14 – Competing with the Manly Bitch for the Fish Pond
Yu Ai walked forward in a dazed and absent-minded state, completely unaware of the car following beside her.
Mo Yihan trailed behind, honking the horn. The woman ahead turned around as if startled.
Seeing the car behind her, Yu Ai thought she was blocking the way and immediately snapped back to attention, stepping aside while hurriedly apologizing, “Sorry! Sorry!”
Mo Yihan was both amused and irritated by Yu Ai’s behavior. Why was this woman always so clueless?
He opened the car door and got out. “Yu Ai!”
The woman in front of him froze for a moment upon seeing him, then tried to flee.
But after just two steps, Mo Yihan strode forward, pulled her back, and shoved her into the car.
“What are you… doing?” Yu Ai’s voice faltered as she watched Mo Yihan close the car door. “D-don’t do anything reckless!”
“Heh.” Mo Yihan leaned in, trapping her, one hand braced against the car window behind her. “Are you afraid of me?”
Yu Ai shook her head frantically, still dazed.
“Then why did you run?” Mo Yihan watched as she wrapped her arms around herself defensively.
Yu Ai didn’t answer, shrinking back slightly.
Mo Yihan’s gaze drifted downward. Her dress today was short—unlike her usual work attire—and it gave her a different kind of charm.
“Looking so pitiful. Did your husband run off with someone else?”
“He did not!” Yu Ai retorted loudly.
Mo Yihan shot her a sharp glance. “A moment ago you were timid, and now you dare raise your voice at me? So you really care about that man?”
Yu Ai fell silent again, shrinking back into herself.
“Your husband is so unfaithful, yet you married him anyway. Did you lose your mind?” He had seen it clearly—her husband showed more concern for that plain-looking woman than for her.
“Ying Yi is not like that!” Yu Ai protested.
So his name is Ying Yi?
Mo Yihan studied Yu Ai’s face, pinching her cheeks and tilting her head from side to side.
“Hmm. Maybe he’s not unfaithful—just blind.” Though Yu Ai was a bit timid and only average-looking, she was still far better than that other woman.
He added, “He’s blind, and you’re foolish—to have chosen him.”
Yu Ai retorted indignantly, “He’s still better than you!”
“Better than me?” Mo Yihan narrowed his eyes dangerously.
No man could stand being told another man was better than him!
Mo Yihan leaned closer, his warm breath brushing her face. “Are you sure?”
Suddenly, Yu Ai felt a sharp pain in her ear. “Ah! That hurts!”
Mo Yihan had bitten her earlobe, nibbling and grinding it gently.
Furious, Yu Ai pushed him away. “Let me go!”
She quickly pulled the car door open and fled.
Mo Yihan watched her panicked retreat but didn’t give chase.
Ying Yi?
He took out his phone and sent a message. Within minutes, Ying Yi’s complete profile appeared on the screen.
His slender fingers scrolled through the information.
Professor at A University. Mother is a minor, relatively unknown dancer. Father is a civil servant, a key figure in a government agency.
Decent background, but far inferior to his own. Average-looking at best. He truly couldn’t understand how that foolish woman could be so blind.
…
Yu Ai’s phone chimed. While cooking, she picked it up and glanced at the screen—a final notice from the company’s HR department, urging her to be dedicated and professional.Yu Ai put down her phone and didn’t bother with it at all. She wouldn’t be going to work during this period anyway. After all, a dutiful wife should prioritize her husband above everything else.
As soon as Ying Yi entered the house, he caught the aroma of cooked food. After changing his shoes, he leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching Yu Ai’s busy figure from behind—it felt very warm and cozy.
Yu Ai turned around with a dish in hand. “Ah!” she exclaimed, nearly dropping the bowl. “When did you get back? Why didn’t you make any noise? You scared me half to death.”
Ying Yi stepped forward and took the dish from her. “Let me handle it. You were just too focused on cooking.”
“You came back just in time. I just finished cooking.” Yu Ai fetched two bowls and served rice for both of them.
As soon as they sat down, she picked up a portion of food and placed it in Ying Yi’s bowl. “Husband, you must have been really busy this week, right? You look thinner—eat more.”
“Oh, how is Xiao Hui? Is she feeling better? Nothing serious, I hope?”
“She’s fine, just some stomach discomfort.” Ying Yi asked, “Are you upset that I didn’t come back to send you home?”
“How could I be?” Yu Ai said with a smile. “Xiao Hui is your good friend. My husband is such a proper person—how could he mess around? Right, husband?”
Ying Yi felt a mess inside upon hearing this. Yes, his relationship with Zhou Hui was improper. Yet, when Zhou Hui had held him back earlier, preventing him from leaving, he had wavered. Now, things were getting more and more tangled.
“Husband?” Yu Ai called out to Ying Yi. “Snap out of it. What are you thinking about so deeply?”
Ying Yi immediately snapped back to reality. “It’s nothing. I was just thinking about work.”
“Ah, you’re already home. Why bother with all that? Can’t you just relax properly? You’ve been working overtime for a whole week.” Yu Ai added another portion of food to his bowl. “Eat more. You seem so unsettled.”
Ying Yi looked at the large bowl of rice Yu Ai had piled up for him, along with all the dishes. He wasn’t hungry at all—he had already eaten with Zhou Hui before coming home.
But seeing his wife’s expectant expression, her eyes sparkling, he couldn’t bring himself to say he had already eaten with Zhou Hui. He could only brace himself and force the food down.
Watching Ying Yi’s pained expression as he ate, Yu Ai was secretly delighted. Serves you right, you scumbag—I hope you stuff yourself to death!
She continued piling food onto his plate without pause.
Then, she noticed that the Green Strategy Points above Ying Yi’s head had dropped by two points.
Oh, so you’re resentful even after I cooked for you?
…
That night, after Yu Ai finished showering, she saw that Ying Yi had already turned off the bedside lamp.
It wasn’t even ten o’clock yet. Is he avoiding me because he doesn’t want to do it? You never sleep this early normally. Well, it’s just as well—I don’t want to touch you either. I’d find it disgusting!
At midnight, Ying Yi was sweating profusely from stomach pain. He had eaten too much at dinner, and the rice Yu Ai had cooked was too hard. The pain was so intense that he began experiencing stomach cramps.
Yu Ai, lying beside him, heard the commotion and immediately leaned over to ask with concern, “Husband, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
“Yeah, it’s nothing. Go back to sleep,” Ying Yi replied weakly. It felt as if a heavy weight were pounding against his stomach, causing sharp, throbbing pains.
Suddenly, a warm, small hand pressed against his stomach, kneading it gently but firmly.
“It might be indigestion. Rubbing it will help ease the pain.” Yu Ai turned on the bedside lamp and pulled up Ying Yi’s nightgown, exposing his abdomen.”No need to go through so much trouble, it’ll be fine in a while.” Ying Yi wanted to pull his clothes down when he saw Yu Ai breathing into her palms, quickly rubbing her hands together, then placing her soft little hands over his stomach.
The warm palms pressed against his skin, transferring heat that immediately eased his stomach pain considerably. Ying Yi’s tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed.
“Stomach aches are truly uncomfortable—they shouldn’t be ignored at all. I’ll brew you some stomach-nourishing soup tomorrow. You must avoid spicy food during this period.”
Yu Ai’s words were softly spoken, the warm bedside lamp casting light across her gentle features. A stray lock of hair fell, making her appear exceptionally tender.