Childish Man

Tang Mianmian let him hold her for a while before he finally released her. After placing the items in their spots, she turned and asked, "Done with work?"

He nodded. "Work's done. Just got something else to take care of."

"What is it?" She figured he might have to head out again.

But the man gave her a wicked smile, and before she could react, he scooped her up in his arms. "Time to take care of something important."

"Put me down… I haven't showered yet!"

"Perfect. The pajamas we bought will come in handy."

"I'm not wearing those pajamas!"

"Then don't wear anything."

"…!"

The moment they got to the bedroom, she grabbed her loungewear and dashed into the bathroom like her life depended on it, terrified he might actually devour her.

Long Yejue stared at the closed door and sighed…

So close, yet so far. For a carnivore like him, it was pure torture.

He waited and waited…

Waited so long he almost dozed off, and still, she hadn't come out.

Worried she'd fallen asleep in the bathroom, he knocked on the door. "Tang Mianmian, what are you doing in there?"

"…Growing mushrooms," came her sleepy voice.

Long Yejue couldn't help but laugh, sighing again, "Come out already. If you really grow mushrooms, that'd be a problem."

"…"

Tang Mianmian was still struggling. Should she come out or not?

Was something really going to happen tonight?

But she… she wasn't ready.

Long Yejue, exasperated, realized she wouldn't come out unless he promised something. "Come out. I won't touch you."

"Really?" She didn't trust him.

"Really."

"Swear on it," she said, clearly not buying it.

Though slightly offended, he swore, "I swear on our marriage certificate I won't touch you, alright?"

Though she rolled her eyes, she finally came out, avoiding his gaze, and dove straight into bed—wrapping herself up like a cocoon.

Long Yejue looked at the lump on the bed, black lines creeping down his face. "I thought you wanted something to happen between us."

"Who said that?!" she retorted indignantly.

He pointed to the violet on the nightstand. "Do you know what that flower means?"

"A flower's just a flower. What else could it mean?" she huffed, rolling her eyes.

Clearly, she underestimated Long Yejue. With a dangerous grin, he climbed onto the bed, kissed the corner of her lips, and whispered hotly, "Purple represents sexual implication. Didn't you know?"

"…!"

She froze, then snapped, "Long Yejue, you're too much! Can you not have such a filthy mind?!"

His response was to pin her down and show her what he really wanted.

Waking up in your lover's arms—every morning felt perfect.

Even through gloom and winter.

It was early winter, and the weather had turned chilly.

Tang Mianmian chose a light lavender coat with a matching light-colored wool dress.

She spun in front of the mirror, pleased with the result.

They say clothes make the person—and it was true.

Wearing such elegant designer clothes, she did feel a bit like a goddess.

She figured she should carry a nicer bag today.

She remembered the luxury handbag she bought last time at the mall—only to recall she had handed it, along with Long Yejue's birthday gift, to Long Ruoshui.

What now?

Should she call and ask for it back?

She hesitated for a while, but Long Yejue was already urging her from outside the closet. "Tang Mianmian, are you done? Still dawdling?"

The man had a short temper.

So she gave up on finding a bag and stepped out, immediately facing his sullen expression.

She knew his mood was off.

No surprise—he didn't get what he wanted last night.

As Fu Ranran would put it: classic case of frustration due to unmet desires.

Knowing she was partly at fault, she tried to ease things. "Okay, okay, let's go."

Long Yejue narrowed his eyes at her for a moment, then unexpectedly set his briefcase down and walked into the closet.

"What is it? Forgot something?" she asked from the door.

He snorted. "Too cold in a suit. I'm changing."

"…It's not even cold. There's central heating in the office."

But he was heading out for a business meeting today, so it made sense to dress warmly.

Then she saw what coat he picked—and froze.

Long Yejue had the kind of build that made any clothes look amazing. Everything in the closet was high-end and custom-fitted, so of course it looked great.

But still…

"Long Yejue, you're so childish," she couldn't help but blurt out.

His handsome face darkened. "Why? Only you can wear a lavender coat?"

She rolled her eyes and walked off, too amused to argue.

But inside, her mood lifted.

Was this… couple outfits?

She looked back with a smirk. "Long Yejue, if you wanted to wear matching outfits, just say it. Acting like this is so childish."

