To Sink Into You - Chapter 14

That evening, after the wedding photos were taken, the family returned to the manor.

The photos needed processing and wouldn’t be ready until the following afternoon. Wen Yuxi asked the photographer for a few digital proofs to tide her over.

After dinner, she lay in bed, cradling her phone and grinning foolishly. No matter how many times she looked at the photos, she couldn’t get enough. Eager to satisfy her urge to show off, she promptly sent the images to her best friend, Liu Yeyin.

Wen Yuxi: [Image] [Image] [Image]

Wen Yuxi: Wedding photos with my wife

Liu Yeyin: Oh, so you remember I exist? [Eye roll]

Liu Yeyin: If you hadn’t contacted me soon, Coffee was about to adopt me as his mom!

Wen Yuxi: I’ve been busy these past few days. We’re moving tomorrow.

Wen Yuxi: How’s my good girl doing lately? Has she been eating well?

Liu Yeyin: She’s doing great! She eats even more than a little piglet.

Liu Yeyin: Do you need help with the move?

Wen Yuxi: No need. My wife hired a moving company for me~

Liu Yeyin: ……

Liu Yeyin: Just because you’re with a rich woman doesn’t make you special. Go die somewhere far away.

Wen Yuxi: OK.

The next day, Wen Yuxi woke up early, washed up, and went downstairs to find something to eat in the dining room.

Ming Qian was already at the table. Seeing her approach, she smiled and said, “Up so early?”

“Yeah, gotta get the move done early,” Wen Yuxi replied, sitting beside her. She glanced at the dishes on the table and said with a grin, “Can I have a bun?”

Aunt Wu, the housekeeper who was setting the table, chuckled. “Young madam is so funny. If you want a bun, just ask me.”

“It’s fine,” Ming Qian said with an indulgent smile, using serving chopsticks to place a small bun on Wen Yuxi’s plate. “I have to go to work. Zeyya will help you with the move. She’ll be here around 7:30. Just let her know if you need anything.”

Wen Yuxi shook her head. “We’ve already hired movers. No need to bother Sister Qing.”

Ming Qian’s tone remained calm. “It’s no trouble at all. She’s my personal assistant. She’s paid to do this.”

Wen Yuxi stopped refusing. “Alright, thank you, Sister.”

“You’re welcome.” For some reason, Ming Qian suddenly remembered what Ming Yang had said a few days ago and added, “You don’t need to thank me in the future.”

Wen Yuxi feigned surprise. “That would be so heartless!”

Ming Qian chuckled softly. “We’re married now, we’re family. Family doesn’t need to thank each other.”

“Okay.”

Hearing the words she wanted to hear, Wen Yuxi felt a surge of secret satisfaction, but also a pang of regret—she should have turned on her phone’s recording app.

What a missed opportunity.

That evening, when Ming Qian returned to Ink Moon Manor and passed through the living room, she caught a glimpse of Wen Yuxi playing with the cat on the balcony. The girl was crouched in front of the cage, teasing the kitten with a playful smile, her profile soft and gentle.

Ming Qian walked over, slid open the glass door, and asked softly, “Isn’t it hot out here? Why didn’t you bring the cage inside?”

“You’re back!” Wen Yuxi smiled with delight, rising to her feet with Coffee in her arms. “I’m worried about him shedding, so I’ll take him back to his cage later when it’s time to sleep.”

“That’s fine,” Ming Qian replied, her eyes sparkling like clear autumn water. “Bring him to the living room. I’d love to see him. What’s his name?”

“Coffee,” Wen Yuxi said, extending her arms to hand him over. “Would you like to hold him first?”

The tabby cat caught the bitter scent of black coffee on Ming Qian’s clothes and let out a displeased meow, struggling to burrow back into Wen Yuxi’s arms, its tail twitching as if deeply wronged.

Ming Qian slowly curled her fingers, lowering her gaze to conceal her fleeting sadness. “Never mind,” she said with a forced smile. “He doesn’t seem to like me much.”

“Naughty cat,” Wen Yuxi chided, poking Coffee’s head before placing him back in his cage in the corner of the living room. Turning to Ming Qian, she added, “He’s so grumpy. Let’s just ignore him.”

Her voice was soft and gentle, like a gentle rain, as if coaxing a child.

Ming Qian felt inexplicably uneasy and quickly changed the subject. “Have you canceled the lease on your old apartment?”

“Not yet. I’ll cancel it when the lease expires,” Wen Yuxi replied. “Oh, by the way, I’ve put all my things in the guest bedroom. Is that okay?”

“Of course,” Ming Qian said, then asked curiously, “Why not the master bedroom? The guest bedroom doesn’t have a warm light. Aren’t you afraid of the dark?”

“Being afraid of the dark isn’t so bad,” Wen Yuxi said. “I can use a small nightstand lamp. The main thing is, I’m not used to big rooms. Small rooms make me feel safer.”

“Whatever makes you comfortable,” Ming Qian said with a gentle smile. “I’ve been really busy with work lately and have to go on a business trip. Aunt Yang had a family emergency and took a few days off, so you’ll be home alone this week. Can you take care of yourself? If you get scared, you can always stay at the manor.”

Wen Yuxi playfully winked and said with a grin, “Sister, have you forgotten I used to live alone before?”

Ming Qian paused, then her lips curved into a smile. “Alright, my mistake. I underestimated our Yuxi.”

She always unconsciously thought of Wen Yuxi as the fifteen-year-old girl from her memories, instinctively wanting to take care of her.

Six years had passed, and they were both very different now.

“I’m actually quite good at managing my life,” Wen Yuxi said with a hint of pride. “Can I buy some decorations? The house feels too plain and lacks that homey warmth.”

Ming Qian nodded. “This is your home too. Decorate however you like, as long as it doesn’t interfere with daily life.”

Wen Yuxi clapped her hands, her face lighting up with joy. “Great! Thank you, Sister!”

“Didn’t we agree this morning? No need to thank me,” Ming Qian said, her eyes tinged with mock exasperation. “If you say it again, I’ll get angry.”

“Oh,” Wen Yuxi said, covering her mouth, her almond-shaped eyes curving into beautiful crescent moons. “I won’t say it again.”

“It’s getting late. Let’s get some rest,” Ming Qian said.

“Okay,” Wen Yuxi replied obediently. “Good night, Sister.”

“Good night,” Ming Qian replied.

Wen Yuxi returned to the guest bedroom, washed up, dried her hair, and lay down on the bed. She picked up her phone and saw a message.

Got time to meet up? When are you free?

Wen Yuxi replied: I’m free most days recently. How about you? Any issues?

Barely managing. Remember to bring some cash.

Okay, when and where?

The 4th, Xiangyi Homestay on the outer third ring of C City. I’ll tell you the exact meeting spot that day.

Sounds good. See you then.

After confirming the message was sent, Wen Yuxi deleted the chat history, opened a travel app, and booked a high-speed rail ticket to C City.

With these arrangements made, she put down her phone, closed her eyes, and drifted off to sleep.