Chapter 003: Don't Push Your Luck

"What do you want to talk about?"

Ye Chen wasn't surprised by Su Xiyue's attitude during the negotiation at the moment.

After all, the two were going to live under the same roof and work at the same company, and given their current relationship, some things naturally needed to be clarified first.

"Although we're engaged, we're still strangers after all. You can't deny that," Ye Chen nodded, and Su Xiyue continued in a cold voice, "There can be no square without rules. As a single man and a single woman living together, we naturally need some regulations."

"That's right, we definitely need some rules for living together." Ye Chen nodded, agreeing with Su Xiyue's suggestion.

"Firstly, without my permission, you absolutely cannot enter my room, especially at night. You must agree to this, or there's no point in continuing our negotiation."

Su Xiyue spoke with a serious face and a resolute tone, her eyes glaring fiercely at Ye Chen.

Ye Chen believed that if he didn't agree, Su Xiyue might actually fight him, even though they were engaged.

"That's no problem at all; I'm not as shameless as you think. However, if you want to invite me to your bedroom for a chat or something, I'd be more than happy." Ye Chen said with a chuckle.

No matter how lecherous Ye Chen was, he never forced himself on women. After all, a melon forced off its vine is not sweet. Besides, the two were ultimately husband and wife. If Ye Chen dared to do such a thing, he suspected that the old man would be the first to break his legs.

Besides, winning a woman's heart was far more satisfying than forcing her, especially when it came to a great beauty like Su Xiyue. After all, Ye Chen was a notable figure abroad. If he couldn't win over Su Xiyue, his years would have been wasted.

Seeing that Ye Chen agreed to the first rule, Su Xiyue secretly let out a sigh of relief. If Ye Chen had refused, she wouldn't have known what to do.

"Secondly, we should use separate bathrooms. As a girl, I have priority. From now on, I'll use the one on the second floor, and you'll have to go downstairs."

As she stated this rule, Su Xiyue felt a bit guilty, knowing that it was somewhat unreasonable. But the idea of sharing a bathroom with a man was something she couldn't stand.

"Hey, Su Xiyue, that's going too far. Why should you get the upstairs bathroom and I the downstairs? You want to divide, fine. From now on, I'll use the upstairs bathroom, and you the downstairs one."

Ye Chen spoke loudly, crossing his legs indignantly. Why should he have to use the downstairs bathroom? Wasn't this gender discrimination? He couldn't allow such a practice to thrive.

"In that case, you can use the upstairs bathroom," Su Xiyue conceded, "but you must knock first when entering. If there's no response, you may enter. Also, make sure to clean it up after use."

Her face flushed, Su Xiyue glared intensely at Ye Chen, her eyes filled with a deadly glare.

Ye Chen spread his hands, signaling his agreement.

"Thirdly, our relationship must remain secret; others cannot know you live here. Without my permission, you're also not allowed to bring strangers home."

"That's fine. I barely know anyone in Zhonghai City anyway."

This rule was not a big deal for Ye Chen. Plus, letting others know he was married would only interfere with his plans of playing the field.

"Fourthly—"

"Hey, Su Xiyue, don't go too far."

Ye Chen was displeased. One rule after another, it seemed endless. He truly felt bullied. If she pushed him too hard, ah, he had no choice but to relent.

"I promise, this is the last one." Su Xiyue, noticing Ye Chen's dissatisfaction, quickly added.

"Go ahead."

"In the summer, it's strictly forbidden to be improperly dressed; no revealing clothes. Also, from now on, we must use separate things. You absolutely cannot use my things."

Su Xiyue, cohabiting with a man for the first time and having mild OCD, definitely couldn't tolerate others using her stuff. For instance, the idea of Ye Chen eating her ice cream was just unacceptable.

Although she had many more conditions, she could see that Ye Chen was getting impatient. Pushing him too hard might lead to losing everything, a scenario she dreaded.

"Wait a second." Ye Chen raised his hand, asking, "What counts as revealing? There should be a standard, right?"

"No topless, no running around in shorts," Su Xiyue replied, her face reddening and her voice growing faint as if the sound of a mosquito. For her, an unmarried woman, discussing such matters in front of man was deeply embarrassing.

Ye Chen considered for a moment and decided he could agree to these rules too; he nodded his head to signify his consent.

"That's it, right? If that's all, I'm going back to my room to rest. I'm exhausted from the flight."

Without waiting for Su Xiyue to respond, Ye Chen got up and said this to her.

He could not let this woman carry on. Who knows what other unfair conditions she might come up with? Best to retreat as the better part of valor.

"Your bedroom is the second room on your right-hand side when you enter the second floor," Su Xiyue said coldly.

Ye Chen went upstairs with his canvas bag; Su Xiyue watched his retreating figure with a flicker of something different in her eyes. From today on, another person would be in her home, and this person was her fiancé. No matter how indifferent Su Xiyue appeared on the surface, it was impossible to be without thoughts.

Ye Chen, on the other hand, felt no discomfort. Entering the bedroom Su Xiyue had prepared for him, he noted the room was clean, likely recently tidied. Although simple, the arrangement was fine for Ye Chen, who only needed a place to sleep.

He dropped his canvas bag and collapsed on the bed, soon falling asleep. The past few days since returning to the country had worn him out mentally and physically.

When he woke up, the sun had already set, and the remnants of the dusk's glow streamed through the window, warm and comforting. Ye Chen jumped off the bed and looked out the window to see the Sea Sky community bathed in a blush. He had to admit, the view from the villa was rather impressive.

After tidying up his room, Ye Chen went downstairs and saw a beautiful figure reclining on the sofa in the living room, engrossed in a new romantic drama playing on the large television screen in front of her.

Completely absorbed in the melodramatic twists of the show, Su Xiyue didn't hear Ye Chen's descent.

A playful smile crossed Ye Chen's face. He hadn't expected the cool and distant Su Xiyue to have such a taste, to be like any ordinary girl chasing after romance dramas. It seemed that these sentimental and romantic things had an allure for most women.

Ye Chen crept up quietly next to Su Xiyue and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, saying, "My good wife, I never imagined you'd enjoy watching romance dramas."