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Because of that, Xu Zhitong had already paid for the advanced course taught by the stick-figure instructor.

Of course, all these wandering thoughts were not something Lin Yang could know.

Lin Yang stayed silent. After wrestling with herself for a while, she felt she still had to go out.

After all, if they stayed cooped up at home all day, the two of them would keep warming up to each other face-to-face, their hearts practically pressed together; who knew when they’d end up kissing again.

If this went on too long, who knew what would happen.

Lin Yang still hadn’t decided how much she was willing to indulge Xu Zhitong, in her amnesiac state, as she pushed this fake relationship forward.

So far, she had mostly just gone with the flow... half yielding and half resisting.

Lin Yang silently judged herself, then decided she could only try to put a little distance between them and create some physical boundaries.

After making up her mind, she told Xu Zhitong, “Tomorrow afternoon, I need to go to the coffee shop first. I have some things to take care of.”

Xu Zhitong let out an “oh,” sounding pleasantly surprised.

“Your coffee shop? Great, I’ve wanted to go for ages!”

“You might not be able to go.” Lin Yang paused, then cut her off.

To keep Xu Zhitong from getting sulky, Lin Yang gently smoothed her bangs and added, “We’re in a secret relationship, remember? The staff don’t know we’re dating, so I can’t take you there.”

She watched Xu Zhitong’s expression and knew very well that when dealing with Xu Zhitong, you had to smack her with a stick and then hand her a piece of candy.

Before Xu Zhitong could come up with a way to act wronged and shamelessly cling to her, Lin Yang said again:

“Once I’m done, I’ll come pick you up. We can go to a riverside restaurant for Thai food tonight, okay? Hexi built a fountain square these past few years; it’s very lively, with a night market every evening, and there are fireworks at night too. I want to go stroll around with you.”

The excitement Xu Zhitong had just built up was immediately stuffed full by three or four date promises.

She blinked.

Oh...

So Lin Yang had already planned their date first?

Xu Zhitong instantly felt sweet all over.

Although, she would still find a way to go to the coffee shop.

But that didn’t stop her from listening to her wife and accepting her wife’s arrangements.

Xu Zhitong nodded and said happily, “If you put it that way, I’m already looking forward to tomorrow.”

She looked so easy to fool.

Lin Yang froze.

For a moment, she wasn’t sure whether Xu Zhitong had really decided to listen to her arrangement.

Hadn’t she just said something about separation anxiety...

So that had only been words to coax her.

Looking at Xu Zhitong, who in her eyes seemed completely unaware of her decision, Lin Yang felt a little guilty again.

So when Xu Zhitong kissed her again, she didn’t push her away.

Xu Zhitong wrapped her arms around her back; her hand slowly slid down from Lin Yang’s shoulder and, somewhat clumsily and without meaning to, brushed the back clasp of her bra.

Lin Yang only shifted slightly from the itchiness her sensitivity brought on.

Xu Zhitong had no intention of undoing anything. She just seemed curious as she touched the shape of it, then moved on to Lin Yang’s butterfly bones, following the curve of her spine down to her waist.

Rather than a faint, teasing suggestion of intimacy, it felt more like an exploration of territory.

But that was the softest, most sensitive place; Lin Yang nearly shuddered at once. She couldn’t stand it anymore, feeling as if moisture was almost seeping out of her, and her mind spun randomly to the fabric of the pants she was wearing today.

No, she couldn’t keep sitting in Xu Zhitong’s lap.

Lin Yang couldn’t even imagine how she would answer if Xu Zhitong asked why she was wet...

Her face was heating so fast it was almost burning. She pulled back, made up some random excuse, and fled in a hurry.

Xu Zhitong licked her lips and watched Lin Yang’s retreating figure, a little regretful.

Fine.

It was okay.

Her ten-years-ago self had been this clueless; her wife hadn’t lived very happily, so of course she probably didn’t have much experience either.

Xu Zhitong felt that things had to be done step by step.

Even if she had leaped ahead in the paid upgrade course, she still couldn’t take Lin Yang all the way in one go.

Xu Zhitong knew Lin Yang very well. Slow boiling, steady warmth, and continuous giving were what softened her heart the most.

Besides, both she and Lin Yang were the type with thin skin.

Take it one step at a time!

-

The night passed without incident. The next day, after lunch, Lin Yang prepared to leave.

She went to the guest room to change, while Xu Zhitong pouted outside and practiced hand dance moves on her phone.

Probably because Lin Yang was worried she’d get bored at home alone, she had given her a task: make a video.

It had to be said, after losing her memory, Xu Zhitong had indeed become somewhat lax about posting videos.

