As Long as She’s Not Here

Ren glanced to the side and noticed that Yueyue was still quietly eating her breakfast. She was almost done, though, so Ren quickened his pace.

He started using one hand to slowly move up Jada's leg, which was covered in black stockings. First, he felt her smooth calf, then her knee, and finally, he reached just above her knee. But unfortunately, he couldn't reach any higher.

As Ren's hand explored her leg, Jada's face turned increasingly red, like a ripe tomato. At the same time, her eyes grew more and more dangerous. 

But Ren didn't notice any of this. He occasionally tickled Jada's foot while enjoying teasing his wife.

"Hmm?" At that moment, Yueyue had finished her breakfast. The tablecloth hanging down blocked her view of what was happening underneath.

She looked at Ren and Jada, tilting her head in confusion. Why were Mom and Dad just sitting there? And why did Mom have that dangerous look in her eyes, the one she always had when Dad or I did something wrong?

As Daddy's little angel, Yueyue felt it was time to make herself scarce. "Mommy, I'm going upstairs to work on my poetry!"

Yes, that was the right move—better to be a good girl and go back to her room quickly! After all, if Daddy got upset because of her, he'd be sad, and Yueyue couldn't bear to see her dad sad. Her teacher said that emotional wounds hurt more than physical ones!

"Alright, go ahead," Jada replied, holding back her irritation as she nodded. Yueyue sighed with relief.

Phew, I wasn't dragged into this! she thought as she dashed upstairs and slammed her door shut.

Ren noticed Jada's strange expression and gulped, realizing he should probably head upstairs too.

But just as he tried to pull his hand back from Jada's thigh, her other leg moved, clamping his right hand in place. Ren couldn't move it at all.

Although he enjoyed the feeling of Jada's soft, warm thigh, the thought of the coming storm made Ren's mood drop. 

He looked up at Jada with a guilty smile. "Uh... I was wrong…"

As a husband, it's important to know when to admit you're wrong.

But Jada didn't say anything. Her face was still as red as a tomato, not just from embarrassment anymore but from the anger that Ren's teasing had stirred.

She stared at Ren in silence before sliding under the table, grabbing his hand to stop him from escaping, and moving right next to him.

This jerk thinks he can just run away after doing this? No way!

"What exactly did you do wrong?" Jada finally asked after a long, tense silence.

"I shouldn't have touched your leg."

"That's just part of it! You shouldn't have done it in front of Yueyue!"

To be honest, if it was just touching her leg, she might have let it go. They were married, after all. But the problem was the timing—he had done it in front of their daughter!

What if Yueyue had seen it? Jada was embarrassed just thinking about it. 

"Uh... so not in front of her, but when she's not around, it's okay?" Ren blurted out without thinking.

??? Σ(°△°|||)︴

What kind of logic is that?

Jada was so exasperated by Ren's words that she almost laughed. 

In a marriage, sometimes you get angry, but if you laugh, the anger usually fades. Still, Jada didn't want to let Ren off so easily.

So, she put on a blank expression, sat back down at the table, and quietly resumed her breakfast, not even looking at Ren.

Is she… really mad? Ren wondered, starting to regret what he had said. That last remark was like a challenge, after all.

Realizing he might have really upset her, Ren moved to sit right next to Jada, leaning in close. "Honey? My dear Jada? Sweetheart? Darling?"

"…"

With each cute nickname and his pleading tone, most people would be annoyed or laugh and then forgive him. 

But Jada knew this was one of Ren's tricks. He wasn't afraid of her being angry—he was afraid she would ignore him.

Whether she responded with anger or laughter, as long as she talked to him, Ren would keep going until she forgot why she was upset in the first place.

Not this time, though! 

Jada silently focused on her food, deliberately thinking about other things to avoid being swayed by Ren's words.

If I can't beat him, I can at least ignore him!

Seeing that Jada was still giving him the cold shoulder, Ren didn't give up. He noticed the tea egg on her plate and started peeling it for her, offering it like a peace offering.

"Want some?" he asked, holding it out.

Jada still didn't say anything or reach for it. But when Ren put it in her bowl, she silently ate it. 

I wasn't planning to eat it! But since this idiot put it in my bowl, I guess I have to—otherwise, it would be wasteful. I need to set a good example for Yueyue, even if she's not here right now!

Seeing her eat the egg, Ren breathed a sigh of relief. This meant she was starting to soften up.

So, he moved behind her and began massaging her shoulders. 

Jada didn't speak or stop him, just silently enjoying the attention.

After a few moments, Ren carefully asked, "Are you still mad?"

Jada was indeed enjoying the way Ren was fussing over her, and her previously cold expression began to soften. 

"I'm still mad," she said, though her tone was much gentler now.

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