Chapter 9 Five Years
Mu Jinci hung up in fury.
Before the line went dead she threw out one last line: “I want to see how long you keep up the act!”
She got angry again, just like always.
When she was happy, she gave me a smile.
When she wasn’t, she took it out on me and waited for me to coax her back.
Once or twice, I could bear it.
She was my wife, after all. A little indulgence was normal.
One year, two years, I could bear it.
Marriage is supposed to have its fights and reconciliations.
But five years drained every last bit of my patience.
I finally had to face the truth.
It wasn’t that she had a bad temper.
She simply didn’t love me.
Otherwise she wouldn’t keep testing my limits.
She loved Chen Yi.
She would give him everything without hesitation.
She never once cooked for me.
Yet she often invited Chen Yi over and cooked for him herself, calling it a friendly gathering.
Chen Yi always smiled and praised how virtuous Mu Jinci was—any husband would be lucky.
Only I knew that the only times I tasted her cooking were when Chen Yi was there.
I watched them exchange glances across the table while I silently carried dishes and couldn’t get a word in.
“Su Yueming, eat more, don’t hold back,” Chen Yi would say.
He’d put food on my plate with the air of the host, as if he and Mu Jinci were the real couple and I was the guest.
I looked at Mu Jinci for a reaction.
She said nothing, just took a bite and avoided my eyes.
Chen Yi noticed my discomfort but pretended not to.
He pressed further.
“Su Yueming, don’t overthink it. Mu Jinci and I go way back. We’re Childhood Sweethearts. I’m still used to acting like the host when we eat out. Haven’t adjusted since she got married. My bad.”
He raised his glass. “I’ll punish myself with a drink!”
When I stayed quiet, he added with a half-joke, “Su Yueming, you’re not Being Jealous, are you?”
The atmosphere froze.
Mu Jinci didn’t defend me.
Instead she elbowed me and said, “It’s rare we all eat together. Stop scowling. Chen Yi didn’t say anything wrong. Don’t be so petty.”