In such matters… it was certainly acceptable to seek out a husband, but it just so happened that he had run into the security guard and, during their conversation, had casually added that detail.
However, from another perspective, as Mr. Ren’s partner, his new self wanted to integrate into the community but chose to do so through outsiders… it indeed seemed inappropriate for Mr. Ren.
After some thought, Jing Mian seriously reflected and said, “Then I will only look for Mr. Ren in the future, is that okay?”
Even though he used Mr. Ren’s name here, it carried a sense of earnest intimacy.
So this time, the man did not correct Jing Mian.
… It seemed that Mr. Ren also had his own merits.
Finally, Jing Mian stood up. He felt a bit of soreness in his calves, a slight tingling sensation spreading through them.
He had maintained that squatting position for too long.
He recalled that the door to the second bedroom was half-open. The light from the corridor would likely seep into the bedroom. As he tried to ease the soreness in his legs, he asked the man, “Should I turn off the corridor light? Will you have trouble sleeping?”
Mr. Ren replied, “At first, I had trouble sleeping, but it’s better today.”
Jing Mian asked, “Then should I turn it off?”
Mr. Ren said, “No need.”
Jing Mian: “?”
Jing Mian inquired, “Is the light left on because you need to get up at night?”
Mr. Ren said in the dark, “I don’t have the habit of getting up at night.”
Jing Mian: “…”
Why leave the light on if he didn’t get up at night?
The young man hesitated, feeling that the conversation had reached an impasse. He wasn’t sure if he should continue asking.
The air fell silent for a few seconds.
Jing Mian heard Ren Xingwan’s voice: “You don’t get up at night?”
The young man paused and replied, “I do occasionally.”
Ren Xingwan: “Then leaving the light on makes sense.”
……
……
Jing Mian returned to his own bedroom.
The small light in the corridor was still on, casting his shadow on the floor. He walked back step by step, his shadow stretching alongside his slippers, then slowly wrapping around him.
Jing Mian’s brow furrowed slightly, feeling as if something inside him had been touched, a tingling sensation.
So that was it,
The light was left on for him.
The next day.
Ren Xingwan had an event today and needed to leave early in the morning.
This was something Mr. Ren mentioned while Jing Mian was still half-asleep. He responded with a nasal tone, still in bed, struggling between going back to sleep and getting up to see the man off.
Ultimately, he decided to get up.
As soon as he stepped down the stairs, he saw Mr. Ren already dressed and ready.
The man wore a black shirt, supported by broad, straight shoulders, a watch on his wrist between the cuffs, long fingers holding a tie, and his legs were perfectly proportioned.
The morning light poured over the man’s shoulders, and a faint dust floated in the air, cold and handsome, making it almost impossible to look away.
Jing Mian stared for a while.
Perhaps the dramas weren’t exaggerating; marrying someone with such superior looks meant that even waking up early would be a treat for the eyes.
As Ren Xingwan was about to leave, and Jing Mian had done nothing, he, with a sense of love and awareness, shifted his gaze to the tie that Mr. Ren had yet to fasten.
Jing Mian raised his fingertips to take the tie, holding its edge, and said, “… Let me help you with that.”
The man’s gaze lowered slightly.
He didn’t speak, seemingly acquiescing.
Jing Mian lowered his eyes, his lashes slightly drooping, the long, fan-like shadows falling delicately as he wrapped the tie around Mr. Ren’s neck, his fingertips gripping the tie, folding, wrapping, and pulling down, the movements fluid yet gentle.
From Ren Xingwan’s angle, he could see the young man’s soft hair tips and the neck extending down into his pajamas, tapering to a slender waist.
The hem of the shirt was slightly ruffled from sleep, revealing a small section of fair skin.
The man’s Adam’s apple inadvertently bobbed.
Jing Mian completed the final step, pushing the bow tie up with his thumb.
The young man stepped back slightly.
The tie was perfectly tied.
From the bow down, it lay flat and neat, a textbook-level tie knot.
However, as Jing Mian looked down, he noticed at the very end of the tie, beneath the drooping point—
There was an extra piece of fabric that extended down to the waistband.
Jing Mian: “?”
The young man grasped the extra piece of fabric, puzzled for a moment.
… Where did it go wrong?
After tracing back through the steps, Jing Mian confidently untied the bow and re-tied the tie for Mr. Ren.
—Then, the same tie appeared as before.
