My Wife Always Wants to Run Away - Chapter 46

Zhang Yueqi was half right.

They had been holding hands at first, but Tang Jinzhi let go after calming Xie Xiangyi’s ruffled feathers. Xie Xiangyi wasn’t refusing the food out of spite; she simply wasn’t in the mood to eat.

With her carefully constructed image completely shattered by Zhang Yueqi, the image-conscious Xie Xiangyi was still seething inside. If Zhang Yueqi hadn’t said anything, she might have let it go. But the moment Zhang Yueqi spoke, Xie Xiangyi lowered her head and forcefully grabbed Tang Jinzhi’s hand.

The others stared in silence.

Tang Jinzhi resisted the urge to glare at Xie Xiangyi—how childish.

Zhang Wanzhu paused for a few seconds, realizing perhaps why Xie Xiangyi could get along with Zhang Yueqi. Zhang Yueqi had a knack for precisely provoking Xie Xiangyi’s emotions, something no one else could achieve.

Indeed, my daughter is just asking for trouble.

After a moment’s contemplation, Zhang Wanzhu turned to Zhang Yueqi and said earnestly, “Mengmeng might actually be a good match for you.”

Her daughter had just been acting terrified of the other woman.

Zhang Yueqi lowered her head dejectedly and began to eat in silence.

Xie Xiangyi calmly continued discussing the engagement banquet with her aunt. Previously, she hadn’t cared about the details, but now she couldn’t help but want to know more.

“Auntie, has my younger aunt mentioned bringing anyone to our engagement banquet recently? If so, please stop her,” Xie Xiangyi said, referring to Tang Jinzhi’s biological mother.

Xie Rujun frowned. “Has that naive fool been tricked again? Did she come looking for you?”

The “naive fool” Xie Rujun was referring to was Xie Xiangyi’s younger aunt, Xie Ruqin—a hopeless romantic with a soft heart and poor judgment, always siding with outsiders.

Xie Xiangyi nodded. “Yes, someone’s been stirring up trouble with her, spreading rumors about us. Auntie probably believed everything she heard, so I blocked her.”

Xie Xiangyi spoke with casual indifference, but Xie Rujun’s head was spinning. She realized she needed to go home soon—this was going to be a mess.

Xiao Xiangyi’s words sounded harmless on the surface, but a closer look revealed her true message: Keep your sister in line.

“Alright, I understand. I’ll go see her as soon as I’m done with these projects,” Xie Rujun sighed.

This was precisely why Xie Xiangyi avoided her family. Too many relatives, each with their own hidden agendas, made her uncomfortable.

Tang Jinzhi raised an eyebrow but remained silent. She knew Xie Xiangyi was referring to Tang Wan, and that Tang Wan had only spoken ill of her, not Xie Xiangyi.

Zhang Wanzhu scoffed, “That idiot in your family never learns.”

Xie Rujun sighed, “She’s a bit dense, but she still listens to me.”

Although Xie Ruqin could be manipulated by outsiders into betraying her family, the moment Xie Rujun’s expression turned stern, Xie Ruqin would tremble like a leaf. No amount of outside influence could sway her then. Even if someone badmouthed Xie Rujun to her face, they couldn’t damage the sisters’ bond. After all, nothing they could say was as terrifying as the thoughts already swirling in Xie Ruqin’s own mind…

Xie Rujun began to reflect, wondering if she had been away from home for too long. Xie Ruqin had grown complacent again. Despite countless warnings, she still refused to believe that anyone who befriended her unprompted was only out to exploit her. Everyone knew how easily she could be fooled.

Zhang Wanzhu nodded in agreement. Xie Ruqin acted as if she’d seen a ghost whenever Xie Rujun was around, cowering even more than a quail.

In truth, Xie Ruqin was equally terrified of Xie Xiangyi’s cold silence. Zhang Wanzhu had once witnessed this firsthand. When Xie Xiangyi’s face turned icy, her gaze became eerily similar to Xie Rujun’s.

