The lights of Shenzhen at night glittered outside the window, but inside the apartment, the temperature was heated by Aanya's anger. She stood in the kitchen, preparing Chinese soup and fish, but the way she cooked made it seem as if she were executing the vegetables.
Aanya was muttering angrily, her face flushed as she stirred the spoon vigorously.
Aanya: (while chopping vegetables) "Mr. Zain Yan! Who do you think you are? 'You won't be able to do it, Aanya'… 'You're careless, Aanya'… Huh! If I'm careless, then where is this soup falling from—the sky?"
She flipped the fish in the pan with such force that some oil droplets splashed outside.
Aanya: "If you cared so much, why didn't you cook it yourself? All you know is give orders. 'Mr. Wolf' of all places!"
At that moment, Zain quietly appeared at the kitchen doorway. He had taken off his coat and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. Hearing Aanya's cute grumbling, he tried to hide his smile.
Aanya noticed him but pretended as if he wasn't there.
Zain: "The aroma is really tempting… Is this 'careless' cook planning to starve me tonight?"
Aanya spun her spatula toward him.
Aanya: "Yes! And if you talk too much, I'll put chili instead of salt in this soup! You think I can't do anything, so why are you eating the food I made?"
Zain took a deep breath and slowly approached her. Aanya stepped back.
Aanya: "Stay away from me! I'm working right now…"
Before she could finish her sentence, Zain swiftly bent down and lifted her into his arms. Aanya screamed—
Aanya: "Zain! Let me go!"
Zain placed her on the high marble countertop in the kitchen. Now Aanya's eyes were level with his. Zain pressed both his hands on the counter beside her, completely surrounding her.
Zain: (in a deep voice) "You're talking way too much today. Is all this payback for that office argument?"
Aanya immediately turned her face away, lifting her chin defiantly. She looked like a sulking cat.
Aanya: "I don't want to talk to you. Go away from here!"
Zain tried to tilt her chin with his finger to turn her face toward him, but Aanya turned her mouth away again. On this cold night in Shenzhen, the warmth of the kitchen and this playful quarrel between them felt like a beautiful page from a Chinese novel.
Under the soft kitchen light, Aanya sat on the countertop, and Zain was so close that even the air between them seemed trapped. Aanya's anger slowly began to turn into nervousness.
Zain gently placed both his hands near Aanya's waist and pulled her slightly closer. Electricity seemed to surge through her body.
Aanya: (stammering) "Z-Zain… what are you doing? Let me go! You… you can't touch me like this!"
Her heart was beating so fast that she feared he might hear it. She didn't want to melt under this 'wolf's' charm again—not today, at least.
Zain: (in a deep, heavy voice) "Why can't I touch you? You're my wife, Aanya. And as for the project, I made you the leader, what more do you want?"
Aanya: (looking at him angrily) "Yes, you gave me the project, but after embarrassing me in front of everyone! I don't need your sympathy."
A devilish smile appeared on Zain's face. He tilted his head and brought his face close to her ear. His warm breath brushed against Aanya's neck.
Zain: "Why are you so shy? Have you forgotten we've kissed four times already? Back then, you didn't mind me touching you at all."
Aanya's face turned tomato-red. Her memories took her back to those intoxicating moments, making her even more annoyed.
Aanya: (shouting) "That… that was all because of the intoxication! Or maybe your force! Let me go, or else…"
She placed both her palms against Zain's chest and tried to push him back.
Aanya: "Or else I'll do the same thing I did that day! Remember? I'll kick you hard in the stomach! Then you won't be able to even stand straight in the office for the next two days."
A mischievous challenge flickered in her eyes alongside the fear. Zain paused for a moment, remembering that powerful kick. He let out a soft chuckle that echoed through the kitchen. He didn't loosen his grip; instead, looking into Aanya's eyes, he said gently:
Zain: "Go ahead and try. But remember, if I fall… I'll take you down with me."
Aanya pouted and averted her eyes. In this Shenzhen apartment, the battle between quarrel and love was growing even more interesting. The kitchen atmosphere had now shifted from a romantic drama to a comedic circus.
As soon as Zain saw Ruan Jian's name pop up on the screen, his face transformed from that of a 'possessive husband' to a sulky child.
Instead of letting Aanya down from the countertop, Zain lunged to snatch her phone. Aanya raised her phone high into the air.
Aanya: "Hey! What childishness is this? Let go of my phone!"
Zain didn't give up. He made all sorts of funny faces, trying to snatch the phone from Aanya's hands and attempted to tickle her. Aanya laughed so hard she fell over. Finally, she got annoyed, turned on the phone's speaker, and threw it onto the countertop.
Aanya crossed her arms and looked at Zain with a mischievous gaze.
Aanya: "Here! Now talk to your dear 'manager' yourself. Anyway, this bromance full of hatred that goes on between you two—I'm not getting involved."
Zain's mouth fell open. "Bromance? Have you gone crazy, Aanya?"
Aanya: (heading toward the door) "Yes-yes, that one! Sometimes grabbing collars, sometimes threatening… so much love between you two! You handle this male character yourself, I'm going to sleep. Good night, Mr. Bromantic!"
Aanya strutted out of the kitchen, leaving Zain alone. He glanced at the phone once, and then at Aanya as she left.
Ruan Jian's voice came through the phone: "Hello? Aanya? Are you listening?"
Zain picked up the phone and yelled in a very stern tone—
"She's asleep! And you better go to sleep too, or tomorrow at the office, I'll make sure your rest is ruined forever!"
He hung up and angrily picked up a carrot, biting into it. He didn't know whether to be angry at Aanya or embarrassed about her 'bromance' comment. On that night in Shenzhen, a 'powerful CEO' had completely melted under the humor of his own wife.