Lin Jianxi went straight to the vanity table, plugged in the hairdryer, and began drying her hair in front of the mirror.
She set the hairdryer to medium power, and the machine emitted a steady “whooshing” sound. She glanced back at the man lying on the bed. This time, she wouldn’t hold back for his sake.
If he woke up, so be it.
They were about to get divorced. Soon, they would be worlds apart. What was the point of being so considerate now?
The noisy hum of the hairdryer throbbed in Jiang Xu’s head. He opened his eyes, his mind buzzing. The hangover was already giving him a headache, and now it felt even worse.
After more than ten minutes, the noisy hairdryer finally stopped. Then came the clinking of bottles and jars, followed by the sound of gentle patting against skin.
Lin Jianxi was doing her nightly skincare routine.
Jiang Xu lifted his slender, well-defined hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. His deep eyes stared blankly at the ceiling.
In the past, Lin Jianxi would have been considerate of him. Her nighttime skincare routine was always quiet—no clinking of bottles, no patting sounds.
She had changed.
A mix of emotions churned inside Jiang Xu. It seemed she was truly determined to divorce him…
Soft footsteps approached. Jiang Xu closed his eyes, his breathing becoming slow and even.
Lin Jianxi turned off the main light, leaving only a warm yellow bedside lamp on, then lifted the covers and slipped into bed.
Lin Jianxi was a light sleeper and often struggled to fall asleep. In the past, when Jiang Xu wasn’t beside her, she would hug his pillow, breathing in its familiar, cool woody scent to drift off.
After two years of marriage, she had grown accustomed to Jiang Xu’s scent. That cool, woody fragrance lulled her to sleep quickly.
Lin Jianxi couldn’t imagine how she would fall asleep without Jiang Xu. Habits were truly frightening things. She wondered if she should just steal his pillow.
Jiang Xu was right beside her. If she moved just a little closer, she could catch his unique scent.
A moment later, Lin Jianxi quietly shifted closer to Jiang Xu’s side. As she neared, that familiar, cool woody fragrance drifted toward her—a scent that carried a hint of restraint and gentleness, utterly intoxicating.
Satisfied, Lin Jianxi closed her eyes. How was this possible? Jiang Xu hadn’t even worn any perfume, and she had helped wipe him down earlier, yet his scent still lingered.
Lin Jianxi clasped her hands together over her chest, repeating in her mind three times: “Sleep well. Don’t cross the line.”
About ten minutes passed.
Jiang Xu turned onto his side, facing Lin Jianxi. A clear, elegant fragrance drifted into his senses. She seemed to be extremely close—he could hear her steady, even breathing.
He slowly opened his eyes. Before him was Lin Jianxi’s exceptionally beautiful face, her skin as pale as porcelain, her long, curled lashes casting delicate shadows under the soft glow of the night light.
Suddenly, Lin Jianxi turned over. Her fair arm wrapped around the man’s lean waist, and with her movement, the collar of her nightgown slipped open, revealing a generous expanse of skin.
Jiang Xu lowered his gaze slightly, his warm hand gently moving the arm draped over his waist. Just as he set it aside, the woman suddenly drew closer, her fair arm tightening around his waist.
Jiang Xu’s brows furrowed slightly. The Adam’s apple in his collar moved faintly as he whispered, “Lin Jianxi?”
Lin Jianxi nestled her head against the man’s neck. She murmured unconsciously, her warm, soft lips brushing against his pale, finely sculpted collarbone.
Jiang Xu’s breathing deepened. Where her lips had touched felt like an electric current shooting straight to his heart. The woman’s warm breath brushed against his neck, sending a tingling sensation through him.
Jiang Xu took a deep breath and closed his eyes. In truth, he had already grown accustomed to this version of Lin Jianxi.
Early the next morning.
Lin Jianxi opened her eyes. The bedroom was filled with the familiar scent of wood. She turned over, and her gaze suddenly met a pair of deep, dark eyes.