Tang Jinzhi remained quiet, listening attentively. She and Zhang Yueqi continued eating. Noticing that Xie Xiangyi hadn’t touched her food, Tang Jinzhi withdrew her hand and placed some of Xie Xiangyi’s favorite dishes onto her plate.

Having been watching Tang Jinzhi’s every move, Xie Xiangyi smiled and immediately picked up her chopsticks, beginning to eat slowly and deliberately.

Tang Jinzhi: “……”

Could Xie Xiangyi really have been waiting for me to feed her all this time?

Zhang Yueqi rolled her eyes. What did I tell you?

Xie Rujun hesitated, thinking the restaurant’s food didn’t suit Xie Xiangyi’s taste. Now she realized Xie Xiangyi had been waiting all along…

This is too much to watch.

Zhang Wanzhu covered her forehead. When it came to romance, she thought Xie Xiangyi was just as naive and clueless as Xie Ruqin. But Xie Xiangyi had someone who truly doted on her, while that clueless girl was surrounded by pitfalls.

Tang Jinzhi, forced to dote on Xie Xiangyi, was nearly speechless. If Xie Xiangyi dares to be so blatantly obvious again, just try me.

You can’t just embarrass yourself and then torment your wife! My wife’s life matters too!

The meal stretched on for a long time. Xie Xiangyi’s phone memo was filled with notes about the engagement banquet’s schedule, including their plan to arrive early for a preview.

Before leaving, Tang Jinzhi exchanged contact information with the two elders and received several meeting gifts. Having never experienced such customs before, she was completely bewildered when they were handed over.

Xie Xiangyi followed her into the car. Instead of leaving immediately, she began unwrapping her gifts. Tang Jinzhi watched beside her, annoyed. “Can’t you wait until we get home to open those? Why would they give you so many?”

“They’re probably just trying to make up for all the teasing,” Xie Xiangyi said, her voice tinged with resentment. She had been holding back her frustration throughout the entire meal.

Tang Jinzhi chuckled softly, reaching over to take all the gift boxes from Xie Xiangyi’s hands and placing them on the back seat. “Well, you got your revenge, didn’t you? You managed to talk Zhang Yueqi out of the arranged marriage with just a few words.”

“That’s different,” Xie Xiangyi protested. “Zou Limeng and I can’t stand each other. It would never work.”

“You underestimate Zhang Yueqi’s stubbornness,” Tang Jinzhi countered. “She’s not the type to give up easily.”

“You never know,” Tang Jinzhi said skeptically, glancing out the window. Zhang Yueqi was still standing beside her mother, deep in conversation.

Tang Jinzhi reached up to touch her neck, her eyes darkening slightly. “After all, even you and I are possible.”

Xie Xiangyi scoffed at this. “We were always very likely.”

She had never considered pursuing romance herself. If she were to be forced into an arranged marriage later on, it would likely end up being with Tang Jinzhi anyway.

Tang Jinzhi met Xie Xiangyi’s gaze and waved a finger. “The two of us—you and I—were never meant to be. You shouldn’t even have been able to see me in this world, understand?”

Xie Xiangyi shook her head. “I don’t understand. We’re married now. Nothing’s impossible.”

Tang Jinzhi patted Xie Xiangyi’s arm. “Exactly! Nothing’s impossible. But if you keep playing matchmaker like this, what if you ruin things for those two?”

Xie Xiangyi covered her arm and shook her head, her eyes filled with hurt. “That won’t happen. It’s impossible unless both of them agree.”

She understood Zhang Wanzhu’s character. Zhang Wanzhu would never make things difficult for Zhang Yueqi, nor would she ever trouble Zou Limeng. That’s why Xie Xiangyi dared to act as she did.

Tang Jinzhi rubbed Xie Xiangyi’s arm. “Let’s go home. Buckle up.”

Xie Xiangyi didn’t move, her eyes brimming with hurt. “I’ve completely lost face today.”

Her mood had been low all day.

Tang Jinzhi sighed, her voice tinged with helplessness. “Then what do you want me to do?”

Wasn’t this mess entirely Xie Xiangyi’s own fault?

