Make Her Stay

Madam Zhao smiled seeing her son having fun with his wife over his photo album.

It was a pity she had to interrupt them.

"Mingzhe, Xiao Xin...dinner is ready." she declared.

"Oh..." they uttered in sync.

Han Yixin felt warmth all throughout dinner.

Zhao Mingzhe was thankful that his mother never hinted about having grandchildren, but he was going to lose every bit of dignity in all her stories. So much for trying to impress his wife.

Zhao Mingzhe closed the passenger side door after his wife had sat down. Then he walked over to the driver side.

Before he could open the car door, Madam Zhao approached him.

"Yes, Mother?" he flashed a teasing smile. His mother can get clingy at times.

Madam Zhao had a serious face. "Mingzhe, you should stay together with your wife. Since LZ needs you, you need to make her stay here."

"Mom..."

"My son, even those who deeply love each other are destroyed by distance. You are still building your relationship. How can you make it if you're here and she's on the other side of the world?"

Zhao Mingzhe gave his mother a weak smile. "I will try Mom...but, I need my wife to stay happy."

He bowed before opening the driver side door and getting into the car.

The car ride back home was silent.

Han Yixin thought about asking her husband what his mother told him before they left, but she decided against it.

Zhao Mingzhe looked gloomy. She was not sure if he was in a bad mood. After all, she was still learning to live with him. That would entail putting up with all his attitude. However, as of date, she was not sure how she can.

'He doesn't love me at all. If he gets mad, will he hit me?' she thought as she glanced up at him.

On the other hand, Zhao Mingzhe was having a headache. His wife leaving for another country has been his concern for days. His mother pointing it out was like rubbing salt on his wound.

As soon as he stopped the car in the garage, Han Yixin immediately opened the car door, moved out of the car hurriedly and almost slammed the door shut.

Oxford came running towards her.

She picked up the dog and held it in her arms as she entered the house.

Zhao Mingzhe furrowed his brows. 'What did I do now?'

Han Yixin checked the contents of the dog feeder and refilled the containers. Then she placed the dog on its bed below the staircase. "Good night, Oxford." she gave its head a pat.

Zhao Mingzhe looked at his wife with ideas swirling in his mind.

'If the dog goes missing, will she stay until it comes back? Hmmm...what if she gives up and gets another dog?' he thought.

Before he could come up with a ridiculous plan, he saw his wife come up the staircase.

He brushed off his thoughts and made his way to their bedroom as well.

Han Yixin was nervous about his bad mood so she hurried into the bathroom and locked the door.

She sighed as she turned on the shower.

She wondered what her mother-in-law told Zhao Mingzhe as water rained down on her.

Zhao Mingzhe frowned when he tried to open the bathroom door, only to find that his wife was already on the opposite side of the locked door.

He removed his shirt and went out to the veranda and took in the cool night breeze.

He needed to convince his wife that she could still work, even if she stays in City B.

Han Yixin was puzzled not to see her husband in their bedroom after she came out of the bathroom. It took her a whole lot of contemplation on how she would ask about his matters, yet he was not even there.

She sat before the dresser and started drying her hair.

Suddenly, larger hands took the hair dryer and brush from her hands and helped her dry her hair.

Han Yixin unconsciously shivered.

Zhao Mingzhe frowned. 'Does she even despise my touch?'

When he finished drying her hair, he unplugged the dryer and set it on the dresser with the brush.

Han Yixin nervously stood up as she saw him frown from the mirror.

She planned to silently walk towards the bed when his tall figure blocked her way.

She lowered her head even more.

Suddenly, the tall figure pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Xiao Xin...don't...don't hate me..." he almost whispered.

Han Yixin's eyes widened. She tried to look up at his face through the squeeze. "Ah Zhe..."

He loosened his hold of her to better look at her face. "Han Yixin...can I ask you not to leave?"

She furrowed her brows as she looked up at him without saying anything. 'Is it what's making him upset?'

Zhao Mingzhe, not hearing anything from her, cupped her face and kissed her passionately.

Han Yixin tried to push him away, but he tightened his embrace and his tongue invaded her mouth.

Morning came and Han Yixin woke up beside a still sleeping flesh.

She supported her head with one hand and rubbed her temples.

Zhao Mingzhe seemed to have exerted too much effort last night, she lost count of how many times they did it until dawn.

She tried to get off the bed, but her legs were weak, that she almost stumbled to the bedside cabinet.

Fortunately, a pair of strong arms supported her torso. "Watch out!" his still hoarse voice managed to blurt out.

Zhao Mingzhe embraced his wife as he adjusted himself so she could sit on his lap.

"Zhao Mingzhe..." Han Yixin looked at him with a stern expression.

"Hmmm?" he gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Are you trying to get me pregnant?"

Zhao Mingzhe cleared his throat. "What if I am?"

"You know I'll still go back to Country F even if I get pregnant."

His face dimmed. "Can you at least think about it?"

"Zhao Mingzhe, you know I can't work under LH Hotels Internationals here...and you know that my work..."

"I know...I know you love your work. I just...I just thought maybe you could start your own business here..."

"And how would that be possible? Are you that desperate to keep me here?"

Before Zhao Mingzhe could retaliate, the ringing of a mobile phone broke the argument.