When she first got back to Jiangshi, Lin Yang found her a dedicated operator. The operator picked a few simple songs that were especially popular lately and had her record them.

Xu Zhitong studied for half the day and discovered she actually had a bit of a foundation in hand dance moves, if that could even be called a foundation.

But her mind wasn’t really on it. Once she had learned enough, she started slacking off, her eyes constantly drifting toward the guest room.

Lin Yang was going out to see someone.

Who knew what she’d be wearing.

By the time the trending hand-dance song had played for the tenth time on her phone and the sour bubbles in Xu Zhitong’s heart were practically exploding, Lin Yang finally came out.

It was a very pretty gray-green tea dress, the hem just past her knees, with a V-neck that dipped to the upper chest.

So low it looked like the deep line of her figure would be visible any second.

Her hair was loosely pinned to one side, with a few strands left out, falling over her snow-white neck and shoulders like willow branches.

The real highlight of the outfit was actually the jewelry, from necklace to rings, all glittering and clearly expensive.

But the diamond herringbone necklace in the same V shape still wasn’t as eye-catching to Xu Zhitong as the neckline itself.

Xu Zhitong was still wondering whether the neckline was a little too deep, whether current fashion really favored something so low-cut.

Didn’t Lin Yang say she was going to the coffee shop to handle something? Was she still going to see someone else, QAQ?

Lin Yang had never worn anything this low-cut in front of her.

She suddenly wanted Lin Yang to put on a jacket... her scalp was itching as if it might grow braids.

Only when Lin Yang lowered her head and handed over the matching bracelet, asking Xu Zhitong to help fasten it, did Xu Zhitong give up those thoughts.

She obediently did as asked, fastening the bracelet for Lin Yang, then tilted her head to look at her rings.

Fortunately, their little diamond ring was still there.

But beside it was a butterfly-bow-shaped ring that looked as if it were covered in diamonds.

At once, the little diamond ring became completely inconspicuous, as if it were no different from a plain band.

Xu Zhitong felt a tight knot in her chest, and her gaze followed Lin Yang as she adjusted her bracelet and went to the entryway to look in the mirror.

Xu Zhitong immediately stood up and followed.

Seen from behind, the dress was even more figure-hugging, outlining her waist and curves beautifully.

Xu Zhitong was deeply melancholy.

What was she supposed to do if her wife was too beautiful...

Xu Zhitong had absolutely no desire to show off her wife. She wanted nothing more than to be like a dragon guarding its treasure, circling Lin Yang tightly within her territory.

Or better yet, go out with Lin Yang and walk behind her, throwing knives at everyone who looked at her.

Anyone who dared to know her wife was beautiful had to die.

Xu Zhitong’s teeth itched.

She stood there pitifully at the side, and only when Lin Yang had sprayed perfume, picked up her bag, and was about to change shoes to leave did she finally couldn’t help but stop her.

Lin Yang raised her brows slightly.

She knew Xu Zhitong definitely wouldn’t be able to hold back, but her restraint seemed better than she’d expected.

She stood where she was and looked at Xu Zhitong, deliberately comforting her in a calm voice. “I’ll come back for you after I’m done. It won’t take long.”

Xu Zhitong ground her teeth.

She really wanted to say that Lin Yang looked so beautiful, with such a low neckline and such a slim waist; she really didn’t want to let Lin Yang out the door.

But saying that would be too strange. She knew very well that by normal standards of character and values, one shouldn’t be too possessive of a partner.

Before being her lover, Lin Yang was an independent person; she couldn’t interfere too much.

Those thoughts were entirely the behavior of someone mentally immature.

But, but...

Xu Zhitong hugged Lin Yang, brought her face close, and mumbled while staring into her eyes, “You’re not allowed to talk too much to other people.”

Good heavens, up close, Lin Yang was even wearing colored contacts, seemingly green too, which made her eyes look very gentle.

Even the cute catlike eyes were covered.

Of course, that was still pretty.

“Hm?” Lin Yang teased her. “Okay, I’ll do my best.”

?

Xu Zhitong was exasperated.

She widened her eyes a little more, clinging to Lin Yang while staring hard at her lips, which were already coated in nude lipstick and glossy lip glaze, but she didn’t dare actually kiss them clean.

Before Lin Yang changed clothes and fixed her makeup, Xu Zhitong had already claimed the privilege of a goodbye kiss.

Xu Zhitong ground her teeth again, then reached out and decisively pulled open Lin Yang’s V-neckline.

Revealing the beautiful collarbone hidden beneath.

Xu Zhitong lowered her head and left a pink bite mark on it, neither too light nor too heavy, somewhere between sucking and biting.

There. She’d made her mark.

Lin Yang drew in a soft breath.

