi picked up another glass of wine. Only after the liquor slid down his throat did he speak slowly. “Yinyin found out about Shen Yaoyue’s existence.”
**
Early the next morning, when Tan Qinyin came downstairs, Chu Nanyu was already seated at the dining table.
The man was dressed in dark gray loungewear, his posture as straight and dignified as a pine tree. The lines of his profile were sharp and cold as he focused on the documents spread across the table.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up.
The moment their eyes met, Tan Qinyin remembered the events of the previous night and instinctively pursed her lips, turning her head slightly away.
“Morning,” Chu Nanyu said calmly.
Tan Qinyin softly replied with an “Mm,” but unlike usual, she didn’t move closer to him. Instead, she quietly took a seat across from him.
Auntie Liang walked over carrying breakfast, smiling as she said, “Good morning, Miss Tan. Sir specifically waited for you to have breakfast together.”
Tan Qinyin glanced briefly at the man across from her, thanked Auntie Liang, picked up her spoon, and slowly began eating her porridge.
The dining table was quiet, with only the faint sound of spoons clinking against porcelain bowls.
Tan Qinyin kept her eyes lowered, hardly looking in Chu Nanyu’s direction.
Chu Nanyu watched her for a while.
He set down his utensils, lightly tapping the table with his fingertips. “Qinyin.”
Tan Qinyin’s hand, holding the spoon, paused slightly. She didn’t look up immediately, her voice muffled. “What?”
Chu Nanyu didn’t mention the previous night, only softening his tone a little more than usual. “Is your head still bothering you?”
Tan Qinyin pursed her lips, still not looking at him, and replied softly, “No.”
Chu Nanyu spoke again, “I’ll go with you to the hospital this afternoon.”
“No need,” Tan Qinyin finally lifted her head, the corners of her eyes slightly downturned, her tone indifferent. “I’m used to going to the hospital alone.”
As her words fell, the air fell silent for half a second.
Chu Nanyu lowered his gaze, his eyelashes trembling faintly.
After a moment, he simply repeated, “I’ll go with you.”
Tan Qinyin looked at him, feeling a slight tightness in her chest.
“Chu Nanyu,” she suddenly called out.
This was the first time since the car accident that Tan Qinyin had addressed him by his full name.
“Do you not like me anymore?”
After holding it in all night, she finally asked.
Chu Nanyu raised his eyes, sitting up straight, his throat tightening as he spoke with a slight tremor, “Of course not.”
Tan Qinyin pouted, her tone tinged with grievance, “Really? But I feel like you’re not close to me at all. Not only are you unwilling to sleep with me, but you haven’t even called me ‘wife’ or ‘Yinyin’ once.”
Chu Nanyu’s hand resting on the table trembled almost imperceptibly, his amber pupils suddenly darkening.
After several seconds of silence, he spoke again, “Yinyin, I don’t mean to distance myself from you. Please don’t be angry, okay?”
The softened “Yinyin” instantly melted away the unhappiness in Tan Qinyin’s heart.
She bit her lip gently, “Fine, but you’re not allowed to sleep in separate rooms with me anymore!”