Lin Jianxi froze for two seconds, then turned her back to Jiang Xu with utmost naturalness. She lifted her eyelids to glance at the time on the bedside table—exactly seven-thirty.
Lin Jianxi lowered her gaze, lightly biting her lip. Over the past two years, the number of times she had woken up to see Jiang Xu could be counted on one hand. Each time she awoke, the space beside her was cold and empty.
This time, he was still in bed when she woke. The feeling was unfamiliar to her, as if she were still in a dream.
The bedroom was quiet, the air seemingly frozen. The atmosphere was indescribably delicate; if she listened closely, she could even hear each other’s breathing.
Neither of them spoke.
After about ten seconds, Lin Jianxi pursed her lips. “Today is Wednesday. The Civil Affairs Bureau is open.”
Hearing this, Jiang Xu’s brow furrowed slightly, and an inexplicable irritation stirred within him. He responded with a low “Mm.”
The man’s husky voice carried a lazy tone. Lin Jianxi paused for a moment, then pushed back the covers and got out of bed.
The two had breakfast at the Lin family home before returning. On the way back, they maintained a tacit silence.
The car slowly entered the villa gate of Lanxi Garden. Jiang Xu parked the car in front of the courtyard, turned off the engine, and got out. He walked around the front of the car and opened the passenger door.
A pale, slender, and well-defined hand appeared before Lin Jianxi’s eyes. She froze for two seconds before placing her hand in Jiang Xu’s palm. She knew Jiang Xu was putting on an act.
Putting on an act for the servants. Lanxi Garden had several servants, sent by the Jiang and Lin families under the noble pretext of “taking care of their daily lives.”
In reality, they were “spies” dispatched by both families.
As soon as the two entered, hurried footsteps echoed from the entrance hall. The person approaching was Zhong Sao.
“Young Master, Young Mistress, you’re back,” Zhong Sao said with a kind smile. “Madam is here.”
Both Jiang Xu and Lin Jianxi were taken aback, then exchanged a knowing glance before looking away just as tacitly.
Lin Jianxi lowered her eyes and bent down to change her shoes. “Zhong Sao, when did Mother arrive?”
Zhong Sao quickly replied, “A little after eight.”
“I see.” Lin Jianxi nodded and, without even glancing at Jiang Xu, walked straight into the living room.
As soon as Lin Jianxi stepped into the living room, the sight before her made her pause involuntarily.
Qiao Shu sat on the sofa, her pale, slender hands holding a magazine. She wore a dark green cheongsam, her long hair simply tied up with a hairpin. Her profile was gentle and beautiful.
Lin Jianxi was slightly stunned. The cheongsam Qiao Shu wore was one she had tailored for her. The dress carried an indescribable charm on Qiao Shu, perfectly complementing her temperament.
Qiao Shu set down the magazine in her hands and turned her gaze toward the entrance hall. “You’re back. Come, sit down.”
“Good morning, Mother!” Lin Jianxi curved her lips into a smile, stepped forward, and sat down beside Qiao Shu.
“Good morning.” Qiao Shu’s sparkling eyes held a faint smile as her slender hands lifted the teapot, pouring tea slowly into a white porcelain cup.
Jiang Xu’s tall figure stood in the entrance hall. It took him a long moment before he finally spoke. “Mom, why are you here?”
“What? Can’t I come?” Qiao Shu glanced up at him, then picked up the white porcelain cup and handed it to Lin Jianxi.
“Thank you, Mother.” Lin Jianxi took the teacup from Qiao Shu with both hands, her voice softening noticeably.
Jiang Xu’s deep-set eyes flickered with a hint of helplessness as he sat directly on the sofa opposite them. “You know that’s not what I meant. I’m just a little surprised.”
Qiao Shu’s beautiful brows furrowed slightly. “Surprised by what? Did I come at a bad time?”
The corner of Jiang Xu’s mouth twitched as he glanced at the suitcase placed in the corner. “Did you have another argument with Dad? Or did Dad go on a business trip without you?”