When He Siyu left in mid-September, autumn had already settled in by the time he returned.
At 4 p.m., Capital City Pearl Airport was bustling. Ni Yang stood at the first-class arrival gate, holding Cotton Candy—the little dog wearing a red bow tie around its neck.
She watched as several unfamiliar figures walked out, but still no sign of the strikingly familiar He Siyu.
Just as she was about to call him, a tall figure strode out from inside.
A custom-made black suit outlined the man’s exceptional physique.
It might have been an illusion, but the moment he saw her, his cold and sharp features seemed to soften, and his thin crimson lips curved into a faint smile.
Smiling, she lifted Cotton Candy’s little paw and waved it toward him.
No one knew that the moment he stepped out and lifted his gaze, a burst of vibrant green life had suddenly entered his world.
From anticipation to confirmation, his emotions exploded like brilliant fireworks.
This was the first time someone from his family had waited for him at the arrival gate—waiting only for him.
Someone had been waiting even before he got off the plane.
Or earlier—someone had already been waiting for him to come home the moment he left.
He walked forward quickly, but as he got closer, his steps unconsciously slowed.
He saw the girl running toward him with Cotton Candy in her arms.
Her black hair fluttered in the air. Her porcelain-white face was lit with a smile, and the faint dimples on her cheeks shimmered like stars in the night sky—bright and dazzling.
He stared blankly as she approached. The noisy airport faded from his ears; all he could hear was her voice calling him.
“Why did you come out so slowly, He Siyu?”
Only when she stood in front of him did he finally come back to his senses.
He lowered his gaze, looking into her clear tea-colored eyes.
After a moment, he found his voice—low and husky, almost tender.
“My fault. Don’t be mad.”
Ni Yang smiled and pushed Cotton Candy into his arms.
“I’m not mad. Quickly, hold your daughter. I raised her for a month—hasn’t she gotten much fatter?”
He was forced to take the puppy.
Cotton Candy carried Ni Yang’s scent—sweet but not cloying, soft like its name.
Its ears stood upright, pink and clean. No tear stains. Its fur was smooth and untangled, as pure as a cloud.
The little dog looked up at him with round, black, pleading eyes. At just three months old, it already looked like a delicate plush toy.
Ni Yang had taken very good care of it—well-behaved and not noisy at all.
Along the way back to the car, his gaze never left her.
Until they reached the Cullinan.
Ni Yang opened the back door first and took out a bouquet of green bellflowers wrapped in kraft paper.
He looked at her in confusion.
She held the flowers with both hands and handed them to him.
“Welcome home.”
Seeing his stunned expression, she explained casually.
“I’m someone who likes a sense of ceremony. You’ve been away for a month, so of course there should be a celebration when you return. Flowers are necessary. Don’t tell me you’ve never received flowers before?”
Cotton Candy poked its head out and sniffed them.
He freed one hand and took the bouquet. The scent of bellflowers instantly filled his senses.
It wasn’t the first time he had received flowers.
But it was the only time he accepted them willingly.
When he was in school, many girls had given him flowers—he had rejected every single one.
But this bouquet was from his wife.
And he liked it.
Very much.
From the moment he saw her at the airport, he had wanted to pull her into his arms, to feel her breath and body warmth.
Her presence was too bright.
He had the sudden urge to hide that light away, so only he could see it.
On the way back, Ni Yang noticed him placing the flowers carefully on his lap, protecting them so Cotton Candy wouldn’t touch them.
“….”
How absurd.
Then she suddenly remembered—
Starting tonight, they would be living under the same roof.
And strangely enough… she was looking forward to it.
During the month of online chatting, she had sensed his strong possessiveness, though he always tried to restrain it so she wouldn’t feel pressured.
From the airport to the villa, the sun had returned home and the moon had taken over.
By the time the sky darkened, the car entered Yutang Villa.
Uncle Zheng was already waiting at the entrance.
When he saw the car arrive, joy crinkled deeply in his eyes.
That night at the old residence, he had heard how firmly the young mistress defended the master. After returning, he had cried alone under his blanket for a long time. He had watched the young master grow up and knew how difficult his life had been.
When selecting the villa’s housekeeper for the marriage home, he and the young master had met each other halfway. He would take good care of the young mistress and protect her when the master was away—that was his duty.
After getting out of the car, He Siyu held the flowers in one hand and held Ni Yang’s hand with the other. Cotton Candy followed them energetically behind.
Uncle Zheng’s nose stung as he wiped away tears.
Dinner had been prepared by him and the cook earlier in the afternoon.
Dessert was the pastries Ni Yang had made herself.
At the dining table, He Siyu looked across at her as she ate with surprising enthusiasm.
She ate a lot, but her manners remained refined and elegant.
Watching her made his own appetite improve. He even ate more than usual.
After dinner, they went upstairs to the master bedroom.
Ni Yang sat on the bed and watched as he moved his belongings into the adjacent guest room.
She wanted to help, but he refused, so she could only sit quietly and observe.
Soft lighting filled the room. The air carried a faint fruity floral scent.
The large French-style bed was dressed in soft ruffled bedding that she liked.
In the bathroom, He Siyu stood by the sink, silently observing the neatly arranged items on the counter.
Bottles and jars of skincare products.
Several different air-cushion combs.
Hair clips and hairbands in various styles.
Beside his black electric toothbrush sat a pink one.
He didn’t want to move out at all. Her things and his things together looked so harmonious.
His fingers brushed the pocket of his trousers.
Inside was a colorless, odorless sleeping drug.
He had bought it overseas. Just a small amount could make someone fall asleep quickly.
He hadn’t intended to use it on Ni Yang—but she still insisted he move out.
No benefits were allowed.
Then he would have to secure them himself.
When he finally brought out his last belongings from the bathroom, he stood by the doorway, quietly watching her.
Ni Yang suddenly stood up.
Even at a short distance, she could feel his slightly resentful gaze.
She walked quickly toward him and stopped three steps away.
Her eyes flicked to the small box in his hand—razor, electric toothbrush, mouthwash cup.
His belongings were pitifully few. He didn’t even use skincare, yet his skin remained so flawless.
She felt a faint sense of envy.
They were husband and wife, yet sleeping in separate rooms did feel a bit unreasonable.
But they had married quickly—there needed to be an adjustment period.
Yes, that was it.
She softened her voice.
“Can we take things slowly, He Siyu?”
He stepped forward.
Then lifted his hand and gently tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ear.
“Okay.”
He had no choice but to follow her pace.
He was afraid that moving too fast… would scare her away.