YJDNY - 69

Xiang Ge didn’t have much to do, and Zhou Xingyan happened to be off work too. It was rare for the two of them to have time together, so she thought they could spend a quiet day at home.

This was what Xiang Ge originally had in mind.

However, Zhou Xingyan’s life during his rest time was very fulfilling—he went to the gym, cycling, and hiking. Although Xiang Ge also frequented the gym due to her profession, it was more like clocking in for work. After working tirelessly for over twenty hours, all she wanted during their day off was to sleep in, then lounge around at noon in her pajamas, snacking, binge-watching TV series, and playing mobile games. Thus, a disagreement arose between the two of them.

Early on their day off, Zhou Xingyan stood by the bed with his arms crossed, using one hand to pull at the corner of the blanket, lifting it slightly, and then swaying it back and forth.

The room carried a faint chill of autumn, and the cold air seeped into the bed through the constantly fluttering blanket. Xiang Ge, with her head buried in the pillow, irritably shook her head, blindly reaching out with closed eyes to pull the blanket back.

She groped for a long while but felt nothing.

Unable to endure any longer, Xiang Ge opened her eyes, her expression on the verge of collapse: “Zhou Xingyan, I haven’t slept for more than twenty hours.”

“It’s already nine o’clock, you’ve slept for ten hours; if you sleep more, you won’t be able to sleep tonight,” Zhou Xingyan remained unmoved, emphasizing the word “nine” as if to say, I’ve already been quite lenient with you.

Xiang Ge glared at him for five seconds, then gave up struggling, sighed, reluctantly propped herself up, sat up, and leaned her head against the headboard, looking at him.

The woman was still in her pajamas, just pulled from the warmth of the covers, her whole body radiating heat. Her black hair was a bit messy, softly draping over her shoulders, the ends brushing against the blanket. Her sleepy eyes revealed a softness that lacked any sense of aggression.

When she was awake, she was mostly vibrant, even when feeling lazy there was a sharpness hidden in her gaze. But this kind of soft appearance could only be seen when she wasn’t fully awake or didn’t want to get up.

Xiang Ge yawned: “It’s our day off today, can’t you stay in bed with me for a while?”

Zhou Xingyan leaned over: “What about going out to play today?”

Xiang Ge looked at him with tearful eyes, jokingly said, “Do you have such heavy tastes? Do you really need to go out? Let’s just play at home.”

Zhou Xingyan hissed and tapped her head: “Go take a shower and change your clothes, then come out to eat.”

Xiang Ge glared at him resentfully but didn’t move, only her eyes darted around. Watching him leave the bedroom and close the door, she immediately plopped down, pulled the blanket over her, and crawled back into bed.

A minute later, her phone started ringing persistently. Xiang Ge answered it with her eyes closed.

On the other end of the line, Zhou Xingyan said: “Uncover the blanket and get up.”

Xiang Ge: “...”

Zhou Xingyan wanted to take Xiang Ge to the central park to ride bicycles. When this suggestion came out, Xiang Ge looked at him incredulously.

Her boyfriend, on what could arguably be considered their first official outing, suggested riding bicycles in the park.

Thinking about it, compared to those who always went to the cinema, Zhou Xingyan was quite innovative.

Xiang Ge was thankful he hadn’t invited her to the gym.

In the end, Xiang Ge firmly refused, and both compromised, deciding to go to the supermarket to buy ingredients to bake cakes at home.

Zhou Xingyan’s house was in a good location, convenient to everywhere. The drive to the supermarket took only about ten minutes. Xiang Ge loved sweets and was much more enthusiastic about baking than cycling. She quickly finished her breakfast and then went to take a shower, apply makeup, and change clothes.

After finishing her makeup and picking out an outfit from a pile of clothes, the two of them went out to the supermarket.

