She breathed deeply a few times to calm her mind. Things like this can only naturally happen when the time is right. If she brought it up intentionally just to ease her anxiety, she wouldn’t be able to do it.
Although the current world didn't have the same rigid rules for women as her past life, this was still difficult for her to talk about.
After tidying herself up in the dressing room, she came out and saw Huo Shao Ting drinking.
"Didn't you say you were drinking water? Why are you drinking alcohol on an empty stomach?"
She frowned immediately. She remembered Huo Mei Shu said he had a bad stomach and even eating noodles made him feel sick unless they were freshly handmade.
Drinking without eating will be too harsh on his stomach.
Hearing the slight disapproval in her voice, Huo Shao Ting's body tensed up involuntarily again. The feeling he had finally suppressed threatened to surface once more.
"I...am a little nervous." He put down the wine glass and turned to look at her earnestly, not hiding his gaze at all.
Rong Dai was taken aback, unsure how to respond to his words.
The intimacy in the dressing room was real. Her emotional stirrings were real. Her physical sensations were also real. These were inescapable facts.
"Let's go. We can eat dinner out after meeting with them. I've booked a restaurant already."
Huo Shao Ting didn't want to put her in a difficult position. He also wanted to see her reaction. Everything that happened in the dressing room earlier was so real.
If he had brought it up himself earlier, would she have refused?
For other married couples, this would have happened naturally. Why did it become such a huge hurdle for them?
Hearing that he didn't continue the topic, Rong Dai immediately felt relieved. She nodded demurely and was about to head over.
"Is the crutch uncomfortable? Hopping around like this isn't good for your other leg either."
Giving up the fruitless thoughts, Huo Shao Ting walked over to her and picked her up without another word. His voice was gentle as he asked about her condition.
This time, Rong Dai didn't scream. Although her actions were slightly shy as she clung onto his neck, her eyes were lowered as she looked at her legs and gave a small nod. "It's not that the crutch is no good. I'm just not used to using it yet."
"If you get used to it, that would be even worse." Huo Shao Ting's mouth curved up into a smile. It was rare to see the usually cold and stern man make a joke.
Rong Dai couldn't help but chuckle lightly. "That does seem true."
Because of this casual joke, the earlier awkwardness between them dissipated. Huo Shao Ting carried her downstairs.
"Big brother, you two...can't you spare brother and I some consideration and refrain from showing affection at home?"
Huo Mei Shu and Lu Zheng were sitting on the sofa. She was using the handkerchief embroidered by Rong Dai to wipe Lu Zheng's hands.
Seeing the intimate couple coming downstairs, she was very happy inside but couldn't resist teasing them.
Lu Zheng originally harbored great resentment towards Rong Dai over this matter, but she had no choice but to heed Huo Shao Ting's words. So these days, she tried her best to avoid seeing Rong Dai to prevent getting angry.
Witnessing this gentle and considerate side of her usually cold and aloof son made her relieved and delighted. Added to Huo Mei Shu's earlier praises of Rong Dai, her resentments dissipated into thin air.
Hearing her sister-in-law's teasing, Rong Dai really wished she could shut the girl's mouth.
Her face was beet red as she leaned motionless against Huo Shao Ting's chest, too embarrassed to speak.
This was utterly shameful and improper!
To act so recklessly in front of her mother-in-law, how indecent.
Rong Dai regretted bitterly that she shouldn't have used the crutch.
"Alright, watch that mouth of yours." As one who had been through this before, Lu Zheng understood Rong Dai's awkwardness. As long as her son was happy, she would be supportive.
Huo Mei Shu stuck out her tongue, gaze teasing the couple.
Although the incident this time was dangerous and both Zuo Ran and Wen Shi Lan were hateful people, it could be considered a blessing in disguise that brought the couple closer together. Their misdeeds had made some contribution to society, it seemed.
"Rong Dai and I will eat out tonight, so don't wait dinner for us."
Huo Shao Ting didn't feel anything wrong with carrying his wife. On the contrary, he wished for more opportunities like this. He yearned to get closer to Rong Dai but also feared frightening her.
Although he could sense changes in Rong Dai now, they had only met twice before getting married so there was no emotional foundation at all.
After marrying, they even slept separately on their wedding night, let alone have any spousal interactions.
It seemed that changes were occurring between them, or rather changes in Rong Dai after her appendectomy.
She was no longer gloomy and reticent. He would not let their marriage be in name only.
That was why he had brought up divorce. She had misunderstood, thinking he had feelings for Wen Shi Lan. It seemed like he noticed changes in her after that. Following her wishes, he had temporarily shelved the divorce idea.
If time could heal and change everything, he had the patience to wait for her.
"Go, go." Lu Zheng was overjoyed! Seeing the couple leave, she couldn't help the tears welling up in her eyes.
"Mom, didn't I tell you rightly? Sister-in-law was previously hesitant to accept big brother because of that lunatic Zuo Ran and felt guilty about using us. But aren't they doing well now? An arranged marriage progressing to love isn't bad. What's important is that big brother and sister-in-law are happy together, right?"
Taking the opportunity, Huo Mei Shu immediately sang praises of Rong Dai to Lu Zheng. Her impressions of this sister-in-law were very different.
The previous one was like an entirely different person. The current one was another person altogether.
She was also understanding and smart. Most importantly, Huo Mei Shu had witnessed Rong Dai's resilience.
The scene of her fighting Zuo Ran for her life was unforgettable to Huo Mei Shu. She felt that Rong Dai had changed after overcoming tribulations.
Having such a sister-in-law accompanying big brother, she was naturally delighted.
"Do I need you to tell me? Can't I understand it myself?" Lu Zheng pretended to glare at her and carefully stroked the handkerchief, unable to conceal the amazement in her eyes. "This is really embroidered by your sister-in-law? Not many young people nowadays know this skill. Your mother learned a little when she was young but this is too difficult."
"Would I trick you? I've seen the patterns sister-in-law drew and even bought the threads, silks and satins myself." Huo Mei Shu preened, gazing proudly at her own handkerchief, in an excellent mood.
"Oh right, mom. Sister-in-law said her legs are inconvenient so she feels bored at home. You see how exquisite her skills are. She wants to take on work orders. Although our Huo family isn't lacking money, a outstanding man like big brother surely wouldn't like a useless good-for-nothing. Sister-in-law also studied design. You have broad connections, so introduce her to some madams, okay?"
Remembering Rong Dai's words from earlier, Huo Mei Shu immediately seized the opportunity. This was also a good chance to mend the mother-in-law daughter-in-law relationship.
