Lu Mother looked Lin Tianxin over, half believing, half skeptical. She shot Lu Ye a glance but didn’t ask further. Instead, she pushed a bowl of warm steamed egg custard toward Lin Tianxin: “Quick, drink this to calm your nerves.”
As Lin Tianxin lifted the spoon, Lu Ye gently held her wrist.
He leaned close, his nose brushing her ear, voice low so only she could hear: “With lips this swollen, can you even eat something hot? I’ll feed you.”
Before she could protest, he scooped a spoonful of the custard, blew on it, and brought it to her lips, eyes mischievous yet serious: “Open your mouth. Or I’ll feed you with my own mouth, let Mom see exactly how your ‘allergy’ happened.”
Lin Tianxin was both angry and embarrassed. She glared at him fiercely but still opened her mouth. The warm custard slid down her throat, yet her cheeks felt even hotter Lu Ye’s gaze clung to her, full of unhidden possessiveness, making her uncomfortable all over.
“Eat slowly, no one’s taking it from you.” Lu Ye smiled, eyes curved in amusement, fingers lightly stroking her wrist. “You’re so tiny you’ll need to eat more in the future. Otherwise, how will you withstand what I put you through?”
“Lu Ye!”
At that moment, Lu Mother came in carrying dishes. Hearing this, she scolded him lightly: “Can you say less nonsense? Tianxin just got frightened don’t scare her further.”
“Mom, I’m just taking care of her.” Lu Ye grinned mischievously, pulling Lin Tianxin closer. His arms nearly encircled her entire waist. “Look how thin she is, I have to be gentle, don’t I?”
His height towered over hers by more than a head. Sitting down, Lin Tianxin’s head reached just to his shoulder. Leaning slightly, he caught the faint scent of her hair and couldn’t help stealing a quick kiss atop her head. His voice muffled: “Besides, caring for your wife is only natural.”
Lin Tianxin froze, wishing she could disappear into the floor.
She pinched his waist secretly, but he grasped her hand in return and pressed it onto his thigh.
His palm was broad and warm, holding her small hand firmly, fingers teasing between hers like playing with a gentle kitten.
“Have some shame!” Lin Tianxin warned quietly.
“My face is big enough, don’t need it,” he replied.
Lu Mother watched, shaking her head helplessly, but didn’t intervene further. She could see that while Lu Ye was mischievous, his affection for Lin Tianxin was genuine his visible adoration was unmistakable.
After the meal, Lin Tianxin tried to help clear the dishes, but Lu Ye grabbed her hand.
“I’ll do it. Your husband isn’t dead. You never did chores at your own home why start acting like my maid just because you’re married to me?” He pressed her hand back onto the sofa and brushed her lips with his thumb. “Sit. Be my pretty supervisor.”
Lin Tianxin froze. Everyone’s daughter-in-law did chores, right? She might not have cooked much in her past lives mostly eating at the cafeteria, spending her time on medicine but still…
Lu Ye rolled up his sleeves, stepping into the kitchen with long legs. His tall frame made the kitchen look like a toy house, yet his movements were quick and precise washing, wiping, drying everything done efficiently.
Lu Mother leaned against the doorframe, smiling: “The sun rises in the west today. Our mischievous boy can actually work.”
“For my wife, I’d go through fire and water. Washing dishes is nothing.” Lu Ye glanced at Lin Tianxin, raising an eyebrow expectantly.
Lin Tianxin turned away, ignoring him.
Lu Ye: “I seriously want to strangle her sometimes… no heart at all!”
He finished drying the last bowl and placed it in the cabinet. Turning around, he saw Lin Tianxin standing at the doorway with a cup of warm water, eyes awkward, as if summoning all her courage.
“Supervisor, checking the results.” He deliberately rolled down his sleeve to reveal his toned forearm, lifting her chin: “Pass. Reward?”
“I’m giving you water,” she said, handing him the cup.
“Reward?” Lu Ye raised an eyebrow, mischief lighting his eyes. “Just a cup of water? Supervisor, you’re stingy.”
He drank it in one gulp.
His Adam’s apple rolled, veins in his neck forming sleek lines. A drop of water slid down his lips, and he casually wiped it away with the back of his hand wild and cocky.
Grinning, he glanced at Lu Mother in the living room, holding Lin Tianxin’s hand as he went out: “Mom, we won’t be back tonight. I’m taking Tianxin for a walk.”
“Alright, don’t bully her,” Lu Mother reminded.
“She won’t bully me, and I wouldn’t dare bully her.” Lu Ye glanced meaningfully at Lin Tianxin, thinking to himself: I’ll only mess with her in bed, and do it thoroughly.
Lu Ye’s car was his own, not military-issued.
He parked in front of the bridal room, and as soon as they entered, he lifted her onto his arm.
“Hold on tight.”
“You’re hurt I can walk myself.” Lin Tianxin hesitated. She clutched his neck tightly he was so tall, her chest pressed against his side.
“Stop talking. Make a sound and I’ll kiss you until you suffocate.”
He carried her into the bedroom, gently placing her on the edge of the bed, fingers lingering at her waist.
Her heart raced; seeing him lean close, she instinctively tilted her face up, eyelashes trembling.
She didn’t mind. Lu Ye’s kissing technique was good gentle, precise.
But he suddenly laughed softly, mischievous: “So obedient? Tilting your head for me to kiss?”
Lin Tianxin blushed furiously and quickly turned away, ears burning: “I-I’m not waiting for you to kiss me!”
“Oh?” Lu Ye raised an eyebrow, leaning closer, breath brushing her ear. “Then why are you tilting your head? To show me your flushed little ears?”
His voice was teasing and seductive. Then he released her hair, smoothing stray strands seriously: “I have something to take care of. I’ll be back later.”
Lin Tianxin blinked. “Something to do? So late?”
Outside, it was dark. What could he possibly be doing?
“A mission I need to handle,” he said lightly. “Don’t wait up, sleep early, lock the door.”
Even if late, he could sneak in through the window locking the door made him comfortable.
“Your wound…” Lin Tianxin frowned, reaching to touch his shoulder, but he moved away.
“It’s nothing, just a small scratch.” He smiled, rubbing her hair. “Be good. Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon to properly ‘mess with’ you.”
The last words were intimate and commanding, making her blush. She still reminded him: “Be careful. Don’t overdo it.”
“Got it, Supervisor.” Lu Ye chuckled, pressing a light kiss to the top of her head. “Sleep well, wait for me.”
He turned and left, footsteps crisp, not lingering. The door closed softly, and the room fell silent.