And speaking of which, Tang Jinzhi still hadn’t asked: every time Xie Xiangyi went to the kitchen, was she really just trying to make her presence known?

The more Tang Jinzhi thought about it, the more Zhang Yueqi’s words seemed to ring true.

Xie Xiangyi pursed her lips. “I’m not happy.”

As the words left her mouth, her gaze fixed intently on Tang Jinzhi… specifically, her lips.

Her intentions couldn’t be any clearer.

Tang Jinzhi glanced out the car window. They were parked under a streetlight, and though the street was deserted, anyone passing by could still see inside.

She struggled for a moment, Xie Xiangyi’s face drawing closer.

Tang Jinzhi’s gaze softened. She reached out and gently stroked Xie Xiangyi’s cheek, soothingly murmuring, “Don’t be upset. After all, only Aunt Wang and Aunt Zhang know. They won’t tell anyone.”

She knew Xie Xiangyi cared deeply about her image. Despite her usual composed demeanor, she might be putting on a facade in public.

Since revealing certain aspects of her personality to Tang Jinzhi, Xie Xiangyi had become much more relaxed around her, even doing things she would never have considered before.

Zhang Yueqi had caught her at the perfect moment, witnessing Xie Xiangyi’s rare tantrum.

Xie Xiangyi fell silent, shifting slightly to press her cheek against Tang Jinzhi’s palm.

Feeling the soft warmth against her skin, Tang Jinzhi’s heart softened. Her fingers involuntarily traced the curve of Xie Xiangyi’s jawline.

Seeing how obedient Xie Xiangyi was, Tang Jinzhi’s voice softened even further. “Want to go to the supermarket? See if there’s anything you’d like me to make for you tomorrow.”

Xie Xiangyi had been feeling a bit tired, but the thought of finally going out alone with Tang Jinzhi immediately perked her up.

“Let’s go. We can just go to the one near home.”

Tang Jinzhi smiled, retracting her hand and tapping Xie Xiangyi’s seatbelt playfully. “Now you can buckle up, right?”

Xie Xiangyi didn’t argue, turning to pull down the seatbelt. Just as she clicked it into place, Zhang Yueqi came running up and knocked on the car window.

Confused, Xie Xiangyi lowered the window. “What’s up?”

“Nothing,” Zhang Yueqi waved, pointing to the back seat. “Open the back door.”

Xie Xiangyi’s expression darkened slightly, a bad feeling creeping in. She didn’t want Tang Jinzhi to open it. She was about to turn and warn Tang Jinzhi when Zhang Yueqi yanked the back door open herself.

Tang Jinzhi was stunned—she hadn’t even locked the doors.

“Aren’t you going back with Aunt Zhang?” Tang Jinzhi asked, glancing back at Zhang Yueqi, who was busy rearranging the gift boxes.

Zhang Yueqi grinned mischievously. “Heh, of course I’m coming with you two! I’m back! Aren’t you happy? Excited? Did you miss me?”

She had been about to ask her mother’s driver to take her, but when she saw the two of them were still there, she rushed over.

What are they dawdling about?

Xie Xiangyi’s face darkened.

Her tone was sharp: “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

Zhang Yueqi shrugged, spreading her hands. “I got fired. Just now. Zou Limeng told me to get lost.”

Xie Xiangyi’s mood was already foul, but now it was positively radiant.

Tang Jinzhi was mildly surprised. “What did you do?”

Zhang Yueqi grinned. “I told Zou Limeng I’d get a marriage certificate with her tomorrow. Said my mom approved. Scared her half to death.”

Let someone else who’s equally annoyed deal with her.

See? The only reason she’s scared is because she’s not crazy enough.

Xie Xiangyi: “Then why don’t you just go home with your mom?”

Zhang Yueqi’s tone was deliberately irritating. “My mom’s not going home, and I don’t want to either. I like hanging out with Tang Jinzhi. Besides, you’ll be heading back soon anyway, right? Let’s all go together.”

As a jobless drifter, I can go wherever I want.

Xie Xiangyi refused flatly, her voice cold. “I don’t like hanging out with you.”

“My wife doesn’t like it either,” she added.