Jing Mian: “…”
If Mr. Ren went out wearing a tie like this, he would be laughed at by his colleagues and peers.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Jing Mian raised his hand, deciding to untie the tie and let Ren Xingwan do it himself.
But Mr. Ren refused.
He pushed the bow tie with one hand, his lashes slightly lowered, and said, “This is fine.”
Then he put on his coat.
And just like that, he left.
Jing Mian: “…”
Could it be that his skills were so poor that Mr. Ren was angry?
If he was throwing a tantrum, he should at least have untied the tie first…
The young man stood at the entrance for a long time without moving. He had planned to go back to his bedroom for a nap, but now he couldn’t help but think about how Mr. Ren would look going out with that tie…
Jing Mian felt a flush of embarrassment for the old attack.
＊
Jing Mian lay on the sofa for a while.
The morning light streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows grew increasingly dazzling, reflecting on the floor, the light filtering through the pale glass lamp, casting a soft hue all around. It was still early, and Jing Mian lingered in bed, unable to resist squinting his eyes, but he felt something was missing.
… Perhaps it was because Mr. Ren wasn’t there.
Although they didn’t usually communicate much, Jing Mian could clearly feel the house quieting down when Mr. Ren left, even feeling a bit empty.
Though it was only the third day since he moved in, Jing Mian seemed to have already adapted to his new home.
It was very quiet, very tidy.
Living alone could feel desolate, but two people living together was just right.
Suddenly, Jing Mian remembered that Mr. Ren had prepared a lavish and fragrant meal for him the night before. At that time, he had thought that when he had time in the morning, he would go to the nearby supermarket or market to browse and stock the fridge.
Wasn’t it time to do that now?
Jing Mian made a quick decision, got up, changed out of his pajamas into an outfit suitable for going out, and set off with two shopping bags.
The maple leaves were much larger than he had imagined.
He first arrived at the nearest market to his home, where he bought some eggs and meat, and a few short-shelf-life vegetables, tomatoes, and fruits like strawberries and oranges.
As he passed a stall selling blueberries, Jing Mian unconsciously stopped, his taste buds tingling.
Since childhood, he had had no resistance to blueberries.
Blueberries in this season could be quite sour, and Jing Mian recalled that his brother didn’t particularly like sour things.
This time, he focused on Mr. Ren’s tastes.
Jing Mian thought he would buy them next time.
He bought a dory fish, and among the few dishes he could cook well, Tomato sauce dory was his specialty. He thought he would let Mr. Ren try it as a return favor.
After browsing for a while, near the market exit, Jing Mian discovered a stall selling potted plants.
Due to its proximity to the window, sunlight streamed in directly, and even as winter approached, these potted plants were lush and upright, thriving beautifully.
Jing Mian couldn’t help but be drawn to them.
He silently thought that Mr. Ren’s home had almost no plants; perhaps he could have one?
Jing Mian quite liked flowers and plants and enjoyed a vibrant little garden. Besides being pleasing to the eye, watching the flowers and plants he had personally planted grow brought a sense of accomplishment and anticipation.
But Jing Mian wasn’t sure if Mr. Ren would be indifferent to potted plants.
To avoid imposing a high presence with a potted plant in Ren Xingwan’s home, Jing Mian thought it would be better to start with a small one.
Simple and fresh, supported by a small black pot,
Cute yet not too conspicuous.
Jing Mian quickly found a target he wanted to take home: a miniature elm tree.
The reason it was miniature was that the little elm tree had a sturdy root and trunk, with vibrant leaves sprouting upward, its roots suspended in the air.
Though it stood upright, resembling a real elm tree, in the small pot, it had transformed into a Q-version shape.
Jing Mian fell in love with it at first sight,
Because it looked very proud.
As if it were standing in a horse stance.
Jing Mian: “…”
For the first time, he felt a proud form in a small potted plant.
So, the little elm tree was brought home by Jing Mian.
When he returned home, his fingers were frozen, and he rubbed them together, placing the small potted plant on a small table near the balcony. The items he bought were put into the fridge, which was much fuller than when he first arrived.
In addition to dairy products, there were also snacks and fruits… Jing Mian thought that these were probably added by Mr. Ren later.
Jing Mian arranged everything layer by layer.
When he reached the last layer of the fridge, just as he was about to put in the strawberries, his hand suddenly paused.
He noticed that in this layer of the fridge, near the edge, there was an open box.
