561. The Journey Together
A blaring alarm clock jolted Ning Chu awake.
She opened her eyes and felt a strong arm draped around her waist, a solid chest pressed against her back, radiating Wen Yang’s warmth.
Reaching out to turn off her phone alarm, she closed her eyes again, savoring the morning tranquility.
“Not getting up?”
Wen Yang’s deep, rumbling voice came from behind her.
“Time to go…”
“Are you coming back next National Day if there’s a holiday?”
Ning Chu shifted back a little, pressing herself tighter against Wen Yang, but it only made her backside feel unbearably hot.
Not paying much attention to the morning’s romance, she let out a sigh: “I don’t wanna go to work~”
It was just like back in school—after a long holiday, the thought of attending class filled her with resistance. She felt utterly sluggish, ready to just lay around like a salted fish.
“Wen Yang, you’re the male protagonist! Other male protagonists are either tech geniuses, global tycoons, or at least saving the world…”
“Who told you to write a little emperor story?”
“Yeah, I really regret that.”
If only she’d written something with more spice instead of whatever nonsense filled her brain, which had now consumed her too.
She turned around and buried her head into Wen Yang’s chest, greedily inhaling his scent.
A few years ago, there was no way she’d believe the succubus in front of her would be her future, right?
She would’ve never thought her current short-term plan included flirting with a man while her long-term plan revolved around weddings and babies…
She had never liked children, found the idea of close contact with men unacceptable, hated becoming more feminine, and loathed any feminine traits she had.
How had it come to this?
She felt like she had plummeted to the lowest depths of femininity—no chance of ever going back up.
“But this isn’t so bad.”
Compared to her once solitary life, Ning Chu was quite satisfied now. She would even be willing to light incense for the “god” who had brought her to this world.
Suddenly, there was a loud “bang bang bang” at the door.
“Sister! Brother-in-law! Mom wants you to get up!”
“Coming!”
“Why are you locking the door~?”
Ning Chu stretched, reluctantly getting up from Wen Yang’s embrace, hopping out of bed barefoot and running to open the door.
As soon as she opened it, Black Bean frowned and took a step back, wrinkling her nose.
Seeing Black Bean’s reaction, Ning Chu’s cheeks flushed uncontrollably, but she waved her hand nonchalantly, “You go eat first, Wen Yang and I need to wash up.”
Black Bean appeared unfazed by her words, curiously poking her head into the room.
Inside, the bed sheets and quilt were a bit messy, and Wen Yang sat at the head of the bed yawning. However, the atmosphere wasn’t emanating from the bed, that was for sure.
“Sis~ there’s this weird smell~”
Ning Chu already knew Black Bean’s true nature, but that innocent gaze made her feel utterly embarrassed. She yanked Black Bean’s cat ears and scolded, “Stop learning useless things! Out, out!”
“Oh~”
After sending Black Bean away, she turned to open the window for ventilation, complaining, “That cat just loves to tease me, wanting to see me blush.”
Clearly, she understood everything, yet insisted on asking!
“Just air it out.”
“Take off the quilt and throw it in the washing machine.”
“Got it.”
Together with Wen Yang, she took off the quilt and shoved it into the washing machine. Only then did she feel relieved and went to the bathroom to freshen up.
Ning Yuan and Uncle had left yesterday afternoon, so only four breakfast portions were prepared on the dining table.
Early in the morning, after finishing breakfast, her mother was busy sweeping and mopping the floor. The tiles were always spotless, a testament to her mother’s diligence, keeping every item tidy and orderly.
If being a full-time housewife meant meeting her mother’s standards, Ning Chu thought she’d be better off working.
She was lazy and only did housekeeping in the rental apartment once a week with Wen Yang.
“Where are your shoes! I just mopped the floor!”
After washing up and taking just a couple of steps out of the bathroom, Ning Chu was met with her mother’s dissatisfied scolding.
She glanced back at the footprints on the floor and sheepishly rushed back to her room to put on her slippers.
