Volume One, Chapter 84: I think... I'm ready for 2S

No one knew exactly when Lu Jinnian began to grow distant from her. The previous warmth and tenderness, the subtle flirtations, had all vanished.

Unwilling to accept this new coldness, Lin Chaochao hurried after him. “I read with Xiao Mu for a while and told him a story. He fell asleep so quickly…”

In the children’s room, the bedside lamp cast a dim orange glow—comforting, gentle, never harsh. On the little bed, Lu Xiaomu clung to his beloved Abeibe and slept soundly. Lu Jinnian finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Back in the master bedroom, he glanced over his shoulder at Lin Chaochao. “I see how well you treat Xiao Mu. I know. But Sang Wan is still his mother. If he wants to see her, let Sister Wang take him. Don’t stop them.”

Lin Chaochao’s heart skipped. He’d seen Sang Wan again? When? Had they had dinner together—or… spent the night?

Thoughts swirled uncontrollably in her mind, but she nodded. “Jinnian, I won’t. Don’t worry.”

She reached for his hand, but as Lu Jinnian pushed open the bathroom door, her fingers met empty air. The sound of running water filled the silence as anxiety spread wildly through Lin Chaochao’s heart, growing like unchecked weeds.

When Lu Jinnian emerged from his shower, the master bedroom was shrouded in darkness. Pale moonlight spilled through the window, and a faint, fruity fragrance lingered in the air—citrusy, perhaps orange, perhaps lemon—refreshing and soothing. His body, eased by the hot water, finally relaxed.

He climbed into bed. On the other side Lin Chaochao curled toward him, her voice soft. “Jinnian…”

“I have to leave on a business trip tomorrow…”

“Jinnian…”

She lifted her face to kiss his lips, but he turned away. Her lips landed on his Adam’s apple, then drifted to his neck.

Lu Jinnian’s breath caught. In his mind flashed the image of the crimson mark on Sang Wan’s pale neck. What kind of passion, what kind of madness, could leave a mark so deep?

In that moment, it took all his restraint not to grasp Sang Wan’s wrist, to pull aside her clothes and necklace and stare at the mark. Not to seize her by the throat and demand: Who is he?

When Lin Chaochao kissed him again, something in Lu Jinnian finally ignited. His kiss was almost punitive, moving from her lips to her neck, lingering long. Days of frustration and gloom poured out into the dark. His breath stilled, then he exhaled deeply.

His voice was laced with longing as he murmured, “Wanwan…”

It was as if a drifting soul had been seized by a vengeful spirit. In the darkness, Lin Chaochao’s eyes burned with resentment.

…

The next evening, Sang Wan received a call from Sister Wang.

“Madam, the young master doesn’t want to go home, and he doesn’t want to go to the playground either. I asked if he wanted to see you, and though he said nothing, I think that’s what he wants. Do you have time?”

Glancing at the clock—five thirty—Sang Wan replied, “Let’s meet at Grandpa Ken’s at the World Trade Center.”

Half an hour later, Sang Wan entered the restaurant and immediately spotted Lu Xiaomu and Sister Wang in the corner.

“Madam…” Sister Wang looked more excited than Lu Xiaomu upon seeing her.

Sang Wan stepped forward. “Where’s Lin Chaochao?”

After leaving the marriage with nothing, Sang Wan had lost custody of Lu Xiaomu to Lu Jinnian. According to their agreement, she had visitation rights once a month. With Lu Jinnian away on business, Lin Chaochao was the appointed guardian. But Sang Wan doubted Lin Chaochao would willingly let Lu Xiaomu come see her.

“She…” Sister Wang hesitated, uncertain whether to speak.

Freed from office obligations, Lin Chaochao indulged herself completely. After sending Lu Xiaomu and Lu Jinnian off each morning, she’d sleep until noon, then spend her afternoons shopping or at the spa with friends. In less than a week, she’d delegated the evening pick-up duties to Sister Wang. As for bringing Lu Xiaomu to see Sang Wan, Lin Chaochao had no idea.

“I see.” From Sister Wang’s expression, Sang Wan understood. She sat down. “Take him back as soon as you finish eating.”

Lu Xiaomu, who had kept his head down, finally looked up. His eyes brimmed with sadness. “Dad says you’ve been unhappy these days. Is it because of me?” Sang Wan asked.

Lu Xiaomu shook his head.

“Then… is it because of Dad?” she tried again.

He shook his head once more.

So it wasn’t her, and it wasn’t Lu Jinnian. The answer was obvious, but Sang Wan didn’t wish to press further. Whether or not it was Lin Chaochao, none of it was her doing. And as long as Lu Jinnian didn’t change girlfriends, Lu Xiaomu would have to live with Lin Chaochao for many years to come.

“Would you like some ice cream?” Sang Wan asked.

Lu Xiaomu hesitated. Aunt Chaochao never allowed him cold treats—not even iced water—insisting they’d upset his stomach. Yet he’d seen Dad drink iced coffee and Aunt Chaochao eat popsicles. But she always told him, kids can’t have cold things; only adults can.

Back when his mother was around, he was allowed to eat whatever he wanted. After a moment’s pause, Lu Xiaomu nodded.

Sang Wan glanced at the burger and chicken leg before him. “Eat your burger first—fill your belly, and then I’ll get it for you.”

Lu Xiaomu nodded. “Thank you, Mom!”

A pang struck Sang Wan’s heart. The little boy she’d raised was once a lively, mischievous monkey—always causing trouble, scattering toys everywhere. And yet, after she helped him clean them up, he’d throw his arms around her neck and whisper, “Love you, Mom.”

Now, in the blink of an eye, mother and son were as polite as business associates. Still, she told herself, this was better than the heartbreak of the past.

The ice cream was not even finished when Sister Wang’s phone rang. Lin Chaochao’s voice came shrill and fierce through the receiver. “Where have you taken Xiaomu? Do you know what time it is? … If you don’t want this job, you can quit right now!”

Sister Wang’s face flushed red, then pale. She’d worked for Sang Wan for years—easy work, good pay, generous holiday bonuses, and Sang Wan’s gentle nature. Never had she expected Lin Chaochao to cut her wages in half for doing ‘too little’, criticize everything she did, and bark orders at her for the slightest thing.

“Madam, I’ll take the young master home now.” Sister Wang took Lu Xiaomu’s hand and left.

Sang Wan watched their car disappear into traffic before turning home.

When the doorbell rang, she checked her phone—eleven o’clock. Xu Yiyi had said she was too exhausted from cat-sitting all week to visit this weekend. Lou Ye had messaged before leaving work to say he’d be at the old house tonight, so she needn’t prepare dinner for him.

Who else could it be?

Glancing down at her nightdress, Sang Wan pulled on a jacket before answering the door.

“So late—what brings you here?” she asked.

Lou Ye stood at the door, jacket draped over his shoulder, his gaze languid.

“I came for… 2S!” he said in a low voice.

At Sang Wan’s feet, 2S leapt up nimbly and was caught in Lou Ye’s arms. He looked away, but could not help being drawn to the dazzling whiteness of her swan-like neck. In just a day, those marks had faded so much. By the end of the weekend, they would be gone entirely.

His mind filled with memories of that wild, delirious night—how he’d wanted to make those marks last, to brand her neck forever like a tattoo.

Lou Ye looked at Sang Wan, his gaze dark and unfathomable. “Sister, I’m hungry…”