Shen Xichuan found an unopened hairdryer in the corner of the master bedroom.
As he walked out of the bedroom holding the hairdryer, his footsteps suddenly paused.
Xu Jialan had her back turned to him, wearing a dark blue satin pajama set while using a towel to dry her damp long hair.
Though it was an ordinary scene, for some reason, Shen Xichuan found it unexpectedly heartwarming.
Xu Jialan lifted her half-dried hair and turned around, spotting the man standing at the master bedroom doorway.
Shen Xichuan snapped back to reality and walked over with the hairdryer.
Glancing at her long hair, he said, “Let me help you dry it.”
Xu Jialan: “?”
Before she could react, Shen Xichuan had already plugged in and turned on the hairdryer.
He held the hairdryer in one hand while gently lifting strands of her hair with the other.
His movements appeared somewhat stiff, yet meticulous.
Listening to the hairdryer’s buzzing and feeling her hair being lifted, Xu Jialan’s body tensed.
She didn’t dare move, holding her breath slightly.
The distance between them closed once more.
That familiar scent enveloped her again – the hormonal aura unique to him.
The warm air felt scorching, heating her face until it burned.
Shen Xichuan inadvertently glanced down, his gaze landing on her pale nape.
The dark blue pajamas made Xu Jialan’s skin appear even fairer.
That porcelain-like complexion seemed etched into Shen Xichuan’s mind.
His movements faltered momentarily.
“Tch—”
A soft gasp sounded near his ear.
Shen Xichuan quickly regained focus, immediately releasing the strand of hair, his voice slightly hoarse. “Sorry, I’ll be gentler.”
Xu Jialan’s ears burned. “It’s fine.”
For the remainder, Shen Xichuan didn’t let his mind wander, carefully drying Xu Jialan’s hair until it was completely dry.
The dark tresses fell smooth as silk down her back.
As the hair slipped through his fingers, only its silky texture remained.
The man reluctantly withdrew his hand. “All done.”
Xu Jialan murmured softly, “Thank you.”
She didn’t dare look up at him.
Shen Xichuan took the hairdryer to the bathroom to put it away.
He glanced toward the figure in the living room, pausing before saying, “You take the master bedroom tonight.”
Hearing this, Xu Jialan turned to face him.
Their eyes met again in the air.
Dressed in loose pajamas with her smooth hair cascading down, Xu Jialan appeared incredibly soft.
That usual aloofness that kept others at bay seemed to have vanished entirely.
Seeing her so delicate and vulnerable, Shen Xichuan’s Adam’s apple moved involuntarily.
He averted his gaze. “I’ll tidy up for you.”
With that, he entered the master bedroom.
Xu Jialan was taken aback and quickly followed.
Just as she reached the bedroom doorway, she saw him preparing to make the bed for her.
For some reason, she suddenly stepped forward and grabbed his hand.
Instantly, both froze.
Xu Jialan abruptly felt the scorching heat beneath her palm, inexplicably burned by it.
She snatched her hand back. “I…”
Shen Xichuan looked down to see the woman before him with ears red as blood, her expression slightly flustered. Though she had been the one to grab his hand, she now appeared as if he had been the one mistreating her.
His eyes darkened, voice somewhat raspy. “What’s wrong?”
Xu Jialan licked her lips, whispering, “I’m only staying one night. There’s no need to go through all this trouble.”
Shen Xichuan glanced sideways at the bed nearby, paused for a few seconds, then spoke, “Alright, let me know if you need anything. I’ll be in the secondary bedroom across the hall.”
Xu Jialan nodded. “Okay.”
The man lowered his gaze to look at her briefly before shifting his attention away. “It’s late, you should rest early. I’m going to take a shower.”
With that, he stepped out of the master bedroom, closing the door behind him.
Hearing the door shut, Xu Jialan closed her eyes and covered her cheeks with her hands.
Oh my god, what was she even saying?
She took a deep breath and opened her eyes.
The master bedroom was tidy, with dark-colored bedding that matched Shen Xichuan’s preferred style.
Two suitcases, packed that afternoon, stood in the corner.
Xu Jialan remained still for a few moments before walking over.
She lifted the blanket, sat on the bed, and slowly lay down.
The bed was spacious, and she occupied only a small portion of it.
If one didn’t look closely, it would be hard to notice someone lying there.
The blanket and pillow carried Shen Xichuan’s scent.
The familiar, faint aroma of agarwood fragrance lingered at the tip of her nose.
Even in an unfamiliar environment, she felt no sense of strangeness at all.
After closing her eyes, she fell asleep within moments.
Shen Xichuan stayed in the bathroom for a good half hour before emerging.
He wore a bathrobe, his short hair still dripping.
The man glanced at the closed master bedroom door and stood still for a long while.
Hearing no movement from inside, he finally turned and entered the secondary bedroom.
That night, one person slept peacefully without dreams, while another lay awake until dawn.
…
The next morning.
Xu Jialan woke up early.
As she stepped out of the master bedroom, she instinctively looked toward the secondary bedroom—the door was shut.
Thinking Shen Xichuan was still asleep, she moved quietly and went into the bathroom to freshen up.
When she finished and came out, just then, the front door lock clicked.
Shen Xichuan walked in from outside, dressed in athletic wear and carrying several bags.
Their eyes met across the room.
Xu Jialan was taken aback. “You went out? So early?”
Shen Xichuan paused, then replied, “I’m used to waking up early.”
He changed into slippers and brought the breakfast over. “I bought some breakfast. Come see what you’d like to eat?”
Xu Jialan glanced down at her pajamas.
Realizing she had just been seen by Shen Xichuan like this, her cheeks grew warm.
“Okay, let me change first.”
With that, she slipped back into the master bedroom.
A few minutes later, she emerged wearing fresh clothes.
They had been delivered by Shen Yankai’s assistant the previous night.
Probably at Shen Xichuan’s request, the style was quite similar to what she had worn the day before.
Xu Jialan went to the dining table and sat down.
Shen Xichuan sat across from her.
He picked up a cup of soy milk and placed it by her hand.
“Thank you.”
Xu Jialan took the soy milk—the temperature was just right.
She took a small sip; the sweetness was to her liking.
Noticing the pleased look in her eyes, the man’s lips curved almost imperceptibly.
He took a sip of his soy milk and said, “I’m off today. I’ll take you to the laboratory later.”
Xu Jialan was slightly surprised. “You’ll take me?”
Shen Xichuan nodded, a faint smile evident in his eyes. “Mrs. Shen, have you forgotten? Your car is still at the laboratory.”
Hearing this, Xu Jialan belatedly remembered. “I… forgot.”
That day they had dinner, he had picked her up.
Yesterday, when they registered their marriage, he had picked her up too.
Her car that she had driven to the laboratory was naturally still parked in the laboratory’s parking lot.
Shen Xichuan looked at her slightly dazed expression and couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Well, with me here, Mrs. Shen doesn’t need to have such a good memory.”