WN:TRMSHADSW 22

“Did you go inside?”

Jiang Heng, who had been sharpening his knife, suddenly set it down. His tone shot up sharply.

Su Jin immediately denied it. “No, of course not! How could I go in? That place is so run-down.”

“Good. I was afraid you did. If you had, you might not be able to sleep tonight!”

“Why do you say that?”

Jiang Heng cleared his throat. “You don’t know… those old houses have strange things in them. Aren’t you afraid something might follow you back at night?”

Instead of fear, Su Jin’s curiosity was piqued. “What do you mean? Are there ghosts inside?”

“Of course! Why else do you think the village kids are all scared of that place?”

Su Jin thought for a moment. She had gone near it earlier today—it just looked like an ordinary old, broken-down house overrun with weeds.

She hadn’t seen anything strange at all.

Not even a gloomy feeling.

Jiang Heng hadn’t expected Su Jin to be completely unafraid of such talk.

“But remember,” he warned, “don’t go near it again. Someone died in there. It’s unlucky to go inside.”

Su Jin’s eyelashes trembled. She froze for a moment, startled. “Someone died there?”

“Yeah. When I was little, a whole family died in that house—horribly, too. Since then, no one in the village dares to go near it.”

So that’s why.

No wonder the area around that abandoned house was overgrown with tall grass, and even the nearest neighbor lived quite a distance away.

People here were still old-fashioned and superstitious, obsessed with feng shui. When something like that happened, they’d just stay far away, afraid of attracting bad luck or spirits.

“Got it. I’ll keep my distance next time!”

“Good. And remember—whatever you see or hear, don’t go around talking about it. This isn’t the kind of place where you can just say anything.”

Su Jin nodded. “Okay. So… when are you going to cook for me?”

Clang!

Jiang Heng’s knife hit the floor. If the wall hadn’t blocked it, it might’ve flown even farther.

He strode toward her in two long steps. His tall, strong figure loomed over her, his shadow swallowing her whole.

As he closed in, Su Jin instinctively backed away until she was pressed into a corner.

He braced his arms on either side of her, trapping her in place. Their faces drew closer—so close she could feel his breath.

Su Jin’s heart skipped a beat. Wait, what? Did he finally come to his senses?

Is he actually making a move this fast? I wasn’t ready for this!

But Jiang Heng just felt… unsettled. Something in his chest felt blocked, heavy, suffocating.

He didn’t know why, but somehow, he was sure it had something to do with Su Jin.

Su Jin quietly observed his expression—his furrowed brows, the tension in his eyes.

Then it clicked. Ah! My little reverse-psychology trick worked!

He must be sulking because I’ve been ignoring him lately!

Jiang Heng’s throat bobbed as if he wanted to speak but couldn’t. His Adam’s apple moved up and down, and the veins on the back of his hands stood out as he rubbed them together in agitation.

After a long moment, his deep voice finally rumbled above her head.

Su Jin couldn’t help grinning. Oh my~ My husband is so handsome it’s practically a crime. Even when he’s scowling, he’s devastatingly good-looking.

But judging by his expression now… was he about to argue with her?

Su Jin lowered her gaze, puzzled.

“You want me to cook for you?” he repeated.

“Huh?” Su Jin blinked. That’s what this is about?

So that’s where his focus was?

Her big, round, grape-like eyes darted around. Maybe her tone earlier had sounded too bossy?

Fine then—she’d just be more polite.

With a careful tone, she said softly, “Then… could you please cook for me?”

Jiang Heng snapped, “You think you can just order me around? Cook for you every day, wash your clothes, even put you under my household registration—what, did I save you just so you could play the lord around here?”

At first, Su Jin felt guilty.

It was true—she hadn’t been doing those things herself. Every morning, she’d see her washed clothes hanging neatly on the bamboo poles.

And dinner was always ready when she got home from work.

She really had been freeloading.

Su Jin gave herself a serious mental scolding.

“Alright, alright—then I’ll cook this time!”

She turned toward the kitchen—

—but before she could take a step, a strong hand grabbed her wrist.