"Oh wow, this place is so huge. It's beautiful," Lu Xinyi exclaimed as their rented car drove up to the City H branch of Shen Yi's company. Her hand pressed lightly against the glass window as if she could somehow get a better look at the beautiful landscapes they passed.
"I've never been in a place like this," she confessed, which wasn't really surprising. How could someone like her visit a place where professionals use their magical hands to make something so elegant and enchanting?
"You can take a look later." Shen Yi replied as he turned the car and prepared to park it. "There's a maze ahead. Do you think you can find the exit in a limited time?"
Lu Xinyi tilted her head on one side, some strands of her hair escaping from her messy bun. Oh, how Shen Yi liked to see her hair down so he could run his fingers through her thick mane.
"Is that a challenge?" she grinned, her eyes glimmering mischievously. She gave him a challenging look.
Shen Yi turned off the engine of the car before giving her a shrug.
"Yeah, sure. I'll give you anything you want if you win the bet."
Lu Xinyi rubbed her chin, trying to figure out what to ask for a prize if ever she won.
"Okay. Deal, but give me some time to think of my prize."
"Please don't tell me it's about food again." Shen Yi mumbled to himself, but Lu Xinyi heard him.
"Darling, are you trying to give me ideas?" she teased.
They managed to arrive on time for his first meeting without any problems. Lu Xinyi followed, walking several steps behind her husband, and greeted those who walked past them with a small smile. She was nervous and a little uncomfortable, which struck Shen Yi like something was wrong about it.
He stopped and waited for her to catch up on him before grabbing her arm so she would walk beside him.
"Hey. You don't have to drag me around." Lu Xinyi complained with a pout. Shen Yi was starting to get a habit of dragging her wherever he wants to.
"You're too far. You are my wife. You're supposed to stay by my side."
They continued their walk towards the conference room.
"But I'm not going anywhere." Which was true. She wasn't familiar with the area. Heck, she was sure that walking around the whole day couldn't possibly let her see all the wonderful things this place had to offer. But her husband was letting her see the other side of his coin: his life in public.
"What if you get hungry and leave me again?" he asked.
Oh, he got a point there. It wouldn't be the first time she would leave him for food.
"Okay, got it. I'll stay with you." She conceded.
Shen Yi was so tempted to remove his tie from his neck. His hand reached up to loosen it, but Lu Xinyi pulled his hand away.
"Don't touch it! You can remove it later when your meetings are done," she reminded him.
"I don't like it. I feel like a dog in a leash," he complained.
Lu Xinyi's mouth quirked as if hiding a laugh.
"Don't laugh. It isn't funny," Shen Yi snapped at her. A small giggle escaped from Lu Xinyi's lips.
Shen Yi saw several familiar faces of his staff as they entered the conference room. He had his wife seated on his right side to make sure she wouldn't leave him without notice. He wouldn't let her choose her food over him this time.
His employees were baffled when their boss arrived with a woman by his side. Didn't the media say he was gay? But that woman sure looked close and shared familiarity with their boss. They decided not to pay attention, but some couldn't help but watch the couple talk to each other with soft voices.
As soon as they were seated, Lu Xinyi pulled out his laptop and began working on his schedule for the day. Although she didn't have a degree from college, Lu Xinyi understood his schedule and timeline without a problem. He sure had a capable assistant as Qiao He made it easier for Lu Xinyi to follow his notes.
She then noticed Shen Yi watching her. Her eyes looked up from the screen of his laptop.
"Is there a problem?"
Shen Yi shook his head and looked thoughtful as he waited for the branch manager to meet him. That manager should be here before he arrived, and yet Shen Yi couldn't be bothered with it. He should be irritated by now, but with his wife's presence, he couldn't take his interest away from her for too long. That sweet morning kiss still lingered on his mind.
"Do I have an appointment to attend this afternoon?"
Lu Xinyi took a quick look at his schedule before shaking her head. She took a bottled water on her side and opened it to drink. "None. After your lunch meeting with a client, you're free for the rest of the day."
He nodded. "Ah, then that's fine. We can go to our first date later."
Lu Xinyi, who was drinking, almost choked on her water.
What did he say?
"What first date?" She blinked. Her heart thumped with excitement and nervousness.
"Didn't I ask you to go out with me?" He sighed heavily. "Am I not allowed to date my own wife?"
"Didn't you say I can date anyone or whatever." Ah, he did say that before she married him.
Shen Yi turned to glare at her. She was supposed to be cautious with his feelings, damn it. When he asked her out yesterday, it took a lot of courage for him to say it. He was uncomfortable, and yet she was smiling as if taunting him for not keeping his promise for too long.
Shen Yi scoffed and refused to meet her knowing look.
"Who said you can't date me? Your own husband. I should be at the top of your list!"