She never lacked admirers, but she had strong personal boundaries.
Usually, guys rarely became her friends, and she never tried to interpret their words or emotions.
But Cheng Jinyu was different.
Every word he said seemed to make her overthink.
After breakfast, Meng Chu tidied up a bit.
She hesitated, wondering whether to go to the company.
Seeing the fever patch still on his forehead, she asked, “Are you still running a fever?”
“No, it’s gone down. Just a bit dizzy and aching. This patch is pretty effective for pain,” Cheng Jinyu said in a lazy tone.
Meng Chu understood that illness came like a mountain and left like silk.
Although the fever was down, some discomfort remained.
Cheng Jinyu looked at her and said softly, “You’re thinking of going to work, aren’t you?”
“You go. I’m fine now. No problem,” he added.
Hearing that, Meng Chu immediately made up her mind.
“I already told my assistant I’m not going to the company today. Contact me via WeChat if there’s anything.”
“Will it affect your work?” Cheng Jinyu lowered his head slightly, speaking softly. “Leaving me alone at home doesn’t matter.”
Meng Chu was resolute. “Of course I won’t leave you alone at home. I’ll stay here all day until you’re better.”
But staying at home could be boring.
Meng Chu suddenly remembered, “Does Momo usually go for a walk in the morning?”
“Yes,” Cheng Jinyu replied.
Meng Chu smiled. “Then I’ll take her for a walk and come back.”
She turned and went to Momo’s room, taking the dog leash along and pulling Momo out.
What she didn’t expect was that Cheng Jinyu was standing at the door to see her off.
“You’re coming down too?” Meng Chu asked in surprise.
Cheng Jinyu slipped one hand into his pocket. “I just want to get some fresh air.”
Makes sense.
Meng Chu changed her shoes and said, “Then we’ll take a walk downstairs and come back.”
“Mm,” Cheng Jinyu nodded and reached out to take the leash.
But Meng Chu refused. “Momo runs around downstairs. I’ll hold the leash.”
She really thought of every detail while taking care of him.
Worried Momo would run off, he might not handle it well.
Since becoming an adult, Cheng Jinyu hadn’t been cared for like a baby.
Though he had assistants and secretaries, they all treated him as the boss—with flattery and fear.
But Meng Chu was different.
She cared for him wholeheartedly.
She never expected any return in taking care of him but still put in her best.
Maybe this was the meaning of marriage.
Cheng Jinyu admitted that their marriage started from his scheming.
He had once thought that the worst outcome might be, as Meng Chu said, they would just be familiar strangers, no longer responsible for each other.
But obviously, everything was now heading toward a better ending than he had imagined.
Cheng Jinyu followed Meng Chu to the elevator.
After going downstairs, they walked along the main road of the residential complex.
It was rush hour, but unlike Meng Chu’s old neighborhood, no cars were visible on the roads here.
They were all parked in the underground garage.
Occasionally, the cleaning ladies were sweeping the grounds.
Gardeners were watering the greenery with hoses.
“This place is so leisurely,” Meng Chu couldn’t help but sigh.
Cheng Jinyu said, “Because it’s morning.”
Meng Chu looked at him and smiled softly. “Not really. You’ve been to my neighborhood, right? Mornings are the noisiest, with everyone rushing to work or school.”
“But it’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed such a leisurely morning,” Meng Chu said wistfully.
The two strolled slowly down the tree-lined path.
She held Momo’s leash, watching it run east and west, sniffing here and there.
Ahead, an elderly couple were walking hand in hand with a small child.
Welcoming the rising sun, the grandparents each held the child’s hands, occasionally lifting her up.
The little one’s silver bell-like laughter instantly filled the path.
Even Momo paused and looked in their direction.
Their eyes met.
Meng Chu smiled at them.
After the couple walked away, Meng Chu softly said, “They look so happy.”
Warm and loving grandparents accompanying their adorable grandchild for a walk.
Cheng Jinyu tilted his head and looked at her. “Maybe in their eyes, we look the same.”
*
That sentence echoed in Meng Chu’s mind even after she returned home.
Did others really think they were a happy couple too?
But recalling just now, the scene of the two of them walking Momo side by side really was a beautiful and happy one.
Meng Chu put down the water bottle she had just finished drinking and suddenly clapped her hands.
At that moment, Cheng Jinyu walked over, holding out a beautiful mug.
“From now on, use this cup to drink water.”
Meng Chu pointed to the water bottle in her hand. “I’m fine using this.”
“That’s for guests,” Cheng Jinyu said calmly.
Then he placed the mug next to his own drinking cup and quietly said, “If you want coffee, the coffee machine is here, and the coffee beans are in that cabinet.”
He explained everything clearly, as if Meng Chu would live here long term.
Meng Chu pursed her lips but didn’t refuse.
“Why don’t you lie down a bit more?” Meng Chu reminded him after he finished speaking.
Cheng Jinyu shook his head. “I’m not used to lying in bed for long.”
So, there really were people in this world who disliked staying in bed.
But they couldn’t just stare at each other all day.
Meng Chu suddenly regretted that she had come too hastily last night and hadn’t brought her work laptop.
“What do you usually like to do?” Cheng Jinyu suddenly asked.
