Chapter 138: My Husband Is Called Hong Chen

Except for the night when Lin Yuxin’s blind date ended in an accident, Hong Chen had been coming and going in a hurry, and before he knew it, he hadn’t returned home for over half a month.

It was just past eight o’clock now. Hong Chen sat on the living room sofa, watching Lin Yuxin in her casual home clothes. She had just come out of the kitchen with a cup of milk tea, a serene smile on her face, carrying it to him like a dutiful young wife. The scene felt strangely bittersweet, as if everything had changed.

“Hm, tea brewed by President Lin herself, so fragrant and rich… pfft.” Hong Chen took a big sip, only to immediately spit it out, sticking out his tongue, which was burnt red, and fanning his mouth with his hand.

It was definitely brewed with freshly boiling water, and in an insulated cup no less—this woman was trying to assassinate her own husband!

Lin Yuxin handed him a napkin and shook her head silently.

Hong Chen wiped his mouth briefly, gave a dry laugh, and said, “Dinner was too salty; my mouth feels dry.”

Lin Yuxin replied calmly, “The food outside is always overloaded with MSG and salt; it’s not good for your health to eat it often. Why don’t you just move back home? Ever since I mentioned you, my mother’s complaints have lessened a lot. I can tell that after the last family dinner with the Lins, her attitude toward you has improved quite a bit.”

Hong Chen said nothing in response. Lin Yuxin gave him a sidelong glance but didn’t press further. Instead, she changed the subject: “Tomorrow’s Friday. After work, I’ll pick up Yufei, and we’ll go to my grandfather’s. Grandma’s birthday banquet is Saturday at noon. What do you say?”

Hong Chen asked, “Any news from my eldest uncle and eldest cousin since they last went back?”

Lin Yuxin thought Hong Chen was still hung up on the blind date incident and sighed helplessly, “You’re still dwelling on that? Yes, my eldest uncle and cousin’s behavior was disheartening. At worst, we won’t associate with them anymore, but we can’t let that stop us from attending grandma’s birthday banquet. Besides, after that incident, they went on a trip abroad. They were supposed to return tomorrow, but unfortunately, my aunt’s family had a death in the elder generation. They have to go there for the funeral, so we won’t run into each other.”

A faint, meaningful smile flickered at the corner of Hong Chen’s mouth. The trip and the funeral were just excuses. The eldest uncle and cousin probably avoided showing up because they were busy seeking medical treatment elsewhere.

That was for the best; running into them at the banquet would only add awkwardness.

“Alright, let’s go together then. But I won’t stay at your grandfather’s tomorrow night. I’ll be there punctually for grandma’s birthday.”

Lin Yuxin knew her grandfather favored boys and never really cared much for their family. Hong Chen, as a son-in-law who had married into the family, was even less welcome. He didn’t insist, just nodded.

After some idle chatting, Lin Yuxin brought out a laptop from the room, apparently ready to dive into work. Suddenly, Hong Chen said, “I saw a big celebrity today—my idol, Qi Junyuan.”

Lin Yuxin’s eyes flashed with a hint of surprise. “What a coincidence—I had dinner with him just the day before yesterday.”

Hong Chen looked over. Lin Yuxin added mysteriously, “His agent approached Lin Feng Trading, asking for an urgent props order for a film shoot. We arranged dinner that night to discuss details. I was surprised Qi Junyuan himself showed up. I even asked him for an autograph on behalf of Yufei.”

It was just a dinner, and Qi Junyuan was still maintaining his disguise, showing no sign of slipping up, which was good.

Hong Chen breathed a sigh of relief but said, “If you’re dining with another man without telling me in advance, at least you should inform me after the fact.”

Lin Yuxin blinked, a teasing glint in her eyes. “What, jealous?”

Hong Chen played along with a smile, then pondered for a moment. “His agent is the same woman who stopped me from entering the Chanel boutique last weekend.”

Hong Chen’s intention was to warn Lin Yuxin. That day at the boutique, the agent had actively approached Lin Yuxin’s team to film, only to be thwarted by Hong Chen. Now, the agent had come back to seek business—her motives were suspicious.

If it were daytime in the office, Lin Yuxin’s intelligence would easily see through it. But at night, at home, in an intimate setting, and with Lin Yuxin no longer treating their marriage as a mere contract, her girlish infatuation was clouding her judgment.

“Hong Chen, you’re a man. You should have a broader mind. Last week at the boutique was just a minor misunderstanding. Do you expect me to reject nearly a million in business over such a small matter? If so, I’m not doing my job as president properly.” Lin Yuxin frowned slightly, her expression serious, a trace of displeasure in her heart.

Previously, when discussing the eldest uncle and cousin, Hong Chen had clearly been resentful over the blind date incident, which was understandable given their ill intentions and serious consequences. But now, Hong Chen was still holding a grudge over a mere quarrel at a boutique—hardly a real conflict. Such pettiness was unwarranted.

