Chapter 5: You're Filthy

Congli opened the studio door to find mother and son painting on the carpet. Both looked up at once, two pairs of identical eyes fixed on him. Paint marked their faces, and brushes lay scattered around them.

Little Yu rushed over, his eyes shining. “Daddy, you’re home!”

Congli picked him up, then went to Jingwan and helped her to her feet. His first concern was for her. “You’ve worked hard. Are you tired from looking after him?”

She shook her head. “He’s very good. He’s easy to look after.”

She had no experience with other children and didn’t know whether they were all as obedient as Little Yu, who took his bitter medicine without crying or fussing.

Now that Congli was home, their son was his responsibility again. Jingwan left the studio and went straight to the bedroom to wash her face.

* * *

She had just wiped off the paint when strong arms closed around her waist. Congli rested his chin on her shoulder and kissed the sensitive skin at the side of her neck.

She pulled away. “…Don’t kiss me there.”

The skin was thin, and marks showed easily.

His throat worked. “Didn’t you like the jewelry that arrived this afternoon? Why aren’t you wearing it?”

In the past, she had put on every diamond or piece of jewelry he gave her immediately and admired herself all evening, posting pictures to show them off on her social feed. Congli was always the first to like them.

He had checked his phone and refreshed her feed countless times that afternoon, but no new post had appeared. He’d worried she’d hidden it from him, and had even borrowed Assistant Li’s phone to compare. She hadn’t blocked him; she simply hadn’t posted.

Jingwan dried her face. “I like it. What woman doesn’t like diamonds and jewelry? I’m shallow. Give me as much as you want and I’ll take it all.”

“I didn’t post because I was busy painting with Little Yu. I also looked at some designs I made in college.”

She had studied fashion design, but after graduating she’d put down her brushes and devoted herself to romance.

“Do you want to study design again?” Congli asked.

She considered it. “I do, but I’m afraid I won’t have the stamina for the hard work. Let me laze around for a couple more days and think about it.”

She knew herself. If she wasn’t certain, she might give up easily. Better to decide first.

“Tell me whenever you make up your mind. I’ll arrange it.” Congli gathered up her long hair.

“Okay.”

Then neither spoke. The silence made Jingwan uneasy.

She looked at his eyes in the mirror. His desire was unmistakable.

“Do you want to?”

He drew a sharp breath and looked away. “Yes. May I?” he asked carefully.

She turned in his arms to face him. “What if Little Yu comes looking for us?”

Congli could think of nothing else. He bent to kiss her, but she pressed a fingertip to his lips and clicked her tongue.

He withdrew at once, careful not to upset her, disappointment in his eyes.

Jingwan reached for his belt. Before doing anything, she glanced up and pouted. “…You’ll wash my hands for me afterward.”

She had only just washed them.

“All right.” Congli kissed her eagerly, like a traveler in the desert finally reaching water.

Some time passed before the sound of running water filled the bathroom again. Jingwan’s eyes were unfocused for a moment. Impatiently, she wiped her hands on Congli’s tailored shirt, and he let her do as she pleased without complaint.

Her loungewear was rumpled, and she no longer wore anything beneath it. Her eyes and the tip of her nose were red, one shoulder was bare, and her lips were slightly swollen from his kisses.

Perhaps wanting revenge for her exertion, she used the hand she’d just wiped on his shirt to pat his face. “Huo Congli, you’re filthy.”

Her disgust was quite sincere.

Congli knew how much she valued cleanliness and that she truly found him dirty just then. He turned his head to kiss her palm and her fingertips, trying to appease her. “All right, sweetheart. Don’t be angry.”

The sight made her flush. She pulled her hand away, tapping his chin with her fingertips. “Huo Congli!” she warned.

* * *

They had planned to send Little Yu to the old family residence for the night, but having finally felt his mother’s affection that day, he refused to leave.

Congli couldn’t bear to see tears in those eyes so like Jingwan’s, and abandoned the idea.

While he settled their son to sleep, Jingwan lay in bed watching a show with a face mask on. She remembered the sapphire jewelry delivered that afternoon. It was worth more than Ji Huaizhi would earn in a lifetime.

Hooking the necklace, worth several million, casually over one finger, she took a silly photo with the mask still on and posted it to her feed.

The post was meant for Ji. Although she’d blocked him, he would surely find a way to spy on her, even if he had to use a friend’s account. Wouldn’t seeing how well she lived drive him mad?

It was a shame she couldn’t watch his reaction in person.

Within a minute the post had dozens of likes. Congli was first as always, and saved the photo afterward.

Little Yu lay on his father’s chest, his fuzzy head leaning toward the phone. He was too excited to sleep, and Congli couldn’t return to his wife until he did.

“Little Yu, it’s time to sleep.”

The boy lay on him, trying to grow sleepy. Meanwhile, messages appeared in Congli’s group chat with his childhood friends.

Bai Ze: Brother Cong, come out and meet us at the usual place?

Xiao Jin: This guy got back today and won’t stop demanding a welcome-home party.

Congli checked the time. Eight o’clock.

Congli: Getting my son to sleep. Wait a bit.

Little Yu finally succumbed to sleep. Congli slipped quietly out and returned to the bedroom, where Jingwan was lying on her stomach watching her show.

She glanced up. “Is Little Yu asleep?”

“Yes.” Congli sat beside her, noticed her half-dry hair, and fetched a hair dryer without another word. As he dried it, he said, “Bai Ze is back. He’s arranged a small get-together. Xiao Jin will be there too. Want to come?”

“No.” She didn’t hesitate. “Why would you take me to a gathering with your childhood friends? They aren’t bringing dates.”

Congli pressed his lips together and lowered his eyes. “If there’s an event where I need a companion in the future, would you go with me?”

The public knew he had a son, but speculation about which society heiress was the boy’s mother remained rife online.

Jingwan had never wanted anyone to know she was Mrs. Huo, much less appear arm in arm with Congli in front of cameras. She’d been afraid it would upset Ji Huaizhi.

She shifted into a comfortable position. “If you’re not afraid I’ll cause you trouble, I’d be happy to.”

“I’m not. No one would dare make things difficult for you at my side. Even if the sky fell, I’d hold it up for you. What is there to fear, Wanwan?” He rubbed the top of her head gently.

“Hey, Huo Congli.” She put down her tablet. The way his words affected her felt strange, so she hid her embarrassment behind a scowl. “Keep talking like that and I won’t let you out. Those sweet words come so easily. Have you said them to other women?”