Although Han Zhen usually seemed flippant, every time he put on this serious expression, Gao Xiaoxiao had to admit that she was a little afraid.
She looked down at her toes in silence.
However, Han Zhen suddenly snorted and laughed again. His voice had returned to its previous flippant tone. "Done eating. Let's go to the room."
He reached out to hold Gao Xiaoxiao's hand and led her to the stairs.
Gao Xiaoxiao did not know what to say.
"I'll go back to the room. Why is he holding my hand?" she thought.
• • •
Han Zhen's bedroom was next to Han Zhengming and Zhong Yuhong's bedroom. When they reached the second floor, Zhong Yuhong walked out of the room with an empty cup.
Seeing the couple holding hands, Zhong Yuhong's eyes lit up. "It's getting late. Ah Zhen, quickly, take your wife back to the room to rest."
Han Zhen smiled. "Mom, why are you… smiling so happily?"
Zhong Yuhong's expression froze. She glared at him and winked at Gao Xiaoxiao. "Xiaoxiao, I've prepared your pajamas and the clothes you're wearing tomorrow. Left them on the bed. Go in and take a look later. Tell me if you find them inappropriate."
Gao Xiaoxiao was flattered and looked at her. "Thank you, Mom."
"This child, why are you so polite? Haha, rest early." After Zhong Yuhong finished speaking, she hummed a tune and left.
Han Zhen watched his mother go downstairs. After a while, he looked down at their clasped hands and said teasingly, "Wifey, mom has already left."
Gao Xiaoxiao looked at him blankly and did not react.
Han Zhen's lips curled up even more as he raised their interlocked hands to signal her.
Gao Xiaoxiao's expression changed and she quickly retracted her hand. Without saying a word, she pushed the door open and entered.
Han Zhen smiled and followed.
• • •
This bedroom was Han Zhen's bedroom before he got married. It was black, white, and gray—simple, stylish, and grand.
After the two of them got their marriage certificate three years ago, Han Zhen quickly moved out on the grounds that they needed their privacy as a couple.
The entire Han family was happy to see this happen, especially Old Master Han who was still alive at that time. Thinking that he would soon have a great-grandchild, he readily agreed. Who would have thought that even until he passed away, there was no sign of his great-grandchild…
At the thought of this, Gao Xiaoxiao felt deeply guilty.
No matter what, she and Han Zhen had jointly created a bogus marriage. For three years, they had been deceiving the elders of the Han family.
Han Zhen looked at Gao Xiaoxiao, who was in a daze after entering the room. "Do you want to shower first, or should I shower first?"
Gao Xiaoxiao came back to her senses. "… Oh, you shower first. I'll go make the bed."
Han Zhen raised his eyebrows noncommittally and entered the bathroom with his shorts.
Gao Xiaoxiao opened the cabinet, took out the bedsheets and blankets, and laid them on the sofa.
About 10 minutes later, Han Zhen came out of the shower. He was wearing only a pair of shorts and was drying his wet hair with a dry towel. "Wife, I'm done."
Gao Xiaoxiao acknowledged him and turned a blind eye to the gorgeous man in front of her. She picked up her pajamas and walked to the bathroom.
After Han Zhen had dried his hair, he threw the towel aside and lay down on the sofa.
• • •
The scent of Han Zhen's dominance seemed to linger in the bathroom. Gao Xiaoxiao wrinkled her nose, removed her clothes, and took a quick shower.
Her stomach hurt a little and her waist was sore. After showering, she took the pajamas and was immediately dumbfounded.
The pajamas were actually completely transparent. Although the style was not too skimpy, she could not wear that. "Perhaps someone might think that I'm trying to seduce him," she thought.
Recalling Zhong Yuhong's wink just now, Gao Xiaoxiao had a lightbulb moment and patted her forehead. She did not know whether to laugh or cry.
She had no choice but to put her T-shirt and jeans back on. Fortunately, she had changed at home that night and they were not dirty.
After she walked out of the bathroom, Gao Xiaoxiao glanced at the man who seemed to have fallen asleep on the sofa, switched off the lights, and quietly lifted the thin blanket on the bed.
The night passed peacefully.
• • •
The next morning, Gao Xiaoxiao got up quickly after Han Zhen left.
Although she did not know how to cook, she had to put on an act.
As expected, when Zhong Yuhong saw Gao Xiaoxiao washing onions in the kitchen, she smiled broadly. "Xiaoxiao, you're up so early. Why didn't you sleep in with Zhen?"
Gao Xiaoxiao had a gentle smile on her face. "Mom, Ah Zhen went out for a morning jog, so I came to see if there was anything I could help with."
Zhong Yuhong smiled and took the onion from her hand. "Alright, leave the kitchen work to Auntie Lian. Grandma had woken up. Come with mom and chat with grandma."
"Okay." Gao Xiaoxiao took off her apron and followed Zhong Yuhong out of the kitchen obediently.
"Oh right, why aren't you wearing the clothes I prepared for you? Do they not fit?" Zhong Yuhong could not help but ask.
Gao Xiaoxiao had indeed tried on that dress, but it was too princess-like and did not suit her… However, seeing how insistent Zhong Yuhong was, she smiled and replied gently, "I was thinking of making breakfast just now, so I didn't wear it because I was afraid it would get dirty. I'll go up and change later."
Zhong Yuhong nodded, obviously pleased with her daughter-in-law.
Old Madam Han was looking down at something on the sofa. She was wearing a dark green dress today, and her hair was tied up neatly. At a glance, she did not look like an old lady over 80 years old.
On hearing their voices, she put down a photo album and waved at Gao Xiaoxiao. "Xiaoxiao, come over quickly."
Gao Xiaoxiao held the old lady's hand as she sat down. Old Madam Han said proudly, "Our Xiaxia has finally returned to the country. By the way, you haven't met her boyfriend, have you?"
"Boyfriend? The beautiful and proud Han Minxia in my memories is actually willing to cast off her pride and get a boyfriend?" Gao Xiaoxiao thought.
Gao Xiaoxiao looked over to where Old Madam Han's finger was pointing. The next second, her smile froze on her face.
In the photo, Han Minxia was sporting wavy, chestnut hair. Her delicate and pretty face was framed by straight bangs. She was smiling in a carefree way.
A man stood beside her. He had a handsome chiseled face, dark eyes, a high nose bridge, slightly pursed lips, and a mature aura… All of this matched the familiar face in her memory.