Zhang Yueqi leaned back, feigning nonchalance. “As long as I like it, that’s all that matters. I’m going to keep doing it just to annoy you and make you kick me out.”

Xie Xiangyi fell silent, having only just started enjoying her good days.

Tang Jinzhi could already feel Xie Xiangyi’s simmering resentment.

Xie Xiangyi’s face remained stiff, her tone flat. “Let’s just go home. I’m tired.”

She had no intention of taking Zhang Yueqi grocery shopping with them.

Tang Jinzhi sighed softly and poked Xie Xiangyi’s cheek. Xie Xiangyi didn’t even flinch, her mood utterly foul.

Tang Jinzhi was equally frustrated. Give me back my sweet Xiangyi! she thought. I just managed to coax her into a good mood.

Zhang Yueqi called from behind, “Aren’t we going home yet?”

Tang Jinzhi turned, her voice sharp. “A third wheel should know its place.”

Zhang Yueqi gasped dramatically, covering her mouth. “You finally realize I’m a third wheel too? I thought only Xie Xiangyi cared! Am I interrupting your romance with her?”

It had to be said, Zhang Yueqi sometimes had a knack for hitting the nail on the head, and she knew exactly what Xie Xiangyi wanted to hear.

Xie Xiangyi understood. She glanced at Tang Jinzhi and sensed her concern, a sudden sweetness blooming in her heart.

Maybe I’m not so unhappy after all.

The tension in Xie Xiangyi’s voice eased. “Let’s go home.”

Tang Jinzhi’s hand moved to Xie Xiangyi’s ear, giving it a gentle pinch. Her gaze deepened. “Okay.”

Zhang Yueqi, having secured her bedroom, felt an overwhelming sense of relief.

Little Xiangyi, with Tang Jinzhi around, is completely under control.

Back home, Zhang Yueqi was buzzing with excitement.

Although her belongings were no longer in the spare room, she still kept a couple of sets of pajamas there, just in case Xie Xiangyi stayed over occasionally.

In stark contrast to Zhang Yueqi’s radiant energy, Xie Xiangyi seemed utterly drained, as if she had suffered a crushing blow.

Tang Jinzhi pulled her into the bathroom to remove her makeup.

“After you’re done, take a shower and get some rest. You must be exhausted.”

With that, Tang Jinzhi’s movements grew more brisk.

Xie Xiangyi finished quickly. Glancing up, she noticed the vivid red mark on Tang Jinzhi’s neck, fully visible in the mirror. Her eyes flickered slightly, and she remained rooted to the spot.

Tang Jinzhi washed her face, took the tissue Xie Xiangyi handed her, and wiped her face, looking at Xie Xiangyi with a hint of confusion.

“What’s wrong?”

Xie Xiangyi had been standing there motionless the whole time. What was so interesting about watching her wash her face?

Xie Xiangyi frowned and let out a soft hmph.

Tang Jinzhi’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “Still not over it?”

“So, what do you suggest we do about it?” Xie Xiangyi asked.

With her thoughts so clearly written on her face, Tang Jinzhi couldn’t possibly miss what Xie Xiangyi wanted.

Tang Jinzhi leaned in and pressed a light kiss to Xie Xiangyi’s cheek, quickly pulling back. Her smiling eyes sparkled with scattered light. Xie Xiangyi’s heart pounded wildly, and she stared, mesmerized.

That brief kiss felt even more potent than yesterday’s kiss, leaving Xie Xiangyi’s thoughts in a chaotic jumble.

By the time Xie Xiangyi finished her shower, Tang Jinzhi had already washed up in the guest bathroom and retreated to the study.

Without a word, Xie Xiangyi grabbed her blanket and followed her into the study.

She expertly tossed the blanket onto the tatami mat and lay down under Tang Jinzhi’s watchful gaze.

“I’ll keep you company here,” Xie Xiangyi said, her eyes shining brightly as she looked at Tang Jinzhi.

Tang Jinzhi stared blankly, wondering why Xie Xiangyi hadn’t asked what she was doing in the study. She had only come to save a file and had just turned on the computer.

