Chu Tan Hac was back.
Quan Anh hid in her room, afraid he would come in, yet also afraid he wouldn't.
He sat on the sofa downstairs. Today, he wore a long-sleeved, wide-collared black shirt. The shirt was tucked into his trousers, subtly revealing his toned waist. Though his posture was somewhat casual, his sitting position was remarkably dignified. The silver-rimmed glasses perched on his straight nose bridge made his cold face seem much warmer.
Chu Tan Hac was truly a cold, handsome man, like a god who had descended to the mortal world, devoid of desire or ambition.
The last time Quan Anh saw him was last year; after nearly a year apart, he looked even more handsome and captivating.
Perhaps tired from a day of flying, Chu Tan Hac leaned back into the sofa, his chin slightly raised, eyes closed. The hair on his forehead fell to the corners of his eyes as he tilted his head, giving him a hint of weariness.
Only when Chu Tan Hac was fast asleep did Quan Anh dare to look at him so intently; when he was awake, his gaze was quite oppressive. She lingered in her room for a while before finally gathering the courage to carry a blanket downstairs.
Quan Anh gently draped the blanket over Chu Tan Hac.
A faint scent of cologne emanated from him, a unique fragrance, likely a trial product from some brand. Quan Anh's emotions were swept away by this scent.
Even though she knew Chu Tan Hac kept his distance from women, for a fleeting second, she couldn't help but let her thoughts wander. It was this very second that made her slowly lower her head.
Quan Anh stopped about half an inch from Chu Tan Hac's neck, carefully inhaling.
It was cedar.
Cool sandalwood and gentle cedar blended together perfectly.
Hmm, not women's perfume.
The next second, Quan Anh was startled to realize she was doing something foolish, and she recoiled in alarm. But her movement was too swift; her knee accidentally bumped the sofa, and she nearly fell into Chu Tan Hac's chest.
Quan Anh took a deep breath.
She remained leaning forward, staring intently at the sleeping man, carefully bracing her hands on the sofa as she slowly pushed herself up.
Just halfway up, Chu Tan Hac's eyelashes suddenly fluttered.
A frantic warning blared in Quan Anh's mind.
Chu Tan Hac slowly opened his eyes, his gaze hazy with sleep. When he clearly saw Quan Anh, their eyes met for a second, then his eyelashes lowered again.
Quan Anh froze.
Perhaps due to her extreme anxiety at the moment, she was still holding the remote control that had been on the sofa.
A few seconds later, Chu Tan Hac seemed to realize this wasn't a dream; he opened his eyes, now fully awake.
Seeing the stunned young woman with the remote control in her hand, Chu Tan Hac's lips curved slightly, and the coldness in his eyes gradually warmed: "Is this how Anh Anh welcomes Uncle?"
Perhaps because he hadn't rested well, his voice was a little hoarse.
Quan Anh immediately stood up straight, clasped her hands behind her back, and obediently called out, "Little Uncle."
Chu Tan Hac saw the blanket on him, raised an eyebrow, his thin eyelids narrowing slightly: "Afraid I'd catch a cold?"
Quan Anh didn't dare to look up, lowering her gaze. "Yes."
Chu Tan Hac extended his hand: "Come here."
Quan Anh placed her hand in his and sat down beside him.
Chu Tan Hac had deep-set eyes, thick eyebrows, and long, slender outer corners to his eyes. Especially his pupils, darker than average, which gave off a profound feeling when he looked at others. Even with just a casual glance from him, Quan Anh couldn't stop herself from blushing and her heart racing.
He said, "Anh Anh has grown up."
She was already grown up, of course.
Quan Anh was a bit displeased because Chu Tan Hac still treated her like a child. She pulled her hand away, not letting him hold it.
She turned her face away, her tone carrying a hint of stubbornness: "You didn't even say a word when you came back, Uncle."
Chu Tan Hac chuckled softly: "Didn't you want to see me?"
Quan Anh answered evasively: "The cheongsam you brought back for me during the Lunar New Year fits perfectly. I'll wear it for you tomorrow."
Chu Tan Hac said: "Wear it tonight."
Quan Anh misunderstood, her heart suddenly beating faster: "I have to wear it tonight?"
Chu Tan Hac's hand lightly patted the back of her head: "Come home for dinner tonight."