Inside, there was a whole box of blueberries.
Surprise flickered in Jing Mian’s eyes.
This was… bought by Ren Xingwan?
Blueberries in this season weren’t they quite sour?
Jing Mian’s movements froze for a few seconds, then he resisted the temptation, took one, two, three, and quickly washed them in the sink.
Before he could eat them, Jing Mian suddenly heard a knock at the door.
“?”
The three blueberries rolled into an empty bowl nearby.
Jing Mian wiped his hands dry, thinking it was Mr. Ren who had forgotten something and returned to get it, so he jogged a few steps and opened the door without checking the screen next to the entrance.
But the figure that appeared before the young man was not Mr. Ren.
It was a woman.
Jing Mian was a bit surprised because the other party was bundled up tightly, not only wearing a large down jacket with a hood but also a mask, a thick scarf around her neck, and sunglasses, making it impossible to see her face. He could only vaguely discern from her figure that she was a woman.
Dressed like this, it seemed she didn’t want to reveal her identity.
Jing Mian was a bit confused: “You are…?”
” MianMian?”
The woman seemed to recognize Jing Mian in that instant.
Her voice sounded somewhat familiar.
Jing Mian’s mind raced, trying to recall where he had seen her, but he couldn’t remember who she was.
“It’s me, we met at the banquet hall.”
The woman took off her sunglasses, revealing her exquisitely made-up eyes. She smiled and said, “I am Xiao Ren’s mother.”
Jing Mian’s heart skipped a beat.
So she was Mother Ren?
Of course, besides the banquet hall, there was also the night they first went to the hotel attic to meet their parents. That was when he first met Father and Mother Ren, but strangely, Ren Xingwan had taken him away without hesitation when Mother Ren wanted to show him affection.
Although the man had never explicitly expressed it, Jing Mian could tell that Ren Xingwan’s relationship with his parents was quite strained, and the frost and barriers between them seemed to have built up over many years, to the point where he hardly ever heard Mr. Ren mention his family background.
… Of course, the lack of mention of the past could also be because, despite being married, the two of them still weren’t very familiar with each other.
Mother Ren asked, “Is it just you at home?”
Jing Mian was taken aback and said, “Auntie, if you’re looking for Ren Xingwan, he has already…”
“I’m not looking for Xiao Ren.”
The woman smiled, her demeanor bright and graceful. She continued, “I came to see you, MianMian.”
Jing Mian helped her prepare some slippers.
Though he wasn’t very familiar with the layout, he still managed to pour her a cup of tea.
The fruits he had just bought came in handy; Jing Mian simply picked some, washed them, and made a fruit platter. This was the most presentable he could manage on short notice.
Mother Ren watched him, her gaze hardly leaving him.
Jing Mian felt a bit stiff, not understanding why she was sitting there. They each took a sofa, sitting across from each other in silence.
Jing Mian: “…”
Why would she come to find him? Logically, it should have been Mr. Ren, right?
Moreover, as far as he remembered, their parents should not have known about their cohabitation.
Jing Mian didn’t know how to start asking, so he remained silent, waiting for Mother Ren to speak first.
The woman sighed, “I know you two are moving quickly, but I didn’t expect that you would already be living together…”
Jing Mian’s ears turned slightly red.
He hesitated and asked, “If you didn’t know we were living together, why did you come to Mr. Ren’s place to find me?”
Mother Ren was taken aback: “Mr. Ren?”
Then she seemed a bit helpless and couldn’t help but laugh, “I really don’t understand you young couples more and more. Clearly, you are living together, yet you still politely call him Mr. Ren.”
Jing Mian was momentarily speechless, biting his lip in confusion.
He instinctively categorized the situation as if he were outside, completely forgetting to change how he addressed Mr. Ren. In this context, Mother Ren was essentially his mother-in-law, and he should have called him ‘Xingwan.’
Mother Ren seemed not to mind. She loosened her scarf and said, “I just came to take a chance. Actually, Xiao Ren has protected you very well; he hasn’t revealed your address, phone number, or WeChat to me.”
“I thought about whether to come to his apartment and take a chance. That day, I ran into Xiao Ren’s driver and chatted a bit, and only then did I find out that Xiao Ren had recently moved to Maple Leaf without any warning.
“He’s not the type to settle down for long, and suddenly, this child has changed his ways and started tidying up the house.”
