"No."
The simple word struck her heart like a bolt of lightning.
Xiaoxia felt a pang of anxiety, wondering if Young Master Shi's anger had not yet subsided. She swallowed hard, feeling a bit shaky inside.
She glanced around and suddenly noticed the glass of milk she had brought.
She picked it up and handed it to Shi Che, her voice careful but slightly ingratiating, "Young Master, have some milk to sober up."
Shi Che was straightforward this time. He tossed aside the towel, pulled up the covers, lay down directly, and closed his eyes.
The meaning was already very clear.
Xiaoxia's slender fingers held the glass, stiffening slightly.
Originally, she held onto a sliver of hope that Young Master Shi had calmed down before coming home today, but it seemed the chances were zero.
Xiaoxia stood there for a few seconds, ultimately resigned to placing the milk down gently, then tiptoeing around the large bed to her side. She softly lifted the covers and lay down.
The bedroom bed was large, with a typical European vintage style. Since Shi Che disliked ornate decorations, their bed was very simple, with even the sheets and duvet in cool tones.
The bed was so big that with both of them lying there, it could fit two or three more people between them. They didn't appear like a married couple, more like two strangers sharing a bed.
-
In truth, Xiaoxia had terrible sleeping habits. She liked to toss and turn, roll around, and stretch out in a starfish position, occupying the entire bed.
During waking hours, she was so cautious and exhausted. When asleep, she needed to rest comfortably and freely, right?
So early in their marriage, Xiaoxia wasn't used to restraining herself. Several times while asleep, she either kicked Shi Che, pushed him off the bed, or draped her limbs over him, resting on his stomach.
At that time, Xiaoxia would be scared to death every morning when she woke up. What terrified her most was Shi Che's utterly darkened face...
After that, even if she didn't want to, she forced herself to change these bad habits, making herself as composed asleep as awake.
So now, her sleeping posture was exceedingly proper, occupying only her small space without overstepping.
After settling in, Xiaoxia placed her hands neatly on her abdomen and slowly closed her eyes.
-
In a daze, Xiaoxia seemed to slip back into her nightmare.
"Xiaoxia, you've been married for three years now, but your relationship with Che'er remains indifferent. What are you busy with all day? A woman who can't keep her husband's heart from wandering—is that what a wife should do?"
"Never mind, Che'er's mind is hard to grasp, and I understand your difficulties. But you've been married for three years, and there's still no news from your belly. That's inexcusable."
"You must know that to hold a man's heart, having a child is the most direct way. With a child, a man gains responsibility, and his heart will settle, returning to the family."
"I chose you over your elder sister back then because I valued you, Xiaoxia. You can't let me down...!"