Chapitre 13: Husband and Wife

Qing Chen was a morning person. He loved getting up just as when the sun started rising. It was like he had an internal clock that woke him up a little after six in the morning. Most of the time, he would wake up minutes before his alarm would ring.

This morning was no different. When Qing Chen peeled his eyes open, he saw the light outside behind the thick light-colored curtains. He tapped on his phone screen and saw that it was only 6:17. He sighed on the inside, knowing he would not be able to go back to sleep.

He began to stretch and yawned as he flexed his muscles. He immdiately withdrew his hand when he felt something--oh, right, he thought. My wife.

My wife, his head echoed. That sounded nice.

He flipped to his side and looked at Feng Xuan's face. He realized just then that her chin looked a little pointy but her nose was truly adorable. Her lashes were long and her lips full. Her face, if it would be painted, would be painted with soft strokes.

His lips started to smile when he thought about just how delicate she looked. Like, he just wanted to put her on a glass case so no one would touch her.

They said their first good night last night. Qing Chen did not immediately fall asleep because his body missed being in the middle of the bed. He reminded himself that he was no longer alone in the bedroom and that he should get used to having a bed-mate.

He did not know if Feng Xuan fell asleep peacefully. She was not moving a few minutes after they said their last words to each other. Maybe she did.

Qing Chen was awake but he waited until his phone was vibrating on the nightstand before he got up and changed his clothes for his morning workout. He loved to sweat out in the morning, he thought it powered him throughout the day. The house had its own mini gym with a few equipments. He hopped on the treadmill and started running.

He was there for about 25 minutes and when he came back to their room, Feng Xuan was still peacefully sleeping. He quietly tiptoed to the restroom and took a bath. He got a suit from his baggage from last night. He was almost finished getting dressed when he walked out of the bathroom to fix his leather briefcase.

Feng Xuan was no longer there. He quickly put his things inside the bag and rushed downstairs. Before he even reached the kitchen the delicious smell of food entered his nose.

He found Feng Xuan there, smoothly putting an egg on top of bread. He cleared his throat. "Good morning," he said.

A smile immediately appeared on his wife's face. "Good morning!"

He walked inside and found numerous dishes on the table. Feng Xuan looked apologetic. "I'm sorry I didn't know what you normally eat for breakfast. Good thing there were some frozen in the fridge."

Qing Chen found eggs, bacon, and pancakes on the table, looking like they were made by a cook. "These look amazing."

"Coffee, tea, juice, or water?"

Upon seeing an already prepared pitcher, he said, "Juice, please."

They both sat down and started eating. He was still wondering how the food looked so beautiful and tasted so good. "Did you take a cooking class?"

"Class?" Feng Xuan laughed. She was still wearing last night's lingerie and it was a pain for Qing Chen to take his eyes away from her because she looked divine in the morning light. "I majored in culinary arts, actually. My father wanted me to take a degree from a cooking school, because, you know, a wife has to know how to cook proper meals. While studying, I found a part-time job and I started sitting-in in business classes. My father found out and just had to give in and enrolled me in business school with the condition that I would not let go of cooking."

"I see," Qing Chen replied with a smile. She looked like she was that type of girl who would defy her father in small ways.

"So," Feng Xuan said, changing the subject. "What do you usually eat for breakfast?"

"Hmm, whatever the hotel's chef planned on sending me that morning."

"Oh," Feng Xuan suddenly felt inferior having known Qing Chen was getting his breakfasts from qualified professional chefs. "Whatever's on the menu, then?"

"Before," Qing Chen said. "I sent them a few cookbooks months ago. I got tired of the menu. So, thank you for these home-cooked meal. It is amazing."

Feng Xuan beamed at him. Qing Chen noticed that she did not eat much and only had a strip of bacon and a piece of pancake. "Did you sleep well last night?" he asked.

"I did," she answered. "Did you?"

He nodded. "I did. It seemed like I don't mind having a bed neighbor."

Feng Xuan chuckled. "I am just happy that you don't snore."

Qing Chen almost choked on his food trying to stop his laughter. "I might snore, though. When I'm really tired. If that happens, don't be too hesitant to put a pillow over my face."

Feng Xuan laughed. "Oh, why would I kill my husband?

Qing Chen's grin softened to a smile. My husband. It still felt surreal to believe that he was already married. It was like yesterday had just been a figment of his imagination.

"What are your plans for today?" he asked. "Do you have classes?"

"Oh, you know about the graduate school," Feng Xuan said interestingly, leaning against the table. "How did you know about that?"

"Your father told me."

"Right, I was the only one left in the dark about everything," she chuckled. "To answer your question, no, I don't have classes today. They start next week. And to answer your first question, I think I am going to my father's house today. I want to visit my step-mom."

"Right," Qing Chen grumbled. He had heard of the infamous new wife of Feng Lizhao.

A lot said she was not a nice woman. "Should I wish you luck?"

"Yes," Feng Xuan nodded. "Are you done?"

Qing Chen scraped the last of the bread and put it in his mouth. "Yes. It was glorious. Thank you."

"No worries," she answered and started clearing the table. After brushing his teeth in the downstairs bathroom, he pulled on his coat and fixed his tie.

Feng Xuan was nervously standing in front of the sink, washing the last piece of plate. How was she supposed to say good bye to him? Should she kiss him? He refused to kiss her last night. Should she hug him? Give him a pat on the back? Shake hands? What?!

A chaos was starting inside her head when she heard Qing Chen's voice. "I'm going to work now."

She wiped her hands. "I'll walk you to the door."

Her heart was yet again on the fast pace. The beats were starting to get faster as they neared the door. She pulled it open and the sunlight bathed them both in heat. She looked up at Qing Chen, lightly nibbling on the inside of her lip. "So..."

Qing Chen was just looking at her--almost pressed at the door frame, looking so small against the tall dark wood. Qing Chen smiled at her. "You don't have to be so nervous, Feng Xuan. I am not forcing you into anything. Let's start off as friends. No kissing. No hugging. Alright?"

Feng Xuan nodded.

"Okay. Good bye then..." he thought about the next word. "Wife."

"Bye, husband," she said in return with a small smile.

A car was already waiting for Qing Chen outside. The driver opened the door and Qing Chen disappeared with a wave and a kind smile.

Feng Xuan closed the door, head upstairs, and readied herself to meet the devil spawn.