Ji Ying had always been gentle-tempered, never once making anyone truly angry. She was raised as the family’s cherished jewel—so much so that even Ji Huai, the short-tempered “powder keg,” couldn’t bring himself to lose his temper with her. But now, she was troubled. Because Third Brother didn’t seem so easy to coax.
After she pressed a light kiss to the corner of his lips, Fu Jingshen arched his brows but said nothing, waiting idly for her next move.
Still angry? Ji Ying frowned slightly, at a loss, gazing at him.
After a long pause, Fu Jingshen finally responded. His fingertip pressed against her lips, rubbing gently. “Is this your way of coaxing me?”
Ji Ying blinked. *Wasn’t that coaxing enough?*
Fu Jingshen looked at her, pinched her cheek, and suddenly laughed. “Fool.”
“How could I ever be angry with you?”
Ji Ying’s heart skipped a beat. Many people treated her well, but only Fu Jingshen’s kindness made her heartbeat go astray. She turned her face slightly, unconsciously tightening her grip on the wedding ring she had just put on. “That’s good.”
When Ji Ying returned home, her father and brothers were already at work. Only her mother sat waiting on the sofa.
“Nannan, you’re back?” Yu Wanqing quickly stood, asking: “So, how was it? The marriage certificate—let me see.”
Ji Ying instinctively opened her bag, but at that moment remembered.
“…Third Brother has it. He said he’d keep it at home.”
“What? He put it away before I even got a look?” Yu Wanqing froze, then sighed. “Forget it. You should rest—you were up early this morning.”
“I won’t rest.” Ji Ying set down her bag and slowly unbuttoned her shirt cuffs. “I’ll pack some things. Third Brother is coming to pick me up later.”
“You’re moving out today?” Yu Wanqing was stunned. “So soon?”
“It was a last-minute decision.” Ji Ying suddenly couldn’t bear to meet her mother’s disappointed gaze. “Third Brother said the new place is already prepared.”
Yu Wanqing parted her lips, speaking only after a long pause. “…So urgent?”
Ji Ying was already holding the stair rail, turning back with a smile. “Since we’re married, it’s better to spend more time together, to understand each other more.”
“After all, we’ll be together for a lifetime.”
Her words were perfectly reasonable, leaving Yu Wanqing speechless.
Suppressing her reluctance, Yu Wanqing stepped forward. “Then let me help you pack.”
By noon, Fu Jingshen arrived at the Ji residence.
To carry Ji Ying’s luggage, the driver had swapped for a larger vehicle. But when Fu Jingshen stood at the doorway of her bedroom and saw no fewer than five suitcases at her feet, he was momentarily taken aback.
Before the wedding, the Ji family had already provided a detailed record of Ji Ying’s daily routines—down to the fabric and brand of her pajamas.
Seeing her still holding two delicate aromatherapy candles, hesitating between them, Fu Jingshen gently reminded: “These are already at home.”
His gaze then swept lightly over the room filled with qipaos, jewelry, and rare handbags. A pause in his tone: “Are you planning to bring all of these?”
Ji Ying’s face tightened, and she nodded seriously. Setting down the candles, she suddenly opened the door to her walk-in closet. “And these too.”
Faced with the dazzling array of luxury items, even he was momentarily stunned. For the first time, he directly felt the extent of the Ji family’s indulgence toward their daughter.
“These can’t all be moved today.”
Ji Ying clutched the doorframe, her expression instantly falling. “But I can’t live without them.” She turned, hugging the cabinet full of ornate qipaos, her face full of reluctance.
Fu Jingshen stepped inside, his gaze sweeping her boudoir. “There’s a wardrobe prepared for you at home.”
“Does it have this many clothes?”
Fu Jingshen was momentarily speechless. Her closet was filled with treasures accumulated over years—impossible to replicate in the short term. “Not yet.”
Ji Ying blinked.
“But if you like, there will be even more in the future.”
“Third Brother.” Looking at his serious expression, Ji Ying rarely teased, her beautiful eyes curving. “Keeping me will be very expensive.”
“Is that so?” Fu Jingshen raised a brow lightly, smiling. “I’ll be waiting to see.”
