Cuddling?

Toward evening, Gu Yue dragged her slightly weary steps home.

The lock clicked softly. The motion-sensor light in the entryway came on, its gentle glow dispelling the first darkness of homecoming. She bent down to change out of her heels, her movements carrying the faint relaxation that came after work. The coat hanging on the rack still held the dry scent of office air-conditioning, along with a barely perceptible trace of that difficult client's perfume—a smell that made her frown slightly.

She casually pulled off her coat, draped it over her arm, and headed straight for the dressing area beside the bedroom. Her white shirt clung to her back, a patch soaked through with sweat and sticking unpleasantly to her skin. The rich aroma of beef soup drifted in from the living room, soothing her frustration from the afternoon a little.

Gu Yue simply took off her damp white shirt as well and tossed it over the back of a chair. All she had on underneath was a light-colored silk camisole. She loosened the hair she had tied up all day, letting it fall somewhat messily over her shoulders, then padded barefoot toward the dining room.

On the dining table sat two steaming bowls of beef noodles side by side. Her bowl was, sure enough, piled high with thick slices of beef, with a layer of glossy red chili oil carefully drizzled over the side. Its aroma was irresistible. The other bowl was the kind Tang Wulin usually ate: plain and mild, with only a little chopped scallion.

Gu Yue pulled out a chair and sat down, letting out a long breath. She picked up her chopsticks, eagerly mixed the noodles, then lifted a huge mouthful and shoved it into her mouth. The spiciness exploded across her tongue, mingling with the savory beef and rich broth. A scalding sense of bliss slid down her throat, dispersing the last trace of heaviness in her chest and stomach. Sweat beaded on the tip of her nose, and her cheeks flushed crimson. She looked as though she had just been fished out of a steamer, unbearably hot all over.

Just then, the bathroom door clicked open.

Tang Wulin walked out while fastening the button at his waistband, humming a tuneless little song. He had clearly just washed up; his hair was still damp, and dressed in loungewear, he looked fresh and relaxed.

However, the moment he stepped out and looked up, his gaze landed in the direction of the dining room.

Gu Yue had her back to him, her head lowered as she concentrated on battling the noodles. The lines of her bare back were smooth, her flawless skin gleaming softly beneath the light all the way down to her waist. The silk camisole outlined her elegant shoulder blades, rising and falling slightly with her movements as she ate.

Tang Wulin stopped dead, as if someone had cast a freezing spell on him. The relaxed ease on his face instantly froze, then visibly reddened from the base of his neck all the way to his ears, even spreading to his forehead.

"Cough..." He cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to hide his embarrassment. Even his voice floated a little. "Honey... why, why aren't you wearing a jacket? You'll catch a cold..."

Gu Yue had just stuffed a mouthful of noodles drenched in chili oil into her mouth. The heat made her hiss and gasp, every pore on her body opening as all she wanted was to cool down. Hearing Tang Wulin's words, she did not even lift her head as she mumbled vaguely, "Hot..."

That single word, hoarse from the spice and full of perfectly justified complaint, directly choked off everything Tang Wulin had meant to say.

Tang Wulin opened his mouth. Looking at Gu Yue's flushed profile and neck from the spice, as well as the exposed skin that looked dazzlingly white under the lights, his Adam's apple bobbed uncontrollably. In the end, he wisely chose to shut up. He silently sat across from her, lowered his head, and pretended to be intensely interested in the beef noodles before him. He shoveled them down along with the soup, practically burying his entire face in the bowl. Only his highly focused eyes remained visible as they stared at the bottom of the bowl, and he did not dare raise his head again.

Gu Yue slurped down a few more bites of noodles, her eyes watering from the spice, yet she felt wonderfully refreshed. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Tang Wulin's pathetic look, like he wanted to hide himself inside his noodle bowl. The lingering gloom from her unpleasant afternoon completely vanished, replaced by a faint delight at having successfully teased him.

She deliberately slowed down her eating, rhythmically tapping the edge of her bowl with her chopsticks, producing crisp little dings.

"Look up when you eat." Gu Yue suddenly spoke, her voice slightly hoarse from the spice but otherwise emotionless.

Tang Wulin's eating motion paused. He cautiously lifted his eyes, darted a quick glance at her, then immediately lowered them again.

"I'm talking to you," Gu Yue said. She picked up a piece of beef and slowly put it into her mouth, then asked indistinctly, "Are the noodles good?"

"Y-Yes, they're delicious!" Tang Wulin immediately answered, his voice a little loud, as though afraid she would not hear him. "I lined up for a long time to buy them!"

"Mm." Gu Yue responded without making things difficult for him any further.

The dining room was left with only the sound of the two of them slurping noodles. The atmosphere was strangely harmonious, yet carried a subtle restlessness.

It was not until the noodles in their bowls were gone that Tang Wulin finally dared relax a little. He raised his head and wiped the sweat from his forehead with a tissue—whether from the heat or nerves, he did not know. Looking at Gu Yue's empty bowl, his eyes held a touch of anticipation and tentative hope.

"Um... honey," he said, leaning a little closer. His voice was very soft, carrying a hint of ingratiation. "Tonight... can we still cuddle?"

Gu Yue leaned back in her chair, holding a cup of warm water as she slowly soothed the heat in her mouth. At his words, she lifted her eyelids and glanced at him. Her gaze was faint and cool.

"No cuddling." After saying that, she paused. Only when she saw the corners of Tang Wulin's mouth immediately droop did she slowly add two more words. "I'm angry today."

Tang Wulin deflated like a punctured balloon, shrinking back in his seat with his head lowered. His fingers unconsciously picked at the edge of the tablecloth.

"Okay..." he responded quietly, his tone full of disappointment and grievance, yet he did not dare push his luck. "Then... then get some rest early."

Gu Yue said nothing more. She merely watched his wronged expression in silence. A faint smile flickered deep in her eyes, but it was quickly concealed by the steam from the noodle soup and her lingering irritation. She stood, picked up her empty bowl, and walked toward the kitchen sink, leaving Tang Wulin alone to stare blankly at the empty dining table.

The sound of water washing over dishes came from the kitchen, a clear, rushing splash.

Tang Wulin remained seated, watching Gu Yue's busy back before looking down at his own empty bowl. His heart was a jumble of emotions. He knew Gu Yue had been upset that afternoon, and he knew she probably had not completely calmed down yet. But... but the way she had looked just now had been so beautiful he could not look away...

He shook his head, trying to drive away that dangerous thought.

Forget it. Making sure his wife was not angry was the top priority. He would let her rest properly tonight. He should behave himself and not provoke her.

Tang Wulin sighed and resignedly stood up as well, beginning to clear the scattered things from the table. Yet his movements carried an inescapable melancholy, the kind that came from wanting something he could not have.

Standing by the sink, Gu Yue heard that distinct sigh behind her. Under the cover of the running water, the corners of her lips lifted ever so slightly.

This guy... she really did not know what to do with him.