The supermarket was large, and the baking section was separate, located next to the imported food area. There were all sorts of quirky little things and beautiful molds. Xiang Ge browsed enthusiastically until Zhou Xingyan reminded her: “Xiang Ge, where is your phone?”

Xiang Ge made an “Ah?” sound, paused for a moment to realize what he meant, then made another drawn-out “Ahh—” sound.

She tried to recall and realized she probably left it on the counter when locking her bag.

She slapped her forehead and turned to leave: “I’ll go look for it.”

Zhou Xingyan grabbed her: “You wait here, I’ll go.”

The supermarket was crowded, and some time had passed. Xiang Ge wasn’t sure if her phone had been taken. She waited for a while, then browsed through two aisles before heading out to find Zhou Xingyan.

She exited through the no-shopping lane, circled around to the supermarket entrance, and almost immediately upon turning the corner, she saw Zhou Xingyan standing nearby.

And beside him was Lin Ran.

The woman wore white, with short hair whose ends brushed her shoulder blades, giving her a gentle, intellectual beauty.

Zhou Xingyan faced away from her, his expression unseen.

Xiang Ge stood still for a few seconds, sneered, and just as she approached, the gentle and intellectual beauty Lin Ran suddenly raised her arm, as if intending to hug Zhou Xingyan.

Xiang Ge was startled, hurried over in a few quick steps, her high heels clicking crisply on the marble floor. With great agility, she slipped directly between Zhou Xingyan and Lin Ran. Taken aback, Lin Ran ended up hugging Xiang Ge tightly.

Time seemed to freeze for three seconds.

Xiang Ge blinked, breaking the silence first: “Dr. Lin, do you like me this much?”

Zhou Xingyan, pushed aside, was momentarily stunned, then chuckled audibly.

Lin Ran was flabbergasted. After staring at her closely for a moment, she quickly let go.

Once released, Xiang Ge turned around, first glaring fiercely at Zhou Xingyan, who appeared innocent and smiling. Then she turned to face Lin Ran.

She was naturally taller than Lin Ran. Now, with her eyebrows slightly raised, her eyelashes lazily drooping, her black eyes narrow and bright, outlined with fine eyeliner, her lips painted with cherry-red lip gloss moved slowly, speaking in a soft and lazy voice: “If Dr. Lin isn’t busy, shall we chat?”

Xiang Ge was internally delighted, thinking she had performed wonderfully and was extremely glad she spent forty-five minutes doing her makeup and picking out clothes before leaving.

The supermarket was in a commercial district with many coffee shops nearby. Xiang Ge chose one with the most comfortable-looking decor and sent Zhou Xingyan off to buy baking materials, eager to confront her romantic rival.

The café had a minimalist Scandinavian design, with green plants separating each table. Xiang Ge found a spot on the second floor near the staircase corner, secluded and private.

After ordering, Xiang Ge rested her cheek on one hand without any pretense, cutting straight to the chase: “Dr. Lin, let’s not beat around the bush. Stop纠缠 my boyfriend.”

Lin Ran hadn’t expected her to be so direct and was momentarily stunned, her face darkening: “What do you mean by纠缠 my boyfriend?” She raised an eyebrow. “Does dating mean he can’t even talk to other women?”

“It’s fine if he does,” Xiang Ge tapped her cheek slowly with her fingertips, “but if that person is Dr. Lin, then it’s not okay. Apart from necessary professional contact at the hospital, if he so much as looks at you, when we get home, I’ll make him wash his eyes with saline to disinfect them.”

Lin Ran looked at her incredulously and laughed: “I’ve never met a girlfriend like you. Don’t you think you’re being unreasonable? Miss Xiang, even if you’re just Zhou Xingyan’s girlfriend now, let alone his wife, you don’t have the right to restrict him from normal social interactions with other women.”

Xiang Ge lazily tilted her head: “Oh, well, I’m restricting him anyway. Whether he’s my boyfriend or husband, he enjoys being restricted by me. Dr. Lin, you’re an outsider; why are you meddling so much? If you really can’t stand it, tell Zhou Xingyan yourself. Ask him to break up with me. Why pretend to be so refined and reasonable in front of me?”

