RMM – Chapter 19 A Wife’s Awakening

“Bo’an, stop looking and let’s go.”

Feng Weijia gave Liang Bo’an a gentle push and said helplessly. The two had grown up together, making their bond closer than most. He had long known about Liang Bo’an’s feelings for Su Ruo. As a good friend, of course, he wished for Bo’an to be happy, but Su Ruo had rejected him more than once and had made it clear that they were impossible. Yet, Bo’an, usually sharp and intelligent, seemed utterly obsessed when it came to her, to the point where everyone felt helpless.

And now, as they drove past a café and spotted Su Ruo inside, he once again looked as if his soul had left his body, staring blankly at her as she laughed and chatted behind the glass.

“Bo’an, don’t blame me for speaking bluntly. Su Ruo is already married, and she doesn’t even remember who you are anymore. Let it go. Why put yourself through this?”

Besides, even if Su Ruo had no objections, could they really afford to provoke someone like Xi Yuechen?

“Weijia, I know what you mean, but I just can’t let go. What can I do? I’ve liked her since we were kids, and I still like her now. She’s already engraved in my heart. There’s no way out for me.”

Liang Bo’an withdrew his gaze and spoke in a deep voice. He had always known that Su Ruo never saw him as anything more than a friend. Ever since he confessed his feelings, she had subtly distanced herself. He knew she would never accept him, but he couldn’t control himself. He kept hoping for a miracle, only to be met with the devastating sight of her wedding invitation—to someone else.

She would rather marry Xi Yuechen, a man she barely knew, than accept him. Seeing her in her wedding dress, breathtakingly beautiful, had been sheer agony for him. He could only drown himself in drink, hoping to numb the endless pain.

He had thought he would quietly retreat into the shadows, content with merely catching glimpses of her from afar. But her amnesia stirred something reckless within him. If she had forgotten everything, did that mean they could start over? What did it matter if she was married?

Feng Weijia sighed. He knew that no matter how much he tried to persuade him, it would be useless. He could only wonder—was Su Ruo’s memory loss a blessing or a curse for Bo’an?

Liang Bo’an looked at Su Ruo inside the café, a gentle smile playing on his lips before he turned, started the car, and drove away.

“Hello, Mom.” Su Ruo answered Zhang Huaqing’s call while lying in bed.

“Ruoruo, what are you doing? Are you asleep yet?”

“Not yet. If I were, could I still answer your call? What does the Empress Dowager wish to command of me?”

“Don’t be cheeky. Is Yuechen with you? I need to ask you something.”

At those words, Su Ruo suddenly had a bad feeling. Sure enough, after she replied that she was alone, she heard what she had dreaded.

“It’s already so late, and Yuechen isn’t in the room? Don’t tell me you two are sleeping in separate rooms?”

Su Ruo glanced at the time in exasperation. It was only 8 PM—how was that late?

“No, Mom, don’t overthink. We’re not in separate rooms. We sleep together—just not in the same bed, okay? Relax.”

“How can you talk like that? Let me ask you, have you two… done it yet?” Zhang Huaqing coughed, lowering her voice.

Cough cough …That. She knew this wouldn’t be a good conversation.

“Not yet. How could we, with our current relationship? Why are you so obsessed with this?”

“What do you mean, ‘what relationship’? Let me tell you, Su Ruo—Yuechen is your lawful husband! It’s only natural for you two to be intimate! Stop playing these little tricks to avoid it. Since you’re married to Yuechen, you need to fulfill your duties properly!”

Listening to Zhang Huaqing’s almost indignant voice, Su Ruo rolled her eyes, feeling completely helpless.

“Mom, these things should happen naturally. You can’t just force it. And I’m not trying to avoid anything! Just give me some trust and a little freedom, please? Stop checking up on us like a drill sergeant. Wouldn’t it be awkward if my dear husband found out?”

“Hmph, you two should feel awkward. How is it not natural by now? If I don’t push you, when will you finally let me hold my grandchild?”

“Hah… a grandchild? Mom, how old do you think you are, thinking about grandkids already? That’s something old grandmothers look forward to. And I’m still young—why rush into having kids?”

“I’ve told you before—women should have children early so they can recover quickly. Besides, Yuechen is always busy with the military. It’s not easy for him to come home, and you’re still wasting time.”

“Alright, alright, Mom, go to bed now. Stop thinking about this. You’ll lose sleep. Your daughter will try her best, okay? Just relax.”

After hanging up, Su Ruo let out a long sigh and tossed her phone aside. She buried her head in the blanket, feeling utterly conflicted.

Her mother had practically issued an ultimatum—how could she pretend not to know anymore?

Ugh, this was frustrating. It wasn’t like she was completely against the idea. Intimacy between a married couple was natural, and she actually liked kids. But! When it involved Xi Yuechen, she just couldn’t feel comfortable about it. Not to mention, Xi Yuechen didn’t seem to have any intention of making a move. Was she supposed to… throw herself at him?

She’d rather die. How could she possibly do something like that?!

When Xi Yuechen entered the room, Su Ruo was still lying there, buried under the blankets, looking like a tightly wrapped silkworm.

“Why are you hiding under the covers? Still not sleeping?”