This was Ji Ying’s first time visiting the new home at Baiting Garden, a spacious apartment in the city center.
The residence was decorated in refined classical style. The study’s desk and chairs were perfectly proportioned, the tatami soft and comfortable, and even the bathroom’s built-in refrigerator was stocked with the cosmetics she needed chilled.
Perhaps aside from the Ji residence, nowhere else in the world could suit Ji Ying’s tastes better. Standing in the hall, she began to suspect the Fu family had memorized her habits by heart.
“Do you like it?” Fu Jingshen asked softly.
Ji Ying nodded unconsciously. “I do.”
“Don’t you want to see the master bedroom?” Fu Jingshen carried her fifth suitcase inside, his hand resting on the doorknob, turning his head to ask.
“Oh, right.” Ji Ying froze, murmuring. “There’s also the master bedroom.”
She stepped forward, but her pace slowed as she approached.
Though the two families had discussed many details before the wedding, they had deliberately avoided the topic of sharing a room afterward—since that was a private matter between the couple.
Now, Ji Ying’s mind buzzed in confusion— Were they really going to sleep together tonight?
She watched Fu Jingshen open the master bedroom door. Inside was an elegant dark-toned design, furnishings similar to her own room, even the bedside lamp identical in style. The dark curtains at the bay window swayed gently, dimming and brightening with the light.
“Do you like it?” Fu Jingshen asked softly. “It’s designed according to your bedroom’s layout, with a touch of my own taste.”
Ji Ying’s eyes instinctively flicked to the dark-colored bedsheets. *Black sheets—that’s his taste?* she thought.
Fu Jingshen seemed to catch her thoughts and suddenly asked: “You don’t like this bed?”
Ji Ying quickly waved her hands. “No, it’s fine.” Her own sheets were pink—having Fu Jingshen sleep on a pink bed seemed unrealistic.
Seeing she had no objections, Fu Jingshen led her into the room, beginning with the wardrobe. He opened it, revealing neatly arranged men’s and women’s pajamas. Ji Ying glanced at the styles—they were exactly the ones she usually wore.
Below were rows of watches and ties, all belonging to Fu Jingshen.
“Your handbags and jewelry are in the walk-in closet next door.”
Ji Ying: “…Oh.”
The man guided her through the bedroom, from the bathroom to the closet, everything arranged with care and precision. Yet the more she looked, the more distracted she became. Her fingertips curled nervously, words stuck in her throat.
Back in the master bedroom, Ji Ying studied Fu Jingshen’s expression and tentatively spoke: “Third Brother, maybe we should also look at the guest room?”
Fu Jingshen glanced at her, pausing for several seconds.
Ji Ying forced herself to meet his gaze, only to see him suddenly smile, speaking slowly: “The guest room hasn’t been decorated.”
Ji Ying: “?”
Her face froze in disbelief.
Fu Jingshen stepped closer, pressing his palm to the back of her head, leaning down to meet her eyes. “In our home, it’s just us. Why would we need a guest room?”
Ji Ying opened her lips, dryly saying: “What if guests come someday…”
“We’ll deal with it then.”
Ji Ying: “……”
She tried again, searching for a reason. “What if—what if we argue? We couldn’t sleep in separate rooms?”
“If we argue, I’ll sleep on the floor.”
Ji Ying was speechless. After hesitating, she finally reached out, her pale fingers tugging at the hem of his shirt. “Third Brother… won’t it feel strange for you to sleep with me?”
Fu Jingshen raised his brows. “Maybe.”
Ji Ying: “……!”
“But the more we sleep together, the more natural it will feel.”
Ji Ying: “……”
Fu Jingshen then added, his long fingers pulling a card from a drawer in the hall and handing it to her: “There will be an auntie coming every day to cook. I don’t know whose cooking you’ll like best, so I’ve arranged three. And the master chef from Jingyun Pavilion—you can contact him anytime.”
Ji Ying stayed silent. *Why does it make me look like I’m so obsessed with food…*
But right now, her mind was preoccupied with the worry of sharing a room that night. She lowered her head, distractedly tucking away the business card.