Meng Chu asked seriously, “Is work considered a hobby?”
Cheng Jinyu smiled faintly. “No.”
Meng Chu asked, “Then what do you like to do?”
“Besides work, I play tennis and occasionally attend friend gatherings,” Cheng Jinyu answered honestly.
Meng Chu immediately said, “I also like tennis.”
“To maintain healthy work for fifty years,” Cheng Jinyu said.
Meng Chu: “You’re making fun of me again, aren’t you?”
Cheng Jinyu: “No.”
Their casual chat seemed a good way to pass time.
But soon, her phone rang.
Meng Chu saw it was Gu Ting calling.
She answered.
Gu Ting blurted out, “Meng Chu, are you okay?”
Meng Chu raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with me?”
“I heard from Jiang Xinya that you took the day off. I was worried something happened to you,” Gu Ting’s tone was a bit anxious.
Meng Chu: “Nothing happened. I just can’t go to the company today. If there’s anything, let’s talk tomorrow.”
But Gu Ting wasn’t calling about work.
He kept pressing, “Are you sick? Should I come over and check on you?”
“You’re crazy,” Meng Chu said instinctively.
Cheng Jinyu glanced at her.
Meng Chu was usually calm with him; when upset, it was just a cute flustered look.
He had never seen this kind of aggressive expression from her.
Meng Chu seemed to realize her slip and lowered her voice, “I’m really fine. Someone in my family is sick, so I need to take care of him.”
“Your mother came to Shanghai?” Gu Ting asked.
Because Cheng Jinyu was beside Meng Chu, he caught the fragments of conversation.
This sentence he heard clearly.
Apparently, Gu Ting’s relationship with Meng Chu was more than just partners.
He knew her family situation well.
He knew that to Meng Chu, family meant her mother.
Meng Chu frowned. “Of course not.”
“Meng Chu, if you have anything, you have to tell me,” Gu Ting seemed not to believe her.
Meng Chu couldn’t hold back. “What exactly do you want to say? I’m just taking a leave because someone in my family is sick. And my family isn’t just my mother.”
“It’s my husband who’s sick. I need to take care of him. So, Boss Gu, can you approve my leave?”
Meng Chu really didn’t want to hear any more questions from Gu Ting.
There was a pause.
Finally, Gu Ting said, “Alright. I was worried about you, thinking you were sick. Since it’s a family matter, get some good rest.”
Then he hung up.
Meng Chu put down her phone, speechless.
She looked up to see Cheng Jinyu staring at her.
“Annoying boss calling,” Meng Chu said briefly.
Cheng Jinyu curled the corner of his mouth faintly. “Mm, I heard. You said you want to take care of your husband.”
Meng Chu! She knew this would happen!
“Before, I noticed you had quite a few books in your study. Mind if I pick one to read?” Meng Chu changed the subject.
Cheng Jinyu nodded. “Sure.”
They went to his study, and Meng Chu picked out a book.
“Mind if I sit here?” Meng Chu pointed to the armchair by the window.
Cheng Jinyu: “Sit wherever you want.”
Meng Chu sat down in the comfortable recliner and closed her eyes for a moment. “It really is as comfortable as I imagined. It’s my first time here in your house and I thought lying here to read would be so nice.”
When she opened her eyes, she saw Cheng Jinyu leaning against the opposite wall, quietly watching her.
“If you like it, this recliner will be yours from now on.”
Cheng Jinyu stared at her with a smile in his voice.
Meng Chu muttered, “How embarrassing, stealing your spot.”
“I’m willing,” he said.
Meng Chu couldn’t help but lift the book to cover her face, then from behind the book came her voice: “Thanks.”
She originally wanted to hide the smile spreading across her lips.
But as always, her usual carefulness didn’t notice how obvious the amusement was in her voice.
They had nothing particular to do, just killing time in the study.
Occasionally replying to messages.
Occasionally looking down at the book in her hands.
Until the doorbell rang outside.
Meng Chu looked up.
Cheng Jinyu got up and prepared to answer the door.
Meng Chu hesitated for a moment but still went to the study entrance.
Soon, she heard voices outside—a female voice.
Curious, Meng Chu stepped out.
She hesitated, worried it might be Cheng Jinyu’s family.
But when she saw Wu Shan in the living room, she relaxed.
“Boss Cheng, these clothes are all here. If anything’s missing, just let me know,” Wu Shan said, pointing to the shopping bags piled in the living room.
At that moment, others seemed to be helping carry more inside.
Wu Shan saw Meng Chu coming down the corridor and smiled in greeting.
“You’re home too.”
“Hello,” Meng Chu nodded.
Wu Shan said, “If any clothes are inconvenient for you to wear, contact me. I’ll exchange the sizes. After all, I just chose based on your approximate figure.”
Meng Chu stared blankly at the growing pile of shopping bags.
She couldn’t help but walk over to Cheng Jinyu and whisper, “Did you have Wu Shan buy all these things for me?”
“You said you’d stay here until you get better,” Cheng Jinyu explained.
Meng Chu was shocked.
She murmured, looking at all the bags, “Are these clothes because I’m staying here for a long time?”
Cheng Jinyu looked at her and said slowly in a low voice, “Why not?”