“Commander? Uh… nothing, nothing! I’m going to sleep now!”

Watching her turn away so quickly, Xi Yuechen was puzzled. Why was she acting so flustered? Was she still afraid of him?

A hint of dissatisfaction flickered in Xi Yuechen’s eyes.

The next morning, Su Ruo surprisingly woke up earlier than Xi Yuechen. She looked at the blanket, almost entirely on her side, and turned her head in embarrassment to see Xi Yuechen still asleep. As she gazed at his sleeping face, she couldn’t help but observe him. His sharp features appeared softer when he was asleep, and the usual cold aura around him was absent. Her heart suddenly became restless, pounding uncontrollably.

But when her eyes drifted downward toward his lower half, she froze.

She saw an undeniable, prominent peak between Xi Yuechen’s legs…

Su Ruo practically fled the room, hiding in the bathroom as she tried to calm her flustered emotions. Seriously? Of all things, she had to witness his morning reaction…

So, Xi Yuechen was just like any other man, reacting normally to his body’s needs. But why did she have to see it?!

Covering her face—this was beyond awkward.

Xi Yuechen had sensed something was off with Su Ruo since the previous night. She didn’t seem scared of him but rather seemed to be avoiding him. And this morning, there was no usual breakfast waiting for him—she had only briefly greeted him before rushing out.

She’s definitely avoiding me.

Realizing this, Colonel Xi felt even more displeased. His face turned colder, as if he were about to reprimand his soldiers. Without bothering about breakfast, he went straight to his study.

“I swear, what is wrong with you? You called me out this early just to watch you zone out? Do you know I barely slept last night?”

He Wen yawned while complaining. She had spent the whole night reviewing some classified information and brainstorming solutions. She had barely gotten any sleep before Su Ruo dragged her out, only to sit there spacing out. She barely had the energy to keep her eyes open.

But Su Ruo wasn’t listening. Her mind was filled with last night’s conversation with her mother and, more disturbingly, this morning’s unexpected sight… She was completely tangled up in frustration.

“He Wen… I have a question. Um, have you ever… you know, been with a man?”

Cough! “W-What did you just say?!”

He Wen was instantly wide awake, staring at Su Ruo in disbelief.

“Never mind, forget I asked.”

“Wait, hold on. Why are you suddenly asking this? Don’t tell me—you and your husband finally consummated the marriage?! Oh my god! It finally happened?!”

“Shut up! What nonsense are you spouting?! Nothing happened!”

Su Ruo quickly interrupted He Wen before she could get carried away. Seeing her best friend’s gossip-loving expression, she instantly regretted her impulse to ask.

“Okay, fine. So what’s the deal then?”

“It’s my mom. She keeps pressuring me to give her a grandchild.”

He Wen gave her a skeptical look. “Tsk tsk, don’t try to fool me. If you really didn’t want to, would your mom’s nagging even affect you? Let’s be real, you and your husband should’ve slept together ages ago. These days, even strangers hook up—how does it make sense for a married couple to live like monks? And speaking of your man, isn’t he super masculine? Has he never, you know… forced himself on you?”

Su Ruo nearly choked. Why did I think talking to another woman about this would help?

“Do you think everyone has a dirty mind like you?”

He Wen scoffed. “Fine, I’m dirty-minded, and you two are saints living in celibacy. But seriously, does your husband not have any… needs? Are you really making him take care of himself every day? That’s just cruel.”

Su Ruo felt a pang of guilt and stammered, “I—I’m not stopping him from anything! And… and how would I know if he has needs or not?”

“Tsk tsk, Su Ruo, you’re amazing. No matter how disciplined he is, he’s still a man. There’s no way he doesn’t have needs. Marrying you must feel like torture.”

Su Ruo felt even more flustered and snapped, “Enough about me! What about you? Have you ever done it?”

“Oh wow, now you’re getting defensive.” He Wen smirked. “I haven’t even gotten married yet—who would I sleep with? But seriously, you should just go for it. Didn’t your mom already issue an imperial decree? Hahaha!”

“Alright, alright, go home and get some sleep. Now get lost.”

“Wow, who was the one dragging me out early in the morning, and now you’re kicking me out? Heartless.”

He Wen rolled her eyes, secretly amused. Never thought I’d see the day when the fearless Su Ruo would be this troubled over something like this.

“And don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking,” Su Ruo warned as He Wen got up to leave. “If I hear a word about this getting out, you’ll regret it.”

“Yeah, yeah, I got it. Just don’t overthink so much that you start avoiding home. Otherwise, your poor husband will suffer another sleepless night. Hahaha!”

With a chuckle, He Wen left, eager to catch up on sleep. Watching a couple’s drama was one thing, but meddling in their affairs was another. It was way more fun to sit back and enjoy the show.

After He Wen left, Su Ruo propped her chin on her hand, watching people come and go on the street. Finally, she made up her mind—like a soldier marching into battle.

Fine. If it has to happen, then it happens.

In this day and age, even casual flings are common, so why wouldn’t a legally married couple be intimate?

It’s completely logical and reasonable…

But then, why hadn’t Xi Yuechen made any moves yet?

Wait—does this mean… I have to seduce him?!

…No way! That would be too humiliating!