C4 Assistant

Chapter IV: Assistant

Shao Yunchen rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, revealing his lean arms, "Let me cook tonight."

"You'll need an apron." Lu Yao walked over and took off the apron that hung next to the kitchen cabinets. She approached him hesitantly. "Your shirt is white. If anything spills on it, the stains would not wash off easily."

Shao Yunchen glanced at her and turned around. She quickly tied the apron for him.

Since both of them were used to doing household chores, she had bought another apron for him that was bigger in size. He was quite tall compared to her. Trying to put it on him was rather comical for her.

Lu Yao did not leave the kitchen. Instead, she lingered, leaning against the door. She watched his busy figure furtively. No matter how well-educated and worldly a man was, it was always attractive when he did domestic work "Uh... why did you come home today?"

Since he had come home yesterday, Lu Yao had assumed that he would not be back today. However, their agreement said that unless Shao Yunchen was on a business trip, he would have to come home every Sunday.

Shao Yunchen did not turn around. He was busy cleaning the vegetables. "It is Sunday."

"Yeah." Lu Yao lowered her gaze, her eyes dimming.

'Of course,' she thought. 'If it wasn't for the contract, he would have returned to his own apartment, right?'

"Did you call this morning?" Shao Yunchen asked unexpectedly. "My assistant answered the call and said that someone had asked for me. I checked my phone and saw that it was your number."

Assistant?

Why would his assistant call him by an intimate nickname?

"I just wanted to ask you if you'd be coming back," Lu Yao replied. She did not ask him why he had not saved her number, although he seemed to have recognized it on his phone. Remembering the call made her feel uncomfortable again. She turned around and walked into the living room.

Lu Yao browsed Weibo for a while. In frustration, she clicked on Baidu. Unwelcome thoughts still clouded her mind.

When she snapped back to her senses, she realized that her search history on Baidu was full of web hits for questions like "why does my husband not have my number saved", "is my husband's assistant close to him", and so on.

She could not help but click on the long list of pages. "Your husband might be unfaithful, be on your guard," one of them said. "Check his phone for proof and file for divorce immediately. You might receive more alimony if you provide evidence." Her heart ached as her lips twisted in a bitter smile.

It was at this moment that Shao Yunchen came out of the kitchen with a serving spoon in hand. He called out to her, "Dinner is ready."

"All right." Lu Yao put away her phone.

The two of them ate in silence. From time to time, Lu Yao studied Shao Yunchen through her lashes, a troubled look in her eyes. Still, she did not speak a word.

Shao Yunchen washed the dishes after the meal and went to his bedroom.

He seemed to be exhausted after work and went to bed after taking a shower. When Lu Yao came back after treating herself to a relaxing face mask, she saw that Shao Yunchen had fallen asleep, his back facing her. Lu Yao sighed in her heart. She felt as if they were separated by a mountain.

Lu Yao glanced at Shao Yunchen's phone on the bedside table. She stood still for a long time, wondering if she should go ahead and snoop on his phone. It would be so easy. Finally, curiosity got the better of her and she quietly picked it up.

She had used Shao Yunchen's phone before to take photos, so she knew his password.

Typing the password, Lu Yao looked through his recent notifications. Most of his e-mails were work-related. However, when she went to see his text messages, she sucked in a breath.

It was a short message: [Chen, thank you for today. When you are free again, I will treat you to a good meal.]

Fu Xuezi?

Was that the assistant's name? Or was it some other woman?

Lu Yao did not know how to feel about the message. If it was unimportant, Shao Yunchen would have deleted it. She put the phone back on the bedside table.

Lu Yao slipped under the covers. Looking at his broad back, she could not help but put an arm around his waist.

Her hand was gently pushed back the very next second. Shao Yunchen shifted his body away from her, trying to put some distance between them.

Lu Yao felt her heart ache at his actions.

Last night, he had wanted her so badly. Today, he could not even hug her?

Did nothing exist between them except a piece of paper and his own physical needs?

Lu Yao wondered if she should ask for a divorce once she finished dealing with her father's business.

Four years was too long for her to wait.