Volume One, Chapter Seven: Rejected Advances

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After an unknown amount of time had passed, Duan Yixiao knocked on the door and called out to her for dinner. Jiang Yunmiao came downstairs and sat down at the dining table. She glanced over the dishes before setting her chopsticks down again. The dishes were heavily seasoned, leaving her unable to eat any of them.

"Aunt Qi, could you make me some millet porridge?" Jiang Yunmiao asked politely.

Upon hearing this, Aunt Qi immediately grew displeased. "Oh, why didn’t you say you wanted millet porridge earlier? I cooked so many dishes, not a single one suits your taste? If you don’t eat, isn’t it such a waste?" she said sarcastically, clearly implying that Jiang Yunmiao was being picky and trying to cause trouble.

"When did you start liking millet porridge? Aunt Qi worked so hard on the cooking; at least try a bite," Duan Yixiao narrowed his eyes, a hint of probing in his gaze.

Jiang Yunmiao raised her eyelids and met his gaze. Her clear eyes were like a mountain spring in winter—cold and sharp. "Aunt Qi cooked according to your taste, so of course you have no complaints."

With that, she got up and headed into the kitchen to find ingredients and make the porridge herself.

Aunt Qi cast a resentful glance at Duan Yixiao. Seeing the displeasure on his face, she reluctantly stood up and "considerately" offered, "Maybe I should do it after all."

Duan Yixiao picked up a piece of food and said sternly, "You sit down. Don’t mind her; if she wants to act up, she should know her limits."

Jiang Yunmiao paused. Act up? His voice was low but as chilling as a biting winter wind, piercing to the bone, instantly freezing the blood.

Even though she was thoroughly disappointed in this man, she couldn’t help but shed tears.

Ten years of sincerity, all turned to ruin.

She quietly wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes and pressed the button on the rice cooker.

By the time she finally ate, it was nearly eight o’clock.

Probably hearing the noise, Duan Yixiao came out of the study and sat across from her.

"Are you feeling unwell?" Duan Yixiao noticed her complexion looked poor.

Jiang Yunmiao held the warm millet porridge and sipped slowly, the chill inside her body gradually dissipating.

She raised her eyelids slightly—was this concern from him?

After a slap, followed by a sweet treat—he thought he had her figured out.

But unfortunately for him, she no longer fell for such tactics.

"If you’re not feeling well, can you find someone else to accompany the client tomorrow? I don’t want to play along with you," she said flatly.

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"Yunmiao, I don’t trust anyone else—I only trust you!" Duan Yixiao grasped her hand, his expression serious and sincere.

Jiang Yunmiao slowly lowered her gaze, her eyes calm and still as they rested on his long, graceful fingers.

Once, when he held her hand, it stirred molten waves inside her heart, filling her with secret joy and excitement.

But now, even though his hand was warm, she instinctively felt a physiological aversion.

Holding someone else’s hand meant being their dog.

She subtly withdrew her hand.

"Do you need me to prepare anything?"

Duan Yixiao’s features softened slightly as warmth crept into his usually cold and rigid face. "I’ll bring you the materials later; you can take a look when you have time."

Jiang Yunmiao finished the millet porridge and gently pushed the bowl aside.

Probably weakened after childbirth, she was sweating all over and felt uncomfortable. She took out a tissue to wipe her face.

"Why are you so hot?" Duan Yixiao suddenly noticed the tiny beads of sweat on her forehead and nose, which made her face look translucent and flushed, like a gem veiled in mist. His gaze softened and became almost indulgent.

"Maybe I drank it too quickly," Jiang Yunmiao ignored the tender, affectionate look in his eyes, thinking to herself as she stood up to clear the bowl and quickly go change clothes.

But Duan Yixiao hurriedly tossed the bowl into the kitchen sink, saying considerately, "Aunt Qi will clean up the kitchen tomorrow."

When he came out of the kitchen, the dining room was empty. Looking up, he saw Jiang Yunmiao supporting her waist as she headed upstairs.

For some reason, a heavy, stifling feeling settled in Duan Yixiao’s chest. In the past, Jiang Yunmiao would always wait to go upstairs with him, sharing what she had seen and heard. Even if there was nothing to say, she would make small talk, desperately trying to make her presence felt.

After so many days on the trip, why had she suddenly become so silent?

Was she still angry that he didn’t accompany her on their wedding anniversary?

Jiang Yunmiao returned to the bedroom, washed herself with warm water, changed into clean pajamas, and lay down to sleep.

Half-asleep, she vaguely heard the sound of the door opening.

Shortly after, she felt the bed dip on the other side, then a warm body pressed up against her back.

Startled awake, she switched on the bedside lamp and sat up!

Her abdominal wound throbbed faintly from the movement, but she gritted her teeth and endured it.

Taking a deep breath, she looked coldly at the "culprit," "Why are you here?"

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Duan Yixiao was puzzled by her question.

After a moment, he soothed her, "Did I wake you? I just wanted to keep you company and chat. Didn’t expect you to sleep so early." Jiang Yunmiao used to be a night owl, and it was not even ten o’clock now.

"I haven’t been sleeping well on the boat these past few days," Jiang Yunmiao made up an excuse.

Duan Yixiao gently stroked her head, trying to comfort her. "Sorry, next time I’ll travel with you. Now, sleep—I’m here with you."

Jiang Yunmiao’s eyelids twitched. What? He wanted to sleep with her? Was he out of his mind?

She instinctively scooted away, "No need. You should go back to your own room."

But Duan Yixiao smiled, "This is my room. Are you trying to kick me out?"

As he spoke, he suddenly pulled Jiang Yunmiao into his arms, a suggestive kiss landing on her ear.

Jiang Yunmiao shivered all over and quickly pushed him away.

Duan Yixiao held her hand, thinking she was worried about the baby, and whispered soothingly, "I’ll be careful."

Jiang Yunmiao never expected that after more than six months of no intimacy, Duan Yixiao would suddenly become passionate. Clearly, Chen Nianke had failed in her role as the perfect first love—truly disappointing.

"Duan Yixiao, I’m very tired," she said with a face full of weariness, her resistance evident.

Duan Yixiao noticed her rejection and was surprised. She had never refused his advances before. Why suddenly disdain his closeness?

Deep inside, something important seemed to be slowly unraveling, though he had yet to realize the severity.

"Then rest well. Make sure to cover yourself tonight so you don’t catch a cold," he said sullenly as he got out of bed, looking displeased.

Just as he reached the door, his phone rang.

No need to guess—it was Chen Nianke calling. His voice was as gentle as moonlight flowing on a summer night. "Okay, I’m coming right away."

When Jiang Yunmiao got up to lock the door, she saw Duan Yixiao grabbing his jacket and heading downstairs.

Ha! Very busy indeed.