Shu Jing, ever since marrying Chu Rong, Quan Jiu had spent the better part of her life here.
She didn't have many close friends. As a wife, she felt it was her duty to take care of her husband's daily needs. Coupled with Chu Rong's obliviousness to day and night due to his busy schedule, she had no time for travel. Apart from occasional shopping trips, she practically stayed indoors. Especially in the last six months, she had lost all interest in going out.
In other words, a place so familiar it was etched into her bones, stepping into it again required immense courage.
Quan Jiu stood at the door, hesitating to press the doorbell. She knew the password; it was her birthday. But she didn't want to press it. The doorbell... she didn't want to press that either.
So, she waited for over ten minutes until a ding sounded, and the door opened from the inside. It was Chu Rong.
Without asking why she was standing motionless at the door, Chu Rong smiled gently, "You must be hungry, come in quickly."
Quan Jiu stiffly lifted her leg and entered the house. She changed into slippers at the entrance and followed Chu Rong to the living room.
However, what she expected to be familiar was completely strange. The advanced gray living room, with its somewhat cold ambiance, had been transformed into a warm, pastoral style. There were fabric sofas, a solid wood coffee table, many soft and cute accessories, and green plants everywhere. Even the balcony outside the floor-to-ceiling window had been converted into a small garden.
It had completely changed. At this moment, even the image in her memory had become blurred.
"Do you like it?" Chu Rong asked softly.
Quan Jiu's lips parted slightly. Instead of answering, she asked, "Why has it changed here?" The last time she visited, it was the same as before. It must have been recently renovated.
"It was finished two months ago. We've been airing out the formaldehyde during this time. If you like it, you can bring the children here to stay sometimes."
Quan Jiu was stunned. She truly loved the new renovation style. It was warm and felt like home, exquisite yet maintaining a sense of lifestyle. She also carefully observed that all paired items in the house were sets of four, even the decorative figurines were a family of four, clearly indicating the intention.
Chu Rong led Quan Jiu to the dining room. Two walls were adorned with a complete ink wash painting. At a height of one meter from the corner, a semi-circular fence was erected, filled with indoor plants. Small yellow flowers bloomed on the green vines, casually climbing the walls, complementing the floral arrangement on the dining table. The rattan chairs and table blended seamlessly with the environment.
It was so beautiful it made one feel happy and relaxed. Eating in such a semi-natural environment would surely improve one's appetite.
Quan Jiu looked at the table full of delicious food, especially the fragrant and spicy aroma, and felt her appetite surge.
...
If her mood upon arrival had been uncontrollably heavy, then at this moment, Quan Jiu's feelings had completely changed.
She didn't know why, but the sense of loss, regret, sadness, and sorrow had inexplicably disappeared, as if forgotten. Instead, the new renovation had piqued her curiosity, as she discovered that Chu Rong had also purchased the floor above.
The two floors were connected by a spiral staircase, doubling the space. The upper floor was even equipped with various entertainment facilities: a gym, KTV, billiard room, arcade, and more. Everything was available.
Quan Jiu explored the rooms as if discovering new, interesting spaces. She then found something amusing: these rooms were interconnected. As long as one could figure it out, one could directly shuttle to the opposite side without even needing a corridor.
Of course, the bedrooms remained isolated.
Quan Jiu went into the master bedroom and fell in love with it instantly, especially the large bed, which looked so inviting to jump on.
Fortunately, she restrained herself before acting on impulse.
"The walk-in closet is for your clothes," Chu Rong said, opening the closet.
Quan Jiu instinctively took a step inside and was immediately astonished. Under the bright lights, she felt as if she had walked into a large clothing store, with an endless array of clothes, pants, shoes, and hats in various styles and colors. It was even more extravagant than the walk-in closet Chu's mother had prepared for her.
She didn't remember owning so many clothes.
"These were all bought casually. Wear whatever you like, or just leave them if you don't," Chu Rong said.
Quan Jiu was stunned for a moment before understanding, "These... are all bought by you." When did you have so much time? And why did you buy so many clothes for me? Don't give me any false hope.
Chu Rong raised his hand, gently wiping the corner of Quan Jiu's lips with his thumb. His voice was impossibly pleasant, and his tenderness melted her heart.
"They only have value if you like them."
Quan Jiu's face flushed. To hide her embarrassment, she walked into the walk-in closet. Perhaps it was a woman's nature; with so many clothes belonging to her, how could she not look properly?
As she looked, she became engrossed, picking up one item, trying on another. Finally, she reached a corner and stopped, her face instantly turning red to her ears.
Half a wall was covered with lingerie and panties, in sets and out of sets, truly deserving of the phrase "everything imaginable."
"I bought them according to your previous size. I don't know if they fit,"
A low voice suddenly came from beside her, sending shivers down Quan Jiu's spine.
She felt a sense of dread and turned to run, but it was too late. Someone had already pinned her against the wall, a smile in his eyes. "How can such things be initiated by a woman? From now on, you just need to beckon, and I will come. You don't need to go to such lengths."
Quan Jiu held her breath, her speech becoming hesitant. "I, you said you had something important to discuss, right? This isn't the place to talk. Let's go to the living room."
"It's too late," Chu Rong chuckled softly. His gentle lips met hers, and in the escalating intimacy, his true nature began to reveal itself like a wild wolf.
The intertwined gasps echoed in the air. Chu Rong casually pressed a button, and the harsh light softened into a hazy glow.
In the fluctuating light, Quan Jiu gazed at the handsome face close to hers, gradually losing herself. At this moment, she forgot everything else, only the tangible sensation of their bodies merging, real and unforgettable.
...
Quan Jiu woke up hungry, her stomach growling as if she hadn't eaten in three days. She opened her still drowsy eyes, staring at the ceiling. After a while, her senses gradually returned.
Then she realized something very serious: damn it, she'd been slept with. And not just once.
Ah~~~~ Quan Jiu tightly gripped the corner of the blanket, howling inwardly in frustration. Was this what they called a single misstep leading to eternal regret? She was a mother of two, how could she be so susceptible to temptation? Should she reflect on herself?
Alas... what should she do now? Quan Jiu's face was filled with worry, and her two feet, exposed from under the blanket, twitched restlessly.
Chu Rong pushed the door open and saw the two cute little feet dangling. He couldn't help but smile gently. He stepped forward and pulled the blanket up to cover them before saying, "Time to eat."
Quan Jiu sniffed the air. It smelled of scallions. Scallion pancakes? Wait, was this the time to eat?
She quickly narrowed her eyes and glared at Chu Rong, "So, what did you find out? What is Grandma's connection to the new district and the Taishu clan?"