My Wife Always Wants to Run Away - Chapter 21

Hearing Tang Jinzhi’s definitive answer, Jie Xiangyi’s long-held anxieties finally dissolved completely.

This had been her only worry since getting married.

Even though it was clear that Jie Xiangyi was the more proactive one, she still felt apprehensive.

She had no experience whatsoever and knew nothing about such matters.

Although Tang Jinzhi had initially seemed reassuring, Jie Xiangyi couldn’t shake the fear that one day Tang Jinzhi might want to sleep with her.

But her worries were futile; it was only a matter of time.

Jie Xiangyi didn’t believe she could live a lifetime of platonic nights with Tang Jinzhi.

She simply needed time to adjust, wanting to take things slow.

Their eyes met, and Tang Jinzhi didn’t sense any displeasure from Jie Xiangyi at her words.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

Her thoughts mirrored Jie Xiangyi’s exactly.

She knew she couldn’t resist Jie Xiangyi’s allure, so it was best to nip such thoughts in the bud right away.

After coaxing Zhang Yueqi back to his room, Tang Jinzhi moved her few belongings into the master bedroom.

She placed her toiletries in the master bathroom, leaving the guest bathroom for Zhang Yueqi.

Tang Jinzhi glanced at Jie Xiangyi, who had just finished brushing her teeth. “You should go to bed. I’m going to take a shower.”

Jie Xiangyi blinked but didn’t move. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”

Tang Jinzhi let out a soft “Ah?” of confusion.

Jie Xiangyi said, “The day before you were hospitalized, you told me you’d found a music teacher and wouldn’t be coming home often. Have you completely given up on that now?”

Tang Jinzhi’s actions over the past few days had made her attitude abundantly clear, yet Jie Xiangyi still couldn’t believe it.

She knew what Tang Jinzhi had been studying, how well she was doing, and how much hardship she had endured to get her chance in the entertainment industry.

But now Tang Jinzhi never mentioned it.

She had abandoned it so completely.

After a few moments of contemplation, Tang Jinzhi decided to answer honestly: “The Tang Jinzhi from before is the Tang Jinzhi from before. The Tang Jinzhi now is me.”

She had no intention of deceiving anyone, least of all Jie Xiangyi.

Jie Xiangyi was too perceptive to be easily fooled, and since they would be living together, lying would only force Tang Jinzhi to concoct elaborate explanations for her changed behavior.

Deceiving Jie Xiangyi would simply be too exhausting.

Tang Jinzhi resolved to live openly and honestly, just as Jie Xiangyi had openly and honestly accepted their sudden relationship.

Jie Xiangyi clearly took Tang Jinzhi’s words as a brush-off. She sighed heavily. “It’s fine if you don’t want to talk about it. But if you ever decide to join the industry, I can introduce you to some friends I have in the business.”

Jie Xiangyi thought anyone who didn’t use their connections was a fool.

Fortunately, she had connections, and Tang Jinzhi needed them.

Tang Jinzhi’s eyes lit up.

“It’s like climbing a mountain between different industries. I’m not trying to break into the entertainment circle. I’m being honest.”

“But I do enjoy making friends within the industry. If they’re directors, even better.”

Jie Xiangyi: “……”

And she says she doesn’t want to join the industry.

Jie Xiangyi smiled. “I’ll introduce you when I have time.”

Many wealthy heirs in the industry were eager to expand into entertainment companies. Jie Xiangyi knew plenty of them personally. Though busy, she attended countless banquets, both large and small.

Jie Xiangyi’s eyes flickered. “Actually, your ‘kid’ knows even more people.”

Tang Jinzhi looked puzzled. “What kid?”

Jie Xiangyi chuckled. “Zhang Yueqi.”

Tang Jinzhi’s lips twitched. This conversation feels so familiar.

She pushed Jie Xiangyi toward the bed. “Hurry up and sleep. You have work early tomorrow.”

Jie Xiangyi sat on the edge of the bed and nodded. “My alarm’s set for 7 AM. I hope it won’t disturb you.”

Tang Jinzhi’s expression turned complicated.