"Who said I wanted to match you? I just felt like wearing this one." He absolutely refused to admit it.

But despite his denial, Tang Mianmian couldn't stop grinning.

Deny all you want. Your actions gave you away. Being stubborn won't change a thing.

On the way out, she asked, "You're meeting someone for business today, right? So you don't need the car? Can you leave the keys with me?"

"What do you need the car for? Where are you going?"

"I left the bag I bought last time at my sister's. I want to go get it."

"Don't bother. I'll go with you after work and buy a new one," he said.

She didn't get it. "Why? That bag cost money—a lot of it."

"Over half a million?" he asked, smiling.

She nodded, wondering how he knew.

Then she realized—duh, the card was his. Of course he knew where the money went. "I forgot to tell you that day… I spent a lot. About that much."

She raised one finger.

It was insane—almost a million spent in one day!

Long Yejue must think she was a total spender…

Yesterday he'd praised her for being a good wife—was that all sarcasm?

The more she thought about it, the more deflated she felt.

But Long Yejue said calmly, "So what if you spent it? I've told you—what's mine is yours. The more you spend, the more pressure I feel to earn more."

She hadn't expected him to say that. Caught off guard, she hesitated before admitting, "Actually… I only bought a 20,000-yuan bag for myself. The 500,000 one was for my sister."

Screech—

The car swerved slightly.

Tang Mianmian grabbed the handle in shock. "What's wrong?!"

"You bought her such an expensive bag?!"

Yep. He's mad.

Feeling guilty, she apologized, "I didn't realize it was that expensive until I paid. It was too late to back out."

If she'd known it was 500k, she'd never have tried to show off.

Long Yejue sighed and said, "Don't buy her that stuff. She's been spoiled since she was a kid, and luxury shopping is her thrill. Keep enabling her and she'll ruin herself."

"Oh, so that's what this is about." She'd thought he was blaming her.

"Then why'd you let me buy expensive stuff? Aren't you afraid I'll pick up the same bad habits?" she teased.

He flicked her forehead. "Relax. Your husband's rich enough to fund your bad habits."

"Really?" Tang Mianmian asked curiously. "Last time I asked you, you didn't answer. What's the credit limit on the card you gave me?"

"Just spend. Why do you care?" he grumbled.

"But I'm curious…" She played with her fingers and pushed again. "How much? I spent nearly a million and it didn't blink. Is it over five million?"

"…"

Seeing no response, she kept guessing. "Ten million?"

"…"

"Fifty million?!"

Was she… a multi-millionaire now?

Finally, Long Yejue gave in. "No limit."

Tang Mianmian froze.

No limit?

That was… unimaginable.

Her brain couldn't even process it.

Rich people really do live in a whole different world.

As the car neared the underground parking lot, Tang Mianmian brought up the subject again. "The car keys? I need to get my bag."

"I told you not to go. I'll take you shopping instead." His tone turned a bit impatient.

"Please don't go shopping with me." She still hadn't recovered from yesterday.

She wasn't ready for another retail trip with him just yet.

The moment she said that, Long Yejue's face turned cold. "Tang Mianmian, are you disgusted by me?"

"How could I dare? You're my sugar daddy now."

"Do you look like someone who knows how to serve a sugar daddy?" he snapped, clearly referencing how she kicked him out of bed last night.

Feeling guilty, she said quickly, "Okay, okay, I'll be good from now on. Can I have the car keys?"

"I said no! Are you deaf?"

"But I have other stuff I need to get," she pressed.

Including the gift she'd bought for his birthday.

Long Yejue parked the car and turned to her, face cold. "Forget it. You're not going."

He had cut off Long Ruoshui's funds recently, so her mood was bound to be foul. There was no way he'd let Tang Mianmian go and get caught in that storm.

"What if it's your birthday present?" she said quietly, finally spilling the truth.

He paused, raising an eyebrow. "You got me a birthday present?"

"Yeah. I was going to give it to you on your birthday. But now, I guess the surprise is ruined," she muttered.

Long Yejue's eyes lit up. The moment the car stopped, he suddenly started reversing.

Tang Mianmian leaned forward from the momentum, grabbing the seatbelt. "What are you doing?!"