“And besides, I don’t care about others. I’m specifically restricting you.” Xiang Ge lifted her chin slightly, pushed her coffee cup forward, and smirked at her. “Dr. Lin, now it’s just the two of us. You don’t need to pretend anymore. Let’s talk frankly. You like Zhou Xingyan, and I like him too. Last time at the hospital, I thought I made myself clear enough. At that time, I didn’t know, I wasn’t sure about his feelings. But now I understand—he likes me, and I like him. Are you getting it?”

Lin Ran straightened her back: “How long do you think the mutual affection between you two will last? Aren’t your personalities polar opposites? Two people with no common points, no shared interests, not even similar living habits or ways of dealing with others—you think you two can go far together? Do you think a simple understanding that he currently likes you is enough to sustain a lifelong bond?”

Her words were confident, smooth, and delivered without hesitation, as if rehearsed.

And indeed, every sentence was true.

Xiang Ge and Zhou Xingyan, at first glance, seemed utterly mismatched, impossible to pair together.

Xiang Ge found it amusing and even began to think there was some truth in what Lin Ran said.

Seeing Xiang Ge silent, Lin Ran’s expression grew increasingly confident.

Xiang Ge rested one hand on the edge of the table, lazily smiling: “Yes, I am relying solely on affection.”

Lin Ran was taken aback.

“Our personalities are different, every aspect is different—we are two completely distinct individuals. I even think that precisely because of this, we attract each other and create chemistry. Dr. Lin, you may be visionary, but I am different—I focus on the present. Do you think affection is fragile and easily shattered?” She asked slowly, “What do you like about Zhou Xingyan?”

“Do you think he’s excellent, with a good family background, handsome, dignified, and free of bad habits, seemingly full of virtues?” Xiang Ge smiled, licking her lips, her fingertips slowly rubbing the rim of her coffee cup. “I don’t think so. The first time I saw Zhou Xingyan, I thought he was aloof, arrogant, conceited, acting as if he were better than everyone else, yet still pretending to be dead serious. Every hair on his body screamed for me to rip his skin off. Your affection is a noun; you just think the image he presents to you is excellent, seemingly without reason to dislike him.”

Xiang Ge’s demeanor shifted from her previous lethargy, her black eyes bright as she gazed at her: “But I, I am constant. I’ve seen all sides of him, and every part of him is my favorite. When I see him, my soul boils. Have you ever experienced such an overwhelming affection that makes you overlook everything else? Even when he gets old, turns into a little old man with white hair, suffers from dementia or Parkinson’s, I will still think he’s the most handsome man in the world.”

Lin Ran opened her mouth but couldn’t say anything.

Xiang Ge slumped her shoulders, returning to a relaxed position in her chair, as if the intense person from moments ago wasn’t her: “Of course, I’m not here to compete with you over who loves my boyfriend more. It’s simple logic. Whether a man likes you or has ever liked you, I think no one knows better than oneself, right? Dr. Lin, with your education and family background, you must be accomplished and attractive, surely not lacking quality men around you. Zhou Xingyan is out of the question; he only likes me. He belongs to me in this life and the next.”

She tapped the edge of the table rhythmically, waiting for the other woman’s reaction.

Lin Ran looked at her with a complex expression, then suddenly smiled: “You think Zhou Xingyan only likes you? You think choosing you means you’ve won?”

Xiang Ge raised an eyebrow.

It was like the final act of a play. She heavily emphasized the word “only,” deliberately saving it for last: “Zhou Xingyan had someone he liked in college.”

Xiang Ge raised her eyes but said nothing.

“He really liked that girl. Throughout university, he waited for her, and even after graduation and starting work, his heart only belonged to her,” Lin Ran slowly and clearly articulated as she watched Xiang Ge’s expression. “His feelings for that girl weren’t just simple affection; it was love. Do you think you have the confidence to surpass her existence?”