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m just worried…” Hong Chen opened his mouth, but Lin Yuxin snorted and cut him off.

“I know what you’re worried about: Qi Junyuan, the prince charming of countless girls’ hearts. I, Lin Yuxin, also love beauty, admire outstanding men, and look up to successful people. But I’m very clear—I am a married woman. My husband is Hong Chen!”

With that, she rose and went to her room.

Hong Chen stared blankly at her slightly sulky back. In the past, he would have thought she was being unreasonable and ungrateful, but now, he held no resentment—only warmth from her last words: “My husband is Hong Chen!”

“Heh, my mistake. You’re not a caged canary; I should help you soar, not clip your wings. I should let you face danger, not smother you in the cradle.” Lighting a cigarette, Hong Chen silently smoked half of it, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. He took out his phone and sent a message: “Pull back tonight. Implement plan B starting tomorrow.”

A shadowy figure leapt over a wall into a suburban resort a hundred miles away. Suddenly, the figure’s phone vibrated. Glancing at the screen, the shadow quickly leapt back outside the wall.

Flipping back their hair and pulling off a black mask, a delicate, enchanting oval face was revealed—it was Qiu!

...

Lin Yuxin didn’t come out after entering her room. Hong Chen figured she was busy with work again and chose not to disturb her, sitting alone in the living room watching TV.

After nearly two hours of movie, Hong Chen checked the time. It was almost eleven. Stretching lazily, he rose and headed to her room.

He hadn’t been inside Lin Yuxin’s room for over half a month. Pushing the door open gently, the familiar scent still lingered. Lin Yuxin was sitting on the bed holding her laptop. She glanced up at him with a hint of disdain. “Finally finished watching TV. Why aren’t you showering yet? You smell sweaty—don’t pollute the air in the room.”

Hong Chen scratched his head. When he left, he hadn’t taken two sets of clothes. Opening the drawer, he found them still there, took one set, and went into the bathroom.

Twenty minutes later, he emerged in a bathrobe. The main light was off; only the bedside lamp was dimmed to sleep mode, casting a soft glow. Lin Yuxin was already lying down, taking up only half the bed. A quilt was spread beside her, with a pillow in the quilt’s center.

Hong Chen walked over, grabbed the pillow, looked at Lin Yuxin’s profile sleeping on her side, then at the head and foot of the bed. A thought crossed his mind: was she letting him choose which side to sleep on?

He quickly dismissed the idea, recalling the awkwardness at the cinema when he had impulsively tried to kiss her but was rejected.

They were only at the stage of holding hands—no kissing allowed, let alone sharing a bed.

Raising his hand to toss the pillow to the foot of the bed, he hesitated and pulled it back. He shook his head; deep down, he resisted sleeping apart. It felt like staying over at someone else’s place—bed, sofa, floor—if he couldn't sleep on the bed, he’d rather sleep on the floor than compromise with the sofa.

Finally, Hong Chen quietly took the quilt off the bed, skillfully laid it out on the floor, lay down flat, and stared quietly at the ceiling, feeling as if he had returned to the starting point, yet this starting point was different from before.

After some time, his eyelids grew heavy, and he gradually drifted into sleep. As his intermittent snores began, Lin Yuxin, lying on her side, slowly turned over, opening bright eyes to quietly gaze at the man on the floor. Her eyes held a trace of childlike grievance and annoyance.

The large white plush toy she clutched was suffering as her arms unconsciously tightened, twisting and distorting it!

...

The next day.

Hong Chen woke up after ten in the morning. Lin Yuxin had already left for work. After a quick wash, he went to the living room and saw breakfast on the table—his favorite pan-fried buns and century egg porridge.

Since Shen Huifang wasn’t home, it was clear Lin Yuxin had gone out early to buy it. A faint smile crept across Hong Chen’s lips. He reheated the porridge in the microwave and sat down to eat.

After only two buns, his phone rang. Seeing it was Qi Gang calling, he frowned. Qi Gang had twenty appointments for consultations starting at one in the afternoon. Why call so early?

After the ringtone went through six rings, Hong Chen finally answered impatiently: “It’s still three hours till one. I’m still sleeping. Can you have some decency?”

Before he finished speaking, Qi Gang urgently said, “Doctor Hong, someone is causing trouble. If you don’t come, the reputation of the health clinic will be ruined.”

Hong Chen’s expression darkened. Qi Gang calling him “Doctor Hong” in such a situation meant others were around. Troublemakers at the clinic again? Could it be Zhong Baotang acting up?

“Zhong Baotang?”

“Yes and no. That Dr. Wang from Zhong Baotang—his master came, personally demanding a duel with you, or else he’ll set up shop outside the clinic.”

Hong Chen sneered. “The young get bullied, the old step in. The old man is the one getting bullied, and now the stubborn old man comes knocking. Fine, I got it—give me fifteen minutes.”