You are my heartbeat

Shen Ning went to the bathroom and took a shower. The warm water cascaded over her, washing away her fatigue. After drying herself, she came out, wrapped in a towel, and walked to her wardrobe.

She opened her bag, took out something discreetly, and tucked it between her clothes in the wardrobe before getting dressed.

---

When she went downstairs, the soft clinking of utensils led her to the kitchen. Qin Yuheng was standing by the stove, sleeves rolled up, his focus entirely on the meal he was preparing.

A smile tugged at her lips as she walked up to him. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his broad back.

Qin Yuheng glanced over his shoulder, a faint smile lighting his face. "Do you want me to prepare something else?"

Shen Ning shook her head. "No, anything will do."

He nodded, turning back to his cooking.

After a moment, she said teasingly, "You're such a virtuous husband."

"Of course," he replied smoothly. "In the future, when you go to the hospital for duty, I'll take care of the children."

She raised an eyebrow, a playful smile curving her lips. "President Qin, are you planning to be a house husband?"

His smirk deepened. "Then will Mrs. Qin spoil me in return?"

"Sure, sure," she said lightly, rolling her eyes.

Just then, her stomach growled loudly, making her pause in embarrassment.

Qin Yuheng chuckled, shaking his head. "Wait five more minutes. Dinner will be ready."

"Hmm. I think I should also learn how to cook," she mumbled, stepping back to let him finish.

After dinner, they returned to their bedroom.

-------

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains, but Qin Yuheng woke to an empty bed. He checked his phone—it was barely past seven.

A frown creased his forehead. Shen Ning usually needed multiple nudges to wake up. Yet today, she'd risen before him, especially after a long trip.

Why does it feel like Ah Ning is little distant to me even since the day before our return?

With a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair and walked toward the bathroom.

-------

After getting dressed, he came downstairs only to find Shen Ning chatting with aunt Rong.

He pulled out a chair and sat down beside her. "You're up early today."

Shen Ning nodded lightly. "I have to go to college early today."

Aunt Rong soon appeared with their breakfast. The two of them began eating in silence, though his gaze occasionally flickered toward Shen Ning.

"You continue eating. I'm heading out now," Shen Ning said suddenly, standing up and grabbing her bag.

His gaze dropped to her plate, his brows knitting together. "But you've eaten so little."

"I'm not very hungry," she replied, avoiding his gaze. "Bye."

Before he could say more, she was already walking out the door.

Aunt Rong could feel the tension between the husband and wife.

After a moment of silence, Aunt Rong turned to him with a reassuring smile. "Sir, don't worry. Young Madam will be back to her usual self."

He hummed in response, his face devoid of emotion, but his mind was far from calm. He resumed eating, though the breakfast before him seemed to have lost its flavor.

He took two more bites before leaving for the office.

---------

Beijing Medical College...

Shen Ning spent the entire day in a haze, her thoughts drifting aimlessly.

"Hey, class is over. Let's go," Yun Xi's voice broke through her thoughts, accompanied by a light tap on her shoulder.

"Ah?" Shen Ning blinked, snapping back to reality. "Oh, okay."

Yun Xi frowned in concern. "What's going on with you? You've been distracted since last week."

It had been one week since she returned from Venice.

Shen Ning forced a faint smile and shook her head. "I'm fine."

"Hey, let's have lunch together?" Zhao Min asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Sure," Yun Xi said quickly, and Lu Nan nodded in agreement. Shen Ning followed suit.

At the restaurant, the four friends sat at a table, chatting while waiting for their food to arrive.

The moment was interrupted by a familiar voice, "Hi."

They all turned toward the source of the greeting.

"Hey, aren't you the guy we met outside the gate last time?" Yun Xi asked, her brows knitting as she tried to recall.

He nodded, his gaze steady. "Hi, Ning."

Shen Ning smiled lightly, "hi."

Yun Xi grinned mischievously. "Handsome, want to join us?"

"Thanks, Ms. Beautiful." He slid into the seat beside Shen Ning.

Zhao Min clapped her hands in excitement. "Wait, aren't you Mu Chen? The guy who won Star Singing?"

"Yeah, that's me," he admitted with a humble nod.

"That's amazing!" Everyone, except Shen Ning, exclaimed in unison.

"Shen Ning, you're awfully quiet today," Zhao Min said, her curiosity piqued.

"Hmm? Oh, it's nothing," Shen Ning replied with a faint smile.

Taking her chance, Yun Xi's cheeks flushed as she began to tease. "Mu Chen..." Her voice trailed off. "Um, can I call you Momo?"

"Momo?" He chuckled. "Sure, but may I ask why?"

Yun Xi stammered, her face turning an even brighter shade of red. "You're just so cute, like my kitten, Coco."

Everyone burst into laughter. This time, even Shen Ning couldn't hold back a soft chuckle.

Before anyone could say more, Shen Ning's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and stood up. "I'll take this call."

She walked a few steps away, her voice soft as she answered. "Hello?"

"Have you had lunch?" The familiar voice on the other end asked.

"Not yet. What about you?" Shen Ning's tone softened.

"Wang Xu is bringing it now—"

"Ning, come back! The food's here," Mu Chen called out from the table.

"Okay, I'll hang up now." Shen Ning ended the call and returned to the table.