The small lounge fell into dead silence.
Yu Mingyuan froze for a second, then laughed: “It’s been so long, but little Jiang hasn’t changed at all.”
Jiang Linye didn’t even think before replying: “Unlike you. Age catches up fast.”
Tang Ning blinked and gently pinched the tip of his finger.
She could sense an almost sword-drawn hostility radiating from him, though she didn’t understand where it was coming from.
But Jiang Linye’s grip didn’t loosen at all. His jaw clenched tight as he stared fixedly at Yu Mingyuan.
Yu Mingyuan, on the other hand, stayed relaxed: “Ningning, the opening ceremony is probably wrapping up soon. Uncle will head back first.”
Tang Ning obediently: “Goodbye, Uncle.”
“Come visit Uncle’s house sometime when you’re free.” As he brushed past them, Yu Mingyuan paused mid-step and suddenly smiled. “Little Jiang, if you have time, come along too.”
Jiang Linye didn’t respond. His lips pressed into a thin line.
They watched Yu Mingyuan leave the lounge in a good mood.
Once he was gone, the small room was left with just the two of them again.
Jiang Linye still had one hand holding Tang Ning. He simply pulled her right in front of him: “What did he just say to you?”
Tang Ning was dragged over like a little chick: “Just… just that senior living project.”
“Nothing else?”
She looked a bit dazed: “Oh, and he said if I have time, go to his house…”
Jiang Linye cut her off with a frown: “Are you insane? You actually want to go to his house?”
“…No, I was just being polite.”
Tang Ning didn’t quite get it: “Why do you have such strong hostility toward Uncle Yu?”
He scowled: “What did you call him?”
“Un-Uncle Yu…”
That’s what she’d always called him, right?
“You…” Jiang Linye felt a breath stuck in his chest. He lowered his head—and right then met her innocent eyes.
Like a fawn’s eyes—black and white, clear and bright, full of curiosity, even a touch of confusion and wonder.
The little pampered wife after losing her memory was exactly like that clueless, innocent silly-sweet girl from five years ago—
He took a deep breath, pressed his throbbing temple, and finally let go of her: “From now on, remember this: stay far away from him.”
Tang Ning thought for a second. For once, she didn’t argue: “I also think he’s kind of weird.”
After a pause, she added: “He doesn’t feel the same as I remember.”
Ever since she woke up, so many things had changed. Not just this inexplicable bargain husband in front of her—lots of people’s personalities didn’t match what she remembered from five years ago.
Jiang Linye gave a cold laugh. Of course they didn’t match.
The “Uncle Yu” who used to pat her head and say “Ningning is so cute” had nearly tricked her into bed back then.
Before he returned to the country, he already thought Tang Ning’s brain must have been eaten by zombies to agree to every single idiotic condition.
Knock knock knock—
The second knock came. Tang Ning’s eyes lit up. She almost ran to the door: “This time it has to be Jian Wei!”
She excitedly yanked the door open. A flood of sunlight from the corridor poured in.
Jian Wei stood there, holding a mint-green cat carrier in both hands, peeking in cautiously: “President Jiang isn’t here, right?”
President Jiang, standing right behind the door: “…”
He was unhappy. He was about to lose his temper. Why did the assistant he paid double salary still have little secrets with his little pampered wife?
Tang Ning was about to speak when Jian Wei continued: “The calico you liked this morning got adopted at noon, so I brought back a striped tabby instead… Do you mind? If you do, I’ll take this one home myself and find you another calico.”
Tang Ning looked down. Through the transparent part of the carrier, she caught a glimpse of a striped tail curling shyly like a half-hidden pipa, twitching gently.
“No no no.” The moment she saw the fluff, she wanted to scream. She licked her lips, dying to pull the little kitten out and pet it: “I don’t mind. I’ll take it, I’ll take it.”
She reached out excitedly to grab the carrier.
“Tang Ning.” Before she could touch it, Jiang Linye’s cool voice came from behind. “Four hours ago I told you—no cats in the house.”
“I’m not keeping it in your house…” Tang Ning felt a little guilty. Her shoulders shrank instinctively. But she’d already checked—she had other properties under her name, right in the city center. A huge flat where you could literally roller-skate indoors. She wasn’t sure if she lived there normally, but keeping a cat there definitely wouldn’t be a problem. “I’m not keeping it where you live.”
Jiang Linye’s body stiffened slightly. A mocking curve appeared at his lips: “Then whose place are you planning to keep it at?”
“I have other houses under my name…”
Jiang Linye’s head hurt even more.
Even after losing her memory, she was still thinking about moving out.
He said gravely: “I don’t allow it.”
“Why not?”
Jiang Linye’s tone turned ugly: “I said no means no. If you dare bring it home, I’ll throw it out tonight while you’re sleeping.”