Mother Ren said, “… I was wondering if it had something to do with you, MianMian.”
Jing Mian was somewhat at a loss for words.
These words didn’t surprise him; he had already learned from the security guard the day before.
However, Jing Mian couldn’t help but ask, “Auntie, did you come to find me… for something specific?”
The air grew a bit heavy.
Mother Ren paused for a moment before slowly speaking:
“MianMian, you should know that I am not Xiao Ren’s biological mother.”
Jing Mian was taken aback, then nodded.
Even if Mr. Ren had never said it, he could guess.
Firstly, their appearances and ages didn’t quite match, and secondly, there were some vague memories from his childhood.
The mother who was always drunk, cursing, and venting her violence… was his biological mother from that time.
Mother Ren spoke softly, “Xiao Ren’s father, who is now my husband, had a previous wife before he met me.”
Jing Mian thought that the woman she was referring to must be Ren Xingwan’s mother.
Mother Ren continued, “That woman bore him two sons. From the moment I married into the family, my initial memories were filled with endless internal strife and disputes within the Ren family, which lasted for many years, even in the seemingly peaceful present.”
She said, “MianMian, you must have heard about it, right?”
Jing Mian nodded.
How could he not have heard?
The Ren family’s business and influence were immense, and after lacking a strong external rival, internal fractures began to appear. The vast, seemingly limitless assets were difficult to control, compete for, or manage.
“But now, Xiao Ren has come out on top.”
Mother Ren paused for a moment: “Even if no one shows it, Xiao Ren has already become a figure that everyone fears, even his father.”
Jing Mian listened in astonishment.
It felt strange to hear stories and pasts about Mr. Ren through another person, and it left him feeling bewildered.
“That child is ruthless in his actions, absolutely rational, and unafraid of any risks or consequences.” The woman lowered her eyes slightly and said softly, “And he doesn’t trust anyone, including me, including his own father. There probably isn’t anyone in the world who can make him relax.”
Mother Ren raised her eyes to look at Jing Mian, as if she wanted to say something, but her lips remained still.
“I wonder what kind of person someone like him would suddenly want to marry.”
The woman smiled: “After meeting you, I felt surprised, yet not too surprised.”
Mother Ren silently took a sip of tea and sighed, “Surprised at how someone so young could be snatched away for marriage.”
Jing Mian: “…”
This was not the first time he had heard similar words.
“Not surprised because… after meeting you, I seem to understand.” Mother Ren paused and slowly said:
“It seems that only you can do, and no one else will do.”
Jing Mian: “?”
This time, Jing Mian did not understand what Mother Ren meant, so his gaze was somewhat confused.
But from a literal standpoint, Jing Mian felt that Mother Ren probably still didn’t understand.
It wasn’t that only he could do it, but rather that ‘it just happened to be him.’
He appeared at the right time and place, just right to meet Ren Xingwan’s needs. Such a family marriage, even if it weren’t the Jing family, Mr. Ren could find someone more suitable, someone who could support each other in their large families.
And Mr. Ren was very ceremonial, serious, and romantic enough; Jing Mian thought that a proposal on the beach with fireworks was something no one could refuse.
So it wasn’t about being unique, but rather about the right place and time.
“You might think he talks little, is taciturn and cold, and seems to lack warmth.” Mother Ren sighed, as if she had drifted too far in the conversation. She said, “Actually, he was much better before than he is now, mainly in terms of temperament. He used to be like a graceful young master… but now he looks quite fierce, doesn’t he?”
Jing Mian nodded.
He wholeheartedly agreed.
Perhaps in this matter, no one could empathize more directly than he could.
Mother Ren didn’t notice Jing Mian’s thoughts but hesitated for a moment and sighed, “Just adapt; he may not treat you well now, but he will in the future.”
Jing Mian lowered his eyes, feeling that the current scene was oddly reminiscent of a husband who had secretly run to his mother-in-law’s house to complain about feeling wronged at home.
In fact, Mr. Ren wasn’t treating him poorly at all.
Mother Ren said, “I actually cannot have children.”
Jing Mian was taken aback.
He was secretly surprised by what he had just heard, as this was too personal a topic to discuss with someone he had only met three times.
The woman sat on the sofa, smiled, and said, “I don’t consider it a secret; on the contrary, this shortcoming makes me more determined in my thoughts and allows me to gather strength for a counterattack in the most difficult times.”