"Jie?"

After preparing breakfast for Jie in the kitchen, I called out to wake him up. Walking to the door of the master bedroom, I intended to push it open, but through the crack in the door, I saw Jie getting up as usual.

What was he holding in his hands? He looked at it very seriously. I tried to get a clearer look, but for some reason, Jie's gaze shifted towards me.

Seeming to sense my presence, he quickly stuffed the pendant into his pocket.

"Is that you, Zhiye?"

"It's me... you're already awake," I smiled as I pushed the door open.

"Did you sleep well last night? Did you have any more nightmares?" I entered the room and asked, but my eyes were fixed on Jie's pocket. Why was he being secretive? Was there something he didn't want me to see?

"No, this place really calms the heart. Thank you, Zhiye," Jie said with a smile.

"As long as you're happy, Jie. By the way, I've prepared breakfast."

"Okay."

1

After tidying up the bed, it was time for breakfast. Ideally, it would be a fried egg, a glass of milk, or a sandwich, but because we had just moved in, we hadn't bought any groceries yet. We had to settle for some cheap and tasteless food. It was just a soup made from salt.

"It's not bad, thank you, Zhiye," Jie said.

"I'm sorry... Jie, for making you eat something like this," I felt guilty. I wanted to feed Jie something nutritious, even if it meant giving up a piece of my own flesh.

"No... I'm already grateful. With you, Zhiye, not only do you not leave me, but you also take care of me."

"Oh, no... it's only natural. I... I'm Jie's fiancée," I blushed. It made me feel embarrassed to be thanked by Jie like this, because everything I did was for Jie.

"Well... I might want another bowl," Jie said shyly.

"Alright, I'll go get one," I replied. Jie's shy looks were so cute. I forgot to offer to get him another bowl.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting, Jie," I handed him the bowl of soup. Jie said thank you and started drinking.

"Um, Jie, about today..."

"What is it?" Jie put down his bowl and asked with confusion.

"The plans we made last night..."

"You mean shopping?"

"Yes, Jie, will you accompany me?"

"Of course..."

"Okay... let's leave when you're ready."

"I'm full and I want to go out for a walk. Shall we leave now?"

"Yes... sounds good."

How many times had I accompanied Jie on outings? I walked on the road to the market, reminiscing.

"About five miles, there's no transportation here."

"Walking is fine, five miles isn't too far."

"That's true..." I smiled.

Everything went smoothly until halfway when the strap on my clog broke, making it impossible to walk properly. Jie had to carry me on his back.

"Am I heavy?"

"No, Zhiye, you're so light that I don't feel the weight."

"I don't feel the weight?" Although I knew it was an exaggeration, for some reason, it made me happy.

Jie's back was broad, and leaning against it gave me a sense of security. However, sometimes Jie would stop, as if feeling uncomfortable.

Was there something poking him?

Finally, we arrived at the market. Jie found a bench and put me down. He struggled to reconnect the strap on my clog, sweating profusely on his forehead.

I wiped the sweat off his face from time to time.

"Okay, I think it's fixed now."

Jie handed the repaired clog to me, and I tried putting it on. It felt fine."Thank you, Jie,"

"I just did a small favor," Jie scratched his reddened cheeks, shy and lovable.

"Now let's go buy some daily necessities and ingredients,"

The market was bustling with people, and the shops were busy. I enjoyed the peaceful days shopping with Jie. Although it might be a bit tiring in the future, I knew I would be happy.

"Jie, look..." I bought an apple candy and showed it to Jie.

"What is this?" Jie seemed unfamiliar with it.

"It's apple candy, an apple coated in red sugar. Want to try it?"

"Can I?" Jie looked like he really wanted to try it. I wanted to tell him that I started liking it because he introduced me to apple candy, but I couldn't say it. Even though I knew it was selfish, all I wanted was to be with Jie forever and for him to not have any other girls in his heart.

"How is it?" I asked.

"It's quite sweet..." Jie tasted it and replied.

"Yes, happiness is like being wrapped in sugar," I sighed, but Jie seemed to not understand what I meant.

"Let's go to the next place..."

"Okay."

I wanted to hold Jie's hand, but for some reason, I couldn't take that step. I wished Jie could be more proactive in this aspect, but as a girl, I felt awkward about it.

"This fish looks fresh..."

"Should we buy some beef?"