Oh, it was just for dinner.
Quan Anh felt a little disappointed: "Okay."
When Quan Anh wore the cheongsam, her appearance was a stark contrast to her usual image as a well-behaved young girl. The dress outlined her soft curves in a seductive way that was normally unseen. Her oval face, fair skin, long black hair reaching her waist, and gentle eyes beneath her bangs – even her obedient demeanor couldn't hide the allure that seemed to emanate from her very bones.
Tonight was considered a family gathering, and all the elders of the Chu family were present.
Quan Anh knew they didn't like her.
But she was still Chu Tan Hac's legal wife.
Everyone wore fake smiles, appearing harmonious.
Quan Anh had grown up in the Chu household since she was thirteen, so the family elders had watched her grow up. Chu Tan Hac had spoiled her, cultivating her current temperament: someone not to be spoken of lightly, not to be touched, more noble than even a young lady from a prestigious family.
Given Chu Tan Hac's family background and appearance, he could have married anyone and wouldn't have had to marry an orphan girl. But things were already decided, and the Chu family elders didn't dare to say anything.
"We'll hold the wedding once Anh Anh graduates. You're not a child anymore; it's time to start preparing for children."
Chu Tan Hac looked at Quan Anh, paused for a few seconds, then replied: "Anh Anh is still young, there's no rush."
The stepmother looked at him, smiling, as if joking, but her words were full of hidden meaning: "Tan Hac, are you perhaps only pretending to marry her to protect Anh Anh?"
Quan Anh panicked, feeling as if her deepest secret had been exposed. She lowered her head, poking at the rice in her bowl with her chopsticks.
She was terrified when this topic came up; Chu Tan Hac had indeed married her to protect her.
Chu Tan Hac's voice was cool: "Anh Anh, focus on eating your dinner."
Quan Anh immediately retorted, feeling wronged: "Auntie is asking a question, I have to answer."
"Oh, I was just chatting." She changed the subject to family matters: "Tan Hac isn't leaving again this time, is he?"
Chu Tan Hac gave a faint "Mm," then turned to pick up some food for Quan Anh: "Little one, don't talk while eating."
Unable to say anything more, she pouted. It was truly self-inflicted, how boring.
It was unclear if the stepmother did this on purpose, but that evening, she announced that all the guest rooms were occupied and arranged for Quan Anh and Chu Tan Hac to stay in the same room. It hadn't been like this before, but then again, they weren't married the last time he came home.
Chu Tan Hac said: "I'll go to the study."
"Uncle!" Quan Anh mustered a little courage and called out to him: "You've been tired all day. Just rest here."
Chu Tan Hac had indeed been very tired from being on the plane all day. A weary look showed on his face, and perhaps pleased by her concern, he smiled faintly: "Good girl. I still have a bit of work to take care of first."
Quan Anh grumbled softly: "What kind of work can't wait until tomorrow morning? How am I supposed to sleep alone?"
Hearing her unhappy tone, Chu Tan Hac's lips curved into an enchanting smile: "Are you not used to the bed?"
Quan Anh wasn't comfortable with the situation. If he didn't come home, she wouldn't stay at the Chu family home either. The Chu family only treated her well because they feared Chu Tan Hac, but ultimately, it was all a facade. She only liked being in the small house she shared with Chu Tan Hac.
But these were all just excuses.
Quan Anh tugged at Chu Tan Hac's sleeve and whispered, "Uncle, are you coming home tonight?"
Her voice was sweet and warm like melting chocolate, her velvet dress draped over her snow-white skin, with a very low V-neck. Her hair cascaded over her arms, and under the light, she seemed to be enveloped in a halo.
Quan Anh had deliberately applied a thin layer of lipstick after her bath and used Chu Tan Hac's favorite perfume. Every detail, from her face to her body, was filled with her subtle intentions. At this moment, she looked like a beautiful, ethereal little fairy, her eyes and brow captivating hearts.
Chu Tan Hac gazed at her for two seconds, his eyes unwavering. He lowered his gaze, paused on Quan Anh's shoulder for a second, then took off his jacket and draped it over her.
Quan Anh: "..."
The jacket still held his warmth, but Chu Tan Hac had already turned and walked away.
