Jiang Ziyu tugged at Di Mingjue's hand, shaking her head.
They had considered the current situation on their way, and both had brought a change of clothes from home with the intention of staying.
Di Mingjue glanced at the old woman and, out of filial piety, agreed.
After being away for more than two weeks, they had returned after all.
Back in the marital bedroom, Jiang Ziyu organized the clothes from her backpack into the walk-in closet. She turned to find Di Mingjue standing behind her.
"Weren't you downstairs? When did you come up?"
Di Mingjue took a step forward, encircling her waist with his hands, and asked softly, "Are you really willing to come back and live here?"
Her hands, which had been resting by her legs, were raised. Jiang Ziyu responded, "I am your wife, so naturally, I will follow you wherever you go. You keep asking, do you not want me to follow you?"
"What did you just say?" Di Mingjue turned Jiang Ziyu by her shoulders, spinning her around to face him.
Jiang Ziyu tiptoed, naturally hooking her arms around his neck. "I said I am your wife."
Di Mingjue smiled like a child and immediately cupped her slender waist. He pulled her closer, their bodies pressing tightly together.
Their eyes met, a gaze so intense it felt like threads were being spun between them. Jiang Ziyu couldn't help but close her eyes. Their breaths drew nearer, but just as they were about to kiss, the door was suddenly pushed open.
"Get out!"
Lu Sisi pulled down the bedding in front of her and tilted her head to look at the couple embracing. Observing their movements, if she hadn't interrupted them, they would have been kissing.
Feeling stared at, Jiang Ziyu became uncomfortable and let go of Di Mingjue. She stepped aside and asked, "Is this for us?"
"Yes, these quilts have been sun-dried. They will be warm to sleep under tonight. I'll spread them on the bed for you now." Lu Sisi, carrying the quilts, moved between Di Mingjue and Jiang Ziyu and walked to the bedside.
Her back blocked Lu Sisi, who was jealously tugging at the edge of the quilt.
Seeing Lu Sisi bend down and almost climb onto the bed, Jiang Ziyu reached out to stop her.
"I'll do it."
"No need, I'll be done quickly."
Dodging the obstruction, Lu Sisi knelt on the quilt, moving her knees forward until half her body occupied the center of the bed.
Watching the entire process, Jiang Ziyu waited quietly for Lu Sisi to get off the bed.
With the last corner straightened, Lu Sisi glanced back at Di Mingjue from the gap beside her legs.
"I'm done. I told you I'd be quick."
Lu Sisi shuffled off the bed, her hips brushing against it. As her feet touched the ground and she was about to stand, her body seemed unable to support itself, and she lunged towards Di Mingjue.
"Be careful, falling on the ground hurts."
Lu Sisi looked at Di Mingjue, who had moved aside, and then at Jiang Ziyu, who was holding her arm to prevent her from falling. Reluctantly, she pushed Jiang Ziyu's hand away. "Thank you."
Patting her hands, Jiang Ziyu waved them away dismissively. "It's nothing, just a small effort."
"It's spread. You can leave now," Di Mingjue said again.
In the span of a few minutes, she had only spoken twice, and both times it was to dismiss her. Lu Sisi endured the injustice, lowered her head, tears welling up, and left the room.
Hearing the door slam shut angrily, Jiang Ziyu teased mockingly, "You're a bit heartless, aren't you? She sun-dried the quilts and spread the bed for you, you could have been a bit nicer."
Her words dripping with sarcasm, Di Mingjue glanced at the bed and put his hands on Jiang Ziyu's body. "I didn't ask her to, and shouldn't you be jealous?"
As his wife, she saw another woman's ill intentions towards him but showed no reaction at all.