Wen Zhi looked at the man before her, who seemed frivolous yet was utterly serious, and sighed helplessly. "What's the point of comparing such things?"
Wasn't it childish?
Mo Tingyan's fingers lightly traced her cheek, then slid downward into her collar. His eyes, filled with unspoken meaning, gleamed in the slanted sunlight streaming into the room. "There is. A man's competitive spirit. Tell me your answer."
Wen Zhi felt a stir of restlessness from his sudden teasing, an inexplicable heat spreading across her skin.
She pursed her red lips. In the next second, she wrapped her arms around his neck, turning the tables. A faint, seductive smile curved her lips. "Captain Mo, when it comes to being tempting... no one can beat you."
He was, quite simply, a devastatingly handsome disaster. His looks were the cream of the crop.
As her words fell, his insatiable lips descended on hers once more. In an instant, their positions were reversed…
After a fierce bout, Wen Zhi lay exhausted on the bed, the man's deep, steady breaths sounding in her ear.
She suddenly felt that this kind of marriage—not for love, but for physical satisfaction—was actually quite good.
When needed, they came together; when not, they went their separate ways in peace.
No jealousy, no interference, no psychological pressure, no emotional baggage.
Wasn't this the life she had once yearned for?
Except… Wen Zhi turned her head, looking at the clothes scattered and crumpled on the floor…
*Impulse.* She should have chosen a different location.
She raised a hand, attempting to push the man beside her away, her voice low. "Get off. I need to shower."
Mo Tingyan's long arm naturally hooked around her slender waist. Though his breathing had calmed, his voice remained husky. "Together?"
"That won't be necessary. I'm not used to it."
Sex was one thing, but sharing a shower—something so private—was beyond her acceptance.
She wriggled out of Mo Tingyan's embrace, randomly grabbed a piece of clothing to wrap around herself, and quickly headed into the bathroom…
Ten minutes later, after she had finished showering, Mo Tingyan finally rose from the bed at a leisurely pace. Without bothering to put on any clothes, he strode boldly past her into her bathroom!
Watching his complete lack of modesty, Wen Zhi felt helpless.
A man with no sense of shame—did he think his body was model material?
Though even models might not compare… but still, a little restraint wouldn't hurt.
Looking at the messy clothes strewn across the floor gave her a headache. She simply stuffed them all into her suitcase, zipped it shut—out of sight, out of mind—and went to the adjacent study to pack her 'treasures.'
Not long after, Mo Tingyan emerged from the bathroom fully dressed. The room was empty, only the lingering scent of their intimacy remaining…
In the study next door.
When Mo Tingyan entered, he saw Wen Zhi carefully placing small figurines into transparent compartments.
He approached from behind, leaning close to her ear, his laughter light and flirtatious. "Still playing with dolls at your age? Didn't take you for someone with that kind of childish whimsy."
Hearing this, Wen Zhi glanced at him sideways, correcting him. "These are hand-made figurines. I sculpted them myself."
Mo Tingyan raised an eyebrow, seemingly a bit surprised. After all, these little things… looked quite exquisite.
He picked one up casually for a closer look. There wasn't a single flaw.
It seemed she had a pair of very skillful hands.
But…
He pointed curiously at two letters on the base. "What does 'ZZ' mean? Your artist name?"
Wen Zhi stared at the two letters, momentarily lost in thought. After a long pause, she replied, "Mm."
Mo Tingyan laughed with interest. "Oh? Why 'ZZ'? Is there a story behind it?"
Wen Zhi withdrew her gaze. She didn't hide it, answering as if it were an unimportant topic, her tone flat. "My childhood name is Zhangzhu (掌珠). It's the abbreviation, ZZ."
Mo Tingyan's eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly.
That name… he hadn't heard it in a long time.
Sensing the man's scrutinizing gaze, Wen Zhi turned to look at him, puzzled. "What is it?"
Mo Tingyan's expression didn't change. He merely repeated the name: "Zhangzhu… Pearl in the Palm. A good name."
