Chapter 3: Only Couples in Discord Should Live Apart

Lin Wanbai smiled, her smile graceful and serene as the wind and clouds. She said, "No reason, I just want to live somewhere else."

"I’ll have Aunt Rong come over tomorrow."

"I want to live alone," she emphasized.

Fu Juxing looked at her, silent for a few seconds. "Couples only live apart when they're not getting along."

She was a little annoyed, searching for an excuse but finding none good enough. She didn’t want to mention his affairs outside; it would seem she cared too much, nor did she want to turn herself into a resentful wife.

"If I live with you, how am I supposed to bring Ye Run home? Would you allow it?"

His gaze grew deeper, more intense.

"Are you serious?"

"Of course. Why else would I bother?"

Her heart beat faster, staring at his lips, hoping he'd say something more. Honestly, even if he got angry, that would be fine.

"I can make room for you, cover for you. You know Grandfather would never permit this."

Lin Wanbai laughed, a hollow feeling settling in her heart. She truly had enough. "As long as you don’t mind." She stood up, unwilling to spend any more effort on pleasantries. "I'm going to bed. Do as you please, but beware of thieves—lock the door when you leave."

She turned and went upstairs without a moment's pause. If she stayed longer, she feared she would lose control and argue with him.

The sound of her footsteps faded, and the house fell silent.

Fu Juxing took a cigarette, smoked two puffs, and stubbed it out, a small knot forming on his brow. His peripheral vision caught the corner of a paper bag poking out of the drawer. He closed his eyes and gave a faint, mocking smile.

…

Lin Wanbai bathed, then took a bottle of red wine from the shelf. Lately, she’d become addicted to drinking; without a bottle each night, she couldn’t sleep, her mind always racing.

Once she finished the bottle, she fell asleep.

The wine glass slipped from her fingers, landing on the floor, swaying slightly before settling into stillness.

She didn’t know how much time passed, but Lin Wanbai felt hot, as if something enveloped her and she couldn’t move.

She struggled, her brow furrowed, her voice hoarse: "Don’t hold me so tight."

"It’s my fault."

The voice sounded by her ear.

Lin Wanbai was drunk, confused, but even so, she instantly recognized the person behind her as Fu Juxing. She wanted to resist, but it remained a thought in her mind.

At some point, the room lights had been turned off; she couldn’t see his face, but smelled the fragrance of his shower gel—he must have bathed.

Dominance blended with gentleness, gentleness mingled with calm.

He was always a composed and restrained man. No matter the circumstances—even now—he remained rational.

When she lost control, swept away by emotion, he could still look at her with cool, detached eyes, watching her in her confusion and passion. Like a robot without flesh and blood, simply completing a programmed task.

This feeling was truly awful.

She resisted, grumbling, "Everyone says you’re the perfect husband. What fault could you possibly have!"

He clasped her restless hand. "Not perfect enough."

"Let go!"

Her protests gradually faded, along with her resolve, sinking completely.

Everyone said he was a perfect husband, in every way.

…

After the storm.

Fu Juxing turned on the light. He had no clothes here, so he picked up those scattered on the floor and put them on.

Then, he carried her into the bathroom.

After three years of marriage, he still wasn’t used to being completely open before her.

Lin Wanbai couldn’t be bothered to think about these things now; she was exhausted, her head spinning, not wanting to move even a toe.

Fu Juxing helped her wash, dressed her, covered her with the quilt.

Once everything was done, he stood up, seemingly about to leave.

Lin Wanbai instinctively grabbed his hand, her eyes half-open, looking at him. "Where are you going?"

"To take a shower."

"And then?"

"And then I’ll come back to sleep."

"Oh."

She loosened her grip, then instinctively held him again, bit her lip, and finally let go completely.

Fu Juxing didn’t leave immediately. "If you’re dissatisfied with anything, just tell me directly. I’ll change and do my best."

Lin Wanbai chuckled softly, ruffling her hair, closing her eyes. "I’m not dissatisfied, just tired."

She wrapped herself tightly in the quilt, turned over. "I’m going to sleep. Be gentle, and when you leave, lock the door for me. Good night."

She didn’t sleep at all, not until she heard the door close, the footsteps fade away, and silence fell, as if into a grave.

Afterward, she got up again and took another bottle of wine.

…

The next day, Lin Wanbai slept until the sun was high in the sky.

When she opened her eyes, the soreness in her body told her clearly that what happened last night was real, not a dream. Even after a whole night, his scent still lingered in the room.

Her chest felt tight; she inhaled deeply, exhaled slowly, then sat up, ruffled her messy hair, threw off the quilt, got out of bed, and rummaged through a pile of things for perfume, spraying it all over the room. Only when the scent became overwhelming did she stop, then went into the bathroom to shower.

Downstairs, the house was spotless and tidy.

With drooping eyelids, she wandered like a ghost toward the kitchen.

Reaching the kitchen doorway, she nearly ran into someone.

"Awake," Fu Juxing’s voice.

She looked up; he wore a black shirt with sleeves rolled to his elbows, holding a plate, his expression as usual. "There weren’t many ingredients in the kitchen, so I cooked whatever I could."

She stared blankly, dazed. After a few seconds, she awkwardly stepped aside to let him pass.

Fu Juxing said, "Aunt Rong will be here soon. I have to go to the company."

He lowered his sleeves, fastened the cuffs, took his watch from the table and put it on. From socks to every strand of hair, he was impeccably clean. He always managed to keep himself perfectly groomed, never once slovenly. A man like him was truly presentable.

Lin Wanbai still stood in the kitchen doorway, watching him in a trance.

He came over, straightened her messy hair. "After this week, I’ll be a bit freer."

As he spoke, he leaned in, lips about to press to her forehead. She swiftly avoided him, so the kiss landed on her hair.

She turned straight into the kitchen, replying, "Goodbye."

Just then, the doorbell rang outside.

He went to open the door—it was Aunt Rong arriving.

Aunt Rong came in with bags and packages.

Lin Wanbai, cradling her face, sat in the dining room, not touching her food, only drinking milk.

She watched them chat in the living room.

Fu Juxing turned to look at her; she quickly averted her gaze.

He said, "I’m off to the company."

She waved her hand without looking at him.

He left, and the sound of the closing door echoed in her heart.