Better Than Summer: A Marriage Before Love Romance - Chapter 20

Seeing Xi Chengnan’s WeChat message, Shen Tingxia smiled faintly. She didn’t know his intention, but it felt like the perfect moment for some ambiguous banter. So she replied:
【Not really appropriate for the middle of the day, is it…】

Xi Chengnan, who had just received her reply, was on his way to the operating room. Originally scheduled for just one surgery in the afternoon, an emergency case had been added. Both procedures were demanding and wouldn’t be short; there was no telling what time he’d finish.

Xi Chengnan remained expressionless, completely unaffected by her insinuation. Walking briskly, he typed back:
【Throw out that dirty mind of yours.】

Shen Tingxia pouted, realizing he must genuinely be busy. Her smile faded as she replied seriously:
【Oh】
Then added:
【What’s up?】

Time was tight. Xi Chengnan got straight to the point:
【Two surgeries this afternoon. Not sure when they’ll end. If you go to my place, remember to lock the door properly. I won’t be coming back. If you go back to your own place, forget I said anything.】

As soon as he sent the message, someone called for him urgently. Without waiting for a reply, Xi Chengnan pocketed his phone and hurried towards the OR.

At the noodle shop, after reading Xi Chengnan’s message, Shen Tingxia felt an inexplicable sense that he was… reporting his schedule to her.
Her father always informed her mother, Madam Qu, about work dinners or overtime.
Yet, this was a feeling she’d never experienced before.

Pausing for a couple of seconds, she typed:
【Then I’ll go back to my own place.】
Her car was still parked in her own apartment complex’s underground garage. Besides, they hadn’t officially moved in together yet – most of her things were still at her place.

“Tingxia-jie, something happy happened?” Lin Muning’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
Shen Tingxia looked up. “Not really. Hurry up and eat, then go rest.”
They stopped talking. Shen Tingxia locked her phone screen and focused on her meal.

Around 3 PM, Shen Tingxia sent a file to Fu Chuji outlining her proposed division of work for the week.
She knew he’d be in the office tomorrow, but she deliberately chose to sync with him now.
Why should bosses only disturb you when YOU take leave? Opportunities for this kind of ‘payback’ are rare. Shen Tingxia was determined to seize this one, even if Fu Chuji probably wouldn’t care.

Soon, she received a reply.
K (Kevin):Swap your work with Leo’s. You handle offline, let him handle online.】

Shen Tingxia instantly frowned, baffled.
Her experience was stronger in online, while Lin Muning excelled in offline. Why not play to their strengths?
She started drafting an explanation, but before she could send it, Fu Chuji followed up:
【Any problem with that?】

In that instant, Shen Tingxia felt an intense wave of oppressive pressure, making it hard to breathe.
She understood his intent – likely wanting them to broaden their skills – but she didn’t think it was the best approach.
However, she didn’t argue. She accepted the swap.
St (Shen Tingxia): 【No problem. We’ll proceed as adjusted.】
K (Kevin): 【En.】

Ending the conversation, Shen Tingxia smoothed her brow. She relayed the news verbally to Lin Muning and formally announced the adjusted responsibilities in their work group chat, finalizing the teams.
Watching the stream of “1” acknowledgments in the group, she picked up her water glass and took a sip.

Shortly after, she saw a new message from Lin Muning below the group chat:
【Tingxia-jie, should I talk to Kevin? You should handle online, I’ll handle offline.】

Those two short lines made Shen Tingxia frown again.
Talk to Kevin? On what grounds? Suggesting that would make it seem like she was deeply dissatisfied with Kevin’s decision.
Shen Tingxia let out an almost imperceptible scoff, set her glass down, and replied:
【No need. We’ll go with the adjusted plan.】

After work, Shen Tingxia took a taxi back to her own apartment. As she opened the door, she saw the lights were on and spotted her mother’s figure.
Her eyes widened in shock. “Mom! What are you doing here?”

Qu Xianglan was closing the windows. She turned around at the sound. “I came to find something I forgot last time. The weather forecast said rain tonight. Honestly, Tingxia, leaving the windows wide open?”
She walked towards the entryway. “Tingxia, tell me, what’s the situation between you and Chengnan now?”
“What do you mean ‘situation’?” Shen Tingxia played dumb.
“Yesterday, with so many people around, I couldn’t ask properly. Are you living together now?”

Shen Tingxia chuckled inwardly. She knew her mother well. Her prediction about Madam Qu’s behavior was spot on.
Finding something was probably just an excuse; a surprise inspection was the real reason. Thankfully, she had a strategy ready.
She replied calmly, “Not yet. But we are planning to. I’m going to rent this place out. I just haven’t finished packing yet. Plus, Chengnan’s on duty today, so I came back here.”

Qu Xianglan’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. “Are you going back there tonight?”
“I’m already back here. Why would I go back?”
Why did she feel like her mom was setting a trap?
“Go back. I’ll come with you to see the place. I can’t have my daughter married and not even know where her husband lives.”
Ah, so that was it.
Her mother had made it explicit. Shen Tingxia couldn’t refuse.
Honestly, from a mother’s perspective, the request wasn’t unreasonable.
Shen Tingxia didn’t bother making excuses. She grabbed her car keys and drove her mother straight to Xi Chengnan’s apartment.

