"You're too kind..."
Xu Chacha could easily sense the hidden meaning in Wen Mubai's words. She tugged at Wen Mubai's sleeve and pulled him into the dressing room.
When they were alone, Wen Mubai was much more direct, asking, "Does she like you?"
"Maybe, but I just don't like her." Xu Chacha didn't care much; this had happened to her many times before, and she was used to it.
"How about we post a public announcement on Weibo?"
Xu Chacha looked up and exclaimed, but seeing that Wen Mubai's expression didn't seem to be joking, she understood.
"Jealous?"
"It's not that bad." Wen Mubai reached out and pinched a piece of her cheek. "It's just that Teacher Xu thinks I'm not presentable enough and wants to keep our relationship secret."
She knew Yang Liu held no appeal for Xu Chacha, but this time it was Yang Liu, so what about next time? If someone truly appeared whose charm Xu Chacha couldn't resist, would she...?
Wen Mubai shook her head, forcing herself not to think about it. Last night she had a dream from her childhood, the scene of her mother and father arguing was still vivid in her mind, and it had affected her too much.
Xu Chacha slapped her hand away and reached for her phone. "I've noticed that you can be quite the actor sometimes."
"It's nothing, I was just saying it. If I don't want to send it, I don't have to."
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Xu Chacha handed her the phone. "You've already sent it."
Wen Mubai lowered his eyes and saw that Xu Chacha's Weibo homepage had a new post.
Xu Chacha v: My wife @BC Wenmubai
The accompanying photo shows the two holding hands and wearing rings.
Wen Mubai quickly logged into his account and posted a response.
BC Wen Mubai v: My wife @Xu Chacha
Less than a minute after it was posted, fans started shouting in the comments, and the CP (couple) fan supertopic exploded. Many fans started giving away prizes to celebrate, and the excitement was comparable to that of Chinese New Year.
The related hashtag even climbed into the top ten trending topics, while the two people involved were leisurely shopping for groceries and preparing dinner at the supermarket.
"Let's buy a clear broth base." Xu Chacha picked out a pork bone one.
Wen Mubai can't eat spicy food, just like her sister.
"Tomatoes, please."
Normally, she would accommodate Xu Chacha's preference to eat spicy food, but now that she has a cold, she can't eat it.
"Tomatoes are great! I love tomatoes too." Xu Chacha looked around and found the tomato-based soup base on the bottom shelf, then threw in the clear broth packet as well. "Only children make choices, I want them all."
Both of them liked to cook vegetables in hot pot, so they bought very little meat and meatballs. Instead, they lingered in the vegetable section for a long time. When they passed the snack section, Wen Mubai didn't even look at it and skillfully took several bags of dried sweet potatoes from the dried fruit section.
Xu Chacha buys them every time she comes; it's almost become a habit. She always feels like she's missing something if she doesn't grab a couple of bags when she passes by.
The goods filled two large plastic bags. Wen Mubai carried one, and Xu Chacha held the other. The two returned home laden with their purchases.
Even a complete culinary novice like Wen Mubai could handle hot pot with ease.
Xu Chacha went back to her room to change into a thick nightgown, and under Wen Mubai's urging, she took her cold medicine. Then she lay down on the sofa, as limp as a pile of trash.
In the end, it was the aroma of the food that lured her in; after the warm hot pot was eaten, her nose cleared up.
After dinner, she collapsed back onto the sofa, not only by herself but also by pulling Wen Mubai along.
After Wen Mubai sat down, Xu Chacha put her legs on Wen Mubai's thighs.
There are countless ways to watch TV, but this is the most comfortable one for her.
Wen Mubai was already used to it, and even reached out to massage her calves, which were more swollen than usual, and asked, "Does it hurt?"
Xu Chacha stood in high heels all day, so of course her legs were sore.
It's not just sour, it's practically unusable.
"It's so sour, so very sour." She kicked her feet and shoved herself into Wen Mubai's arms, pouting and acting pitiful. "It'll only feel better if a pretty older sister pinches it."
Wen Mubai chuckled a few times, pressing his fingers on her ankle and gently massaging the muscles to loosen them.
The servant hummed softly as he enjoyed her service, his eyes glued to the television. Only when the force was too strong would he turn his head to glare at her.
The television was showing a documentary that Xu Chacha had saved herself. The current scene was a solo interview with an international supermodel, whom Wen Mubai remembered as one of Xu Chacha's many idols.
"You like it that much?"
Xu Chacha nodded, chewing on a sweet potato chip and mumbling, "But I still love my wife the most." (Note: The last sentence appears to be an unrelated advertisement and has been omitted from the translation.)
She always said these words so naturally, but Wen Mubai would feel a sudden jolt of excitement every time.
She remembered what the staff had said that afternoon and couldn't help but ask again.
"What would you do if one day someone comes along who is more worthy of your affection than me?"
Xu Chacha replied without hesitation, "Impossible."
"What if?"
Wen Mubai rarely asked these kinds of questions, but Xu Chacha finally realized something was wrong. Considering Wen Mubai's reaction that afternoon, she knew that this was a sign of Wen Mubai's insecurity.
Although she didn't know why this suddenly happened, Xu Chacha felt it was necessary to give a serious answer.
