"Mhm..." Shen Lingxing responded indifferently, taking the tissue, wiping the sweat off his forehead, then removing his mask. Suddenly, something seemed to cross his mind, and he paused for a moment before asking, "Has Mi Jing looked for me?"
"No." Jiang Jian followed Shen Lingxing into the office, answering as they walked.
"..."
Upon hearing this, Shen Lingxing said no more. He turned his back to Jiang Jian and changed his clothes at a leisurely pace, as if he wasn’t curious or didn’t care about why Yao Xinchun had looked for him.
"Director, Miss Yao, she..."
Having been by Shen Lingxing’s side for many years, Jiang Jian understood him well. If Shen Lingxing didn’t actively ask about something mentioned to him, it meant that he didn’t mind it or had no interest. But Jiang Jian had seen Yao Xinchun at the last anniversary celebration. Moreover, she had been wearing Shen Lingxing’s jacket. So, even without explicit words, Jiang Jian could guess they knew each other.
Though Shen Lingxing appeared to be gentle and polite on the surface, very approachable, in reality, he was rather cold. He intentionally maintained a distance from people he wasn’t familiar with, especially women. Therefore, for him to give his suit jacket to Yao Xinchun suggested their relationship wasn’t simple.
However, he was now married, and it was evident to anyone that he loved his wife, Mi Jing, very much. After brief consideration, Jiang Jian felt it necessary to clearly inform Shen Lingxing about Yao Xinchun’s call.
Shen Lingxing also understood Jiang Jian. Normally, unimportant matters wouldn’t be brought up unless specifically asked. So, he didn’t interrupt Jiang Jian, continuing to change out of his surgical gown, tacitly allowing him to finish speaking.
"Miss Yao called to say that she had something to deliver to you. Knowing you were in surgery and couldn’t meet, she sent the items to your home." Jiang Jian paused for a moment, then steeled himself to finish the sentence.
A woman delivering something personally—Mi Jing would undoubtedly overthink it. This could potentially lead to a big argument or a cold war. As a fellow man, Jiang Jian anxiously worried for Shen Lingxing.
Yao Xinchun went to his house?
Shen Lingxing’s brows furrowed slightly, and his face darkened abruptly. At this moment, beyond his displeasure at Yao Xinchun’s sudden visit to his home, he was more concerned and worried about Mi Jing’s feelings.
"Leave now." Shen Lingxing didn’t turn around, still facing away from Jiang Jian, and said flatly.
Jiang Jian couldn’t see Shen Lingxing’s expression. He only glanced at his back for two seconds before leaving.
After changing clothes, Shen Lingxing walked over to his desk, picked up his phone, and opened the contact list. He stared at the word "wife" on the screen, hesitated for a while, and ultimately didn’t dial the number. Instead, he put his phone away, grabbed his car keys from the desk, and strode out of the office.
When he got home, the house was quiet. The TV was off, and Mi Jing was sitting alone in the living room, lost in thought.
Seeing this, Shen Lingxing’s eyes dimmed. Holding his briefcase and a small bag, he walked steadily to Mi Jing’s side and said, "Wife, I bought this for you. Want to open it?"
Hearing this, Mi Jing’s wandering thoughts were pulled back. She slowly raised her eyes, glanced indifferently at the bag Shen Lingxing handed to her, and didn’t reach out to take it. Instead, she lowered her eyelids and said coldly, "Just put it on the table."
"What’s wrong? Did someone upset you?" Shen Lingxing casually placed the bag on the table, pretending not to know that Yao Xinchun had come by, hoping Mi Jing would bring it up herself and express her attitude.
"..."
Mi Jing stayed silent. When Shen Lingxing sat beside her, she instinctively moved a bit away, distancing herself and avoiding his arm that was about to wrap around her shoulder.
Mi Jing’s avoidance made Shen Lingxing’s expression change slightly, his eyebrows knitting into a deep frown. "What’s going on? Can’t you tell me?"
Your ex-girlfriend showed up at our door, and you pretend not to know? What an act, thinking she’s an idiot.
Mi Jing bit her lip, feeling both furious and stifled.
"Wife..."
"I’m going to make dinner!"
Mi Jing suddenly stood up, expressionless, and left the room quickly after throwing out that sentence.
All day, Mi Jing’s heart felt tormented. She didn’t speak or ask questions, merely waiting for Shen Lingxing to give an explanation. But instead, he thought buying her favorite macarons could placate her?
Mi Jing wanted to have a proper talk with Shen Lingxing, but his attitude left her both angry and disappointed. As a result, she didn’t want to deal with him at all right now.
"I can manage on my own." Mi Jing put the potatoes in the sink. When Shen Lingxing came over to help, she refused immediately.
"It’ll go faster if we both do it." Shen Lingxing smiled lightly.
"Then you can make dinner tonight." Mi Jing responded dismissively, wiping her hands with a towel, and walked away without looking back.
Watching Mi Jing’s departing figure, Shen Lingxing’s eyes were deep pools of thought. He didn’t chase after her or hurry to explain. Instead, after a while, he returned to washing the potatoes and resigned himself to making dinner alone.
Over half an hour later, Shen Lingxing prepared three dishes and a soup, calling Mi Jing for dinner. However, Mi Jing still wore a cold expression. With little appetite, she put down her chopsticks after eating half a bowl of rice.
"You clean up the dishes and put them in the kitchen. I’ll wash them when I’m in a better mood," Mi Jing said coolly, clearly showing her annoyance and dissatisfaction.
"I’ll clean the dishes later." Shen Lingxing said good-naturedly, volunteering for the task.
"Suit yourself." Let him wash the dishes; she wouldn’t mind the relief. Mi Jing scoffed inwardly.
Sigh—
Seeing Mi Jing’s deliberate sulking, Shen Lingxing sighed silently. "Wife, let’s talk."
"I have to finish my drawings, no time." She had given him a chance to explain earlier; now, she had no mood to talk.
Finished speaking, Mi Jing turned and left, feeling the need to teach him a lesson. Let’s see if he dares to secretly meet his ex-girlfriend again and even offer his jacket!
In the studio, Mi Jing had no mood to draw. After spacing out for a while, she took out her phone. Seeing the date on the screen, she remembered that Ruan Pianran would be arriving in Jin City tonight. She thought of calling her to chat but recalled that Ruanruan was coming from Cili to celebrate An Mingyuan’s birthday. So, her finger stopped mid-swipe on the screen.