She turned her head and looked in the mirror, seeing the obvious mark hidden beneath the neckline on her collarbone.

“Are you a dog?” Lin Yang said with a soft huff.

But she wasn’t angry.

She looked again at the bite mark and carefully covered it up.

Her tone softened as she said, “I’m going out to handle proper business. Stop sulking. Finish filming the video early, and we’ll go on our date tonight. We agreed on it, didn’t we?”

Xu Zhitong said, “Okay, I know.”

She quickly turned back to the sofa and sat down cross-legged.

Her movements were a little too deliberate, as if she were instantly busy. She opened a video on Yinfu, gestured at the camera, then waved at Lin Yang. “Safe travels.”

Lin Yang changed into her shoes and looked at Xu Zhitong for a while.

Honestly, she was acting a bit too much, like when she’d been in school and clearly hadn’t finished her homework but still insisted nervously that she had.

Something felt off.

But Lin Yang attributed it to Xu Zhitong being shy, after all, she had just bitten her collarbone...

After changing her shoes, Lin Yang said, “See you tonight.”

Xu Zhitong said, “Bye-bye!”

Her tone was actually quite carefree.

Lin Yang closed the door and walked alone into the elevator.

Suddenly, she felt a little displeased.

Why hadn’t Xu Zhitong clung to her and insisted on following her out?

Lin Yang wasn’t even quite used to it. Looking at the mirrored wall, she didn’t think about the client she was going to meet at the coffee shop or the matters she needed to discuss; her mind was entirely on what Xu Zhitong was doing at home alone.

Maybe she’d formed a habit...

During this period, they were together every day. The farthest or longest they were ever apart was just going to the building next door to pick something up.

Every day, from good-morning kisses and breakfast to bedtime hugs and good-night kisses.

It had clearly only been half a month, yet it felt as though they had lived this way for many years.

Now, suddenly separated, even though it was Lin Yang’s own decision, and only temporary, only experimental...

Lin Yang was the first to feel uncomfortable.

The elevator stopped on the underground level. The driver was already waiting by the entrance with the car. As Lin Yang walked out of the elevator lobby, her eyes happened to catch the surveillance camera overhead.

So when she sat down in the back seat, Lin Yang couldn’t help thinking that it would be nice to have a home security camera.

That way, even when she went out, she could keep looking at what Xu Zhitong was doing at home.

Of course, as soon as the thought surfaced, she shut it down herself.

After all, that behavior was extremely inappropriate. If Xu Zhitong ever regained her memory, she would probably think she was some super perverted surveillance freak.

Besides, the amnesiac Xu Zhitong would definitely be the first to ask questions.

They didn’t have a pet at home either, and Xu Zhitong was now incredibly fast at browsing and absorbing fresh information. Lin Yang couldn’t guarantee that she could quietly get a camera installed without Xu Zhitong finding out.

...Then what about getting a pet? Maybe that would make it natural to install a camera, and at the same time give Xu Zhitong something to do at home.

Lin Yang frowned.

But the idea was already there.

Lin Yang asked the driver, “Sister Zhang, do you have a dog at home? Would you usually install a camera?”

The driver was surprised. “A dog? Mine’s very well-behaved, so I didn’t install one. If it’s the kind that’s more lively and might tear the house up, then you’d probably want a camera.”

She hadn’t heard that Lin Yang kept a dog, so she asked, “Are you planning to get one? A friend of mine happens to run a professional kennel; they’re all pedigree dogs certified by the association. If you need it, I can send you the info.”

Lin Yang paused, then shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I was just asking.”

There was already one Xu Zhitong at home.

Lin Yang would rather not think about adding any extra ties to their current relationship, ties that would only cause trouble in the future.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Xu Zhitong quickly finished filming the hand dance, sent it to the operator, and had her edit it.

Then she also got excitedly ready to go out.

Last night, she had secretly gone back through the photo album again and found pictures with the logo of Lin Yang’s coffee shop.

To be honest, it was a little hard to find.

After all, the shop was called Why; the name was too common, and searching it directly didn’t give any results.

And it wasn’t a trendy influencer café either.

Xu Zhitong discovered that, for some reason, her brain was actually pretty good at information retrieval.

She made good use of image search, looked up local high-end coffee guides, consulted AI...

And in the end, she really did find the exact address.

It was near the river in a large commercial district.

Xu Zhitong wasn’t in a hurry. After confirming the route for taking a taxi there, she started carefully thinking through her outfit.

It couldn’t be too flashy; it had to look like the low-key wealthy type.

It also needed a subtle couple vibe with Lin Yang’s outfit, preferably in the same color family.

But it still couldn’t be obvious to the employees.

Sigh, was this the trouble of being the hidden boss wife?