Volume 1, Chapter 18: Already making yourself at home so soon?

Shen Zhi refused to take a car and instead asked Fu Nanfeng to accompany her for a walk.

He was, of course, more than willing.

The two of them walked quietly side by side for a while. Many times, Fu Nanfeng wanted to confess his feelings, but the words caught in his throat.

He felt it was too soon and feared frightening Shen Zhi, especially since she was not yet divorced.

He worried that if Shen Zhi thought he was taking advantage of her vulnerability, he might never even get the chance to walk alongside her again.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Shen Zhi, her hands clasped behind her back, kept her gaze fixed on her feet as she walked. Seeing Fu Nanfeng remain silent, she finally broke the quiet.

“I’m waiting for you to speak first.”

Shen Zhi looked at him and smiled; he was always like this—ever the gentleman, elegant and respectful of everyone around him.

He Yunshen was different. Though also gallant, his chivalry was laced with a fierce possessiveness.

That night, Shen Zhi did not return home but instead checked into a hotel room alone and slept until dawn.

She had thought He Yunshen would notice her absence, but she hadn’t received a single message or even a greeting until she woke up.

Returning home, an even greater "surprise" awaited her.

As she entered, she noticed a pair of high heels by the door that didn’t belong to her. She also faintly heard voices other than Aunt Wang’s.

A flicker of suspicion arose in her heart, though she dismissed it as impossible.

She slowly moved into the living room, scanning the room. Hearing noise from the kitchen, she turned to look just in time to see He Yunshen, apron-clad, cooking.

She had assumed he was thoughtfully preparing breakfast for her. Just as she was about to greet him, she caught sight of another figure.

It was Zhou Qin, standing beside him, assisting.

When he raised a hand, Zhou Qin knew to roll up her sleeves.

When he reached out, Zhou Qin handed him the necessary seasonings.

Their coordination was flawless.

Every movement felt like a knife twisting in her heart.

This scene, one she had imagined countless times but never realized.

“Sis-in-law, you’re back!”

Zhou Qin turned to see Shen Zhi and greeted her with a smile. “Just wait a little longer, Yunshen will be done soon!”

At that moment, it felt as if she were a stranger in her own home, while they were the affectionate couple.

He Yunshen glanced toward Zhou Qin, his face calm. “You wait in the living room; the meal will be ready soon.”

He seemed unsurprised by her presence.

“Why is she here?”

Shen Zhi asked directly, her tone tinged with displeasure.

He Yunshen smiled as he carried a bowl of soup past her and jokingly said,

“Didn’t you say last time to invite her for a meal? Well, today’s the day.”

“Sis-in-law, don’t listen to him; it’s clearly him who messed up and dragged me here to take the blame,” Zhou Qin teased, glaring at him playfully.

“That’s enough! If you hadn’t tricked me out last night, how would I have missed celebrating Qixi with my sis-in-law? Don’t act innocent after getting your way!”

Though his words were a warning, joy could not be hidden on He Yunshen’s face.

Only then did Shen Zhi realize they had spent last night together, and yet he hadn’t offered an explanation or even noticed her absence throughout the night.

Seeing her displeased expression, He Yunshen placed his hands on her shoulders and gently guided her to sit at the dining table.

Patiently, he explained, “I saw you with Shanshan last night, so I didn’t look for you.”

“As for Qin Qin, I didn’t expect her to come early this morning carrying groceries, saying she wanted to apologize to you. I couldn’t very well ask her to leave.”

Looking at He Yunshen’s sincere expression, Shen Zhi suddenly felt unfamiliar with him.

Before she could speak, Zhou Qin came out of the kitchen carrying a bowl of cold dish. She plopped down and immediately began tasting the food.

“Mmm! The familiar taste. Sis-in-law, come try my brother’s cooking!”

She actually called He Yunshen “brother”?

Shen Zhi was taken aback, yet Zhou Qin’s radiant smile seemed genuine, not feigned.

This left Shen Zhi bewildered.

Wasn’t their relationship ambiguous? Now, it looked more like a normal sibling bond.

He Yunshen smiled as he took his seat, his gaze never leaving Shen Zhi. She could only lift her bowl and watch silently.

“Sis-in-law, you don’t know how much he’s been pushing me. These past days when you weren’t around, he dragged me out to eat simple meals every day. My stomach’s about to give out!”

“Can’t even keep your mouth shut during a meal?”

He Yunshen scolded, glancing at Shen Zhi’s expression.

Zhou Qin snorted. “No wonder sis-in-law’s stomach isn’t well—it’s all because of you! And yet you scold me for not eating properly. Such wasted culinary talent.”

Shen Zhi listened silently to their teasing, feeling restless and unable to touch her food.

She remembered He Yunshen often urging her to eat well—not just a personal concern but extended to others, too.

Speaking of cooking, when he returned to the country, he mentioned cooking abroad. Was that also for Zhou Qin?

So, after their marriage, he left her alone in the country, spent three years abroad with Zhou Qin, and even had a child.

The more Shen Zhi thought about it, the colder her heart grew. Her nails dug so deeply into her palms they reddened.

“Come to think of it, I really couldn’t get used to the food there these years, luckily I had my brother...” Zhou Qin said softly, endlessly.

“Zhou Qin!”

He Yunshen frowned and stopped her. Zhou Qin immediately fell silent.

Shen Zhi abruptly put down her chopsticks and stood. “You two eat. I’m full.”

She then returned to her room, though she hadn’t eaten at all.

“Hey, sis-in-law...”

Zhou Qin’s eyes followed Shen Zhi’s retreating figure, a trace of triumph gleaming in her gaze.

“Shen Zhi...”

He Yunshen wanted to follow but hesitated.

Zhou Qin looked at him with innocent eyes. “Yunshen, go check on sis-in-law. Don’t let her get the wrong idea.”

“Okay, I’ll go see her first.”

Zhou Qin’s gaze burned as she watched He Yunshen go after Shen Zhi. Her gentle eyes instantly turned cold and ruthless.

She had come under the pretense of a gathering, but in truth, to give Shen Zhi a warning. Since she couldn’t push her back at work, she would strike directly at home.

She knew He Yunshen well—being aggressive would only push him away. But by retreating to advance, Shen Zhi would be no match for her.

In the room, He Yunshen’s voice was calm. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

He knew the question was feigned.

Seeing He Yunshen’s expression devoid of emotion, she smiled bitterly and said stubbornly, “If you’re not going to eat properly with her, then why come to me?”

She stood and turned to leave with her suitcase.

He Yunshen hurried forward and caught her suitcase with one hand.

“Where are you going again?”

“None of your business!”

Shen Zhi didn’t glance at him once.

He was surprised by her attitude and said softly, “You always say I’m steady and cold, like a cold-blooded creature. But aren’t you the same? Quiet and unruly.”

Since the day she learned of his relationship with Zhou Qin, Shen Zhi had planned to sever ties completely.

She thought giving him time would make him handle things properly.

But she hadn’t expected Zhou Qin to enter their home so quickly—so fast that she was unprepared.

“I respect your choice.”

Shen Zhi spoke calmly, suppressing the shattered pieces within. Perhaps they were both used to putting on a brave face before each other.

What seemed like a relationship without barriers often hid immense distance.

“What choice have I made, Shen Zhi? Zhou Qin is my sister, unlike some people who play both sides.”

Shen Zhi was speechless at his words, unwilling to respond or explain.

“Go be with your dear sister then. She’ll be crying again soon.”

He Yunshen belatedly asked, “What exactly did you hear that day at home?”