“Then why don’t you throw me out instead!” Tang Ning froze for a second, then exploded at his tone. “For fuck’s sake, it’s just keeping a cat in a different house! Are you possessed or something? Why the hell did I marry such an annoying person like you!”
The words had barely left her mouth when the door behind her slammed shut with a loud bang. Jiang Linye grabbed her shoulders, pinned her hard against the door, and shut Jian Wei out completely.
The world spun. The warm yellow light inside the room shattered into countless fragments in her peripheral vision.
In that position, Jiang Linye gripped her chin and forced it down.
He kissed her hard—aggressive, conquering, like he was staking a claim.
Tang Ning blanked for a second. Her whole body was pressed down by him. She immediately started struggling wildly, but she couldn’t move an inch. Trapped in his arms, she whimpered and whined, tears of anger welling up: “You—you fucking psycho, Jiang Linye…”
She pushed at him with both hands, but the man in front of her didn’t budge.
One hand still locked on her chin, the other slid over her neck and stopped on the white little dress. The scorching heat of his fingers jolted her awake in an instant. She bit down hard on his lip.
Jiang Linye winced from the pain, frowning slightly: “Tch…”
Tang Ning seized the chance to shove him away hard, then raised her hand to wipe the smudged lipstick: “Are you fucking crazy?! Every time we fight, this is all you do! Are you some emotionless breeding machine or what?!”
Jiang Linye’s voice dropped low: “Don’t curse at me.”
“When did I curse at you?! Is your ego really that fragile?! And besides…” She thought back—honestly, all she’d said was that he was annoying—and suddenly a massive wave of grievance surged up. “Besides, you’ve said so many humiliating things to me before. What’s wrong with me complaining once? You being annoying is just a fact!”
The last sentence came out almost as a shout.
Jiang Linye looked up at the sound, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face, followed by something almost amused.
After a long pause, he spoke hoarsely: “Haven’t you said a lot too?”
She just didn’t remember.
Sometimes he woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t even understand how they’d ended up like this—who exactly had ruined them.
“Jiang Linye, be reasonable.” Tang Ning took a deep breath. The moisture in her eyes hadn’t fully dissipated; under the light, it made her look especially captivating. “You still don’t believe I have amnesia, so no matter what I ask, you won’t tell me—fine, whatever, if you won’t believe me, I’ll ask someone else.”
Once she found out, she’d divorce him.
Jiang Linye raised his hand and wiped away the trace of blood she’d bitten onto his lip: “What do you want to know?”
Did she want to know how he’d rushed back to the country in a rage, telling her to snap out of it and not lower her standards for some brain-dead reason? Or how over the years they’d gone from arguments to cold wars to sleeping in the same bed but living in different worlds, only able to barely communicate during the unspeakable moments? Or maybe the melodramatic entanglements from their parents’ generation that had nothing to do with them?
“Just one thing.” Tang Ning sniffled and pulled the door open.
Sunlight streamed across the floor in stripes. Jian Wei had already left—she guessed Jian Wei would take good care of that striped tabby cat.
“Are you actually abusing me?” She paused mid-step, turned back, and asked him calmly, “Otherwise why would someone as healthy as me need to see a psychiatrist?”
The corridor was dead quiet. The air froze for half a second.
Tang Ning didn’t wait for his answer. She finished in one breath, then shook off his hand from her forearm like she was venting, not even glancing back as she walked away.
Leaving Jiang Linye standing there, stunned.
Outside the window, the sunset quietly descended, weaving an evening glow across the balcony. Light spilled through the sill, scattering soft, floating shadows everywhere.
The lounge wasn’t far from the banquet hall; the evening event was probably about to start. A server pushing a food cart passed by and politely asked in a low voice: “Sir, do you need any assistance?”
Jiang Linye stood frozen for a long time before finally snapping out of it: “Thank you, no need.”
The server nodded and left. Jiang Linye stepped back inside and saw the message Chen Liangjun had sent two minutes earlier.
【President Jiang!】
Chen Liangjun had been super efficient today and felt he deserved some praise, a hug, and maybe being lifted high.
【I’ve already brought back all the toys as you instructed and placed them neatly in your living room! Super organized. Do you want me to move them to the bedroom?】
Jiang Linye didn’t reply right away. After a moment of silence, he opened the photo attached.
It showed the living room sofa, completely covered—piled high with Jellycat plush toys. He’d originally wanted them placed on the bed, but he had a thing about cleanliness and didn’t like anyone except Tang Ning going into his bedroom.
Tang Ning seemed to really like little cats, so besides the full classic set of Bashful Bunnies, lambs, and unicorns, he’d ordered the most cats.
“Hard work.”
After a long pause, he spoke hoarsely.
“But no need. The madam… Madam probably won’t be coming home tonight.”