204: So you already have a husband?

"Wife, are you at work?"

Ye Chen lay on the operating table, the pale shadowless lamp above his head casting a cold light.

His voice trembled slightly from nervousness, his hand holding the phone shook uncontrollably, and his heart pounded like rapid drumbeats.

But as soon as he heard Liu Ruyan's voice, it was like a warm light, instantly dispelling the chill in his heart, filling him with longing, and making him reluctant to hang up.

Because Liu Ruyan actually answered his call today. He had only intended to test the waters, not expecting her to actually pick up, and her tone was much gentler than before, which truly surprised Ye Chen.

He couldn't help but wonder if Liu Ruyan felt sorry for him because of his severe injuries, which was why she was being so nice.

Thinking this, he pressed the phone even tighter to his ear, as if that would allow him to grasp this rare warmth.

The reason Ye Chen agreed to the surgery stemmed from what Wang Nanny had told him.

That day, Wang Nanny, with a serious and solemn expression, said to him:

"If you become a woman, you can be Young Miss's best friend in the future, and your relationship will definitely be much closer than it is now. Anyway, you can't get that thing back, so why not look on the bright side and take this opportunity?"

Ye Chen pondered her words repeatedly, feeling that Wang Nanny made a valid point.

He agonized for many days, struggling internally, until he finally made up his mind to lie on this operating table.

Hearing Ye Chen's words, Liu Ruyan immediately rolled her eyes, her face full of impatience, a cold sneer forming at the corner of her mouth as she retorted irritably, "Otherwise? Am I supposed to be lying at home?"

Her tone was as cold as an ice cellar, as if Ye Chen had asked an extremely foolish question.

"Wife, can you please not go to Lu Chen's company to work anymore?"

Ye Chen hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke the words he had suppressed for a long time, "That person... clearly has ulterior motives for you."

The more he spoke, the more agitated he became. The image of Lu Chen's meaningful gaze at Liu Ruyan flashed in his mind, filling him with annoyance, and his voice unconsciously rose a few octaves.

Lu Chen stood to the side, arms crossed, a look of keen interest on his face, his eyes full of the anticipation of watching a good show.

Liu Ruyan caught Lu Chen's gaze and instantly understood, knowing his mischievous streak had resurfaced.

She took a deep breath, trying to suppress her anger towards Ye Chen, quickly replacing it with a docile and fawning expression as she deliberately took two steps towards Lu Chen.

She tilted her head slightly, her eyes holding a hint of playfulness, gently took Lu Chen's arm, and leaned against him as if boneless, her movements natural and intimate.

Lu Chen raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by intense amusement.

He cooperated with Liu Ruyan, reaching out to put his arm around her waist, a mischievous smile playing on his lips, as if enjoying an interesting performance.

Just then, Liu Ruyan deliberately let out a coquettish laugh, her voice sharp and clear.

"Wife, what's wrong?" Ye Chen, startled by the coquettish laugh from the other end of the phone, anxiously pressed for an answer.

Liu Ruyan gently poked Lu Chen's chest with her finger while speaking into the phone:

"It's nothing, I accidentally bumped into the table and hit my foot. Alright, I'm going to Lu Chen's company for the Liu family, do you think I want to? Who are you to tell me what to do?"

As she spoke, she winked at Lu Chen, her eyes sparkling, looking as alluring as could be.

"I'm not being overly worried, I really think Lu Chen is problematic."

Ye Chen was extremely anxious, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead, and even the sheet on the operating table was crumpled from his grip. "I suspect he's a vampire. Stay away from him, it's too dangerous."

He spoke almost pleadingly, hoping Liu Ruyan would listen to him.

Liu Ruyan, however, burst out laughing as if she had heard the funniest joke, laughing so hard she bent over and tears almost came to her eyes: "You're really something, a vampire? Have you been reading too many novels?"

After she had had her fill of laughter, she stopped, saying with a look of disdain, "You should focus on your surgery first, instead of letting your imagination run wild here."

Ye Chen was about to say more when he suddenly remembered that after three years of forbearance, there were only a few days left until he could reveal his identity.

His heart burned with impatience, and he quickly said into the phone: "Wife, wait a few more days for me, I will definitely help you break free from the Lu family's constraints."

Hearing this, Liu Ruyan's lips curved into a disdainful arc, and she let out a soft snort, her face full of indifference.

Seeing this, Ye Chen said no more. He knew clearly that in these final few days, if his identity were exposed, all his previous efforts would be in vain.