Hearing this praise, Wen Zhi smiled meaningfully. It was indeed Pearl in the Palm… but unfortunately, that belonged to her past self.
"The important luggage is packed. The rent still has half a month left; I can move the rest slowly myself. Can you help me take the suitcase in the living room downstairs first? I'll carry these small figurines myself."
Mo Tingyan looked at the woman's exquisitely beautiful profile, then leaned forward and pecked her on the lips. "As you wish."
Wen Zhi glanced back at him, raising a hand to touch her lips. Was Mo Tingyan adapting to his role a bit… too quickly?
Ten minutes later, the two returned to their new home, just a few buildings away.
It was much larger than Wen Zhi's rented apartment!
Three bedrooms, two living rooms, north-south exposure. Two rooms were bedrooms, and one had been converted into a study. But the entire place felt empty, with very little furniture.
Wen Zhi did a lap around the house. It seemed… her guess was correct. After paying the down payment for the apartment and car, Mo Tingyan didn't have much money left, hence the lack of furniture.
In the spacious living room, she sat on the only piece of furniture—the sofa—and looked directly at Mo Tingyan, her words clear and precise. "Mo Tingyan, let's talk about married life."
Mo Tingyan, one hand in his pocket, walked over and sat down beside Wen Zhi.
As the sofa cushion dipped under his weight, his arm naturally snaked around her waist. "Sure. Whatever my wife commands, just say the word."
*Wife…*
He said it so smoothly, but it sounded utterly grating to her ears!
"First, stop calling me those two words all the time. I'm really not used to it."
Mo Tingyan turned, leaning close to her face, his eyes brimming with unruly laughter. "Then should I call you Zhangzhu, hmm?"
Wen Zhi was even less used to that. After all, that name… she hadn't heard it in years.
"You can just call me Wen Zhi."
"That won't do," Mo Tingyan vetoed directly, letting out a roguish laugh. "A称呼 anyone can use, how does that make mine special? Besides, isn't using a pet name a form of flirtation?"
Wen Zhi frowned. "So, when you were with your previous girlfriends, did you also have this strange kind of flirtation?"
Mo Tingyan repeated her words, chuckling softly, a hint of teasing mockery in his eyes. "Previous… girlfriends?"
**Chapter 5: A Player Who Goes for the Body, Not the Heart**
Mo Tingyan shrugged. "Can't remember. I only remember the Zhangzhu in the present continuous tense."
Wen Zhi's expression darkened slightly. As expected… a player.
But maybe that was for the best. You don't love me, I don't love you. It would be easier to coexist freely, and when it was time to part, they could both be洒脱.
As for the称呼…
Let him be. It was just a label.
"Starting today, we officially begin our partnership. Do you have any thoughts?"
"Thoughts…" Mo Tingyan casually crossed his legs, half his body leaning against Wen Zhi. His eyes held an ambiguous light, his words direct. "I like exercise. I hope you can cooperate every day."
Wen Zhi gritted her teeth. "I'm talking about important matters in life."
"This *is* the most important. Didn't I say? I'm addicted to you."
Wen Zhi couldn't be bothered to continue this risqué conversation. She brushed his hand away and turned to face Mo Tingyan. "You bought this apartment. Adding my name before marriage can count as your bride price. Now, I want to show my sincerity too."
As she spoke, she took a bank card from her bag and placed it on the coffee table.
"My monthly salary is six thousand now. My flight time bonuses and the extra income from my side job are all in this card. Whether it's the mortgage or living expenses, I can share the burden with you."
Mo Tingyan looked at the card she placed on the table, his eyebrow quirking. "Are you suggesting we go Dutch?"
"Saying AA might imply I'm taking advantage of you, but this is all my current income."
Compared to the mortgage, her money was indeed a drop in the bucket, but she disliked taking advantage of others and had no intention of being a parasite in her marriage.
A partnership should have the attitude of a partnership.
Mo Tingyan studied Wen Zhi up close. This was the first time a woman had been willing to hand over all her savings for him.