“Do you like sleeping here?”

Xie Xiangyi looked puzzled. “It’s not bad.”

Tang Jinzhi nodded, crossing her arms. “Alright, then you can sleep here. I’m done working, so I’ll go back to my room.”

Xie Xiangyi immediately sat up and grabbed Tang Jinzhi’s wrist. “Wife.”

Tang Jinzhi froze mid-turn, her body stiffening.

She looked down at Xie Xiangyi, who was gazing up at her with such longing. The urge to tease her vanished instantly. She cleared her throat softly, her eyes filled with helpless affection as she lay down on the inner side of the bed under Xie Xiangyi’s watchful gaze.

“Satisfied now?” she asked.

Xie Xiangyi expertly wrapped her arms around Tang Jinzhi and quickly kissed her cheek. She nodded vigorously. “Satisfied.”

Tang Jinzhi fell silent, pondering.

After a long pause, she finally said, “You weren’t like this before.”

Xie Xiangyi replied quickly, “I was too foolish back then.”

Her tone was filled with disdain for her past self.

Tang Jinzhi was speechless.

Xie Xiangyi genuinely felt this way.

She now wholeheartedly agreed with Zhang Yueqi’s comment about their slow progress. It was indeed painfully slow. What kind of newly married couple only held hands?

Tang Jinzhi closed her eyes, thought for a moment, and said, “I mean, you didn’t used to be this kind of person. You weren’t so… passionate.”

Passionate wasn’t quite the word Tang Jinzhi wanted to use. She really wanted to say that Xie Xiangyi was hungry for her.

Not just clingy, but hungry.

Tang Jinzhi’s heart raced with anxiety.

Realizing her unusual behavior, Xie Xiangyi felt a little embarrassed. “That was then. Let’s not dwell on the past. Let’s talk about now.”

Tang Jinzhi wasn’t one to dwell on things. She followed Xie Xiangyi’s lead and asked, “Now? What is there to talk about?”

She only knew that they should be resting, but this silly girl had insisted the bed in their room was uncomfortable and had come to sleep in the study instead.

Xie Xiangyi’s eyes lit up. She tilted her head closer to Tang Jinzhi, her nose brushing against Tang Jinzhi’s before she could instinctively pull away.

Tang Jinzhi froze, feeling it would be wrong to pull away now.

Xie Xiangyi blinked, her voice soft and expectant as she whispered, “Can I?”

Tang Jinzhi’s long lashes trembled, and she held her breath slightly.

When no response came after a long moment, Xie Xiangyi’s voice turned plaintive. “Wife…”

Xie Xiangyi had her own little tricks. She knew perfectly well that this pet name could make Tang Jinzhi change her mind about anything—it was her secret weapon.

Enveloped in Xie Xiangyi’s warmth, her distinctive scent filled Tang Jinzhi’s nostrils, their breaths mingling in the air, making the atmosphere almost unbearably charged.

Tang Jinzhi couldn’t bring herself to refuse Xie Xiangyi in this moment.

She took a deep breath and leaned closer. The emotions she had been suppressing surged to life the instant their lips met.

This was no gentle, sweet kiss like Xie Xiangyi had imagined. Tang Jinzhi’s kiss was fierce and demanding, leaving no room for hesitation. Xie Xiangyi was pulled tightly into her arms, desperately trying to keep up with Tang Jinzhi’s frenzy.

Pressed into a kiss like this, Xie Xiangyi quickly let out a muffled groan. Her heart was both shocked and thrilled. She realized that Tang Jinzhi wasn’t unwilling to kiss her; she had been restraining herself, and for a long time.

Xie Xiangyi hooked her arms around Tang Jinzhi’s shoulders, shifting her body sideways until her back lay flat on the bed. Tang Jinzhi, still holding her, followed the motion and pressed down on top of her.

Expecting a deeper, more passionate kiss, Xie Xiangyi braced herself for intense intimacy. But Tang Jinzhi suddenly paused, propping herself up on her arms and gazing intently into Xie Xiangyi’s eyes.

