C10 The First Time I Called My Husband

Shaang Dongyan covertly applied pressure, intent on pinching Mu Chuchen until she conceded.

"Ouch, that hurts."

Mu Chuchen didn't disappoint Shaang Dongyan, crying out from the pain.

Quickly, Chuchen wriggled out of Shaang Dongyan's grip and sat down, presenting her reddened hand to Ye Junhao.

With a pout, Mu Chuchen complained, "Jun Hao, look how Miss Shaang has pinched my hand until it's red."

Her hands, having never labored due to her affluent upbringing and equally opulent marriage, were slender and delicate, reddening easily and quite noticeably at the slightest pressure.

Ye Junhao's eyes settled on the delicate hand before him, yet his thoughts drifted to the sensation of that very hand tracing his lips, a memory that brought him pleasure.

"Miss Mu is quite sensitive, isn't she? It was merely a handshake, and yet Miss Mu cries out in pain."

Shaang Dongyan sat down, her words laced with sarcasm as she taunted Mu Chuchen.

Witnessing Mu Chuchen still extending her hand towards Ye Junhao, who was intently focused on it, Shaang Dongyan's jealousy nearly consumed her.

Internally, Shaang Dongyan berated Mu Chuchen for her lack of decorum, cooing to Ye Junhao in the presence of others.

Mu Chuchen, known for her antics, was well aware that her marriage to Ye Junhao was in name only. Her flirtations with Ye Junhao were nothing short of self-degradation.

A cold glance from Ye Junhao silenced Shaang Dongyan instantly.

"Miss Shaang is quite the martial artist," Ye Junhao commented icily. "My wife has always been delicate. She truly can't endure Miss Shaang's vigorous touch."

Shaang Dongyan was speechless.

Mu Chuchen, having successfully coaxed Ye Junhao into defending her, adopted a gracious demeanor. She looped her arm through Ye Junhao's and spoke gently, "Darling, let it be. Miss Shaang is simply unaccustomed to moderating her strength."

With that remark, Shaang Dongyan was firmly cast in the role of the uncouth one.

Hubby?

Ye Junhao turned his head to look at her.

Despite the many years they had been married, it was the first time Mu Chuchen had called him "hubby," and she did so with such tenderness. Her voice, already melodious, seemed to soften his very bones when she called him that.

Perhaps he had been alone for too long, because her endearment awakened something primal within him. He had the urge to sweep her into his arms, to undress her, to make love to her with reckless abandon.

But it was just a fleeting thought.

He couldn't bring himself to act on it.

He was acutely aware that Mu Chuchen didn't love him. If he touched her again, she would despise him forever.

Ye Junhao vividly remembered the morning after their wedding, when a sober Mu Chuchen realized they were truly married. She had cried for hours and berated him just as long.

Since then, she had forbidden him from claiming his marital rights.

Mu Chuchen blinked, puzzled by Ye Junhao's intense gaze. His deep, swirling eyes gave nothing away, leaving her unable to discern his current thoughts.

"Director Ye."

Shaang Dongyan's voice carried a tinge of envy as she addressed Ye Junhao.

Manager Shang observed the subtle conflict between the two women and Ye Junhao's response. It was clear to him that Ye Junhao cared for his wife, regardless of her lack of affection for him and her constant thoughts of divorce.

His daughter's chances of taking Mu Chuchen's place seemed increasingly slim.

At the opportune moment, Chief Shang steered the conversation towards business, deftly shifting the focus and effectively defusing the tension between the two women.

Business talk was not Mu Chuchen's forte. Having lived two lifetimes, she had never held a job.

With Ye Mu indifferent to her embrace, she felt particularly listless.

"Miss Mu, if you're feeling bored, why not take a stroll? You could explore the streets around the hotel and do some shopping."

Shaang Dongyan's suggestion sounded benevolent, but it was a veiled jab at Mu Chuchen's lack of contribution to Ye Junhao's business endeavors.