The shift happened so fast that Su He hadn't even had time to process it when the two people inside the room emerged one after another.
Having squatted for too long, Su He's legs were numb, and she didn't have time to dodge.
Just like that, she was caught red-handed.
"Ah~" The man walking in front, startled by the shadow in the corridor, took a step back. "Who, who are you?"
Su He's long hair was draped over her shoulders, and she was wearing a white dress. Her eyes were still red from crying, making her look quite frightening. She ignored the man, her eyes fixed on Lu Yanbei.
"Honey~" she called out pitifully.
Lu Yanbei's body stiffened slightly, then he stepped past the man in front and helped her up. "Why are you here?"
Su He opened her mouth, but before she could utter a sound, the other man spoke first.
"Lu Yanbei, aren't you going to introduce us?"
Lu Yanbei first massaged Su He's calves. Once she could stand steadily, he introduced her to his friend, "This is my wife, Su He."
"This is Xiao Xun."
"Hello." Su He nodded at the man.
"Oh, so you're the first love Lu Yanbei has been thinking about for so many years. Nice to meet you, nice to meet you." Xiao Xun replied with a smile. He was a few centimeters shorter than Lu Yanbei, but his physique was imposing. His face, however, was fair and tender, not quite matching his muscular body.
He was wearing a very ordinary gray t-shirt and faded jeans, giving off a rather nonchalant air.
Su He found it difficult to associate him with the profession of a psychological counselor. Moreover, this so-called counseling room was too dilapidated, like a slum. Would anyone seek consultation from him here?
Lu Yanbei seemed to sense her confusion and explained in a low voice, "Xiao Xun is quite unconventional. Something happened before, which is why he moved here."
"This entire building belongs to his family, and it's about to be demolished."
This brief explanation left Su He dumbfounded. So, another rich guy! Houses in this area started from tens of millions. Estimating the entire building, it would easily be worth several hundred million.
As expected, birds of a feather flock together.
Lu Yanbei's friends, any one of them plucked at random, were wealthy magnates!
"I'm in a hurry to buy a cake for my daughter, so I can't entertain you," Xiao Xun said, closing the door casually and heading downstairs in slippers.
Lu Yanbei called out to him from behind, then took out a wad of cash from his wallet and handed it to him.
"What for?" Xiao Xun asked, looking bewildered.
"Buy a birthday gift for my niece," Lu Yanbei said with a smile, patting his shoulder.
Xiao Xun tutted, accepted the money without ceremony, and left. "Sister-in-law, let's get together again sometime."
Su He waved goodbye to him.
Soon, Xiao Xun's figure disappeared at the entrance. Judging by his hurried manner, he must have been eager to see his beloved daughter.
"How old is Dr. Xiao's child?" Su He asked curiously.
"Seven years old," Lu Yanbei said, putting his arm around her and walking towards the car.
"He got married quite early!" Su He remarked.
Lu Yanbei grunted. "Graduated from college, got his diploma in one hand and his marriage certificate in the other."
Su He's mouth gaped in surprise, and she gave him a thumbs-up in admiration.
On the way back, Lu Yanbei was silent for a long time.
He didn't know how to explain it to Su He.
He had lied to her, and he felt extremely guilty.
An hour ago, Su He might have been angry with him. But knowing the reason he kept it from her, how could she possibly blame him? She hadn't even brought up his illness, instead asking him what he wanted to eat for dinner.
Lu Yanbei pursed his lips. "I lied to you, aren't you angry?"
He couldn't bear the pangs of conscience any longer and finally asked the question.
Su He hadn't mentioned it, but he couldn't pretend not to know.
Su He was browsing through recipes on her phone. Hearing his question, she slowly looked up. "Why should I be angry! If anything, your illness was caused by me... I'm more worried about you!"
How could she blame him!
Lu Yanbei reached out and took her hand. "I was afraid you would worry, so..."
"I know!" Su He squeezed his hand back, smiling reassuringly. "Well, if there's any punishment, it'll be kneeling on a washboard when we get back!"
"We don't have that thing at home," Lu Yanbei said weakly after a moment's pause.
Su He glared at him and, feigning anger, pulled her hand away. "Then I'll punish you by making you sleep in the guest room for a week!"
"Isn't that punishment a bit too severe?" Lu Yanbei protested.
"I think it's quite appropriate. Besides, you've been very abstinent lately, so you should adapt quickly." Su He, recalling his recent unusual behavior, decided to exact a small revenge.
Lu Yanbei understood the implication of her words and couldn't help but smile.
So, this was what she had been waiting for.
Was she upset that he hadn't doted on her properly these past few days? He had been enduring it too! Worried that his condition might worsen and he might accidentally hurt her, he had restrained his impulses, only holding her while they slept each night.
As a result, she mistook his thoughtfulness for... neglect?
*
When they returned home, Li Sao had already prepared dinner.
Su He and Lu Yanbei were like any other day, drinking soup and eating, occasionally exchanging a few words.
Su He was on a diet, so she put down her chopsticks after eating only half a bowl. "You eat slowly, I'll go take a shower first."
With that, she slipped back into the room.
Lu Yanbei, having had one of his worries resolved, had a better appetite. However, he ate little in the evening and rarely took a second bowl.
After dinner, Lu Yanbei, unusually, did not go to his study but instead went into the yard.
The flowers in the flowerbed were blooming beautifully. He took his pruning shears, cut a few flowers, wrapped them simply, and then went upstairs.
At this time, Su He had just finished bathing and was sitting in front of the vanity applying skincare products.
Lu Yanbei embraced her from behind and presented the flowers to her. "Wife, I was wrong!"
Su He held the bouquet, and the corners of her mouth curved upwards unconsciously. "Wrong about what?"
"I shouldn't have kept it from you," Lu Yanbei replied honestly.
"What else?"
"I shouldn't have lied to you about having a business dinner."
"And I shouldn't have neglected you."
Su He hummed, deliberately drawing out the end of her word. "It's good that you know. Will you do it again next time?"
"Absolutely not next time!" Lu Yanbei's survival instinct was strong, and he answered such a fatal question with extreme alacrity.
Su He nodded with satisfaction. "Alright, I forgive you!"
"Then, can I sleep holding my dear wife tonight?" Lu Yanbei leaned down and kissed her ear.
Su He blushed and struggled a little. "No! If I go back on my word, what face will I have!"
"But I won't be able to sleep without you by my side," the domineering CEO suddenly turned into a little puppy, clinging to Su He and acting spoiled.
Su He stared at him in the mirror, utterly shocked.
Had some unclean thing possessed him?
Monster!
Quickly give me back my domineering CEO husband!