Xiang Ge just leaned back in her chair, looking at her silently for a long time.

After a while, she finally spoke indifferently: “Zhou Xingyan would never tell me these things.”

“Of course, he wouldn’t.” Lin Ran quickly interjected.

Xiang Ge nodded: “Though I find this a bit pretentious, thank you for telling me.”

“Dr. Lin, I remember mentioning to you before that I’ve known Zhou Xingyan for a very long time. It seems you didn’t understand then, so let me explain plainly. I don’t need the confidence to surpass anyone because that girl... she was me all along.” She smirked, her voice languid. “And, allow me to correct you—this isn’t about Zhou Xingyan choosing me; it’s about us mutually choosing each other.”

Across China’s vast expanse of over nine million square kilometers and its billions of people, the fact that we could meet, recognize, and choose each other...

From acquaintance to commitment, how much courage and profound fate does it take?

Having said all there was to say, Xiang Ge didn’t want to waste any more time. She found Lin Ran’s fluctuating expressions amusing and didn’t say anything more. She picked up her bag, stood up, and prepared to go downstairs.

Just as she reached the staircase, she saw Zhou Xingyan standing midway on the wooden stairs, leaning against the wall, looking up at her sideways.

Xiang Ge was startled: “Are you done with your shopping?”

Zhou Xingyan hummed in acknowledgment and climbed a few steps, extending his hand towards her: “Let’s go.”

Lin Ran had also reached the staircase by this time, somewhat dazedly looking down at the man below.

Zhou Xingyan’s gaze didn’t waver, focused solely on the long-haired girl before him. His usually cold eyes unmistakably carried a tender smile.

It was as if his entire being was filled with her presence alone.

Lin Ran watched as the two descended the stairs. Zhou Xingyan murmured something softly, and Xiang Ge rolled her eyes at him irritably, prompting the man to silently curve his lips upward.

In the six years she’d known him, she’d never seen him wear such an expression.

Not once.

Lin Ran suddenly didn’t know what she’d been persisting in all these years.

Was it unwillingness? Perhaps.

She came from a good family, was beautiful, and excelled in personality and social skills in every way. Any normal man would be moved by such a girl quietly liking and accompanying him for six full years, feeling his vanity satisfied.

Yet he had never shown even a hint of emotion towards her—neither gratitude nor guilt for not reciprocating her feelings.

Lin Ran suddenly recalled Xiang Ge’s earlier assessment of Zhou Xingyan.

Cold-hearted and arrogant.

He was far more than just cold-hearted.

For those he didn’t care about and matters irrelevant to him, he was utterly indifferent, mercilessly so.

Even after getting into the car, Xiang Ge continued her interrogation of Zhou Xingyan.

The man showed no awareness of having done anything wrong, maintaining a cold demeanor that made Xiang Ge grind her teeth in frustration. Sitting in the passenger seat, she leaned over and bit his chin hard: “Zhou Xingyan, you’ve become quite something now, huh? Going to fetch a phone and ending up chatting with your ‘little sister.’”

Zhou Xingyan asked earnestly: “Which little sister?”

Xiang Ge stared at the bite mark she left on his chin, still unsatisfied: “Which other little sister do you have?”

Seeing the woman about to bite again, Zhou Xingyan directly leaned over, pulled the seatbelt beside the passenger seat, tugged it across, pushed the woman back, and clicked it into place: “There’s only one.”

Xiang Ge sneered: “Then wait for her to come out. Dr. Zhou apparently hasn’t finished chatting yet.”

Zhou Xingyan chuckled softly: “What’s there to wait for? She’s sitting right next to me.”

“Oh, I’m not your little sister.”

“Then what are you?”

“Your wife.”

Zhou Xingyan paused, his action of starting the car halting, and turned to look at her.