Before starting the car, Shen Tingxia checked her call log, spotting “Free Duck” (郗承南’s contact name). She dialed Xi Chengnan.
It rang several times with no answer. He must still be in surgery. She’d explain later. It felt a bit rude to show up unannounced with her mom.
She put her phone away, started the car, and told her mother, “Mom, just memorize the address today, okay? Don’t stay long. Wait till Chengnan’s home next time, then stay as long as you like.”
Qu Xianglan agreed, “I know.”
After all, they’d just reunited. Even if they were still in love, it wasn’t like a normal married couple yet. She understood boundaries.
Soon, they arrived at Xi Chengnan’s place. Shen Tingxia unlocked the door with her fingerprint, led her mother inside, and turned on the lights.

Standing in the entryway, Shen Tingxia kicked off her high heels. Barefoot on the wooden floor, she instantly became shorter. She handed her own slippers to her mother. “Mom, wear mine.”
Such a sudden visit meant no spare slippers were prepared.
After saying this, Shen Tingxia slipped her feet into Xi Chengnan’s oversized slippers.

Once her mother had the slippers on, she bent down to neatly arrange Shen Tingxia’s discarded heels, launching into a familiar lecture:
“After taking your shoes off, put them away properly! Don’t leave them lying around everywhere! Don’t toss clothes worn outside all over the place! If you plan to wear it again, hang it up! If it needs washing, put it in the hamper! How many times have I told you? Why can’t you remember?”
Shen Tingxia wished she could close her ears. The unit of measurement for that lecture wasn’t “times”; it was years.
After starting university, her habits had changed significantly. Not because she’d picked up bad habits from others, but because Shen Tingxia had finally stopped being the “perfect role model.” Pretending in social settings was exhausting enough; at home, she just wanted to be herself. Work had amplified this.
No matter how many times her mother lectured, it never sank in. She remained stubbornly… relaxed about details.

Ignoring her mother, Shen Tingxia walked to the dining table, pulled out a chair, and sat down, her eyes tracking her mother.
Qu Xianglan, slippers on, walked in, looking around, surveying the apartment’s layout.
Though Shen Tingxia had been here many times, before their marriage registration, her territory had been limited to the living room and master bedroom. She hadn’t entered the other rooms. Only on their wedding day had she unlocked the third room.
Seeing her mother about to venture further, Shen Tingxia called out promptly:
“Mom, just look around here. There’s not much of your daughter’s stuff here yet. Let’s maintain a little… boundary.”
Her tone was casual and natural, sounding completely genuine – hard to doubt.

Qu Xianglan stopped and came to sit beside her. Speaking from experience, her tone turned earnest:
“You’re married now. Tone down those little temper tantrums of yours. Don’t just be fierce at home. Sometimes I wonder if the ‘Shen Tingxia’ others know is even you. A marriage is about two people living together. You give a little, he gives a little. Between husband and wife, it doesn’t matter who gives more. What’s important is mutual understanding, support, and trust. Chengnan’s a doctor, he’s busy. You need to be understanding. Don’t pull another stunt like last time, breaking up just because he’s busy…”
Madam Qu continued sharing her wisdom. Shen Tingxia responded with noncommittal “Mm-hmms” and “Ahs” – the safest and most reliable approach.
Arguing with Madam Qu right now? Only if she had a death wish.

After a while, Madam Qu said, “Your dad’s coming to pick me up. When you both have a free weekend, come home for dinner. I’m leaving.”
Shen Tingxia had no idea when her mom had contacted her dad. She’d planned to drive her back.
This was better. Saved her the trip.
Shen Tingxia offered to walk her mother downstairs, but Qu Xianglan refused.
“Haven’t eaten yet, have you? Order some takeout quick.”
“…”
At least she remembered her daughter hadn’t eaten. Definitely her real mother.

After her mother left, Shen Tingxia stayed. Sitting at the dining table, she opened a food delivery app.
Since she was already here, no point going back. Who knew if Xi Chengnan would even come back tonight? Weren’t doctors always sleeping at the hospital?
She didn’t have overtime tonight. It wasn’t too late. She ordered a long-craved meal from a distant restaurant, adding a note: Leave at door. Do not knock. She placed the order.
The app estimated delivery in about an hour and a half.

While waiting, Shen Tingxia turned on the TV, found a French movie, and curled up on the sofa.
The sounds of the film filled the large, quiet living room. Uninterrupted and physically tired, Shen Tingxia gradually drifted off to sleep.

At the hospital, Xi Chengnan finished his second surgery around 10:30 PM. The demanding procedures had drained his energy and stamina. All he wanted was to collapse into bed for a few hours.
After briefing the duty nurse and handing over, he finally had a moment to check his phone. Besides Shen Tingxia’s reply from hours ago, there were a few unimportant WeChat messages and one missed call. He called back, but no one answered. He didn’t try again.
Seeing Shen Tingxia had said she’d go back to her place, he mustered his last reserves of energy and drove straight home without hesitation.

Standing at his front door, Xi Chengnan spotted a takeout bag on the floor. He frowned slightly, realizing that missed call probably wasn’t the delivery guy.
Bending down to pick up the bag, he saw the name and phone number on the label and smiled.
Since when did Shen Tingxia become so thoughtful, ordering takeout for him? Was this the difference between a fvck buddy and a husband?
But when he opened the door, saw the lights on, and spotted the high heels by the entryway, he realized he’d been overthinking it.
It wasn’t for him at all. It was for herself.
But hadn’t she said she was going back to her own place tonight?