“…I’ll never call myself a ‘workhorse’ again.”

I don’t deserve the comparison. I really don’t.

Hearing this, Jie Xiangyi felt all her energy drain away. She looked at Tang Jinzhi with exhaustion.

“I have a day off the day after tomorrow.”

Tang Jinzhi sighed in relief, “Ah, that’s wonderful!”

So they did get rest days after all.

For some reason, Jie Xiangyi felt her life was particularly hard when she saw Tang Jinzhi sighing with relief over her mere mention of rest days.

“Someone will come to take our measurements that day. Think about what you’d like to wear, and they’ll bring everything over.”

Tang Jinzhi nodded solemnly, promising to do just that.

Jie Xiangyi pulled back the covers and lay down. After a moment’s hesitation, she said, “I’m going to sleep now. Wash up and go to bed early—don’t stay up like you did last night.”

Faced with Jie Xiangyi’s still-awkward display of concern, Tang Jinzhi nodded reassuringly, “I’ll go to bed right after washing up.”

The truth was, she’d spent the entire afternoon and evening watching TV with Zhang Yueqi, leaving her exhausted and her eyes strained.

By the time Tang Jinzhi finished washing up, Jie Xiangyi was already asleep.

Afraid of disturbing her roommate, Tang Jinzhi took the hairdryer out to the balcony to dry her hair. When she finished and checked the time, it was nearly one in the morning.

She circled around to the other side of the bed, reached for the bedside lamp switch, and plunged the room into darkness.

Tang Jinzhi had checked before going to sleep. The two were lying on the bed, not too far apart but not too close either, each lying properly in their own space.

Jie Xiangyi was facing away from her…

The night passed in Tang Jinzhi’s restless thoughts.

In her dreams, every scenario she had imagined—being held while sleeping—played out vividly.

In reality, however, both remained perfectly composed.

When Jie Xiangyi got up, Tang Jinzhi also woke.

After watching Jie Xiangyi go to wash up, Tang Jinzhi took a long moment to fully come to her senses, then mentally rolled her eyes at herself.

What kind of nonsense was that dream?!

When Jie Xiangyi returned from washing up, she found Tang Jinzhi staring blankly at the pillow.

After a moment’s hesitation, she walked over.

Though she knew Tang Jinzhi was awake, Jie Xiangyi spoke softly, careful not to disturb her, “You can sleep a bit longer. I should be leaving now.”

Tang Jinzhi snapped out of her daze and nodded, her head barely peeking out from under the covers.

Watching her dazed expression and the small nod, Jie Xiangyi’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, her gaze softening involuntarily.

Jie Xiangyi lingered for a moment longer, then quickly averted her eyes.

She had to leave.

Tang Jinzhi’s head suddenly popped out from under the covers, her voice soft and sleepy. “Remember to eat breakfast,” she murmured.

Jie Xiangyi’s heart fluttered. “I will,” she replied gently.

Watching Jie Xiangyi leave, Tang Jinzhi retreated back under the covers. She was still tired, but without the exhausting dream, she wanted to catch a few more hours of sleep.

At the same time, she couldn’t help but admire Jie Xiangyi. Working from the moment she opened her eyes until she closed them again—she was truly remarkable.

Tang Jinzhi’s nap lasted only two hours.

Normally, she would laze around until noon before getting up.

But now there was Zhang Yueqi, a hungry mouth to feed.

With a blank expression, Tang Jinzhi handed Zhang Yueqi a supplementary card with a credit limit of just 600 yuan.

“Your job today is to go grocery shopping. I’ve sent you a list of what to buy—all Xiangyi’s favorites. If you miss even one item, I’ll have her beat you up when she gets back.”

Tang Jinzhi smiled, though the truth was, these were all her own favorite foods.

Zhang Yueqi dared not protest.

She who feeds me is my mother, she thought bitterly. How could she argue?

Grumbling, she pulled out her phone and opened the chat with Jie Xiangyi, sending a sarcastic message: Your wife really loves you.

Across town, Jie Xiangyi, who had just finished her rounds, saw the message and fell into deep thought.