Quan Anh's expression was almost impossible to control.
"Help, help! I'm having a nosebleed!"
Quan Anh turned around to see Chu Niannian peeking out from the next room, and quickly clutched the jacket tighter.
"Little Auntie, what's wrong?"
Chu Niannian stared at the beauty in front of her, blinking helplessly. "Why are you wrapping yourself up again? Big Brother can look, but you can't?"
Quan Anh sighed, "He doesn't even bother to look at me."
Chu Niannian exclaimed in surprise, "Could Big Brother have secretly become a monk behind our backs?" She gestured wildly at Quan Anh, "I've tried this... and this, and this, but it all failed in the end."
Quan Anh gritted her teeth, "Maybe he just doesn't want to do *that* with me."
"No way! If Big Brother doesn't want to do *that* with you, then why did he want to marry you? Wait, something's not right here. You two have been married for almost a year, and you still haven't been 'eaten.' How pathetic, to have such a blind husband."
Quan Anh's eyes were filled with resentment. Hugging the jacket tightly, she turned and went back to her room. "He married me to protect me."
Chu Niannian said, "Are you still defending him? No matter what his reasons were, he's your husband now. You can't be as obedient as before; you have to make him fulfill his marital duties."
How could Quan Anh dare?
Just seeing Chu Tan Hac made her scared to death with nervousness; how could she possibly force him?
Chu Niannian: "Why don't you pretend to be cute?"
Quan Anh seemed to freeze, her entire demeanor showing disbelief. She turned back, saying with an incredulous expression, "Am I not cute?"
Chu Niannian pushed her arm down, correcting herself, "I misspoke. We're all little fairies, super cute. What I mean is to be genuinely good, not pretend to be good. If you're too good, your brother will be too shy to make a move."
Quan Anh flopped onto her pillow, covering her face with her hands. "I'm not pretending; I just can't help myself."
The moment she saw Chu Tan Hac, she couldn't stop herself from acting spoiled around him.
Chu Niannian sat beside her, summarizing the reasons for her failure: "Don't wear so little to tempt Big Brother." She lightly tugged at the delicate dress strap on Quan Anh's shoulder, so thin it looked like it could snap with a single pull. "What if you catch a cold? With your body, Big Brother wouldn't dare touch you."
From a young age, Quan Anh had been frail, easily falling ill, always needing medicine. She couldn't gain weight no matter how much she ate, and a few steps would leave her breathless. Chu Tan Hac doted on her endlessly, partly because of her delicate health.
Quan Ánh’s second uncle was Chu Tân Hạc’s best friend. During the earthquake that year, she was the only survivor. Chu Tân Hạc did everything he could to pull her from the rubble, wishing he could treat her like a treasure, cherishing her every moment, replacing her second uncle and loving her as if she were his own daughter.
During the years Chu Tân Hạc studied abroad, if Quan Ánh so much as sneezed, someone would report it to him.
The next morning.
Sunlight streamed through the curtains into the room. Quan Ánh kicked off her duvet, stretched her lazy waist, not caring if her nightgown had ridden up to her thighs.
Sure enough, Chu Tân Hạc hadn’t come to her room last night.
Her nightgown was twisted around her waist like a pretzel. Quan Ánh rolled around on the bed a few times, muttering to herself for a while before sluggishly sitting up.
She hugged her pillow, imagining it was Chu Tân Hạc, aggressively bullying it, kicking it from the head of the bed to the foot, then picking it up again to hug, burying her head into the soft pillow and rubbing against it.
After venting her frustration, she suddenly saw a shadow flit past the corner of her eye. Quan Ánh froze, hesitated for half a second, then slowly turned her head.
Her eyes met Chu Tân Hạc’s, and Quan Ánh’s mind went blank for two seconds.
It’s over, it’s really over.
Her image as a good girl was completely shattered.
Quan Ánh was so flustered her face and ears turned red: “Uncle, Uncle… when did you get back?”
Chu Tân Hạc was lying on the nearby sofa and turned his head towards her.
He looked at her: “Two in the morning.”
The room was silent for about five seconds.
Quan Ánh: “Ah, you were just dreaming, Uncle. Go back to sleep.”
Chu Tân Hạc obediently turned his head back and closed his eyes.
“Mm.”