Xiang Ge tilted her body, looking up at him with a teasing smile: “Husband, call me wife.”

Zhou Xingyan looked down at her, silent, his dark eyes deep.

Xiang Ge frowned discontentedly, urging him: “Are you going to call me or not?”

The woman slightly lifted her head, her lips glistening, her clear bright eyes fixed on him, her brows slightly furrowed, an air of coquettishness.

The two words circled repeatedly in his ears, echoing incessantly.

Zhou Xingyan awkwardly turned his head away.

Xiang Ge, watching his reaction, incredulously complained: “Zhou Xingyan, what’s wrong with you!”

The man started the car, his voice low and hoarse: “Don’t talk.”

Xiang Ge narrowed her eyes: “What? Are you trying to fly? You’re not happy calling me wife? Fine, I don’t want you to call me either! Break up! Stop the car! Zhou Xingyan, slow down, you’re speeding!!”

The traffic light ahead turned red, and Zhou Xingyan stopped the car, turning to look at her.

Before Xiang Ge could scold him, the man opened his hoarse throat: “You want to do it in the car?”

Xiang Ge was stunned, not understanding his abrupt statement: “What?”

Zhou Xingyan lowered his eyes: “Do you want to do it in the car with me?”

If she didn’t understand now, she’d be a fool. Xiang Ge’s eyes widened, her mouth opening and closing, unable to speak just yet.

The man looked deeply at her: “If you don’t want to, then don’t talk.”

Xiang Ge: “...”

Xiang Ge completely had no idea which nerve she had struck in Zhou Teddy until the car raced all the way home. She barely had time to slowly unbuckle her seatbelt before being lifted out of the car.

Zhou Xingyan locked the car with one hand and opened the door with the other. They entered the elevator upstairs, and he began kissing her passionately.

Xiang Ge’s eyes widened in shock, leaning against the metal wall of the elevator while wrapping her arms around his neck in response. After managing to pull away slightly, she panted and asked: “Why are you suddenly so hungry?”

With a ding, Zhou Xingyan carried her out of the elevator, fished out the keys from his pocket to unlock the door, his hoarse voice breathing heavily in her ear: “Call me again...”

Xiang Ge: “...?”

Zhou Xingyan maliciously licked her earlobe, pushing open the door and shutting it behind them, pinning her against the door, his fingers sliding under her clothes: “Call me husband…”

“…”

Xiang Ge understood why the man suddenly acted this way.

The only thing she hadn’t expected was that she completely failed to grasp why the term “husband” triggered him to indulge in unrestrained daytime activities.

That afternoon, the two completely forgot about baking. The ingredients they bought were all left in the car downstairs, untouched.

They even skipped lunch, until Xiang Ge was so hungry she contemplated kicking Zhou Xingyan off the bed. Only then did the man contentedly kiss her lips, roll off the bed, shower, and cook dinner.

That night, Xiang Ge’s long-awaited period arrived.

She looked at the person beside her, caught between laughter and tears: “Is this why you pulled me into indulging in such activities in broad daylight?”

Zhou Xingyan made a sound of acknowledgment, leaning back into the sofa, his expression still tinged with regret.

Xiang Ge rolled her eyes at him, raising her hand to sniff herself: “Alright, alright. Now I feel like I’m covered in the smell of Chinese medicine.” As she spoke, she pulled his arm over and sniffed it like a puppy, then let go, leaning against him on the sofa. “You just smell like... Xing Xing.”

Zhou Xingyan naturally raised his arm and embraced her: “What does ‘Xing Xing’ smell like?”

“It’s just your scent, hard to describe.”

Zhou Xingyan thought for a moment, brushing her disheveled long hair to one side, and repeated in a calm voice: “The scent that makes your soul boil?”

For some reason, when he said such words in his cool voice, it inexplicably sent shivers down her spine.

