Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Huang Yuanrui returned with a renewed appetite and a better mood, quickly getting herself back into peak condition.

First, she spent a few days sleeping in at the hotel, allowing her mind to relax and clear, driving away all the exhaustion and negative energy. Next, she had the kitchen prepare different delicacies every day and send them to her room, making sure she ate three proper meals a day.

She carefully arranged the belongings she had brought into every corner of Room 302, making it feel more like a cozy home. She trimmed her split ends, applied face masks every morning and night, and downed a variety of collagen drinks and colorful health supplements. Every day after her bath, she would slather herself from neck to heel in a mixture of body lotion and alpha hydroxy acid, wrapping herself in plastic wrap like a mummy.

Her mental state and complexion improved visibly to the naked eye.

She was preparing for the battle ahead.

There was much to be done, and she divided her plan into two phases:

Phase One: Use her refreshed state to play the role of the beautiful, charming wife and wash away the bad impression she had left on Qin Song recently. The core objective of this stage was to prove she was better than He Qian and that Qin Song’s investment in her would pay off.

Phase Two: Guide Qin Song toward a divorce.

As for the specific method of guidance, she hadn’t decided yet. There were many ways to go about it, and even more potential situations to face. She decided to play it by ear.

That day, she invited Qin Song to Room 302, saying she wanted to treat him to dinner.

As soon as Qin Song walked through the door, he found that Huang Yuanrui had already dimmed the lights and lit candles, preparing a candlelight dinner for him.

Surprised, Qin Song asked, “When you said you were treating me to dinner, you didn’t mean going out? You cooked this yourself?”

Huang Yuanrui gently hugged him from behind. “That’s right. I have these culinary skills, yet I’ve never properly cooked a meal for you.”

Qin Song took her hand. “Ruirui, this is amazing. I had no idea you were such a good cook.”

Huang Yuanrui replied, “Mm-hmm. Sit down and try it. I was worried it would get cold, so I’ve already reheated everything once.”

Qin Song sat down excitedly, picked up a fork, and tucked into a piece of steak. Huang Yuanrui slowly poured him a glass of red wine.

“Is it good?”

“Mmm… honestly, it’s delicious! It’s just as good as anything we’ve had at a restaurant!”

“Eat slowly, no one’s going to take it from you. If you like it, I’ll make it for you again,” Huang Yuanrui said with a slight smile.

Qin Song said, “You sit down too. Eat with me.”

“Okay.”

After eating for a while, Qin Song took a sip of wine and asked, “Ruirui, you said a few days ago that you were planning to settle down here. Were you serious?”

Huang Yuanrui replied, “I did have that thought a few days ago, but I was in a bad mood then and acting on impulse. I’m fine now. However, my love for you is real, and my desire to be with you is even more real. I’m very lonely back home; you’re the person I rely on.”

Qin Song nodded. “Oh, that’s fine. Of course I want to be with you too. Then stay. I’m okay with you staying as long as you want.”

Huang Yuanrui took a sip of her wine and stared into Qin Song’s eyes. “Really?”

“Of course.”

“Then you have to remember to come and spend time with me, hubby.”

“Definitely. I’ll come whenever I have time.”
Huang Yuanrui suddenly remembered something and asked, “By the way, what happened to that ashtray I gave you?”

Qin Song replied, “I left it at the office. Why?”

“Bring it over here to my place, okay?” Huang Yuanrui said. “I have the exact same one-it’s a matching set for couples. We can put the two little icebergs together. It’ll be like us, staying together forever.”

Qin Song smiled and patted her head. “Sure thing.”

The next day, after Qin Song left for work, Huang Yuanrui pulled all the hidden takeout bags out of the cabinet and stuffed them into the trash can.

Of course, those candlelight dinners hadn’t been made by her.

For the next two months, Huang Yuanrui committed herself to playing the role of the perfect housewife.

She downloaded every TV show and movie she could find-domestic and foreign-that featured the keyword “housewife.” She watched them before bed, right after waking up, while using her facial massager, while using her laser hair remover, while soaking in the tub, and even while on the toilet…

She meticulously studied the virtuous poise, the gentle expressions, the graceful movements, and the attentive attitude toward husbands displayed by every housewife in those films.

She created a new Douyin account and followed over a dozen cooking influencers. She liked twenty or thirty different recipes for home-cooked meals and practiced them every day.

She actually started cooking for Qin Song and massaging his sore neck and shoulders.

She traded her exquisite dresses for a few sets of simple loungewear and T-shirts from Taobao. She even learned a few hairstyles that looked effortlessly messy but made her face look smaller.

In front of Qin Song, she began vacuuming the floors and wiping the mirrors with damp towels.

Qin Song said, “Ruirui, you can just leave this stuff to the cleaners. Have them come once a day to tidy up for you. Why do it yourself?”

Huang Yuanrui tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear-a gesture she had practiced several times-and wiped a bead of sweat from the tip of her nose. “Hubby, this is our home. I want to clean it with my own hands.”

Qin Song loved spicy stir-fry pots, so Huang Yuanrui bought several pounds of ingredients from the supermarket to cook for him.

She donned an apron with practiced ease, turned on the exhaust fan in advance, heated the oil, and tossed in the minced green onions and garlic.

The tutorial said to add hot pot base. Huang Yuanrui took the base out of the fridge and realized there was only one chunk left.

Without thinking much of it, she tossed it straight into the pan.

The last piece of a solid beef tallow base often contains the highest concentration of sediment and chili peppers. As soon as it hit the hot oil, a massive cloud of pungent, spicy smoke billowed up, instantly filling the entire room.

Both of them began coughing violently at the same time. Qin Song rushed to open the window for ventilation.

Huang Yuanrui, standing closer to the stove, had tears streaming down her face from the fumes. Squinting, she reached up to turn the exhaust fan to its highest setting and shoved Qin Song into the bathroom, slamming the door shut.

Qin Song immediately pushed the door open to come back out. “Ruirui, it’s too much. You go to the bathroom where the air is clear. I’ll finish the stir-fry.”

Huang Yuanrui pushed him back in again, gasping between coughs, “It’ll stop smoking once I add water. I’m doing it right now. Just stay in there for a bit. It’s bad enough that I’m coughing my lungs out; do I really need to drag you down with me?”

That day, the dish she made was exceptionally delicious.

Huang Yuanrui was very satisfied.