After a pause, Ye Chen spoke again: "Your grandmother's birthday banquet is in a few days, let's go together, Wife."

Liu Ruyan was startled upon hearing this, then suddenly remembered the event.

She instinctively wanted to refuse, as she truly didn't want to be too involved with Ye Chen.

Just then, Lu Chen leaned in slowly, his warm breath gently brushing her ear, and whispered, "Agree to him."

Liu Ruyan trembled, feeling the warmth penetrate her ear and seep into her heart, her face instantly flushing red, like a ripe apple.

She composed herself, trying to steady her mind, and responded into the phone, "Alright."

"Really, Wife? That's great!" Ye Chen's voice on the other end of the phone changed pitch with excitement, completely unaware of Liu Ruyan's abnormality, and even less of Lu Chen's instigation behind it.

"Don't get too happy too soon. It's just going to a banquet together."

Liu Ruyan regained some of her usual coolness, deliberately suppressing her inner panic, and said irritably.

Lu Chen looked at Liu Ruyan's expression, his smile growing more intense, a glint of cunning in his eyes as he reached out and gently played with a strand of her hair.

"Wife, don't worry, I'll definitely perform well at the birthday banquet."

Ye Chen was overjoyed, talking to himself, already envisioning the scene of attending the banquet with Liu Ruyan, which also happened to be the day his three-year period ended.

He would definitely make the most imposing entrance!

Even if he might have lost his manhood, he would still be the coolest person there!

Ye Chen was immersed in his own fantasy, completely oblivious to the subtle undercurrents between Liu Ruyan and Lu Chen.

Liu Ruyan and Lu Chen were secretly competing. Lu Chen's fingers wrapped around Liu Ruyan's hair, a mischievous smile on his lips, and he deliberately gave a gentle tug.

Liu Ruyan, caught off guard, trembled violently and couldn't help but let out another soft cry.

"Wife, what's wrong again?"

Ye Chen, already full of worry on the other end of the phone, instantly felt his heart leap to his throat at the sudden gasp. His voice unconsciously rose, filled with deep concern and anxiety, "What exactly is going on over there? Has something happened?"

Lying on the operating table, he gripped his phone tightly, beads of sweat rolling down his temples, soaking the pillow on the operating table.

Liu Ruyan glared fiercely at Lu Chen, the instigator, who, however, acted as if nothing had happened, the amusement in his eyes growing, as if waiting to see how she would cover up her lie.

Liu Ruyan could only force herself to appear calm, her cheeks slightly flushed from anger and nervousness, stammering an explanation: "I... I accidentally kicked my other foot again. I'm just so unlucky."

As she spoke, she gently rubbed her sore scalp, trying to alleviate the ache.

"How can you be so clumsy!"

Ye Chen's voice was full of heartache, "Wife, you must be careful, don't be so careless anymore. If you get hurt, my heart will ache."

At this moment, he wished he could fly to Liu Ruyan's side immediately and take care of her himself, but he was helplessly lying on the operating table, about to undergo surgery, and could only convey his concern through this phone call.

Liu Ruyan listened to Ye Chen's concerned words, but only felt annoyance, yet she couldn't show it.

She turned to look at Lu Chen, whose playful smile became even more pronounced, his eyes seeming to say, "Let's see what other excuses you can come up with."

Liu Ruyan's face grew even redder, this time from being provoked by Lu Chen, and from the embarrassment of putting on an act in front of Ye Chen.

"I know, I know, stop nagging, I can take care of myself."

Liu Ruyan responded to Ye Chen impatiently, her tone full of perfunctoriness.

Lu Chen found Liu Ruyan's appearance extremely amusing and couldn't help but tease, "It seems your husband cares about you quite a bit."

His voice was low, with a hint of playfulness.

Liu Ruyan's face flushed hot at Lu Chen's teasing, turning as red as a fiery sunset.

She bit her lower lip, secretly annoyed, yet had no choice but to go along with Lu Chen's wishes.

In an instant, Liu Ruyan's face was again adorned with a charming smile. She actively reached out and gently pushed Lu Chen, pouting, "You're still laughing, it's all your fault."

Her voice was soft and melodious, the end of her words rising slightly, but her eyes held a hint of helplessness and unwillingness.

Lu Chen looked at Liu Ruyan's expression, his amusement growing even stronger, and the mischievous smile on his lips became more pronounced.

He took her hand, pulling her closer to him, and whispered, "What, blame me? I thought you were having fun."

He lowered his head slightly, his gaze fixed directly on Liu Ruyan's eyes, as if to see through her, his possessiveness fully revealed.