Xie Xiangyi tightened her grip on Tang Jinzhi’s shoulders, unwilling to let her pull away.

Tang Jinzhi parted her lips, her voice deep and husky with desire. “Are you sure?”

Xie Xiangyi’s mind went blank for a moment before she realized what Tang Jinzhi was asking. She froze.

She had only wanted to kiss, nothing more.

But… it wasn’t out of the question.

Xie Xiangyi took a deep breath, her palms sweating with nervous anticipation.

She nodded.

Tang Jinzhi saw through her thoughts. “If you’re not ready, I won’t push you. I’m not ready either.”

Xie Xiangyi tightened her grip on Tang Jinzhi’s arm, pulling her down gently. “Not even a kiss?” she whispered.

Tang Jinzhi buried her face in Xie Xiangyi’s neck, her voice muffled. “I won’t be able to stop myself… from doing… other things to you.”

Xie Xiangyi wrapped her arms tightly around Tang Jinzhi’s back, their bodies pressed close. She closed her eyes, her throat bobbing slightly, her heartbeat pounding in her ears like thunder.

She couldn’t bear to let Tang Jinzhi pull away.

“Wife, you’re my wife. We’re married,” she thought.

So it’s okay to be a little daring, right?

Xie Xiangyi didn’t dare say the words aloud, but she hoped Tang Jinzhi would understand her meaning.

Tang Jinzhi remained buried in Xie Xiangyi’s neck for a long time. Xie Xiangyi couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but she was content just holding her. As long as Tang Jinzhi didn’t leave, she was satisfied.

After a while, something other than Tang Jinzhi’s warm, damp breath finally touched the skin of Xie Xiangyi’s neck—a series of soft, delicate kisses.

Tang Jinzhi’s kisses trailed up Xie Xiangyi’s neck to her ear. Xie Xiangyi’s breath hitched sharply as Tang Jinzhi’s lips closed around her earlobe. Half of Xie Xiangyi’s body instantly went numb.

The next moment, Tang Jinzhi’s warm, wet tongue began teasing and licking Xie Xiangyi’s ear. A suppressed moan escaped Xie Xiangyi’s throat, the soft sound snapping Tang Jinzhi back to her senses. Tang Jinzhi opened her mouth and bit Xie Xiangyi’s earlobe.

Xie Xiangyi’s face flushed crimson. She dared not touch her tormented ear, loving the sensation yet finding it almost unbearable.

The abruptly paused kiss finally resumed. With her ear freed, Xie Xiangyi relaxed, yet she desperately wanted more.

The suffocating kiss scrambled her thoughts. She opened her mouth and fiercely sucked on Tang Jinzhi’s lips, her hands gripping Tang Jinzhi’s clothes to keep her from pulling away. She was determined to kiss Tang Jinzhi until she, too, couldn’t take it anymore.

But Tang Jinzhi seemed to be devouring her, kissing her with a wild intensity. Xie Xiangyi grew breathless, the suffocating sensation intensifying until tears welled in the corners of her eyes.

Tang Jinzhi’s scalding palms instinctively began caressing Xie Xiangyi’s waist. The friction left Xie Xiangyi’s heart racing with urgency and a maddening itch. Her fingers clenched tightly around the hem of Tang Jinzhi’s shirt.

Finally, Tang Jinzhi couldn’t hold back any longer. Her palm slipped beneath Xie Xiangyi’s hem, and her lips pressed against Xie Xiangyi’s ear, sending Xie Xiangyi’s heart racing to her throat.

Tang Jinzhi slowly opened her eyes, her gaze dark and intense. Her lips remained pressed against Xie Xiangyi’s ear, motionless, and Xie Xiangyi didn’t dare move either.

“Doctor Xie,” Tang Jinzhi murmured suddenly, her voice husky and seductive, “do you still dare call me ‘wife’ at a time like this?”

Xie Xiangyi’s face flushed crimson, her chest heaving. She gasped for breath, gritted her teeth, and her voice remained stubbornly defiant.

“Wife.”

A flicker of amusement flashed in Tang Jinzhi’s eyes.

Stubborn as ever.