Boring post-meal gossip began again, with rumors discussed as if they were facts. Those unfamiliar with the situation might think Ye Zhengchen and Chen Xi had something unspeakable, while those who knew the truth were too lazy to explain.
Who asked for Ye Zhengchen’s romantic affairs to fill a book? Some said he often flirts with women in nightclubs. Others claimed he took a woman for a pregnancy ultrasound. Some even said they witnessed him taking a girl to a hotel near the school at night. Yu Yin knew these were just rumors.
With him, Ye Zhengchen became a different person, polite and taciturn. Today he wore a black shirt with two buttons undone, casually stylish, seemingly lost in thought, with a mesmerizing charm flickering between his brows.
Involuntarily stirred, Yu Yin quickly averted her gaze, looking at the scenery outside. Throughout the journey, he focused on driving while she observed the landscape.
Every time she tried to initiate a conversation, he would respond with the most concise words. Although she was his wife, there remained an immense distance between them.
The scenery pulled her thoughts back to more than two months ago. Ye Zhengchen had applied to the organization, claiming his doctoral research tasks were too heavy and he needed assistance with reports and materials. He also mentioned he was not young anymore and needed someone to care for his daily life.
After careful consideration, the organization initially refused his request due to the risk that having a woman nearby could expose his identity. However, Ye Zhengchen returned to the country, and eventually, the higher-ups agreed to assign a woman to help him. As his wife, Yu Yin saw this as a rare opportunity.
Having been alone together for three years, even a strong heart would be worn down over time. Using her father’s position in the military, she successfully secured this opportunity.
In the conference room, the superior conveyed the organization’s decision to them. Ye Zhengchen suddenly stood up, declaring, “No way!”
In a military discipline as strict as a mountain, the words “freedom” and “choice” were taboo.
The superior was stunned. “What did you say?”
“I have the freedom to choose who I marry,” Ye Zhengchen replied.
“This is the organization’s decision,” the superior began. “Considering your identity…”
Ye Zhengchen interrupted, “Is this the organization’s decision, or Director Ye’s decision?”
The superior’s face changed dramatically as he slammed the documents on the table. “Sign! This is a military order!”
The document was a “Marriage Registration Application Statement,” filled out and awaiting his signature. The words “military order” left Ye Zhengchen no room to argue. He picked up the pen, but before the ink could touch the paper, he broke it in his palm.
“I won’t sign!” He threw the pen down, standing straight with an extraordinary posture. “You can send me to a military tribunal.”
“You…!”
If anyone else had spoken so defiantly, they would have faced punishment, but Ye Zhengchen was an exception.
His superior, an old subordinate of his father, softened his tone. “You can refuse to acknowledge this marriage, but you cannot deny it! Don’t forget, you are a soldier with responsibilities to bear!”
The burden of responsibility pressed down, and Ye Zhengchen fell silent.
Although unsigned, the official marriage certificate was issued, making them legally husband and wife.
Receiving the certificate, Ye Zhengchen looked at her seriously. “I don’t care if it’s legal, I won’t acknowledge this marriage.”
She laughed. “I understand.”
Three years, over a thousand days and nights, would be enough to make him acknowledge it.
Ye Zhengchen’s car had parked in the garage of a small Japanese-style house. He led her across the lawn, entered, and turned on the lights. The light reflected on the pale green curtains, creating a fresh atmosphere.
Yu Yin briefly surveyed the room; the layout was neat and simple, subtly revealing a masculine energy.
The next evening, Ye Zhengchen came to deliver materials, and Yu Yin prepared a sumptuous meal, inviting him to stay for dinner. He glanced at his watch and flatly refused. “I have something to do, I need to go to the lab.”
“So late?”
“I have research to do.” He hurriedly put on his coat.
“I’ll wait for you.”
“It might be very late, let’s do it another day.”
Shortly after he left, Yu Yin packed the meal into a lunch box and drove to the Osaka Medical School research building. Professors generally finish work around 8 PM, and students leave before 9 PM. After that, most had left, except for those who hadn’t finished their experiments.
She found Ye Zhengchen’s lab, but he wasn’t there. A student suggested she check the sterile lab upstairs.
As she climbed the stairs and was about to exit, she saw Ye Zhengchen standing in the hallway, looking at the glass door. After a while, he walked to the window at the end, seemingly observing the scenery.
The dim yellow light covered his back, hinting at loneliness. He checked his watch, caressing the watch clasp, then returned to the door, looking through the glass with a smile.
Yu Yin’s intuition suggested that behind that door was a woman. When Ye Zhengchen entered, Yu Yin hesitated briefly before following.
Inside, a girl sat in front of a microscope, her long hair tied up, revealing a pure complexion. Ye Zhengchen embraced her from behind, his fingers daringly reaching towards her chest. The girl startled, her face turning red, as he became even more brazen.
Yu Yin turned around, leaning against the wall by the door, taking deep breaths.
She didn’t believe it, even seeing it with her own eyes. Ye Zhengchen wasn’t this kind of man.
The quiet hallway occasionally carried their conversation.
“Dr. Ye, this is a place for treating and saving people, can’t you be more serious?”
“No one’s watching.”
“What if someone sees?”
“Consider it providing inspiration for an A-film… I don’t mind.”
“But I mind… umm…”
The hallway, permeated with disinfectant, was silent.
Yu Yin’s hand tightened around the bag, her nails digging into her flesh.
“Okay, stop… fooling around…”
“Darling…” Ye Zhengchen’s voice was dry. “Why don’t you wear this white coat back tonight…”
Yu Yin could no longer bear it; one more second and she’d rush in with cold water.
She took out her phone and dialed Ye Zhengchen’s number.
The phone rang in the observation room.
“I’ll go answer it,” he said.
Ye Zhengchen came out with the phone. “Hello.”
Yu Yin said nothing until he saw her.
A second of shock; Ye Zhengchen quickly pulled her into the dark stairwell. “How did you come?” he asked.
She responded with a cold smile: “Did I interrupt your intimacy?”
He was about to speak but stopped, the hallway light revealing guilt on his face, yet he didn’t say “I’m sorry.”
Clearly, he was unwilling to admit he was wrong. Knowing he had deeply hurt her, he refused to offer any explanation or apology.
Yu Yin turned her face away and let her tears fall in the darkness. “Do you like her?”
“Don’t you know?”
She shook her head; no one had ever told her.
Ye Zhengchen hurriedly said, “Go back first, I’ll explain everything to you later.”
The next day, he explained the situation. The girl was named Bo Bing, and they were in love. The organization asked him to break up with her because he was sent to investigate bacterial research at Osaka University, not to fall in love. After returning, he proposed breaking up with Bo Bing, but he succumbed to temptation and made a grave mistake. Yu Yin understood without asking what that mistake was.
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” she asked.
“My father said if I couldn’t distinguish priorities, he would make her disappear to a place where I could never find her.”