“Send me your class schedule.” Fu Jingshen’s fingertips tapped lightly on the table, breaking her thoughts.
Ji Ying: “Oh, okay.” She pulled out her phone and sent him a picture of her timetable.
The man glanced down, then suddenly chuckled. “Pretty free.”
“It’s just fewer classes this semester.” Ji Ying couldn’t help but explain. “But I’m usually quite busy.”
“Busy with what?”
“My advisor gives me lots of extra classical text translations and course papers,” Ji Ying listed. “And my mentor—she often asks me to find materials for her. She’s out doing archaeology, so I help however I can…”
She rambled on, counting with her pale fingers, her face lively and animated.
Fu Jingshen listened quietly, a smile lingering at the corners of his eyes.
Suddenly, he called softly: “Yinghua.”
“Mm?”
“I used to be alone.” He reached out, clasping her fingers, his voice low.
Ji Ying’s words stopped abruptly.
“Now, we’re two.” His tone was deep and soothing, like the notes of a cello. “Thank you for coming to me.”
It was a weekday. Ji Ying had no classes in the morning, which was why she had time to register the marriage. But her afternoon was packed with courses.
Fu Jingshen drove her to the school gate. As she got out, he held her wrist. “I’ll pick you up after class.”
“Alright.” Ji Ying nodded, waved to him in the back seat, and turned into the campus. Only after walking some distance did she slowly exhale.
At noon in the new home, Ji Ying had clearly seen the tenderness in Fu Jingshen’s eyes. To everyone else, he was calm and steady, so any glimpse of emotion from him was enough to shake her heart. In this marriage, from the very beginning, he was the one who had invested more.
Ji Ying spent the afternoon restless, nerves tangled over their first night together. So much so that she messaged Wen Yue on WeChat, sending a cat sticker. [I’m so nervous.jpg]
Wen Yue was already abroad, where it was late at night. But the night owl replied instantly: [What’s wrong?]
[I’m going to live with Third Brother tonight.]
Wen Yue: [What the hell?!] [You two are moving at rocket speed—just got the certificate and already moving in?]
Ji Ying: [It was bound to happen sooner or later…]
Wen Yue: [So… uh, are you two going to, you know, do *that* tonight?]*
Wen Yue: [By the way, do you even know how? Want me to send you a few films—European and American ones, really good~]
Ji Ying’s face instantly flushed red. She tapped quickly on her phone: [No need!]
She had read plenty of explicit literary works before, but never had the desire to explore further.
Wen Yue: [Do you want to? If not, then talk it over with Third Brother first, take it slow.]
Ji Ying: [But I’m afraid Third Brother will be unhappy.]
Wen Yue: [Hey! This kind of thing has to be voluntary, okay? Having a wife like you is his blessing—how dare he be unhappy?]
Reading Wen Yue’s reply, Ji Ying set down her phone heavily, resting her chin in her hand as she gazed out the window.
Third Brother treated her so well; was she being too delicate, too hesitant? But— Could it really happen this fast?
She wrestled with these thoughts until class ended. Leaving the campus, she immediately spotted Fu Jingshen’s car waiting. He was seated inside, reviewing documents, his profile sharp and composed, back to his usual calm.
“What do you want to eat?”
Ji Ying: “Anything’s fine.”
Fu Jingshen still named a few dishes, asking: “Is that okay?”
“Of course.” They were all things he liked.
They returned home in silence and ate dinner in routine order.
That evening, Ji Ying had nothing to do. She sat in the hall, barely noticing what was on the television. With only the two of them in the empty house, every sound seemed sharper, clearer.
“I have a video conference tonight.” Fu Jingshen came over, looking down at her. “You can amuse yourself for a while, alright?”
Ji Ying nodded quickly.
“What time do you want to sleep tonight?” Fu Jingshen leaned slightly closer.
“Ten… ten o’clock, maybe.” Ji Ying’s heartbeat suddenly quickened.
“Good.” Fu Jingshen’s palm cupped the back of her head, his voice calm. “Then wait for me in bed.”
Ji Ying: *?!!*