Chapter 402: I Really Like It

February and March mark the season of lingering cold in the south. Before the lunar Spring Festival, the cold air remains stubbornly present.

Normally, it wouldn't be a big deal, as everyone is accustomed to this yearly cycle. However, Hui Lin's gloomy demeanor over the past few days has added to the lingering winter's chill, affecting those around her. Guo Xuehua and Wang Ma, concerned, asked Hui Lin what was troubling her. Hui Lin, however, insisted she was fine, leading the two elders to suspect she was dealing with some young people's issues, and they decided not to pry further.

Yang Chen, noticing this, discussed with An Xin whether it might be a good idea to take Hui Lin out for a change of scenery. An Xin, having become close friends with Hui Lin, strongly supported the idea. They both agreed that staying cooped up in the recording studio, learning singing and composition, wasn't good for Hui Lin. However, deciding on a destination proved challenging since, despite spring being near, the temperatures remained low.

On a Friday night at the end of February, after watching the news downstairs, Yang Chen returned to his room to take a shower and get ready for bed. Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Yang Chen assumed it was Guo Xuehua bringing him some snacks, as she had done occasionally. He had grown accustomed to this motherly love, finding it a bit strange but comforting.

However, when he opened the door, he was surprised to see Lin Ruoxi standing there, her expression a mix of nervousness, awkwardness, shyness, and reluctance.

This was the first time Lin Ruoxi had approached Yang Chen since their argument about An Xin in the office days ago. Feeling pleasantly surprised, Yang Chen noted to himself that spring indeed seemed near.

Lin Ruoxi wore a red round-neck woolen sweater and a gray patterned winter skirt, the bright colors adding a touch of allure to her usual elegance. At this moment, her pursed lips and blushing cheeks made her appear even more enchanting.

"Ruoxi, my dear, you finally decided to talk to me. Have you missed your husband's embrace on this long winter night?" Yang Chen teased with a grin.

Lin Ruoxi glared at him, biting her lip, and stepped into Yang Chen's room. She turned around and took out a gray knitted scarf from behind her.

The scarf was simple in design but made from high-quality cashmere, soft and warm.

"For me?" Yang Chen was taken aback, staring at Lin Ruoxi in surprise. "Darling, did you knit this yourself?"

Lin Ruoxi shyly turned her head away. "Aunt Guo knitted it, but she said I should be the one to give it to you."

Her voice grew increasingly faint as she spoke, clearly feeling uneasy.

Yang Chen realized that his mother, Guo Xuehua, was anxious about their relationship and wanted to ease the tension between them, hoping to bring them closer through this gesture.

Although he didn't really need the scarf, and winter was almost over, this was still a heartfelt gift from his mother. Yang Chen found himself wondering if it was time to call her "Mom."

Lin Ruoxi placed the scarf on Yang Chen's bed and turned to leave. She couldn't imagine herself putting the scarf on Yang Chen; it was too embarrassing for her.

"Don't go," Yang Chen said with a mischievous smile, grabbing her wrist. "Are you defying your mother-in-law's orders?"

"You're bullying me again," Lin Ruoxi said, her face flushing with embarrassment.

"How can this be called bullying? What's wrong with a wife putting a scarf on her husband? If you want, I can help you get dressed every day," Yang Chen laughed heartily.

"I don't need your help with that," Lin Ruoxi stomped her foot, unable to break free from Yang Chen's grip. Frustrated, she grabbed the scarf with one hand and huffed, "Let go of your pig hands. How am I supposed to put it on you with one hand?"

Yang Chen chuckled, "Pigs don't have hands, they have hooves."

Ignoring him, Lin Ruoxi saw that he had loosened his grip. She closed her eyes tightly, avoiding Yang Chen's teasing expression to prevent further embarrassment and irritation. She swiftly flung the scarf around Yang Chen's neck.

With her eyes closed, Yang Chen took advantage of the moment and quickly embraced Lin Ruoxi, pulling her fragrant body into his arms.

"Ah!"

Lin Ruoxi gasped softly. As she opened her eyes in surprise, Yang Chen seized the moment to kiss her deeply.

"Mmm—"

Her eyes widened, filled with a mix of excitement, shyness, and anger. Despite her emotions, she felt powerless to resist, her body going weak as if she had lost all strength, allowing Yang Chen to continue kissing her.

Yang Chen savored the moment. Every time he held this stunning woman, the sense of having conquered a goddess was indescribable, as if he were embracing the entire world.