She straightened up and said seriously, "I said it's impossible, and that's final. It wasn't easy for me to marry you, it would be a waste not to cherish you for seventy or eighty years."
While Wen Mubai was still thinking, Xu Chacha wrapped her arm around her and said, "You're not thinking of cheating on me, are you?"
"..."
"But it's okay, I'll just keep pestering you then."
Wen Mubai frowned and pinched her cheek, "Stop talking nonsense."
"You know I'm talking nonsense." Xu Chacha leaned forward with her chin, her gentle gaze encircling the other person. "Then why are you still thinking such nonsense?"
Wen Mubai lowered his eyes and looked into her clear eyes.
That same look in his eyes again, just like the day I confessed my feelings.
Everyone says she's the rational one, yet she's always easily led by the nose by Xu Chacha with just a glance or a word.
She finally smiled, and so did Xu Chacha.
The act of lowering my head to kiss your lips was an impulse I used to have to suppress, but now it's something I've done countless times with practice.
The hand that was massaging her calf gradually moved upwards, but was pushed away by Xu Chacha, whose cheeks were flushed and who was panting.
"If you keep doing this, you're really going to catch a cold."
"It's nothing." Wen Mubai lowered his head and swallowed the rest of her words.
Author's Note: I might not be able to finish the second half tonight, I'll try my best (runs away). Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants between 2021-05-04 12:13:25 and 2021-05-07 12:07:36!
Thank you to the little angel who threw the rocket: actrecklessly 1;
Thanks to the little angels who threw landmines: Xufeng, 597, very tired confused egg, Yuno, cream (one of whom was kicked out of Europe while trying to smuggle himself into Europe);
Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: Xiao Shiyi (82 bottles); 44218172 (30 bottles); Yi Xun (23 bottles); Mo Yu Qian Xun (19 bottles); biubiubiu (16 bottles); Ju Li Ju Qi (10 bottles); aus (7 bottles); qpal Xianyu, Nianfeng, Liang, Qingran, Xiaowu (5 bottles); Shi Gu zy, a-Xiao Huai Dan (4 bottles); Zi Chuan (3 bottles); h (2 bottles); Ji Si Shao Si Ming, He Jiu, Shen An Nan, Shan Mo Da Yan, She Yu, Shi Mo (1 bottle each).
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 72 Extra 2
The first Spring Festival after the marriage was spent together by the Wen and Xu families. Jianxi's parents had passed away, and she had spent the Spring Festival alone in previous years. After Xu's mother found out, she asked Xu Yanshu to invite her over as well.
The location is the Xu family's villa, with about ten guest rooms, more than enough.
Xu Chacha started taking a break from work a week before the New Year, but Xu Yanshu, a workaholic, was different. On New Year's Eve, she got up and went to the lab. When she came back at noon, she brought Jian Xi, who was wearing a down jacket, back with her.
Xu Chacha dropped the dumpling wrappers in her hand and hugged the person without wiping her hands, "Sister Jianxi, I missed you so much!"
Jian Xi patted her back with a smile, and was about to say "Me too" when Xu Chacha was pulled away by Xu Yanshu with a dark face.
"I'll make you dumplings."
Xu Chacha wrinkled her face, her dramatic side kicking in, "My sister doesn't love me anymore."
Jian Xi patted her, "It's okay, I'll take care of you."
Xu Chacha leaned closer, twisted her body, and deliberately said in a high-pitched voice, "Sister Jianxi is still the best to me, unlike some people..."
Xu Yanshu gritted her teeth, "You wipe your hands and rest, I'll make the dumplings, okay?"
Xu Chacha feigned innocence, "Oh? Just one sister carrying it all? That must be very tiring."
Jian Xi suppressed a laugh, while Xu Yanshu had nothing to say. She could only take advantage of the time she went to the kitchen to wash her hands to send a text message to Wen Mubai.
Xu Yanshu: Come here right now!
Wen Mubai slowly replied with a question mark.
Xu Yanshu took a picture of Xu Chacha and Jian Xi hugging each other.
Xu Yanshu: If she doesn't come back soon, I won't be able to control her anymore.
Wen Mubai replied instantly: Ten minutes
Ten minutes indeed, the doorbell rang precisely on time, and Wen Mubai, carrying large and small bags, was welcomed in by Xu's mother.
"This child, you came all this way, and brought so much stuff with you."
"I bought some more bird's nest from that store you mentioned you liked last time." Wen Mubai put the bag away.
"You're so thoughtful." Mrs. Xu smiled as she took the things and put them away. "You're a little early; the dumplings aren't finished yet."
"It's alright, I'll help out." Wen Mubai pretended to roll up his sleeves.
"No," Xu Chacha stopped her. "You'd better not touch such a difficult dish."
Wen Mubai narrowed his eyes and tugged at her cheek, "How do you know you can't do it if you don't try?"
"Please, please go ahead," Xu Chacha said, not stopping her.
So Wen Mubai washed his hands and stood next to Xu's mother, asking for her guidance.
"Making dumplings is very simple. Just take a wrapper and put it in your palm," Xu's mother said as she demonstrated. "Then put in the filling. If you're not very good at it, put in a little bit first."
Wen Mubai did as instructed and scooped out a spoonful of filling.