Chapter 6 — Betrothed to the Song Heir

What a load of nonsense! Utter nonsense! I truly have no idea how I ended up spending the entire night at the Tong residence. The next morning, I braced my hands against my waist and hauled myself out of bed. Tong Duong Trach, meanwhile, was brimming with vitality, already back from his morning jog. I sat on the edge of the mattress, letting the memories wash over me: last night, he had showered me in kisses. Kisses on the lips. Kisses on the cheeks. Kisses here, kisses there. My face felt alarmingly hot, flushed a deep shade of crimson that even reached the skin on my arms. I didn’t dare look in the mirror. Yet, when Duong Trach returned from his run, he trailed after me like a puppy, eager to show off his physique.

My wife, my wife, look at me! Hey! Hey! Hey! Whoo! And look at my abs! He announced, hitching up his shirt to reveal a chiseled, eight-pack midsection. And my pectorals! He flexed them with rhythmic twitches. A comprehensive, 360-degree performance without a single flaw. Go get some breakfast, I managed to say, but as soon as I opened my mouth, a stream of drool escaped the corner of my lips. How embarrassing, how utterly shameful. And yet, he insisted on grabbing my hand. My wife, touch them! Feel for yourself! It is all genuine, no tricks for the old or the young!

He pulled my hand and pressed it against his chest. Beneath my palm, I felt the steady, powerful thrum of his heart. His muscles were hard as stone, the eight-pack sculpted with smooth, elegant lines, trailing down into a magnificent v-taper. Good heavens, a decent girl shouldn't be touching things like this! Keep going! Hee hee! Then, my fingers brushed against something else. Tong Duong Trach let go of my hand immediately. I am so, so, so sorry! he stammered. I didn’t dare look at him; I just turned my head away and squeezed my eyes shut. I didn't expect that to happen either, he added. I hadn't expected it either. I kept my eyes closed, thinking. The end result of that morning was that Tong Duong Trach had to take a cold shower. By the time we sat down for breakfast, he was still radiating a chilly, damp aura.

Wife, do I look handsome? He asked suddenly while eating. I want the honest truth! Am I the single most handsome man you have ever met? I was eating my tofu pudding and couldn't help but laugh. You are, you are, you are, I said. Really? Truly. The first time I met Tong Duong Trach was at a banquet the Tong family held for the matriarch’s birthday. That day, he had actually dressed formally for once, looking like a respectable gentleman with a pocket square tucked neatly into his blazer. Standing in the middle of the crowd, he was undeniably the most eye-catching person there. All my friends were practically drooling, and I was no exception. But later, when the younger guests were left to mingle, I ran into him again near the billiard table. He was wearing a shirt in a garish dragon-green and bright red pattern, paired with flaming-colored flip-flops. Handsome as he was, he had absolutely no sense of style. That was my initial assessment. Who would have thought this handsome yet aesthetically disastrous man would later become my husband? Thinking of this, I couldn't hold back a chuckle. Taste can be adjusted later, but this heaven-sent face was definitely something to be proud of. Ha ha! As I laughed, I suddenly noticed the look in his eyes growing deeper. My heart began to hammer against my ribs. Hee hee hee.

Newlyweds always go through their fair share of trials, though I didn't feel like I had suffered much before this. This first month of marriage, however, has been the most exhausting period of my life. I feel like Tong Duong Trach and I are constantly kissing in our bridal chamber. We kiss everywhere, at any time. We are obsessed with it. We have gone through one cosplay outfit after another. If this keeps up, I won’t be able to take it anymore! I began coming up with every excuse to get some rest. By the time I turned him down for the fifth time, it seemed he had finally gotten angry. By the time I realized it, three days had passed without him making a single move to kiss me.

Boo hoo! When you don't have something, you crave it; once you possess it, you fail to cherish it. I finally understood the meaning of those words. That evening, Tong Duong Trach and I were lying under the covers, just talking. I was just about to initiate the next step when his phone rang. He bolted upright like a carp leaping over a dragon gate and rushed into his study, locking the door behind him. I snuck over to the door to eavesdrop. Thankfully, when we were renovating, the designers and contractors were greedy for money; the study walls were not soundproof. His voice drifted through, muffled but audible. Yes, yes, yes, exactly! I understand! I understand perfectly! I will follow all of your instructions to the letter! I broke into a cold sweat. Good heavens! Who on earth was he talking to?