Between Us

Zhao Mingzhe was shocked to see his wife in the brink of tears when he turned around.

"Xiao Xin..." he tried to reach out a hand to her.

"Don't!" she almost shouted.

She glared at his hand. "Wash your hands!" she commanded.

Zhao Mingzhe realized that his wife considers his hands dirty. He hurried to the men's room and washed his hands, then he removed his coat.

He briskly walked to catch up to her, who started walking away the moment he went for the restroom.

He saw her trembling shoulders. He immediately draped them with his coat.

"Stop touching me!" Han Yixin commanded in a low voice.

"I am not!" Zhao Mingzhe whispered back. "There's a layer of clothing between us."

Han Yixin gave him an incredulous look, then she hurriedly walked towards where her parents were seated.

Zhao Mingzhe kept up with her pace easily, with his larger strides.

Han Yixin stopped just before her parents. "Chairman, my husband and I will have to leave early." she declared, rather than asking for permission.

Han Mufeng looked at the expression on his daughter. He knew she desperately needed to go. He gave the young couple a benevolent smile. "Off you go then. Drive safely."

"Ah, yes...be safe!" Li Qiaolian wanted to ask questions, but since her husband dismissed them, she also went with the flow.

Zhao Mingzhe bowed to bid his parents-in-law goodbye, then hurried to keep up with his wife.

He was so thankful that she included him when she informed them of their departure from the banquet. At least she seemed to still want to go home with him.

Han Yixin kept an indifferent face as she stood outside the glass hall, waiting for the valet.

Zhao Mingzhe kept a step distance behind her, unsure how to approach her. He really messed up this time. Why should he even care about the affairs of his ex-girlfriend? He has his wife now. What was he thinking?

It has not been long since he appeased her with good food. If he continues to make mistakes and make ammends, he could bid his toned abdominal muscles goodbye.

He snapped out of his thoughts when the familiar silver car stopped before them. He regained his senses and tipped the valet before getting into the driver seat as his wife had already moved into the front passenger seat and buckled her seatbelt.

Han Yixin could not wait to get out of everyone's sight, but she was sensible enough not to make a scene.

Zhao Mingzhe drove home with the awkward silence between him and his wife.

As the car halted to park in the garage, Han Yixin slowly closed her eyes.

Zhao Mingzhe turned off the engine and turned to look at his wife. He slowly raised his hand to reach out and touch her face.

However, before he did, she turned her head away before opening her eyes and opening the car door.

She swiftly went out and briskly walked towards the door. She hurriedly pressed on the passcode and opened the door, shutting it behind her.

Zhao Mingzhe sighed and frowned. He was still at a loss on how to resolve this without further angering his wife.

Indeed, this was not his first relationship, but this is completely different. Cynthia Mu became like an open book to him when they were still together. She would tell him what she likes, what she hates, what she was thinking and what not. It was convenient as he knew what to do or what to get her when she was mad.

On the other hand, it was already a pity that he barely knew what his wife likes and dislikes. She also keeps her ideas and thoughts from him. His only clues are her expressions and movements.

Thus, the dilemma of Zhao Mingzhe.

As he was about to walk upstairs, he eyed the empty dog bed. Then he remembered to have sent Oxford to the Zhao main house for a week, because they would both be busy with business.

He sighed. It was a time for him to make his wife less mad, but he sent the fluffy creature away.

He loosened his tie a little before starting his way up the stairs.

Han Yixin removed the jacket which her husband covered her shoulders with. she gently folded it and placed it in the hamper. She also slowly removed the gown she was wearing, then placed all her clothes in the hamper as well.

Naked, she lathered soap and scrubbed her skin with a loofah under the shower until almost everything turned red.

Then she sat into the warm water of the plunge pool, rested her head and closed her eyes.

Zhao Mingzhe knew she will be in the shower. What surprised him was the door to the bathroom was ajar.

He gulped before pushing the door a little more. He furrowed his brows as he peeked at his wife. Why did it feel so wrong? Should he be guilty about it? She did leave the door ajar. 'Is she inviting me in?' he thought.

He briskly shook his head with eyes closed to brush off such thoughts. His wife will never act like that. The door would have been a mishap. When he opened his eyes again, Han Yixin was already standing, still with her back on him, but with the rest of her body exposed and dripping wet.

Zhao Mingzhe felt the heat inside him rise up to his head. He tried to take deep breaths to calm himself, to no avail. His mind was beyond his reason and the rest of his body is acting along with the emotion center.

When he saw her move to turn around, he also quickly turned around and walked away from the bathroom door and out of their bedroom.

Zhao Mingzhe turned towards another bedroom and took a shower in another bathroom.

Han Yixin sensed the stare while she was bathing, but paid no attention to it. She changed into loungewear and started drying her hair before the dresser.