"No, I can do it myself," Leng Xiaoyao said, feeling embarrassed.
It was better for her to handle this kind of thing on her own, and she was worried she might make a mess of it for him.
"Just lie down. You're in so much pain already; you shouldn't be moving around," Han Chenyu insisted. Changing a sanitary pad was a new experience for him as well, and he couldn't pretend it didn't make him feel awkward. But how could Xiaoyao change it by herself in this condition?
After all, she was already his wife, and he was willing to help her with such matters.
"It'll get dirty," she protested.
"I don't mind. Now tell me, where is it? After I change your pad, I'll go make you some brown sugar water."
"It's in the bottom drawer of the wardrobe."
Han Chenyu quickly retrieved the sanitary pad and helped her change it, his expression showing no signs of disgust.
Watching his somewhat clumsy yet gentle movements, Leng Xiaoyao felt a wave of happiness wash over her. At first, she had thought this man was cold, petty, and cunning, but now she was grateful that it was him that night and not someone else.
"Honey, you're the best person in the world!"
"Finally realized that?"
Han Chenyu tucked her in under the covers. "Once I make the brown sugar water, drink a little, and then get some rest. You won't feel pain anymore."
"Okay."
"Good girl."
Since the painful period incident, Han Chenyu had strictly forbidden Leng Xiaoyao from eating anything cold. He consulted numerous gynecologists and had memorized medical textbooks on the subject.
"President, here are the documents from Windchaser Group…"
John entered the office holding a file, prepared to report his findings to Han Chenyu. However, he was taken aback to see the president not holding stock documents or market surveys but a gynecology textbook instead. His jaw nearly dropped in shock.
"Put the documents down; you can leave now."
"President, are you sure you didn't grab the wrong book?"
Han Chenyu looked up and shot him a glare. "I can read."
"But… is this for the president's wife?"
"Get out."
"Yes, yes."
John hurriedly exited, bewildered. The president was reading a gynecology book? He hadn't denied it when John had speculated, and wow, this was big news!
Within ten minutes, the news that their aloof president was reading medical books for his beloved wife spread throughout the company, reaching even the cleaning staff. Everyone was talking about it, some envious of the president's wife for having such a considerate and gentle husband, while others marveled at how the once unruly president had been tamed by her charm.
When Leng Xiaoyao walked into Han Group, she happened to overhear the discussions.
She had come today to give Han Chenyu a surprise. Having never been to his office before, she was curious about what it was like.
"Hello, Miss. Who are you looking for?"
The receptionist asked in standard Mandarin, sizing her up with a critical eye. The girl looked sweet and charming, with a pure demeanor and lovely attire, but the receptionist was unsure what she was there for.
"I'm looking for Han Chenyu."
"What?"
"I'm looking for Han Chenyu."
The receptionist stared at her in disbelief. How dare she call the president by his first name and demand to see him? Was she tired of living?
"Sorry, do you have an appointment?"
"No."
"Then I'm afraid you need an appointment to see the president. Please schedule one for next time."
An appointment? Is it harder to see Han Chenyu than the president himself?
Leng Xiaoyao shot the receptionist a disdainful look, then calmly pulled out her phone and called Han Chenyu. "Han Chenyu, you have one minute to come down to the front desk and get me."
One minute later, Han Chenyu stepped out of the exclusive elevator, striding toward the front desk.
"Wow, the president is walking this way!"
"He's looking at me!"
"He's looking at me!"
All the female employees gazed adoringly at Han Chenyu as he approached, dreaming of a moment when he would take their hands and say, "My princess, come with me to my castle."
Han Chenyu walked up to Leng Xiaoyao, a charming smile on his face. "Wife, what brings you here?"
"I came to see you, but this lady said I couldn't see you without an appointment."
"Is that so?"
Han Chenyu turned to the receptionist. Usually, she would be ecstatic to see him, but now she knew she was in trouble for offending the president's wife.
"President, I'm sorry! I didn't know she was your wife!"
"You're fired."
Han Chenyu took Leng Xiaoyao's hand and led her toward the elevator as the receptionist was dragged away by security.