“Ning Xin! Put your shoes on!”
“Not a single one of you is easy to manage! Can’t you learn something from your sister?”
It was chaotic right from the morning, but Wen Yang was already accustomed to such scenes. In fact, he found it quite heartwarming, filling the air with familial vibes.
“Wen Yang, have you packed your luggage?”
He instinctively felt a bit nervous: “I packed it last night.”
“Don’t forget to take the clothes out from the balcony.” Her mother set down the mop and headed for the kitchen. “I bought some stuff for you to take along; Ning Chu loves those crispy edges, right? I specifically picked some.”
“That kind of semi-finished product can also be bought online.”
“I got it from a friend; it tastes better than what’s online.”
Wen Yang helplessly followed her into the kitchen, watching her pull out large bags from the fridge. “Isn’t that a bit too much?”
“This mixed noodles are great; you two can have them for breakfast. And this drink is all-natural, no additives—good for your health… Don’t always eat takeout; it’s oily and salty, plus unsanitary. Make some effort to learn cooking on your own.”
“Hey, when will you two give me a grandchild? The sooner, the better; while I’m still young enough to help out.”
“Mom… didn’t you say you didn’t want to babysit anymore?”
“I said that, but if a baby really comes, how can I not help? You work so hard, plus you need to save for a house.”
Wen Yang gave a wry smile, overwhelmed with a mountain of food and drinks, uncertain how to carry it all.
He increasingly felt like his mother-in-law truly saw him as family, treating him like a son.
“I knew it! Once we get married, you’ll definitely start pushing for kids!” Ning Chu chimed in, dramatically wrinkling her nose, “Mom, save that for Black Bean, we can’t carry all this!”
“Take as much as you can. When’s your bus?”
“Soon, we’ll be leaving after breakfast.”
Black Bean, trailing behind Ning Chu, drooped her ears: “Rushing off so soon…”
“Why don’t you stay to keep your sister company? Look how sad she is.” Her mother joked, “Let Wen Yang go to work alone.”
“That won’t work; what if he cheats without me watching?”
Wen Yang rubbed his nose, muttering, “I’m not that kind of guy.”
“I see you can’t live without a man.” Her mother shot Ning Chu an exasperated look.
Honestly! What succubus can live without a man?
Ning Chu silently rebutted, dragging Black Bean to the dining table to eat.
It was barely eight in the morning, but with only an hour until departure, anxious about missing the bus, Ning Chu and Wen Yang stuffed their faces with food.
Typically a big eater, Black Bean seemed to have lost her appetite, stirring her soy milk with a spoon. Meanwhile, her mother continued to chat away at the table, undeterred whether the traveling couple could even process her words.
“Mom, why not give us a ride to the station?”
Black Bean immediately chimed in, “Yes!”
“Shut it! You still have tutoring class! Look at your grades!”
“Oh~”
Ning Chu set down her bowl and rubbed the head of her downcast little cat, “Should we get going?”
“Want another bite?”
“I worry we won’t make it, better to leave early.”
“Take care on the road.”
“But Wen Yang’s with me, right? Don’t worry.”
Wen Yang nodded, smiling, “With me around, you’re safe.”
He grabbed the luggage on the table, coming back with just a big backpack filled with clothes, but leaving with a suitcase loaded with snacks and necessities.
Ning Chu only had a small handbag slung over her shoulder, lightening her load to follow Wen Yang toward the door.
“If there are no extra shifts during National Day, we’ll come back.”
She changed her shoes, glancing back at her mother still sitting there and the little cat trailing behind her.
“We’re off, bye-bye~”
“Bye-bye!”
Ahead lay endless work and the grind of earning a living—a thought that felt incredibly dull.
Ning Chu lifted her head, gazing at Wen Yang waiting for her in the hallway, her face brightening with a gentle smile as she hurried to catch up.
Thank goodness she had someone to share this journey with.
——————
And thus begins the daily life of married life~ A little filler is totally reasonable!