"Don't forget to buy seasonings too."

If I have any strengths, I should be able to be a very caring wife. I've been training to be an excellent wife for a long time. My strict mother shaped me into who I am now.

My mother said that Japanese women are like this. Once they get married, they can only focus on taking care of their husbands and future children.

Why does my face turn red when I think about having children with Jie?

"Zhiye... are you feeling alright?" Jie asked with concern.

"I... I'm fine."

The days went by tranquilly, and I imagined having children and growing old with Jie. It was something I longed for.

"Well... I'll buy this fish."

"Alright, thank you for your purchase."

I took the sliced fish from the fishmonger and turned around to go to the next shop. We had already bought meat and vegetables, so all that was left was household items and some seasonings.

Why is my heart suddenly in pain, and my vision blurry?

That's Jie, right? He's talking to a golden-haired girl.

The golden-haired girl seemed angry, but her expression changed when Jie gave her a pendant that he had kept in his pocket. She seemed to gradually calm down, but she still ran off angrily after saying something. Jie was left looking a little lost.

Does Jie know her? Why is this girl...

The pain overwhelmed my brain, making me feel dizzy for a moment.

But I still walked over with a smile, pretending not to know, and said, "Jie, I've already bought the fish. Next, let's get some seasonings."

"Okay..." Jie glanced in the direction where the golden-haired girl ran off before we left.

It was supposed to be a date, but there was a knot in my heart, making it difficult to enjoy the rest of the time. But I pretended, pretending not to let Jie notice that I was pretending.

"We're finally home..." Jie carried many bags and put them on the steps, sighing tiredly.

"You worked hard, Jie."

I said as I put the bags back in the kitchen. I was grateful that the refrigerator still worked. When my father left, he didn't take any of the appliances or furniture because he believed he might come back someday.

If I were my mother, and Jie were my father, we would lead a simple and happy life. But for some reason, I couldn't feel any joy.No, it's not like that, definitely not like that.

I prevent myself from thinking about these unpleasant things and focus on preparing a good lunch.

Today's main dish is beef. How should I cook it?

"How is it?"

"It's delicious..."

After some research, I finally made the dish. Since it's my first time cooking with beef, I wasn't confident and worried that it might not be to Jie's taste. But seeing Jie's natural smile, it seems like I succeeded.

Have I taken a step closer to becoming an excellent wife? The little progress in meeting my mother's harsh expectations is not enough, or far from enough.

I must not become complacent just because I made a dish that was well-received. For me, I need to become even better, more in line with Jie's ideal woman.

But what exactly is Jie's ideal girl? After dinner, while Jie slept, I sat alone on the steps outside.

"Zhiye-sama..." Romyra, the child, came out from the shadows again.

"Romira."

"Zhiye-sama, I couldn't be with you the whole day. I feel lonely."

"Really? Doesn't Romyra have Baram?"

"Baram can't compare to Zhiye-sama."

Those bloodthirsty monsters, are they still in the bottle?

"Zhiye-sama... Do you have something on your mind?"

"Something? Do I?"

"You seem gloomy."

"Oh no, I had a pretty happy day today."

"Don't lie to me... I can tell."

"...It seems Romyra has the ability to see through others' thoughts." I took off my disguise and revealed a slightly dark expression.

"I don't possess such ability. But Zhiye-sama must have been bullied by that scumbag, right?"

"Don't call Jie a scumbag."

I showed a serious expression, and Romyra pouted.

"Zhiye-sama, you may forbid me from saying it, but the facts are right in front of us. He's indeed getting close to other girls."

"Romyra, stop talking nonsense."

"Zhiye-sama... You may not want to accept it, but I can tell you, he fell in love at first sight with that blonde girl."

"How is that possible... How could Jie fall in love with another girl at first sight?"

"Zhiye-sama... Don't forget, even in this world, that girl might still appear."

"Su Yuqian?" Saying that name made my expression turn solemn.

"So, what does Zhiye plan to do?"

Romyra asked me, but I don't believe it. Regardless, Jie would never remember her because he lost his memory.

"I'm a bit tired. I want to go back to the room and sleep."

"Zhiye-sama..."

Romyra called out to me.

"Goodnight... Romyra." I didn't turn around, but I felt uneasy. Su Yuqian shouldn't exist in this world, Romyra said so. Then why did she appear again?