On the other end of the phone, Ye Chen was completely unaware of the intimacy and subtle undercurrents on this side, his heart filled with worry for Liu Ruyan.

He spoke cautiously, his voice carrying a hint of apprehension: "Wife, are you really alright? If you're uncomfortable anywhere, you must tell me."

He anxiously awaited Liu Ruyan's reply, his hands still gripping the phone tightly, as if it were the only link connecting him to Liu Ruyan.

Liu Ruyan rolled her eyes at the phone, her impatience flashing across her face, but she quickly composed herself and said into the phone, "I'm really fine, stop worrying so much, just get your surgery done."

As she spoke, she gently traced circles on Lu Chen's hand with her finger, her gaze never leaving Lu Chen's face, as if challenging him.

Lu Chen chuckled softly, his voice deep and magnetic, and said into Liu Ruyan's ear, "Your husband is truly a devoted man."

Saying this, he gently pinched Liu Ruyan's chin, forcing her to tilt her head slightly and meet his gaze.

Liu Ruyan felt both shy and annoyed, yet couldn't break free, only allowing Lu Chen to manipulate her.

"Wife, then promise me, you must be careful, and I'll come find you after my surgery."

Ye Chen's voice held a hint of anticipation, as well as nervousness about the unknown surgery.

How he wished he could be by Liu Ruyan's side right now, protecting her, but reality forced him to lie on this cold operating table.

Liu Ruyan perfunctorily agreed, then raised an eyebrow at Lu Chen, as if challenging him.

"Wife, you must be careful of Lu Chen, he's not a good person."

Ye Chen was still uneasy, repeatedly urging, "After my surgery, in a few days, I will definitely protect you."

He remembered that he was about to reveal his identity, and then he would be capable of confronting Lu Chen, so his words unconsciously carried a hint of determination.

Ye Chen was about to say more, but at that moment, the operating room door opened, and the doctor walked in, ready to begin the surgery.

Ye Chen could only hastily say into the phone: "Wife, I'm going in for surgery, you must be careful of Lu Chen..."

Before he could finish, Liu Ruyan hung up the phone.

Liu Ruyan casually tossed her phone aside, tidied her hair, and reverted to her cold, icy demeanor, thinking to herself that Ye Chen was truly both foolish and annoying.

After hanging up the phone, Liu Ruyan wrapped her arms around Lu Chen's neck and pouted, "Are you satisfied now?"

Lu Chen looked at her, his smile growing more intense, and reached out to stroke her head, saying, "Good performance, but that's not enough to get the video back."

Liu Ruyan bit her lower lip, a glint of cunning in her eyes, and said with a smile, "Boss Lu, rest assured, I will definitely satisfy you."

...After some indescribable events.

The office door was knocked on again.

"Come in." Lu Chen's voice was steady and calm.

The door slowly opened, and Yu Miaoyin walked in.

She saw Lu Chen sitting leisurely on the sofa, his expression calm.

Liu Ruyan sat on another sofa, far from Lu Chen, with traces of unshed tears on her face, looking particularly delicate and pitiable.

Yu Miaoyin froze for a moment, her eyes widening slightly as her gaze swept back and forth between the two, and she instinctively asked, "What's wrong?"

Liu Ruyan raised her hand, gently wiping away the remaining tears from the corner of her eye with her fingertips, sniffled, her throat seemingly choked by something, her voice clearly choked, but she didn't speak.

She lowered her head slightly, a few strands of hair falling down, obscuring half her face.

Seeing this, Lu Chen sighed softly, a helpless expression appearing on his face, and he began to explain:

"Her husband needs surgery, and currently requires a large sum of money. She wants to advance six months' salary."

Yu Miaoyin's eyes widened even further at these words, filled with surprise and disbelief.

She looked at Liu Ruyan incredulously, stammering, "So... so you already have a husband?"

Liu Ruyan nodded gently, her movements slow and heavy, tears again streaming down her cheeks, one by one, falling onto the back of her hand.

She bit her lower lip slightly, her brows gently furrowed, looking like a pear blossom soaked in the rain, fragile and helpless.

Yu Miaoyin felt a pang of self-reproach as she looked at Liu Ruyan's appearance.

She secretly blamed herself for having had improper thoughts and wrongly speculating about an inappropriate relationship between Liu Ruyan and Lu Chen earlier.

At this moment, she was filled with regret, her eyes full of guilt, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into.

Yu Miaoyin opened her mouth, wanting to say some comforting words, but felt that any words at this moment would seem so pale and powerless...