Xiang Ge paused, turning her head to look up at him, her ears red as she glared at him from below: “Aren’t you being disgustingly cheesy?”

He chuckled: “Did I say that?”

Xiang Ge raised her arm, extending one finger to poke his nose: “A woman will say anything when fighting with her rival. But if you really get dementia or Parkinson’s when you’re an old man, I’ll definitely go straight to the square-dancing gramps and pick one for a late-life romance.”

Zhou Xingyan played with her hair strands in his hand, humming softly: “Then I’ll blend in with the old men and wait for you to come find me for a late-life romance. Don’t even think about anyone else. This life, the next life, every life after— you can only be mine.”

After adjusting to the time difference and resting enough, there was no excuse to slack off before heading to Universal that day. Song Zhi happened to be at the company.

Xiang Ge had made appearances in several shows during Paris Fashion Week, drawing some attention. Gradually, a few brands reached out to her, though they were mostly niche brands with low recognition.

She hadn’t expected that small, obscure magazine interview to cause a bit of a stir either.

The editor liked her a lot; the title was very eye-catching. Xiang Ge was referred to as a talented model who could surpass Kate Moss and become a miracle in China.

“I’m not the second Kate Moss; I’m just Xiang Ge—” Behind the massive desk, Song Zhi drawled while holding a magazine, reading the interview title aloud and clicking his tongue. “Are you now strutting around with international flair?”

Xiang Ge licked her lips, genuinely agreeing: “I think she nailed it.”

Song Zhi tapped the corner of the desk: “I’ve picked out a few brands for you. Go see your agent later; she’ll help you manage your work going forward.”

Xiang Ge nodded.

“You’re not exactly unknown, especially once the movie comes out next year. You already have a bunch of haters. Be careful with everything you do from now on.”

Xiang Ge nodded again, looking extremely obedient.

Song Zhi found her behavior annoying. She appeared so compliant, but as soon as she left, she would do whatever she wanted anyway.

Impatiently, he waved his hand: “You’re dismissed.”

Xiang Ge cooperated wholeheartedly, almost saying, “Your humble servant takes leave.”

After setting up a few niche brands and runway shows with Chen Mo, Xiang Ge happened to bump into Xu Yiqi.

The woman’s makeup was still impeccable, her eyes peaceful with a hint of weariness.

Seeing her, Xu Yiqi paused, then smiled.

It was a gentle smile, as if she truly saw through and accepted everything. Her calm eyes gazed at Xiang Ge: “I’m sorry about what happened before.”

Xiang Ge didn’t speak, quietly observing her for a moment: “I don’t accept your apology. I’m not used to enemies suddenly switching to our side. Let’s keep things as they are.” She paused before continuing, “Be more careful in the future. Take care of your body and avoid leaving any health issues.”

That night, when Xiang Ge recounted the incident to Zhou Xingyan, she was quite proud of how she handled herself.

Zhou Xingyan sat on the sofa, and she lay stretched across his lap. His warm hand rested on her abdomen, gently massaging.

Xiang Ge munched on candied fruit, wriggling upward, shaking her head and clicking her tongue in admiration: “Xu Yiqi is pretty sharp. How did she fall into such a pit? Love really does make one’s IQ plummet.”

Zhou Xingyan glanced down at her: “Does your stomach not hurt anymore?”

Xiang Ge sucked on her finger, licking off the powdered sugar, turned her head, and looked up at him from beneath, blinking playfully: “This time, it really didn’t hurt much.”

Zhou Xingyan nodded: “Then behave yourself for a while.”

“Where was I misbehaving?” She twisted her head, reaching out for the candied fruit in the box on the coffee table.

She wriggled upward again. Just as her fingertips grasped a piece and she was about to pull back, the back of her head bumped into something firm.

Xiang Ge froze, instinctively turning her head to look up at him.

Zhou Xingyan’s tone was calm: “Your head keeps rubbing around here. It’s making me uncomfortable.”