As Yang Chen's hand slowly moved toward Lin Ruoxi's chest, she finally couldn't bear it any longer. With a desperate urgency, she broke their kiss and blocked his hand.

Realizing he had gone too far, Yang Chen acknowledged that their relationship was still fragile. It was unlikely they could resolve everything so quickly.

Seeing Lin Ruoxi's misty eyes, Yang Chen awkwardly smiled and said, "Okay, okay, I won't touch, just a hug."

"Let go of your pig hooves," Lin Ruoxi coldly demanded.

Yang Chen smiled wryly, noticing how quickly she learned.

"You're so desperate, go find your little secretary. Don't think you can get away with everything just because you got a little favor. If it weren't for Aunt Guo asking me to come, I wouldn't even bother with you," Lin Ruoxi said coldly.

Yang Chen didn't get angry. "I know. I'm already very grateful that you came. After all, it's entirely my fault."

Lin Ruoxi, seeing Yang Chen's straightforward admission of fault, found it hard to say anything more. She knew well that he was a "repeat offender" who wouldn't change his ways. His numerous lovers had exhausted her, yet she had no way to express her frustration.

The more women he had, the more entangled she felt. When he had kissed her just now, she found that deep down, she had no resistance. Her reaction was purely a matter of pride, not genuine opposition.

Realizing this, she pushed away such thoughts and turned to the other matter she had come to discuss. "Hui Lin told me that person passed away. Is it true?" Lin Ruoxi asked, her expression becoming serious as she looked intently at Yang Chen.

Yang Chen was slightly surprised that Hui Lin had mentioned Lin Zhiguo to Lin Ruoxi but quickly understood. The differing perspectives on their grandfather had been a barrier between the sisters. With Lin Zhiguo gone, there was no reason to avoid the issue.

"It's true. He won't appear in front of you again," Yang Chen nodded.

A hint of sorrow flashed in Lin Ruoxi's eyes. "He's gone too."

Yang Chen remained silent. He knew that Lin Zhiguo had never been a proper elder in Lin Ruoxi's eyes. She even harbored hatred towards him. Still, human emotions are complex, and his death could be seen as a form of release for Lin Ruoxi.

"You knew who Hui Lin was all along, didn't you?" Yang Chen asked.

Lin Ruoxi nodded. "When that Yang Lie came last time and called her 'Lin Hui,' I guessed. But Hui Lin is just Hui Lin. I won't treat her differently because of her grandfather. She's a good girl, and I like her very much."

"Hui Lin has been feeling down recently. An Xin and I thought it might be good to take her out for a day to cheer her up. Do you have any suggestions on where we could go?" Yang Chen asked with a mischievous smile.

Lin Ruoxi immediately caught on. "Why should that woman go with you to take Hui Lin out?"

"Oh? So, my dear Ruoxi, are you saying you'd like to come with us to take Hui Lin out?" Yang Chen asked.

Lin Ruoxi frowned. "Hui Lin is my sister. Why should anyone else take her out? But I'm not interested in going with you."

Yang Chen scratched his head. "Well, this is a dilemma. An Xin is Hui Lin's good friend, and I've already mentioned the idea to Hui Lin. I can't just suddenly tell her that An Xin and I won't be going, and only her sister will take her out."

Lin Ruoxi glared at him. "I want to take Hui Lin to my hot spring resort. If you want to come, drive yourself."

Yang Chen, adopting a serious tone, said, "But if An Xin wants to go, should I stop her? You're right; you probably wouldn't want to see her."

"I couldn't care less about her. Do you think I'm so interested in your trivial matters?" Lin Ruoxi retorted, clearly annoyed.

Yang Chen grinned widely. "That's what I thought. How could the illustrious President Lin be afraid of An Xin? Let's all go and have fun together then."

Lin Ruoxi felt a surge of frustration but couldn't voice it, lest it appear she was truly afraid of facing An Xin. She huffed coldly and walked out of the room.

Yang Chen breathed a sigh of relief. It had been a spur-of-the-moment idea to have his wife see An Xin again. Frequent encounters might help smooth things over, just like with Mo Qianni, who had also become one of his lovers despite being under Lin Ruoxi's watchful eye every day.

Though he felt guilty towards Lin Ruoxi, Yang Chen couldn't justify hurting all his other relationships for the sake of one. Unless he had never started these relationships in the first place, which was now impossible. He had enjoyed the benefits, and there was no escaping the consequences. Enjoying such blessings wasn't easy, after all.