Chapter 9: You Have a Home in Jiangzhou?

After a long pause, Xia Wu's voice finally came through the phone. "Ah, I didn't look at the screen, just swiped it open. I'm washing Grandma's hair right now—it's all foam. Can't talk, hanging up."

Then came the busy tone. Xia Wu had hung up.

Xu Ying went back to the courtyard to check. She'd left on her bicycle, but her clothes were still there—she should be back by evening.

With that thought, he took a shower and brought Xia Wu's clothes inside while he was at it.

When the time on his phone screen jumped to eight-thirty, sounds came from the courtyard. Xia Wu was back.

Xu Ying didn't get up, continuing to flip through the book on his bedside table. When Xia Wu walked in and saw him already washed clean, she asked, "When did you get back? Have you eaten?"

"Mm. What about you? What did you eat at Grandma's?" Xu Ying followed up.

"Braised eggplant, pan-fried lotus root boxes, and braised fish roe. All my favorites." Xia Wu seemed in a good mood today, even humming as she headed into the bathroom.

Then she suddenly stopped. She remembered—Xu Ying couldn't stand fish roe. Just the sight of it turned his stomach. So every time, she'd eaten it on the sly, and eventually she'd stopped eating it altogether.

Xu Ying glanced at the bath towel on the bed and said nothing.

When Xia Wu finished washing, her hesitant voice came from the bathroom. "Um, could you hand me the bath towel? I forgot to bring one in."

Before she finished speaking, the bathroom door was pulled open from the outside. Startled, Xia Wu frantically grabbed some nearby clothes to cover herself.

Xu Ying raised an eyebrow. "It's not like I haven't seen it before. What's there to be shy about?"

"That's different! You—just get out, I—I need to get dressed." She snatched the towel from his hand and slammed the bathroom door shut.

The tips of Xu Ying's ears went slightly red, though his expression stayed indifferent.

When Xia Wu came out and was drying her hair, Xu Ying asked, "What did you go to the shop for today? Did you need something from me?"

Xia Wu's hands paused. She remembered—Xu Ying hated it most when she showed up at the shop for no reason. It made him feel like she was keeping tabs on him, and he couldn't stand that. He'd blown up at her over it more than once.

After that, Xia Wu had gone to see him in secret. Not to spy—because she missed him.

"Just passing by," Xia Wu said flatly.

Xu Ying let out a cold laugh. "Where exactly do you 'pass by'?"

Once suspicion takes root, the verdict's already in. Between her and Xu Ying, it had never been like a real couple.

"I went looking for a part-time job today—the bookstore on the new street corner. I start tomorrow. I wasn't going out of my way to find you." Xia Wu carried the wet towel outside as she spoke, hanging it on the rack in the courtyard.

She looked up at the sky. Still a canopy of stars. Tomorrow should be nice weather.

Better bring a parasol. For lunch, she'd eat at the little wonton stall next door.

Xu Ying got up from the bed and walked out into the courtyard, where Xia Wu stood gazing at the sky.

He picked up a palm-leaf fan and swatted the air around her, driving off mosquitoes. "Stop staring. Nothing but mosquitoes out here. Your legs are covered in bites—I'll be scratching them for you all night."

Xia Wu was a mosquito magnet. Every time she got bitten, she made Xu Ying dab cooling oil on the spots.

If she woke up itching in the middle of the night, she'd kick Xu Ying until he scratched them for her.

Xu Ying would always catch her leg half-asleep and scratch the itch.

Xia Wu lowered her eyes. "I won't bother you, then."

She ducked her head and went back inside, got the cooling oil herself, and applied it—without troubling Xu Ying.

A dull ache spread through Xu Ying's chest. He'd said one thing, and somehow she was the one looking wronged.

"Why do you want a part-time job? It's blazing out during the day. It's not far, but in this heat, walking there will wear you out."

"You walk there every day too."

"I'm a guy, and I'm used to part-time work. Can you even sit still in a bookstore? I earn enough for living expenses. You don't need to go out."

The old Xia Wu couldn't have sat still. She was a woman like the wind—free, unrestrained.

But those last few years of marriage had worn away every bit of her individuality.

She'd grown used to being alone, used to quiet, used to days and nights without Xu Ying.

"Then don't worry about it. I have to get up early tomorrow—I'm going to sleep." Xia Wu lay down as she spoke, still hugging her pillow at the far left edge of the bed.

Xu Ying looked at the person beside him for a long moment, then spoke, a little stiffly. "I was out of line just now. I misunderstood you. I thought you..."

Xia Wu didn't turn around, still lying on her side. "Thought I was spying on you? I never had that kind of intention before either. I just missed you and wanted to see you. But if you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do."

She let out a soft sigh. "Don't worry. It won't happen again."

Won't what happen again? Won't go looking for him anymore?

Or won't love him the way she'd once called loving him?

Xu Ying's brow furrowed slightly. He lay down and stared at Xia Wu's back.

Early the next morning, Xia Wu opened her eyes—still tucked inside Xu Ying's arms.

Xu Ying had fine features: long lashes, a straight, elegant nose, a beautifully shaped mouth.

So handsome. After all these years, he still drew her in like this. Call her pathetic if you want—she'd deserved it in her last life too.

Xia Wu lifted the hand from her waist. The moment she moved, Xu Ying woke.

His voice was husky with sleep. "It's still early. Sleep a bit more. I'll go buy you breakfast—we'll leave after you eat."

He rolled out of bed. Xia Wu hurried up too. "I'll eat on the way. I need to get myself ready today."

"Ready for what?" Xu Ying didn't understand.

Xia Wu didn't explain, just rushed into the bathroom and started fussing.

When she came out, Xu Ying's eyes flickered as he looked at her.

Xia Wu had on light makeup—delicate brows and eyes, a face the size of a palm, a slender neck.

She wore a pink-white knee-length dress, her long hair tied back with a camellia scrunchie, a crossbody bag on her shoulder. She looked as lovely and tender as a hibiscus blossom.

"Do I look good? Should I put on lipstick? Orange-red, maybe—something brighter."

Without waiting for an answer, she dug a tube of lipstick from her bag, checked herself in her phone screen, pressed her lips together, and looked quite pleased.

Xu Ying lowered his gaze, sweeping over her feet.

She wore sandals with crystal heels. Her toes were round and pink-tinged, the tops of her feet pale white.

He had to admit it—Xia Wu was truly beautiful. Beautiful from head to toe.

When she wasn't acting up, she was like a fairy. When she was courting disaster, she was a witch.

"Let's go together. I'll ride you. Taking the bike today." Xu Ying wheeled the bicycle into the courtyard, propping it with one foot, motioning for Xia Wu to get on.

Xia Wu didn't refuse. She grabbed a small parasol and tucked it into her bag.

Xu Ying glanced down at the hand gripping his shirt. Xia Wu's fingertips clutched the fabric—she wasn't wrapping her arms around his waist.

Before, she'd have plastered herself against him, felt him up and down first, then held on tight.

It wasn't that Xu Ying hadn't noticed the change in Xia Wu. But wasn't this exactly the change he'd always wanted?

Not clingy, not throwing tantrums, even keeping a sense of propriety.