WMAW Chapter 17

Zhuang Yi ended up sleeping inside the house after all; it was too pitiful to leave such a tall man curled up next to a shipping box outside, and Zhong Lin wasn’t really heartless enough to let him freeze.

“Wife, listen to me explain,” Zhuang Yi pleaded, kneeling at the bedside after a long night of turmoil, his hair shifting colors with his movements.

“Go ahead, I’m listening,” Zhong Lin said, arms crossed and leaning on a pillow, his tone calm but his expression cold.

Zhuang Yi, who had read his fair share of melodramatic stories, was momentarily stunned; he wasn’t prepared for this. Wasn’t this the moment when his wife was supposed to say ‘I won’t listen’ and he was supposed to dive over and embrace her, leading to unspeakable acts?

“I’m concerned, no, that’s not right, I haven’t been attentive enough. I didn’t even know my wife had been in an accident, that’s my first sin. I speculated about my wife’s hair disrespectfully, that’s the second sin. My greatest sin is making my wife angry, I’m truly sinful, so I must serve my wife well to make amends.”

As Zhuang Yi spoke, he edged closer to the bed, and seeing Zhong Lin’s expression soften slightly, he pounced like a hungry tiger, pinning Zhong Lin amidst the big yellow ducks, ready to prove his prowess. Joking aside, he was not just a clown; he was the kind of domineering CEO who excelled in bed.

“Turn off the light,” Zhong Lin, overwhelmed, insisted stubbornly while there was still a shred of clarity in his mind. He didn’t want to ride a roller coaster, turning his head to be met by a bright yellow duck, which would definitely leave him psychologically scarred, affecting him physically and preventing any future flamboyance.

Naturally, Zhuang Yi complied, reaching over with his long arm to grab the remote from the bedside and dimmed the lights. Darkness enveloped them, and the disrupted efforts to make amends soon continued. In the harmonious atmosphere, Zhong Lin opened his wet eyes, noticing fluorescent spots rhythmically bobbing above in the dark, swaying jauntily.

Truly exhausted, Zhong Lin whimpered and quickly closed his eyes, not wanting to open them again. His psychological shadows were waiting right there!

Wife, squeeze me! Zhuang Yi, inspired, redoubled his efforts. Three children in three years seemed just around the corner! But after his bold endeavor, as soon as it was over, Zhong Lin kicked him out of the bed. Wasn’t it usually time for another round? Why was this time just a thank you for your patronage? Zhuang Yi carefully cleaned up the battlefield, unsure of what he had done wrong.

What’s going on, wasn’t it harmonious? The next day, before going to work, Zhuang Yi was still pondering this matter. Wasn’t he the kind of domineering CEO who really had it together?

At noon, Zhuang Yi, carrying a takeout roast duck from the restaurant, went to Zhong Lin’s studio to have lunch together. He sat rigidly opposite Zhong Lin, diligently preparing several servings of duck for him, stealing glances and hesitating to speak.

“Wife, today many employees complimented my hair,” Zhuang Yi finally found a topic, attempting a smile to win favor. His wife seemed indifferent during the meal, which hurt him. Had his attempt to redeem himself backfired, compounding his sins and wounding his pride as a man?

“Cough, cough, cough.” Zhong Lin choked on his food upon hearing Zhuang Yi’s words. Employees had to praise your hair—they rely on your salary. Even if you were bald, they’d compliment your hair, right, Boss Zhuang? And do they know your hair glows in the dark?

After taking a sip of water to clear his throat, Zhong Lin observed Zhuang Yi’s concerned expression, then noticed the iridescent black atop Zhuang Yi’s head, finding it difficult to articulate.

“Wife, can you tell me what you’re thinking? You never tell me anything,” Zhuang Yi looked down, appearing honest and innocent, a stark contrast to his initial cold demeanor.

“I’d also like to know what you’re thinking, whether you like me or hate me, just tell me.”

Zhong Lin wiped his mouth gracefully, feeling as if devilish horns were sprouting on his head, suddenly elevating his demeanor, “Then I’ll say it.”

Zhuang Yi, with proper etiquette, rested his hands on his knees, listening intently.

“You once said my cooking tastes bad.”

“You said I can’t do anything right, that I’m the vase you hate the most.”

“That I have a ‘love brain.’”

“And you impulsively dyed your hair this, well, indescribable color.” Zhong Lin criticized with disdain, scrutinizing the pale-faced Zhuang Yi, feeling a triumphant reversal of their roles.

“I painstakingly prepared crab meat for you, and all you noticed was that I brought ginger you dislike, without appreciating the pain in my hands.”

“I cooked clam chowder all morning, and just as I was packing it to leave, you said you didn’t want it.”

“You never introduce me to your friends.”

“You told me to buy my own wedding gift.”

“And there’s no wedding ring.”

As he spoke, Zhong Lin truly felt aggrieved, standing up abruptly, his voice rising, “I can’t stand this humiliation; I want a divorce!”

“No, no! No divorce, no, we can’t divorce!” Zhuang Yi quickly stood to persuade Zhong Lin to sit.

“It’s okay, I was joking. Just dye your hair back.” The office staff quietly peeked into the boss’s transparent, open-plan office. Zhong Lin, putting away his figurative whip, belatedly started feeling embarrassed.

“I don’t want to introduce you to my friends because Pei Jue isn’t a good person,” Zhuang Yi could hardly refute the other points, but this crisis sense was necessary. He sweated, searching his pockets and pulling out a velvet box, holding it up to Zhong Lin.

Ever since hearing from Zhong Da that Zhong Lin liked shiny things, the wealthy Zhuang Yi had someone wholesale a bunch of diamond rings. He planned to give one each day; fortunately, he hadn’t acted rashly, or else his attempt to flatter might have backfired.

“Wife, can we not divorce? Let’s have a wedding ceremony. Here’s a ring I chose for you, I don’t know if you like it, but marry me, I promise to behave better.” Zhuang Yi awkwardly kneeled on one knee, Zhong Lin, touched and blushing, extended his hand. Zhuang Yi nervously slipped on the ring, grinning as he moved in to kiss Zhong Lin’s hand, finally receiving an “I do.”

In the midst of his joy, Zhuang Yi suddenly noticed an engraving on the ring, recalling something related to the wholesale purchase, and his mood faltered. The atmosphere was just right, and he tried to make up for it, “Wife, if you don’t like the ring, we can buy another one.”

Zhong Lin was pleased, looking down at Zhuang Yi and finding him increasingly appealing. His tone was shy, “Wedding rings shouldn’t be changed lightly; this one is beautiful, I really like it.”

Zhong Lin was genuinely moved, tears welling up as he touched the ring on his hand, feeling an unreal happiness. The size was perfect, the diamond large and sparkling. He leaned in to get a better look, and his smile froze.

Engraved on the band were the words, “Beloved Yi, exclusively yours, Lin.” And on the other side, “Number 1.”

Zhong Lin stared expressionlessly at Zhuang Yi still kneeling on the floor, feeling a rush of blood to his head.

“Wife, listen—listen to my explanation!”