He took out his wallet, pulled out a card, placed it on top of Wen Zhi's, and pressed both cards into her palm—
"It's only natural for a man to provide for his family. This is my salary card. My necessary personal expenses and the mortgage will be handled through online banking. The rest is for you. From now on, you manage the money, okay?"
Wen Zhi was taken aback. They had known each other for less than twenty-four hours.
Yet not only had he married her and added her name to the property deed, but now he was also handing over his salary card?
Wen Zhi couldn't help but suspect Mo Tingyan had some ulterior motive for choosing her.
Seeing the wariness flicker across Wen Zhi's face, Mo Tingyan gave a wicked smile, leaning in to interrupt her thoughts. His warm breath fanned her face as he lazily curved his lips. "See, I've even handed over my salary card. So, about that idea I mentioned earlier… will you fulfill it?"
Wen Zhi: "…"
*Three sentences不离床上那点事 (never straying far from bedroom matters).* He really was a player who went for the body, not the heart!
She casually put both cards away, returning to her previous seriousness. "For any major expenses in the future, I'll discuss them with you. Right now… the house is too empty. We need to buy some furniture. Do you agree?"
"Up to you. You're in charge."
As he spoke, he lowered his head to kiss her lips, clearly intending to continue.
But Wen Zhi was astonished. In less than an hour, he had just finished…
Wasn't he tired?
She twisted out of his embrace, avoiding his demands.
"I'm tired."
Wen Zhi picked up her suitcase, intending to go to the secondary bedroom. Seeing this, Mo Tingyan stepped in front of her, a faint frown of displeasure on his face. "Are you planning to sleep in separate rooms?"
Wen Zhi looked up at him. Who wouldn't want their own large bed?
"Otherwise?"
"Of course husband and wife should sleep together."
Wen Zhi shook her head firmly. Sleeping in the same room meant no privacy.
"I'm not used to sharing a bed with others."
"You'll get used to it gradually."
On this point, Wen Zhi's attitude was unyielding. She said sternly, "If you can't accept it, I'll move back to my old place."
Mo Tingyan clicked his tongue. Such a stubborn temper.
Oh well. She was his wife now anyway. No need to rush.
And so, their AA制合伙生活 (AA system partnership life) began…
The next morning, both Wen Zhi and Mo Tingyan had flight assignments, their departures half an hour apart.
After breakfast, Wen Zhi changed into her uniform and came out to find Mo Tingyan waiting for her.
She pulled her suitcase over. "Let's go."
Mo Tingyan looked at her, a dark gleam flashing in his eyes. Wen Zhi in a flight attendant uniform was indeed both pure and seductive. With looks and a figure like that, regardless of gender, people would inevitably sneak a second glance.
Wen Zhi saw him standing still, just looking her up and down with a probing gaze. Puzzled, she asked, "What?"
Mo Tingyan gave an untamed smile, admitting frankly, "Nothing. Just thinking my Zhangzhu is really… tempting."
Wen Zhi: "Let's go. If we're late, it's on you."
When they reached the airport parking lot, Wen Zhi instructed beforehand, "I'll go first. You come out later. It wouldn't be good if someone saw us."
Having said that, she got out of the car with her suitcase.
But she had taken only a few steps when the rapid click of high heels and a familiar call came from behind—
"Wen Zhi!"
Hearing the voice, Wen Zhi instinctively frowned… It was her colleague, Yan Duo.
True to her name, not only did she love gossip, but she also couldn't keep a secret and talked too much.
There were so many cars here. Yan Duo probably… hadn't seen her get out of Mo Tingyan's car, right?
She turned around and saw Yan Duo nod at Mo Tingyan not far away, greeting, "Good morning, Captain Mo!"
Mo Tingyan lifted his chin slightly in response.
Then Yan Duo jogged up to Wen Zhi, shoulder to shoulder with her, her keen eyes fixed on Wen Zhi, her voice filled with shock. "I saw it! You just got out of Captain Mo's car! You two couldn't be…"