Loving With My Mind

Zhao Mingzhe held onto his wife's hand tighter.

Han Yixin struggled to free herself from him after Cynthia Mu was no longer in sight.

"Xiao Xin...you brought lunch, right? Let's go up to the office." His voice was gentle but his grip was fierce as he eyed the containers she was carrying.

"No!" she shouted.

Zhao Mingzhe was shocked. What is going on? What did Cynthia Mu tell her?

Han Yixin suddenly realized that her reaction was off, so she gulped and added, "I...I only brought food enough for one person. I just went to drop these." She tried to hand over the containers to him, pleading in her mind for him to just take them and let go of her hand.

"Then I guess we'll have to share. Let's go." He was already dragging her into the elevators before he finished his sentence.

Han Yixin kept mum even after they reached the office. She had multiple things in her mind, but Cynthia Mu's words was the largest echo which plays back infinitely.

Zhao Mingzhe guided her to sit and took the food from her hands and started setting up lunch. He also kept his silence, glancing at her expression every now and then.

She prepared spring rolls, rosemary chicken, pomelo and vegetable salad, seasoned potatoes with chives, light broth soup and bite-sized NY cheesecakes. There was also green tea in a thermal container.

After pouring some tea, he cleared his throat. "So this is only good for one?" He was testing the waters and teased her.

If she was herself, it would have been a funny remark. The food she brought could feed three men full. The chicken was brought as a whole.

However, circ.u.mstances made her oddly quiet with a blank stare, looking lifeless.

"Xiao Xin..." Zhao Mingzhe fought hard to keep his voice down. He was losing his temper. His mind was filled with possibilities of what Cynthia Mu may have told his wife.

Han Yixin's insecurities run deep from childhood. Who knows what she will do because of a few words?

Zhao Mingzhe knew that his ex-girlfriend has a vicious tongue when need be, especially when she was fighting for herself. It was just so unfair that Cynthia Mu began bothering him right after his wedding when she had been just diplomatic for the past year. She was the one who ended their relationship. Now she is bothering his wife. He will have to put her in her place.

But first, he needs to know what his wife is thinking. He had never been nervous in any work at the company even when pressed for time or resources. He was not even half this nervous when he had his first flight.

Yet this time, he is scared to death.

"Zhao Mingzhe..." Han Yixin suddenly called out, without looking up.

"Xiao Xin..." he immediately responded, as he was pulled away from his thoughts.

"She is so gorgeous."

"When did you start praising yourself?" He still tried to smile.

Commenting with the acknowledgement that the statement pertains to Cynthia Mu could get him killed. Denying and saying otherwise would not also let him survive as it is too pretentious.

"You think I'm not serious?" She finally looked up to him with a smirk. "In a room where both Cynthia Mu and I stand, you call out to her and not me..."

Han Yixin pouted subtly, but her eyes remained indifferent.

"What?! I didn't mean to..." Zhao Mingzhe felt injustice. He was scolding his ex at sight. He did not know that the lady whose back was turned to him was his wife. How could he have called her first?

"Zhao Mingzhe...let's divorce." Han Yixin's voice was firm.

"Don't you dare say that again!" Zhao Mingzhe could not keep his voice down. He even got up from the sofa.

Han Yixin forced a chuckle. "After all, I can't compete with true love..."

"Han Yixin! Don't say foolish things!"

"How is it foolish when it's true?!" Tears streamed down her face.

"No! I...I am in love with you...no, I love you." Zhao Mingzhe's words were heavy.

"You were just trying to convince yourself that you love me. After all, you're stuck married to me! I am not really the one in your heart, am I?" She also stood up to face him and looked him in the eyes.

"Of course you're not in my heart!"

Before she could spat anything back, he continued.

"The heart beating fast is only the manifestation of the emotions cooked up by several areas of the brain, so no! I am not loving you with my heart. Since the day I married you, I have been loving you with my mind! How dare you question that!"

...

"Qiaolian..." Han Mufeng softly called out to his wife who had just woken up.

"Hmmn?" Li Qiaolian stretched her arm then twisted her body to face her husband who was lying by her side.

"Happy birthday, My Love." he said. Then he kissed her on the forehead.

He had never missed to do this small gesture and greeting every year on her birthday since they got married.

Li Qiaolian smiled faintly at her husband. "Thank you, Dear."

Han Mufeng sat up and supported his wife who did the same.

"Qiaolian..." he called out again as he brushed her hair off her face with his fingers. "Thank you...for choosing me." His eyes dimmed.

Her smile became more sincere. "Ah Feng...you have always been good to me all these years. I regret nothing."

"But I do." he interrupted.

She sighed. "That night...I almost forgot about it when Yixin was born. I stopped blaming you when I held her in my arms."

"Still...I know...I have always known...that your love for him...I can never compete with what you had."

Li Qiaolian furrowed her thin brows but raised her lips to smile. "Ah Feng...I..."

"Lian..." Han Mufeng had a bitter smile. "Did you know...you never told me you love me."