The employees in the lobby stood frozen in shock. Oh my! Who said their president didn't care for his wife? He had read gynecology books for her, personally come to pick her up, and fired an employee who had disrespected her. He was practically a "wife slave!"
"Is this your office, honey?"
Leng Xiaoyao stepped into Han Chenyu's office and looked around. It was similar to her father's office, but it felt too cold and lacking in warmth.
"Yeah, come here. Tell me why you thought to come to the company today."
Han Chenyu pulled her onto his lap and affectionately kissed her cheek.
"I just wanted to see where you work. Oh? What's this?"
Leng Xiaoyao picked up a book from the desk, curious. It was titled How to Treat Menstrual Pain. Memories of the employees' earlier discussions flooded back.
"Is this... because of me?"
A hint of embarrassment colored Han Chenyu's cheeks. He cleared his throat, took the book from her, and said, "I don't want to see you in pain, so I thought I'd study up to see if I could help."
"Honey, you're so considerate! I really misjudged you before!"
"What did you think of me?"
"Um... well... I mean, you're just a standard good husband now, okay?"
Han Chenyu guessed that her previous evaluations of him weren't very flattering. She must have thought he was arrogant, petty, sly, and manipulative.
"So how are you going to reward me?"
Leng Xiaoyao playfully pecked him on the cheek and tried to run away, but Han Chenyu quickly pulled her back and pressed her against him, kissing her deeply.
"Ding ding ding ding!"
Just then, a frustrating ringtone interrupted them. Han Chenyu raked his fingers through his hair in annoyance, glaring at the phone. Leng Xiaoyao couldn't help but laugh at his flustered expression, whispering in his ear, "Honey, when we get home tonight…"
"So sweet!"
"Answer the phone."
Han Chenyu took a deep breath to calm himself, picked up the phone, and said, "Hello, I'll be there shortly."
"Wife, I have to attend a meeting. Just play on the computer here and wait for me. I'll make sure to spend quality time with you when I get home."
"Okay, you go ahead."
As Han Chenyu left, Leng Xiaoyao found herself bored at the computer. Just then, she noticed a lounge area in the office filled with books covering various topics. Excited, she decided to look for any books on jewelry design.
As she flipped through the shelves, she suddenly found a small photograph falling out from between the pages. Huh? What's this? Curiously, she picked it up and froze. The photo depicted a beautiful, classical woman with striking features and an elegant demeanor, dressed in a flowing gown and smiling sweetly at the camera. Who was she? Xiaoyao had never heard Han Chenyu mention having any sisters. Could this possibly be his ex-girlfriend? Why hadn't he ever told her? Why did he still keep a photo of her? Did he still long for the "her" from the past?
"Xiaoyao, are you in here…?"
Han Chenyu returned to the office after his meeting but didn't see Leng Xiaoyao. When he opened the door to the lounge, he found her holding the photo.
Lost in her thoughts, Leng Xiaoyao didn't notice him enter. The more she pondered, the more anxious she felt. Did he still have feelings for the woman in the photo? Were they still connected in some way? Why else would he keep her picture so well? Hadn't he said he loved her? Lost in jealousy and confusion, she couldn't help but begin to cry softly.
"Xiaoyao, don't cry."
Han Chenyu stepped forward to comfort her, but Leng Xiaoyao pulled away, holding the photo up to confront him. "Who is this?"
Han Chenyu had completely forgotten he still had a photo of his ex. Since being with Leng Xiaoyao, he had moved on from the woman who had once hurt him. He hadn't expected Xiaoyao to stumble upon it and misinterpret its significance.
"Xiaoyao, listen to me. Please don't be upset."
"Tell me!"
"Her name is Jiang Manni, and she was… my ex-girlfriend."
"Why didn't you ever tell me you had an ex-girlfriend? And why do you still have her photo? Does that mean you never really forgot about her?"
As Leng Xiaoyao stepped closer, she felt her heart racing. She had promised herself to remain calm, but jealousy and hurt clouded her judgment. All she wanted was clarity.
"Let me explain. I love you now. She's part of my past. I thought it was unnecessary to mention it."
"Then why do you still keep her photo?"
Who would believe that he had forgotten her while keeping her photo in such good condition?
"I forgot."